Revelation 13: 8,9 - "Everyone on earth whose name was not written from the world's foundation in the slaughtered Lamb's Book of Life will worship the Beast. Are you listening to this? They've made their bed; now they must lie in it."
Revelations 14: 6,7 There is an Eternal Message to preach to all who ARE still on earth, every nation and tribe, every tongue and people. He preached in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment IS COMING. Worship the Maker of Heaven and earth, fresh sea and salt water...Who can fail to fear you, God, give glory to your Name? Because you and you only are holy...
Revelation 16:7 - They poured out the blood of saints and prophets so you've given them blood to drink—they've gotten what they deserve! Yes, the Sovereign Strong will be fair and righteous. Wondering this morning whose blood will be poured out? Really wondering if my blood will be spent for what is right?
Revelations 16:15 - "Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You're blessed if, awake and dressed, you're ready for me. Too bad if you're found running through the streets, naked and ashamed." I do not want to live this coming year in shame but in surrender to the Savior who is coming again One Fine Day.
I don't want to live the next year in shame either. I have come to realize we all live with a certain amount of shame and we shouldn't, not while our father is the King of Kings.
ReplyDeleteMy resolve to live a life of honor, not false pride or false humility. I will look to Christ as my example, in the year 2011.
In the Meantime
ReplyDeleteRev 14:1-2 ~ ”I saw—it took my breath away!—the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, 144,000 standing there with him, his Name and the Name of his Father inscribed on their foreheads. And I heard a voice out of Heaven, the sound like a cataract, like the crash of thunder.“
Rev. 14:2-5 ~ “And then I heard music, harp music and the harpists singing a new song before the Throne and the Four Animals and the Elders. Only the 144,000 could learn to sing the song. They were bought from earth, lived without compromise, virgin-fresh before God. Wherever the Lamb went, they followed. They were bought from humankind, firstfruits of the harvest for God and the Lamb. Not a false word in their mouths. A perfect offering.”
Rev 14:12 ~ ”Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God's commands, staying faithful to Jesus.”
I’m struck again by the sheer terror of the dream John saw and the horror of End Times. Yet in great contrast are the saints waiting patiently, the Elders, the 144,000 learning a new song to sing, the first-fruits of the harvest of mankind. Their perfect offering before the Lord, and the Lamb standing with them, His Name inscribed on their foreheads. What a picture of faithfulness in the midst of the worst of circumstances. And so for us this day…meanwhile…may we be found patiently waiting, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Christ Jesus our Lord.