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.
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