Revelation 22 - 6.30.26
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 - 6.29.26
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 21: 1-8
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I 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.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
OBSERVATION
In this passage, John is seeing a vision of the age to come when Jesus Christ fully restores creation. Sin, Satan and death will be defeated, and all of God’s people will experience Him in such a great magnitude. Although the book of Revelation tells of the horrible events that will take place on earth due to sin and the rejection of God, Jesus Christ will correct it all. These final chapters are messages of hope of what is to come. Christ ensures us, His bride, that we will be with Him forever, will no longer shed tears, will no longer experience pain, will drink from the spring of the water of life and be victorious. Those who oppose Him to live how they want will not be victorious, and will face the same fate as Satan, his angels, sin and death.
APPLICATION
The life that we live is short compared to eternity. James describes our lives as mist and not knowing if tomorrow will be given (James 4:14). That is why we as ambassadors of this new Kingdom must ensure that we are serving the coming King and inviting others to be apart of it. Every Believer should look forward to this time and not be concerned for the things of this world because it will be destroyed for better things to come in the presence of God. Let us set our minds on being with God for eternity with no more pain, suffering, worry, depression, and mourning.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for this message of hope to be with you for eternity. Help us to set our eyes on you. In Matthew 13:44-46, You described the Kingdom of God as “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Thank you for addressing our concerns that life will bring which you have experienced yourself when you walked the earth.
- Darrence Hamilton
Exodus 13 - 6.26.26
Scripture: Exodus 13: 3-10
3 Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 4 Today, in the month of Aviv, you are leaving. 5 When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites—the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this ceremony in this month: 6 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the Lord. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.
Observation:
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt after bringing 10 plagues on the Egyptians while keeping Israel safe. He commands the Israelites to remember yearly how they were brought out of slavery. His mighty hand rescued them to bring them into promised land flowing with milk and honey. I looked up the significance of milk and honey. From the Bible Odyssey, “Milk symbolizes sustenance, everyday nourishment, and livestock fertility. Because cows and goats require lush pastures and clean water to produce milk, it signifies a healthy, supportive environment. Honey (often derived from dates, figs, or bees) requires vast expanses of blooming flora. It represents luxury, sweetness, and the rich delights of life. Together, they represent total provision, showing that both the necessities and joys of life are available in excess.” Wow, God was bringing them out of slavery into total provision! He instructed them to remember yearly with a ceremony that begins on the exact day they left from Egypt and lasts for 7 days. They are not to have any yeast to eat or even in their houses. Yeast brings about change when added to food. It is often referred to in the Bible and can be good or bad. Many times yeast or leaven refers to sin. What great symbolism, to empty your house of “sin” before you enter into a celebration of remembering what God has brought you out of.
They were commanded to celebrate before they entered the promised land. We need to have faith and realize as God brings us out of bondage we may not immediately enter into all He has promised. It is a journey.
This tradition is to be explained to future generations to remember and always keep the law of the Lord on their lips.
Application:
God is in the business of breaking bondages and releasing slaves. The most important thing He frees us from is sin. Jesus commissioned us to go and make disciples. God set in place times of remembering all He has done. This is important for us to remember today. While we may not all celebrate Passover, Christmas and Easter have become important times of year to commemorate all God has done to redeem us.
We are still in the world and there are times “things” can put us in bondage. I need to seek His release from areas I feel stuck realizing He has a land flowing with “Milk and Honey,” total provision for me. Getting to the promise land is a journey. There will be obstacles. I need to rely on God and trust him as I walk through dry places. I need to seek Him first and recognize His hand. As I delight in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart, Psalm 37:4.
God wants me to remember and honor His law not forgetting that it is He who brought me out and provided for me. It is not my own doing. I need to share His goodness and provision with generations to follow.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you that you bring us out from the things that bind us. We have an enemy who is real and fights against us to keep us from waking in the truth and your plan for our lives. Please help me remember daily your provision for me and seek your plan. Forgive me for times I get distracted and worry about what’s next or just shut down. Help me fix my eyes on you, knowing You and your love are enough. You provided a cloud and pillar of fire for the children of Israel. Today you have given us the Holy Spirit. Thank you that we can walk in the lens of hope and not dismay. You have good things ahead. Keep me walking on the right path as I journey to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. When I get there keep me focused on who you are and realize the journey is not done. There are many people, including myself, to show the way and new ways to become more like you. Thank you for walking with me each step of the way. Amen
- Cindy Howard