Revelation 14

Scripture

 

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.”

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Revelation‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

This chapter covers a lot, from the 144,000 believers, to the 3 angels, 2 voices and then the 2 reapers. Each individual entity has their meanings and role. Specifically, I am covering the 3rd angel and what he said regarding the fate of those who get the mark of the Beast. “And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name (verse 11).” Although those with the mark of the Beast will have to suffer literal hell at the hands of Almighty God, the people who become Christ followers after the rapture (based on a pre-tribulation view) and during the Tribulation will have to endure the hardships brought upon them by the Beast as well.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Don't wait!  Surrender and have faith today!

 

The grace of our Lord is amazing, as those who rejected Him before the rapture will have a chance to come to the faith after. However, those who become believers after the rapture will have a much harder life to endure. It’s better to have faith in what He says today and share  with other unbelievers now so they can be part of the family, instead of wait until the unholy Trinity composed of the Dragon (Satan), the Beast out of the Sea (the Anti Christ), and the Beast out of the Land (the False Prophet), wreak havoc. The Tribulation period will not be a fun time, especially for Tribulation saints (aka those who become Christians during the Tribulation period). (Source: Gary Parker's Higher Learning Revelation notes and discussions from a few years ago.)

 

Life Application

 

Wait on the Lord and keep enduring until the end.

 

Hebrews 10:36-Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

 

James 5:7-Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

 

Dear Jesus, strengthen our hearts and minds and help us to patiently endure in faith until the day of Your return. Help us to also share our faith and the Good News with loved ones, family members, friends and other unsaved people before Your return. Amen.

 

 

-Michelle Gaddi

Revelation 13

Scripture

 

‭Revelation‬ ‭13:9‬ ‭NLT

 

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

In this chapter, John tells us about the two powerhouses of the Tribulation Period-the Antichrist (political powerhouse) and the False Prophet (the religious powerhouse). These two will merge church and state, and the results will be disastrous! The Antichrist will become Satan in the flesh and will blaspheme God and mimic Jesus in things Jesus did. From performing miracles, to being raised from the dead, the Antichrist will have the world eating out of the palm of his hand. The people of this world (people whose names are not written in the Book of Life) will worship him (vs. 3-4) and wage war against God’s people. 

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

When God speaks, we better listen.

 

Everyone who has ears should listen to the things from our all knowing God. No one has to go through this Tribulation Period that John speaks of in Revelation. GOD LOVES EVERYONE! He is warning everyone. Will anyone be willing to listen and commit their lives to Jesus before it’s too late?

 

“So faith comes from hearing the Good News. And people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.”-‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭ERV

 

Life Application

 

Share the good news with someone who needs it.

 

I will not be discouraged if they reject it when I do share it. I am there to plant a seed in their heart. It is God who turns and softens hearts. And even if their hearts are hardened, and they reject God’s grace and love all the way up till the Tribulation Period, maybe, just maybe, all the words I shared with them about the things I learned in God’s Word will begin to come to light as they see the things that were written in the Bible are now coming true. Then Lord willing, they can come to the realization that they need Jesus and need to repent from their sin.

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Father God I pray that your warnings, Your words do not fall on deaf ears. May the truth You speak set people free! Give me the courage, the words, and the opportunities to share with people the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray this in Your name Lord, Amen.

 

 

-Moses Gaddi

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Esther_4

Scripture

Esther 4:12-14When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 

Observation

Do not think in your heart that you will escape: Mordecai reminded Esther that she could not remain insulated from this decree any more than anyone else.If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place: Mordecai’s trust was in the faithfulness of God, not in the faithfulness of Esther. He knows that God will not let His people down, even if individuals let God down.But you and your father’s house will perish: Mordecai reminded Esther that though the fate of God’s people rested in God and not in her, her own fate depended on her own faithfulness to God.Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Mordecai knew that God had promoted this orphan in exile for a reason – and Esther must have the courage and wisdom to see that reason and fulfill it.

1. This principle applies to us also. God promotes us or puts us in a place for a reason, and we need the courage and wisdom to see that reason and to walk in it.
2. “You have been wishing for another position where you could do something for Jesus: do not wish anything of the kind, but serve him where you are.” (Spurgeon)

Taken from https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/esther-4/ 

Understanding

I love the story of Esther – a story of bravery, trust, taking risks…but, ultimately of Esther’s obedience and God’s loving response.We see over and over again in the Bible (and in real life), that God is all up in the details of life.  So much so that I don’t’ even believe in coincidence.  Our lives are a beautiful tapestry of God’s bazillion threads being pulled together into His masterpiece.  Esther’s story is just one example. What we see at play here is 1) the placement of Esther – perhaps the least likely candidate – in the king’s house in advance of when she would need to use her position for God’s good and for the good of her people, 2) an accountability partner in Mordecai – who lovingly challenged her, showed her the reality of the situation if she didn’t speak up (the loss of her family) and who was not just looking out for himself but for Esther, her family and ALL Jews. 

Life Application

Where have you/I been placed?  What situations are we experiencing or lie ahead for which we could be placed for “such a time as this?”  Where do I/we need to be more bold and courageous…remembering God is the one that brought us here, not for our honor, glory or success but for His?  Who is my/your Mordecai and how will we respond when challenged?God, thank you for your all powerful love.  Thank you for ALWAYS keeping the bigger picture in mind.  And I thank you for where you’ve placed me in it – within my social circles, in my work, in areas of leadership, as a parent, etc.  May I never, EVER take it for granted or think for a second that it was on my own accord.  May I walk humbly yet boldly in Your Name, using every success, every bit of power, every leadership moment, every gift for your good, your honor, your glory.  Use me today.  Open my eyes and heart to see people and situations through Your eyes and to pour out Your transformational love on others.   ReiTo check out the discussion or to join in click here.