Week 27, Day 1: Coming Quickly
Well, this is the last post of our New Testament reading. If you have been following along, you have now completed the whole New Testament in the last six months. I appreciate your efforts, and hope you have gained much from your studies along the way. We are planning (starting Monday, July 20th) to start a reading schedule in the Old Testament. This will, of course, take us much longer. We are going to plan to do one chapter per day, except where the chapters are very short (such as in the Psalms). I think we may try to post about the reading for the day, instead of the previous day’s reading. We may try that for a while, and see how it works. If it does not go as smoothly, then we will switch back to our current pattern. I look forward to our coming studies!
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
The one idea that keeps being repeated, especially in Revelation 22 is the idea of the coming of Christ in judgment. In the book of Revelation, the warning was that the judgment was coming against Rome and the ungodliness that she (the great harlot) was responsible for. The Christians needed to be ready for that coming judgment, so that they were not guilty of falling short of their goals. If they gave up, and joined in the wickedness, then they would be a part of the judgment that was coming quickly. At least 3 times in this one chapter, the idea is repeated that the judgment was coming quickly. The reward would come with Christ (Revelation 22:12) whether it be for the righteous or the wicked. The righteous would be rewarded with good, while the wicked would be rewarded with condemnation.
We too must be ready for the coming of the Lord. He may come in judgment on the nation that we live in, due to its wickedness. If that is the case, we want to remain righteous so that we don’t suffer the same condemnation as the wicked. But, even if He chooses not to do that, He has promised that He is coming back to judge the whole world. At that time, the righteous will be taken to their eternal reward, but the wicked will be condemned eternally. It should be clear that we want to be on the right side of the judgment! So, the words of Jesus should be loud in our ears today as well. He has not told us when He will come, but just knowing that it could be any time should be enough for us to keep ourselves in a constant state of preparedness!
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Week 26, Day 5: 1,000 Year Reign
Today’s Reading: Revelation 21:1-22:21
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
I wanted to emphasize the symbolic language that we see used in Revelation, especially when we come to chapter 20. So many people today believe in doctrines that have their roots in Revelation chapter 20. So many have as their central belief and teaching that a 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth is coming along with the rapture. There is so much that they teach that comes from Chapter 20 and Matt 24. So I want to just point out a few places in the immediate context that most folks would agree are showing the use of symbolic language. Ask your friends who believe these things, are these things literal or figurative?
In Chapter 19
The great harlot – vs. 2
Her smoke rising up forever and ever – vs. 3
the white horses – vs. 11, 14
eyes are a flame of fire – vs. 12
many diadems on His head – vs. 12
His robe dipped in blood – vs. 13
a sharp sword coming out of His mouth – vs. 15
name written on His thigh – vs. 16
the beast – vs. 19
the false prophet – vs. 20
the mark of the beast – vs. 20
In chapter 20
the key of the abyss – vs. 1
those beheaded – vs. 4
lake of fire and brimstone – vs. 10
the 1000 year reign – vs. 4
How many things have to be clearly symbolic before we accept that the 1000 year reign is symbolic as well. It is difficult for me to see placing so much ephasis and forming so much teaching around this passage when it clearly has so many symbolic images used. The way folks talk, everything else could be symbolic but the 1000 year reign has to be literal, why? Is it not reasonable to see that the 1000 year reign is also symbolic of something instead of being a literal, earthly reign for 1000 years? I do believe that the first step to convincing people to consider letting go of teaching the 1000 year reign as literal is to show just how much in the context is symbolic. It is not consistent for us to pick and choose which part of the text we want to make a literal portion. Especially to then go on to placing so much emphasis on that doctrine. The 1000 year reign has become the “main dish” at many denominations. The only reason I can see for this is because it sounds exciting and gives them opportunity to speculate on the present day “signs”. Let us be prepared to be able to ask what they think about these other symbols and try to help lead them to consider that this is not something to be viewed as literal but rather figurative.
Unfortunately, I do not have a good suggestion as to what the 1,000 year reign is refering to.
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Week 26, Day 4: God’s Judgment
Today’s Reading: Revelation 19:1-20:15
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
It is impossible to examine in any detail in this format the book of Revelation, and so I have tried to choose some more general ideas from the chapters to consider. One idea in chapters 17-18 of this book that is vitally important is that of judgment. The judgment in these chapters is against Babylon the great, which is symbolic of Rome. God was going to bring His judgment against Rome because of the wickedness that they had been involved in. This should serve as a warning to us today. God is still in control of the kingdoms of men. He can still bring judgment on nations that involve themselves in wickedness.
This should make us think seriously about our own nation, as it seems to continue further and further into sinfulness. Actions that were once taboo are now acceptable in our society. Just because they are acceptable does not mean they are not sinful! God will eventually lose patience with this nation, and bring judgment. The good side, for the christian, is that we are separate from the world. We should not be involved in the sinfulness, and a judgment by God on the nation will not affect our spiritual standing with Him in any way. We need to remember this concept, and make sure that we are different from the world, so that we do not get caught up in the judgment that God will eventually bring.
The book of Revelation was one of both warning and comfort for the Christians. They needed to be warned not to forsake their first love, that is God. And, they needed to be comforted in their time of persecution. We should also be warned, and comforted by reading the book. But, we can only be comforted if we remain faithful to God! So, follow the warning of the book, and “keep on keeping on.”
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Week 26, Day 3: Keeping Our Garments
Today’s Reading: Revelation 17:1-18:24
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Revelation 16:15, Jesus said, “Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments…” The idea of keeping one’s garments, or cleansing one’s garments is found throughout the book of Revelation and is tied to being obedient to God. One cannot have his garments cleansed without being obedient. In this particular passage, the one who has kept his garments is the one who is prepared when Christ comes as a thief.
The idea of keeping one’s garments has to do with keeping them white, or pure. One does this by obeying God in all things. He will keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27). Nothing that would be-smudge the clothing would be participated in. This could be anything from immorality (foul language, adultery, fornication, etc…) to the idolatry that was so prevalent in the first century. Today, we may not be tempted to succumb to idolatry (at least in the USA) but there are plenty of dangers lurking to soil our garments. If we do not keep ourselves separate from the sinfulness of the world, then we will not be ready at the judgment of Christ.
We should keep ourselves ever vigilant when it comes to avoiding the worldliness that surrounds us. If we let our guard down, even a little bit, Satan will take advantage of us, and it will not be long until we are not longer clean. We need to make it our priority to keep our garments, so that we can continue to have hope beyond this life!
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Week 26, Day 2: The 144,000
Today’s Reading: Revelation 15:1-16:21
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
The 144,000 of Revelation 14 is often misinterpreted. Many identify these as the ones who are saved, and in heaven. However, taking this literalist view means that only virgin men will be in heaven (see Revelation 14:4). But, this is no different than the rest of the book of Revelation in that it is symbolic in nature. In fact, this is a symbolic depiction of the saved on earth. There are several characteristics that are symbolically identified in this passage. First, the 144,000 identify those who have been purchased from the earth. They have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, and therefore are expected to act in a different way than they behaved before being obedient to Christ. They have not been defiled with women. This is not identifying a physical virginity, but rather the idea of not committing spiritual adultery. They had not corrupted themselves with the wickedness around them, and they had not given in to the emperor worship that was being forced upon people of the first century, even under penalty of death.
These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These are faithful, doing whatever they are instructed to do by God and Christ. This is exactly the mentality and attitude that we should adopt today as well. How can we claim to be the children of God, and His servants if we are unwilling to follow Christ wherever He leads?
The 144,000 of the book of Revelation refers to the faithful of God on earth. They are the ones who have the name of God written on their foreheads, and who are obedient to Him, no matter how difficult it may be. We can be among the symbolic 144,000 today by being faithful to God, and keeping ourselves pure and unspotted from the world.
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Week 26, Day 1: Measuring Up
Today’s Reading: Revelation 13:1-14:20
Some thoughts from Friday’s Reading…
Before getting into the post for today, I want to say, “Thank You!” to all who have been reading the blog. It is hard to believe that we are in the last week of reading the New Testament. But, if you have been on board since the beginning, you will have read the whole New Testament in the last 26 weeks. I have enjoyed reading along with you, and writing the posts to go with the readings. I appreciate Chad being willing to help me with this project, and have enjoyed reading his posts as well. We are going to try and continue with the daily reading, moving on to the Old Testament. I think we will cut back to one chapter per day, except when the chapters are very short. I hope that you all will continue to read along with us, and comment on the readings!
Now, on to today’s post…
In Revelation 11:1-2, John was given a reed and told to measure the temple of God and those who worship there. This is an image that is similar to a scene that was witnessed by Ezekiel in his apocalyptic visions. It is very interesting to see the image of the measuring of those who are the servants of God. This indicates that there is a standard by which one will be measured, or judged. In Ezekiel’s vision, it seems that the measuring of the temple relates the need for it to be built exactly as God instructs, without deviation from the plans. This would be very similar to Moses’ building of the tabernacle. He was not permitted to change what God had given at all. Of course, the building of the temple that Ezekiel saw was not a physical, stone temple, but rather the spiritual temple, the household of God. That is, it was the building up of the church under the New Testament covenant. That being the case, it is important to realize that there was a need to build that temple in the manner that God instructed, without deviating from the plan. The vision as seen by John (in which he was a participant) seems be conveying the very same idea. There is a need to measure the temple and those who worship there to see if they are “measuring up” to God’s standard. If we are not measuring up, then we are not a part of God’s temple, and we are not among those who are worshiping at His temple.
The only way to measure up is to be obedient to what God has said. We cannot substitute our own will, and then claim to be serving God. When we add to what has been revealed, succumbing to our own pleasures rather than abiding in strict obedience to God, then we are not measuring up. If we decide that we don’t have to do something that God has demanded (perhaps submitting to the act of baptism?) then we are not measuring up. We must conform our lives to His will in every way. To hold on to our own will ensures we will not measure up, and that we seal our eternal fate as being outside of the temple of God.
So, if John were to approach you with his measuring reed, what would he find?
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Week 25, Day 5: Sweet as Honey
Today’s Reading: Revelation 11:1-12:17
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Revelation 10:8-11, John was told to take a little book and to eat it. This is quite similar to images portrayed by other prophets, depicting the consumption of the will or word of God. John relates to us that the book was sweet as honey in his mouth, but was bitter in his stomach. This depicts for us the nature of the word of God, at least in many instances. The word is sweet, simply because it is the will of God. However, it can be a “bitter pill to swallow” because of its consequences. The word of God demands that we make changes in order to be faithful to God. There are many who simply have no desire to make those changes. But, in John’s case, the word was bitter because of the judgement that it foretold. The same thing can be true today. The word of God is sweet, but when we stop to think about the consequences it can be very bitter for us. How can we think about the many people around us who will be lost due to their disobedience, and not be driven to go out and teach them so that they can have the same hope that we have? We should do everything we can to cause people to make the changes that are necessary so that they do not suffer the wrath of God. If we are successful, maybe a bit of that “bitterness” can be taken away!
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Week 25, Day 4: Praise the Lord!
Today’s Reading: Revelation 9:1-10:11
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
Sometimes reading scripture reminds us how completely inadequate we are in various aspects of our Christian lives. One area that many of us could (and should) improve on is in our praise of God. Often, our time is consumed with what we want to gain from God. What can he provide for us? How can He make our lives better? We forget to give Him the praise and honor due Him.
We are shown a vision as seen by John, which relates the praising of God before His throne in Heaven (Revelation 7:12). Even though this is a short verse, it is filled with the same kind of praise and honor that we should be giving to God each and every day of our lives! Everything about the praise offered here is centered upon God and His greatness, not upon man or his needs. God knows what we need, even before we ask. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask for what we do need, as He wants us to do that as well. But, if we would spend more time in praise before Him, perhaps we wouldn’t forget just how great He is!
We should work on praising God, just as He deserves to be praised. We can never give Him all that is due Him, but we should give Him all that is within our power to give.
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Week 25, Day 3: Worthy is the Lamb
Today’s Reading: Revelation 7:1-8:13
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Revelation chapter 5, John sees one on the throne with a scroll. The scroll was written on the inside and the outside , and it was sealed with seven seals. John was very distraught because there was no one who could open the seals. It could not be read, or looked at. But, then one of the elders told him that the Lion of the tribe of Judah would be able to open the seals. When John looked, he saw a Lamb, instead of a Lion.
This is a representation of Jesus. He was the one who would be able to open the scroll, and make it known to John. Revelation 5:9-10 are particularly interesting. The new song praises the Lamb as being worthy to open the scroll. The reason the Lamb is worthy is because he was slain, and had redeemed the lost to God by His blood. He called all men of all nations unto Him. Perhaps we do not often think about the greatness of the sacrifice of Christ, and what it accomplished. We think of His sacrifice as providing for our salvation, but His sacrifice was also the key for the unlocking of the gospel message. All truth was revealed through His apostles, after He returned to His rightful place at the right hand of His Father in Heaven. Because He was faithful, and offered Himself, God revealed all that was necessary for us to be saved.
We should certainly add our voices to those of the angels, the living creatures and the elders as they praise the Lamb for what He has done, and who He is!
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