Revelation 18:1-3

Revelation 18:1-3

After this I saw another angel who comes down out of heaven who has great authority, and the earth was being illuminated out of his glory.  And he cried out in a strong voice, “Babylon the great fell!  She fell!  And she became a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and of every unclean beast also having been abhorred.  Since all the nations have drank out of the wine of her strong passions of fornication, the kings of the earth fornicated with her, and the sea-faring merchants of the earth became rich out of her wanton power.” 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We open today with what is typically referred to as a doom song.  Doom songs are quite common in prophetic and apocalyptic literature.  For people who are focused entirely on grace, they seem out of place.  It is quite easy to find ourselves falling into the trap of asking, “What place is there in Christianity for celebrating the fall and judgment of the enemy?”  However, doom songs play an important role in identifying with the victim – or even more importantly, giving the victim a place with which they identify!  No, there is no grace extended to the woman (Babylon) as she falls into judgment.  But John isn’t writing to Babylon, is he?  John is writing to the people who are being persecuted for their faith.  John is writing to the people whose lives are being torn apart and whose loved ones are dying because they believe in God.  When those people hear the celebration of the fall of Babylon, they will know that they can identify with God.  They will feel welcome in God, as though they have a place to belong forever.  It isn’t about forcing grace upon the one who seeks to refuse it!  It is about extending hope to the one who is willing to embrace it.

Where has grace been extended to you in your time of persecution?  Do you ever feel in conflict as you celebrate inside knowing that a person got their due?  In what way can this be righteous?  In what way can this lead to sin if we are not careful?

Second Thought:

If we take this thought even further to its limit, realize what this doom song is about.  This doom song is about the celebration of the fall of the unclean things.  This doom song is about the fall of people who refused God.  It is about the fall of human sinfulness.  It is about the conquest of those who oppose God.  In its heart, this song is about the victory that God will ultimately have over His fallen creation.  This song is not about an all-inclusive open love.  This song is about warfare and bitter struggle and taking sides and knowing that God’s side will come out to be the victor.  This song is about knowing that life is a constant fight against the temptations of our heart.  But this song is about the fact that this fight is very much worth it.

Where do you live out this fight?  Have you ever celebrated in your victory over sin and human rebellion?  How quick are you to give glory to God at those moments?

Third Thought:

There is a very hidden point that I think is quite important to not overlook.  We are not told about the identity of the angel who delivers this doom song.  But I think the identity is there for those who care to look for it.  This message is delivered by a messenger of God who comes down from heaven with great authority.  This messenger is said to illuminate all of the earth.  In other words, doesn’t it sound like John is calling this messenger the light of the world?  The identity is hidden, but I believe there are enough clues for us to take a pretty good guess that this doom song is delivered to us by none other than Jesus Christ Himself.  It is Jesus who celebrates His victory over sin and those who chose sin.  It is Jesus who celebrates the fall of the woman (Babylon).  And why shouldn’t He?  Didn’t Jesus come to earth to conquer death by dying on the cross?  Why shouldn’t he celebrate the final completion of that victory?

Are you surprised to think that the identity of this messenger may be none other than Jesus Christ?  What does it say to you to realize that Jesus celebrates His victories over those who genuinely oppose Him?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 18:4-8

Revelation 17:7-18

Revelation 17:7-18

And the angel said to me, “For what reason did you wonder?  I will speak to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast – the one that carries her, the one that has seven heads and ten horns.  The beast that you saw was, is not, and will be about to go up out of the Abyss and depart into destruction.  And the ones who inhabit the earth – of whom the name has not been written upon the book of life from the foundation of the world – will wonder while seeing the beast that was, and is not, and will become.  Here is the understanding that as wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains, where the woman sits upon them.  And they are seven kings.  The five fell, the one is, the other did not yet come.  And whenever he should come it is necessary for him to remain for a little while.  And the beast that was and is not, he is also an eighth king and he is out of the seven.  And he departs into destruction.  And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings, who did not yet receive a kingdom.  But they receive authority as a king for one hour with the beast.  These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast.  These will battle with the lamb and the lamb will conquer them since he is Lord of lords and King of kings.  And the one with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”  And he says to me, “The waters that you saw where the prostitute sits are people, crowds, nations, and tongues.  And the ten horns and the beast that you saw, these will hate the prostitute.  And having been lain to waste, they will make her naked, they will eat her flesh, and they will burn her up in fire.  For God gave into their hearts to do the mind of Him and to do in one mind and to give their kingdom to the beast until the Word of God will be completed.  And the woman whom you saw is the great city – the one that has a kingdom upon the kings of the earth.

Thoughts for Today

Admittedly, we have a very large reading for today.  The good news, though, this that most of it is information that we already covered yesterday as we talked about this passage.  I’ll try not to repeat myself.

First Thought:

The main focus of this passage is the beast.  From an historical perspective, the beast sure sounds like Rome.  All throughout this blog I’ve commented about John’s desire to paint Rome in a negative spiritual light.  As we listen to this description, we hear more of this rhetoric.  One of Rome’s historical claim to fame was that it was built on seven mountains.  We’ve already talked about the number of kings and the matching of the heads to the emperors.  What’s new for today?  Notice that the beast was, is not, and will be.  That kind of sounds like the description of Jesus as He lived, died, and was raised into new life!  No, I’m not trying to equate the beast to Jesus.  What I am trying to do is point out that the powers of evil mimic the powers of good, the powers of God.  Evil is a force of deception.  Evil tricks you, making you think that you are doing the right thing without seeing that you are wrong.  Evil deceives, causing you to not realize the wrong that you are doing.  Evil also mystifies.  Do you see how the angel is specific in saying that the world – those who do not have the name of God written upon their forehead – will be amazed by the beast?  Evil often lures us in, tempting us to choose our passion over our logic.

How does evil influence you in your life?  Where does evil try to deceive you?

Second Thought:

I also find it interesting that the beasts will devour the woman and utterly destroy her.  Many people explain this away as a prediction that Rome will be devoured internally, as most major civilizations are when their internal politics, nepotism, and greed cause collapse.  While there is no denying this, I think that there is a bit of a deeper message.  Considering that the woman represents our sinful lust for the passions of our heart, I think John is trying to remind us that it is sin that is our undoing.  Our sinful desires are not something to be loved, coddled, hidden, or protected.  Our sin will cause our life to be devoured.  Our sin will cause our life to be destroyed.  Our sinfulness should be resisted at every turn because of what it can and will do to our life.

Where are you resisting sin within you?  When in your life has your sinfulness devoured you?

Third Thought:

Finally, we hear that the beast and those who worship him will wage war against the lamb.  What is really telling to me, though, is how little space John devotes to this idea.  He simply says that the lamb will win because He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings.  There isn’t a great big explanation.  There isn’t a need to go into detail about how the lamb will win.  He will win.  That’s all we need to know.  We can be sure of that more than anything else in this chapter.

Do you live remembering that the lamb will be victorious?  How is this evident in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 18:1-3

Revelation 17:4-6

Revelation 17:4-6

And the woman was having been clothed in purple and scarlet, having been gilded in gold, precious stones, and pearls, and while having a golden cup in her hand which was full of abominable things and the unclean things of her fornication.  And upon her forehead was a name having been written.  Mystery: “Babylon the Great, the mother of all the prostitutes and the abominable things of the earth.”  And I saw the woman while getting intoxicated out of the blood of the holy ones and out of the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.  And after seeing her I wondered with great marvel.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Let’s look even more closely at the woman.  Today we see that she is clothed in purple and scarlet.  Purple is the color of royalty.  Scarlet is the color of blood, which evokes images of sacrifice.  She also is wearing all kinds of precious materials.  The gemstones are a representation of wealth.  The woman is dressed in such a way as to demonstrate her full representation of sin, that which pulls us away from God.  This is the idea that I was dancing around yesterday, saving it for today.  The woman truly is a symbolic representation of sin.  She is our rebellion against God.  She is the power, authority, and seductiveness we seek.  She is the goal of our human appetite, ambition, and approval.  In her hand is a cup full of sinful rebellion, of which we love nothing more than to drink.  When we are not careful, we are seduced away from God by her offerings of power, wealth, status, and the things that go with them.

What trappings are you seduced by the most often?  Are you surprised to see that God causes John to symbolize human sinfulness by a female prostitute?  Why or why not?

Second Thought:

There was a name written upon her forehead.  In Roman culture, having a name written upon one’s forehead was a symbol of ownership or possession.  Specifically, with women, having a name written upon the forehead was usually a symbol of prostitution.  John is doing two things here.  First, and most obviously, John is making sure that we know that this woman is undesirable to us in spite of the fact that she looks to be a person with much to offer.  She is shrouded in wealth and power and prestige, many things that we desire.  John wants to make sure we are not fooled.  However, I think there is a secondary, and probably more important, distinction being made here.  God’s people have His name written upon their foreheads.  This woman has another name written upon her forehead.  John wants to draw a sharp and undeniable distinction between this woman, with those who follower her, and God’s people.

What name is upon your forehead?  How do you know?  How can you be confident that you are truly one of God’s people and not pursuing the trappings of the world?

Third Thought:

Finally, notice upon what the woman is in the act of getting drunk.  She is being intoxicated upon the blood of the holy people who follow Christ.  It is one thing to try and pull people away from God’s ways.  Human rebellion is what it is; we’ll never get rid of it until God gives us new life after death.  However, what we learn here is that sin spreads itself at the sacrifice of the righteous.  If you think about it, this makes sense.  If you are doing something that someone around you condemns, don’t you desire to get rid of such people?  This is the true nature of sin.  This is why human beings often have to go out to sow their wild oats.  When we are intoxicated in sin, we don’t want righteous people around making us feel guilty!  When society takes the pursuit of human sinfulness too seriously, the followers of God do find themselves persecuted.

What kinds of persecutions do you face as the people around you pursue their sinful desires?  What kind of persecution have you not had to face? 

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 17:7-18

Revelation 17:1-3

Revelation 17:1-3

And one out of the seven angels – the ones who have seven bowls – came and called out with me while saying, “Come here!  I will permit you to see the judgment of the great prostitute, the one who sits upon many waters with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication and the ones who inhabit the earth were being intoxicated out of the wine of her fornication.  And he carried me into a wilderness in the spirit.  And I saw a woman who sat upon a crimson beast, while being full of blasphemous names and having seven heads and ten horns.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Let’s set the context of this vision, which appears to be connected to the prior visions but separate from them at the same time.  Notice that the angel who comes out to get John carries him into the wilderness.  Remember the Gospel accounts.  Where was John the Baptizer to be found teaching?  In the wilderness!  Where did Jesus teach and pray to God most of the time?  In the wilderness.  The wilderness is often thought of by the world as an undesirable place of nothing.  However, in the Bible the wilderness is a place where human beings often go to find God because it removes them from the distractions of human civilization.  In other words, if we want to find God, it makes sense that we move ourselves to a place where the distractions of the world don’t get in our way.  I believe this same message is true here with John.  As God turns John from seeing visions based upon the past into visions of judgment and even eternal life, God pulls John into the wilderness.

Where do you go to find God?  Do you find that the trappings of life and the presence of other human people provide distractions to you being able to commune with God?  Do human beings ever help you get closer to God?  How do we find balance between these concepts?

Second Thought:

The woman in the vision is not to be confused with the woman that we saw in an earlier vision with the dragon.  In that vision, the woman was pursued by the dragon.  In this vision, the woman sits atop the beast.  We spoke about it earlier and we’ll talk more tomorrow, but this beast likely represents Rome.  When we add to it that this woman sits atop the waters – and later in this chapter we’ll realize that the waters represent a multitude of people in the world – it makes sense to furthermore identify this woman and her beast as belonging to Rome.  When John was writing this, Rome was considered as being the nation that had conquered the known world.  This point will become even more important tomorrow, but for today it is enough to associate this woman with the part of human civilization that it built upon its own strength while denying the power of God.

Why do human beings tend to rely less upon God the more they identify with the human society around them?  What parts of human society are beneficial to living and a part of God’s design?  What parts of human society help to take us away from God and allow us to put our trust in our human wisdom and strength?

Third Thought:

The woman is said to have committed fornication with the kings of the earth around her.  This section also tells us that the kings of the earth were intoxicated with her.  Clearly this is the language of analogy and comparison.  What is John trying to tell us?  This woman represents the parts of human society that intoxicate.  She represents the parts of human society that consume us and cause us to live out of our passion more than our logic and rational thought.  She represents the parts of society that cause us to believe more in ourselves and less in God.  This woman could represent a number of things, probably a different thing for each person.  She could be money, power, material possessions, slothful lifestyle, gluttony, personal achievements, technology, etc.  Each of those things, and many others that I did not list, can draw us away from God and intoxicate us with possession of them.

What are the things in your life that can intoxicate you and cause you to forget about God?  Why might John classify these things as fornication, as he does in verse 2?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 17:4-6

Revelation 16:17-21

Revelation 16:17-21

And the seventh one poured his bowl upon the air and a great voice went out of the temple from the throne while saying, “It is finished.”  And lightning, a voice, thunder, and a great earthquake became – the sort of which did not become from when mankind has become upon the earth.  So great was the earthquake in this great manner.  And the great city became into three parts and the cities of the nations fell.  And Babylon the Great was being remembered in God’s presence to give to it the cup of the wine of the strong passions of His anger.  And every island fled and mountains could not be found.  And great hail – weighing as a talent – comes down out of heaven upon mankind.  And mankind blasphemed God out of the plague of hail since its plague is exceedingly great.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As the seventh bowl is poured out, we get a story that parallels the death of Christ.  Remember, John was at the cross.  He – and likely the other disciples as well – saw what happened first hand.  At Jesus’ death, an earthquake occurred as the temple curtain was torn.  Jesus Himself spoke the words, “It is finished,” just before dying.  In this passage, the last bowl of wrath is poured out.  Once more it is finished.  Once more an earthquake marks the event.  God is consistent.  At Christ’s death, mankind found salvation.  When it was finished, there was an earthquake.  Here in this passage, mankind finds judgment.  It is also finished and unavoidable.  There is an earthquake to mark the time.

Have you ever noticed the symmetry between the events surrounding the salvation of mankind and the judgment of mankind?  What does this symmetry tell you about God and His ways?

Second Thought:

As God comes in judgment, the creation gives witness to the inescapable nature of judgment.  Earthquakes tear down the glory of mankind, our progress.  Islands flee away into the sea, likely being swallowed up by the water as the violent earthquakes happen.  Incredible hail strikes down from the heavens, damaging everything in its path. Creation knows what is coming, it testifies to its greatness and its ferocity.

What do you think it will be like to live in this time?  Do you think most human beings even have a frame of reference for what will occur?  Why do you think God has this time of judgment framed by such dramatic events?

Third Thought:

Finally, we see humanity’s reaction.  Humanity curses God.  Humanity doesn’t repent.  We aren’t humble.  We don’t know when we are beaten.  We look up and curse because we are powerless to do anything else.  I find this to be a sad, but reasonable, commentary upon humanity.  So often when we are beaten we don’t think about acknowledging that we are the lesser party.  We usually get mad at the victor and go off to pout or plan revenge.  Repentance is not a natural part off our human make-up.  Repentance is something God gives us power to do, but only f we are willing to respond to His calling.

How easily do you repent?  When are you able to repent the best?  Are there any circumstances in which you do not repent easily?  Why?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 17:1-6

Revelation 16:13-16

Revelation 16:13-16

And I saw three unclean spirits as frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  For they are spirits of demons while making signs.  These go out upon the kings upon the kings of the whole world together them into the battle of the great day of God the Almighty.  “Look!  I come as a thief.  Blessed is the one who keeps watch and who keeps their garments, in order that he should not walk around in nakedness and they should see his indecency.”  And he gathered them into the place – the one which is called Har-Meggidon in Hebrew.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today we meet the three frogs.  These frogs are evil spirits coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.  Once more, John is playing off of his historical knowledge to set the context of this passage.  Frogs have always been seen as a sign of evil or the occult.  In Egypt, the frogs came out of the Nile during the Exodus story.  Throughout the history of the middle east, frogs were often seen as pets of those who could do magic.  We know that frogs are continually croaking, and even in the ancient world they were often a symbol for someone who was always talking but never said anything important.  What is John telling his audience?  The world – the great powers of the world – often has much to say, but it is usually of little importance.  When these frogs come out of the dragon, the beast, and the prophet we know that they are not to be trusted.

What has the world claimed to be important in your life but it is not?  How oes this become a deceptive or misleading voice?

Second Thought:

We don’t really know the identity of the false prophet as it is mentioned in this passage.  The best we can offer is that the false prophet is the second beast mentioned earlier when the first beast was brought to our attention.  What we can say for certain is that a prophet is one who brings God’s message to His contemporaries.  A false prophet, then, would be one who brings a message to the people that is not from God.  Whoever or whatever this false prophet is, we can be certain that their primary task is to lead people away from God.  They will fill the minds of the people with messages that hinder people from being able to hear the truth of God.

What messages in your life hinder your ability to hear God’s truth?  How do you fight such messages?  How do you even recognize such messages?

Third Thought:

We can see the effects of the false prophet as we close this passage.  The evil spirits go out into the world to bring the world against God in war.  It’s not enough to prevent people from hearing God, these evil spirits seek direct confrontation between God and the world.  This shows the source of their power.  Remember, Satan desires to disrupt our relationship with God.  He isn’t collecting followers for himself; He is looking to break our relationship with our creator.  This is exactly what is happening in this passage.  God’s relationship with humanity – the humanity that denies Him and His Son - is ultimately broken beyond repair as they come in aggression against God.

Do you see open aggression against God is the people around you?  Do you see open aggression against God on a global scale?  What do you typically do when you encounter aggression against God and His ways?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 16:17-21

Revelation 16:8-12

Revelation 16:8-12

And the fourth one poured out his bowl upon the sun and it was given power to scorch mankind in fire.  And mankind was scorched with a great burning heat and they blasphemed the name of God who has the authority upon these plagues.  And they did not repent to give glory to Him.  And the fifth one poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast and his kingdom became as having been shrouded in darkness.  They chewed their tongues out of anguish.  And they blasphemed the God of heaven out of their anguish and out of their wounds.  And they did not repent out of their works.  And the sixth one poured out his bowl upon the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up in order that the way of the kings from the direction of the rising sun should be prepared.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The fourth angel steps us and pours out his bowl.  The sun scorches the earth.  Remember that the water of the earth has just been affected.  Now a scorching heat comes.  God is sending a message.  Humanity cannot save itself.  We can protect ourselves in small areas, but in the big things we can do nothing.  We can’t keep the sun from affecting our planet.  We can’t create water from nothing.  But God is also sending another message.  When humanity’s chips are down, we sulk, pout, and get angry.  The people who are scorched are not humble or repentant.  They blaspheme God!  They aren’t interested in seeing their own failings or shortcomings!  They are interested in cursing God when things don’t go well for them.  We can learn from this.  Humbleness is difficult for human beings, but it is an incredibly important dynamic in our relationship with God.

Where are you humble?  Where are you likely to get angry when things don’t go your way?  How can you remember to be humble in your shortcomings and hen life turns against you?

Second Thought:

The fifth angel gives us much of the same story.  The bowl judgment comes forth and the people don’t repent.  The get even more hostile to God!  However, don’t overlook the irony of the fourth and fifth judgments.  In the fourth, the sun scorches people.  In the fifth, the sun is taken away completely.  What’s the point?  Human beings really just like to complain.  We aren’t happy when it is hot; we aren’t happy when it’s cold.  Living where I live, it is not unusual for me to experience chilly mornings and hot middays.  I can remember days going to work and complaining about how cold it is and then coming home in the afternoon and complaining about how hot it is!  Human beings just like to complain.  We grumble a lot.  God’s message to us is that we can be malcontent.  In our malcontent nature, we forget to be humble and repentant.

Are you ever malcontent?  How does this hinder your ability to be grateful to God?  How does this hinder your ability to give thanks at all times and in all things?  How does your malcontent nature impact your witness for Christ?

Third Thought:

As we turn to the sixth bowl, don’t miss the analogy to the Exodus story.  No, this bowl judgment doesn’t match up with one of the plagues.  Instead, it matches up with the parting of the Red Sea.  In the Exodus story, the Red Sea parts so that the way is made for God’s people to walk on dry land.  In the bowl judgments, the Euphrates dries up to prepare the way of the kings.  Deliverance from oppression came through the drying up of a great river.  Perhaps even more poignant, when the Persian people came to conquer Babylon and set free the Hebrew people, the city of Babylon was considered impenetrable because of its great walls.  To defeat this, the Persians diverted the great river Euphrates, drying up the riverbed.  Once the river was dry, the Persians had an easy entrance into Babylon!  Again we see that the deliverance of the Hebrew people from the oppression of the world comes when rivers dry up!  I believe John is sending a message of hope to his readers.  God is a God of redemption and deliverance.  Even in judgment, God does not forget that He is a person who saves, not destroys.

Are you surprised to find that one of the bowl judgments is actually about salvation?  What does this point say to you about the nature of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 16:13-16

Revelation 16:1-7

Revelation 16:1-7

And I heard a great voice out of the temple while saying to the seven angels, “Depart and pour out the seven bowls of God’s strong passion into the earth.”  And the first one departed and poured out his bowl into the Earth.  And a bad and evil wound became upon mankind, upon the ones who have the mark of the beast and the ones who bow down to worship his image.  And the second one poured out his bowl into the sea and it became blood as a dead person.  And every living thing – the things in the sea – died.  And the third one poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water and it became blood.  And I heard from the angel of the waters while saying, “You are righteous – the one who is and the one who was, the holy one – that you judged these.  That they poured out the blood of the holy ones and the prophets and you gave blood to them to drink; they are deserving.  And I heard of the altar while saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The first angel is told to come and pour out the bowl of God’s wrath.  The bowl is poured out those who follow the beast find themselves inflicted with a bad and evil wound.  The words used here are for ulcerous sores.  Again, notice that John is drawing upon his past.  Once more we return to the images of Exodus, where boils broke out upon the people.  However, notice that in this third set of judgments that the restrictions are lifted.  It isn’t a third of the people that are inflicted, it is all of the followers of the beast.  In the final set of judgments, God’s judgment is complete.  God is demonstrating His power and authority.  When He judges, all fall under His judgment.

Are you surprised to find so much parallel in the book of Revelation that reaches back into the past?  What might John be trying to say about the consistency of God’s character?

Second Thought:

The next two judgments carry the same theme as the first thought.  Water, ocean and fresh, is turned to blood.  Again, not the similarity to the Exodus story, where the Nile was turned to blood.  Again, notice the completeness of the judgment: all died.  God continues to be consistent.  God is capable of judging over humanity as well as His own creation.

Is it important to you to see God as consistent?  Why is this a characteristic that brings comfort to many human beings?

Third Thought:

We turn to the responses of the angels and those who are at the altar.  God is righteous in this judgment.  This is a difficult area for many modern human beings, Christians especially, to embrace.  How can we call a God that inflicts pain upon humans in the form of ulcerous sores be just?  How can a God who kills the living things in the water just?  The passage gives us part of the answer.  The world did the same thing to His Son.  God sent His Son to this earth; they killed Him.  God is righteous in His judgment.  Even more to the point, the entire world is fallen and corrupted by sin.  We all deserve judgment.  When God comes forth to judge, He is not being mean.  He is not being cruel.  God is coming forth and issuing what we deserve in our sin.  He is righteous.  It is only by His grace that we can escape His righteous judgment.

Is it hard for you to read passages of judgment like this?  How do passages like this color your perspective of a righteous God?  Do you understand why people might read passages like this and struggle with the righteousness of the Lord?  What can you say to people who are in that situation?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 16:8-12

Revelation 15:1-8

Revelation 15:1-8

And I saw another great and wonderful sign in heaven: seven angels having the seven last plagues, that the strong passion of God is finished in them.  And I saw a sea of glass having been mixed by fire and the ones who conquer out of the beast and out of his image and out of the number of his name, who have set upon the sea of glass, and who haves lyres of God.  And they sing the song of Moses – God’s slave – and the song of the lamb while saying, “Your works are great and wonderful, Lord God Almighty.  Your ways are righteous and true, King of the nations.  Who should surely not be afraid, Lord, and who will glorify you name?  Since you alone are holy, every nation will come and will bow down to worship in your presence for your righteous acts were made known.”  And after this I looked, and the temple – the tabernacle of the testimony – was opened in heaven.  And the seven angels went out of the temple, the ones who have the seven plagues, who have been clothed in clean shinning linen, and who have girded themselves with a golden belt around their chests.  And one out of the four living beings gave the seven angels seven golden bowls that are full of the strong passion of God, the one who lives into the eras of the eras.  And the temple was being filled with smoke out of the glory of God and out of his power.  And nobody was powerful enough to go into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When we read through this passage on day two and focus on the people of God, we are reminded of the scene in Revelation 4:6.  There is one quite noticeable difference, though.  In this recounting of the scene, the sea of glass is mixed with fire.  Fire is a sign of judgment.  The focus of Revelation is shifting from relationship with God to His judgment.  The focus is still on God; but it is on a different element of God’s character.  Earlier in this book we say God and His people and His calling to them.  Now we see the time for judgment is coming.  God still dwells among His people, but He dwells righteously.  Sin must be dealt with or righteousness does not happen.  Sin is either forgiven or it is condemned.

How do you feel as this book shifts its tone to that of judgment?  Do you feel any worry or concern?  Do you feel sorrow and sadness?  What other emotions does the time of judgment evoke within you?

Second Thought:

The followers of God who are in this passage are often thought of as the martyrs.  Notice that they are specifically spoken of in relationship to the beast and his kingdom.  It may not be that these people died literally – although that is certainly not an impossible situation, either.  It may be that these people sacrificed their desires in favor of God and His ways.  These people may be those who saw what the beast offered and chose God instead.  If this is the case, it goes back to a similar thought that we hear in Galatians 2:20. “For I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

In what way have you heard of martyrs who had quite literally died for the faith?  In what way has your humanity been sacrificed for God and His ways?

Third Thought:

We also come to the song of the martyrs.  Only the faithful can learn the song.  As I spoke a few days back, it is likely that this song can only be learned by those people who have truly experienced sacrifice for the sake of God.  Often times in life we can only know something when we have learned it, imitated it, and emulated it into our life to make it our own.  But you will also notice that in the song there are only words about God.  The focus is entirely upon God.  This should send two messages.  First of all, it should make sense that only those who are truly focused upon God can learn the song.  Second, it should remind us that the point of life is God.

What is the point of your life?  Is God truly the focus of your life?  Are you able to learn about God and focus upon Him?  Are you able to understand His ways and His word?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 16:1-7

Revelation 15:1-8

Revelation 15:1-8

And I saw another great and wonderful sign in heaven: seven angels having the seven last plagues, that the strong passion of God is finished in them.  And I saw a sea of glass having been mixed by fire and the ones who conquer out of the beast and out of his image and out of the number of his name, who have set upon the sea of glass, and who haves lyres of God.  And they sing the song of Moses – God’s slave – and the song of the lamb while saying, “Your works are great and wonderful, Lord God Almighty.  Your ways are righteous and true, King of the nations.  Who should surely not be afraid, Lord, and who will glorify you name?  Since you alone are holy, every nation will come and will bow down to worship in your presence for your righteous acts were made known.  And after this I looked, and the temple – the tabernacle of the testimony – was opened in heaven.  And the seven angels went out of the temple, the ones who have the seven plagues, who have been clothed in clean shinning linen, and who have girded themselves with a golden belt around their chests.  And one out of the four living beings gave the seven angels seven golden bowls that are full of the strong passion of God, the one who lives into the eras of the eras.  And the temple was being filled with smoke out of the glory of God and out of his power.  And nobody was powerful enough to go into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels should be finished.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I’m going to look at this passage over two consecutive days.  The reason that I am doing this is because I want to speak about the beginning and end of this chapter in one day and then speak about the middle verses in a different day.  I think there is too much material here of one days, and there is no good way to divide in in order of the verses.

As we open this passage, notice that we have a third set of seven.  This is the third set of angels who come out with God’s judgment upon the whole earth.  We know that it is God’s judgment because this set of angels comes out of the temple.  Remember that the number seven represents completion.  The number three is the divine number.  John’s point?  There will come a day and a time when God’s judgment over the earth will be complete.  None in creation will be able to avoid God’s judgment.  He rules over all, as it should be.

Is God the Lord of your life?  Are you taking His ways into every aspect of your life?

Second Thought:

Once more we also hear about being clothed in white and being girded with a golden belt.  What is John’s point?  John wants to remind us about the purity of these angels.  Even though they come to put God’s wrath on display, they are doing the will of God.  They are pure.  Once can remain pure while doing unpleasant things.  One can remain pure while executing righteous judgment.  The golden sash reminds us that these are working in the same fashion as priests.  In other words, once more we hear a reminder that they are from God, doing His will.  We are about to talk about some very unpleasant demonstrations of God’s power.  But they are righteous.  They are holy.

How do you feel about God and His servants being able to remain righteous and holy even in the midst of wrath and punishment?  How well are you able to remain righteous in the midst of your anger?

Third Thought:

Finally, we are told that smoke rose out of the temple until this last set of judgments would be fulfilled.  It is possible that we can learn from this that God’s plans are often clouded from human perception.  Certainly this is a reality.  It can also be a reminder that as human beings we are truly incapable of dwelling in the presence of God in our current condition.  However, I think the deepest meaning is found when we notice that this state has a limit.  The temple is unapproachable until this set of judgment is completed.  I think what God is telling us is that we cannot interfere with God’s active will.  When God decides to do something, we will not be able to stand against it.  God’s will issues forth and happens. When it is God’s will to judge us, our only choice is to receive it as it comes.

Do you ever feel as though you can counter the will of God?  Even if you would never admit this, does your life ever testify to the fact that you could be living this way?  Why is it important for us to remember that while we have free will, God’s will will always be superior to our will?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 15:1-8 (Part II)

Revelation 14:14-20

Revelation 14:14-20

And I saw a brilliant cloud – and look! – one of a similar nature as a son of man sits upon the cloud while having a golden crown upon his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.  And another angel went out of the temple while crying out in a great voice to the one who sits upon the cloud, “Send your sickle and reap, since the hour to reap came since the harvest of the earth is ripe.  And the one who sits upon the cloud threw his sickle upon the earth and the earth was harvested.  And another angel went out of the temple in heaven; he also has a sharp sickle.  And another angel – the one who has authority upon fire – went out of the altar and exclaimed by a great voice to the one who has the sharp sickle while saying, “Send out your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes of the vineyard of the earth, since her clusters are at the prime.”  And the angel threw his sickle into the earth and gathered the earth’s vineyard and threw them into the great winepress of God’s strong passion.  And the winepress was treaded upon outside of the city and blood went out of the winepress until it reached the bit of a horse for six hundred stadia (about 1/8 of a Roman mile, time 600 of course).

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When we look at this passage we see another instance of the Son of Man.  This passage shows us one more perspective of Jesus.  What can we glean from the Son of Man as presented in this section?  It is the Son of Man who gathers in His own people.  In fact, we might go so far as to say that the Son of Man is the only one capable of reaping the harvest because He is really the only one who can know our hearts.  God’s angels can’t reap because they don’t know.  The only one who truly knows us and knows our hearts is Christ.

Why is this important to remember?  Do you take comfort in knowing that Jesus knows your heart as well as you, if not even better?  Why is it hard to remember that we cannot know the heart of another person?  How can this help us to be humble and not be judgmental?

Second Thought:

When it comes to those who are left, though, notice that another angel can go forth and sort.  The Son of Man has no interest in gathering those who are not in Him.  God’s angels can round up those who are destined for wrath because the Son of Man has already sifted through the people.  This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care.  God absolutely cares.  God desires that all people would be in relationship with Him.  But God also knows that there are those who will reject Him.  When those who have not rejected God have been reaped, the rest can be gathered by God’s messengers and prepared for judgment.

Are you surprised to see such a clear message regarding Jesus’ focus?  Why do you think that Jesus would gather those who are in Him while leaving God’s angels to gather those who are not in Him?

Third Thought:

As we turn to the end of this passage, we hear about the winepress.  In the Old Testament, the winepress is used again and again as a symbol of judgment.  Furthermore, notice that the winepress is set up outside of the city.  This is yet another clear indication that judgment is reserved for those who are not a part of God.  Those who are not gleaned by the Son of Man will find themselves tread upon in judgment.

When you hear analogies to judgment such as a winepress, what does that make you think?  What do you think judgment at the hands of God will be like for those who are not in Him?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 15:1-8