Beast #1, Beast #2, and 666

Rev. 13:10 b

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. 

The first beast will rise out of the sea looking like a mythological creature:10 horns, 7 heads, 10 diadems on it horns, blasphemous names on each head [and blasphemy in his vocabulary], like a leopard, feet like a bear, and a mouth like a lion. To this uniquely appearing beast the dragon gave his power, throne, and great authority. He gains his following by having a mortal wound [on one of his heads] that doesn't kill. Everyone will be amazed and follow on blindly worshiping the dragon and the beast. The people believe the beast is immortal and that nothing will harm him. Foolish Thought! Maybe in a world controlled by the dragon, but not in a world controlled by the sovereign God. 

The beast is given authority for 42 months.. Not only does he blaspheme God and His dwelling, but he also makes war on the saints and conquered many [martyrs]. The entire world worships excluding those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. This then is the reason for the call for endurance and the faith of the saints. I can only imagine what this must be like. My closest understanding is in many Islamic countries today where people undergo hideous persecution and often death.

As if this was not enough, another beast rises out of the earth looking like a lamb[counterfeiting the Lamb]  but speaking like a dragon. [wolf in sheep's clothing] This beast exercises the first beast's authority causing all the inhabitants of the earth to worship him[God sends strong delusion so that they will worship] by using signs [counterfeiting Jesus] like making fire fall from heaven when he was in the presence of the beast. Interesting that this beast could only do his signs in the presence of beast #1 erasing all competition between the two. It was allowed [by Sovereign God] that beast #2 give life to the image of the beast making it speak and killing those who will not worship [Satanic power]. Yet there is more! He causes all [no one is exempt] to to be marked either on their hand or forehead with a number or the name of beast #1. Such an identification with evil! Without this mark, 666, a person will neither buy nor sell. Hence, the mark of the beast!

Father,

My heart is heavy for what these believers must endure. I look at my life and it holds no comparison. In spite of this, grow my endurance and faith to withstand whatever You have allowed to come my way.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Woman and the Dragon

Rev. 12

[First-a clarification: I have not been writing because my computer was belly-up.] As I read the footnotes in my Bible, the two characters in this chapter and their actions may be interpreted 2 ways: one that it was in the past and already fulfilled, and two that it occurs during the great tribulation. So whichever one is correct will be made clear when Christ comes to take us home to heaven.

In heaven, the sign of a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown on her head with 12 stars on it was displayed. She was pregnant crying out in the pains of labor and the agony of childbirth. She delivered a boy who was caught up to heaven safe from the dragon. She was given eagle wings to fly to the wilderness to a prepared place where she will be nourished for 1,260 days [a time, and times, and half a time].

Another sign appeared in heaven [a fact which they share in common]. This sign was a red dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns,  and 7 diadems on his head. [Quite the image] With his tail he swept down 1/3 of the stars of heaven casting them to the earth. Perhaps the dragon was showing his power over nature. He stood before the woman so that he might eat the child she was birthing. But he was foiled. The child was caught up by God and to His throne until he rules over all the nations with a rod of iron.

Now there arose a battle in heaven. Michael and his angels against the dragon and his angels. Too bad for the dragon, he was soundly defeated. Losing his place in heaven, the dragon [ the ancient serpent, Satan, the devil, the deceiver of the world.] and his fallen angels were thrown down to the earth. This event ushered in the following pronouncement: "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"  When the dragon saw the repercussions of his fall, he feverishly pursued the woman but to no avail. Then he used a flood of water to sweep her away from her hiding place. But the earth rose to her aid by opening its mouth and swallowing the water. In a fury, the dragon leaves the woman and persecutes those who keep the commandments of God and those who hold to the testimony of Jesus. No doubt Satan know he is defeated, but yet he persecutes constantly trying to take as many down as is possible. It makes me think of those who who exalt in the wickedness claiming all their friends are going there. To them, it is an eternal party. So sad! Satan has so many lies to deceive people.

Father,

I know that Satan has extreme power to deceive. Help me never to believe any of his lies but to always run to You. You are in charge and Your plan will come to pass. I am resting in You. 

In Jesus name,

amen

More Prophecy to Come

Rev. 10: 11

And I was told, You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings. 

In this chapter John saw another angel coming down from heaven. He was wrapped in a cloud with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun,and his legs like pillars of fire. Some image! This angel had a small scroll open in his hand while one foot was on the sea and one foot on the land. His voice was like a roaring lion. This description provides many parallels, First God Himself as He is on the throne is surrounded by a rainbow. Jesus was wrapped in a cloud, and His face shone like the sun. The pillars of fire could refer to God's presence in a pillar of fire in the wilderness, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah could roar. 

When this angel called out, the 7 thunders sounded, but a voice from heaven said to seal the thunders. John could not write about them, and the angel swore [ with one hand to heaven, one foot on the land and one on the water, a uniting of the created order.] that he would not reveal them either.  Perhaps it would bring more delay since these messages would have further delayed the seventh trumpet's blast, a blast that would reveal the mystery of God where all would be fulfilled. 

John was told to get the scroll from the hand of the angel, but before he took it the angel instructed him to eat it, but with the warning that it would make his mouth sweet and his stomach bitter. And it did! What did this mean? John was told he must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.  

Father,

What I am amazed at this morning is the intricacy of all You do. I see intricacy in the creation that I know, but now also in the heavenly realm as well. I ask that You help me to be ready when You call, or if not that, make me strong to persevere, to have Your mark on my forehead.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Dramatic Trumpets [ Part 2}

Rev. 9:20-21

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. 

The judgment of God is so horrendous in this chapter. It is hard to believe that people would not repent. When the 5th angel sounded his trumpet, a star fell from heaven to earth. He was given the poser to open the shaft to the bottomless pit, a pit from which issued forth smoke, so much so that the sun and the air were darkened.  Out of the smoke came locusts who were told to spare the grass, plants, and trees, and only go after those people who did not have the mark of God on their forehead. These locusts were not the ordinary, run-of-the-mill locusts!

They looked like battle horses. At this point John goes into the use of similes.They had what looked like golden crowns, faces like humans, hair like women's hair, and teeth like a lion's teeth, breastplates like iron breastplates, nose of their wings like horses rushing in battle, tails that sting like scorpions, and the power to hurt people for 5 months was in their tails.They had as a king the angel of the bottomless pit, named Abaddon [Heb.] and Apollyon [Gr.]. Satan's own horde wages war on his own people. Certainly this description speaks of unbelievable power and destruction. All of which was controlled by God. How ironic using the devil's own angels against him. That must have made the pain that much more hideous. This was the first woe, yet 2 more are to follow.

The sixth angel blew his trumpet and a voice from the 4 horns of the golden altar before God told this angel to release the 4 angels bound at the river Euphrates. These angels had been prepared for such a day as this. Their mission was to kill 1/3 of all mankind. The number of their mounted troops was twice 10, 000 times 10, 000 [200 million].  Metaphorically speaking, a huge number. Once again, John must describe this metaphorically. The riders had breastplates the color of fire and sulfur. The horses had heads like lion's heads with fire and sulfur coming out of their mouths [words to judge, destroy, deceive] , . Yikes! By all this, 1/3 of mankind was killed. 

But the rest of mankind, those surviving these horrible events, did not repent [unbelievable!] or given up worshiping demons and inanimate idols, nor did they respent of murder, sorceries, sexual immoralities, or stealing. Sadly, these were given a chance because the judgment had not claimed them, but they wanted none of it. The power of Satan to deceive is so strong!

Father,

As I read this, I am overwhelmed with the destruction and the heart of man still being so hard. I do not want my heart to grow hard to Your words through any disobedience. Lead me in the way of Your truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Dramatic Trumpets [Part 1]

Rev. 8:1

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

What a dramatic opening! An hour of silence does not bode well for what is to follow. After the Lamb opened the 7th seal, John saw came 7 angels who stood before God being given 7 trumpets. Then another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense combined with the prayers of the saints wafted before God. More drama to follow! The angel took the censer and filled it with fire and threw it on the earth. Yikes! Peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake followed. 

As might be expected, the 7 angels began to blow the 7 trumpets. Even more drama! The first horn blast ushered in hail and fire mixed with blood. In similar fashion as before, these were thrown on the earth killing 1/3 of the trees and all the green grass. Angel #2 blew and out of his trumpet came something like a great mountain burning with fire which was thrown in the sea making 1/3 of it blood, killing 1/3 of the living creatures, and destroying 1/3 of the ships.

Angel #3 blew and a great star fell from heaven blazing like a torch. When it fell, it landed on the the rives and springs making the water become wormwood [which incidentally was the name of the star] and killing many people. The 4th horn blast struck 1/3 of the sun, 1/3 of the moon, and 1/3 of the stars so that their light would be darkened and 1/3 of the day from shining and likewise the night. 

Seems like we should have gone on with the angels. But before the final angels, an eagle flew overhead crying loudly, Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow! So scary and yet so dramatic! Certainly God's judgment is horrific to see.

Father,

As I read these terrible things, I am filled with gratitude that You have called me to be Your own. I will not have to endure Your great judgments, but instead, I will be in Your presence praising You for eternity.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Those Coming Out of the Tribulation

Rev. 7:17

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 

In chapter 7 John saw 4 angels who had been given the power to harm the earth and the sea. They were standing at the 4 corners of the earth holding back the wind so that no wind would blow on the earth or sea. But before their destruction began, another angel rose up with the sun and with the seal of God. He called out to the other 4 angels for them to desist until all who had the seal of God on their foreheads, 144,00 people [12,000 from each tribe of Israel were taken out. 

After this John saw an  innumerable multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands [A true Palm Sunday] crying out, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! All the angels, the 4 living creatures, and the elders fell on their faces and worshiped God saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

One of the elders spoke to John asking if he knew who these people were. Since John wanted to know, the elder told him, These are the ones coming out of great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Now they are before the throne of God serving him day and night in His temple. They will will not experience hunger, thirst, or scorching heat. Why? For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Amazing! The Jews have had great tribulation in recent history, tribulations almost to the point of eradication. What the Lamb is giving them is very meaningful.  In Hitler's camps they had little to no water or food. Many died from starvation and dehydration,but if they still were living, they were waiting for the incinerators. Horrible! They will be finally home! There will be no more spiritual whoredom! Their hearts will be as clean as their robes! 

Father,

What a glorious picture! I know that I have not experienced this kind of persecution for my faith or ethnicity. I ask that You make me strong enough to stand. Fill me with Your grace to live, speak, think, feel, and breathe Your words. Open my ears to hear the Spirit teaching, guiding, and leading.

In the name of the Lamb,

Amen

The First 6 Seals

Rev. 6:1

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a loud voice like thunder, Come.

In this chapter John watches the Lamb open the seven seals. In order they are:

• A white horse with a bow and a crown. He came out conquering and to conquer. To me this speaks of world domination by aggression and war.
•  A red horse takes peace ushering in times of great violence, war, and the shedding of blood. 
• A black horse with scales in his hand weighs out the few commodities that are left. Famine.
• A pale horse ridden by death with Hades following him killed 1/4 of the population by sword, famine, pestilence, and beasts.
• Next and under the altar were the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for their witness. They were crying out to God, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? Each was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the number of their fellow servants and brothers was complete.
• A great earthquake with the sun black as sackcloth, the moon like blood, and the stars falling. The sky vanished with mountains and islands relocated. Then all those still living hid themselves in caves calling to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of God and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?  No One!

Not a pretty picture! Yet we have only opened 6 seals. What is yet to come?

Father,

It is no easy thing to fall under the judgment of God. I pray that I will be all the more diligent to confirm my calling and election. Lord, give  me Your strength and stamina that I might stand faithfully waiting for Your return when call me to Yourself.

In the Name of the Lamb,

Amen

High Priestly Prayer [Part 2}

Jn. 17:9

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given me, for they are Yours. 

Jesus finished telling the Father that those given Him by the Father have listened, received, and kept God's word. The mission thus far was accomplished. Beyond any shadow of doubt, these believers knew that Jesus came from the Father. Right after this report to the Father, Jesus begins interceding for those who are His own. 

He was and is praying only for those who were and are His and not for the world. This prayer is one of intercession, of support for the disciples. Since Jesus is leaving this world, and they are not, Jesus prayed to the Holy Father as the high Priest, the one who intercedes for His own. 

• He asks for them to be kept in the Father's  name that they may be one even as Jesus and the Father are one. Wow! Unbelievable unity. I wonder how many times have I prayed about unity? Something I should definitely do. Jesus has guarded them and kept them safe.[ except for Judas that the Scripture might be fulfilled.]
• He asks that His joy may be fulfilled in the believers. 
• He asks for them not to be taken out of the world, but that they be kept from the evil one. 
• He asks for them to be sanctified in the truth of the Word..
• He asks not just for those living at this time, but also for those yet to come to be unified. And why? So that the world may believe that the Father sent the Son. Amen! This prayer is for me!
• He asks that all the believers may be with Him where He is so that they may see His glory, the glory given Him by the Father, and that they may see He is beloved of the Father.
• O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know you, and these know that You have sent me. I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. 

Jesus will continue to make this known. He will never stop. He is my living, and eternal intercessor who will constantly pray for my unity with the Father. What kind of High Priest is this! Jesus is concerned about what I will need to be sanctified. In the word, I find that I have all things that I need for life and godliness. He will be praying that all the Father sends will draw me closer to this unity, will keep my safe within His hand, and will sanctify me more each day. 

Father,

Thank You for giving me Jesus as my intercessor. I know that He will ever be there supporting me and caring for me. Help me to grow in this spiritual unity. Sanctify me by the truth of Your words.

In His name,

Amen

High Priestly Payer [Part 1]

John 17:1

When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You...

What had Jesus been saying immediately before Ch. 17? Jesus had told them that soon He would quit speaking to them in figures of speech because the hour was coming. I am sure they all wondered what hour. When the day [hour] would arrive, Jesus would no longer have to ask the Father on behalf of His disciples. Instead, they could go straight to the Father because they had loved Jesus and believed that Jesus came from God. Jesus told them that He had come from the Father, and now was preparing to go back to the Father. Out of these words, the disciples declared they understood, but I wonder. All they commented on was that they believed He came from God. Then Jesus gave them the hard words. In that hour, they would be scattered each to his own home and leave Him alone. But He assured them not to feel back because He was not alone. His Father was with Him. He had declared these things to them so that they would have inner peace even though tribulation was close at hand. In one last thought He told them that even though there would be tribulation, He had overcome the world. Yikes! I bet their minds were on fire. What did all this mean? Why would they leave Jesus alone?

It was after these words, that Jesus began praying for those who are and will be His own. Lifting up His eyes to heaven, He spoke to His Father telling Him the the hour had come. He asked that He might be glorified so that He might glorify the Father. Since the Father had given the Son authority over all flesh, He had gathered all those whom the Father had given Him so that they might know the Father as the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Jesus had glorified the Father on earth by obedience to all the Father had asked of Him. Following this He asked the Father to glorify Him in the Father's presence with the glory He had before the world existed. Jesus wanted to go home. How hard this journey must have been for Him to leave all the glory of heaven to come to a world filled with sin, conflict, deceit, plotting, manipulation, and unbelief. But sadly He had His hardest hours yet to come. 

Father,

Give me a heart for You like Jesus had. Make obeying Your commands my number one priority. Use my life as a window for others to see Your glory. 

In His name,

Amen

Heavenly Praises

Rev. 5: 14

And the four living creatures said, Amen! and the elders fell down and worshiped.

I can only imagine how John felt viewing these phenomenal scenes. How they must have stirred his emotions! The scene continues as he sees a scroll in the hand of Him who was on the throne, a scroll written on all sides and sealed with 7 seals. No one was found in heaven or earth to open the scroll. John began weeping until he was told that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, had conquered and was able to open the scroll and its 7 seals. Praise God!

Between the throne and the 4 living creatures, stood a Lamb looking as if He had been slain, with 7 horns and 7 eyes which are the 7 spirits of God sent out into the world. When the Lamb took the scroll, the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb each holding a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

  And they sang a new song saying,

 "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Just as John is drinking in all this, he heard more voices praising the Lamb. Not only the living creatures and the elders were singing, but now the voices of many angels [myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands] saying,  

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

And the four living creatures said, Amen! and the elders fell down and worshiped.

What a scene! John's senses were thoroughly assaulted! There was nothing to be done but watch and record. The power, majesty, and worship were unparalleled. And one day I will be joining the thousands in singing praise to the Lamb and to our God.

Father,

Thank You for allowing me to glimpse the future. You are all glorious! The Lamb is all glorious! Nothing else compares at all. Keep my heart full of praise!

In and through the Lamb,

Amen

1. 
   

The Throne Room

Rev. 4:11

Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all tings, and by Your will they existed and were created. 

After having identified the weaknesses and strengths of the churches in Asia specifically and all Churches symbolically, John was invited by a voice that sounded like a trumpet to come up to the throne room of God. Similarly, the trumpet will sound when Jesus meets us in the air and calls us to come up. In the Spirit he saw the throne and Him seated on the throne. In the Spirit must parallel our glorified bodies for we shall all be changed and see Him as He is. How his senses must have reeled taking in the glory of the Father! No specifics are given of the Father's appearance but John used the opulence and luminous qualities of jewels [jasper, carnelian, rainbow, emerald]. Why no specifics? No doubt there were no words to describe God and His throne room. It defied human understanding and description. It makes me long to experience it myself.

Around the throne were the 24 elders seated on thrones as well. They were clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne thunder and rumblings reverberated while lightning sliced the atmosphere. Also there were 7 torches of fire which are the 7 Spirits of God [completion and perfection]. In front of the throne was a sea of crystal glass. The description speaks of unlimited purity and power found only in God.

Then on either side of the throne were 4 living creatures who were full of eyes on all sides [all-seeing]. The first creature was like a lion, the second an ox, the third with the face of man, and the fourth like an eagle in flight. Each of these creatures had 6 wings full of eyes all around and within who constantly say, [night and day] Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! These creatures not only represent  the created order, but also transcend it. Just imagine their job is to herald God's holiness from creation on! This is all they know! This is their life! 

Whenever these creatures give glory to God, the 24 elders fall down and cast their crowns before the throne. Such worship and humility! All is from God Himself. No created thing can claim ownership. All belongs to Him and must be given to Him. It parallels the Christian life. All that I am and do is of His grace. Any reward that I would receive would not reflect my skill or talent, but His grace in me. As the creatures are doing this, they say, Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all tings, and by Your will they existed and were created. It is just that simple. Worthiness can only be attributed to God! All we are and have is a gift from Him!

Father,

You are worthy of all glory, honor, and power. You have saved and sanctified me so that one day I might worship You for eternity. Thank You seems so shallow but it is from the gratitude of my heart.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Laodicea

Rev. 3:22

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jesus describes Himself as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. Certainly, He is the beginning, the end, the in-between, and all faith and truth. There is no time wasted. Jesus cuts straight to the chase. This church is the fence-riding church, not cold or hot, but lukewarm, one foot in the world and the other in the church. Well, this might be feasible with the world, but certainly not with Jesus. [No doubt, the world came up with the idea.] Jesus declares that He will spit them out of His mouth. So strong! Since they have prospered, they think have need of nothing, but in reality they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Yikes! The deceptive lies of Satan are so strong. He has hoodwinked so many. 

Jesus counsels them to buy from Him gold refined by fire and white garments to clothe themselves. The white garments would speak of sins being washed clear and of admitting a need for a Savior. Thee people are not even saved. The refined gold would speak to me of suffering and of the various trials that believers endure so that the tested genuineness of their faith may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Basically this is our Christian walk. We must walk as Jesus did. The servant is not greater than the master. They also need eye salve so that their blindness might be lifted. As is, they cannot see their need for a Savior. Jesus. They think that they are A-OK. How sad! Jesus then declares that those whom he loves, those who are His, He reproves and discipline. What is left for them to do? If they are not saved, repent and get saved. If they are a wandering child of God get ready for the reproof and discipline. Jesus strongly encourages them to be zealous and repent! Get fired up! Repent! 

Jesus is at the door of their heart knocking. If someone hears the knock and opens the door, He will come in and eat with them and they with He. Salvation and fellowship will be in place. The one who conquers, will sit on the throne with Jesus just as He conquered and sat down with His Father. As His adopted children and joint-heirs with Jesus, we will be privileged as He is. Finally, the warning. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This is the skinny. Do you have an ear for the things of God? Do you hear the Spirit speaking?

Father,

How terrible is this letter. I ask that the Spirit bring the hammer down on me if my temperature starts decreasing. I want to be hot for You.

In the name of my Savior,

Amen

Philadelphia

Rev. 3:13

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

In this letter Christ identifies Himself as the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. John says that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; and the only way to heaven. Without Him there is no opening or shutting. 

Jesus has given this church an open door that no one else can shut. Even though this church has little power, they have kept the word and not denied Jesus. As an Jesus-perk, He will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan who claim to be Jews [not]  bow down before the 'Philadelphian' church so that these ungodly ones will know the full extent of the love that Jesus has for this church. And why?Because they had kept the word with patient endurance [not an easy go]. Jesus promises to keep them from the hour of trial [judgment] that will be descending on the whole world. 

He further assures them that He is coming soon. Praise God! They need to hold fast to the word and to Jesus. For the conquering ones, those who hold fast, Jesus will make them a pillar in the temple of His God from which they will never be taken. Secondly, Jesus will write on them His name and the name of the city of His God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven. And once again He concludes with, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Father,

Help me hold fast. I want to be in Your temple forever. I to be known by the name of Jesus and Jerusalem. I am listening. Keep my strong in Your grace and in the power of Your might.

Through my Savior,

Amen

Sardis

Rev. 3:6

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

This letter contains the words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars [perfection, completeness, Christ Jesus, the perfect sacrifice]. The picture of this church is not good. They have the reputation of being alive, but in truth they are dead. So sad! It is almost like their faith is a leftover from the generation before and is a faith that was not truly their own. The words seem to shout, Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die! It reminds me of the parable of the sower. The seed was there and may have even taken root for a brief time. But the birds of the air, the cares of life, came and plucked it away.  Consequently, nothing that they have done is complete in the sight of God. Their only  hope is to remember what they had been taught and repent. If not, they will be unprepared for the return of Christ who will come as a thief in the night. 

However, some of the congregation are clothed in the purity of Christ [purest white]. These people will walk with Jesus! The ones who conquer, those who remember and repent, will be conquerors and their names will be secure in the book of life and Jesus will confess their names before the Father and His angels. Again the warning, if you have a listening ear, listen and hear. But in this letter the warning sounds rather hopeless. 

Father,

I pray for the hearts of many of the people who go to church every Sunday and yet do not know Jesus as their Savior. Convict the hearts of the pastors and the congregation. Let your Spirit stir the pot and awaken some to what they have been taught.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Thyatira

Rev. 2:29

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

In this letter the words are identified as those of the very Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze [definitely descriptors of judgment]. Though on a very positive note, this letter begins with praise for their love, faith, service, and patient endurance, and that their latter works are greater than the first. But then comes the 'But'! Some in this church tolerate Jezebel, a prophetess who is seducing His servants into sexual immorality and idolatry. She has had time to repent, but refuses. Sad! What is the judgment? Christ will throw her on a sick bed [perhaps STD's, HIV, or Aids], and those who continue with her will be thrown into great tribulation unless they repent and desist. If not, He will strike her children dead. Then it will be abundantly clear that Christ searches the mind and heart and that judgment will be given according to their deeds. Straightforward but so scary! It is amazing to me to find such polar opposites in this church, those who are godly and those who are evil. But there is good news for some! For those who do not hold to these deeper things of Satan, He will add not any burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. If they can keep His word until the end, they will be conquerors who will have authority over the nations when He rules with a rod of iron with the authority given Him by the Father. He has given them a hope and a future. And then the cryptic closing: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Who will listen? Will any turn back from the wickedness? Only the Son knows.

Father,

What an devastating letter! Help me to hold fast and to be ready when Jesus comes. 

In the name of the Son,

Amen

Pergamum

Rev. 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

The letter begins with a threatening introduction: These are the words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword. This is Jesus and His words are the sword. His words are living and active, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit...discerning the thoughts and intentions of the hearts. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. His words will reveal truth from error and good from evil. No human can escape His judgment. 

Pergamum lived where Satan's throne is. Yikes! Definitely bad real-estate! But even with this location, they held on to the name of Jesus. Somehow they did not deny their faith even when Antipas was killed for his. [Make no mistake Satan does dwell where his throne is.] Even with them standing in the face of death, Jesus has things against them, things that must be fixed. Some of those in the church are teaching the way of Baalam creating a stumbling-block for others and causing them to eat food sacrificed to idols and to practice immorality. As if that were not enough, they are holding to the teachings of the Nicolaitans [teaching that Jesus hates]. 

Repentance is their only option! If they refuse, Jesus will come and war against them with the sword of His mouth. If they choose not to repent, their future is no more. Jesus ends with the same cryptic statement, but this time it is coupled with hope. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

Even with their history, they can be conquerors. They will be privy to hidden manna and a white stone with their name on it [differing types of eternal blessing]. There is hope if they repent.

Father,

This letter sounds so menacing. I pray that I am not indulging in things that will bring me close to the throne of Satan. Keep me safe and strong in your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Smyrna

Rev. 2:11

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. 

This letter contains the words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. Jesus Himself is giving hope by His very name. His death and resurrection are the hope for all believers, but especially for these believers who were to face horrendous persecution. No warning is issued to this church. Instead Jesus tells them that He knows their tribulation and their poverty. They were destitute and suffering in this world, but exceedingly rich in the spiritual realm. Jesus also understood their slander by those claiming to be Jews. Instead of a true synagogue, it was a synagogue of Satan. Sounds remarkably similar to the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus' day!

Jesus tells them what is about to happen: suffering, imprisonment, testing, and tribulation. Who is behind all this? The synagogue and the devil himself. Their time of testing will be brief [10 days], but that does not detract from its severity. Many will be martyred. Jesus tells them to Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. What a letter is this! They would have to have a heart like those in Acts, Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. During my lifetime, I have not seen persecution like this, but I am blessed to live in America, yet Saeed [an American citizen] comes to mind. How he and his family are suffering! 

Globally many are suffering and many are martyred by Islam. Am I ready for something like this? Has my ease of religion sent a weakness in my soul? I pray not. Once again he ends the letter with the same cryptic warning as the last letter. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. The one who conquers, the one who is faithful to death, will not fear the 2nd death. They like Jesus will have resurrection and life eternal. Their persecution does not end in nothingness. It ends in the arms of Jesus who will welcome them into His glorious kingdom. 

Father,

Persecution, poverty, and martyrdom are not pleasant words. If I had to endure this, I ask that You and Your grace keep me faithful to the end. I confess I do not spend enough time praying for the Christians worldwide. 

In the name of Life itself,

Amen

Ephesus

Rev. 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one that conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life.

The Spirit speaks to the 7 churches through 7 letters [7 speaking of completeness and perfection representing all churches.] In these letters are warnings that urge the reader or the listener to change, and if he will, he will be granted to eat of the tree of life. Eternal life!  The form of the warning is the written word. It reminds me of the power of the Word of God, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit...and discerning the intentions of the heart. Certainly, I see that same power in these letters.The first letter is to the church at Ephesus. The Ephesians were told of essential doctrine [chapters 1-3] and then of the practical application [Chapters 4-6].  The One [ the Spirit of the Son of Man] who walks among the 7 lamp-stands [each church has one.] and holds the 7 stars [perfection of Light] is dictating the letters to John. Jesus Christ is the Light. There is nothing brighter or truer. 

Christ knows their works, their toil and patient endurance, and their intolerance to those who are evil. They are patiently enduring for Jesus' sake without growing weary. [ Sounds pretty good!] But one criticism is leveled against them: they have abandoned their first love. They are warned to remember from where they had fallen, repent, and do the works they had done at the first. Would this abandonment be fervor, acts of service, submission? If not, their lamp-stand will be taken away. Yet, on the positive side, they hated the works of the Nicolaitans as does Christ. Perhaps a little sandwich psychology: positive, negative, positive. The letter ends with a cryptic statement that takes the warning from the corporate to the personal: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Finally, The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. What is this conquering? Is victory the object of the Christian life? Yes. I must run the race with endurance laying aside every weight and sin that clings so closely looking to Jesus the author and perfecter of my faith. The goal: forgetting what lies behind and staining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal  for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. No second death there!

This letter  touches my heart. I know that I toil and patiently endure. I see evil in the world and even in myself and am exposing it especially in myself. But have I lost  the fervor of a first love? Well, I would have to say that initially my love was not strong at all, but I will think back to a time when my love was hottest. I do hear this warning and am applying it to my life. To me, this means a life of complete submission and obedience. It speaks to the heart of my priorities. 

Father,

Open my eyes to see the truth about myself. Help me not to be blinded by what I think is right. Spirit, grow me and teach me.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

  

A Room and a Promise

Jn. 14:1

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 

Why does the heart become troubled? Illness, disease, financial misfortune, war, death to name a few. There are many things in this world that would trouble any person's heart, that is if they were not trusting in Jesus. Jesus Himself said not to worry. There is nothing in this life that He cannot handle, overcome, or use for His purposes. So it comes down to a matter of trust. Do I trust Jesus enough to give Him all that troubles my heart? 

Jesus gave some concrete reason for believers to trust Him. First, He is in His Father's house with the God of the universe who set everything in motion. Secondly, He is preparing a place for us. When we go to be with Him either in death or the rapture, We will not be in nothingness. we will have a place in the Father's house. Thirdly, Jesus will come again and call us to Himself. Wow! We will be forever with Him! In the midst of these comforting words Thomas expressed a doubt. A question that I am sure many people have wondered. He said that he did not where Jesus was going so how could he find the way. Jesus simply stated, I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus is asking Thomas and each believer to follow, Do you trust me even in this? 

But Thomas was not satisfied. He asked another question. Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for me. Jesus' heart must have been so heavy. Had Thomas traveled with Him so long and still not known Him? Jesus said, Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? Jesus declared His very identity and words were of the Father. If Thomas couldn't believe the words of Jesus, then he should believe because of His works. We might be tempted to look down on Thomas except for the many times we have doubted His very words. How could we? They are at our ready access. How blinding is our flesh!  And still consider the fact that we are looking back on the cross and all it means whereas Thomas had not yet seen the greatest work of all, Jesus on the cross.

Jesus ended this teaching time with a monumental promise. He began it with Truly, truly . Two words that mean listen up! If we believe in Jesus, we will do the works that Jesus did and greater works than these will He do. Who is the He? The indwelling Holy Spirit will grow, transform, and lead us into these greater works. We know the great Words of God, His Spirit, and His grace. It is only through His grace that we can do anything. But, there was still more to this promise. Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in My name I will do it. Unbelievable! Jesus had to die, be resurrected, and ascend to the Father for us to have the Holy Spirit within. He is the power source that makes the promises of God a reality! Without Him there are no greater works! What a glorious passage! It should banish any doubt!

Father,

Thank You for these words of encouragement. I know that there is still more teaching before I understand this promise fully. But I do understand Jesus, who He is and who You are. I do understand the great power of Your Spirit and of the Word. Spirit, Grow me more each day.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

Love

Jn. 13: 33-35

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Why did Jesus address His disciples as little children? Was it because their spiritual maturity was not up for what was to follow? For example, Peter. It certainly was a childish response when Peter declared that he could follow Jesus where Jesus had already said that the disciples could not come. Was it spiritual pride or a declaration of love? Regardless, Jesus told Peter that before the rooster would crow, he would have denied Jesus three times. I wonder how those words sunk in? Did Peter believe them at all? Sadly, he was soon to find out all to soon.

But I don't read of Peter responding to what Jesus was teaching them, the new commandment. Jesus wanted His disciples to love one another as He had loved them. In fact, this love was to be the their identifying mark clearly establishing that they were His disciples. Is this love a reality in my life? I know that in my culture Christians are most often identified as hypocrites. People who might speak love without actually loving. And in Peter's day the established religious system were also hypocrites who often bore the brunt of Jesus' words. At one point Jesus said, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. So what would set someone apart from the scribes, Pharisees, and many of the Christians in America?

I think the answer would be love. If people were to love each other like Jesus loved us, it would have to be a self-sacrificial love. Jesus sacrificed His own life as well as His relationship with His Father to save sinners. He was the greatest example of love known to man, and I am an adopted child, a joint-heir with Jesus, and have indwelling Spirit within me. I have the logos, the living word of God at my disposal. All of this transforms me so that I might love as He did, but only through His grace. Anything less would not be loving as Jesus loved.

Spirit,
Teach me to love. I want to be known as a child who loves as Jesus did. Continue to grow Your fruit in my life so that this may become a reality.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen