PT-3 The 6ht Seal Broken (God's Justice Seen) (Rev. 6:16-17)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/16/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  God’ Justice Seen

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Revelations 6:16-17

 

            Message of the verse:  “16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”  (AV)

            Those who have had an opportunity to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, but have turned Him down are now crying out to the mountains, asking them to fall upon them so that they can be hid from the Lord Jesus Christ, and from His Father who is sitting on the throne.  Verse 17 speaks of the day of the wrath of God coming and this shows that His cup of wrath is indeed full at this time and that means that His patience has run its course and now His justice will be what these on earth will have to deal with.  God is not vindictive, but He is just, and by being just He cannot allow sin to go unpunished.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I believe that the Church will be in heaven when these things are going on and will have already gone through the judgment seat of Christ, but at this time the Lord Jesus Christ is doing the work of judgment upon His Church as seen in the first chapter of this book.  He will judge the world without any help from me and so I must concentrate on serving Him now while he gives me breath.

 

The Word of God was challenging to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust the Lord with all of my heart and lean not upon my own understanding, in all of my ways acknowledge Him and then He has promised to direct my path.

PT-2 6th Seal Broken (Hiding from God) (Rev. 6:14-15)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/14/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Hiding from God

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Revelations 6:14-15

 

            Message of the verse:  “14 And the sky was rolled up like a scroll and taken away. And all of the mountains and all of the islands disappeared.  15  Then the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy people, the people with great power, and every slave and every free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.”  (NLT)

            As I look at verse 14 it makes me go back to the very early times of my Christian life when most all the time I would be reading Hal Lindsey’s books on prophecy, because that is what the Lord used to draw me to Himself.  In his books and tapes he often said that this verse was a good description from the 1^st century of a modern day atomic bomb, and as you read this verse and then think of pictures of an atomic bomb with the large mushroom cloud it does makes you think that this could be true.  At any rate this future earthquake will cause a lot of damage on this world as it will level the mountains and it will cause islands to disappear. 

            In verse 15 it can be seen that all of the so called important people of the world will along with the slaves and free people will go and hide themselves in the caves and in the mountains.  The question is why did they not want to confess Christ as Savior and Lord?  The answer is that probably some of them will, but most of them will have such hard hearts that they will not. 

            I want to talk about the word “all,”  for in verse 14 it said that all of the mountains disappeared, and in verse 15 is says that the people hid themselves in the mountains.  I wish to copy a quote from the Online Bible, which is quoted from Charles H. Spurgeon that may help bring light to this word:  “the whole world has gone after him" Did all the world go after Christ?  "Then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan." Was all Judea, or all Jerusalem, baptized in Jordan? "Ye are of God, little children," and the whole world lieth in the wicked one". Does the whole world there mean everybody? The words "world" and "all" are used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture, and it is very rarely the "all" means all persons, taken individually. The words are generally used to signify that Christ has redeemed some of all sorts —some Jews, some Gentiles, some rich, some poor, and has not restricted His redemption to either Jew or Gentile ... (C.H. Spurgeon from a sermon on Particular Redemption)”   

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Because of the confusion that I had in my mind about the word “all” it seems that one of the most important things that I can take from this verse is that I need to study more, for after looking up the meaning of this word and how it is used in the Scriptures it made things much clearer to me.  I can think of what Paul wrote to Timothy where he said “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of God.”

 

The Word of God was a challenge and a conviction to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to study the Word of God so It, through the Holy Spirit will continue to conform me to the image of Jesus Christ.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

 

 

PT-1 Sixth Seal Broken (Tremendous Earthquake) (Rev. 6:12-13)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

05/13/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  The sixth Seal Broken

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Revelations 6:12-13

 

            Message of the verse:  “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”  (NAS95)

            These next six verses describe the sixth seal being opened, and the results of that seal being opened.  The sixth seal is a tremendous earth quake that will affect all of the earth in one way or another.  It also affects the sun, moon and the stars as they will not shine like they use to, possibly because of all the added pollution on the earth as a result of this earthquake.  In verse 13 it speaks of stars falling from the sky, and this could be referring to meteorites or it could possibly be referring to rockets with nuclear bombs on them and appear to be stars coming out of the sky.  Whatever they are, they are a judgment from God.  God’s judgment is holy and just and because God is holy He has to judge sin, and for those who have not accepted the judgment of sin that was laid upon Jesus Christ at the cross they will one day have to face the wrath of God and the Lamb.

 

             Spiritual meaning for my life today:   As I go back to the beginning of this book of Revelations I remember that Jesus Christ was judging the different churches, and now in chapter six He is beginning His judgment upon the earth for those who have not accepted His gift of salvation.  The point is that He judges His Church first, and there are many times in my life that I too deserve His judgment, although this judgment is of a different type because I am one of His children.

 

The Word of God has brought conviction and challenge to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust the Lord that His judgments are pure and righteous altogether.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His strength.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

God's Perfect Timing (Rev. 6:11)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/12/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                          Focus:  God’s Timing

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Revelations 6:11

 

            Message of the verse:  “And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”  (NAS95) 

            It may seem from this verse that patience has to be exercised in heaven too.  This verse also speaks of these martyred believers receiving a white robe, which speaks of righteousness, and also means that they have a body in order to put this robe on.  The last part of this verse shows, like many other places in the Bible, that God has a plan and nothing will be able to stop this plan, and part of that plan is that there will be a number of believers who will die for the cause of Jesus Christ, and when that final number is complete then God’s plan will be complete and His wrath will be satisfied, and justice will be served by Him.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am thankful that God is on His throne, and that He is in complete control, and nothing ever surprises Him. It is a privilege to serve Him while upon this earth and it will be a privilege to serve Him when I get to heaven.

 

The Word of God was challenging to my heart as I read it this morning. 

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I trust the Lord to get me through the events of today without having to big of a problem with my IBS.  He says to be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto Him and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

  

Being Patience (Rev. 6:10)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/11/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  Being Patience

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Revelations 6:10

 

            Message of the verse:  “and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’”

            I am sure that this verse has given problems to many people throughout the ages as they have read it because some perhaps cannot understand why these martyred saints are calling for their own blood to be avenged.  As believers on this earth we are told to pray for those who are our enemies, and both Jesus Christ and Stephen have done this just before they died, but these believers are now in heaven and they, along with I suppose martyrs throughout the Church age, have been asking when will God avenge their deaths and when will God’s justice be given upon this earth to all those who have rejected Him.  It is in God’s character to judge sin because justice is part of His attributes.

There are many of the Psalms which cry out this same cry, and one day soon God will answer all of these prayers.

 

Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This verse teaches me that indeed God is in control, and God has a time table for all of these events to happen, and no one will be able to stop that from happening.  In the same way God is in control of everything that comes into my life, and part of the reason that troubles, such as our investment problems are allowed to come into our lives is to teach us patience. 

 

The Word of God has been a challenge to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust the Lord to move in a new way in the life of Andrew so that he will return our money soon, (in God’s perfect timing).

 

Memory verses for the week:  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to sand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Slain For the Cause of Christ (Rev. 6:9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/10/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Slain for the cause of Christ

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Revelations 6:9

 

            Message of the verse:  “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;” 

            As the fifth seal is broken it tells of those who have given up their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ, and they are now in heaven and are underneath the altar.  Dr. Wiersbe points out that this is the place where the blood of the OT sacrifices was poured out when an animal was sacrificed.  To OT teaches that the life is in the blood, and thus when the blood was poured out it was reprehensive of the animal. 

            These martyrs would rather die for the Truth than to give in and live one earth for a lie, and thus because of their testimony they were slain.  I am sure that these verses give a hope to all of those who have ever given up their lives for the testimony of Jesus Christ and for the Word of God.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I have heard it said that if being a Christian were not legal in this country would there be enough evidence for a conviction, and I hope that would be true in my life.

 

The Word of God has been convicting to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord to begin to move in a way where His name will be lifted up over what is going on with the situation with our investments through Andrew Lech.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  

Fourth Seal "Death and Hades" Man's Two Enemies (Rev. 6:7-8)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/09/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  Death & Hades

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Revelations 6: 7-8

 

            Message of the verse:  “7  When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come.’  8  I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.”

            This is the forth horse and rider that have been identified and it seems interesting that the four living beings have been the ones to tell these riders to come and to do what they are told to do upon the earth.

            Death and Hades are spoken of in verse 8 and they are two enemies of mankind and it is Jesus Christ who had come to conquer both of these enemies, yet there are many who do not believe this and have rejected it forever and the result of this will be when they die they will not be in the presence of the Lord.  Revelations 1:18 shows that Jesus Christ has the keys to both death and Hades:  “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”  (Rev. 1:17b-18).  In the last part of this book both will be cast into hell.  Rev. 20:14 “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

            The last part of verse eight tells how death and Hades will accomplish their task and that is by killing one-fourth of the population upon the earth with the sword and with famine and pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This is a sobering message from verse eight, and it will really happen in the future, yet it has already happened on a smaller version throughout history, and is even happening today in places like the Sudan and in the middle-east.  I believe that one of the major themes that flow through the book of Revelations is that God is upon His throne in heaven and therefore He is the One who is in charge, and that gives comfort to those who know Him and especially those who are going through a hard time.

 

The Word of God has been challenging to my heart as I have read it this morning. 

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to always remember that God is upon His throne and is therefore in control of all things.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Ephesians 6: 10-12

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Seal Judgment Three "World Wide Famine" (Rev. 6:5-6)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/06/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                              Focus:  Famine

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Revelations 6:5-6

 

            Message of the verse:  “5 When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, ‘Come.’ I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.  6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.’”

            The Lord Jesus Christ breaks the third seal and then the third living creature yells out the word “come,” and this seems to me that he is calling out for this judgment to begin upon the earth.  This judgment is famine, for the verse says that it will take a whole days wage to buy enough food for one person to live on.  The wheat is the superior grain and you can get one quart for a day’s wage, but the barley is the less superior grain so you can get three quarts for a day’s wage.  I am not sure exactly what the phrase “and do not damage the oil and the wine” means, but this could be something that only the rich people have and the poor are told not to harm it.  At this point the Antichrist will have more control over the people because of this food shortage.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I look at the events that are described in this verse that will take place in the future it causes me to give thanks for the things that I have been entrusted with while I am alive at this time in history.  Even though we have had a setback with our investments, the Lord has continually blessed us with very many material things and I am indeed thankful to the Lord for His great provisions for my family and myself.

 

The Word of God was convicting to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I have many things that I need to continue to trust the Lord for each and every day at this time of my life, things like my health, (both Spiritual and physical), our investment with Andrew Lech, the money Tim owes us, and also a new job that only the Lord can provide.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Ephesians 6:10, 11

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the Devil.

           

Seal Two "War" (Rev. 6:3-4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/05/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                                          Focus:  War

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                Reference:  Revelations 6:3-4

 

            Message of the verse:  “3 When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come."  4  And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

            I believe that this verse pictures the Antichrist taking away the peace that he has promised to give to the world.  It is possible that this red horse he now rides represents the bloodshed that will come upon the face of the whole world.  It seems that once these judgments begin that there will be no safe place upon planet earth, however as always the Lord is in control of all things.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  War is never something that will bring pleasure to those who are involved in it, and there is a war that goes on within my soul each and every day, and that is the war between doing right or flailing and doing what is wrong.  There are too many times when I give in to the temptation in my mind.

 

The Word of God was both challenging and convicting to my heart as I read it this morning. 

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord to see me through all of the things that are going on in my life that on the surface seem not good.

Seal Number One: Antichrist (Rev. 6:1-2)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/04/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                                    Focus:  Antichrist

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                    Reference:  Revelations 6:1-2

 

            Message of the verse:  “1 Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come."  2  I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

            In this chapter Jesus Christ will begin to open the scroll that He has in His hand, and this scroll describes the wrath of God and when the things in this scroll are worked out on the earth, the wrath of Almighty God will be complete.  There are seven seals on the scroll and after the first seal is broken the four living beings said with a loud voice, “Come.”  I think this means that this part of the judgment of God should come, and this first seal is a description of the Antichrist who is seen on a white horse and he has a bow in his hand, but there are no arrows for the bow so it seems he does his conquering through means of peace.  Some think the rider on the horse is Jesus Christ, but there are reasons as to why this is not so, and one of them is that as you compare the description of Jesus Christ in Revelations 19, where the rider on that white horse is identified as Jesus Christ, and the crown on the Lord’s head is a different Greek word for crown.

            There are many verses in the Scriptures that speak of Antichrist and one of them is in Daniel’s book where he is identified as a prince.  (Daniel 9:26-27)  This Antichrist will come upon the scene and will become popular all over the world in a very short time and the Jews will think of him as their protector, but in fact he will be their persecutor in a very short time.  He will sign a peace treat to protect Israel for seven years, and this will be the beginning of the period in the Bible know as the “Tribulation.”  Jesus Christ, while He was upon the earth spoke of these events in what is called the Olivet Discourse, which is found in Matthew 24, and many of the events in this  run parallel with the events in Revelations.  Once such passage is from the 5^th verse in Matthew 24, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. “  I hope to look at more of these parallels in some of the proceeding verses.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Satan is active in the things that are going on even now, but the Lord Jesus Christ has already judged Satan and his outcome is sure, for he will be thrown into the lake of fire for all of eternity.  In the mean time I need to seek the Lord for protection from this great enemy by doing the things that He has written in His Book, like the passage in Ephesians 6 starting with verse 10.

 

The Word of God has been a challenge to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to trust the Lord to get me back upon my feet, and to trust Him with every aspect of my life, and give to Him the glory and the honor He is due. 

 

 

Memory verse for the week:  Eph. 6: 10-11

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the Devil. 

 

 

More Worship for Christ our Redeemer (Rev. 5:13-14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/02/2005

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  More Worship to Christ the Redeemer

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Revelations 5:13-14

 

            Message of the verse:  “And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.’  And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.” 

            Verse 13 shows that every created thing is now worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of those who have accepted His work on the cross for them.  In verse 14 the four living creatures continue to say “Amen.”  And then all of the elders fell down to worship the Lord Jesus Christ who has the scroll in His hand.  Without Him opening this scroll the plan of God would not be finished.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Again I must be reminded that the One who is being worshiped in this passage is Jesus Christ the Redeemer, who sits on a throne beside God the Father, and deserves all worship because of who He is, because of where He is, because of what He does, and because of what He has.  He has been lifted up to the place where He was before coming to earth to become a man and to die on the cross for my sins, and this is what I must remember in order to worship Him properly. 

 

The Word of God has been a challenge to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord to work out the things that have become a big problem for me and my wife in these last few years, months, and weeks. 

 

Memory verse for the week:  (Eph. 6: 10-12)

 

10.  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His strength.  11.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

           

 

Because of what He Has (Rev. 5:11-12)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/29/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus: Because of what He Has

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Revelations 5:11-12

 

            Message of the verse:  “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’”  (NAS95)  “Then I looked again, and I heard the singing of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: ‘The Lamb is worthy—the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.’”

            In verse eleven John tells of an amount of angels that he cannot number along with the living beings, and the twenty-four elders who were all around the throne of God and the Lamb, and in verse twelve he tells what they say.  The songs begins with worship as they say “worthy is the Lamb” and the reason they say He is worthy is because that He was slain, and He was slain for all of those who belong to Him now.  The next part of the song speaks of what the Lamb has received, and that is power, for He is all powerful, and riches, for He owns everything, and wisdom, for He is the wisdom of God, and might, for He is the mightiest of all, and honor, for He deserves all honor, and for glory, for He deserves all glory, and finally for blessings, for He is the most blessed of all.

            Dr. Wiersbe points out in his book on Revelations that none of these things that Jesus is worthy of were His while He was on the earth, for men did not know to whom they were speaking to or dealing with, but now those who are around the throne surely know who it is that they are giving their worship to.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The novels that I have been reading that take place when Christ was upon the earth give me a different prospective about how it was when Jesus Christ became a man and walked among sinful men who had no idea to whom the were with.  These novels show that Christ did not receive all of the things that were in this song while He was upon the earth, and He did all of that for me because He loved me so much, and also because He was being obedient to His Father.  He surely deserves all of my worship each and every day.

 

The Word of God was very special to me as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord to work out whatever it is that He is working out in our lives, and trust Him that it will be for His glory and for our good. 

 

Memory verse for the week:  Eph. 6:10, 11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His strength.  Put on the full armor of God, so you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Worthy is the Lamb who was Slain (Rev. 5:9-10)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/28/2005

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Worthy is the Lamb who was Slain

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Revelations 5:9-10

 

            Message of the verses:  “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.’”

            These two verses continue the worship service that is going on in heaven, and the way that it is continued is by song, and the song is about the Lord Jesus Christ who is worthy of all worship and praise.  The song starts out as a worship song, for the first words are “Worthy are you to take up the book and to break its seals.”  The song goes on to be a gospel song for it next talks about the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.  Next it is a missionary song for it goes on to says that Jesus died “to purchase for God men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”  The next part of the song is a devotional song because it speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ making a kingdom of those who were save “to be a kingdom and priests to our God.”  Lastly it is a prophetic song for it tells about the believers one day reigning with God upon the earth, speaking of the 1000 year reign of Christ upon the earth.  There are a lot of things packed into this song.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Last night at church I heard a devotional on Psalm 148 which speaks of praising the Lord, and now these two verses speak so very well about praise and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ who reigns in heaven and is deserving of all praise, honor and worship.  I must do a better job at this.

 

The Word of God has brought conviction to my heart and also a challenge as I read and studied it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust the Lord to continue to work in my life through these very rough times that we are going through as husband and wife.  He has promised that “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

Memory verses for the week:  Eph. 6:10, 11 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His strength.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

A Heavenly Worship Service (Rev. 5:7-8)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/25/2005

 

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  A Heavenly Worship Service

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Revelations 5:7-8

 

            Message of the verse:  “And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.  When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”  (NAS95)  “He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.  And as he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense—the prayers of God’s people!”  (NLT)

            The Lamb who is the Lord Jesus Christ went and took the scroll from the One who was sitting on the throne, who is God the Father.  The scroll was in the right hand of God the Father, and I believe that can speak of His power.  After He took the book it seems that John then stopped his weeping for he could see that there was Someone who had the power to open this scroll.  After the Lamb took the book the four living beings and also the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, and this certainly is worship, and not only were they worshiping the Lamb, but they held in their hand a golden bowl that was full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  Worship and prayer certainly do go together as seen in this scene.  There was also music involved in this worship service for the twenty-four elders also had harps in their hands.  So as we again look at this scene we see God the Father, God the Son, the four living beings, and the twenty-four elders along with John.  The prayers of God’s people who are on earth are also represented at this worship service.

            I think that it is important to look at Daniel 7:13 &14 at this point, for it has some bearing on this scene in heaven:  “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.  And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.”

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I think that the one thing that stuck out in my mind was that prayer and praise go together as seen in this passage.  There are times when it is hard to praise the Lord, as all I want to do is let Him know of my needs and therefore I forget to praise Him.

 

The Word of God has been a challenge to my heart as I read and studied it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  There is a lot on my plate at this time in my life that I know that God really knows all about and I believe that He will never leave me nor forsake me as He has promised, yet there are times when I find it very difficult to handle all of these things that are facing me, forgetting that God is the One and only One who will handle all of these problems.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Eph. 6:10 & 11 Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the Devil.

We Worship Christ for who He is and Where He Is (Rev. 5:6)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/22/2005

 

My Worship Time                       Focus:  We worship Christ for who He is & where He is

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Revelations 5:6

 

            Message of the verse:  “And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”  (NAS95) “I looked and I saw a Lamb that had been killed but was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that are sent out into every part of the earth.”  (NIV)

            Chapter five has a lot to do with the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is now in heaven and He is ruling the affairs of the Church from His throne in heaven.  In verse 6 Jesus Christ is seen as a lamb, where in verse five He was seen as a lion, yet this lamb has seven horns on His head and seven eyes in his head, and these represent the seven Spirits of God.  In the Bible seven is the number of perfection so this Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, has perfect power, (7 horns), perfect wisdom, (7 eyes), and perfect presence, (the seven Spirits of God).  This shows that Jesus Christ is truly God and because of that He deserves worship because of who He is. 

            He also deserves worship because of where He is, and that is in heaven, and this verse tells where He is at in heaven and that was between the throne and the four living beings.  So Christ was in the midst of all that was going on because of who He is and thus He deserves worship.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  These are two wonderful reasons to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, for who He is and for where He is at this time.  Jesus Christ is not the babe in the manger nor is He hanging on a cross, but He is the resurrected Lord who came down from heaven to become a man and to suffer and die for my sins so that I can have a relationship with God through His shed blood.  He came down from heaven and now He has returned to heaven so that is something that I need to remember as I worship Him every day.

 

The Word of God was a challenge to my heart as I read and studied it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To trust the Lord to get me through picking up Bruce and Jeff without any problems with my bowels.  To also trust the Lord to see us through this Bible study and to pray about things that we should be praying about.  I would also pray that God would keep this group together as long as He desires us to be together.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and yet it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Jesus Christ is Worthy to open the Scroll (Rev. 5:5)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/21/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                 Focus:  Christ is Worthy

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                          Reference:  Revelations 5:5

 

            Message of the verse:  “Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’”  (NIV)

            This has proved to me a most interesting verse as I studied it.  First of all it is one of the twenty-four elders who speaks to John and gives him the answer that he is looking for, and that is that the Lion of the tribe of Judah who is the Root of David is worthy of opening the scroll.  He, of course is speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ who not only came from the tribe of Judah from the line of David, (His humanity), but He is the One who established the line of David, so that He could come from it as King,  (His Deity).  Jesus Christ is the only living King who has the right to sit on David’s throne.  Jesus asked the Pharisees and question in Mathew 22: 42 “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?" They said to Him, "The son of David."  43 He said to them, "Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44 ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET"’?  45 “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?"  (Matthew 22:42-25)  This section of Scripture fits in with Rev. 5:5.  As far as Jesus being Lion from the tribe of Judah, this can be traced back to Genesis 49:9-10 where Jacob is giving his blessings to His children and this is how he puts it: “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you.   "Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?  "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”  In this passage Jacob speaks of a lion, and he also said that the scepter would not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes, which is a name for the Messiah.  Jesus Christ fulfilled these rolls, and truly is the Messiah.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am amazed how God has put all of the words in Scripture to mean just exactly what He was talking about, making the points and describing, at times, some of the mysteries that He has for His children.  Each word in the Scriptures is meaningful. 

 

The Word of God was refreshing to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord for answers to the problems that are facing me at this time in my life.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Who Will Open the Scroll? (Acts 5:3-4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04/20/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Who will open the scroll?

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                              Reference:  Revelations 5:3-4

 

            Message of the verse:  “3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.”  (ESV)  “3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.  4 Then I wept because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and read it.”  (NLT)

            John seems to cry out that there was a search that went on to look for someone who had the authority to open the scroll and to read or look into it.  As John begins to pen the 4^th verse he begins to cry and to weep because there has been no one found who was worthy to open and to read this scroll.  It is possible that John knew the worth of this scroll and that it had to do with God’s redemption plan, and that it could not be complete without the opening of this scroll.  I believe that as you read through the Scriptures that you can see that God has a lot of patience, however when His cup of patience is full with a certain thing then He has to act, and as the last part of this scroll is read that has to do with the vial, or bowl judgments the Scriptures says that the wrath of God is now complete and so now a short time after that the Lord Jesus will return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to set up His Kingdom for as God said in Psalm 2:  “6  "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain."  7 ¶ “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.  8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” 

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This passage makes me think of the fear of the Lord and also that the Lord will one day bring His wrath upon this earths people just as He has said in His Word, and so I am to tell those who the Lord has brought into my life this truth in a gentle and kind way and then allow the Holy Spirit to begin a work in their lives.  This seven sealed scroll could be the most important scroll that has ever been written.

 

The Word of God has brought conviction to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to trust the Lord as He guides me through the storm that He has sent me in.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Gal. 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.