Category: Job–BibleTrekToday
“Come.” “Enter the city by the gates.”
Scripture reading for December 30th: Job 40-42, Psalm 150, Revelation 22
Revelation 22:14-17 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” Let the one who hears say, “Come” And let the one who is thirsty come: let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
The Revelation of Jesus Christ closes with a further description of the Holy City and its river of Life and the throne of God and the Lamb. All His servants come through Him, the Gate, and will worship Him and see His Face and have His Name on their foreheads. God’s glory will light their lives and they will reign with Him forever. If anyone wants to be truly blessed, they must was their robes and respond to the invitation to “Come” that the Spirit and the Bride are offering to any that are thirsty. All may come without cost for the free gift of the Water of Life and eat of the Tree of Life. Jesus Christ, Himself, declares three times that He is coming soon! He assures us that it is He Who has sent His angel to testify about His coming to the Churches! The final prayer of the Bride: “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Psalm 150:1-2, 6 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” . . . “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to earth as the Son of God and Son of Man to reveal the way to Your eternal home–prepared for us! We are eager to see the Holy City and our place You prepared for us. But most of all, we long to see Your face and behold Your glory and worship forever! You truly have given us far, far, more that we deserve! Praise our Lord!
Job 42:10-11 “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had know him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.”
The Temple and the Lamp!
Scripture reading for December 29th: Job 37-39, Psalm 103, Revelation 21
Revelation 21:22-27 “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day–and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
John next sees a new heaven and a new earth, as the first heaven and earth had passed away. Then he saw a Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. This Holy City was to be the dwelling place of the Lord God with His Bride: saints redeemed from earth. One of the seven angels who had administered the seven last plagues in the bowls of God’s wrath took John on a tour of the city to show him the Wife of the Lamb. There was a temple in the city and it was the Lord God Almighty Himself and the Lamb. There was no sun or moon shining on or in this city, but the glory of God and the Lamb was its eternal source of pure light. It was a Holy City and Holy Bride as nothing unclean would ever enter it as well as no unclean or wicked people, no sickness, disease, or death. Only those whose names were written by faith in Jesus Christ in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Psalm 103:2-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Prayer: Father God, I bless You! Lord Jesus Christ, I bless You! Thank You for all Your many benefits, available now by faith and these promised for eternity in Your presence! It is Your presence for eternity in that Holy City where You are the Temple where we continually behold Your glory that will light our life! I ask that all my children and their offspring might dwell with You and behold Your glory forever! Amen!
Job 38: 4-7 “”Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements–surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its corner stone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?””
Martyrs become priests for a thousand years!
Scripture reading for December 28th: Job 34-36, Revelation 20
Revelation 20:4-6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
As God’s righteous judgments are falling, John sees thrones set up for judgment and those given authority to judge were placed on them. These are likely the saints who had been raptured earlier before these final judgments. He also saw the souls of those martyred for faith in Jesus Christ and God’s Word coming to life again and reigning with Christ for a thousand years. We are told this is the ‘first resurrection’. Blessed are those that have a share in this resurrection. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to come out and deceive the nations again. Evidently a large number will follow him into the final battle where fire falls from heaven and consumes them all. How we all need to cling to Christ and His Word!
Revelation 20:7-9 “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, God and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, . .”
Prayer: Father God, thank You again that You do not pervert justice. You keep all Your faithful promises both for justice and also for reward for faithful servants. I look forward to Your great rapture of the Church and then the first resurrection before Your millennial reign. Give me and all who follow You grace to stay true during the trials of the last days and to faithfully serve You alone!
Job34:12 “Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.”
Judgment for the generations!
Scripture reading for December 27th: Job 31-33, Psalm 102, Revelation 19
Revelation 19: 1-4 “After this I heard what seemed to be a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just; for He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of His servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God Who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”
God had called in Revelation 18:30 for rejoicing in heaven from the saints, apostles and prophets over God’s just judgment of Babylon. Chapter 19 begins with a great multitude in heaven loudly shouting “Hallelujah!” and praising God for the judgments and the righteous vengeance of God on those who failed to repent but shed the blood of saints, apostles and prophets. All heaven worshiped God Almighty in hearty agreement saying “Amen!” All the redeemed of earth and heaven long for God to bring mercy to the lost and while on earth, are called to share the Good News. But there is also a longing for the removal of sin and corruption from the earth and those who, refusing mercy, perpetrate the rebellion. Only our Omniscient God can justly judge and righteously repay. He too would rather show mercy. We worship Him for His amazing patience and mercy but also for His righteous judgments!
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: Hallelujah! Amen! Thank You Lord for Your great mercy towards me and all the saints, apostles, and prophets! We are all saved by Your amazing grace by the gift of Jesus Christ and His shed blood. You have wiped away our sins and given us a mission to share the Good News. Thank You for Your promise of final righteous judgments at the appointed time. Let every generation bring You glory!
Job 31:9-12 “”If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door, then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down on her. For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by judges; that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon, it would burn to the root of all my increase.””
The announcement of judgment!
Scripture reading for December 26th: Job 28-30, Revelation 18
Revelation 18: 1-3 “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.””
John is viewing yet another mighty angel, illuminated with God’s glory, making the announcement of God’s judgment. He proclaims the fall of ‘Babylon the great.’ In the mind of God, it is already accomplished. When God speaks, it is done! God also reveals the reason for this fall–demons now dwell there and those birds and beasts are under demonic oppression. This world system of humanism and demonic lies, like sexual immorality, have captivated all the kings of the earth and merchants of the earth. They make war, enslave people, fixate on money and riches, centered only on themselves. God, through this angel, proclaims the fall as taking ‘one hour’! A second voice from heaven–very probably Jesus Christ, calls to those redeemed during this final period of judgment: “Come out of her, My people!”
Revelation 18:4-5 “Then I hear another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”
Prayer: Father God, it is comforting to me and Your people that You are so patient with all mankind, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance by turning away from evil. Your cry to ‘Come out’ penetrates the darkness of this evil world system. Lord, let the holy fear of God bring wisdom to those still foolishly living in luxury and evil. I offer my body and voice today to share Your urgent call!
Job 28:28 “And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'”
The woman on the scarlet beast
Scripture reading for December 23rd: Job 24-27, Revelation 17
Revelation 17:3-6 “And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.”
We remember that John was caught up through an open door in heaven to behold the things to come. As his guided tour of the things to come progressed, John was shown a vision of a scarlet beast, having seven heads and ten horns, with a woman seated on it, dressed as a seductive prostitute. This beast was likely the ‘anti-christ’ and his world government coalition. The woman is described as finely dressed and full of fine jewelry and holding a drinking cup of pure gold in her hand. This cup was full of abominations and impurity coming from sexual immorality. She was drunk on the blood of martyrs. This woman had a name stamped on her forehead–a mystery–“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” This beast makes war on the Lamb and the Lamb conquers him. There is no equal to the conquering Lamb and His called and chosen followers!
Revelation 17:13-14 “These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Prayer: Father God, sometimes it is difficult to comprehend You and Your ways through the revelation of Scripture. Thank You for the simple truths You do reveal. Thank You that the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, conquers the beast and prostitute. This simple truth, according to Job, is just the ‘outskirts of Your ways’ and a ‘small whisper’ of You. I hear the ‘thunder of Your power’ in Jesus Christ! Thank You Lord!
Job 26:12-14 “By His power He stilled the sea; by His understanding He shattered Rahab. By His wind the heavens were made fair; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?”
“It is done!”
Scripture reading for December 22nd: Job 21-23, Psalm 101, Revelation 16
Revelation 16: 17-21 “The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lighting, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of hail, because the plague was so severe.”
The seven angels decked in white pour out the bowls of wrath of God upon the earth. When the seventh angel poured out his bowl on the air, a Voice from the throne cries out, “It is done!”. This reminds us of Jesus Christ Who cried out in His last utterance from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) Jesus Christ took the final bowl of God’s wrath in His own body on the cross on behalf of lost sinners. He did what no man could do! At His final words from the cross, there was an earthquake and the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. Here, after that pattern, there is a great earthquake that levels al mountains and causes the downfall of all nations and earthly kingdoms. From the tabernacle in heaven these final bowls of wrath bring the just judgements of God upon the unrepentant of earth. If only they looked to Jesus in faith!
Psalm 101:1-3 “I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to You, O Lord, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. O when will You come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”
Prayer: Father God, I sing today of Your steadfast love and justice! Your way is blameless and Your amazing Word is eternal Truth! Your Word in Jesus has brought mercy to me and others who humbly believe. You will in righteousness judge those on earth who have rejected Your offer of mercy and eternal life. Open doors for me today to share the Good News of Your steadfast love and justice in Jesus Christ.
Job 23:12-14 “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food. But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him back? What He desires, that He does. For He will complete what He appoints for me, and many such things are in His mind.”
Seven golden bowls of wrath!
Scripture reading for December 21st: Job 18-20, Psalm 141, Revelation 15
Revelation 15:3-8 “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.”
As John beheld the unfolding the events of the final judgments of the earth, he saw the tent of witness, the tabernacle, of heaven opened. From God’s presence came seven angels clothed in purity and nobility. One of the four living creatures around God’s throne gave them each a bowl filled with the wrath of God. From the sanctuary, smoke and the glory of God filled the atmosphere such that no one could enter the sanctuary until the bowls of wrath were emptied and finished. These judgments were part of heaven’s response to the prayers of God’s people ascending to God’s throne room in Revelation 8:2-5. God’s people praying and standing in faith in the blood of the Lamb and their testimony brings victory!
Psalm 141:1-2 “O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You that my Redeemer lives and is even now interceding for me and all God’s people on the earth. Thank You for Your righteous judgments and the promise of cleansing the earth of all evil and injustice. How I long to see You with my own eyes and worship You forever and ever! Have mercy on all mankind and use me in whatever way will further Your kingdom and rule on earth!
Job 19:25-27 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has bee thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”
Rest or no rest? Eternally!
Scripture reading for December 20th: Job 15-17, Revelation 14
Revelation 14:9-11 “And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Here is the call for endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”
As God prepares the earth for His final judgments, an Angel preaches the eternal gospel to those on earth, calling them to fear God and give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come. The call is one of repentance for those worshiping the beast and Satan instead of their Creator. A second angel announces the fall of Babylon the great, who had seduced all nations in sexual immorality. And the third angel warned of eternal torment for those worshiping the beast, its image, or receiving its mark. God does nothing in judgment except He warns people. They will make the choice of eternal consequences in the lake of fire or eternal rest in the presence of Jesus Christ. The call is for patient endurance and faith in Jesus Christ even unto death. The best is yet to come for those who believe!
Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.: Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors for their deeds follow them!””
Prayer: Holy Father, this coming time of judgment and wrath on the earth is a sobering reminder that all made in Your image are eternal beings. I have chosen faith in Jesus and am prepared to endure, even to death of my earthly body. I trust Jesus Christ, as my Witness in heaven, to give me eternal rest with Him in Your presence and give You glory and holy respect now and forever!
Job 16:18-19 “”O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place. Even now, behold my Witness is in heaven and He Who testifies for me is on high.””
The blasphemous beast
Scripture reading for December 19th: Job 12-14, Psalm 100, Revelation 13
Revelation 13:1-4 “And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?””
John is given a vision of a beast-ruler rising out of the sea of humanity. This ‘beast’ has ten horns and seven heads and crowns on the heads and blasphemous names on the heads. This beast was a combination of leopard, bear, and lion and was empowered by the dragon, Satan, that old serpent. The beast had a fatal wound but was healed and restored to life and this miracle caused those left on the earth to marvel and worship him. The lie that they believed was that no one could stand against this powerful beast. They exalted him and the dragon that gave him his appearance of power. This was all a description of the war on earth between the dragon and those holding the testimony of Jesus and cleansed by His blood during the final great tribulation.
Psalm 100:1-2 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He Who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
Prayer: Father God, I joyfully worship You alone and serve You with gladness! You, Alone, are God! You are my Creator, Lord and Savior and I am one a sheep of Your pasture. Through faith in Jesus Christ, I await Your trumpet call and the rapture if I am still on earth or the resurrection of my body. Use me to reach out to those still in Satan’s beastly grasp with good news of a Good Shepherd and rejoicing.
Job 14:14-15 “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come. You would call, and I would answer You; You would long for the works of Your hands.”