Scripture: Revelation 22

Observation:      As John’s vision comes to a close, he sees a piece of ancient history resurrected.  Standing next to the river of life is the tree of life – the same tree Adam and Eve were told not to eat of in the Garden of Eden.  Finally, things are back to the way they were created to be.  No sin, God’s presence providing light for all, his presence with us in physical form and eternal life in God’s great city for everyone who washed their robes – putting washing away sin and following Christ.

Application:        Reading this chapter creates a longing for the world to be what’s described here.  It’s spiritually tiring living in our world the way it is.  Tapping into God’s strength each day is critically important, but I still face all the junk that sin and sinful people bring.  It also provides a vision to shoot for – to serve faithfully and to live each day for Jesus because of the reward that’s waiting at the end.  Finally, it’s an encouragement to represent Christ well as an ambassador so the new city will be as crowded as possible.

Prayer:                 Thanks for this vision of what’s to come.  Eternity with you will be even beyond what I can read or imagine.  Come, Lord Jesus!

Scripture: Revelation 21

Observation:      A new heaven and a new earth are in store for God’s people.  The old one will be done away with, and the new comes straight from God.  The new city of God is large enough for all believers, past, present and future.  Along with the new place are an end to suffering, an end to death and an end to all the trials and tribulations of the past.  After all the battles, plagues and conflict, this is the state we’ll live in as children of God.

Application:        What a great promise.  Amazing that God loves us so much he’s been preparing this new place to live since the beginning of time.  Finally, we’ll understand what Adam and Eve had as they walked and talked non-stop with God in the Garden of Eden.  Whether this is a literal or a figurative description of what eternity will be like, it’s clear that it will be phenomenal.  A place of perfection where we don’t have to experience any of the garbage we face day to day.  Can’t wait!

Prayer:                 Thanks for giving me a glimpse of what you have in store for your people for eternity.  May it continually be an encouragement and a motivator to me while I’m here on earth.

 

 

Scripture: Revelation 20

Observation:     For people who thought the final judgment would never come, now’s the time they’re proven wrong.  All the unbelievers in the history of mankind are lined up and judged by God based on their deeds.  Since these are people who never accepted Christ, their fate is sealed.  Some have said that this is the saddest passage in scripture since it tells the story of people with no hope.

Application:      Much of our lives we function like there’s no judgment coming.  When the consequences for our actions aren’t immediate, we fool ourselves into thinking there are no consequences coming.  When it comes to eternity, nothing could be more wrong.  There is a judgment coming.  A judgment that’s swift and sure.  We need to be sure of our faith in and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior, and work hard to spread the good news about him to others so this terrible day can be avoided.

Prayer:             Give me courage and perseverance in talking to others about you, and showing them by my life what it means to be a follower of yours so they can avoid this judgment.

Scripture: Revelation 19

Observation:     The preliminaries are over, the lines have been drawn and it’s time for the battle.  Jesus comes out like no one has seen him before – on a white horse with a sword leading an army of angels.  This makes trashing the temple look tame.  The supporters of the beast are aligned and quickly defeated.  It makes me wonder why they bothered – did they really think they’d win?  Their arrogance and self-delusion are incredible and lead them to defeat.

Application:      We talk a lot about how kind and understanding and helpful Jesus is – and he is.  But it’s important to remember he’s also God.  He hates sin, he can’t stand evil, but he’s kept himself restrained until now.  I wonder how much I try God’s patience in a given day.  How much I presume upon his goodness and love and forget that he hates my sin with a passion and that he’s just waiting to cut loose on evil wherever he finds it.

Prayer:             Both for me and when I encounter evil in the world, help me remember that while you are patient, there is a limit to the patience and that the day is coming when you’ll act.

Scripture: Revelation 18

Observation:     Warnings were given, plagues have been distributed, judgments have been pronounced, and now finally, in the aftermath of destruction the kings who aligned themselves with the anti-christ’s world system and the merchants and others who bought into the economic part of it are dazed and confused and don’t know where to turn.  In spite of the warnings and messages directed at them, they chose the side that looked like it would be to their advantage and now find themselves destroyed.

Application:      The Bible says that there’s a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  That’s great advice when I want to go my own way and ignore God’s instructions and warnings.  The ultimate in that is in this chapter – buying into a system other than God’s, regardless of how good it looks only leads to disappointment, destruction and ultimately death.

Prayer:             May I pay attention to the way you want me to go and ignore the world’s ways no matter how attractive or lucrative they look.

Scripture: Revelation 17

Observation:     John takes a break from his narrative of the judgment and takes us back again to take a look at what’s being judged.  One of the main things is people’s commitment to and acceptance of false religions.  The unfaithful prostitute of false religion has deceived a ton of people, but in the end, she is seen for who she is, turned on by her own people and destroyed.

Application:      A lot of people are out there looking for a feel good religion.  One that just features things that appeal to them and promise them health and wealth and happiness without any trouble.  It’s easy to fall into that trap – after all, who wants to give up their own rights and freedom to follow God if they can find a way that teaches you can have God and whatever you want as well.  Unfortunately, that kind of religion doesn’t fly with God, and while he may let it go for awhile, in the end, he’ll reveal it for what it is and have some harsh judgment for people who follow false religions instead of having true faith in and surrender to Christ.

Prayer:             Don’t let me settle for the false promises of easy believing religion.  Help me stay true to the commands and enjoy the promises that are found only in your Word.

Scripture: Revelation 16

Observation:     The prelude’s concluded, and now the end of the world as we know it is near in the form of seven bowls of plague to be poured out.  In the Old Testament, God visited ten plagues on Egypt, and Pharaoh’s heart continued to be hard.  Earlier in this book, one third of the earth was subject to plagues and people still didn’t repent.  Now the plagues go all over the earth, and still people are so deceived and hardened and rebellious that they won’t acknowledge God.

Application:      Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many warnings and examples people have, they still insist on going their own way.  Even in the face of terrifying and horrific plagues that decimate those who are rebellious against God, many will refuse to follow God or even acknowledge his power.  That’s to their detriment, just as it is for anyone who wants to stay in control of their own life instead of following God’s way.

Prayer:             Never let me lose my senses and think I know better than you.  Don’t let it come to plagues to convince me to follow you with my life.

Scripture: Revelation 15

Observation:     The end is near.  The final plagues of God’s wrath are ready to be poured out.  Seven angels with seven bowls all cheered on by believers who have won victory over the beasts and their troops, praising God and playing harps.  Seven bowls because that’s the number of perfection and completeness.  The perfect God is about to bring this drama to a dramatic conclusion.

Application:      We tend to worry about a lot of things.  The economy, retirement, our jobs, our kids – the list goes on and on.  In truth, there’s only one thing we need to be worried and concerned about.  The final judgment – the completion of time and the beginning of a new age.  The worry may not be for us – believers who stay faithful are safe from God’s wrath.  Our worry may be for our friends and relatives.  This should be motivation enough to do what we can to be sure they have every chance to respond to the gospel.

Prayer:             Let me be focused on the right things – eternal things – rather than the things that are here today and gone tomorrow.

Scripture: Revelation 14

Observation:     In direct contrast to the impact and influence of the beasts in chapter 13, the picture here in chapter 14 is encouraging to believers.  The value of patience and endurance in the face of persecution is highlighted as the earth is harvested and judgment is given to everyone who deserves it.  The power of the beasts and the dragon is only temporary.  The power of God and his son Jesus is eternal.

Application:      I tend to sometimes get frustrated that things aren’t the way they should be.  Selfish people get rich and kind and generous people get pushed aside and ignored.  Evil seems to get rewarded and carry the day while good and Godly get ridiculed and criticized.  But justice will come.  Evil will be punished and faithfulness will be rewarded.  We need to be patient and endure and God will take care of the justice.

Prayer:             Help me to not get discouraged when things don’t appear fair or right.  May I simply do what’s right and leave the judgment and justice to you.

Scripture: Revelation 13

Observation:     In the constant struggle between God and Satan, Satan brings in two beasts to help him.  One from the sea and one from the land.  The first is terrible and intimidating – ugly and intimidating, it is arrogant and forceful.  The other is smooth – convincing and seemingly harmless – but ultimately deceiving.  Satan uses the first beast to persecute the church and the second to deceive – both are dangerous and both are deadly.

Application:      Throughout God’s Word we’re instructed in how to handle both these “beasts”.  When persecution comes, we’re to remain faithful.  We may not currently face physical persecution, but Christians around the world do.  Many lose their lives every year in countries where Christianity is a minority religion.  We need to read about their experiences to not only identify with their struggles, but to pray for them.  The other danger the Bible speaks to is deception by false teaching.  We have to work hard to test every spirit and evaluate every teaching to be sure it’s true to God’s Word.

Prayer:             If persecution comes help me stand firm in my faith.  In the same spirit, don’t let me be persuaded by deception, but test every teaching with the plumb line of your Word.