Category: Ecclesiastes-BibleTrekToday
Believers stay awake and clothed!
Scripture reading for December 21st: Revelation 16, Psalm 104, Ecclesiastes 6
Revelation 16: 12-16 “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and the water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
As the sixth of seven bowls are poured out on the earth, events are put in motion to bring the beast and it’s kings and armies to the place of judgment. The beast, dragon and false prophet are all speaking words of blasphemy and boastfulness and vanity. John sees these words as unclean spirits, like frogs, coming from their mouths. These words gather the rebel nations of earth and their armies together in a united effort to do away with the holy city and God’s people. Sounds much like the time we are living in! But the righteous who live by faith in God’s Word, are not sleeping or overcome with fear. They are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and covered with His blood. Their minds are centered on Christ and they will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony of faith!
Psalm 104:34-35 “May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!”
Prayer: Father God, I meditate on Your Words and on the purposes of Your heart. These end-time bowls of wrath surely call for me to be awake and clothed in Your righteousness. I intercede for my family, friends, and neighbors who still do not know You or humbly follow You. Send laborers to share the Good News of righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ. Here I am, Lord, send me if no one else will go!
Ecclesiastes 6:10-11 “Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?”
God rules from His Throne!
Scripture reading for December 20th: Revelation 15, Psalm 103, Ecclesiastes 5
Revelation 15: 5-8 “After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God Who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.”
There is a glorious throne in Heaven’s sanctuary where God rules supreme and those angels who serve Him await His every command. They run to do His will, obeying His voice. In this passage of Revelation, we see the four living creatures obey God and give the bowls of His wrath to be poured out on earth. These are the final judgments decreed by God on those refusing to repent and submit to His power and glory and offer of mercy. There is no vanity or self promotion among God’s servants. There is universal awe and respect for God’s Word, power and plans. Worship flows even as the bowls of judgment are about to be poured out. God is righteous, holy and blessed in all His works and all His dominion. Amen! Hallelujah!
Psalm 103:19-22 “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His Word, obeying the voice of His Word! Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers, who do His will! Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Prayer: Father God, I am in awe of Your glorious throne and those who willingly attend to Your Word and plans. I am grateful for Your justice and for your mercy towards those who are humble and contrite. I bless You today for Your amazing works of mercy, creation, and justice on the earth and towards mankind. I will worship You now and forever in grateful obedience. May holy fear fill my heart and life!
Ecclesiastes 5: 7 “For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the One you must fear.”
The hour to reap has come!
Scripture reading for December 19th: Revelation 14, Psalm 102, Ecclesiastes 4
Revelation 14: 14-19 “Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud One like a Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to Him Who sat on the cloud, “Put in Your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So He Who sat on the cloud swung His sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. And another angel came from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
There is an appointed time for everything under the sun! Solomon wrote this in Ecclesiastes 3:1 and John had the privilege of observing the end from the beginning as in heaven he was shown the vision of Jesus Christ, Son of Man, reaping the harvest of the earth. The wheat will be gathered into His barn, Father’s House, and given eternal life. The wicked will be gathered and thrown into the winepress of the wrath of God, His eternal hatred of sin and evil. The King of Kings will be enthroned forever and rule in righteousness and truth. He will show mercy to those who by faith have trusted in Jesus Christ but He will judge those still living for themselves. The Son of Man awaits the command to bring in the harvest!
Psalm 102:12-13 “But You, O Lord, are enthroned forever; You are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, Son of Man! Thank You for appointing the time for everything under the sun and for setting the boundaries of each life, even before the world began. Help me to be content in quiet rest in Jesus Christ. Use me today to share the Good News of the salvation offered through the Son of Man. May none perish in the winepress of God’s holy wrath at the harvest.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”
God’s amazing omnicience!
Scripture reading for December 18th: Revelation 13, Psalm 101, Ecclesiastes 3
Revelation 13: 5-9 “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming His Name and His dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb Who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: . .”
Did you know that there is a book of life in heaven that contained the names of all those who would humbly receive the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ and worship Him? Did you know that this book was composed before the world was created? God is eternal and time is just a part of His creation. He is above all creation and complete in Himself. He reveals these unseen and unknown truths to His people through His Word and Son. He allows His people to undergo testing and trials, building their faith. In this passage the beast out of the sea, is allowed to rule for forty-two months and have authority over all on earth. He makes war on the saints and conquers them. But the beast’s time is short! Saints win!
Psalm 101:7-8 “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.”
Prayer: Father God, Your amazing omniscience causes me to wonder and worship! Your eternal Word and works testify to Your grace and goodness in all Your works. You even use the evil one and those following him for Your purposes and glory. Open my ears each day to hear Your Word and keep me from deception and compromise. I dedicate my body and soul and mind to You alone! Have Your way in me!
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before Him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.”
War in heaven, the devil on earth!
Scripture reading for December 15th: Revelation 12, Psalm 100, Ecclesiastes 2
Revelation 12: 7-12 “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world–he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.””
John now writes about war in the heavenly realm. There was conflict between God’s powerful angels and Satan and his rebellious angels. There was victory for God’s angels and Satan was cast out of heaven and down to earth. Satan would no longer be allowed to accuse God’s people before the throne. The kingdom rule of God and Christ was in charge. But the accuser would attack God’s people on earth. They would overcome him through standing in faith in the victory of the cross through Jesus Christ’s shed blood and their testimony of faith. They would stay true, even if it cost their lives! In standing firm, victory was assured and they would enter God’s heavenly gates with thanksgiving and praise for His love and deliverance!
Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His Name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the promise of our victory through the blood of Your Son, our Lamb! I will cling to Jesus Christ as my testimony of salvation. Give me grace today and each day to resist temptation and thankfully enjoy life under the leadership of Your Holy Spirit. Give grace to brothers and sisters around the world under the devil’s attack. Reveal Jesus Christ as the conquering Lamb!
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 “There is nothing better for a person that that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, is from the hand of God, for apart from Him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”
The time has come!
Scripture reading for December 14th: Revelation 11, Psalm 99, Ecclesiastes 1
Revelation 11:15-18 “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, Who is and Who was, for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but Your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear Your Name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.””
As events in heaven are revealed to John to write down, John watches as the seventh angel blows his trumpet and announce the eternal reign of the King Jesus Christ. There is immediate worship around the throne as the elders fall on their faces proclaiming this new beginning. They decree that the nations of earth were full of rage against God’s King but God’s wrath against this rebellion would bring judgment and eternal loss. God’s great love would also bring reward to His servants, prophets and saints. They would see the destruction and punishment of the wicked and those who destroyed the earth and God’s people. All vanity would be judged and Jesus Christ exalted over all nations forever and ever.
Psalm 99:1-2 “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion; He is exalted over all the peoples!”
Prayer: Father God, I exalt You and worship You in holy fear and awe at Your plan for justice and Jesus’ rule on the earth! I am thankful that You, alone, know the hearts of all and judge with equity through Your Son Jesus Christ. I look forward to this seventh and last trumpet and the eternal reign of my King! Use me today to share His love and mercy with those bent on destroying the earth and his people.
Ecclesiastes 1:14-15 “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight and what is lacking cannot be counted.”
Finishing the race with endurance!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2nd Timothy 4
2nd Timothy 4:5-8 “As for you (Timothy), always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul’s earthly life was at its ending. He encouraged Timothy, his son in the faith, to always be about the work of evangelism to which the Lord had called him. This would require sober-minded dedication and focus. Paul had set Timothy an example to follow of faithfulness, even to imprisonment and ultimately to being martyred for Christ. Paul had fought a good fight of faith, patiently and faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word, and living it out by example. He had run his race to the finish line and awaited the crown of the victor, which the Lord would award him in the Day of Christ. This crown was for all who would fight to the finish and run to win.
2nd Timothy 4:17-18 “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for standing by me all the years of my life and for the promise You will bring me safely into Your heavenly kingdom! I am endeavoring to fight the good fight of faith each day and to finish the race You set before me. I claim by faith the crown of righteousness that Paul said was for all who loved Your appearing!
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Last-day difficulties
Scripture reading for July 7th: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2nd Timothy 3
2nd Timothy 3:1-5 “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Paul wanted Timothy, and us, to understand that this world would not get better as time went onward. The time before Jesus’ return would be marked by increased wickedness among the people of the world. They would be centered on ‘self’ and gratifying their flesh. They would be involved in idolatry and violence and seeking after pleasure rather than seeking after God. In all of this self-centeredness, they would cover themselves with a pretense of ‘godliness’ but lack any power of restraint from evil. Believers were to meticulously avoid association with such people. Their pursuit of God’s righteous and true holiness would bring the need for holy separation.
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Prayer: Father God, You are my refuge and strength in these times of difficulty and trouble. Help me to avoid the traps of these difficult times and to pursue true godliness and gently lead those who will listen to truth and escape from the snares of self-centered living and religion. Your Word is my guide and my message to keep my path straight and avoid a life ending in vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:10 “Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity.”
The pursuit of the godly!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Ecclesiastes 4-6, Psalm 125, 2nd Timothy 2
2nd Timothy 2: 22-26 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will.”
Paul’s last instructions to Timothy, his son in the faith, was a warning and an encouragement. Timothy was warned to flee youthful passions and avoid those who wanted to wrangle over words and cause strife. As servants of God, His people are to be in ‘hot pursuit’ of God’s kingdom and His righteousness found through faith in His Word and grounded in His love and peace. This brings purity of heart to the believer and they can see God even more clearly and will be able to show the love and kindness of God to those involved in evil. Patience and gentleness must mark those who serve Christ Jesus. This contrasts with those ensnared by the devil. Our holy lifestyle can lead them to repentance and life through grace.
Psalm 125:1-2 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, form this time forth and forevermore.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the advice of a Father through Paul to Timothy. I am warned, even in my old age, to avoid quarrels and arguments. Fill me with Your Spirit of patience and gentleness as I teach Your Word and seek to help those caught in the devil’s snare to find repentance and eternal life. Surround me with Your presence and make me stand firm, rejoicing in every opportunity to serve You.
Ecclesiastes 5:19 “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil–this is the gift of God.”
Not ashamed, fully convinced!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Psalm 45, 2nd Timothy 1
2nd Timothy 1: 8-12 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed for I know Whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”
This would be Paul’s last letter kept for us the Church. Paul was in prison facing certain execution and he wrote passionately and with purpose to his young protégé, Timothy. He encouraged him not to be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus Christ, which had gotten Paul in the place he was. He was also not to be ashamed of Paul, but to be willing to share in suffering for the Gospel. Paul’s reason was God’s great grace given to each believer and Jesus’ holy calling and appointment as a minister of the Gospel. The message of the cross and Jesus Christ alone has the power to bring abolish death and bring life and immortality to light to all who would hear and believe. Paul was also sharing his conviction that Jesus would fulfill His promise to him of life and immortality as well!
Psalm 45:6-7 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions, . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the assurances of Scripture and through Your apostles and prophets as they lived by faith and boldly testified of Your great love and promises. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness today to share this message without shame or fear in a culture that is hopeless and lost in the darkness and sin. May Your glorious light shine into this darkness through Your appointed ones!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted.”