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Are You Prepared To Meet Your God?
Amos 4:12 KJV
“Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
The Precious Human Life #6: Prepare To Meet Thy God
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
This is part of a series that is looking at the preciousness of life and the need for a more serious examination of the Scriptural validity of taking a human life under any circumstance. Folks, our world has devalued the taking of human life to the point the loss of human life is “no big deal” and “JUST a part of the world in which we live.”
By God’s grace, as we continue through this series, my prayer is that the Lord would open all of our spiritual eyes and come to a more complete realization of the great value of human life. Also, we need to carefully consider the results of our actions, and the circumstances surrounding the taking of human life, making sure that in each situation, the taking of life is Biblically justifiable and absolutely necessary.
Our devotional series will contain six daily devotions, all of which will emphasize the wondrous nature of the human creation and the loss inflicted upon mankind when a human life is taken from their midst…
- Thou Shalt Not Kill (Exo 20:13)
- The Glory and Honor Of Man (Psa 8:4-6)
- God’s Image & Likeness (Gen 1:26-27)
- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Psa 139:14-16)
- The Minister and Witness Of These Things (Acts 26:16-17)
- Prepare To Meet Thy God (Amos 4:12)
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Prepare To Meet Thy God (Amos 4:12, Eccl 9:10, Isa 38:18-19, 55:6, Eph 5:15-17)
Amos 4:12 KJV – “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV – “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
Isaiah 38:18-19 KJV – “For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.”
Isaiah 55:6 KJV – “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
In Amos 4:12, We find the Lord speaking to the nation of Israel after explaining to them their sinful condition. The Lord commands them to “Prepare to meet thy God”. In other words, the Lord was encouraging the Jews recognize their sinful condition, turn from their sins and place their faith in the coming Messiah.
In a very real way, the command given to the nation of Israel applies to us in today’s time as well. All of fallen mankind, regardless of race or nationality, are to prepare to meet their God through recognition of their sin, turning from those sins, and placing their faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who came to the earth and died on the cross to pay the price for the sins of His people.
When are we to prepare to meet our God? Now, while we still have life within us. At our physical death, our opportunity to be prepared will come to an end, and we will enter eternity. That is why the Bible emphasizes the need to live our physical lives to prepare to enter into our Lord’s presence, after death all opportunities for salvation and faithful service will come to an end (Eph 5:15-17). And this is why Ecclesiastes tells us to do all we can, while we can, to the best of our ability. It will be too late to come to Christ or serve Him following our death (Eccl 9:10). Even the Old Testament prophet Isaiah understood this truth (Isaiah 38:18-19).
Folks when the physical life of a person is taken from them, all their hope of salvation and their future service for Christ is forever lost. From a totally human perspective, the taking of life can rob a person of their future salvation or service to our Lord.
Please keep in mind: We know that the Lord is a sovereign Lord who will bring to salvation those whom He has chosen to save from eternity past. He will keep each and every one of His elect alive until He calls them to Himself and grants them eternal life and forgiveness. From a divine perspective, when a person dies in a lost state it is proof they were never one of God’s elect.
However, when we are looking at an issue concerning man’s responsibility, we are required to look at things from a human viewpoint. For example, from God’s standpoint, any sin that is committed is a part of His sovereign plan for mankind. If it wasn’t a part of His plan, He would not allow the sin to take place.
However, although a sin may be allowed by God, when we stand before Him we will never be able to justify that sin by saying “You are to blame, You allowed the sin to take place” or “The sin I committed as done according to your will’. Of course we could not say these things. To blame the Lord for our sin and attempt to make Him the responsible party based upon His sovereign will, is utter blasphemy.
The same holds true for the argument that would say, because the Lord allowed me to kill this lost individual, then it proves the person was not one of God’s elect. Although, from God’s perspective, this may be true; from mankind’s perspective, we can never look at things this way, nor justify our actions based upon them. From our human viewpoint, we cannot know if a lost person is one of God’s elect or not, therefore we can, and will, be held accountable for taking their “chance” of salvation away from them at the point of their death. This is a grave sin indeed. In a sense, from our viewpoint (as mankind who cannot know God’s future sovereign will) we are taking the eternal destiny of an individual into our own hands.
Likewise, how foolish it would be to try to justify the taking of human life based upon the principle that if the Lord did not desire for it to take place then He would not have allowed it. In other words, we can twist the Word to teach that all taking of human life must be pleasing to God… simply because it took place. Both of these attitudes are unscriptural and a blasphemy in God’s sight.
In closing, may we all follow Isaiah’s instructions for us and… “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” (Isaiah 55:6 KJV)
Summary Of Our Study
In these devotionals, we have seen several ramifications of the taking of physical life:
- For mankind to devalue human life is to mock the authority, value and deserved respect that God Himself has placed upon mankind.
- For mankind to devalue human life is to devalue a wonderful picture of the gracious humility, authority and exaltation of Christ that took place at His first coming.
- Man being made by God the “image” (“similitude”) and “likeness” of Him is another reason why the devaluing of human life is such a very sobering act. When a man’s life is taken, an image of God given to mankind is silenced and, in actuality, destroyed.
- We are devaluing that which the Lord has fearfully and wonderfully made and that continually testifies of His greatness. To bring an end to this life is to bring an end to this testimony of God’s greatness.
- Whether they be saved, or potentially a future recipient of salvation, by devaluing and taking away physical life, we are silencing one who may be used of God to accomplish great things in His service.
- The devaluing and taking of human life is, from a human viewpoint, will, be held accountable for taking their “chance” of salvation away from them at the point of their death. This is a grave sin indeed for we are taking the eternal destiny of an individual into our own hands.
May we all come to understand the need to value physical life above all of God’s other creations and do everything in our power to bring an end to the unscriptural devaluing and taking of life that is so common in today’s world…
“But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:”
(Hebrews 2:6-7 KJV)
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
All Saved Mankind Is A Minister And Witness Of What Christ Has Done For Them
Acts 26:16-17 KJV – “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,”
For the SIH Devotional On This Subject:
The Precious Human Life #5: The Minister And Witness Of These Things
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
This is part of a series that is looking at the preciousness of life and the need for a more serious examination of the Scriptural validity of taking a human life under any circumstance. Folks, our world has devalued the taking of human life to the point the loss of human life is “no big deal” and “JUST a part of the world in which we live.”
By God’s grace, as we continue through this series, my prayer is that the Lord would open all of our spiritual eyes and come to a more complete realization of the great value of human life. Also, we need to carefully consider the results of our actions, and the circumstances surrounding the taking of human life, making sure that in each situation, the taking of life is Biblically justifiable and absolutely necessary.
Our devotional series will contain six daily devotions, all of which will emphasize the wondrous nature of the human creation and the loss inflicted upon mankind when a human life is taken from their midst…
- Thou Shalt Not Kill (Exo 20:13)
- The Glory and Honor Of Man (Psa 8:4-6)
- God’s Image & Likeness (Gen 1:26-27)
- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Psa 139:14-16)
- The Minister and Witness Of These Things (Acts 26:16-17)
- Prepare To Meet Thy God (Amos 4:12)
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
The Minister and Witness Of These Things (Isaiah 6:8-12, Psalms 66:16, Acts 26:16-17, Romans 10:13-17)
Acts 26:16-17 KJV
“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,”
Psalms 66:16 KJV
“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
Isaiah 6:8-12 KJV
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.”
Romans 10:13-17 KJV
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Man, A Minister and Witness of The Lord and His Works For Us
In Acts 26:16-17 and Isaiah 6:8-12, we find the call to ministry of Paul and Isaiah respectively. In both instances we see the ministry of these men involved telling others about the Lord and His work that was done on behalf of His people…
To Paul: “to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;”
To Isaiah: “Go, and tell this people,…”
This calling of men to the ministry of the Lord is shared by all men who have come to faith in Christ. Although not all men are called to full-time ministry, all men who are saved are called to share the gospel message with those around them. David, although not called to full time ministry as a minister of the Lord, understood and accepted this great responsibility… “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
Folks, this responsibility given to saved mankind is of great importance. Without the proclamation of the gospel message, the lost of this world are without hope with salvation unavailable to them… “…and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? … How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! … So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Folks, every human life that is taken from this earth is one who has, or is potentially one who has been given the responsibility to take the gospel into this world. Whether they be saved, or potentially a future recipient of salvation, by taking away physical life, we are silencing one who may be used of God to accomplish great things in His service.
It is important to note that NONE of us can know whom the Lord will call to salvation. Even the most wicked and vile of mankind can be called to salvation through the call of God. Therefore, even when the life of a lost man is taken, from a strictly human standpoint, we can never know if he would have been saved and what he might have accomplished for Him. The Apostle Paul is the perfect example of this type of individual (Acts 26:1-23).
Please note: I am a firm believer in the sovereignty of God in salvation… He will save those who are chosen and none will be lost (John 6:39). However in matters of this nature, concerning man’s responsibility, we must look at things from man’s vantage point without regard for God’s unknown workings of providence. More about this principle in our next devotional.
In our next devotional, we will be being looking at the preciousness of human life by examining man’s need to “prepare to meet thy God” during our lifetimes on earth.
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
The Creation And Development Of Man In The Womb Glorifies God…
Psalms 139:14-17 KJV
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
The Precious Human Life #4: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERIES:
This is part of a series that is looking at the preciousness of life and the need for a more serious examination of the Scriptural validity of taking a human life under any circumstance. Folks, our world has devalued the taking of human life to the point the loss of human life is “no big deal” and “JUST a part of the world in which we live.”
By God’s grace, as we continue through this series, my prayer is that the Lord would open all of our spiritual eyes and come to a more complete realization of the great value of human life. Also, we need to carefully consider the results of our actions, and the circumstances surrounding the taking of human life, making sure that in each situation, the taking of life is Biblically justifiable and absolutely necessary.
Our devotional series will contain six daily devotions, all of which will emphasize the wondrous nature of the human creation and the loss inflicted upon mankind when a human life is taken from their midst…
- Thou Shalt Not Kill (Exo 20:13)
- The Glory and Honor Of Man (Psa 8:4-6)
- God’s Image & Likeness (Gen 1:26-27)
- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Psa 139:14-16)
- The Minister and Witness Of These Things (Acts 26:16-17)
- Prepare To Meet Thy God (Amos 4:12)
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Psalm 139:14-16)
Psalms 139:14-17 KJV
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
Man Is “Fearfully” Made
The manner in which man was created brings both fear and reverence to his Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. The key to understanding this principle is found in the greatness of God. The creation of Man clearly reveals to us the strength, wisdom, authority, and excellence of our God. When we come to see His person and attributes more clearly, it develops a sense of awe (fear and reverence) in our hearts.
Man Is “Wonderfully” Made
The word translated “wonderfully” in this verse is the Hebrew word for “to distinguish”, or “to separate”. The way in which man was made separates him from all other parts of God’s creation and separates the Creator from all the false gods of this world. One of the greatest sources of knowledge about the greatness of our God is found in nature and man, the crowning glory of God’s creation, more clearly reveals God’s greatness than any other part of His creation.
Please notice in the context of our verse, the revelation of God through man’s creation causes man to praise Him for His greatness… “I will praise thee”.
Following the general declaration of the wonders of mankind’s creation, we find a detailed description of the manner in which man was created…
- Although conceived and existing in the womb, the unseen child is under God’s watchcare and His development… “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”
- God saw and intervened in the life of the child while he was yet developing in the womb…. “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;”
- In God’s book, God had written all the characteristics of the child before any of those characteristics could be seen. God’s book is speaking of the genetic code that came into existence at conception that would then control the child’s development within the womb and the ultimate characteristics that the child would possess… “and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
What an amazing act of God, bringing human life into this world! When we take the life of a human, we are taking a life whose creation testifies to the greatness of our God. We are bringing to a premature end that which the Lord has fearfully and wonderfully made and that is a continual testimony of His greatness. We are, in a sense, trying to undo what the Lord has brought to pass.
In our next devotional, we will be being looking at the preciousness of human life by examining man, who was is the minister and witness of these things.
Homepage… http://www.settledinheaven.org
Text Blog… http://www.settledinheaven.wordpress.com
Video Blog… http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
The Reign Of The Saints
In Revelation 5:8-9, we find the 4 beasts and the 24 elders (symbols of the people of God) praising the Lamb (Jesus Christ) for His great work on their behalf…
“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
Then, in the very next verse, they praise Christ for the blessings they receive through His work …
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Here, we read of the saints being given two positions of great authority (“Kings and Priests”) allowing them to “reign on the earth”. What does this promise involve? Or put another way, In what way do the saints of God reign as Kings and Priests upon the earth? This is the question we will be answering in this Bible study.
THE SCRIPTURES:
Daniel 7:15-22; Daniel 7:26-27; Matthew 19:27-30; Matthew 24:45-51; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:42-48; Luke 19:11-27; Luke 22:24-30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 5:8-10; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:4-5; Revelation 22:3-5
THE STUDY:
When we speak of the saints reigning, we are describing several different types of dominion that are granted to the redeemed of God. The following is a description of these types of dominion by subject in outline, form. What follows the outline is a listing of many of the Bible texts which teach these areas of dominion with a brief summary of each event listed in chronological order (when possible).
Dominion Over The Nations – The Saints God-Given Authority Involves the saint exercising great authority over the powers of darkness IN THIS PRESENT WORLD and in THE WORLD TO COME:
A) Saints are given DOMINION IN THIS PRESENT WORLD (the existing heaven and earth):
(1) This dominion involves the ability to overcome the control of our sinful flesh and powers of darkness in this present world. This is why the saints are described as “Victors over the world” or “Overcomers”.
(2) This dominion is displayed by the saints’ sharing of victory at Armageddon – the saints accompanying Christ at final defeat of lost mankind in this present world at Christ’s second coming
B) Saints are promised to receive DOMINION IN THE WORLD TO COME (the New Heavens and New Earth) in which we will live eternally:
(1) This dominion will be a reward for the saint’s faithfulness – The future dominion of the saints is given as a reward for victorious living now. This dominion involves dominion over the nations, and dominion over the New Heavens and New Earth…
(a) Dominion Over The World By Judgment – this will take place as the saints share in the final judgment of the wicked men and angels, both Jew and Gentile, both OT and NT lost mankind. This will be the ultimate defeat of the powers of darkness in the world to come lasting for eternity.
1. Judging Israel – Saints will judge Israel (who rejected Messiah and crucified Him) during judgment of the lost. Israel is a representative of all lost mankind due to their rebellion and rejection of Christ.
2. Judging Angels – Saints will also judge the fallen angels (demons) including Satan, himself at this final judgment of the lost.
(b) Dominion over New Heavens and New Earth – Reign on NH & NE in Christ’s presence will stretch from the 1000 year reign into eternity. This will take place from the creation of the NH and NE throughout eternity. This includes both phases of the eternal state (the 1000 yr reign and the finalized eternal kingdom of God)…
1. 1000 Yr Reign – Beginning Of Christ’s reign on NH NE. As believers are judged they receive authority over NHNE during this time period
2. Eternal Kingdom – This is the ultimate proof of the saint’s victory over this sinful world. Their dominion over the world symbolizing the renewal of the Garden of Eden on the New Earth.
Scripture References For Above Outline:
Dominion Over The Nations
1. The Lord blesses those who are truly saved (overcomers) with dominion over the powers of darkness of this world….
Revelation 2:26-27 KJV “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
Note: “The nations” are referring to lost mankind (as part of the powers of darkness of this world). In this text, we are given representations of the two types of dominion possessed by saved mankind (dominion in this world and dominion in the world to come).
The phrase “rule with rod of iron” points us to the overcomers dominion over the powers of darkness in this world. This victory finds its completion at the Battle of Armageddon which is the last historic event that takes place on this present evil world.
The phrase “power over the nations” speaks of the dominion which the saints will possess in the future in the New world to come. This phrase speaks of the judgment of lost mankind at the final judgment and consignment to the Lake of Fire. This judgment is the ultimate, eternal defeat of the powers of darkness for eternity.
The Dominion Given To Saints NOW: “Overcomers”
1. The ability to escape the dominion of sin (context – false teaching) based upon power of indwelling Spirit…
1 John 4:4 KJV “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
2. Access to Godly power overcoming the dominion of sin (Satan, antichrist spirit, powers of darkness, our flesh) which is received through saving faith (resulting in Spirit indwelling)…
1 John 5:4-5 KJV “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
3. The Saints had overcome the dominion of sin (shown by thrones) and were now in Christ’s presence following their death …
Revelation 4:4 KJV “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”
Victory At Armegeddon
1. The Lord, accompanied by His saints, returns to the earth and gains the final victory over the lost kingdoms of this current world…
Revelation 19:11-21 KJV “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”
Note: The victory at Armageddon is an outward display of the authority given to the saints as Overcomers.
The Dominion Given To The Saints As A Reward For Faithfulness
1. Faithfulness of true believers will result in rewards and blessings of rulership at the believer’s judgment…
Matthew 24:45-51 KJV “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:14-30 KJV “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
2. The truly saved servant was faithful – he was rewarded with rulership. The lost servant was unfaithful and cast into hell.…
Luke 12:42-48 KJV “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Note: Of those who were lost the greater the knowledge (responsibility) the greater the punishment. (Teaches us that levels of hell exist based upon amount of knowledge and willful rejection of truth)
Luke 19:11-27 KJV “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”
Note: Those who are lost servants, who fear Lord as being unjust and hard will have their knowledge of God and hypocritical service made useless and they will be empty handed at day of judgment. The lost, who are outwardly rebellious and immoral, face immediate rejection by God as well.
Dominion Over New Heavens and New Earth
1. Saints, those who are redeemed through blood of Christ, are given authority to rule and enter God’s presence. Both types of dominion will be clearly seen as the saints enter eternity with the Lord, ruling over the New Creation and entering into His presence for an eternity.
Revelation 5:8-10 KJV “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
1000 Year Reign
1. This marks the first part of Christ’s eternal reign on the New Heavens and New Earth (immediately following the appearance of the NH & NE following Armageddon) At this point in time the saints are judged and they are given reign over NH and NE for eternity (restoration of Garden of Eden before fall).
Revelation 20:4-5 KJV “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.”
2. This time periods runs from the 1000 Year Reign throughout Eternity
2 Timothy 2:11-13 KJV “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”
Revelation 3:21 KJV To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Judging The World
1. Saints will judge lost world (fallen world) during final judgment of lost…
1 Corinthians 6:1-3 KJV “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
2. This judgment also involves fallen angels (including Satan) as well as lost mankind…
1 Corinthians 6:1-3 KJV “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Note: saints will judge fallen angels during GWTH (Jude 1:6) (Satan included?) Saints, as Overcomers were given authority over demons during Bible days pictured saints holding authority over demons (John 12:31). Likewise, angels ministering to believers is a sign of man’s authority over angels as well.
3. A part of this judgment involves the nation of Israel (those who rejected and crucified Christ) picturing all lost mankind.
Matthew 19:27-30 KJV “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”
Note: “The regeneration” is speaking of the reformation of the Heavens and Earth resulting in the New Heavens and New Earth. The Lord is reigning upon the earth with His saints at this time.
Luke 22:24-30 KJV “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Eternal Kingdom
1. Saints given “the kingdom” beginning with the end of Armegeddon (appearance of NH and NE) into 1000 yr to GWTH to Eternity
Daniel 7:15-22 KJV “I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.”
Daniel 7:26-27 KJV “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
2. The eternal, perfect, dominion over the New Heavens and New Earth. This is tantamount to the blessings of the Garden of Eden restored to mankind. The curse of sin being totally undone…
Revelation 22:1-5 KJV “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
May the Lord bless you as you seek His truth.
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May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
Revelation 21:-22: Summary
SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER:
In the remaining portion of Revelation, we will be looking at the contents of the sealed book. This book will reveal what the saints have awaiting them in eternity with Christ. The contents of the sealed book will be revealed to us in chapters 19-22. This will bring to completion our study of the Revelation.
A very basic outline of the remaining chapters of Revelation includes:
- Rev 19 – What immediately precedes eternity with the Lord? (background to eternity with the Lord)
- Rev 20 – The opening stage of eternity with the Lord (1000 year reign – a time of judgment)
- Rev 21 – The subsequent stage of eternity with the Lord pictured as a great city
- Rev 22 – The subsequent stage of eternity with the Lord pictured as Eden restored
SUMMARY OF EACH DIVISION OF CHAPTER:
I. New Jerusalem On The New Earth (Rev 21:1-11)
John now turns our attention to a description of the renovated heavens and earth. John tells us this heaven and earth is “new” which tells us that it is different, changed from the heaven and earth with which we are familiar. This new world no longer has “seas”. The sea in the Bible represents unrest and chaos of lost mankind. This new world will no longer feel the presence of the lost, nor will it experience the unrest and upheaval of sin upon it.
John sees a heavenly city descend to this New Earth. This city is the dwelling place of God come down to the earth. It symbolizes God’s presence being given to the saints to enjoy Him eternally. This city is said to be very beautiful, like a bride that is prepared for marriage.
John describes God’s relationship with His people in this wondrous city. God will be with them, they will learn of Him, worship Him, and serve Him. John also tells us that the results of sin will be done away. There will be no more crying, sorrow, or pain.
God promises to make an entirely new type of existence for His people. It will be like nothing we have experienced on earth. This is a promise that we can rely upon. We can know with certainty that this wonderful eternal existence awaits the people of God.
The Lord then extends an invitation for all of mankind to come to Him and enjoy these blessings that await His people. Those who come to Him will be victorious overcomers in this sinful world, they will inherit these eternal blessings and will enter into a family relationship with Him as the children of God. However, those who reject this invitation and choose to remain in their sinfulness will face a horrible eternity of separation from God and torment in the Lake of Fire.
John is invited to come and see the bride that has prepared to join her husband in marriage and live eternally with Him. This bride is the wondrous city that now awaits His presence and the presence of His people. John is taken to a high mountain that overlooks this glorious city. He sees God’s glory enlightening the city as a clear Jasper stone which is symbolic of the Lord holiness and sinlessness.
This entire vision emphasizes the changed eternal world and the many eternal joys that await the people of God as they dwell in this city.
II. The Walls And Gates Of New Jerusalem (Rev 21:12-21)
After John’s look at the basics appearance of New Jerusalem, he then turns our attention to the city’s gates and walls. John sees the believer’s security and deliverance from sin symbolized by high walls that surround the city. There walls are used to keep out sin, its effects, and those who commit them.
John sees 12 gates, the entryways to the city, which are equally divided on the four sides of the walls (N,S,E,W) showing us that the redeemed will come from all corners of the globe (every nation, language, family). They will included believers from both the OT and NT (12 Tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles). The 12 angels standing at the gates, symbolize the messengers of God who proclaim the gospel message, the key to finding entrance into the gates. Each gate was made of a pearl which is representative of God’s wisdom, the truths of His Word, the good news of Christ.
John sees the 12 foundations of the walls having the names of the 12 apostles, whose proclamation of the truths about the Christ laid the foundation for this place of security and peace for God’s people. These foundations are decorated with many precious stones which give forth light similar to that of a rainbow. This speaks of the Lord’s faithfulness to his promises in making and giving access to this city for His people.
An angel sent from the Lord is seen measuring the city, which symbolizes the Lord’s ownership and control over this eternal city. The city is a 12,000 furlong cube showing us it is perfect, separated for the use of God and His people, and sinless.
The wall itself is made of jasper which is symbolic of preciousness and purity, while the city is of gold which speaks of God’s kingly rule. The gold was of transparent, pure gold symbolic of holiness.
III. New Jerusalem: The Presence Of God and The Glory of Eden Restored (Rev 21:22-22:5)
John’s vision of the city continues with John centering on the presence of God Himself within the city. He could not see a temple because none was needed. Christ’s presence will be the center of worship as well as a living display of His person and works. Christ’s glory, which exists due to His presence, lightens the entire city which eliminates the need for the sun and moon. The Lord will be present with His people.
The inhabitants of the city, those who are saved by God’s grace, will be given 24 / 7 access to the city. There is no need for the gates to be shut because the lost will not be found on the New Earth, they will be consigned to the Lake of Fire for an eternity. Sin, and the doers of it, will be totally excluded from the city.
John attention is then drawn to “the river of water of life” that he sees flowing from the throne of God. This speaks of the work of Christ which gives to men eternal life. This river finds it origin IN the counsels and workings of the Lord and brings men TO eternal life and an intimate relationship with the Lord.
John sees the tree of life in the midst of the city, reminding us of a restored, sinless, Garden of Eden. God’s people are given eternal access to this tree, symbolizing the eternal life that is possessed by the saints. It bears 12 types of fruit which symbolize the completeness of eternal life that God has brought to man. Nothing more is needed for the saints to dwell eternally with their Lord. The leaves of the tree supply that which is needed to “heal” the nations. This speaks of the total eradication of sin and its effects upon mankind. Once again this symbolizes a Garden of Eden type of existence that has been restored to mankind. Instead of a curse and separation from God (the condition of mankind in the old garden), the saints in this New Garden will be blessed with no curse, and enjoy the presence of God eternally.
The glory of God will enlighten this new Garden and the saints of God will exercise perfect dominion over it, just as in the old garden before the fall of mankind.
IV. Conclusion to The Book Of Revelation (Rev 22:6-21)
The conclusion to the book of Revelation is also the conclusion to the entire Bible. Please keep in mind, it is believed by most that the book of Revelation is the last book inspired by God and is also placed as the last book in the Biblical text. Because of this, the conclusion found in the book of Revelation concludes not only the book itself, but also the entire body of inspired writings that God gave to mankind.
A part of God’s conclusion is to remind John of the faithfulness and truthfulness of His inspired writings. He also reminds John of His soon coming and the need to keep the cling to and protect His Word, following its dictates. This is the basic way in which we are to prepare for His soon coming. Christ is the beginning and ending of all things. We should not be surprised He is the One that will bring an end to this sinful world and create a New World in which we will live.
John, being overwhelmed by this experience, begins to worship the angel that has delivered this message to him. The angel responds by reminding him that worship belongs to God alone. The angel is simply a servant of God doing His will, much like John and other saints who have come before him. The angel then emphasizes John’s need to share this message with others. It was not meant to be kept private, but was to be distributed to all who are willing to hear these words.
The Angel delivers sobering words to John. Those who choose to ignore these words, and continue to live a life of sin, let them be. John has done all he can for their welfare, they now are responsible to choose to follow Christ.
Likewise with those who are saved, if he chooses righteousness based upon the completed Word, let him continue on in righteousness with righteous living. Why? Nothing new will be revealed from God. He can fully commit to Christ’s righteousness and righteous living because he now knows that Revelation brings all of God’s Word to completion nothing more will be said that would change his mind or reveal he has made a mistake in choosing Christ.
John is told of the distinct difference between the end of the lost and the saved. The lost will be kept from the glories of the city and the presence of God. The saved will enjoy eternal bliss in the presence of God, Jesus, Himself, has said these things, He will bring them to pass.
Christ then offers and invitation for men to come to Him. It is an invitation that is to be delivered by the saints and applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit of God. It is an invitation that is issued to anyone who hears the invitation and is willing to follow it. they are to freely partake of the work of Christ which will bring to them salvation from sins and a wonderful, eternal inheritance from Him.
In closing, the Lord issues a warning to all who would change the inspired Word of God. If they add or take from it, they have proven they are lost and destined to face God’s plagues. By willfully changing God’s Word, they are clearly shown as being lost, in a state of rebellion against Christ, and under the bondage of sin. No one who is truly saved would ever willfully choose to change the Word of God that has wrought salvation in his soul.
The final two verses of the book of Revelation (and the Bible) are a fitting conclusion to our study of the book of Revelation….
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Nothing more needs to be said.
WHAT’S COMING NEXT IN THIS SERIES?:
This concludes our study of the book of Revelation. May we all apply the message of this book to our minds, heart and lives.
Thank you for joining with me in this study.
May the Lord bless us as we seek to see Jesus in the pages of the book of Revelation.
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Surely I come quickly. Amen…. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20-21 KJV
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Revelation 22:20-21 KJV
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Well folks, for those of you who have faithfully followed our series in Revelation, we have come to our last devotional. This has been a true act of God’s grace and mercy over the past 1 year and 1 week. I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity, ability, and strength to bring this series to its conclusion. I would appreciate your prayers as, Lord willing, I now prepare an ebook with all the information found in the Revelation studies and devotionals as well as added information over the next few years. A very rough, unedited, stripped down copy of the book will be available, as always free of charge, very soon. Stay tuned for more details.
For our closing devotional, I thought it was only proper to use the closing words of John, as he brought his letter to the churches to a close.
First John begins by sharing the words of Christ… “…Surely I come quickly. Amen.”
Then he follows with his personal closing… “Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
What a wonderful way to bring the book of Revelation, and this devotional series to a close. After reading all of the wonderful symbolism of the Revelation which points to our wonderful Savior, and the events that will take place prior to, during, and after His second coming, we have a reaffirmation of the promise of His soon coming….
“Surely I come quickly”. Another way to translate this same sentence is: “Certainly, without doubt, I am coming soon, without delay”.
Folks this was not spoken aby an angel, nor by a human messenger. This statement was spoken by our Lord Himself. He is the One making the promise, He is the One that will bring this to pass… with certainty.
One of my favorite verses is found in 2 Corinthians 1:20…
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”
What a wonderful truth, all the wonderful promises of God are certain to come to pass because Christ’s work has laid an eternal foundation for their fulfillment. This includes every promise that we have found in the Book of Revelation. There is no doubt, there is no possible undoing of and of His promises. They rest upon the assurance of the work of Christ.
One of the greatest of all His promises is set before us this day… “Surely I come quickly”…
It is as good as done. Our Lord WILL come back, He WILL take us home to be with Him, He WILL eradicate this world of sin and reform it into our sinless, eternal dwelling place, He WILL judge sin, He WILL reward righteousness.
Certainly, without doubt, He is coming soon, nothing will delay Him.
John’s response to this great promise is one of submission and agreement… “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” In other words… “so be it, may your will be done, I accept your will, come Lord Jesus”
All of us can fall into absolute agreement John…. Come quickly my Lord.
John’s final wish for his readers is my final wish for you as well…
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Folks, following our study of Revelation, how quickly it is for all of us to come to understand the great need for the grace of Christ in our lives… to escape the coming judgments of sin, to share in the eternal glory of Christ’s presence, to understand and apply the truths of this book to our lives, and to share the gospel message with others around us.
All of these great needs in our lives, and many others, have been presented clearly, emphasizing to us the overwhelming need of the grace of God for each of us.
May the grace of Christ be with each one of us as we take the many truths about Christ, His work, and His promises to us, apply them to our lives, and share them with others who are is desperate need of the truths of His Word.
Come quickly my Lord, and until then, please grant me your great grace. Without you I am, and can do, nothing.
For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Revelation 22:19 KJV
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Here, we find a solemn warning concerning changing God’s Word. The integrity of God’s Word should be of utmost importance to the lives of God’s people. The basis of our salvation, and our hope of our eternal life, is based wholly upon the testimony of the Scriptures. If the Scriptures are untrue, unreliable, changeable, or manipulated in anyway the very foundations of our beliefs are destroyed. This is why the Lord promises such dire punishments to fall upon those who willfully pervert the contents of the Word.
In this verse, we find a three-fold judgment placed upon those who pervert the Scriptures:
- God shall take away his part out of “the book of life” (the listing of all who have been eternally chosen to salvation in the counsels of God)
- God shall take away his part out of “the holy city” (the holy city of New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling of God’s people)
- God shall take away his part from “the things which are written in this book” (the other eternal blessings promised to the people of God)
Please note in all three of these God warns those who change His Word that He will take “their part” out of various aspects the blessed life of His saints. What is meant by the phrase “their part”? “their part” is a translation of the Greek word “meros” which means “a share or an allotment”. The concept is much like a “share” of an inheritance designated in a will that is yet to be received.
Also please note that none of these ever actually partook of any of these blessings. Their name was never in the book of life, they had never set foot in the New Jerusalem, nor had they ever partaken of the eternal blessings of God’s people. Although, they had never been blessed in any of these ways, they thought they had a share of these awaiting them.
The corrupters of the Scripture, by removing parts of God’s Word, have shown themselves to be lost. Under no circumstances could a truly saved individual choose to pervert the very Scriptures upon which His salvation and eternal hope is based. They would be undoing the very heart of their hope in Christ.
When a person perverts God’s Word they are showing a lack of understanding of the origin, nature, importance and role of the Holy Word as eternal truth. They are clearly yet in their sin, their eyes blinded to the truths of His Word. Therefore, there is no reason for them to believe they own a share of the book of life, the holy city, and the blessings of eternity with Christ.
No matter how “religious” they may appear, they should not fool themselves into believing that they are saved and have a share of God’s eternal blessings awaiting them. Their actions clearly reveal to them that their share of God’s blessings was never really theirs. In that sense, God has removed their “share” of eternal blessings away from them. It is much like a child who assumes he is in good standing with his parents and will receive a share of their estate, only to find out, he was never in their will to start with. From his point of view, his share has been “removed” even though, in actuality, he never had a share of the inheritance designated for him.
The Lord addressed this same principle in Luke 8:18 when he said…
“Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”
In this text, may we all learn the importance of respecting, valuing and guarding God’s Word as we seek to minister to others. By doing so, we are proving that we are truly born again children of God by properly valuing the basis of our beliefs, His Words that He has spoken to us.
For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:
Christ Will Come Like The Dawning Of The Sun
Revelation 22:16 KJV
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
For the SIH Devotion on this subject:
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “the bright and morning star”
Revelation 22:16 KJV
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Jesus identifies Himself as “the bright and morning star” which describes the sun as it arises over the horizon. Why would Christ liken Himself to the rising sun? This is a description that pictures Christ at His first and second comings.
I. Christ as “Dayspring” (dawn of the morning)
Job 38:12-13 KJV – “Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?”
Here, the morning sun is called “the dayspring” (dawn of the morning). God the Father is being exalted for creating the sun and putting it in place every morning. The sun would lighten the world and reveal those who work wickedness in dark places.
This dawning is seen as a picture of Christ at His second coming who will enlighten the world with the presence of God Himself, take sovereign control of the world as King of Kings and reveal the wickedness of mankind at the final judgments.
Luke 1:78-79 KJV – “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Here, Christ is also described as a “dayspring” speaking of His first coming when He revealed God to man, giving light to a sin darkened world, and to lead mankind to the path of peace.
II. Christ as the rising “Day Star”
2 Peter 1:19-20 KJV – “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
We are to take heed to the Word of God (the more sure word of prophecy) until the day dawns and Christ returns at the second coming. With His second coming will come a more complete knowledge of Christ which will be like Christ arising in our hearts (understanding) as we see Him more fully.
III. Christ as the Sun
Isaiah 59:19 KJV – “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
In this text, the glory of the Lord is said to come upon man from the rising of the sun. This is speaking of Christ at His second coming and His wrath that falls against wicked mankind.
Malachi 4:1-3 KJV – “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.”
This reference speaks of Christ’s second coming and His sending wrath upon the lost as excessive heat from the sun. Also, at His second coming His second coming is like the rising sun that spreads healing warmth and light to thrive for His people.
IV Christ As Lightning In The East
Matthew 24:27 KJV – “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Christ’s second coming said to be in the eastern sky (where the sun rises) and will be like lightning. This pictures His second coming as being unexpected, swift, powerful. His power will be exercised at His second coming by the worldwide destruction of lost and total renovation of the earth.
May we all think of Christ as the Dawning Sun who came to the earth as and brought light into sin darkened world. And someday, He will come again, as the Dawning Sun to shed the light of God’s glory into the world and to send the heat of His wrath upon the lost in judgment and renovation of the sinful earth.
For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:
We All Must Stand Before The Lord…. Are We Prepared Or Unaware?
Revelation 22:12 KJV
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Revelation 22:12 KJV
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
We all will answer for what we have done in our lifetimes.
For those who are saved, we will all give an account for how we handled the many opportunities for service which our Lord has graciously given to us. Did we, by faith, step up and take advantage of opportunities to serve our Lord? Did we do it with the right motives in our hearts? Did we use methods that were pleasing to the Lord? These areas, and others, will be areas of judgment for those who know Christ as their Savior.
The Apostle Paul clearly concerning this judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, while Christ used a parable to illustrate this judgment in Luke 19:11-27.
Those who have never trusted in Christ, they too must answer for their actions in this lifetime. When they stand before the Lord the many times that they have disobeyed the Lord will be brought into clear view. What act of disobedience was performed? Was this sin committed due to ignorance or was it an act of willful rebellion? Was it a private act or a public act? How many others followed the sinful example that was set? These and other areas of responsibility will be examined during this time.
John describes this judgment in Revelation 20:11-15, where we can see the Lord will use the absence of their name from the Book of Life to reveal their standing before Him and the 66 books of the Bible to reveal the sinfulness of their works. Paul also speaks of the same judgment in Romans 2:5-8.
King Solomon taught on the final judgments in his closing words of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s diary that he wrote to share his experiences and the life lessons he had learned as King. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Solomon summarizes these life lessons in two short sentences….
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
Not only have these final judgments given us a glimpse of what will take place in the future, but they also give us a tremendous motivation to serve the Lord. It is just as Solomon says, the whole duty of man is centered upon man’s need to fear, reverence, and obey God.
All three of these involve a recognition and submission to Christ as the Lord of their life. This only comes when a person turns from their sin and turns to Christ, trusting in Him as their Savior and the Master of their life. It is only then that a person can come to understand the greatness of their Lord, fear and reverence Him, and live their lives in submission to His authority.
This is the key to being found faithful at the final judgment, this is the whole duty of man. May we all use the final judgments to motivate us to turn from our sins to Christ before our opportunities to trust in Him pass us by.
For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:
The Last Days… the time is at hand!
Revelation 22:10 KJV
“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
Revelation 22:10 KJV
“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
John is told to “seal not” the contents of the Revelation. In other words, he was to begin sharing the visions he had received with the other Christians around him. Why was he to not delay? Because “the time is at hand”… the contents of the book were relevant for the people in John’s day, and would continue to be relevant until the second coming of Christ.
John, as we, are living in the last days with the next event in world history being the second coming of our Lord which will begin our eternity with Him. We are now living in the last days. The need for God’s revelation to man is obvious. The events in the Revelation account that lead up to the second coming are, and will, take place during this time period in which we live. This is the “last days” before Christ will come again.
Not only are these the “last days” prior to His second coming, but they are, more importantly, the “last days” of God’s increasing revelation of Himself to man. This is a much overlooked, Biblical meaning behind the phrase “last days”…
Prior to Christ’s coming, the revelation of God was made up of an incomplete revelation based upon the messages He delivered to His prophets. From the time Christ appeared on the earth at His first coming, God’s revelation to man was transformed by two amazing events:
- With the coming of Christ, we have God being presented fully in the life of Christ, the fullness of the Godhead revealed to men in a bodily fashion (Col 2:8-9). This was God revealing Himself to man in radically different way than ever before.
- Also, very shortly after Christ’s ascension, we have the written Word brought to completion with the writing of the book of Revelation by John. This event brought an end to God’s divine revelation to man prior to eternity (Jude 3, 2 Peter 1:3 etc).
God’s full revelation of Himself is the hallmark of “the last days” time period. Please notice Hebs 1:1-2….
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
The coming of Christ, the very Word of God brought unto us “the last days”. In other words, the days when God Himself to man was brought to completion. This is the final period of history that brings to an end God’s revelation of Himself to man. With the taking of Christ from the earth (at the ascension) and the completion of the written Word with the writing of Revelation by John, God’s continually increasing revelation to man came to an end. There will be no other periods in world history that will add to His revelation of Himself to man. This was the last period on this sinful earth for the addition of God’s revelation to us.
The next main event that will bring and addition to God’s revelation to man will take place at the second coming of Christ when, once again, we will be able to see God in a bodily fashion and then dwell with Him eternally.
The time period beginning with Christ and ending just prior to His second coming is the “last days” of His revelation of Himself to man. No further revelation of Himself will come to mankind until eternity begins at His second coming.
May we never forget that to live in “the last days” not only means we are living in the time period just prior to Christ’s second coming, BUT IT ALSO MEANS WE ARE LIVING IN THE TIME PERIOD WHERE GOD FINISHED HIS REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO US.
When Christ came physically and revealed God to mankind on this sinful earth and then, when John wrote this wonderful book of Revelation, God completed revealing Himself to man. This marked the “last days” of His revealing Himself to mankind. No other revelation of Him will come to us prior to the second coming of our Lord.
His revelation is complete and His second coming is “at hand”, truly this is the last days.
For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:
God’s People Will Reign Over The New Earth Throughout Eternity…
Revelation 22:5 KJV
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “they shall reign for ever and ever.”
Revelation 22:5 KJV
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
The Lord, through His angel, reveals to us that the saints of God will be reigning throughout eternity. As we know, God, in the person of Jesus Christ, will be eternally reigning over His people as a King reigns over His kingdom (Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8, Rev 11:15).
Now, before Christ’s second coming, the saints are given authority to rule over the powers of darkness of this lost world through the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4, 5:4-5, Rev 2:26-27).
At the final judgment, the saints will enjoy a reign over the fallen angels, the lost including the Jews who were active in the crucifixion of Christ (1 Cor 6:1-3, Matt 19:27-30).
However, following the final judgment, the powers of darkness (including Satan, fallen angels and the false religions and world empires and all lost individuals) will be consigned to the Lake of Fire, no longer present on the earth.
Again, following the final judgement, the lost will no longer be present on the earth… if this is so, over whom will the saved reign throughout eternity?
For the answer to this question we need to remember our previous devotion concerning the undoing of the curse placed upon mankind in the Garden of Eden. Please remember, after the fall of man, based upon the curse, mankind lost perfect dominion over the heavens and the earth. Prior to the fall, there were no weeds, no need to painfully labor for food, the animals were in perfect submission to mankind, never attacking man, never threatening to man, but in perfect submission to him.
Following the fall everything changed… weeds now grow, man must labor for his food, and animal life rebels against man, disobeying him, harming him, and at times killing man. With the coming of eternity on the New Heavens and New Earth, with Christ as the ultimate authority, man will regain his subordinate rulership over the earth. The curse will be undone, and mankind will perfectly reign over nature around him, he will take absolute dominion over the New Earth and all will be in perfect peace and harmony once again.
This is the answer to the question before us. Over what do the saints of God reign throughout eternity? They will reign over the restored Garden of Eden, nature that is no longer effected by sin or the curse that was placed upon mankind.
What a great type of experience that will be for each one of us, to have the different aspects of nature all perfectly submissive to us. To share in the dominion the Lord originally gave to mankind that He will restore to us as an eternal blessing! What a wonderful eternity that awaits us. What a wonderful Lord to grant us this eternal privilege!
For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:
Christ Has Undone The Curse of Sin… We Will Enjoy That Blessing Throughout Eternity!
Revelation 22:3 KJV – And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Settled In Heaven Blog 