Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the Lord has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.

Isaiah 33-36:10

Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the Lord has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them. Isaiah 34:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I move to Lesson 13, Day 3, which focuses on Isaiah 34.  My commentary describes four main divisions for this chapter, including:

• God summons the nations to listen (v1)
• God's wrath is on all nations and their armies (v2-4)
• Edom represents God's enemies (v5-15)
• God's scroll is written and every line will be fulfilled (v16-17)
  

This particular chapter points to end times, with prophecies that echo words similar or the same to those used in Revelation. The commentary points out God's grace in using Isaiah to warn humanity of Christ's second coming - and the terrifying doom and destruction that accompanies Christ. "[God] is not obligated to give such warnings, but he gives them for the salvation of his chosen people from every nation.  The elect will heed these warnings and flee to Christ; the reprobate will scoff and blow them off."

Believers flee to Christ by going to Him and His Word for study and prayer as well as other spiritual disciplines such as service, corporate worship, etc.  God's words WILL come to pass!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me an opportunity to repent and be saved - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and such a gift - the greatest gift of all time!  Yet, again, I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Revelation 20

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18

This week marks (meeting Monday nights) the final week of my D-Group's study of Revelation - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide. For this week's study, we are collapsing the Epilogue (week 11) and the Summary/Conclusion (week 12) into a single week. For today, I wrapped my viewing of the video An Evening of Eschatology. 

Building on my post yesterday, I viewed the balance of the video, and as the video began to wrap, I watched as John Piper suspected that most viewers - as I did - would feel overwhelmed and challenged by how to both follow and apply the messages discussed.  In light of this, Piper asked each of the panel participants to end the talk by offering one thought of encouragement to not be overwhelmed and refuse to "dig in" to difficult aspects of the Bible.

1. Don't give up - continue to read the Bible and use the powers given to You by God and the Holy Spirit to better understand the Bible - Jim Hamilton
   
2. Keep the Gospel message front and center - Doug Wilson
3. God is honored when we sharpen our thinking by examining different Biblical interpretations - Sam Storms
   

Yesterday, I highlighted a passage from 2 Timothy - about how all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable.  Indeed I believe this and feel let to highlight another passage by scripture.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word, and I am able to read about You, and I am able to spend time with You. Thank You Jesus.  What a blessing!  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin is great and it continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:7

This week marks (meeting Monday nights) the final week of my D-Group's study of Revelation for - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide. For this week's study, we are collapsing the Epilogue (week 11) and the Summary/Conclusion (week 12) into a single week. One of questions this week asks about the divine blessing in Revelation 22:7, and what it means to "keep the words" of this book and why it may be important.  Earlier scriptures indicate that, for believers, our citizenship is in Heaven (see Philippians 3:20-21), so for me, citizens have an obligation to learn about their home.  Keeping these words also implies that I maintain confidence and assurance of what is to come - final victory over sin and death, and a world where there is no mourning, crying or pain.   

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words are true and faithful and You give me great confidence, assurance, and peace - knowing that You are saving me a place in Heaven - in such a glorious place!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing and for my salvation.  My sin is daily and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1-3

As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20

I return to my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  With a focus on Revelation 1:9-3:22, a key takeaway is how the commentary shares how the number 7 in the Bible represents fullness and completion so the implication is that while Christ reveals to John a message to the seven churches in these chapters of Revelation, the intended audience are all churches - not just during John's time but for all times, including churches of today. Christ offers encouragement for some and rebukes for some - the encouragement highlights how Christ is pleased in how some churches endure through suffering and trials while at the same time rebuking churches for lukewarm faith, for a waning faith, following false prophets, and for allowing love of the world to dilute faith in Christ.  These are appropriate warnings for us all!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You provide Your church to encourage, to pray for one anothers, and to support our faith - thank You Jesus!  I have been blessed by great churches!  Thank You!  I am not deserving of how You love and bless me.  My sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

Revelation 1

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Revelation 1:5b-6

Today, I pause from my study of Isaiah (using the ) to focus on a study of Revelation where I am participating in a disciple group on Monday nights - we are using a study authored by Stephen Witmer.  For today, my focus is the Overview (Chapter 1) where we get acquainted with the book of Revelation at a high level to understand broad themes that will be looked at more closely in subsequent chapters.  From the study guide, the key verse is 1:5b-6 where John praises Jesus.  My aim is to memorize this text in time for Monday night when I gather with my disciple group.  I am going to break down the text as follows:

1. To him who (a) loves us and (b) has freed us from our sins by his blood and (c) made us a kingdom...
2. ...(d) priests to his God and Father...
3. ...to him be glory and and dominion forever and ever

Jesus blessed us with (a), (b), (c), and (d) and therefore is worthy of glory and dominion forever and ever!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who HAS blessed me with Your love, freedom from my sins, election as chosen for Your Kingdom (eternally), and by making us priests with direct access to You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit!  You are worthy of praise and I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues - including worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 1-3

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:19-22

Day 361 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I reach the final chapter of the NT and Bible - Revelation. Last year at this time, I started a more comprehensive study of Revelation from David Platt.  Check out posts from that study here. This time around it's more of a refresher and brief overview over the course of a few days as I wrap my chronological study of the Bible.

My commentary provides the following notes/overview on the book of Revelation: "[i]n his last years, perhaps around A.D. 95–96, the aging apostle is found exiled on the Greek island of Patmos during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. On a particular Lord’s day, as John relates the experience, he receives through an angel a revelation from the Spirit of God in which he is directed to write what he sees and to send it to seven churches in Asia. Those churches, as well as others at this time, are facing severe persecution and suffering because of their faith in Christ. The circumstances therefore warrant both admonition and encouragement....

....What John sees and records is a prophecy, both strange and moving, in which Christ as sovereign Lord engages in battle with the forces of evil and is clearly the Victor. The account is couched in figurative language, supernatural imagery, and verbal and numerical symbolism that is not easy to fully comprehend. Yet it stirs an excitement about the future for all Christians and gives hope that present sufferings will be lost in a victory so wonderful that the mind of man can only begin to grasp it.... 

....The Revelation is the consummation of God’s scheme of redemption for man, as presented systematically throughout the Bible. In the early Genesis account, God was declared to be the omnipotent Creator of the universe, worthy of praise for his majesty and power. The created universe was wholly good until penetrated by the power of Satan, who acquainted man with the evil of sin and its consequences. Because of man’s sin, man came to need redemption and reconciliation with God. Through his chosen nation of Israel, God provided for that redemption. The Old Testament records God’s power of judgment which was made known through Moses, the law, and the prophets. Then, as recorded in the Gospel accounts, came the good news that man’s Redeemer had come to earth in fulfillment of the law and prophecy. Jesus the Christ brought a new righteousness of faith, a faith having the power of salvation. In dying on the cross and in being resurrected from the grave, Jesus triumphed over Satan’s power of death. Based upon that demonstration of his lordship and power, the church was born and grew to swelling numbers and influence. When the church was met with opposition and persecution, the apostles and other inspired writers penned their various epistles to encourage their fellow Christians to persevere, in prospect of their final redemption in the life to come."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Both David Platt and the author of my current commentary emphasize the encouraging nature of Revelation.  Yes, battle and destruction is described, yet for those who believe and remain firm in their faith we should be encouraged because we know that Jesus is and has already won the victory we seek - victory over both sin and death.  The end of Revelation 3 offers these great encouraging words that describe the relationship Jesus wants with all of creation - an incredible invitation filled with mercy, compassion and love.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who offers a deep and loving relationship that is unsurpassed in how it sustains and fulfills like no other.  Thank You Jesus for adopting me into Your family!  I am not deserving of such love.  I gossip, am often harsh with others and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Revelation 1

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. v3

Based on very challenging previous solo attempts at reading Revelation, followed by a more fruitful study through Bible Study Fellowship, I've decided to study revelation with the assistance of an online study by David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church).  This online resource is 13 sessions long and today I reviewed session #1.

My key takeaways from session #1:

• Revelation is an apocalyptic vision filled with symbols and imagery but more than anything it provides in David Platt's words a "grand portrait of God's greatness" and a "glorious picture of god's gospel".
• It is very important to understand both the historical and Biblical contexts for this book - what is God saying to the 1st century church who first heard these words and were suffering greatly and tempted to bend to the prevailing culture, or tempted to succumb to false teachers and/or to Roman culture with all of its focus on material wealth, earthly power, sexual sin, etc.; this approach to focus on historical and Biblical context first then on what the application is for our lives today is important not just with Revelation but for all of the Bible
• We should avoid falling into a trap to interpret this book based on various academic schools of thought which only divide the church but instead focus on a broader more important message God seeks to convey: God wants to give us in the words of David Platt "unshakeable hope" as God has defeated sin and Satan; He is in control, has conquered all, reigns now, hears our cries, sees our tears and will wipe all tears away and take away all of our pain; God also calls us to unwavering holiness in the face of a seductive culture 
• We are promised blessings but also warned about falling away; God loves us now and He reigns now - for both not just in the past and in the future but now

 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  Daniel 7:13

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 12:10

 
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the blessings You pour out on me.  I sin...daily and struggle with temptation.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem? v22

Isaiah gives us a vision of the last days and he tells of how God is exalted above all as "[H]e rises to shake the earth" (v21).  We are reminded of how the things of this world will fade away, just as John describes it in Revelation.

Such a prophecy should also serve to warn us to put too much trust in anything of this world - including people, relationships we have, and even ourselves.  

We are to love God above all - this is the most important commandment.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has created the heavens and the earth and everything that inhabit them, and You create me in Your image to glorify You - You know everything about me, including my sin, yet You willingly died on the cross so that I could have life - thank you Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. v3

Habakkuk pleads with the Lord for justice for the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and the Lord tells Habakkuk that all will have to stand for their sin - be assured that the Lord will bring justice to the Chaldeans.

As a follow up to yesterday, we must not only allow God alone to serve justice but we must also live in reverent fear of the Lord today and offer ourselves as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) with the hope and confidence that God will save us from eternal damnation. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me...I am easily distracted and my priorities are often not of You....thank You for Your great mercies but please forgive me this morning!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You first and with my best efforts. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell.

Psalm 137

Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. v7

Revenge and justice belongs to the Lord.  We should give it up to Him and let Him handle it according to His ways - and He will ultimately in Revelation during the final days.  We should not take justice into our own hands.  Au contraire, we are to love and serve everyone, even those who oppress us.

Think of what Joseph did in captivity (Genesis 39-50), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (Daniel 3), or Daniel (Daniel 6) - they all served their earthly masters as if serving the Lord.

We also have Paul's writings:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Ephesians 6:5-8

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. Colossians 3:22-25

There are also words spoken from Jesus himself:

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Luke 6:29

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

...and the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for all of creation and all of Your children - regardless of what they do.  Your love is beyond what my words can describe.  I am deeply grateful for Your love.  Thank You Jesus.  I cannot do any good thing without You.  Please forgive me for my harshness with others.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Praise You for a good doctor's report for Lisa yesterday.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Continue to heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

2 Peter 3

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. v17

Peter is warning us that Jesus will return and Judgement Day will be upon us all - we may die first, but either way we will be judged.  Should Jesus return before we die then the point is moot.  Again, either way we should be ready.  Peter wants us also to:
- bring others to Christ.
- live a spotless, blameless life
- be at peace with Christ
- look forward to being with Christ either in heaven or at the end of the age

God is great - he will leave me or forsake me.  Should I die, I will go home to Him.  Should He return before I die, He will take me with Him...forever!  What a great God!

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me.  I am not worth such blessings!  I worry and I am often full of stress.  Thank You for Your love and compassion but please forgive me Jesus...please forgive me for my worry and stress.  Help me lean not on my own powers or understanding but on YOU!  Help me bring all of my cares and worries to You.  Help me turn from sin towards YOU! Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer - help Lisa feel at ease about her radiation treatments and help today's and all appointments go well.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.