Category: Revelation–BibleTrekToday
The accuser is conquered!
Scripture reading for December 17th: Revelation 12
Key Scriptures: Revelation 12:7-11 “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.”
The great tribulation, following the rapture of the saints, will be a time of great war in heaven. Michael, the arch-angel and protector of Israel will lead the fight against the dragon, Satan along with the fallen angels. The outcome of this war is certain–the dragon is defeated and his angels! He is cast out of heaven, no longer able to accuse the brothers of Jesus but knows he has only a short time to deceive, if possible the elect. He is thrown down to earth and the Jews of the tribulation who have now put their trust in Jesus Christ and His shed blood are martyred for their testimony and faithful stand. They overcome the devil, death, and hell through their unwavering faith! Praise our Lord for His great grace!
Revelation 12:12 “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, I am thankful that You have everything in heaven and on earth under Your almighty authority and Your will is being done with no one or nothing to hinder it. Thank You for Your grace for all who put their trust in the blood of Jesus Christ and give testimony to their faith. Help me to overcome the devil and his flood of evil, my flesh, and this world today by these amazing weapons of righteousness.
Revelation 12:16-17 “But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.”
The two witnesses!
Scripture reading for December 16th: Revelation 11
Key Scriptures: Revelation 11:9-12 “For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake and were terrified and gave glory to God.”
Next John was given a measuring line and told to ‘Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those that worship there, . . .” (Revelation 11:1-2) God told him that he was granting authority to two witnesses to prophesy on the earth for 1260 days. They would stand before the throne of God with power to call down fire on their foes and to shut up the heavens that it would not rain. At the end of this set time, the beast from the bottomless pit would be allowed to kill them. Their dead bodies would lie in the street and be a reason for those on earth to celebrate their deaths, since their ministry had tormented them. Then suddenly, God was going to resurrect them and call them to come to heaven! They would be caught up before the eyes of the earth dwellers! Their celebration would be quickly turned to fear and desperate worship. An earthquake would shake the holy city and 7000 people would be killed! Then the announcement of the Kingdom of Christ came, bringing down the kingdom of this world!
Revelation 11:15 “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, Lord of heaven and earth, You alone are worthy of worship and praise and total obedience! Thank You for Your witnesses throughout history and here in the last of the last days. Use me to be Your witness to my generation in the power of Your Holy Spirit, that none would be lost or killed in Your judgments. Like the two witnesses that John saw, I look for Your call to “Come up here!”
Revelation 11:19 “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was seen within His temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
Mysteries during the tribulation
Scripture reading for December 15th: Revelation 10
Key Scriptures: Revelation 10:1-4 “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders 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.”
Lest we become proud or think we know everything, God has hidden some of His plans from even His people. There will be surprises that will make us worship in awe and wonder at the love and mercy of our Lord. The angel with the rainbow speaks of God’s promise not to judge the whole earth with water again. It is a reminder of God’s grace to save Noah and his family who were obedient and built and got on the ark. God again saved His people through the Red Sea and lead them with the cloud of glory and the pillar of fire, revealing His presence and power to save and protect and provide. The little scroll could represent the Word of God that will be fulfilled during that particular time as God deals with His people, the Jews.
Revelation 10:5-7 “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 by His servants the prophets.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for the mysteries that are now hidden from even Your children but will be revealed and fulfilled because You have decreed it so. We trust You and believe Your Word is true and that You are righteous and just in all that You do. Lead and guide us and give us more grace as we face the trials and wicked culture of these last days. Your Word is sweet but as it unfolds in these last days, it gives us a bitter stomach.
Revelation 10:10 “And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”
A third of mankind is killed!
Scripture reading for December 14th: Revelation 9
Key Scriptures: Revelation 9:12-16 “The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come. Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number.”
John had a ring-side seat for the events happening in heaven as the angels blew the seven trumpets with the resulting judgments happening on the earth occurring during the great tribulation. Because of mankind’s refusal to repent, judgment was inevitable as the consequence of rebellious and idolatrous lifestyles practiced by those on earth. Since we do not know how many will be raptured nor how many are martyred and saved during the tribulation, we cannot say for sure how many are killed except by percentage. Here Scripture records a third–one out of three–will be killed by the demonic forces released during this set and specific time of judgment. The number of troops was given as two hundred million–an enormous army bringing the death and destruction to the people remaining on earth.
Revelation 9:17-18 “And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions’ heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, it is hard for me to understand the magnitude of the resistance to Your grace and mercy within the heart of mankind. I ask You again for mercy and patience, and more power through the Holy Spirit to live a righteous life and win souls for Your eternal kingdom. I know that Your Word is true and You are just and full of mercy for those who will repent.
Revelation 9:20-21 “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.”
Prayers go up–power comes down!
Scripture reading for December 13th: Revelation 8
Key Scriptures: Revelation 8:1-5 “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the 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 their 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, an an earthquake.”
As the last of the seven seals is opened, all of heaven quieted down to a complete silence. All heaven was waiting in eager anticipation for the next unfolding of the revelation of Jesus Christ. John was looking and saw seven angels given seven trumpets. Another angel stood at the altar before the throne and had a golden censer in his hand, ready to offer the incense that was given, along with the prayers of the saints. As the incense was offered up from the hand of the angel, the censer was filled with coals from the altar and he cast them upon the earth. The result was lightning and thunder and a great earthquake that shook the earth. The point is that our prayers have great power to move heaven to act on earth!
Revelation 8:6-7 “Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for the great privilege of prayer and for hearing our prayers and answering. You are so faithful and true to Your Word that if we call upon You, You will answer. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to empower me to pray more effectively and to see your kingdom and power released upon the earth in these last days that souls might be saved and judgment averted.
Revelation 8:13 “Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow.”
The multitude of the Redeemed!
Scripture reading for December 10th: Revelation 7
Key Scriptures: Revelation 7:9-12 “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 and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
In Revelation 7:1-8 John recorded the sealing of the 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel with the seal of God. The seal reflects God’s ownership of those willingly sealed and they are set apart for the work of God during the great tribulation. God will at this time deal with the nation of Israel for their rejection of the Messiah. They will recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The number 12 is the number of the church of the Old Testament–twelve tribes, and the New Testament–twelve Apostles. After this sealing, John looks again and beholds a great uncountable multitude from the nations of the earth who are clothed in white and worshipping before the throne. When John was asked by one of the elders where these had come from, he answered, “Sir, you know.” John was told that these had come out of the great tribulation and were saints washed by the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:13-14 “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” 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.”“
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace to the nation of Israel and to the Gentiles, all of whom are sinners who have broken Your laws and gone against Your lordship. Thank You for the white robes of Your righteousness given by grace through faith to those who repent and believe. Give me grace today to stand true to You and proclaim the Good News of a merciful Savior! I will worship You forever and ever!
Revelation 17:17 “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
How long, O Sovereign Lord?
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 6
Key Scriptures: Revelation 6:9-13 “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. When he opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.”
John next records the vision he received of the opening of the seven seals that bound the scroll taken by the Lamb/Lion (Jesus Christ) from the hand of God the Father. As each seal was opened, events unfolded in heaven and then there was corresponding action on earth. The fifth seal brought John a vision of souls under the altar of God. These were the souls of martyrs who had been killed on earth for their testimony and their stand for the Word of God. These souls were crying out for an answer: “How long before You judge and avenge our blood. . .” The answer was a command to rest and trust God as His mercy was patient until all of His own were gathered in. As the sixth seal was opened, a great earthquake shook the planet and the heavens darkening the sun and turning the moon red like blood. This brought great fear on the earth among the mighty and the common people.
Revelation 6:14-15 “The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and powerful, and everyone, slave or free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, . .”
Faith confession and prayer: O Sovereign God and Father, thank You for Your patience with me and the grace that is offered to me a great sinner. I am thankful for Your amazing patience with the rebellious of this world, knowing that it is Your patience that has kept them from judgment and justice. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me with grace to live a holy life and proclaim Your love and mercy to a rebellious world before the Day of Your wrath.
Revelation 6:16-17 “. . .calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come.”
The Worthy Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 8th: Revelation 5
Key Scriptures: Revelation 5:6-9 “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him Who was seated on the throne. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.””
John had been caught up into heaven’s open door by the Spirit and beheld the things which were to come. In this vision, John saw in the right hand of the One on the throne, a scroll that was sealed with seven seals. An angel asked who was worthy to open the scroll, and no one was found in heaven or on earth or under the earth to open the scroll. John began to weep loudly when one of the twenty-four elders spoke to him, telling him not to weep, because the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” had conquered and was worthy and able. Then John beheld a Lamb standing with the marks of crucifixion, Who went and took the scroll from the One seated on the throne. At this all around the throne and in heaven and on earth began to sing a new song to the Worthy Lamb!
Revelation 5:11-12 “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son as the Lamb of God Who was slain for my sins and the sins of the whole world! He alone is Worthy to inherit all things, taking the title deed to the universe and its wealth! I freely choose to worship Him with the hosts around the throne in heaven, on earth and under the earth! Glory to the Lamb!
Revelation 5:13-14 “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Heaven’s open door!
Scripture reading for December 7th: Revelation 4
Key Scriptures: Revelation 4:1-4 “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first Voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. And He Who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their heads.”
After writing down the seven messages of the things that are, John saw an open door leading to heaven. Jesus Christ spoke to him again, with an invitation to “come up here” and see the things to come. John was instantaneously translated through the open door by the Spirit of God and was shown the throne room of heaven and the beauty of the One seated there. All John could do was describe the color and glory as like that of precious stones and gems. He also described the four living creatures who worshiped there, saying “Holy, Holy, Holy!” Around the throne were also other thrones–twenty-four seated with that many elders. These elders would leave their thrones to fall prostrate and worship the One on the glorious throne, casting their crowns before Him! Oh the glory of His Presence! Worthy! Worthy! Worthy!
Revelation 4:8 “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for opening the door of heaven for me and all who believe in Your Son Jesus Christ. What an awesome privilege to worship You here on earth and to anticipate joining the hosts of heaven in worship and adoration one day in a glorified body like Yours! Use me here on earth to share this Good News of Your love for mankind through Your Son, the Worthy One!
Revelation 4:9-10 “And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him Who is seated on the throne, Who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall down before Him Who is seated on the throne and worship Him Who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You have created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.””
The ‘last-day’ church?
Scripture reading for December 6th: Revelation 3
Key Scriptures: Revelation 3:14-17 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The Words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.”
The final church Jesus addressed was found in Laodicea, a town known for its riches and mineral springs and its water supply–made lukewarm by routing through the aqueducts on the way to the city. . The church there had been affected by its culture and now reflected the culture more than the Savior. Jesus, in love, plainly called this church to address this problem through repentance and rededication. He even told them that He stood outside of their church at their door–knocking to gain an entrance! Those who would respond would be restored to table fellowship with their Lord and also obtain rulership in the age to come!
Revelation 3:19-20 “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for a life-giving rebuke and for loving us enough to warn us about compromising with the culture of this world. Forgive me for complacency and a lukewarm attitude concerning my own life and Your mission. I need Your grace and zeal to finish well in this lukewarm culture of the last days.
Revelation 3:21-22 “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”