Category: Revelation–BibleTrekToday
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.”
No more delay!
Scripture reading for December 13th: Revelation 10, Psalm 98, Proverbs 31
Revelation 10:4-7 “And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.”
John reveals to us that there are mysteries that remain about the final events of the last days before Jesus returns. He heard thunders speak, but was told to seal up their message. But John was also told that the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet would usher in a fulfilment of the mystery of God. This mystery is that God will send Jesus back as King of Kings to avenge all evil and set up His kingdom of peace on the earth. This is the call of all the prophets and priests. Each person should repent and get right with God, Who judges justly! It is the call of the Gospel, repent and believe on Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven and that you may have a place in God’s eternal kingdom! The Church is called to announce this Good News! No more idleness and no more delay, the fulfilment is near!
Psalm 98:8-9 “Let the rivers clap their hands, let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the prophets and apostles who have gone before us and shared Your Word. Thank You for this revelation of Jesus Christ and the fulfilment of Your eternal plans to install Your Son, Jesus, as King of Kings and bring the kingdom of peace to earth. Use me today, and those who believe, to share the Good News of Your grace through Jesus and eternal life in the coming kingdom.
Proverbs 31: 27 “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Death and plague, but no repentance!
Scripture reading for December 12th: Revelation 9, Psalm 97, Proverbs 30
Revelation 9: 18-21 “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound. The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
John witnessed in heaven the sixth trumpet sounding and the resulting plagues on the earth. In this judgment, four fallen angels have been bound at the Euphrates river. They are allowed to kill a third of mankind by plagues of fire and smoke and sulfur coming from a large number of mounted troops who are riding demonic horses. In spite of the death and the plagues, the people remaining on earth refuse to repent. They cling to their idols, who can neither see or hear or walk! They continue in their hatred, murders, sorceries, and immorality, although they know these actions have brought upon them the judgment of God Almighty. This is the mystery of iniquity: it blinds its perpetrators and takes them captive to their own destruction.
Psalm 97:7-8 “All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship Him, all you gods! Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of Your judgments, O Lord. For You, O Lord, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.”
Prayer: Father God, these sobering judgments cause me to cling even closer to Jesus Christ! Have mercy on our world and its inhabitants, Lord! Open their eyes to truth and draw them to repentance. Forgive them of their idolatry and selfish sins. I will be glad and rejoice when Your mercy accomplishes salvation for believers and Your justice fills the earth! You are exalted above all the earth! Worthy is the Lamb!
Proverbs 30:12-13 “There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth. There are those–how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!”
Prayer and fire on the earth!
Scripture reading for December 11th: Revelation 8, Psalm 96, Proverbs 29
Revelation 8: 1-5 “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal; there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
John sees the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, open the seventh seal of the scroll He had received from God the Father. As this seal is broken, the silence of holy reverence and expectation fills heaven for half an hour. There is a waiting upon the Lamb for the next movement of God. Seven angels standing before God were given seven trumpets. Another angel with a golden censer came to offer incense before the throne. We are told that this incense was offered with the prayers of the saints before God. On earth, in the temple of God, priests offered incense and intercession before the curtain on the altar of incense. Now in heaven, John sees the reality before his eyes. After the prayers rose, the angel took fire in his censer from the altar and cast it to earth. There was fire and shaking in response to the prayer!
Psalm 96:10 “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You reign eternally! Your are just and true in all Your judgments! You hear and answer prayers and they rise to you as sweet incense, pleasing to You because they are offered in faithful trust. We believe Your Word that You will answer on earth prayers offered to You in heaven. Through the Holy Spirit, empower me to pray today and touch heaven for those still needing salvation.
Proverbs 29:14 “If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.”
The multitude in white!
Scripture reading for December 8th: Revelation 7, Psalm 95, Proverbs 28
Revelation 7:9-12, 14 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power be to our God forever and ever! Amen!” . . .“And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.””
Heaven will be populated by people from every tribe, tongue and nation because God is Maker of them all! Jesus instructed the apostles and all who would believe on Him to go into all the world and preach the good news to every creature. As the Gospel age comes to a close, the Church on earth will undergo severe persecution and the martyrdom of many believers through the ‘Antichrist and his rebels. The ‘great tribulation’ will be marked by martyrs. But John sees these martyrs, now in heaven, clothed in white and singing around the throne! Their song rejoices in their salvation and attributes all honor and glory to the One on the Throne and to the Lamb, Who provided the blood to clothe them in white! Their worship resounds through all of heaven as they await the fullness of salvation.
Psalm 95:6-7 “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”
Prayer: Father God and Jesus our Lamb, we worship You and bow down in reverence and honor for the great salvation You have provided and announced to the entire world. Thank You for saving people from all nations and tongues. Thank You for providing us ‘robes of white’ through Jesus’ righteousness! Thank You for the privilege of worshiping you throughout eternity as members of Your forever Flock!
Proverbs 28:17-18 “If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him. Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.”
How Long, Sovereign Lord?
Scripture reading for December 7th: Revelation 6, Psalm 94, Proverbs 27
Revelation 6: 9-11 “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been killed.”
As John witnessed the Lamb opening the seven seals, he saw a multitude of souls under the altar, all in heaven through martyrdom. They were calling out to the Sovereign Lord, asking “how long” before the judgment and avenging of their shed blood. At this, John saw them given white robes and instructions to rest a while longer. This indicated that there were others that would die as martyrs and join them, also robed in the white of Christ’s righteousness. After the full number of those witnesses would arrive at the altar, then the judgment would come on those on earth. The Lord is truly a ‘Stronghold’ and ‘Rock of Refuge’ for His people and the wicked will be wiped out by their own wickedness.
Psalm 94:22-23 “But the Lord has become my Stronghold, and my God the Rock of my refuge. He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are a Refuge for Your people, not only in this life, but for all eternity. Thank You for the promised justice for those of Your people who were mistreated and killed for their testimony of Jesus Christ. Through Your Word, we have a vision of what is to come. Use me to share Your Word of protection for believers and the judgment of the wicked as a warning and encouragement.
Proverbs 27:20 “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.”