Archive for the ‘Revelation--BibleTrekToday’ Category

Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22

The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning!  All who were faithful to Christ get to live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.  All who enjoy this new beginning have been faithful and trusted Christ.  He has faithfully done what He promised.

John sees a Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.  This city is prepared like a bride for her husband.  (Revelation 21:2)  A voice from heaven announces that the dwelling place of God is among men and He will live with them.  He will comfort them and change the order of their existence.  There will be no more tears, crying or pain.  God is making everything new and His word is sure!

There will be some who won’t enjoy these new eternal accommodations.  These are the cowardly and unbelieving, those who put off deciding to follow the Lord.  Those who are murderers and are sexually immoral will not be invited in.  Those practicing the occult and living lies will also be excluded and sent to the lake of burning sulfur.  This lake is the second death spoken of at the Great White Throne judgment.  (Revelation 20:14-15)

However, the new Jerusalem contains the most precious and beautiful treasures for the redeemed.  There is the river of life that flows from the throne of God.  It’s waters are crystal clear and flowing abundantly.  The banks of the river are lined with the tree of life, bearing fruit each month of the year.  It’s leaves bring healing to the nations.  The best treasure of all is that those who dwell in this city will have God and the Lamb dwelling in their midst and they will see His face!  What blessed peace and joy will be ours when we see Him and behold Him in all His glory!

“Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:12-14)

Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming!  The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of  those waiting for the soon return!  Just reading the invitation to this party makes me want to be ready!  May you be ready too!

As we come to the last day of this year, I am so blessed to have been able to write through the entire Bible.  It is something that I haven’t done before but hope to do again next year!  I know that I have experienced Jesus Christ in every book.  I also know the Lord’s heart better and feel that I have grown spiritually in ways that I would not have without writing.  Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year! In His Love, Pastor John Morse

Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 17-19

Would you rather be part of the prostitute or part of the bridal company?  The analogy in these next chapters is between cheap sex for hire contrasted with the purity of a long term covenant relationship of love, respect and intimacy.  The cheap pleasure ends in woe, smoke, and eternal torment.   The Bride enjoys a great wedding banquet and eternal honeymoon, living happily ever after!  It’s time to listen closely to the end of the story!

John next visits with one of the seven angels who poured out the judgments.  This angel shows him the punishment of the great prostitute who sits on the many waters.  This prostitute has committed adultery with the kings of the earth and the earth’s inhabitants were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.  (Revelation 17:1-2)  John sees a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, dressed like a prostitute with a golden cup in her hand.  This cup is filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.  This title was written on her forehead:  MYSTERY– BABYLON THE GREAT–THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5) This prostitute was drunk with the blood of the saints, those who bore the testimony of Jesus! (Revelation 12:11)

Right before the judgment of this prostitute, angels announce the fall and warn God’s people to come out of her!  (Jeremiah 51:6, 45) (Revelation 18:4) Then the ruin of this prostitute comes quickly–in one hour she is brought to ruin! The kings, merchants, sea captains and sailors all mourn her destruction.  A final angel pronounces the judgment with the hurling of a large boulder into the sea mirroring the words and vision of Jeremiah 51:62-64.  (Revelation 18:21)

Then all heaven erupts with shouting!  “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments.  He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.  He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1-2)  Three more “Hallelujah’s” resound through heaven, the final one announcing the wedding of the Lamb!

John listened as the angel spoke to him again.  “Then the angel said to me, “Write:  Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” and he added, “These are the true words of God.”"   (Revelation 19:9) Amidst all the shouting and worship, John writes another blessing of encouragement to those who read and heed the words of this book!

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful  and True.  With justice He judges and makes war.  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.  . . .He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-12, 15b)

The heavenly Bridegroom comes in power and great glory to judge and make war!  He is Faithful and True in all His judgments!   He is Faithful and True to His Bride!  All His enemies are defeated and He rules as KING OF KINGS!  Hallelujah!

Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 14-16

As this revelation of Jesus Christ continues, the theme of judgment flows through the vision.  John sees the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion and 144,000 redeemed from the tribes of Israel.  They were those who had kept themselves pure and followed the Lamb. (Revelation 14:1-4)  This company was praising the Lamb with a new song that only they could learn.  They were blameless and no lie was in their mouth.

As John continued to look, he saw another angel flying in mid-heaven proclaiming an eternal gospel to those on the earth.  “He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.  Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth the sea and the springs of water.”" (Revelation 14:7)

“A second angel followed and said in  aloud voice: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”" (Revelation 14:8-9) A third angel warns of the wrath of God against those who have the mark of the beast.  They will have no rest and the smoke of their torment will rise forever!  This series of angelic messengers warns the people on earth of God’s coming judgments.  God does nothing by judgment unless He warns His people by the prophets. (Amos 3:6-7)  Here an angel warns all the people still on earth of what is to come.  God would rather each person repent than that they experience His wrath!

“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write:  Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”  Yes”, says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor and their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)

“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)

These are two of the seven “blessed” statements found in Revelation.  Those who read and heed this book are promised a blessing!  (Revelation 1:3)  God also encourages those who trust in Him and gives them instructions and encouragement to help them in the warfare and patience needed in the trying times of the last days.  Death for the believer brings rest from the warfare and rewards for standing true to the Lord!  He will come like a thief for those not ready!  His people will be awake, aware, and prepared by the blood of Jesus! They will be pure by faith and living by faith in obedience to the Lord!

These chapters end with the bowls of wrath poured out on the earth in terrible judgments.  Those on earth are terrified, but curse the God of heaven and refuse to repent and worship Him!  (Revelation 16:9, 11, 21)  Even though warned that these judgments were from God, they cursed Him!  Sin takes us farther away from God, blinds us to the only way out and ends in terrible judgment!  We would do well to pay heed!  His judgments are just and true!

Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 10-13

When we look at the world we live in and the formidable troubles that face all mankind, it is easy to become fearful and worry.  Demonic forces are everywhere and it appears that they are winning.  Pornography is prevalent everywhere.  Terrorism and bloodshed are daily news for those who anxiously watch.  Economic troubles, famines, and earthquakes are regular fare.  Nations are uneasy with wars, rumors of war, nuclear weapons, rockets, and armies in readiness.  Into this setting Christ, the Lamb slain, leads His followers and calls them to be overcomers!

John sees a repeat of the nativity story with a cosmic setting.  This sign appearing in heaven showed a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  This woman was pregnant and and in pain as she was about to give birth.  (Revelation 12:1-2)  John then saw another sign.  There appeared a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on the heads.  The dragon’s tail had swept a third of the stars from the sky and flung them to earth.  The dragon stood in front of the woman to devour her child the moment it was born.  (Revelation 12:3-4)

The woman gave birth to a male child, who will rule all the nations!  The child was snatched up to God and His throne.  The woman fled into the desert to a place God prepared for them.  Then there was war in heaven between Michael the Archangel and his forces and the dragon and his angels.  The dragon was hurled down to earth with his angels with him.  The identity of the dragon was the “ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan”.  (Revelation 12:7-9)

A loud voice from heaven announced the coming of the kingdom of God and the hurling down of the accuser of the brothers.  The brothers “overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)  The heavens were rejoicing!  All who dwelt there were encouraged to rejoice!  Those on the earth, however, would have woe because the devil was enraged.  He knew his time was short! (Revelation 12:12)

As believers, we are seated in the heavens in Christ.  Heaven is our home.  We can rejoice because we have overcome.  The blood of Jesus speaks peace, joy, and pardon for all who will repent and trust the Lord!  We are overcomers with the forces of heaven!  The devil is cast down and we are snatched up along with the Man-child who was born to the woman!  No matter what might happen to us on earth, the best is yet to come!  Rejoice today and tell someone the good news!  The devil’s time is short!

Dear Friends,

On this last Sunday of 2009, after reading and writing through the Bible, we can again rest because I can finish on time in four more days!  As I reflect on this journey, I have learned to see Jesus in a fresh way.  I feel that I know Him better and have an understanding of His mercy for us.  He longs to have fellowship with each of us and desires that none perish or suffer the wrath of God against sin.

We are secure in Christ and can rest today in our salvation and our future.  Every promise of Scripture is given that we might escape the corruption in this world and enter the abundance provided by Christ.  His power and wisdom exceed anything that we even remotely understand.  He is working out His plans to bring everything in heaven and earth and under the earth into harmony with God the Father.  He is confident.

Government powers and world rulers are no match for Jesus either.  All the armies, nuclear weapons, and political decrees can’t stop Him.  Neither can religious deception and humanistic idolatry stop Jesus from destroying all sin and rebellion and ruling with absolute truth and justice.  Both the Beast and False Prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire, where they are tormented for ever and ever!  The wicked are judged and get their just desserts!

The end of Revelation is a new beginning!  A new heaven and new earth come into being and the righteous bask in the presence of the Lord and dwell with Him for ever and ever!  These words are trustworthy and the One who spoke them is Truth Himself!  We are so blessed to know these promises and by faith live in them today and for ever!  Have a great day of rest!

In His Love, Pastor John

Scripture reading for December 26th: Revelation 8-9

As Revelation chapter 8 begins, the seventh seal was opened in heaven by the Lamb.  I heard a questionable story about that.  The person said that we can know for sure that no women will be saved!  This is because there is silence in heaven for half an hour–no woman could keep quiet for that long!

This seal reveals seven angels who have seven trumpets standing before the throne of God.   Another angel, who had a golden censer, stood at the golden altar right in front of the throne and was given incense to offer.  We are told that this incense was the prayers of the saints.  Our prayers come before God’s throne in heaven.  They have the fragrance to the Lord like sweet incense.  Our cries, worship, adoration and thanksgiving have a special place close to the seat of all power in the universe!

The response to these prayers is instructive!  The angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the golden altar and then hurled it to the earth.  This act produced thunder, lightning and an earthquake.  Prayers have the power to move God to shake the earth!  We must never take the privilege of prayer lightly!

Then the angels with the trumpets began to sound them one by one.  With each trumpet blast, there was a corresponding reaction on earth that brought judgment and destruction.  As John watched the first four angels and the events on earth, an eagle that was flying in midair spoke in a loud voice.  “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the last three angels.” (Revelation 8:13)

The fifth trumpet sounded and John saw a star that had fallen from the sky.  This star was some sort of angel for he was given the key to the Abyss.  When he opened it smoke rose and darkened the sky.  Out of this smoke, creatures like locusts with the sting of a scorpion covered the earth. They were instructed to sting only those without the seal of God.  Their sting brought horrible suffering but not death, although death was desired by the bitten!

The sixth trumpet brought the release of four angels of death who were bound by the river Euphrates.  These angels brought death to a third of mankind.  They loosed what looked like an army of mounted troops numbering two hundred million.  These troops killed the third of mankind with plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur.  Even this display of mighty power did not cause any of the rest of mankind to repent of their demon worship, idolatry, murder or sexual immorality!

These trumpet judgments were inflicted on the unsaved of the earth.  They were so hardened in their sins that they refused to repent!  These chapters of Revelation show us the power of prayer and the protection of the seal of God on those who are saved.  They warn us of the power of sin to blind and harden us. Check your heart today!

Scripture reading for December 25th: Revelation 6-7

The drama in heaven continues with John watching the Lamb as He opens the scroll one seal at a time.  With each seal, there is a revelation or picture that John sees and writes down for us to experience what he saw.  With our imagination, we can see a picture as John saw it.  These visions represent judgments that are coming on the earth in the days to come.  The Lamb opens the seals and one of the living creatures speaks to John.

The vision with the first seal was a white horse and rider.  The rider held a bow and rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.  The second seal brought a vision of a red horse and rider.  This rider held a sword and would take peace from the earth by causing men to slay each other.  The third seal brought a black horse and rider.  That rider held a pair of scales and spoke of famine.  The fourth seal brought a pale horse and it’s rider was named “Death” and Hades was close behind.  This rider was given power to kill a fourth of the earth with the sword, famine and plague and by wild beasts of the earth.

It was plain that the seals revealed judgments coming on the earth in the future.  The fifth seal changed the scene from earth to heaven and the altar.  Under the altar were the souls of a multitude who had been slain for their testimony and the Word of God.  They asked the Lord how long before judgment would come to the earth for their blood.  They were told to be patient until those of their brother who would be killed would be complete.  (Revelation 6:9-11)

The sixth seal brought a great earthquake.  The sun turned black and the moon turned blood red.  The stars in the sky fell to earth and the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up.  With this destructive turmoil, the people left on the earth hid in caves and among the rocks of mountains.  They asked the rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of the One on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb.  They knew where the judgment was coming from and who was in control, but did not want to face them!  They were in fear and distress, but not in faith!

Revelation 7 is an interlude in the heavenly drama.  Between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, John describes the marking of 144,000 from the tribes of Israel.  These are sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads.  John then sees a multitude in white robes from every nation, tongue and tribe.  They are worshiping the Lamb.  John asks who these are and is told that they are those who have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the Lamb’s blood. (Revelation 7:13-14)

These awesome events are scenes of things yet to come.  We must have the seal of God to avoid the seals of judgment opened by the Lamb.  Are you washed in His blood?

Scripture reading for December 24th: Revelation 4-5

John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice calling him to enter.  It was the same voice that he had heard earlier–the voice of Jesus!   He immediately saw the brilliant throne of heaven and One seated on it.  This throne was encircled by an emerald rainbow and radiated flashes of lightning and rumblings of loud thunder.  This throne was surrounded by 24 other thrones with elders seated dressed in white with golden crowns.  There were four other living creatures that resembled animals with eyes all over them.  These creatures worshiped the One on the throne constantly saying “Holy,holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

The 24 elders responded to the worship of these strange creatures with worship of their own.  They fell down before the throne and cast their golden crowns before the Lord and said: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)

It is interesting to note that the worship of the 24 elders is focused on God as creator of all things.  Everything that has life draws it’s life from God.  He is the source of life.  Because of His will and pleasure we have our being.  Many in our culture deny God as creator and feel that their existence is not connected to anything but time and chance.  Gods of good luck and fortune move them instead of the Lord, Creator of all!

John next saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.   A mighty angel spoke out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2)  No one was found and John began to weep profusely.  One of the elders spoke up and told John to calm down because the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed.  He would open the scroll!

When John looked, this Lion was none other than a Lamb who had the marks of being slain.  He also had seven horns and seven eyes!  The Lamb took the scroll from the One seated on the throne and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb and began to worship with a new song:  “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priest to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

John looked again and he saw multitudes of angels worshiping the Lamb and then he heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea singing praises to the One on the throne and to the Lamb!  The Lion who is also a Lamb is the focus of all heaven and earth!   Jesus Christ is His Name!

Scripture reading for December 23rd: Revelation 1-3

Today we come to the last book of the Bible on our journey through Scripture.  Our goal has been to encounter Jesus in each book or letter and gain an understanding of Him that equips us to live out our faith in an authentic manner.  The opening words “The revelation of Jesus Christ” give us an immediate understanding that this last book is all about Jesus Christ!  It was written by one of the twelve disciples, John the beloved, while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9)  He was worshiping the Lord on a Sunday when he heard a voice speaking to him.  Upon looking, he saw Jesus and heard Him speak to him a message that was to be written down for the churches that John served.

John describes the vision of Jesus in this first chapter of Revelation.  Jesus appeared in such glory and power that John fell down as a dead man.  (Revelation 1:17)  We who are pentecostal might say that John was slain in the Spirit!  Jesus touched John and spoke again. “Then He placed His right hand on me and said:  “do not be afraid.  I am the First and the Last.  I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!  And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17b-18)

John was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.  He and probably many others were suffering for their faith in Jesus.  Some had already died, quite probably all the other disciples who walked with Jesus as John did.  During this special worship time, Jesus came in visible form and then spoke words of faith and encouragement to this special apostle.

Jesus is the keeper of the keys of death and Hades!  Satan was not in control and neither was Rome!  Human authorities and governments have no power except that granted by our Lord for His purposes.  Even though death looks permanent to us, Jesus conquered death and Hades and rose from the dead.  He took the keys from Satan and holds the key for our deliverance from there as well!  By faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from our sins and their power to hold us in Satan’s abode.  Jesus was dead and now lives forever as the first fruits of them that will live forever!  What encouragement this truth gives to us!

Christians rejoice in this truth!  Death has no power over us and the grave is not to be feared!  Faith is the victory and we can rest assured without fear of what is to come!  We know the one who is alive forever and has the keys!