Tag: Lamb
Day 5–Fire of Eternal Punishment
Scripture reading for May 15: Matthew 13:38-42 “The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them in a fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Revelation 14:9-11 “”If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
The biblical teaching of eternal punishment and the lake of fire is not popular in the church today. Many think of it as a myth and a place that would never exist if Jesus is a God of love. But God’s Word gives us all a sober warning about its certainty and duration. It is part of God’s justice and divine retribution that in the end assures that each person receives a just punishment or a just forgiveness of all sins. There is no partiality or favoritism with God.
The parable of the weeds in the field was taught by Jesus to show how at the final harvest Jesus would send out the holy angels to gather them in bundles to be burned. These weeds, unredeemed people, were sown by the evil one, the devil, in the field of the world. They had promoted sin and lawlessness in rebellion to God’s Word. They had refused the cup of mercy offered them by Jesus through His sacrifice of blood and body. They would receive the cup of God’s wrath in the presence of the Lamb and holy angels.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your justice and mercy. We know that You have done everything You could to provide forgiveness of sins to all who would accept. Help us as faith first responders to share your plan of mercy with those still in danger of this eternal fire. Amen.
Behold The Bride–Wife of the Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 29: Revelation 21
“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21:9-11
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day–and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:22-27
God lifted the curtain on His completed world view for the beloved apostle, John. One of the seven angels who had poured out the wrath of God on the earth invited John to behold the Bride of the Lamb. John was taken to a high mountain and saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. This glorious city sparkled like a rare jewel and was illuminated with the glory of God and the lamp of the Lamb. All nations were represented as believers from every tongue and tribe filled the city in the dwelling places provided by the Lamb.
The angel emphasized that nothing unclean would ever be allowed in this city, only those who had been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb would have their names inscribed on the register of the New Jerusalem, the Lamb’s Book of Life. Those who refused Christ’s offer of mercy must instead be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15) There they would suffer eternal fire and separation from the Lamb.
How does this vision of the reward of those who have believed on Jesus Christ help you to continue in faith? Is it comforting to know that members of every tribe and nation will be part of the Bride? Do you understand the justice of God in punishing those who refused His Son?
Prayer: Father God, You are just and true to Your Word and deserve our eternal worship and humble service. I ask for mercy for all my children, grandchildren, and relatives yet to be born. May they hear the Gospel and their names be written in the Book of Life. Amen.
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!
Our God is Worthy!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 7, Psalm 117-18, Proverbs 29
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!””
As John beheld the glory of God and the Lamb, he saw a great multitude of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation assembled in white robes and shouting praise to God and the Lamb for their salvation! This caused a domino effect as the angels, elders, and living creatures joined in the shout of blessing to the great God of heaven and earth! Amazingly, this was going on then and is now and will for eternity!
Faith Confession: I look forward to joining the throng around the throne of God in worship of the Lamb and in thanks for His great salvation. It is my prayer that none of my family or friends will miss out! Help me to pray Lord!
Psalm 117:1-2 “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples! For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
Praise the Lamb forever!
Scripture reading for December 5th: Revelation 5, Psalm 113-14, Proverbs 27
Key Scriptures: 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!” And the four living creatures said “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.”
As John is viewing the throne of God and activities around it, He saw a”Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, . .” This “Lamb” took the scroll which no one could open and a chorus broke open of the twenty-four elders as they sang a new song of worship to the Lamb. Then all of heaven and earth joined in resounding choruses of praise to Lamb Who had been slain to purchase people for God from every tribe and nation. Hallelujah now and forever!
Faith Confession: I am thankful for Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who purchased me from bondage to sin and made me a priest and part of His glorious kingdom. Worthy is the Lamb to receive all praise and worship!
Psalm 113:2-3 “Blessed be the Name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the Name of the Lord is to be praised!”