Revelation 14 - 8.11.23

Scripture

Revelation 14:12

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

Observation

In John’s revelation regarding the end times, there are two camps of people: those whose follow God, and those who follow the enemy and the ways of the world. Those who follow the enemy – here described as those who worship the beast and have his mark on their foreheads – will be tormented forever and receive no rest forever.

What stands out to me is the simple truth that who or what we follow now will impact our eternity. The weight of that can’t be overstated. Like a fisherman casting lines into the water, the enemy has all kinds of lures he floats in front of us – money, power, entertainment, praise from men, the pursuit of our own pleasure, etc. And the result for those who go after them is eternal punishment and separation from God. In this passage, or any other, there is no third category of people who pursued those things but also loved God.

James 4:4

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

In light of this truth, we are called to patient endurance in keeping God’s commands and remaining faithful to Jesus.

Application

Keep God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

Prayer

God, I ask for myself and all your people, that you grant us patient endurance in following you. Protect us from the deception of the enemy and lures of sin. May we love you, prefer you, choose you and obey you until the end. Amen.

-Levi Thompson

Revelation 13 - 08.10.23

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 13:11-12,14a NIV

“Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth.”

OBSERVATION:

Revelation actually means the unveiling as in the “Revelation OF Jesus Christ”

This book is ALL about Jesus.

Here we come to the one single chapter with content that is the Most talked about AND most misunderstood AND has had the most “personal liberties” taken throughout the ages.

In this chapter we read about Satan [the Dragon] who gives power to the Antichrist who is promoted by the second beast [an imitation of the holy spirit] which completes the illusion of a “false trinity”. There is also reference to the infamous 666, and the mark that will indicate Sole allegiance and Worship to the Antichrist and be required to transact ANY and ALL business (including necessities like food).

Deception--How to discern between a Lie and the Truth

Deceive-To cause someone to believe something that is untrue—to lie.

Satan is a master deceiver. Jesus called him “the Father of Lies (John 8:44).

In some cases, a lie may be so blatant it could “slap you in the face” and fill the Grand Canyon with its refuse. There is No doubt—You KNOW it’s a lie! You can RUN the Other Direction!

But in other cases, a lie is not so easy to detect. It can creep up on you slowly and subtly.

At First glance a glittery Promise—then a lure that draws you closer—until you’re Caught—and trapped—in the web of intersecting threads that have somehow ensnared you.

This is how Satan works— Subtle and Cunning. He is skillfully crafty.

And the Antichrist will be his prize—everything Satan is about is designed to take down the church. And this is his last hoorah.

And although he has great Power—he doesn’t have the Power to do that BECAUSE we already have the VICTORY in Jesus—

But—He continues to prowl around like a Lion “Looking for whom He can devour”—And there are many people who will be deceived.

“…the power given to the Antichrist will deceive the inhabitants of the earth”

APPLICATION:

Jesus walked out of the TOMB

Satan will seek to deceive and destroy the inhabitants of the earth. Guess what? There is nothing new in that. That has always been Satan’s MO.

Jesus Walked OUT of the Tomb!

When Satan entered Judas so he would betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin sending him to the Cross—Satan rejoiced believing he had the victory. He had been doing everything in his power to attempt to destroy Jesus from the beginning!

BUT the Cross WAS the VICTORY!

Bringing Salvation to ALL the inhabitants of the earth who would trust and Believe in Jesus!

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT)

Jesus Walked out of the Tomb — He is Coming Back!  `

How critically important that second statement is! Jesus IS coming back!

Jesus trusted me—with His Salvation and His Holy Spirit—to be born at this time. No matter how things may look today or in the news—Satan is a master deceiver—Jesus Walked Out of the Tomb!

The Victory is WON!

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written BEFORE they ever took shape” (Psalm 139:16a AMPC)

Jesus is Coming Back! What will HE Find me doing?

I want Jesus to find me being Faithful—For it is impossible to please God without Faith!

“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that HE rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 AMP)

PRAYER:

LORD Jesus

Thank you for giving Your life on the Cross! Thank You for the Victory that IS ours Because You walked out of the Tomb!

Every generation thinks that they are the generation that will see You coming back!

You said no one will Know the hour—but You also said learn the signs and know when the time is near (Matthew 24). I pray your return will find me faithfully serving You. Give me greater courage, more strength, more passion for those who need your Good News. Break down any barriers in my heart in a way that will move me to action. In Your Name Lord, amen.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in His household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when He returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”  (Matthew 24:45-47 NIV)

Tina L Kudelka

Revelation 12 - 8.9.23

Scripture

Revelation 12:5-She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”  And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.

Observation

This chapter speaks on the 1st of the 7 signs that John saw in his vision.  The first of the 7 signs was described as a great sign. This is what each figure represents (reference is enduringword.com):

Woman=Israel

Dragon=Satan

Man-child=Jesus

Angel Michael=head of the angelic host

Offspring of the woman=Gentiles who come to faith in the Tribulation

Beast out of the sea=Anti-Christ

In the verses that I chose, I will be focusing on the man-child, who is Jesus.

Application

Apply the truths of God’s Word to be encouraged when feeling doubt or discouragement about your faith.

Victory comes through Jesus Christ, so take heart and be at peace knowing that He has already defeated Satan.  A parallel to Revelation 12:5 according to the footnotes, is Psalm 2:9, which says, “You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

In John 16, Jesus encouraged His disciples before He left the earth.  In verse 33, He says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

What action will we take today to show the world that because of Jesus Christ, we live from a place of victory, and not defeat? How will we lead others to Christ so that they could experience that same victory? Today, we have the opportunity to show Christ’s love to our community at the Canyon Country Farmer’s Market at 6p. We will be set up at the park behind the Farmer’s Market. Bring chairs and your dinner.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable.  Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray that we would live in a place of victory and not defeat.  There are so many things in life and this world that causes discouragement.  Help us to be strong, steadfast and immovable in You and remember that You have already overcome this world and Satan.  Amen!

-Michelle Gaddi