Category: Revelation–BibleTrekToday
Jesus speaks to His Church
Scripture reading for December 3rd: Revelation 2
Key Scriptures: Revelation 2:1-3 “”To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of Him Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, Who walks among the golden lampstands. “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My Name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.””
Jesus personally dictated to John the seven messages to the churches John was an overseer at. These are the things that are now in the general outline given to John. This first message, to Ephesus, has a pattern repeated for each church. There is a greeting to the ‘angel’ of the church, probably the pastor or overseer along with a title or description of Jesus Christ in His present ministry. Then there was a commendation of the church with encouragement for what they were doing right. This was followed by a rebuke or warning concerning needed repentance and growth. The last element was a promise of reward for those who would listen, learn and overcome. Some teach that these seven letters apply to dispensations of time leading up to the return of Jesus for His church. I believe that they all speak to various churches during the church age.
Revelation 2:4-6 “But I have this against you that you have abandoned the love that you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for clearly addressing the Church You love. Give me ears to hear and a heart to apply what You reveal. Forgive me for a lack of love for You and for Your church and restore my love and zeal to do Your will. Let the lampstand and light of Your love and Gospel radiated from Your church reach into the world in darkness. We want to be among those that conquer!
Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Blessed are those who read aloud!
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Revelation 1
Key Scriptures: Revelation 1:1-3 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophesy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos for preaching the Word of God. Tradition says he was boiled in oil but it had no effect on him so the Roman government sent him away. By this time, John was likely over ninety years old. As John was worshiping the Lord, he was visited by Jesus Christ and given the task of writing down for the church “what was, what is and what must soon take place.” John pronounced a blessing on all who would read the words of this prophesy out loud. We remember that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) The title, “Revelation” of Jesus Christ is “Apocalupsis” in Greek and means “lifting of the curtain” on the unseen realities associated with Jesus Christ. This amazing book is a gift to the Church and promises blessing to readers, hearers and doers of the words written. The time is at hand!
Revelation 1:10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, I receive this revelation of Jesus Christ and ask that you lift the curtain on my heart and mind and show me afresh the glory of my Lord. Help me to read aloud, to hear with my ears, and to heed with all my heart the Word of God. Use me to proclaim this Word to Your people and to the lost that they may find Jesus Christ as Lord.
Revelation 1:17-19 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.”
“What is truth?”
Scripture reading for November 16th: John 18
Key Scriptures: John 18:33-37 “So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?””
Jesus was taken before Pontius Pilate because the Jews wanted Jesus to die and they did not have authority to execute anyone. They charged Jesus with insurrection–planning to set Himself up as King. So Pilate asked Jesus if He was the “King of the Jews?” Jesus asked him if this was Pilate’s own idea or others had said that. Pilate evaded answering Jesus but Jesus did answer him. He plainly stated that He was a king with a kingdom that was not of this world. He came to earth to bear witness to the truth and those who were in the truth would hear Jesus’ voice. To this Pilate responded, “What is truth?” proving that he was not himself of the truth. He could hear Jesus’ voice, but the truth of God’s Son, the King of Kings was hidden from his sight because of unbelief! How many others today have the same unbelief?
John 18:38-40 “After he had said this, he (Pilate) went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in Him. but You have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that You are King of Kings, and my Lord. Your kingdom is not of this world and now I am also not of this world. You have told us not to fight, but to love one another in order to show the world that You are the King. Speak to me today directing me in Your ways to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ the King of kings.
Revelation 19:11,16 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. . . . On His robe and on His thigh He has a Name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Don’t become a ‘stumbling block’!
Scripture reading for September 3rd: 1st Corinthians 8
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 8:7-11 “However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.”
Paul was talking to the Corinthian believers who had come out of idolatry and found new freedom in Christ. Some were freely eating meat sacrificed to idols knowing that their eating had nothing to do with their salvation. This liberty was causing some of the believers, whose consciences were still weak, to stumble in their new-found faith. We can be right in our actions, but still be wrong if we cause others to stumble. The law of love says that I temper my actions and liberty to help and encourage my weaker brothers and sisters to grow in grace. I will do nothing that knowingly causes my brothers to stumble. Love never fails! Because of Christ’s love of all people and His desire for their salvation, we who have knowledge can limit our liberty to demonstrate our sincere commitment to Christ and build up weaker believers.
Romans 14:14-15 “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for declaring all foods clean and the liberty given by grace to believers. I am thankful for knowledge through Your Word but mindful of Your great love for all. Give me grace to know when to limit my liberty to help those who are still weak in their faith and not cause them to stumble. Fill me with Your love and wisdom through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17-19 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.”
Saved by miraculous mercy!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Titus 3
Key Scriptures: Titus 3:3-7 “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
All believers have a past life. Paul described it in this passage and it is not very complementary. Paul says we were foolish, slaves, full of malice and envy and specializing in hatred and headed for God’s wrath and judgment. This was all that was possible in our sinful condition that we inherited from birth. But God through His Son, Jesus Christ, showed us His own goodness and kindness, leading us to repentance and faith. Through faith, not works, we gained mercy and were washed and renewed and filled with the Holy Spirit. God Himself, through Christ’s sacrifice, justifies all who believe and adopts them into His eternal family giving them an everlasting inheritance: the sure hope of eternal life! What a miraculous turn-around in our life and destiny because of God’s mercy in Christ! In response, we offer ourselves to God for His use in good works through faith.
Titus 3:14 “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great mercy and willingness to sacrifice Your own body on my behalf. Thank You for pouring on me and all who believe the Holy Spirit and revealing the hope of eternal life. In response to your great love, I give myself to You to be used as You will to accomplish Your great plan of salvation in all who will believe! To You be all glory, now and forever!
Romans 2:4-5 “Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”
God’s righteous judgment
Scripture reading for June 21st: 2nd Thessalonians 1
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 1:5-10 “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering–since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.”
God’s judgment is always righteous! It will not be perverted by prejudice towards race or social status. It will not be based on favoritism or on good works or family history. Those receiving the vengeance of a righteous and holy God will be those who have rejected His offer of mercy and righteousness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Those rejecting God’s offer of grace will suffer eternal punishment and destruction in the Lake of Fire away from the glory and presence of God. Those accepting Christ Jesus by faith will be granted relief from the suffering experienced on earth and also be able to see the punishment of the wicked who oppressed and afflicted them. They will see the Lord Jesus when He is revealed from heaven in flaming fire. They will glorify Jesus Christ and marvel at Him in His eternal glory and majesty! What a day that will be for those believing in Christ the Lord!
1st Thessalonians 1:11-12 “To this end we always pray, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the Name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for righteous judgment and the grace You offered me and all who will receive it by faith. Thank You for Your righteous vengeance that will repay all those who afflict the righteous in unbelief. Open doors for me today to share Your amazing love and grace with those heading for judgment without a Savior.
Revelation 19:11 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”
Standing firm in victory!
Scripture reading for May 31st: Ephesians 6
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
Paul is closing his short letter with words of faith and encouragement. Believers are the strongest when they simply allow Christ and His Word to indwell them. Our strength is puny and weak in ourselves, especially when it comes to fighting against the schemes of wicked forces of evil in the heavenly realm. That fight is for God and His power and He has already won! We can stand firm in God’s victory through Christ by spiritually putting on the “whole armor of God”. Each piece of armor is a reminder of Jesus Christ and the finished work He provided on the cross to defeat Satan and the hosts of evil. After clothing ourselves with Christ, our armor is complete and all we do is stand in His total victory.
Romans 13:12 “The night is far gone; the day is at hand, So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my full armor! You are the Truth, my righteousness, the Gospel of peace for my feet, the Author and Finisher of my faith, my Helmet of salvation, and the Word of God made flesh, full of Spirit and life eternal. Give me grace to honor You as I stand secure in Christ’s finished work.
Ephesians 6:23-24 “Peace to the brothers and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”
Christ’s unsearchable riches
Scripture reading for May 26th: Ephesians 3
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 3:7-10 “Of this Gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God Who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”
Jesus Christ coming to earth as the Son of Man and Son of God to give His life for the sins of the whole world was the mystery that had been hidden in God but was now revealed. Paul had received revelation of that mystery as he was persecuting followers of Jesus Christ and putting them in prison and even death. God’s power encounter with Paul initially blinded him, but ultimately opened his eyes and flooded him with light and revelation of Who Jesus really was. He became a believer in Jesus Christ and His Church. He now understood that through the Church, the preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ would bring the manifold (many-sided) wisdom of God to lost people and free them from the satanic rulers that had bound them in sin and under the curse of death. God’s wisdom is unsearchable!
Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Your riches of grace and salvation to me, and to the Jew and Gentile alike, are amazing. Thank You for revealing these riches through Your Church and the preaching of the Gospel. I freely give myself to You to preach Your Gospel and tear down satanic strongholds, bringing liberty to captives. Fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit and love for the lost.
Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power a work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Sharp disagreements!
Scripture reading for April 26th: Acts 15
Key Scriptures: Acts 15:36-41 “And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilia, strengthening the churches.”
Even among strong believers there can come some sharp disagreements on methods and outreach partners. In this chapter, Paul and Barnabas were discussing the need to revisit the churches that they had founded on their first journey together. On that journey, John Mark had initially joined with them to help with the work, (Acts 13:5) but for some unknown reason deserted the mission to return home. (Acts 13:13) When Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them again, Paul was opposed, so much so that they separated into two different missions. Thank God, Spirit- filled followers of Jesus can still have disagreements and be used by God!
Growing in grace is a progressive learning experience. We are all in process and this example from the apostle Paul’s life and ministry helps us understand that some things have to be worked through over time. Disagreements and differences of opinion are going to be part of ministry. Paul was not wanting to give John Mark another chance since he failed the first time. Barnabas, a natural encourager, saw the potential in John Mark and took him under his supervision on a separate outing. The church committed them both to God’s grace and sent them out. Ministry was multiplied and John Mark was restored. He eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark and was restored to Paul’s favor.
Romans 12:16-18 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to live peaceably with all men, even in the sometimes sharp disagreement on methods and partners. May the grace of God fill my life with patience and restoration of those who have not met expectations.
2nd Timothy 2:1-2 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Remember Lot’s wife
Scripture reading for March 25th: Luke 17
Key Scriptures: Luke 17:28-32 “Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot–they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all-–so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife.”
The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was going to come. Jesus responded that the coming kingdom was not visible, but would be an inside job, within each person. He then proceeded to instruct His disciples on the time when the kingdom of God would be revealed. He likened it to the days of Noah, when all mankind, except for Noah and his family, would be going about their normal lives and then suddenly the flood came and swept them all away. He then used Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah as another example of His sudden return and the destruction of the wicked and the saving of Lot and his family. Lot’s wife, however, looked back at the burning city, ignoring God’s instructions. She was turned into a pillar of salt in judgment on her lack of steadfast faith with her heart still in Sodom.
Genesis 19:15-17, 26 “As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside of the city. And as they brought them out, one said, ‘Escape with your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills lest you be swept away.” . . . “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Your Word is truth and life to those who will hear. Help me to remember the lessons You taught about perseverance and faith. Thank You for Your mercy for me and the lost of this world.
Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept My Word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.”