Revelation 22 - 8.23.23
Scripture
Revelation 22:20-21
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Observation
This is the last chapter in Revelation and the verses I highlighted are the last 2 verses of Revelation (and God’s Word) also. “To the very end, the Book of Revelation emphasizes readiness and watchfulness. If we miss this practical lesson from the Book of Revelation – the lesson of readiness – then we miss the essential message of the book.” (enduringword.com)
Here are a few verses about being prepared and watchful for our Master’s return.
Luke 12:42-46
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.”
Application
Are we prepared and ready for the Lord’s coming?
When we live in light of eternity and His 2nd coming, there should be a shift in our priorities and mindset.
I found an article on desiringgod.com, from an interview with Pastor John Piper about how we are to practically prepare for the 2nd coming of Christ. He listed 3 things:
Pursue Christlikeness now. (Spend time with Jesus and imitate our lives after Him.)
Ready yourself for suffering. (Put on our armor and be in God’s Word daily so that we could recognize false prophets and the lies of the enemy and endure until the end.)
Work faithfully for Christ. (Whatever God has called us to do for His Kingdom, do it diligently and faithfully.)
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the book of Revelation that points to the fact that You are coming back. I do not want to be found unready when you return. May we be watchful and ready in our daily lives until that day comes. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Revelation 21 - 8.22.23
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 21:5 "He Who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
OBSERVATION: God allowed John to see a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. John saw the Holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. He heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Only those whose names are written in the Lambs Book of Life will be allowed into the New Jerusalem. Jesus, the Lamb of God is the Only Way to God, and in God's new creation, only those who have put their faith in Jesus will inherit eternal blessings.
How amazing that God already sees us in our glorified bodies! "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son...And those He predestined, He also called, those He called; He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8:29,30).
APPLICATION: I look around and see the world spiraling out of control because of sin! But it will not always be like this. Even though there is so much suffering and pain in this world, God knew, and He told John to write down these words that are trustworthy and true, that one day He will make everything new! "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One Who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!" ( Romans 8:18-21), ( 2 Cor 5:17).
PRAYER: I hold on to the promise that one day You will make all things new. God, You are sovereign and all-knowing, and You already see us how we will be; in our glorified body! Thank You for forgiving me of my sins, and for reconciling me to Yourself through Jesus, and for not counting my sins against me. Because of that, it is my honor to be an ambassador for Christ, praying that I will be used to point others to Jesus as I share that they too can be forgiven of their sins, and be reconciled to You through Jesus.
- Robin Orefice
Ezekiel 14 - 8.21.23
Scripture
Ezekiel 14:13-14 NLT
“Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against me, and I lifted my fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign Lord.”
Observation
Ezekiel receives another message from God. It is regarding the certainty of God’s judgment on the people of Israel. The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and have fallen into sin. This is detestable to God. And now God’s judgement will be upon them, and not even the faith and righteousness of their ancestors, (Noah, Daniel, and Job), can save the people.
Application
We can’t ride the “coat tails” of anyone else’s faith to be saved. Our faith must be our own.
I used to think when I was a little boy that I could get into Heaven because my grandparents and parents were good Christian people, respected by their peers and community. I thought that I could just get in because I was part of their family and I knew who they were. But as this chapter in Ezekiel reminds us, even the sons and daughters of righteous men like Noah, Daniel, and Job, would not be spared from God’s wrath. Those three men would be spared because of their faith and righteousness. But unfortunately, if their kids didn’t show that same faith, they would receive God’s judgment.
“As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even if those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be made desolate.”-Ezekiel 14:16
So I can’t just be saved from God’s eternal judgment just on the merits of who my parents or grandparents were. That was their own faith. They had their own personal relationship with Jesus. And thankfully their influence and guidance led me in my life to my own personal relationship with Jesus. Just like my kids can’t get into Heaven because of my faith or my wife’s faith. It has to be their own faith. They have to have their own personal relationship with Jesus. And that’s what my wife and I encourage them too. If they’re hurt, sick, or even worried about something, mommy and daddy can, and will pray for them. But they can surely go to God themselves too! Because they too know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. It’s something I pray for my family to have for generations to come. 😊
Prayer
Father God, thank You for giving my family the faith we have in Jesus. Thank You for my parents who guided me and influenced me all those years to know You and love You. Thank You for blessing me with a wife who shares the same faith that I have in You. Thank You for entrusting us with our two lovely daughters who we can help guide and influence to know and love You more each day. May we grow to be a family who loves You, and serves You all the days of our lives for generations to come. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi