Amos 1-3; Revelation 6

The four horsemen in Revelation 6 have been a matter of fearful anticipation for many years, and although there have been many in the past who have asserted that the end of time was on their specific generation, there are a significant number of events in this generation that imply that the end of the Kosmos is now even nearer.

The debate rages among Bible students whether the Rapture of the Church will happen before, during or after the events that begin to unfold in Revelation 6 and continue for another dozen chapters. For me and mine, I pray that my family and friends will be saved and taken up before the Tribulation commences. I admit that’s cowardly of me, and I’m not consistent with James 1:2 when I look forward to that time with dread instead of joy, but the Bible makes it clear that the time of tribulation is not a good time to be alive on the earth. I, for one, want to escape it, but I trust that for His own glory God will have given me the strength of the Holy Spirit to face down my own cowardice and to endure it victoriously with joy should He cause me to live in that time.

Joel; Revelation 5

Some have said that it is a wrong image of Heaven to be sitting on a cloud playing a harp. Probably so, but if the reward is anything like the scene in Revelation 5:12-13, then I’ll have fulfilled the vision I have of being in the Heavenly choir. I could be very enthused about an eternal around-the-clock-with-no-kidney-breaks singing (in the best choir) songs of praise of better musical and lyrical composition than ever done by human pen. For several decades I gladly sang in church choirs in lieu of having fun elsewhere during weekends and never thought it a sacrifice to participate because of the joy of participation in worship of praise to Him. Note that the verses say, “saying,” not “singing,” but it’s a form of corporate worship that we can only make an attempt to duplicate when we are singing in our worship services.

Hosea 12-14; Revelation 4

There’s nothing to compare it to. The scene described by John in Revelation 4 is a vision of the staggering, unfathomable throne of Almighty God. A dazzling array of piercing light and color, punctuated by flashes of lightning and the roar of thunder. Supernatural beings endlessly proclaiming God’s holiness and power. Exalted ones falling down before Him, worshiping and proclaiming His glory as Creator.

King David described our God this way in Psalm 145:

“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

What does God’s greatness mean to me? It means there’s no room for being impressed with myself. He alone is great, and worthy. It means that there’s no room for being overwhelmed by problems. God alone is overwhelming. Everything else is small potatoes. And finally, it means that I – like the supernatural beings before His throne – should fill my day with praises, worship, and high thoughts of the Almighty One – who calls Himself my Friend.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Hosea 9-11; Revelation 3

When Israel sinned, God often brought down the hammer. He judged them harshly with death, the destruction of their country, and slavery in foreign lands. Hosea points out three human behaviors that aroused God’s anger and judgment:

1. Disregard for truth
2. Self-sufficiency
3. Loving stuff more than God

Because we have forgiveness as followers of Jesus, we often read these Scriptures as though God isn’t still angered when we do these things. He is. And the judgment He poured out on Jesus isn’t a license for us to pile up the same provocations against God. For sure, God is in the Grace business these days. But that doesn’t insulate us from consequences. Peter says “Don’t suffer as an evildoer.” Paul told the Galatians, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” John talks about the kind of sin that “Leads to death.”  Jesus didn’t die so we could sin without consequences. He died so we could enjoy Him without fear.

See you tomorrow!

Hosea 5-8; Revelation 2

Jesus’ message to the church at Ephesus is useful for us today. They had their Bible teaching right. But their passion had gone out. They had “Left their first love.” It’s easy to get so caught up in doing the right thing that you forget why you are doing it. And without the ferocious love of Jesus Christ at the center of the church, it just becomes another club with a long “to do” list.

So how do you recapture what you’ve lost? How do you rekindle your “first love?” – Go to a seminar? Meditate? Take a vacation? Nope. Are you ready for this?

“Repent and do the things you did at first.”

Repent means change your mind. Pull a U-turn. Stop doing the things that led you off the path, and “do the things you did at first.” Get back to the stuff that consumed and launched the church in Acts chapter 2:

1. The Apostles’ teaching
2. Fellowship – doing life and ministry deeply as friends
3. Eating and celebrating the Lord’s Table together
4. Prayer
5. Good works that produced good will
6. Sharing the Good News

How about us? Anybody lost your first love? Jesus says this isn’t the time for a break – this is the time to get busy – doing the right things – and serving your way back to your spiritual passion.”

Have a great Tuesday!

Hosea 1-4; Revelation 1

 I’m often asked “Why study prophecy?”

The answer is right here in the opening verses of Revelation: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.” There is power in prophecy. It’s the power to make right choices because your future informs your present. Many people are reluctant to study Bible prophecy out of the perception that it’s confusing. Not so. In these first verses of Revelation, the risen Jesus gives the Apostle John a clear, concise outline for the book: “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Revelation follows this simple outline: The past, the present, and the future. To say this story is huge – is a colossal understatement; the epic story of Revelation makes Lord of the Rings look like a Saturday morning cartoon. Oh, and one more thing: this story is true. So fasten your seatbelt, and we’re off on the adventure of a thousand lifetimes – and most of it hasn’t even happened yet!

See you tomorrow!

Daniel 11-12; Jude

We are warned in Jude to be aware of those in our midst who spread false doctrine. The language used in verses 12 and 13 are very descriptive in their images:

. clouds – without rain, blown along by the wind
. trees – without fruit and uprooted
. waves of the sea – foaming up their shame
. wandering stars – for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever

Wow! Those are vivid images, but we need more practical guidelines to be discerning. False doctrines are prevalent in the world today; but, there are four cornerstones of these movements that reveal themselves for what they are.

1. Deny the authority of the Bible and Creativity of the Universe
2. Deny the divinity of Jesus Christ
3. Deny the Resurrection
4. Deny any afterlife

Jude tells us how to persevere in verses 20 and 21. Keep your faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourself in God’s love, and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. So, stand fast and have a blessed week!

Daniel 8-10; 3 John

3 John 1:11
Our words and actions influence those around us for good or for bad. We are judged more by how we behave than what we say. What kind of role model are you? Do your friends and co-workers know you are a follower of Christ by your love and actions? lf not, why not?

There has to be another message to our world than the violence and depravity of television, movies and video games! ln the book of Matthew at the sermon on the mound, Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth. This verse in 3John tells us to imitate what is good. ln other words, be imitators of Christ Jesus, who is goodness personified. Remember, sometimes we are the only sermon another person will ever witness. So get out there today and make it a good one! Amen!

Daniel 5-7; 2 John

Daniel chapter 6 tells about Daniel in the lion’s den. I’m reminded of a song we sang in Vacation Bible School in my youth. lt goes like this:

“Daniel was a man of prayer,
Daily prayed he three times,
Til one day they had him cast
ln a den of lions.
Even then,
ln the den,
Fears could not alarm him;
God just shut the lions’ mouth
So they could not harm him!”

I always thought the faith of the king to be interesting. He did not want to throw Daniel in the den and tried to get out of doing so. Those who tricked them into the situation came and demanded their satisfaction. Still, the king tells Daniel he hopes his God will rescue him. The king would not eat, or sleep all night and came early to the den inquiring of Daniel. Daniel testifies to his rescue by God and the king is overjoyed.

May your Friday find you, too, overjoyed at your rescue!

Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

The exclusive message of the Gospel is often characterized by our culture as “arrogant, intolerant, or judgmental.” The idea that there are other paths to God and eternal life is a popular one; but if the message of Scripture is true, it’s a popular message that results in death. On the other hand – if the Bible’s message is true, then it is the opposite of “arrogant, intolerant, or judgmental.” In fact, it is the only message of compassion, freedom, and eternal life. And accordingly, Christ-followers aren’t the whacked-out extremists our culture suggests. Instead, they are caring, compassionate carriers of life who brave the opposition of a hostile culture to offer life to the dying. The message of the Gospel is indeed exclusive. But so is every warning sign you’ll see on your way to work tomorrow. The important question isn’t whether the messenger is kind or judgmental; the important question is whether the message is true: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Have a blessed day!