The Crown of Life
Scripture reading for December 2: Revelation 2
“”And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The Words of the First and the Last, Who died and came to life. “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of Life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'” Revelation 2:8-11
The glorious and resurrected Jesus Christ revealed Himself to John on the prison-island of Patmos and there gave him personal letters to deliver to each of the seven church that John was elder over. This devotion is taken from the short letter to the church at Smyrna that was at that time under severe persecution and poverty. Jesus introduced Himself as the “First and the Last, Who died and came to life.” Jesus wanted this church to know that He was before all things and would exist after all things. He reminded them of His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection. A vision of Jesus in victory would help His people to stand firm.
Jesus then told the church that He knew about their tribulation and their poverty because of it. He knew about the slander spoken against them by those who were religious Jews but void of God’s Spirit. Jesus reminded them that they were really rich through adoption into God’s family. Jesus told them not to be afraid of the suffering that would come to test their faith. The suffering would have a set time and then pass. If believers would be faithful to Jesus, even unto death, they would receive the Crown of Life eternal awarded to all overcomers! They would conquer death and the devil by faithfulness and faith and the second death would not hurt them. Christ’s blood would shield them from eternal fire.
Have you considered the possibility of a time of tribulation and suffering because of your faith in Jesus? How does this world view clash with our current culture of health, wealth and prosperity? What did Jesus mean to have ears to hear the Spirit is saying to the churches in this letter?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, the First and Last. Persecution for the Name of Jesus is certainly in our world today and many have died for their stand of faith. Help me to stand firm and use my ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. I am desiring the Crown of Life! Amen.
Jesus Christ is Coming!
Scripture reading for December 1: Revelation 1
“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits Who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings on earth. To Him Who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:4-7
The final letter in the New Testament Scriptures deals with the things that were, the things that are, and the things that are to come. This letter has an amazing impact on the world view of any who will read and heed its message. Through this letter, God reveals His plan to bring all things together, in heaven and on earth, under the Kingship of His Son. This letter is written to the seven churches in Asia that were under the oversight of the Apostle John, who was now in his old age and imprisoned by Rome.
The Greek word for “revelation” is “apocalupsis” which means the lifting of a veil or covering that brings a revelation of what has been hidden. In this letter, Jesus is lifting heaven’s curtain on how God views all of history, past, present, and future. Jesus reveals special messages for the churches that gather to worship Him regularly. He gives promise of blessing for those who will hear and heed His Word. John portrays Jesus as the “Faithful Witness” Who testified of the Father’s love and mercy. Jesus also was the “Firstborn of the dead” in that He alone was raised bodily in power and glory and ascended to heaven as a glorified man. Jesus is also the “Ruler of all the kings of the earth”. No earthly power or authority is over Him. He reigns forever and is coming on the clouds of glory. At the time of His return, every eye will see Him, even those who had pierced Him! There will be much wailing from those of earth. Those of heaven will rejoice!
Have you considered Who Jesus Christ really is right now at this moment? Does your world view include the possibility of Jesus Christ coming on the clouds of heaven? Being honest with yourself, will you rejoice at seeing Him or will you wail and mourn?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving us and revealing that love through Your Son and His giving of his blood for our salvation. I believe Jesus is coming again, and soon. I rejoice at His return! Use me to share this Good News. Amen!
Contending for the faith!
Scripture reading for November 28: Jude
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, Who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, He has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great Day--just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 3-7
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a very direct letter to the believers he served. He initially wanted to write about their common salvation but because of false teachers and many who were believers abandoning the way of grace, he now wrote to warn them of their need to be watchful and stay connected to Jesus Christ.
Many of these believers had been Jews so Jude used examples that they would have known from their Old Testament Scriptures. He first cited the exodus of God’s people from Egypt under Moses as an example of God saving those who believed but punishing those who refused to believe. Jude cited Jesus as being their actual leader Who counseled Moses and gave him the Word. Jude also cited the fallen angels who fell with Lucifer. These were punished by Jesus with eternal chains in the darkness of the pit until their final judgment in the Lake of Fire. The third example was the destruction by fire of Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities by God as punishment for their immorality and rebellion. These sobering examples remind us even today of how dangerous it is to become complacent.
As you read these strong warnings, how might you apply them to your own life and attitude about God? Do you tend to focus only on God’s mercy and love instead of His justice and righteous anger? Are there changes in your own life that you need to make today to be ready for Christ’s return?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for warning Your people to be watchful and fighting to maintain the purity of faith Jesus Christ demands. Thank you for salvation by grace through faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. I cling to Jesus as my only plea for mercy and forgiveness. Help me to set a good example for those of my generation. Amen.
Watch yourselves!
Scripture reading for November 26: 2 John
“And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” 2 John 6-11
John wrote this short letter to ‘the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth.’ This was probably a church meeting in the home of a lady who was its pastor or possibly a way of addressing the church and its members. John was concerned with the truth and the church continuing to abide in the truth. There were false teachers that John called ‘deceivers’ who were teaching the Jesus was just a ‘spirit’ and that He did not come in the flesh being born of a virgin. This enabled them to claim ‘salvation’ but do whatever they wanted in their bodies.
In contrast, John encouraged the believers to walk according to Jesus’ commandment to love God and love one another. (Matthew 22:37-39) This was possible by the indwelling Gift of the Holy Spirit and the grace of having our own sins forgiven. This was provided by God through His Son when He died bodily on the cross and after three days rose again. John wasn’t advocating salvation by works, but an abiding faith that would not be enticed away from trust in Jesus’ sacrifice. John did not want any believer to lose their full reward upon the return of Jesus in glory. He taught them not to receive any teachers that advocated any other way of human effort or indulgence in sinful passions. Watchfulness was required to avoid deception and to continue to abide in Jesus.
Have you personally experienced any of the teaching of deceivers who deny Jesus came in the flesh? From God’s Word through John, what instructions help you to avoid deception? Why does John warn the believers not to greet these false teachers or receive them into their homes?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring for Your church and sending letters of warning and encouragement. Help me to be alert and watchful for deception and those promoting it. Use me to teach and live the doctrines of truth concerning Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Confidence in Christ
Scripture reading for November 25: 1 John 5
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:11-15
John’s readers struggled to really know if they had received eternal life. Satan loves to use doubt and deception to keep people in fear and darkness. Nothing has really changed in our culture today. But God is light and in Him is no darkness. God has revealed through His Word that He has provided eternal life for all who will receive His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have the Son, you have eternal life. If you reject the Son, you are without eternal life and God’s wrath rests on you. (John 3:36)
John wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to bring clarity to believers in Jesus. God the Father wants His children to know that they are a part of His forever family. The Holy Spirit indwelling us testifies that we are God’s children by crying “Abba, Father”. (Galatians 4:6) Jesus gave His followers the promise of asking in His Name for anything we have need of and it would be granted. (John 16:23-24) By faith this means that if we asked for forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life, God has heard us and granted us what we asked. Faith in God’s Word brings confidence and deliverance from all fears of future punishment. (1 John 4:18) Eternal life is found only in a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Have you struggled with fear or uncertainty about your future after leaving this earth? How does John’s letter help you to regain confidence and begin to live by faith? Have you asked God for His forgiveness in Jesus’ Name?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this assurance of eternal life found in Jesus Christ, Your Son. Thank You for the privilege of prayer in the Name of Jesus and the assurance of my needs being taken care of because You hear and answer. Use me to share these truths with those You place in my path. Amen.
Abiding in Love
Scripture reading for November 24: 1 John 4
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us, God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God Whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:15-21
John was very old when writing this letter to the churches he had provided oversight for Jesus Christ. John was the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved.’ (John 21:20) John had confessed that Jesus was God’s Son and came to know the love of Jesus from being one of the original twelve disciples. It is said that one of John’s favorite sayings was “beloved, love one another.” John encouraged believers to abide in God’s love. Jesus’ greatest act of love was the sacrifice of His own body and blood to redeem sinners.
When we abide in Christ’s love, we find freedom from fear of punishment. We trust in God’s Word and the Holy Spirit testifies that we are God’s children and He is our Father. Our response to God’s love driving out fear is to return God’s love by obedient faith in His Word. God commands us to love one another because He is love. If we abide in love for God, we must love our brothers and sisters. If we say we love God, but abide in hatred towards another, we are under deception and a liar. If we want confidence on the day of judgment, we must also forgive our brothers and sisters and abide in God’s grace and love. Jesus paid the penalty and we say ‘Thank You.’
In examining your own life, has God’s perfect love delivered you from fear of death and punishment? Are you abiding in Christ’s love and His perfect sacrifice demonstrating that love? Is there an act of love or forgiveness by grace that you may need to extend to someone you hate or harbor anger against?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing world view of abiding in Christ’s love and living a life free from fear. Thank You for John and his simple letter of encouragement to abide in love. Reveal any unforgiveness or hatred in my heart today and restore my confidence in Christ’s love. Amen.
Avoiding Deception
Scripture reading for November 21: 1 John 3
“Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:7-10
John addressed the believers as ‘little children’, a term of endearment and also an indicator of their state of spiritual maturity. John, the elder, had been around for a long time. He was once one of the ‘little children’ himself. In following Jesus, he had learned that the devil was behind sin and temptation. We are all sinners because we inherit a sin nature from our parents and as a result are under control of the devil. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil by offering new birth through His ‘seed’ and healing those oppressed by the devil and sickness. He was born of God the Father’s Seed! Through faith in Jesus, we receive God’s Seed in Jesus Christ. When born of God, we no longer desire to practice sin and are empowered with God’s love in the indwelling Holy Spirit.
For John it was very simple to determine if one was truly ‘born of God’. He observed their actions and attitudes to see whether or not they practiced righteousness and loved their neighbors. He plainly stated the truth that no one who is truly born of God can continue to sin. God’s Holy Spirit would bring conviction and lead them to repentance. Additionally, just knowing about Jesus Christ and even becoming a member of the church was not a test of true relationship. Deception was being promoted through the false teachers who were still practicing sin while claiming to know God. John referred to them as ‘antichrists’ who had been part of the church but had departed from truth. (1 John 2:18)
Have you ever observed someone whose talk and walk about being a follower of Christ did not add up? How would you evaluate your spiritual maturity and ability to spot deception? How does John’s letter help you to understand true spiritual rebirth?
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for John’s plain letter concerning deception and how to recognize it in my own life and in others. Fill me again today with Your Holy Spirit and discernment of spirits that I might avoid the spirit of antichrist in our world today. Amen.
Jesus our Advocate
Scripture reading for November 20: 1 John 2
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says “I know Him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him, but whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” 1 John 2:1-6
Without repentance and confession of sin, there can be no forgiveness of sins. The false teachers were teaching that there was really no sin that needed confession because the flesh was evil by nature. So John taught the need for confessing our sins and Jesus faithfully and justly forgiving sins. As believers walk through life with Jesus and His Word lighting their paths, there would be exposure of sin enabling repentance and confessing and continuous cleansing. John alone in the New Testament reveals Jesus was also our Advocate. He is seated at God’s right hand, their interceding for us. He offered His own blood as the covering and cleansing for our sins. He offers this advocacy for the whole world as the Lamb of God Who took away the world’s sins. (John 1:29)
One of the tests of truly knowing God mentioned by John is obedience to His Word. Lots of people were confessing that they ‘knew’ Jesus but did not obey His commandments. John stated that they were deceived and liars. The only way to have assurance of salvation is to abide in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit walk with Him day by day. Our lives should not reflect ‘darkness’ but the light of Jesus. Love for God is perfected through willing submission and joyful obedience. John’s reason for writing this letter was to see the believers free from sin and living by faith.
As you walk with Jesus each day, have you relied on Him as an Advocate, speaking to God on your behalf? When outsiders view your life, what evidence would they find that you know Jesus? Is there one area of your life that you can take to Jesus for His advocacy and empowerment to live as He lives?
Prayer: Thank You Jesus for being my Advocate through life’s ups and downs. It is my desire to walk as You walked in obedience to Your Word. Use my life to reflect the light of Jesus Christ as Lord and the humility of daily cleansing through faith in Christ’s blood. Amen.
Walking in Light
Scripture reading for November 19: 1 John 1
“This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10
John was the disciple whom Jesus loved. He wrote this letter to strengthen believers in the truth of Scripture concerning their salvation after false teachers had attacked the church with new revelations about Jesus and the ‘knowledge’ required for salvation. These false teachers separated flesh and spirit into two categories. The flesh was evil along with matter. The spirit was good and was where salvation took place through special ‘knowledge’. They taught that Jesus was a ‘spirit’ separate from His physical existence. For some, their ‘knowledge’ led them to believe that it did not matter what was done in the body, they were still saved. Others were involved in severe treatment of their bodies to earn salvation.
John lovingly and firmly addressed the believers concerning the Word of God, Jesus Christ. God is light and has no darkness at all. Sin is darkness and those living in it have not found the light of Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood brings true salvation and fellowship with God and one another. As we walk in the light as Christ is the Light, there is a continuous exposure of sin enabling repentance and deliverance through confession of sin. If we refuse to admit sin but excuse it as unavoidable because of flesh, we are liars and His Word is not a true part of our life. We are dead in sin and the lie we believe holds us in darkness. This was the state of those under the false teaching of John’s day.
How would you evaluate your own knowledge and understanding of salvation? Are there still competing beliefs about how we ‘know’ that we are saved? Using John’s test of ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ concerning your own walk, are you walking in the light as Jesus is the light?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the light of Jesus Christ, the Living Word, shining in my life through the Holy Spirit. Thank You the Jesus is the Way, Truth and the Light, not some special ‘knowledge’ that enables me to justify clinging to darkness. May I glorify God in my body, soul and spirit! Amen.