Showing posts with label Revelation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revelation. Show all posts

Tuesday 27 February 2024

Will you be saved - or lost?

Christ invites us to ‘come’ (6:1,3,5,7) - and look at things through His eyes. With Him, we look at earth. With Him, we look at heaven. Troubled world, tremendous worship - These are the things we see when we look through the eyes of our Lord jesus Christ. Our world is deeply troubled. Heaven’s worship is absolutely tremendous. Of all our many ‘troubles’, the greatest is this: We are sinners, and none of us ‘can stand’ before ‘the face of Him who sits on the throne’. Our earthly ‘troubles’ are nothing compared with this! There is hope. There is a way of ‘salvation’. We can be saved through ‘the blood of the Lamb’. If, however, we turn from Him - ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ - there will be no hope. We will face ‘the wrath of the Lamb’ (4:16-17; 5:10,14; John 1:29). Will you be saved - or lost?

Thursday 23 April 2020

The Revelation Of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:1-20

This is ‘the revelation of Jesus Christ’ (1). It comes from Him and it speaks of Him.
Christ ‘loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood’ (5). We rejoice in Him.
Christ is ‘coming with the clouds’ (7). We must get ready for Him.
‘The revelation of Jesus Christ’ calls for our response. It is not ‘for information only’. We are to ‘pay attention to what is written in it’. We are to ‘take it to heart’. We are to ‘do what it says’ (3).
Christ reveals Himself to us. Is it for our benefit only? Is it just to make us ‘feel good’? No! We are to share with others what the Lord is teaching us.
Christ said to John, ‘Write what you see’ (19). Don’t keep it to yourself. Share Christ. Tell others about Him. Tell them what the Lord has done for you.
Speak His words of love: ‘Come...and learn from Me’ (Matthew 11:28-30).

Sunday 19 April 2020

The Love Of Christ - For Us, His Bride

Christ loves us. He has given Himself for us. He calls us His ‘Bride’ (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2, 9).

"“King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16)

Jesus was tempted. Jesus is victorious. He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16) – and He’s at work in us, bringing us through temptation and into victory. We don’t live in constant victory. Often, we’re defeated. We need to learn to listen to God’s Word and be led into the pathway of victory. It’s a lifelong learning process. There’s never a time when our ‘education’ is complete. Throughout our life, we must keep on coming to the Lord, confessing our need of His cleansing and power and praying that He will make us more truly and more fully what He wants us to be – “Cleanse me from my sin, Lord. Put Thy power within, Lord. Take me as I am, Lord, and make me all Thine own. Keep me day by day, Lord, underneath Thy sway, Lord. Make my heart Thy palace, and Thy royal throne” (Mission Praise, 82).
May God bless each of us as we read His Word and learn to trust the Lord to give you victory over temptation.
“Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
each victory will help you some other to win;
fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue,
look ever to Jesus, he’ll carry you through.
Ask the Savior to help you,
comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God’s Name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true,
look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown;
Through faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He Who is our Savior our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through."

Thursday 26 March 2020

On To Victory

In Christ, we have the victory: “they have conquered Satan by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:7-12).

God is calling us beyond the conflict. He is calling us on to victory.

We don’t live in a perfect world. We’re not perfect people. We wish things could be different – but they’re not! Not yet! We pray, “Your Kingdom come” – but we’re still waiting for God’s complete answer to this prayer. The Book of Revelation provides us with a vision of God’s coming Kingdom. As we await His Kingdom, the words of Habakkuk 2:3 are very helpful to us: “the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
* There is conflict with the world.
We commit ourselves to living for Jesus Christ. There are plenty of other people who don’t want to have anything to do with Him. This is something we must live with. “We do not lose heart” when we face opposition. We give thanks that “God’s mercy” has reached us, bringing to us the forgiveness of all our sins and giving to us the great privilege of being Christ’s witnesses in this sinful world (2 Corinthians 4:1).
* There is conflict within ourselves.
Though we have committed ourselves to Christ, we are deeply conscious that we do not serve Him as well as we should. Our problems do not always come fom the world around us. Often, we create problems for ourselves. There is too much of self and not enough of Christ in our lives. He has given Himself for us. How much have we given ourselves to Him?
* God is calling us beyond the conflict.
“Just as I am, though tossed about, with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come.”
The conflict, the doubt, the fightings, the fears – these things don’t just disappear. Satan makes sure of that! As we look to the Lord, we receive His strength. He enables to say from the heart, “I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2). These words take us to a ‘high’ place – but we are quickly reminded that there is also a ‘low’ place. Psalm 9:3 begins with the ominous words, “My enemies”!
Beyond those whom the Psalmist describes as “my enemies, there is another enemy – Satan! As we read Psalm 9:3-6, we must catch a glimpse of the final defeat of Satan. Here on earth, we face conflict. Our life in Christ isn’t an easy life. Satan sees to that!
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against … the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This is something we must never forget.
Revelation 12:9-10 tells us while Satan may be very powerful, he is less powerful than Christ. The victory does not belong with Satan. It belongs with Christ.
“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”
How does this victory become ours? – “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Revelation 12:11).
The victory is not easily won. It was very costly for Christ. He went to the Cross to win for us the victory over Satan. Revelation 12:12 reminds us that it will be very costly for us – “the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
Whatever the devil may be doing – in the world and in his attacks upon ourselves, may us learn to say from the heart, “I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1-2).

Wednesday 18 March 2020

Praying Through God's Word: Revelation

Revelation 1:1-20
We thank You, Lord for “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). It comes from Him. It speaks of Him. We thank You that Jesus “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). We thank You that He is “coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7). Help us to rejoice in the love of Jesus, our crucified Saviour. Help us to get ready for the return of Jesus, our coming King.
Revelation 2:1-29
We thank You, Lord, that Your Word is for here-and-now. It’s not just for far-away and long-ago. You’re calling us to a lifelong commitment – Don’t lose your “first love” (Revelation 2:4); Be “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10). Help us to “remain true” to You – to keep right on to the right on to the end of the road.
Revelation 3:1-22
Lord, there are doors that You must open – “I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut” (Revelation 3:8). There’s a door that we must open. It’s the door of the heart. Help us to hear Your knock at the door – “I stand at the door and knock.” Help us to believe Your promise: “If anyone opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20). Help us to say, “Come into my heart, Lord Jesus” – and help us to remember where this prayer really came from: “The Lord opened my heart” (Acts 16:14).
Revelation 4:1-5:14
“In heaven,” there’s “an open door” (Revelation 4:1). We thank You, Lord, that Jesus has “unlocked the gate of heaven, and let us in.” From heaven’s open door, we hear the voice of love. Jesus calls to us, “Come up here” (Revelation 4:2). May “the Spirit” lead us into Your presence (Revelation 4:2) – and fill our hearts with worship: “You are worthy, our Lord and our God”; “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:11).
Revelation 6:1-7:17
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus, Your Son, invites us to “come” (Revelation 6:1,3,5,7) – and look at things through His eyes. We look at earth. We look at heaven. We see a troubled world. We see tremendous worship. Our world is deeply troubled. Heaven’s worship is absolutely tremendous. In our world, we see our sin. In Your heaven, we see Your “salvation” (Revelation 6:16-17). Help us to lift up our eyes, to see Jesus, to be saved through “the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10,14).
Revelation 8:1-9:21
What a difference there is between real gold (Revelation 8:3) and fool’s gold (Revelation 9:7). What a difference there is between the real thing and the counterfeit – “”Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” Matthew 7:21). Help us, Lord, not to settle for anything less than the real thing. Let there be more than talking the talk, Help us to walk the walk, to walk with You in faith and obedience.
Revelation 10:1-11:19
Lord, we need to read and hear all of Your Word – the difficult parts as well as the verses that make us feel good. We need the “sour” as well as the “sweet” (Revelation 10:9). It’s the “sour” – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”, “Flee from the wrath to come” – that prepares us for the “sweet” – “God so loved the world … “, “the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world” (Hebrews 10:31; Matthew 3:7; John 3:16; John 1:29). Create, in us, a real hunger for all of Your Word – not just the parts we like!
Revelation 12:1-13:18
We thank You, Lord for Your Word of warning. We need to watch out for “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan.” He’s a determined enemy – “Day and night,” he accuses Your children. He’s a defeated enemy – “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:9-12). Help us to take our stand against Satan. Help us to stand in the victory of Christ.
Revelation 14:1-15:8
Lord, You’re calling us to live Your way – With “patient endurance,” we are to “obey Your commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). This won’t be easy. Satan will do all that he can to draw us away from You. We need Your strength. The victory cannot come from ourselves. It must come from You. We look away from ourselves to Jesus. We see that He has died for us. We see that He has risen from the dead. We trust in Him, and we rejoice in Him – “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Revelation 16:1-17:18
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). Satan will challenge the authority of Jesus. There’s no doubt about that. Satan will fail. There’s no doubt about this! Help us, Lord, when the battle is raging, to lift up our eyes and see Jesus. Help us to see that He is “Lord of lords and King of kings.” Help us to see Him and rejoice. Help us to grow strong in Jesus, our Saviour.
Revelation 18:1-19:10
We read about the fall of Babylon (Revelation 18:2,10,16-17,19,21), and we wonder about our world today. Have you abandoned us, Lord? or Are you still calling out to us, “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). Help us, Lord, to maintain a strong commitment to Christ, without ever giving the impression that we think we’re superior to other people. Help us never to think that there’s something special about us. Help us never to forget that it was You, Lord, who called us out of darkness into Your marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Revelation 19:11-21:8
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus, our Saviour, is “Faithful and True.” He is “the Word of God,” our “Lord and King” (Revelation 19:11,13,16). He invites us to come to Him: “Come, gather together for the great supper of God” (Revelation 19:17). What a great future You’re preparing for us – “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). We thank You, Lord, for the precious promise which sets our feet on this eternal journey: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Revelation 21:9-22:21

Tuesday 17 March 2020

We will not neglect the House of our God ...

The Lord’s people, in Nehemiah’s time, made this commitment: “We will not neglect the House of our God” (Nehemiah 10:39). Such a commitment to God and His work is not easy to maintain. There is an enemy who opposes God and His work – “the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan” (Revelation 20:2). Whatever chaos Satan may cause in the Lord’s work here on earth, we are left in no doubt about his eternal destiny: “The devil … will be tormented day and night for ever” (Revelation 20:10). Satan’s eternal destiny is very different from that of God’s people: “The Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4) – “This is the glory of all His saints” (Psalm 149:9).

Sunday 23 February 2020

Alive In Our Worship, Involved In Our Community

Isaiah 61:1-3; John 21:1-17; Revelation 5:11-14
When our service of worship ends, our service in the world begins. God is calling us to be alive in our worship, and he's calling us to be involved in our community.
Worshipping the Lord and serving Him - we need both, not one without the other.
We are tio be committed to the Lord in the whole of our life - not just part of it.
 * We are not to say, "I will worship the Lord for an hour on a Sunday, but I don't want to get involved in serving Him during the rest of the week."
"It's just an hour on a Sunday." Can we ever truly worship the Lord if we're thinking like this? True worship leads to active service/ If we are learning to worship the Lord, we will want also to serve Him.
 * We are not to say, "I can be a good Christian without going to Church." What does this say about our commitment to the Lord, if we do not take time to be with Him, giving thanks to Him, listening to what He has to say to us, praying for his strength, asking Him to help us to serve Him in the coming week?
There are always two parts in a real commitment to the Lord. the first is "Love the Lord your God." The second is "Love your neighbour."
God is calling us to do two things. At the beginning of each week, He is calling us to take time to be with Him. When we are gathered for worship, God is saying to us, "Go out from this place, go out into the world - and serve Me in your everyday life, in the oplaces where you are, among the people that you meet.
God is calling us to be alive in our worship and involved in our community.
How are we to maintain and strengthen this commitment to worship and service?
The first thing we must say is this:  Our commitment is a commitment to Jesus Christ. It's a commitment to following Him. It's a commitment to living the way He lived.
Let's take a look at Jesus. Let'slearn from Him. Let's look at the way He lived. Let's look at what was important to Him - and let's be challenged to love our lives for Him on Sundays and every other day of the week.
We look at two incidents in Jesus' life. The first is at the beginning of His public ministry. The second is after His resurrection. The first show us the kind of Man Jesus was. The second shows us the kind of people we are to be.
We go, first, to Luke 4:16-21. Here, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61:1-2.
Here, we see Jesus, worshipping God - "He went to the synagogue on the sabbath deay, as was His custom" (Luke 4:16). There, in the House of the Lord, Jesus reads the words of Isaiah (Luke 4:18-19) - but He doesn't stop with the reading. He adds this remarkable statement: "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21).
Jesus was announcing the beginning of His ministry. His ministry was all about people. He brought Good News to the poor, deliverance to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed. he told people that God loved them. He showed people that God loved them.
Alive in our worship, involved in our community - This is what we see in the ministry of Jesus. If we are to follow Him, we must learn to worship - and we must learn to serve.
When esus began His public ministry, one of the first things that He did was this: He called His disciples. They were to be with Him. They were to follow Him. They were to worship with Him. They were to serve with Him. They were to learn from Him.
This was the beginning of a wonderful three-year adventure. Sadly, this adventure was to come to an end. Jesus was taken away from them. He was crucified. the disciples were despondent. This was the end of their world. What were they to do? They did what they knew best. They went back to fishing - but was that really the end of their adventure with Jesus? No! It was to be a life-long adventure. The risen Lord appeared to them. He said to them, "Have you forgotten? Do you not remember? I called you to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).
Jesus was saying to them, "There's something more than fishing." Their adventure of worshipping the Lord and serving Him was just beginning. You can read baout it in the Acts of the Apostles. It shows us what God can do when His people are truly committed to Him - committed to worshipping Him, committed to serving Him.
Alive in our worship, involved in our community - This is the life into which the Lord is calling us. He's calling us to "launch out into the deep" (Luke 5:4) with Him. We don't know all that the future will hold - but there is something that we do know: our future is in the Lord's hands, and we are safe in the arms of Jesus.
Among the disciples, there was one man who was especially uncertain about his future. Peter had failed his Lord. he thought that his journey with Jesus was over - but he was wrong!
Jesus loved Peter. jesus came to peter with a question, "Peter, do you love Me?" (John 21:15-17).
What was Jesus really saying to Peter? - He was saying, "Peter, I love you - and I have a great future for you."
What a great futur it was! Peter put the past behind him - and he moved into the great future Jesus had planned for him.
In recent years, we've heard a lot about "the Church without walls." What does this mean? - It means that we do not stop with worshipping the Lord in His House. We go on from there to serve Him outside of our Church buildings, bringing the love of Christ to the many people who need Him.
Alive in our worship, involved in our community - Where will this vision, this mission statement, lead us. In Revelation 5:11-13, we get a wonderful glimpse of God's glorious future. How are we to prepare ourselves and the people of our community for this? - we begin here-and-now by being alive in our worship and involved in our community.

Friday 21 February 2020

Praying Through God’s Word: Revelation

Revelation 1:1-20
We thank You, Lord for “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). It comes from Him. It speaks of Him. We thank You that Jesus “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). We thank You that He is “coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7). Help us to rejoice in the love of Jesus, our crucified Saviour. Help us to get ready for the return of Jesus, our coming King.
Revelation 2:1-29
We thank You, Lord, that Your Word is for here-and-now. It’s not just for far-away and long-ago. You’re calling us to a lifelong commitment – Don’t lose your “first love” (Revelation 2:4); Be “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10). Help us to “remain true” to You – to keep right on to the right on to the end of the road.
Revelation 3:1-22
Lord, there are doors that You must open – “I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut” (Revelation 3:8). There’s a door that we must open. It’s the door of the heart. Help us to hear Your knock at the door – “I stand at the door and knock.” Help us to believe Your promise: “If anyone opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20). Help us to say, “Come into my heart, Lord Jesus” – and help us to remember where this prayer really came from: “The Lord opened my heart” (Acts 16:14).
Revelation 4:1-5:14
“In heaven,” there’s “an open door” (Revelation 4:1). We thank You, Lord, that Jesus has “unlocked the gate of heaven, and let us in.” From heaven’s open door, we hear the voice of love. Jesus calls to us, “Come up here” (Revelation 4:2). May “the Spirit” lead us into Your presence (Revelation 4:2) – and fill our hearts with worship: “You are worthy, our Lord and our God”; “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:11).
Revelation 6:1-7:17
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus, Your Son, invites us to “come” (Revelation 6:1,3,5,7) – and look at things through His eyes. We look at earth. We look at heaven. We see a troubled world. We see tremendous worship. Our world is deeply troubled. Heaven’s worship is absolutely tremendous. In our world, we see our sin. In Your heaven, we see Your “salvation” (Revelation 6:16-17). Help us to lift up our eyes, to see Jesus, to be saved through “the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10,14).
Revelation 8:1-9:21
What a difference there is between real gold (Revelation 8:3) and fool’s gold (Revelation 9:7). What a difference there is between the real thing and the counterfeit – “”Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” Matthew 7:21). Help us, Lord, not to settle for anything less than the real thing. Let there be more than talking the talk, Help us to walk the walk, to walk with You in faith and obedience.
Revelation 10:1-11:19
Lord, we need to read and hear all of Your Word – the difficult parts as well as the verses that make us feel good. We need the “sour” as well as the “sweet” (Revelation 10:9). It’s the “sour” – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”, “Flee from the wrath to come” – that prepares us for the “sweet” – “God so loved the world … “, “the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world” (Hebrews 10:31; Matthew 3:7; John 3:16; John 1:29). Create, in us, a real hunger for all of Your Word – not just the parts we like!
Revelation 12:1-13:18
We thank You, Lord for Your Word of warning. We need to watch out for “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan.” He’s a determined enemy – “Day and night,” he accuses Your children. He’s a defeated enemy – “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:9-12). Help us to take our stand against Satan. Help us to stand in the victory of Christ.
Revelation 14:1-15:8
Lord, You’re calling us to live Your way – With “patient endurance,” we are to “obey Your commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). This won’t be easy. Satan will do all that he can to draw us away from You. We need Your strength. The victory cannot come from ourselves. It must come from You. We look away from ourselves to Jesus. We see that He has died for us. We see that He has risen from the dead. We trust in Him, and we rejoice in Him – “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Revelation 16:1-17:18
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). Satan will challenge the authority of Jesus. There’s no doubt about that. Satan will fail. There’s no doubt about this! Help us, Lord, when the battle is raging, to lift up our eyes and see Jesus. Help us to see that He is “Lord of lords and King of kings.” Help us to see Him and rejoice. Help us to grow strong in Jesus, our Saviour.
Revelation 18:1-19:10
We read about the fall of Babylon (Revelation 18:2,10,16-17,19,21), and we wonder about our world today. Have you abandoned us, Lord? or Are you still calling out to us, “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). Help us, Lord, to maintain a strong commitment to Christ, without ever giving the impression that we think we’re superior to other people. Help us never to think that there’s something special about us. Help us never to forget that it was You, Lord, who called us out of darkness into Your marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Revelation 19:11-21:8
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus, our Saviour, is “Faithful and True.” He is “the Word of God,” our “Lord and King” (Revelation 19:11,13,16). He invites us to come to Him: “Come, gather together for the great supper of God” (Revelation 19:17). What a great future You’re preparing for us – “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). We thank You, Lord, for the precious promise which sets our feet on this eternal journey: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Revelation 21:9-22:21
Lord, You’ve given us a glimpse of a future which is heavenly, eternal and glorious: “the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:10-11). We thank You that You’ve also shown us the way in which this great future can become our future. You call us to come, in faith, to Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). You give to us Your wonderful promise: “Blessed are those who wash their robes that they … may go through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
‘The Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God … shone with the glory of God’ (Revelation 21:10).
We thank You, Lord, that You have given us a glimpse of a future which is heavenly, eternal and glorious. We thank You that You have shown us the way to eternal life. Jesus is the Way. He is the true and living Way. When our future seems bleak, help us to look to You and Your future. Help us to look to Jesus. Sometimes, we wonder,  What’s the world coming to? Help us to turn this question around and say, with confident faith, “Jesus Christ is coming to the world. We long for a place in Your heavenly and eternal Kingdom. Help us, here-and-now, to find a place in our hearts for Jesus. May others see Jesus in us – and catch a glimpse of Your glorious Kingdom. 

Saturday 25 January 2020

Another “3:16″ to set alongside John 3:16!

John 3:16, Rev 3:16–20
lIn John 3:16, we read these wonderful words concerning God’s love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Here’s another “3:16″ – “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).
This “3:16″ leads on to some other words about God’s love: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
Called to repentance by the God of love, we hear the great promise given to us by our Saviour: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Singing A New Song

The singers will come “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). 

Not just some nations! All nations! Not just this generation! Not just the “now” generation! Every generation will be there. They will come from the past. They will come from the future. This is bigger than the Eurovision Song Contest!

“They sang a new song” (Revelation 5:9). 

When does a “new song” become an old song? – People stop singing it. They forget about it. It becomes last year’s song.
What about God’s “new song”? Does it ever become yesterday’s song? Will there ever be a time when there is no-one to sing the song of salvation? Will the song of praise ever be silenced? Will it ever be thrown into the dustbin of the ancient past?
No! The song of joyful worship is always the song of the eternal future. We’re looking forward to something that’s far bigger, brighter and better than the Eurovision Song Contest!

Thursday 19 December 2019

The Holy City ...

"The Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God - It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel" (Revelation 21:10-11).

At the heart of "the Holy City", there is Jesus Christ. In Him, we see the bright shining light of God's love. He is the precious cornerstone upon which our eternal salvation is built (1 Peter 2:4-7).
As we read about "the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:10), our thoughts turn to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It's only because of what He has done for us that we will be welcomed into the glory of God's saving and eternal presence of love. Jesus is "the cornerstone" of our faith (1 Peter 2:6). He is the foundation upon which our salvation is built. Without Him, there is no salvation. With Him, there is full salvation. What light there is shining into our hearts - from the wonderful love of our Saviour. It's the light that comes from the glory of God. It has touched our life here on earth. It will fill our life with Him - when we go to be with Him in "the Holy City."

“Blessed are those who wash their robes ... "

To those who come to Him, the Lord Jesus says, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may … go through the gates into the city.”  Let us not remain “outside” of God’s Kingdom (Revelation 22:14-15).

There is a better way than continuing in sin. It is the way of coming to the Saviour and receiving from Him the forgiveness of sin, the power of a new life and the glorious hope of entering into the full glory of His heavenly and eternal Kingdom.

Jesus Christ - King of kings

'King of the Jews' (Matthew 2:2). Jesus came from the Jews. He came for 'all nations' (Matthew 28:19). He is the 'King of kings' (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16). Here on earth, we are learning 'to worship Him' (Matthew 2:2). We are being prepared for heavenly worship (Revelation 7:9-12): 'Kings and queens and beggarmen, presidents and servants, the people of all nations, will gather on that day. We will kneel before the King. None will be observers. We will lift our voices. Together, we will say, "He is the King and He will reign forever. He is the King and we will sing His praise. The King of kings and Lord of lords forever, Jesus, He is the King. Hallelujah to the King, He is our salvation. Master of the universe, King of all creation"!' Let 'Jesus...take the highest honour'. Let us 'glorify the King of kings' (Songs of Fellowship, 302, 590).

Each day, we stand between the past and the future ....

Each day, we stand between the past and the future. In our prayers, we call upon God to “remember” (Nehemiah 13:14,22,29,31). There are two different kinds of ‘remembering’ here. God remembers His faithful servants. He also remembers those who have been unfaithful. As we face the future, we must be guided by both the Gospel invitation and the Gospel warning (Revelation 22:17-19). Salvation is offered to all. It is to be received by faith in Christ. There is also judgment for those who refuse to “come” to Him. Whatever our reaction to Him may be, God maintains His saving intention. He waits patiently for us to heed the call to “praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:1,6). “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).

The eternal love of God

"The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8): Before we had sinned, God was planning for our salvation!

Friday 25 October 2019

"What the Spirit says to the churches"

"What the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22).
What does the Spirit say to the churches? - He speaks the words of Christ, the risen Lord.
 * We need the Spirit - "Be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
 * We need the Scriptures - "Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly" (Colossians 3:16).
To His enemies, Jesus said, "You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God" (Mark 12:24).
He is calling us to know both the Scriptures and the power of God.
A real knowledge of the Scriptures will always be more than head-knowledge. It will also be knowledge of the power of God.
"What the Spirit says to the churches" - It will be more than a knowledge of the power of God. It will also be knowledge of the Scriptures. May God give us much of both - knowledge of the Scriptures and knowledge of the power of God. This is what it means to "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16). We will walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, always paying close attention to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who says to us, "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63).  

Sunday 13 October 2019

Another "3:16" to set alongside John 3:16!

In John 3:16, we read these wonderful words concerning God's love: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Here's another "3:16" - "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16).
This "3:16" leads on to some other words about God's love: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).
Called to repentance by the God of love, we hear the great promise given to us by our Saviour: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

Saturday 5 October 2019

Praying Through God's Word: Revelation

Revelation 1:1-20
We thank You, Lord for “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). It comes from Him. It speaks of Him. We thank You that Jesus “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). We thank You that He is “coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7). Help us to rejoice in the love of Jesus, our crucified Saviour. Help us to get ready for the return of Jesus, our coming King.
Revelation 2:1-29
We thank You, Lord, that Your Word is for here-and-now. It’s not just for far-away and long-ago. You’re calling us to a lifelong commitment – Don’t lose your “first love” (Revelation 2:4); Be “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10). Help us to “remain true” to You – to keep right on to the right on to the end of the road.
Revelation 3:1-22
Lord, there are doors that You must open – “I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut” (Revelation 3:8). There’s a door that we must open. It’s the door of the heart. Help us to hear Your knock at the door – “I stand at the door and knock.” Help us to believe Your promise: “If anyone opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20). Help us to say, “Come into my heart, Lord Jesus” – and help us to remember where this prayer really came from: “The Lord opened my heart” (Acts 16:14).
Revelation 4:1-5:14
“In heaven,” there’s “an open door” (Revelation 4:1). We thank You, Lord, that Jesus has “unlocked the gate of heaven, and let us in.” From heaven’s open door, we hear the voice of love. Jesus calls to us, “Come up here” (Revelation 4:2). May “the Spirit” lead us into Your presence (Revelation 4:2) – and fill our hearts with worship: “You are worthy, our Lord and our God”; “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:11).
Revelation 6:1-7:17
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus, Your Son, invites us to “come” (Revelation 6:1,3,5,7) – and look at things through His eyes. We look at earth. We look at heaven. We see a troubled world. We see tremendous worship. Our world is deeply troubled. Heaven’s worship is absolutely tremendous. In our world, we see our sin. In Your heaven, we see Your “salvation” (Revelation 6:16-17). Help us to lift up our eyes, to see Jesus, to be saved through “the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10,14).
Revelation 8:1-9:21
What a difference there is between real gold (Revelation 8:3) and fool’s gold (Revelation 9:7). What a difference there is between the real thing and the counterfeit – “”Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” Matthew 7:21). Help us, Lord, not to settle for anything less than the real thing. Let there be more than talking the talk, Help us to walk the walk, to walk with You in faith and obedience.
Revelation 10:1-11:19
Lord, we need to read and hear all of Your Word – the difficult parts as well as the verses that make us feel good. We need the “sour” as well as the “sweet” (Revelation 10:9). It’s the “sour” – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”, “Flee from the wrath to come” – that prepares us for the “sweet” – “God so loved the world … “, “the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world” (Hebrews 10:31; Matthew 3:7; John 3:16; John 1:29). Create, in us, a real hunger for all of Your Word – not just the parts we like!
Revelation 12:1-13:18
We thank You, Lord for Your Word of warning. We need to watch out for “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan.” He’s a determined enemy – “Day and night,” he accuses Your children. He’s a defeated enemy – “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:9-12). Help us to take our stand against Satan. Help us to stand in the victory of Christ.
Revelation 14:1-15:8
Lord, You’re calling us to live Your way – With “patient endurance,” we are to “obey Your commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). This won’t be easy. Satan will do all that he can to draw us away from You. We need Your strength. The victory cannot come from ourselves. It must come from You. We look away from ourselves to Jesus. We see that He has died for us. We see that He has risen from the dead. We trust in Him, and we rejoice in Him – “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Revelation 16:1-17:18
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14). Satan will challenge the authority of Jesus. There’s no doubt about that. Satan will fail. There’s no doubt about this! Help us, Lord, when the battle is raging, to lift up our eyes and see Jesus. Help us to see that He is “Lord of lords and King of kings.” Help us to see Him and rejoice. Help us to grow strong in Jesus, our Saviour.
Revelation 18:1-19:10
We read about the fall of Babylon (Revelation 18:2,10,16-17,19,21), and we wonder about our world today. Have you abandoned us, Lord? or Are you still calling out to us, “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). Help us, Lord, to maintain a strong commitment to Christ, without ever giving the impression that we think we’re superior to other people. Help us never to think that there’s something special about us. Help us never to forget that it was You, Lord, who called us out of darkness into Your marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Revelation 19:11-21:8
We thank You, Lord, that Jesus, our Saviour, is “Faithful and True.” He is “the Word of God,” our “Lord and King” (Revelation 19:11,13,16). He invites us to come to Him: “Come, gather together for the great supper of God” (Revelation 19:17). What a great future You’re preparing for us – “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). We thank You, Lord, for the precious promise which sets our feet on this eternal journey: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Revelation 21:9-22:21

Saturday 24 August 2019

"Look, I'm standing at the door ... " (Revelation 3:20).

Are you ‘looking for a better country - a heavenly one’ (Hebrews 11:16)? ‘God has put eternity into man’s mind’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In every human heart, there’s ‘a God-shaped blank’. Jesus came to give us ‘life’ - ‘abundant life’, ‘eternal life’ (John 10:10; John 17:3; 1 John 5:11). Without Jesus, our lives are empty. The ‘longing for a better country’ can only be satisfied by Him. He is God’s ‘foretaste of glory divine’ (Mission Praise, 59). Jesus stands at the door of every human heart. He knocks. He waits for our answer. He says, ‘Look, I’m standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to My voice and opens the door, I’ll come in...’ (Revelation 3:20). Don’t ‘shrink back’ (Hebrews 10:39). Invite Him into your heart now.

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The Lord has sent His Spirit of power to live in us.

We read about Elijah in his high-points of strength - the triumph over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) - and his low-points of ...