Category: Revelation–BibleTrekToday
Everything made new!
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 21-22
The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning! All who were faithful to Christ would live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. All who enjoy this new beginning have been faithful and trusted Christ. He has faithfully done what He promised.
John saw a holy city, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. This city was prepared like a bride for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) A voice from heaven announced that the dwelling place of God is now among men and He will live with them. He will comfort them and change the order of their existence. There will be no more tears, crying or pain. God would make everything new!
The New Jerusalem contains the most precious and beautiful treasures for the redeemed. There is the river of life that flows from the throne of God. It’s waters are crystal clear and flowing abundantly. The banks of the river are lined with the tree of life, bearing fruit each month of the year. It’s leaves bring healing to the nations. The best treasure of all is those who dwell in this city will have the Lamb dwelling in their midst and they will see His face! What blessed peace and joy will be ours when we see Him and behold Him in all His glory!
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:12-14)
Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming! The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of those waiting for His return! May you be ready too!
As we come to the last day of this year, I am so blessed to have been able to write through the entire Bible. I know that I have experienced Jesus Christ in every book. I also know the Lord’s heart better and feel that I have grown spiritually in ways that I would not have without writing. Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year! In His Love, Pastor John Morse
The Thousand Year Reign
Scripture reading for December 30: Revelation 20
Those who have studied Scripture love to look at how God will bring everything on earth and heaven together. Revelation 20 tells us how God will lock up Satan in a pit for a thousand years. He will be bound with a great angelic chain and locked away to keep him from deceiving the nations. It also reveals that the Devil will be loosed again for a short time after that thousand years.
“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.” Revelation 20:4
Those believers coming out of the great tribulation through martyrdom were now seated on thrones as judges! This great reversal occurs when Jesus Christ sets up the millennial kingdom. These who had stood firm for Jesus and proclaimed God’s Word now were rewarded as Jesus promised. They had refused the mark of the beast and refused to bow to the religious and political system of Babylon. They now ruled in the Kingdom of Peace with the Prince of Peace!
“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, Gog 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, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur . .” Revelation 20:7-10
After the thousand years, Satan is again allowed to deceive those who will refuse to accept the truth of Christ Jesus as Lord during this thousand years. Deceived by Satan, these will gather together and surround Jerusalem to challenge Jesus and the saints. This foolish move will bring their destruction by fire and Satan’s return to the lake of fire! At the great White Throne judgment, all rebels and those not written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Sobering truth about our need to remain faithful and humble!
As we end this year, be sure that you know true salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Check your heart and surrender again to the King of kings. Invite Him to lead you into His eternal kingdom coming soon!
Sunday rest and reflection: Rest!
Dear Friends,
On this last Sunday of 2024, after reading and writing through the Bible, I can rest because we can finish on time! As I reflect on this journey, I have learned to see Jesus in a fresh way. I feel that I know Him better and have an understanding of His mercy for us. He longs to have fellowship with each of us and desires that none perish or suffer the wrath of God against sin.
We are secure in Christ and can rest today in our salvation and our future. Every promise of Scripture is given that we might escape the corruption in this world and enter the abundance provided by Christ. His power and wisdom exceed anything that we even remotely understand. He is working out His plans to bring everything in heaven and earth and under the earth into harmony with God the Father. He is confident and victorious and we can be too.
Government powers and world rulers are no match for Jesus either. All the armies, nuclear weapons, and political decrees can’t stop Him. Neither can religious deception and humanistic idolatry stop Jesus from destroying all sin and rebellion and ruling with absolute truth and justice. Both the Beast and False Prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire, where they are tormented for ever and ever! The wicked are judged and get their just desserts!
The end of Revelation is a new beginning! A new heaven and new earth come into being and the righteous bask in the presence of the Lord and dwell with Him for ever and ever! These words are trustworthy and the One who spoke them is Truth Himself! We are so blessed to know these promises and by faith live in them today and for ever! Have a great day of rest!
In His Love, Pastor John
The prostitute? Or the Bride?
Scripture reading for December 28: Revelation 17-19
Would you rather be part of the prostitute or part of the bridal company? The analogy in these next chapters is between the promiscuous prostitute or the purity of a long term covenant relationship of love, respect and intimacy. The prostitute ends in woe, smoke, and eternal torment. The Bride enjoys a great wedding banquet and eternal honeymoon, living happily ever after!
John next visited with one of the seven angels who poured out the judgments. This angel showed him the punishment of the great prostitute who sat on the many waters. This prostitute had committed adultery with the kings of the earth and the earth’s inhabitants were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries. (Revelation 17:1-2) John saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, dressed like a prostitute with a golden cup in her hand. This cup was filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY– BABYLON THE GREAT–THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5) This prostitute was drunk with the blood of the saints, those who bore the testimony of Jesus! (Revelation 12:11)
Right before the judgment of this prostitute, angels announce the fall and warn God’s people to come out of her! (Jeremiah 51:6, 45) (Revelation 18:4) The ruin of this prostitute comes quickly–in one hour! The kings, merchants, sea captains and sailors all mourn her destruction. A final angel pronounces the judgment with the hurling of a large boulder into the sea mirroring the words of Jeremiah 51:62-64. (Revelation 18:21)
All heaven erupts with shouting! “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1-2) Three more “Hallelujah’s” resound through heaven, the final one announcing the wedding of the Lamb!
John listened as the angel spoke to him again. “Then the angel said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” and he added, “These are the true Words of God.”” (Revelation 19:9) “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. . . .He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-12, 15b
The Just and True Judge!
Scripture reading for December 27: Revelation 14-16
As this revelation of Jesus Christ continues, the theme of judgment flows through the vision. John sees the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion and 144,000 redeemed from the tribes of Israel. They were those who had kept themselves pure and followed the Lamb. (Revelation 14:1-4) This company was praising the Lamb with a new song that only they could learn.
As John continued to look, he saw another angel flying in mid-heaven proclaiming an eternal gospel to those on the earth. “He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him Who made the heavens, the earth the sea and the springs of water.”” (Revelation 14:7)
“A second angel followed and said in aloud voice: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”” (Revelation 14:8-9) A third angel warned of the wrath of God against those who receive the mark of the beast. They will have no rest and the smoke of their torment will rise forever! This series of angelic messengers warned the people on earth of God’s coming judgments. God does nothing by judgment unless He warns His people by the prophets. (Amos 3:6-7) God would rather each person repent than that they experience His wrath!
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Yes”, says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor and their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)
These are two of the seven “blessed” statements found in Revelation. Death for the believer brings rest from the warfare and rewards for remaining true to the Lord, but He will come like a thief for those not ready! His people must stay awake, aware, and prepared by the blood of Jesus!
These chapters end with the bowls of wrath poured out on the earth in terrible judgments. Those on earth are terrified, but curse the God of heaven and refuse to repent and worship Him! (Revelation 16:9, 11, 21) Even though warned that these judgments were from God, they cursed Him! We would do well to pay heed! His judgments are just and true!
The overcomers!
Scripture reading for December 26: Revelation 10-13
When we look at the world we live in and the formidable troubles that face all mankind, it is easy to become fearful and worry. Demonic forces are everywhere and it appears that they are winning. Pornography is prevalent everywhere. Terrorism and bloodshed are daily news for those who anxiously watch. Economic troubles, famines, and earthquakes are regular fare. Nations are uneasy with wars, rumors of war, nuclear weapons, rockets, and armies in readiness. Into this setting Christ, the Lamb slain, leads His followers and calls them to be overcomers!
John saw a repeat of the nativity story with a cosmic setting. This sign appeared in heaven showing a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. This woman was pregnant and and in pain as she was about to give birth. (Revelation 12:1-2) John then saw another sign. There appeared a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on the heads. The dragon’s tail had swept a third of the stars from the sky and flung them to earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman to devour her child the moment it was born. (Revelation 12:3-4)
The woman gave birth to a male Child, Who will rule all the nations! The Child was snatched up to God and His throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place God prepared for them. Then there was war in heaven between Michael the Archangel and his forces and the dragon and his angels. The dragon was hurled down to earth with his angels with him. The identity of the dragon was the “ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan”. (Revelation 12:7-9)
A loud voice from heaven announced the coming of the kingdom of God and the hurling down of the accuser of the brothers. The brothers “overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) The heavens were rejoicing! All who dwelt there were encouraged to rejoice! Those on the earth, however, would have woe because the devil was enraged. He knew his time was short! (Revelation 12:12)
As believers, we are seated in the heavens in Christ. Heaven is our home. We can rejoice because we have overcome. The blood of Jesus speaks peace, joy, and pardon for all who will repent and trust the Lord! We are overcomers along with the forces of heaven! The devil is cast down and we are snatched up along with the Man-child Who was born to the woman! No matter what might happen to us on earth, the best is yet to come! Rejoice today and tell someone the good news! The devil’s time is short!
Heaven’s drama-the seven seals
Scripture reading for December 25th: Revelation 6-7
The drama in heaven continues with John watching the Lamb as He opens the scroll one seal at a time. With each seal, there is a revelation or picture that John saw and wrote down for us to experience. These visions represent judgments that are coming on the earth in the days to come. The Lamb opened the seals and one of the living creatures spoke to John explaining the vision.
The opening of the first seal brought a white horse and rider. The rider held a bow and rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. The second seal brought a vision of a red horse and rider. This rider held a sword and would take peace from the earth by causing men to slay each other. The third seal brought a black horse and rider. That rider held a pair of scales and spoke of famine. The fourth seal brought a pale horse and it’s rider was named “Death” and Hades was close behind. This rider was given power to kill a fourth of the earth with the sword, famine and plague and by wild beasts of the earth.
It was plain that the seals revealed judgments coming on the earth in the future. The fifth seal changed the scene from earth to heaven and the altar. Under the altar were the souls of a multitude who had been slain for their testimony and the Word of God. They asked the Lord how long before judgment would come to the earth for their blood. They were told to be patient until those who would be killed would be complete. (Revelation 6:9-11)
The sixth seal brought a great earthquake. The sun turned black and the moon turned blood red. The stars in the sky fell to earth and the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up. With this destructive turmoil, the people left on the earth hid in caves and among the rocks of mountains. They asked the rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of the One on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb. They were in fear and distress, but not in faith!
Revelation 7 brought an interlude in the heavenly drama. Between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, John described the marking of 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. These were sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads. John then saw a multitude in white robes from every nation, tongue and tribe. They were worshiping the Lamb. John asked who these were and was told that they came out of the great tribulation and had washed their robes in the Lamb’s blood. (Revelation 7:13-14)
These awesome events are scenes of things yet to come. We must have the seal of God to avoid the seals of judgment opened by the Lamb. Are you washed in His blood and sealed with His Holy Spirit?
Prayers that shake the earth!
Scripture reading for December 24: Revelation 8-9
As Revelation chapter 8 begins, the seventh seal was opened in heaven by the Lamb. This seal revealed seven angels who had seven trumpets standing before the throne of God. Another angel, who had a golden censer, stood at the golden altar right in front of the throne and was given incense to offer. We are told that this incense was the prayers of the saints. Our prayers come before God’s throne in heaven like sweet incense. Our cries, worship, adoration and thanksgiving have a special place close to the seat of our King in the universe!
Heaven’s response to these prayers is instructive! The angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the golden altar and then hurled it to the earth. This act produced thunder, lightning and an earthquake. Never make light of prayer for our prayers have the power to move God to shake the earth!
Then the angels with the trumpets began to sound them one by one. With each trumpet blast, there was a corresponding reaction on earth that brought judgment and destruction. As John watched the first four angels and the events on earth, an eagle that was flying in midair spoke in a loud voice. “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the last three angels.” (Revelation 8:13)
The fifth trumpet sounded and John saw a star that had fallen from the sky. This star was some sort of angel for he was given the key to the Abyss. When he opened it smoke rose and darkened the sky. Out of this smoke, creatures like locusts with the sting of a scorpion covered the earth. They were instructed to sting only those without the seal of God and those affected suffered horribly.
The sixth trumpet brought the release of four angels of death who were bound by the river Euphrates. These killed a third of mankind. They loosed what looked like an army of mounted troops numbering two hundred million. These troops killed them with plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur. Even this display of mighty power did not cause any to repent of their demon worship, idolatry, murder or sexual immorality!
These trumpet judgments were inflicted on the unsaved of the earth but they were so hardened in their sins that they refused to repent! These chapters of Revelation show us the power of prayer and the protection of the seal of God on those who are saved. They warn us of the power of sin to blind and harden us. Let us continue to pray and ask God to shake our unsaved loved ones into the kingdom!
John and the “Upper-taker”
Scripture reading for December 23: Revelation 4-5
John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice calling him to enter. He immediately saw the brilliant throne of heaven and One seated on it. This throne was encircled by an emerald rainbow and radiated flashes of lightning and rumblings of loud thunder. This throne was surrounded by twenty-four other thrones with elders seated dressed in white with golden crowns. There were four other living creatures that resembled animals with eyes all over them. These creatures worshiped the One on the throne constantly saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
The twenty-four elders responded to the worship of these strange creatures with worship of their own. They fell down before the throne and cast their golden crowns before the Lord and said: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11) The worship of these elders was focused on God as creator of all things. Everything that has life draws it’s life from God. He is the source of life. Because of His will and pleasure we have our being. Many in our culture deny God as Creator and feel that their existence is not connected to anything but time and chance.
John saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. A mighty angel spoke out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2) No one was found and John began to weep profusely. One of the elders spoke up and told John to calm down because the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed. He would open the scroll!
When John looked, this Lion was none other than a Lamb Who had the marks of being slain. He also had seven horns and seven eyes, speaking of complete authority and wisdom! The Lamb took the scroll from the One seated on the throne and the elders fell down before the Lamb and began to worship with a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
As John looked again and he saw multitudes of angels worshiping the Lamb and then he heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea singing praises to the One on the throne and to the Lamb! The Lion Who was also a Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the focus of all heaven and earth!
The Keeper of the Keys!
Scripture reading for December 21: Revelation 1-3
Our goal has been to encounter Jesus in each book or letter and gain an understanding of Him that equips us to live out our faith in an authentic manner. The title “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” gives us an immediate understanding that this last book is all about Jesus Christ! It was written by John the beloved disciple while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9) He was worshiping the Lord on a Sunday when he heard a voice speaking to him. Upon looking, he saw Jesus and heard Him speak to him a message that was to be written down for the churches that John served.
John describes the vision of Jesus in this first chapter of Revelation. Jesus appeared in such glory and power that John fell down as a dead man. (Revelation 1:17) We who are pentecostal might say that John was slain in the Spirit! Jesus touched John and spoke again. “Then He placed His right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17b-18)
John was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. He and many others were suffering for their faith in Jesus. Some had already died, quite probably all the other disciples who walked with Jesus as John did. During this special worship time, Jesus came in visible form and then spoke words of faith and encouragement to his beloved apostle.
Jesus is the Keeper of the keys of death and Hades! Satan was not in control and neither was Rome! Human authorities and governments have no power except that granted by our Lord for His purposes. Even though death looks permanent to us, Jesus conquered death and Hades and rose from the dead. He took the keys from Satan and holds the key for our deliverance from there as well! By faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from our sins and their power to hold us in Satan’s abode. Jesus was dead and now lives forever as the first fruits of them that will live forever! What encouragement this truth gives to us!
Christians rejoice that death has no power over us and the grave is not to be feared! Faith is the victory and we can rest assured without fear of what is to come! We know the One Who is alive forever and has the keys! He has unlocked death and Hades for us who believe on Him!