Earth Dwellers (Rev. 8:13)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

06/17/2005

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Earth dwellers

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Revelations 8:13

            Message of the verse:  “13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’  (NAS95)  “13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in mid-air call out in a loud voice: ‘Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!’  (NIV)

            I want to point out that different translations of the Bible translate either angel or eagle in the first part of this verse.  It seems to me that most of the more modern translations use eagle while the KJV and the NKJV use angel.  It is possible that this is one of the four living beings that are described in Revelations 4:7 & 8, “and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.”  (Revelations 4:7b)

            This messenger gives a message as he flies through the heavens where all can see him, and that message is that there is much more trouble coming to those who dwell upon the earth, and that is that the last three trumpet judgments will be called “woes” for they will surely be woeful to those who dwell upon the earth, and they are about to become a reality. 

            The phrase “those who dwell on the earth” seems to be speaking of the unsaved that make earth their home as opposed to believers who realize that earth is not their home, but heaven is their home and they are aliens on this planet doing the will of their God while they are here.  The phrase is found twelve times in the book of Revelations and also Philippians 3:18-21 speaks of the believer’s citizenship being in heaven.  Revelations 13:8 also speaks about this when it says, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”  In 1John 2:15-17 John gives another reason to show that there is a big difference between those who dwell upon the earth and those who have their citizenship in heaven.  “15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I think that this portion of Scripture is a wonderful reminder that my citizenship is in heaven and that I am on this earth to accomplish the things that the Lord has for me to do which He will reveal to me through His Holy Spirit and through His Word along with certain circumstances and the preaching of His Word and also through Christian friends.  I am here as an ambassador of my Lord Jesus Christ and I am not to get caught up in the things of this world.  John give a good description of this in 1John 2:15-17 which can be seen above.  This can be accomplished through God’s love, His grace and mercy and staying in His Word each day along with prayer and the support of fellow believers.