Tag: mighty angel
Satan the deceiver bound!
Scripture reading for December 26th: Zechariah 3-6, Revelation 20
Key Scriptures: Revelation 20:1-3 “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.”
John saw a mighty angel with a key and an amazing chain. This chain was to shackle the devil, that ancient serpent, for a thousand years. He was cast into the bottomless pit and it was sealed over. After the thousand years, he would again be released for a short time. Then the lake of fire would be his eternal hellish dwelling. God’s plan would be fully accomplished.
Zechariah 3:1-2 “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke You! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?””
Prayer: Lord, thank You for rebuking Satan and plucking me from the fire of Your eternal wrath against sin and rebellion. Thank You for mighty angels to carry out Your judgments! Amen.
Seven thunders message sealed!
Scripture reading for December 13th: Revelation 10
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 10:1-4 “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
John’s heavenly vision revealed another mighty angel with amazing clothing–cloud, rainbow, and sun! This angel held a little scroll which was open and when he stood on land and sea, he gave a loud shout like a lion! Sounds like the Lion of Judah! Immediately, seven thunders answered in what sounded to John like intelligible voices. He was about to write out their message, but was told not to by the voice from heaven. God has secrets still sealed in heaven concerning the end times and judgment of the earth and mankind. Don’t go beyond what is written!
Observations for over-comers: Don’t try and figure everything out concerning the last days–surprises are ahead known only by God! “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)
A scroll for lunch!
Scripture reading for December 19th: Revelation 10:1-11
John’s vision continues with the sight of a mighty angel robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head. This angel shone with the brilliance of the sun and planted his pillar-like legs on the land and sea of earth. In his hand was a small scroll which was open. When he shouted, the voices of the ‘seven thunders’ spoke. John was told not to write what they said. (Revelation 10:1-4)
The angel then announced on God’s behalf, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:6b-7) There was evidently a delay between the trumpet judgments. God had laid out His plans for judgment, warning His people by His servants the prophets! (Amos 3:6-7) God’s word was true and although it seemed mysterious to those without faith, it would come to fulfillment.
“Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.”” (Revelation 10:8-9) John took the scroll and ate it. He might have remembered Ezekiel’s encounter of the same sort. (Ezekiel 3:1-9) This scroll represents the truth of God’s prophetic words. They are sweet to those who obediently give them and receive them, but cause trouble as they are digested. The judgment of God is not joyful for those who are receiving it or witnessing it!
Ezekiel was told he must speak to the nation of Israel. (Ezekiel 1:4) John was sent to speak about “many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” (Revelation 10:11) God’s program of judgment begins with His people and ends with those refusing to be His people! In His love, God wants none to perish but all to repent. As His prophets warn the people, they are then accountable for their response. Those who hear and heed will be saved and those who refuse will be lost! Are you willing to ‘eat the scroll’?