Day 365 - It is Done!

Reading:  Revelation 19-22

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, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live 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." Revelation 21:1-4

Footnote:  The earth as we know it will not last forever, but after God's great judgment, he will create a new earth.  God had also promised Isaiah that he would create a new and eternal earth.  The sea in John's time was viewed as dangerous and changeable.  It was also the source of the beast.  We don't know how the new earth will look or where it will be, but God and his followers -- those whose names are written in the book of life -- will be united to live there forever.  Will you be there?

Have you ever wondered what eternity will be like?  The "Holy City, the new Jerusalem" is described as the place where God will "wipe every tear from their eyes."  Forevermore, there will be no death, pain, sorrow, or crying.  What a wonderful truth!  No matter what you are going through, it's not the last word -- God has written the final chapter, and it is about true fulfillment and eternal joy for those who love him.  We do not know as much as we would like, but it is enough to know that eternity with God will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

He said to me: "It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.  He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be his God and he will be my son.  Revelation 21:6,7

Footnote:  People who overcome "Stand firm to the end" (Mark 13:13).  They will receive the blessings that God promised:

1.  eating from the tree of life (2:7),
2.  escaping from the lake of fire (the "second death," 2:11),
3.  receiving a special name (2:17),
4.  having authority over the nations (2:26),
5.  being included in the book of life (3:5),
6.  being a pillar in God's spiritual temple (3:12), and
7.  sitting with Christ on his throne (3:21).  

Those who can endure the testing of evil and remain faithful will be rewarded by God.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.  Amen.  Revelation 22:21

Footnote:  Revelation closes human history as Genesis opened it -- in paradise.  But there is one distinct difference in Revelation -- evil is gone forever.  Genesis describes Adam and Eve walking and talking with God; Revelation describes people worshiping God face to face.  Genesis describes a garden with an evil serpent; Revelation describes a perfect city with no evil.  The Garden of Eden was destroyed by sin; but paradise is re-created in the new Jerusalem.

The book of Revelation ends with an urgent request: "Come, Lord Jesus."  In a world of problems, persecution, evil, and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith.  Our efforts to better our world are important, but their results cannot compare with the transformation that Jesus will bring about when he returns.  H alone controls human history, forgives sin , and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.

Revelation is, above all, a book of hope.  It shows that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control.  It promises that evil will not last forever.  And it depicts the wonderful reward that is waiting for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Congratulations!!!!!

This completes THIS Bible Challenge!  365 days of reading God's Word!  You did it!  You made a commitment, you persevered, you ran the race, you crossed the finish line!  Praise God, for we know that we do nothing in our own strength and that it is only God's grace that has allowed us to complete this challenge.  We are the true winners here.....we will never be able to measure the fruit in our lives from spending time in the scriptures.  God's word NEVER returns void!

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Never stop reading God's Word! 

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 364 - Stay Awake

Reading:  Revelation 16-18

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."  Revelation 16:1

Footnote:  The bowl judgments are God's final and complete judgments on the earth.  The end has come. There are many similarities between the bowl judgments and the trumpet judgments, but there are three main differences:  

1.  these judgments are complete whereas the trumpet judgments are partial; 
2.  the trumpet judgments still give unbelievers the opportunity to repent, but the bowl judgments do not; and 
3.  mankind is indirectly affected by several of the trumpet judgments but directly attacked by all the bowl judgments.

"Behold, I come like a thief!  Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."  Revelation 16:15

Footnote:  Christ will return unexpectedly (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5), so we must be ready when he returns.  We can prepare ourselves by standing firm in temptation and by being committed to God's moral standards.  

In what ways does your life show either your readiness or your lack of preparation for Christ's return?

Keep reading -- 1 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 363 - Fruit that Lasts

Reading:  Revelation 13-15

One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.  The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.  Revelation 13:3

Footnote:  Because the beast, the antichrist, is a false messiah, he will be a counterfeit of Christ and will even stage a false resurrection (13:14).  People will follow and worship him because they will be awed by his power and miracles.  He will unite the world under his leadership, and he will control the world economy.  People are impressed by power and will follow those who display it forcefully or offer it to their followers.  But those who follow the beast will only be fooling themselves:  he will use his power to manipulate others, to point to himself, and to promote evil plans.  God, by contrast, sees his infinitely greater power to love and to build up.  Don't be misled by claims of great miracles or reports about a resurrection or reincarnation of someone claiming to be Christ.  When Jesus returns, he will reveal himself to everyone (Matthew 24:23-28).

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write:  Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."

"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."  Revelation 14:13

Footnote:  While it is true that money, fame and belongings can't be taken with us from this life, God's people can produce fruit that survives even death.  God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth.  Be sure that your values are in line with God's values, and decide today to produce fruit that lasts forever.

Keep reading -- 2 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 362 - Christ is Victorious

Reading:  Revelation 10-12

The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who lived on the earth.  Revelation 11:10

Footnote:  The whole world rejoices at the deaths of these two witnesses who have caused trouble by saying what the people didn't want to hear -- words about their sin, their need for repentance, and the coming punishment.  Sinful people hate those who call attention to their sin and who urge them to repent.  They hated Christ, and they hate his followers (1 John 3:13).  When you obey Christ and take a stand against sin, be prepared to experience the world's hatred.  But remember that the great reward awaiting you in heaven far outweighs any suffering that you face now.

And there was war in heaven.  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  Revelation 12:7

Footnote:  Much more happened at Christ's birth, death and resurrection than most people realize.  A war between the forces of good and evil was under way.  With Christ's resurrection, Satan's ultimate defeat was assured.  Some believe that Satan's fall to death took place at Jesus' resurrection or ascension and that the 1,260 days (3 1/2 years) is a symbolic way of referring to the time between Christ's first and second comings.  Others say that Satan's defeat will occur in the middle of a literal seven-year tribulation period, following the rapture of the church and preceding the second coming of Christ and the beginning of Christ's 1,000-year reign.  Whatever the case, we must remember that Christ is victorious -- Satan has already been defeated because of Christ's death on the cross.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 361 - Sealed

Reading:  Revelation 7-9

Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God.  He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the see:  "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

Then I heard the number of those who were sealed:  144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Footnote:  A seal on a scroll or document identified and protected its contents.  God places his own seal on his followers, identifying them as his own and guaranteeing his protection over their souls.  This shows how valuable we are to him.  Our physical bodies may be beaten, maimed, or even destroyed, but nothing can harm our souls when we have been sealed by God.  See Ephesians 1:13 for the seal of the Holy Spirit.

The number 144,000 is 12 X 12 X 1,000, symbolizing completeness -- all God's followers will be brought safely to him; not one will be overlooked or forgotten.  God seals these believers either by withdrawing them from the earth (this is called the Rapture) or by giving them special strength and courage to make it through this time of great persecution.  Even though many believers have to undergo persecution, the seal does not necessarily guarantee protection from physical harm -- many will die (see 6:11) -- but God will protect them from spiritual harm.  No matter what happens, they will be brought to their reward of eternal life.  Their destiny is secure.  These believers will not fall away from God even though they may undergo intense persecution.

This is not saying that 144,000 individuals must be sealed before the persecution comes, but that when persecution begins, the faithful will have already been sealed (marked by God) and they will remain true to him until the end.

This is a different list from the usual listing of the 12 tribes in the Old Testament, because it is a symbolic list of God's true followers.  1.  Judah is mentioned first because Judah is both the tribe of David and of Jesus the Messiah.  2.  Levi had no tribal allotment because of the Levites' work for God in the temple, but here the tribe is given a place as a reward for faithfulness.  3.  Dan is not mentioned because it was known for rebellion and idolatry, traits unacceptable for God's followers.  4.  The two tribes representing Joseph (usually called Ephraim and Manasseh, after Joseph's sons) are here called Joseph and Manasseh because of Ephraim's rebellion.  See Genesis 49 for the story of the beginning of these 12 tribes.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 360 - A New Song

Daily Reading:  Revelation 4-6


And they sang a new song:  

You are worthy to take the scroll 
and to open its seals, 
because you were slain, 
and with your blood you purchased men for God 
from every tribe and language and people and nation.  
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to 
serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.  They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they sang:

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing:

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!

Revelation 5:9-13

Keep reading -- 5 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 359 - Alpha & Omega

Daily Reading:  Revelation 1-3

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Footnote:  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  The Lord God is the beginning and the end.  God the Father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future.  Without him you have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change your life, nothing that can save you from sin.  Is the Lord your reason for living, "the Alpha and the Omega" of your life?  Honor the One who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power.

Journey Through the Book of Revelation

In chapter one, John relates the circumstances that led to the writing of this book.  In chapters two and three, Jesus gives special messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor.

Suddenly John is caught up into heaven, where he sees a vision of God Almighty on his throne.  All of Christs's followers and the heavenly angels are worshiping God.  John watches as God gives a scroll with seven seals to the worthy Lamb, Jesus Christ.  The Lamb begins to open the seals one by one.  As each seal is opened, a new vision appears.

As the first four seals are opened, riders appear on horses of different colors -- war, famine, disease, and earth are in their path.  As the fifth seal is opened, John sees those in heaven who have been martyred for their faith in Christ.

A set of contrasting images appears at the opening of the sixth seal.  On one side, there is a huge earthquake, stars falling from the sky, and the sky rolling up like a scroll.  On the other side, multitudes are before the great throne, worshiping and praising God and the Lamb.

Finally, the seventh seal is opened, unveiling a series of God's judgments announced by seven angels with seven trumpets.  The first four angels bring hail, fire, a burning mountain, and a falling star -- the sun and moon are darkened.  The fifth trumpet announces the coming of locusts with the power to sting.  The sixth trumpet heralds the coming of an army of warriors on horses.  In chapter 10:1-11, John is given a little scroll to eat.  Following this, John is commanded to measure the temple of God.  He sees two witnesses who proclaim God's judgment on the earth for three and a half years.

Finally, the seventh trumpet sounds, calling the rival forces of good and evil to the final battle.  On one side is Satan and his forces; on the other side stands Jesus Christ with his forces.  In the midst of this call to battle, John sees three angels announcing the final judgment.  Two angels begin to reap this harvest of judgment on the earth.  Following on the heels of these two angels are seven more angels who pour out God's judgment on the earth from seven bowls.  One of these angels from the group of seven reveals to John a vision of a "great prostitute" called Babylon riding a scarlet beast.  After the defeat of Babylon, a great multitude in heaven shouts praise to God for his mighty victory.

The final three chapters of the book of Revelation catalogue the events that finalize Christ's victory over the enemy:  Satan's 1,000-year imprisonment, the final judgment, and the creation of a new earth and a new Jerusalem.  An angel then gives John final instructions concerning the visions John has seen and what to do once he has written them all down.

Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ's soon return, an offer to drink of the water of life that flows through the great street of the new Jerusalem, and a warning to those who read the book.  May we pray with John, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus".

The Bible ends with a message of warning and hope for men and women of every generation.  Christ is victorious, and all evil has been done away with.  As you read the book of Revelation, marvel at God's grace in the salvation of the saints and his power over the evil forces of Satan and remember the hope of this victory to come.

Keep reading -- 6 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV