Come, Lord Jesus! July 31 Reading: Revelation 21-22

Today’s Readings

Context

We spend a lot of time trying to find life, to find fun and contentment and pleasure and peace in this world. But in Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, we see a truth that helps us in the search for real life. Observe verses 1 and 2.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Coming from the throne of God is a river of living water that feeds the tree of life and brings healing to the nations. Life flows from the throne of God - and nowhere else. God is life. Real life, true life - it flows from his throne to us. Don't look for, from this world, what only God can offer. Eternal life, abundant life, joy, contentment and fulfillment, these flow from heaven in streams of living water. He alone satisfies the soul with everlasting joy.

The Bible begins with God speaking the world into existence. Now, the Bible ends with God's words again.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

First Jesus gives us a blessed promise. He's coming quickly. Oh, of course, quickly is defined by the One to whom a day is as a thousand years. But he is coming. One day. Soon or in the distant future, he will come and consummate this world in his glory. 

And so, we say with the Apostle John, "Come, Lord Jesus." Life can be hard, or it can be good, But come, Lord Jesus. When everything is coming up roses or when it's stinking like fertilizer, come, Lord Jesus. 

Someone once observed that there is something the first two chapters of the Bible have in common with the last two. No Satan. God made the world and he ends it his way. He wins. The end. 

With all the wickedness, confusion, terrorism, war, poverty, and suffering in the world, all of God's people, the redeemed of Christ, the saints set apart by his grace sigh and say as one, 

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Devotional - Come, Lord Jesus!

 Theologians and preachers have speculated about heaven for a long time. The New Testament is clear about how we get there - we ride the coattails of the righteousness of Jesus Christ to eternal glory. None of us is worthy of heaven or fit for it. Since sin cannot dwell there, and we are all sinners, we are excluded until the blood of Christ cleanses us and the power of Christ makes us new. Clothed in the righteousness of Christ we who deserve hell can become fit for heaven.

That much is clear, but what will heaven be like? On that there is a wide divergence of opinion. The description given in Revelation 21 is not all that helpful. Look at verses 19-21.

The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone:the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.The 12 gates are 12 pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The broad street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

My guess is that John was doing the best he can to describe the glory he saw, but that heaven is so far above and beyond human experience that he did the best he could to write down what he saw. The problem is that I'm not really sure what chrysolite, chrysoprase or jacinth are. How about you? What does it mean that each of the gates was made of a single pearl, or that the street is made of a pure gold that looks like transparent glass? I just don't have a good sense of what that means. Pure gold like transparent glass?  Not visualizing that.

Heaven is beyond our existence. I cannot envision a sinless, perfect world, one that sin has never and will never touch, one that is unaffected by time, where death and decay have no place. In fact, that leads me to my point. When John describes heaven, he spends most of his time describing what isn't there.

• There's no sea (21:1). This may refer to the sinful nations of the world. The roiling and political machination is gone and Jesus reigns supreme. 
• Death no longer exists (21:4). Jesus has once and for all defeated the enemy of humanity and it is no longer a threat. 
• There's no tears, grief, crying or pain (21:4). All the "former things" have passed away as the new order of things has taken over. God is now in charge and all is well. Every trace of sin, of the curse and all of its effects, has been forever banished. 
• There's no sanctuary (21:22). No sacrifice or place of worship is needed. God is there personally. 
• There's no source of light - sun or moon (21:23). It's not needed because the glory of God provides all the light that is needed. 
• There's no closing time (21:25). The gates are open eternally. 
• There's nothing profane (21:27). Sin has been banished once and for all. 

I can't tell you exactly what heaven is going to be like, but I can tell you this, everything that is wrong, evil, awful, hurtful and bad about life here on earth - it won't be there. God will. Jesus will. Those who believe in Jesus will be there - redeemed and transformed. But all the mess of this world will be gone.

I can't tell you exactly what heaven will be like, but it will be wonderful!

Father, I thank you that Christ prepared a place for me in glory by his blood shed on the cross. I thank you that all the evil, grief and pain of this world will only last a time, but that your glory is eternal. 

Think and Pray

Are you longing for the coming of Christ, living each day preparing for heaven and investing in heavenly treasure?
What is it about heaven that is a blessing to you?
What is it about heaven that you still wonder about? 

What's Next in 2016 Bible Reading Challenge? "Creation to Christ: A 60-Day Look at the Story of the Bible"

The end is near! 

Tomorrow's reading is the end! We've taken 7 months and gone through the New Testament Chronologically. I've reworked it so that if I re-do this in the future I can do it in 6 months, but now we have 5 months left in the year and I wasn't sure about what to do. 

• I thought about taking a break. These take some time and I have a lot of other things going on. I don't know how many of the folks at Southern Hills are reading their Bible daily, but I didn't want to quit because this is a high priority. 
• I thought about just going to last year's devotionals and finishing out the year reading the last 5 months of "Through the Bible in One Year." Again, my main reason was to get a little break from writing these so I could focus on other things. But starting up a reading program like that just seemed a little odd. 
• I looked online at all the plans and programs out there. NONE of them are 5 months. They are one month, three month, six, twelve. But nothing would take us through the end of the year. 
• I thought of doing a more in-depth study of a particular book of the Bible - Romans, perhaps. But I decided against that. 
• Finally, as I read through programs, an idea came to my mind that clicked and grew and it seemed that this was my best choice. 

We are going to make a trek from Genesis to Revelation, looking at the grand story of the Bible - sometimes called "Redemptive History." We'll start out with God's creation, then go to the Fall, to the Flood, the choosing of Abraham's seed, the Exodus from Egypt, the Law, Israel's failure and God's faithfulness, and on through to the prophetic promises of the Messiah. We'll examine the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ in brief (we've already read that this year) and then we'll read scriptures that explain the meaning of the Cross for us. We will culminate with Christ's ultimate victory - right back where we are now. 

Sixty days of readings that will tell the whole Bible story. I think it will help us in our understanding of the big picture of scripture. 

One problem - the reading starts Monday and this weekend I am preaching twice, plus doing a funeral and a wedding. I only decided on this Thursday night and I just haven't had time to get it together. So, we are going to have a one week "Meditation Break." Oh, we are still going to read, but its going to be something completely different. We are going to read the same chapter 7 days in a row. I'm going to ask you to read it over and over. Different versions. Read it outloud. Meditate on it. 

I've often said that if I was stranded on a desert island and could have only one chapter of the Bible with me, it wouldn't take me 10 seconds to figure out which one I wanted. I've called it the "Mt. Everest" of the peaks of Scripture. There's Psalm 23, and John 3, and 1 Corinthians 13, and so many others that form the Himalayas. But one peak stands tallest, I believe. 

Romans 8! From there is "no condemnation in Christ" to "nothing can separate us from the love of Christ" it is one glorious blessing after another. 

So, for the next 7 days, starting Monday, I'm going to ask you to read Romans 8. Then again. And again. Read some commentaries if you want. We will do 7 specific devotionals on the highest of the highlights of the chapter, but honestly, we could easily do an entire month on this chapter and I don't think we would exhaust the storehouse!

So, starting Monday, it's "Scaling Mt. Everest" for 7 days - in Romans 8. Then, starting Monday the 8th we will trek through the whole Bible in (about) 60 days. 

The adventure begins Monday. 

When the Books Open - July 30 Reading: Revelation 19-20

Today’s Readings

Context

It will be the most glorious moment in human history when the great battle of evil is going on here on earth and suddenly Jesus breaks out in glory with heaven's armies trailing him and he strikes down the rebellious hordes with the sword coming out of his mouth. Then, he judges the world, binds Satan, and sets up his millennial kingdom. After that comes the final judgment and Satan's doom, along with the terrible moment of the Great White Throne when sinners are judged and sent to the Lake of Fire.

It is God's ultimate victory over sin and it is also a moment of sadness as many are sent to the horrible place of torment prepared for the devil and his fallen angels. 

Devotional - The Books Open

Why do people go to hell?

No one wants to talk about it or think about it, but when we arrive at Revelation 20:11-15, we can no longer pretend the final judgment does not exist. There is a Great White Throne and seated on it is the Judge of all the earth. Every man and woman who has ever lived and died is brought to stand before this throne and is judged.

Here is where my eschatological viewpoint comes in - I believe that the believing dead have already been raised prior to this and that all those who face this judgment are lost. It's not an issue that needs to be fought to the end, of course.

But the key is that we see hints as to how the final judgment of sinners is made. John describes two different sets of books being opened. In verse 12, it says, "the books were opened." This implies that the dead are judged according to their works, and that is something that no human being wants. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Every one of us who is judged according to the works we have done in this life will be found wanting.

The first set of books is opened and every man and woman standing before the throne of God stands guilty, without excuse. No one offers an appeal or justification. Guilty as charged.

But there is another book that is opened, mentioned in verse 12 as well, the "book of life." This has also been called the Lamb's book of life. In this book is written the names of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Why do people go to hell? Because their name is not written in that book! Because as sinners they have not repented of their sin and turned to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. John put it about as clearly as one could in his first epistle.

"He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life." (1 John 5:12)

Eternity is about Jesus. What did you do with him? There's not a single one of us who can stand when God opens the books and judges our lives. We are sinners. But those who have placed their faith in Jesus have a secure hope in heaven for all eternity, a hope for glory.

It is my guess that most of those who read this devotional "have the Son." You have repented of your sin and put your faith in him. If you haven't, do so now. But if your name is written in the book of life by the grace of God, by the blood of Christ, then give thanks today. Give thanks that your eternity does not depend on you but on Jesus Christ. Give thanks that Jesus paid with his blood so that your name could be written in the Book of Life. Give thanks that though your works could never earn righteousness, his was imputed to you.

Father, I thank you for your Son, our Savior. Because of him, I have hope for all eternity. I have life I didn't serve and a place in heaven I couldn't earn.  

Think and Pray

Is your name written in Book of Life? Do you "have the Son" - because you repented of your sins and put your faith in Christ? If not, turn to him now and give your life to Christ.

If you are "in the Book" give thanks that God saved you and give glory to him. You have heaven even though your sins deserved hell. Rejoice. 

Fallen is Babylon - July 29 Reading: Revelation 17-18

Today’s Readings

Context

Babylon is a powerful word throughout the Bible, representing not just the powerful nation that arose to seek to dominate the world, but symbolically standing for everything in this world that unites in opposition to God. There is, in Revelation 17-18, a religious aspect to Babylon, a united religion without loyalty to God or to his Son. There is political Babylon, the uniting of the nations around humanistic power not in obedience to God. And there is an economic Babylon, a world system united in materialism and greed, seeking all this world has, exploiting others and oppressing them to get ahead.

And in a moment, God will bring it all crashing down. Boom! Make no mistake about it. God is in control. This world system is loyal to the enemy and opposes the rule of Christ, but it is doomed in that rebellion. You can oppose Christ but you cannot defeat him!

Few things are certain in life, but this is. Babylon will fall.

Devotional - Fallen is Babylon

Find 20 commentaries on the book of Revelation and you might find 2 dozen different explanations for  the identity of "Babylon the Great." The Roman empire was a historical favorite and so was the Roman Catholic church (still is). Some point the finger at the revived Roman Empire of the Tribulation period. In my younger years many tried to find a way to fit America into the prophecies of the end times and some managed to make Revelation 17 apply to the good ole USA. But perhaps the best thing to do in a short (well, for me anyway) devotional is to just let Babylon represent what it often represents in Scripture - the sinful world system that stands in rebellion against God. It is an economic system that values financial gain over the true wealth of God's glory. It is a political system that seeks to establish human power and authority instead of yielding to God's. It is a religious system that turns to human truth, human rules, human rituals, human endeavors, and human merit instead of relying on the grace of God and the righteousness of Christ. Babylon. Since the Tower was built so many years ago to reach to heaven man has been seeking his own way, doing his own thing and walking in opposition to the will and way of God.

And one day that will all come crashing down. "Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the Great." When the time is right, when Jesus is ready, he will bring this rebellious world system crashing to the ground so that he can establish his kingdom and authority over this earth.

I have strong views about Revelation, but I am afraid that we have missed the overall message, the great truths of Revelation because we've gotten so bogged down in the minutiae - arguing over the identity of the Antichrist, or the timing of the end. The ultimate truth is that God wins. This wicked world and all its evil men cannot and will not stand against the awesome power of the great God who created it all and sent his Son to redeem a people for himself. Jesus always has been Lord. He is Lord today. And one day the entire earth will know it. He rose from the dead and one day he will be physically and visibly enthroned on this earth.

This is the absurdity of our lives. If I saw a burning home, I would not gather all my valuables and run into that house and deposit my precious things. I would certainly not lead my family into that home. I'd get anything of value out! And yet that is exactly what we are doing in the spiritual realm. This world and the system that runs it is doomed to destruction. Babylon will fall. But so often I invest all of my time, energy, enthusiasm, and passion into the things that will burn. I sacrifice the eternal for the temporal.

It is hard to figure all the details out, but it appears that God works by his sovereign hand in the future to sow discord between the Antichrist and Babylon (whatever specifically that means). God brings down Babylon by creating hostility within itself.

Maybe that should be our prayer as one year ends and another year begins.

Father, as one day you will bring discord in Babylon, give us a heart that cares more about your kingdom than this world. Drive a wedge between us and this world. May we be so heavenly minded that we can be of some earthly good. 

Think and Pray

Are you investing your life in Babylon or in heaven? 

Three Angels; Three Messages - July 28 Reading: Revelation 14-16

Today’s Readings

Context

Since Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the Garden, the curse of sin has rested on the earth and on the sinners who dwell here. God has repeatedly warned that while he is patient and gracious, his wrath will come. In these chapters, the wrath of God falls at the end of time - fast and furious, shock and awe! The final seven bowls of God's wrath are poured out on the world and the end comes. 

Devotional - Three Angels; Three Messages

The ax hangs in the air and the final blows of God's wrath are about the fall on the earth. The end is truly near. But before God's wrath comes, Revelation 14 tells us about 3 angels who will make their way to earth to deliver the word of God. Their messages are harsh - nothing positive or encouraging there! But they give humanity a last chance to understand the truth of God. Each of these angels speaks a word of truth that we need to hear.

The first angel delivers his warning in verse 7.

Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.

Throughout history, the love of God has called us to worship him. His goodness has been the primary reason to fall before him and give him glory. He gave his Son and demonstrated infinite love through that sacrifice. But now the message has changed. It is the impending wrath of God that must move men to fear God and give him glory. Judgment is coming and it is time to give honor to the one to who it is due. 

The second angel speaks a word of prophecy, the meaning of which serves as a stark warning even for us today. Look at verse 8. 

Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.

Babylon represents the sinful, materialistic world system and the angel declares that it is about to come crashing down - an event that will take place in chapters 17-18. This world and everything in it has an expiration date. Why would we invest our hearts, souls, bodies, and time into the things of this world when it is going to crash into oblivion? It is utter folly. Never waste your life on this world and its passions and pleasures. Babylon will fall. 

The third angel's message is the most ominous, picking up on the first angel's warning and ratcheting it up higher and higher. In verses 9-11, John details the judgment on those who worship the beast, who embrace evil and the works of Satan. There is a lot of eschatological controversy wrapped up in these words, but let's ignore that and look at the simpler truth. The judgment of God on sinners is sure, certain, unavoidable, and terrible. There is no escape. 

We are blessed to live in the love of God and experience his grace daily. But we can never allow that grace to blind us to the reality that awaits sinners. God's judgment will fall and it will be awful. There is no solution but to seek God's forgiveness through Christ and to yield our lives to him - while that is still an option. 

The other option is too horrible to consider. 

Father, I thank you for the love that Christ has shown me that means I will not have to experience that horror of wrath that awaits sinners. May I tell others about your grace as well!

Think and Pray

As awful as it is, consider the reality of the wrath of God on sinners.
What changes ought you to make in your life in view of the coming wrath? 

Embracing Evil - July 27 Reading: Revelation 12-13

Today’s Readings

Context

Revelation 12 is a spiritual history of the world, tracking Satan's fall from heaven and his pursuit of the people of God, Israel. Chapter 13 then turns to the rise of two men who will spearhead the work of evil in the last days, men we know of as the Antichrist and the false prophet - here they are identified as the first and second beasts.

Devotional - Embracing Evil

There are many misconceptions about the spread of evil. We fictionalize the devil and his ways, casting him as a vile monster who attacks people and drags them to hell against their will. But that is, unfortunately, not what the Bible teaches. What we learn in scripture is leaves us without excuse.

Mike Bergman, a pastor in Missouri and one of my fellow-writers on SBC Voices, said this:

In Genesis, God gave us the world. We chose a tiny piece of fruit instead. In the future, God promises once again to give us the world. Each time we sin, we're saying to him: "No thanks, I'd rather have this tiny bite of fruit instead." Heirs of everything shouldn't sell it for a tiny bite of fruit that doesn't satisfy beyond the moment.

What a powerful statement. Hold onto that thought as we reflect on Revelation 13. In verse 1 we are introduced to a being of infinite evil that we call the Antichrist, or the Beast. He is empowered by Satan himself (verse 2) and is enabled by him to recover from some sort of fatal wound (the exact nature of this is much-debated). But what comes next, in verses 3 and 4, is what I'd like you to take notice of. 

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

We often labor under the idea that Satan gains power by forcing people to sin against their wills or that the Antichrist will rise to power by a coup and seize power by force. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Adam and Eve were deceived, but they chose the fruit of sin over the Paradise of God, and people have willfully chosen sin ever since. In this passage, the enemy of God rises to power as a hero. People worship him as their savior, their deliverer. He does not force his way to the throne, he is carried on the shoulders of the people - those he will later brutally oppress. 

That is the way of sin. We choose it - willfully, even gleefully. We like it. We want it. It is only after we have eaten the fruit that we realize what it will cost. It is only after we have embraced the evil that we realize what a cruel tyrant it is. Sin always takes us farther than we want to go, costs us more than we want to pay, and keeps us longer than we want to stay. 

Jesus is a loving Lord. He gives joy and peace to those who follow him. Why do we choose the measly fruit of sin when we can have the full blessing of God? Why do we embrace the ways of the enemy of God when the yoke of Jesus is easy and his burden is light? 

Father, I want what you have, not the false promises of the enemy. I thank you that you have freed me eternally from sin. Help me to walk daily in freedom from his lies. 

Think and Pray

Remember that sin is something you do, something you choose, not something you are a victim of. Thank God for his sin-defeating power and recommit your life to him. 

Mysteries - July 26 Reading: Revelation 10-11

Today’s Readings

Context

Today's reading puts us in another gap between the sixth and seventh in a judgment series. The sixth trumpet has blown and judgments have destroyed half of the earth. At the end of chapter 9 the sinners of earth refuse to repent but in chapter 10 and 11 God shows his grace by sending another angel with a little scroll and the two witnesses, believed by many to be Moses and Elijah.

At the end of chapter 11, the seventh trumpet will blow and the final judgments of God will fall, after an interlude in which the work of the antichrist and false prophet are explored. 

Devotional - Mysteries

There are some things we just are not meant to know.

In Bible studies I am often asked questions to which I have to give my most common answer. "I don't know and no one does." It doesn't help my sense of macho as a Bible teacher, I suppose, but the fact is that there is much in God's word I don't understand, will never understand, and probably am not meant to understand. We are called to trust a God we cannot fully figure out, one whose actions often boggle our minds.

Revelation is one of the most argued books of the Bible, the subject of debates between various millennial systems. And there are many who comb the pages of Revelation (and Daniel, and Ezekiel) looking for arcane details about this and that. There are some who seem to be able to look at every headline in the newspaper and relate it back to some prophetic detail in the pages of Revelation.

But Revelation 10:1-11 tells a story that reminds us that God has not revealed all his mysteries to us yet. A mighty angel appears with a small scroll and then seven thunders sound. John is about to write down the message delivered by the thunders when he is told by the angel to seal it up and keep it until the end.

God reveals himself to us and tells us all that we can understand of him, but that doesn't mean that we know all there is to know. Some aspects of God's character and his plan for the future are always going to remain a mystery. God means it to be that way.

That's where so many have gone wrong in their study of this book. It is about the glorious victory of Jesus over evil, not about details of the second coming. Yes, we learn a lot of those details in this book but the goal of the book is to teach us to trust the one who is driving the story, who is opening the seals and guiding the end of the world. The study of the end times isn't about details and charts and systems, it's about Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords who orders the details so that he stands supreme in the end.

So, as you read this book and encounter a million confusing and fascinating tidbits of information, remember that the key is to look for the one who ends it all for his glory not the details of the end. There are things that have been sealed that we will never understand until it is revealed.

Remember that this book is about Jesus.

Father, may we focus on your Son, not just the fascinating details of the end times. 

Think and Pray

When you study the end times, do you tend to get bogged down in a morbid fascination with the details,s or do you keep your eyes on Jesus, the Victor?

Is God Cruel? July 25 Reading: Revelation 8-9

Today’s Readings

Context

The second phase of God's program of judgment is initiated in chapter 8 - the seventh seal is opened revealing seven angels with seven trumpets. The judgments are increasingly harsh. The seals each destroyed 1/4 of that part of the earth they targeted. The trumpets bring judgment that destroys 1/3 of what is left. By my old-style math, I believe that would mean that about 1/2 of the world has been destroyed to this point.

God is cruel, you say?

I would argue that God is amazingly patient. He made this world for his glory and has put up with the sin of the world for thousands of years, giving mankind chance after chance to repent. He offered his only Son as the payment for sins and displayed his grace and mercy in unimaginable ways. How did we respond? Humanity has spit in God's face over and over again.

Finally, in God's sovereign time, the judgment falls. It is not fair to blame the judge for the sentence passed down on the criminal, is it? God has given humanity every chance and we've rejected him. Now, the hammer falls. Now humanity sees and feels the weight of God's wrath - and it is terrifying. Still, there is a chance to repent but few do. 

Devotional - Is God Cruel? 

What more could God do?

Since the beginning of time, since Adam and Eve took that fateful bite of that fruit and turned their backs on God and his ways, choosing sin instead of obedience, God has been at work to display his love and to draw people back to himself in grace. He gave a law to Moses, but before Moses came down off the mountain with the tablets the people had already put other gods before Yahweh. They broke the law before they had it. Israel's history is one of constant rebellion, judgment, restoration, and then renewed rebellion. God was faithful and loving but Israel continued in sin.

Then God sent his Son to a little village south of Jerusalem, born of peasants from Nazareth. He came to show the love of God and to be the sacrifice for sin - willingly giving himself on our behalf. It is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done. Having lived a perfect life Jesus gave himself to die for us. He took the judgment of our sins on his shoulders that we might be clothed in eternal righteousness. And yet, the vast majority of humans choose to reject Jesus and his gift and embrace the sin that damns them.

God gave a law and man broke it. God sent his son and man rejected him. What more could God do? Some might say that what God needed to do was show just how awful sin is in his eyes. That is what the Tribulation period is about. Jesus, in Revelation 5, takes the scroll and begins to break the seals to reveal the judgment of God on the world. God hates sin. God makes it clear that he will not put up with humanity's wickedness. Does God's demonstration of wrath move mankind to repentance? No, no more than his amazing love did. Revelation 9:20-21 makes this clear

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

They did not repent of their evil, their idolatry. They refused to acknowledge their sin before God. The problem is depravity, the utter sinfulness of the human heart. Our hearts are not only wicked but stubborn. We cherish the sin that destroys us.

It is sad. God cannot do more than he has done, than he is doing, to love us. He has shown infinite, unlimited love, and yet our hardened and sin-loving hearts reject him. This is true of the lost person you pray and grieve for. Pray that he or she will be softened by the Spirit, that God will till the soil in that person's heart to receive the word. But it is also true even in our redeemed hearts. We are far too susceptible to holding on to sin, to resisting repentance and loving the sin that distances us from intimacy with God.

Father, may no sin harden my heart or drive a wedge between us. May your Spirit break down the walls in my heart to make me sensitive to you.

Think and Pray

We are compelled and driven by the love of God, but it also behooves us to remember that God is a Holy God and that his wrath will fall on sinners.
How can the impending wrath of God motivate you to action in this sinful world? 

The Church's Biggest Failure - July 24 Reading: Revelation 6-7

Today’s Readings

Context

In chapter 6, Jesus begins to open the seals on the judgment scroll and wrath of God is poured out on the world. There are significant issues at stake here, far more than we can discuss in this brief statement - issues that will be argued until Jesus actually returns and settles all the discussions. But there are several significant items that appear here.

The first four seals bring out the famous "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," and then we meet the 144,000 witnesses from the 12 tribes of Israel. Finally, the heavenly multitude from every tribe and language on earth is seen in the heavenly vision.

There is a pattern here. Jesus opens six of the seven seals, then there is an interlude in which God's grace is offered to sinful man and and the hardness of the human heart is displayed. It is after this that the seventh seal is opened and it reveals seven trumpets which blow. The same pattern is followed between the sixth and seventh trumpets before that seventh trumpet reveals the final seven judgments, the bowls of God's wrath. 

Devotional - The Church's Biggest Failure 

It has been in the heart of God since the beginning of time but it has seldom been in the heart of God's people. When God called Abram and chose him to bless his seed, he told him that he would bless him and make him a blessing. God's choice of Israel was not meant to be simply a blessing to them but so that God could use them as a channel of blessing to the world.

We look at the Early Church, the Jerusalem church, as an ideal of all that is good and right. But the fact is that they never had God's heart for the "the ends of the earth." They actually resisted the work of God every time the boundaries were pushed and Samaritans first, then later Gentiles, were saved and brought into the family of God. Even Peter had to have a vision from God before he'd go to share Christ with Cornelius. It took a massive persecution to move the Jerusalem church outside of their home city to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. It was the Antioch church that caught a vision of the heart of God to "make disciples of all nations." It was Barnabas and Saul who answered the call to go beyond the borders of the nation of Israel and go the "ends of the earth."

But God is relentless, determined that he will gather his people from all the earth. In spite of the reluctance of the church, God's power wins out and he accomplishes his purpose. Revelation 7:9 describes a "great multitude no one could number" standing before the throne of God. This is the church, the people of God, those redeemed by the blood of Christ. This is not a group of white Americans. It's not a Jewish group, to the consternation of some of the party of the Jews in the Early church. It is a gathering of those from EVERY tribe, language and people on earth.

God wins and the gospel goes out to everyone!

Unfortunately, the American church has not always been any better at this than the Jerusalem church was. We tend to confuse the purposes of the kingdom of God with good fortunes of the USA. It is still true that the segregated hour of the week in the USA is Sunday morning church hour, and that cannot be a blessing to the heart of God who sent his Son to redeem a people from every tribe and language on earth.

We must develop the heart of God for the nations. God's heart is for rich and poor, black white and every shade in between, powerful and inconsequential, male and female. The church of Jesus Christ must be about the things that are in the heart of God. We cannot live solely for our own comfort and happiness but must give ourselves that the world might know, that the rejected, the abused, the discriminated against, the dehumanized, the rejected - that they might know the amazing love of God in Jesus Christ.

That is the heart of God and that must be the heart of God's people.

Father, may my heart beat with your heart for the nations of the world and all its people. 

Think and Pray

Does your life give evidence of the heart of God for all nations or are you living in selfishness and focused on your own people, your own culture? 

Worthy Is the Lamb - July 23 Reading: Revelation 4-5

Today’s Readings

Context

This is the beginning of the grand story of Revelation. Heaven opens and John is taken up, where a scroll appears on which is written all the judgments of God on the sinful world. No one is worthy to open the scroll and judge the world until the Lamb steps forward. Jesus by his death and resurrection earned the right to judge the world. The rest of the book is the unfolding of this plan of judgment and the glorious victory of Christ over the world.

Warning, the preacher goes a little long today!

Devotional - Worthy Is the Lamb

There are few passages more glorious, more majestic, than Revelation 4 and 5, in which true, heavenly worship is modeled. 

In chapter 4, John is transported to heaven in a vision, and he is allowed to see how things take place before God's glorious throne. He sees what we will see and experiences what we will experience one day when we are in the presence of God. 

First, John saw a throne in heaven, one Isaiah told us was high and exalted. Everyone and everything was focused toward it. We can only imagine the beauty and the glory of the heavenly throne room, though John tries to give us what information he can. But, in spite of all the beauty in the place, his focus was not on the throne or its beauty, but on the One seated on the throne. God is seated on the throne. He is not running for office or fighting to protect that throne. He is seated, at rest. His rule over the world is settled, his sovereignty is secure. He has no rival for his kingdom, for no one can challenge his power and authority. 

John noticed that there were other thrones in heaven, lesser thrones but awesome nonetheless, and these 24 thrones encircled the great throne. On these were seated twenty-four elders, who represent the redeemed of the ages, perhaps the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. In the world, they faced hardships and persecution, but in heaven, they are seated in places of honor and authority. They are clothed in white robes, sinless and righteous, having all their sins washed away, and they wear gold crowns on their heads, signifying that they have received all the rewards of their labor. They served faithfully on earth, many gave their very lives for the cause of Christ, and now they rule in heaven under the authority of the Great One on the great throne. 

John saw that lightning flashed from the throne, and peals of thunder rumbled through heaven.  Even those who are welcome in heaven cannot escape the fact that this is an awesome God, a God who inspires awe among his people and terror in his enemies.  Before the throne were seven burning torches, but this was no normal fire.  They were spiritual creatures, perhaps the Cherubim of the Old Testament, beings of light and glory.  Surrounding the throne is a sea of glass, shining like crystal. 

Around the throne, on each of its sides, he saw four living creatures with eyes in front and behind. One looked like a lion, another like an ox, the third looked human and the fourth like an eagle in flight. What do they signify? No one really knows, but perhaps they speak of God’s authority and power.  In Isaiah 6, they are called Seraphim. Two of their wings cover their eyes, two cover their feet and with two they fly. These are creatures more amazing that you could ever imagine, but they humble themselves in the presence of the Almighty. Day and night these creatures continue to speak words. 

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!”Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!

They never cease to speak these words of praise. Day and night, month after month, year after year they give honor and glory to the God of Heaven. They are the heavenly ministers of worship.  

Their ceaseless worship moves the 24 Elders, those who have experienced God's redemption, the heroes of the faith, to join in the praise. They know that they unworthy sinners made holy by the grace of God.  So they get off their thrones, their places of honor, and they fall down before the one seated on the Great White Throne. They remove their crowns and cast them on the floor before the throne. They know that the only reason they rule in heaven is because of the mercy and power of the Lord of Hosts. 

They express their worship in powerful words, focusing on God’s character and glory. 

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” 

We are not worthy, you are worthy.  We should not receive glory, you should receive glory.  All of heaven gives glory to the Father, the greatest of the great, seated on the throne, high and exalted, glorious and powerful – the awesome King of kings.  It is my belief that one day each of us will mimic the actions of the 24 Elders.  Whatever crowns, whatever rewards we receive will be laid at the feet of the Father in heaven, in recognition of our total dependence on Him and His grace for all things, especially our successes here on earth. 

The Scroll and the Lamb

When chapter 5 opens, John sees something he has not seen before, a scroll in the hand of God, sealed with seven seals, containing the judgments of God on the sin of humanity. It is time, in the vision John was about to see, for the judgments of God to be poured out on earth.  A powerful angel inquired in a voice that all in heaven could hear, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

           

Everyone looked around, hoping one would step forward who was worthy to pour out God’s judgment on earth, but no one came forward.  No one was worthy to take the scroll.   John broke down in tears because there was no one in all of heaven worthy to pronounce and pour out God’s righteous judgment.  But one of the elders looked at him and told him not to weep.  There was one who was worthy.  

“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”  

That is when John saw him for the first time.  Between the throne and the four living creatures, among the 24 Elders, there he was.  A Lamb – the Lamb of God, looking as if he had been slain.  All of these glorious, heavenly creatures, awesome and powerful; yet the only one worthy to open the scroll of God was a crucified lamb, the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the earth.  In that room were mighty angels, living creatures, Cherubim and Seraphim, and the greatest servants of God that history could offer, but none of them were worthy to take the scroll.  The only one worthy was a Lamb, the one who humbled himself and died for the sins of the world.  He stood before the throne and took the scroll.  He was the one, the one worthy to carry out the eternal plan of God.  As he had carried out God’s plan of redemption, now He would carry out the plan of judgment. 

The Elders, along with the four living creatures, fell down before the Lamb.  They presented him bowls, filled with the prayers of believers.  And then, heaven broke out in song.  It is interesting to note that it was only when the Crucified and Risen Lamb stepped forward that the song of heaven began.  The truest music is the music of the Cross.  The Elders, the redeemed, those whose place in heaven was purchased by the blood of that crucified Lamb; they sang this new song,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

As the angels had worshiped the character of God, the elders worshiped the work of redemption that had purchased their place in heaven. 

Suddenly, all of heaven joined the worship.  All the heavenly hosts surrounding the throne, and the living creatures and the elders and myriads of angels, thousands upon thousands of angels began this chant of praise to the Lamb.  The words thundered throughout heaven.  

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

All of creation joined the refrain.  Praise swelled not only from heaven but also from every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.  Every creature joined to praise the Lamb who was slain, saying 

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

This is how the world should be; every creature looking at the Creator giving praise; every redeemed heart thinking about the Lamb who brought redemption through his blood.  This is how life was meant to be.  Not the rat race of activity, materialism, and immorality that we live in.  This is creation was meant to live, and so the four living creatures said, “Amen.”  So be it. It is as it should be. 

And the Elders, the redeemed fell down before the one seated on the throne and the Lamb who now held the scroll of God, and they worshiped him.  Forever and forever their praise will swell.  One day, each of us, redeemed by the blood of Christ, will join that choir and sing,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.  The whole earth is full of His glory.”  

 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.  The whole earth is full of His glory.” 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Lord, may I today, and every day, praise you as I one day will forever!

Think and Pray

Few passages move us to worship as this one does, pulling back the veil and giving us a glimpse of the worship of heaven. Take a few moments and worship with the songs of glory. 

Sin's Progress - July 22 Reading: Revelation 2-3

Today’s Readings

Context  

 This is a tough one for me! I preached a series of sermons on these two chapters - 12 messages! Now I have to write 1 devotional that encapsulates what I taught in 12 sermons of 30 (okay 40 to 45) minutes each. 

These 7 churches form an arch starting to from Ephesus and appear in the order one might deliver the letters. John wrote them while exiled on Patmos, just southwest of Ephesus.  Efforts have been made through the years to see these letters as a prophetic history of the church but that stands on weak ground exegetically. They can be viewed as seven separate letters giving standards for churches, but there is also a definite progression in the churches that go bad. 

Two churches have nothing but good things said about them - Smyrna and Philadelphia. It is helpful to look at what Jesus commends about them. They are suffering churches, under the gun of intense persecution. The other five churches have a combination of good and bad. But from Ephesus to Laodicea, what is noticeable is that the good diminishes as the bad grows.

It is my theory that there is a progression in these churches. What happens in Ephesus if left unchecked causes the Pergamum problem which will lead to the Thyatira troubles. If not dealt with, that will cause the Sardis issue which will culminate in the Laodicean effect. Each builds on the other. Ephesus was a good church with a small but significant problem. Laodicea was a church with a huge problem and little good left in it. 

Devotional - Sin's Progress 

Did you love report card time? To be honest, I liked it more as a parent than as a child. I liked knowing how my kids were doing, what progress they were making. How do we know how our church is doing? In the modern American church we have our standard - numbers! How big is your budget and are you making it? How many people attend? Have you built any buildings? How many have you baptized? Budgets - buildings - baptisms. But is that how God measures our effectiveness?

Seven churches in Asia Minor received a report card from Jesus Christ himself. He appeared to the Apostle John and had him write down a word. "Here's what I think of your church." Two churches had nothing but good said about them - A+ - while five of the churches had grades ranging from B to F. These five churches show us something about how evil progresses in our lives and in a church.

The problem in Ephesus seemed so minor. They'd "left their first love." Jesus was no longer occupying first place, was no longer their highest passion. They were still a doctrinally sound, hard-working, persevering church - you'd love to be a member of First Baptist, Ephesus! But it was anything but minor to Jesus. Of course, he wants to be first in our lives, but he also knew that when we lose our love for him, it opens the door to so many other things.

Next, after A+ Smyrna, came Pergamum. They were another good church, but they had begun to tolerate the presence of false teachers and false practices. As soon as our love for Jesus wanes we find ourselves tolerating those things we'd have never tolerated when Christ was our primary passion. The teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans were finding a foothold. Things were worse in Thyatira, one step down the road. They were no longer just tolerating the false teachers, they'd become dominated by them. When we tolerate sin it tends to take over and take charge. So, the lies that were having creeping in at Pergamum were dominating Thyatira and only a remnant of truth was left.

False teaching saps the power of God from a church and leaves it empty. That's what was happening at Sardis. They were pretending to be something they were not, more concerning with appearing to be alive than with actual spiritual life. Does that seem like our churches? We spend time polishing the outside of the apple not caring that inside is rotten and decayed! We must seek Jesus in repentance and rebuild the inside.

All of this ends at lukewarm Laodicea. What does this mean? Nearby Hieropolis had a hot, mineral springs that had medicinal powers. Colossae, only a few miles away had cold, clean water to drink. But Laodicea had bad water. By the time water flowed from Hieropolis or Colosse it had lost its properties. This speaks of Christians who are neither effective in ministry or have a life-giving, refreshing ministry! In other words, when Jesus is kept outside the church (he's standing at the door of the church and knocking)  that church has no life-giving water - no healing hot water or refreshing cold water. Jesus wishes we were either hot or cold, but our lukewarm ineffectiveness - ministry done in the flesh without his power - is offensive to him.

We cannot afford to walk that walk. The good news is that no matter where we are in the process the solution is the same. Repent and return to a full passion for Christ. If we've wandered down the path of sin, the return might be more difficult, but the solution is the same. Repent and return.

The real solution is to daily keep the flame of passion for Jesus fanned high!

May our passion for you, Lord, burn brightly every day. May you never look at us or our church and say that we've left our first love, tolerated evil, that we are pretending to be alive, or that we are lukewarm and ineffective. 

Think and Pray

Which of these 7 churches is most like your life? Your church?
Using these "spiritual report cards" as guides, where are you in your walk and where is your church in its? 

The REAL Jesus - July 21 Reading: Revelation 1

Today’s Readings

Context

 My NT professor in seminary said that he hoped that he would get far enough behind in class that there would be no time for the study of Revelation. It seems that people either become morbidly interested with Revelation and the details of the end times or they disdain it. As we read the book, we will seek to look at the broad brushstrokes of the book, the flow of its grand story, without getting fascinated in the details of how many hairs are on the wart on the Antichrist's nose. 

I will take a futurist approach to the book - it teaches a view of the end times, not simply a stylized view of history presented symbolically (as Amillennialists and Preterists teach). I am a premillennialist and also pretribulational, but we are not going to look at the book so much from that perspective as to see the grand flow. 

Chapter 1 describes Jesus in all his glory, the chapters 2-3 are his letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor. In chapters 4 and 5 there is a glorious scene of worship in heaven in which Jesus is shown as the one who has the right to judge all the earth and is given the scroll with the judgments of God written on it. He opens the seals on the scroll and the judgments begin. Then come the seven trumpets and then seven final bowls of judgment. The key in all of this is not to get bogged down with morbid curiosity, but to see the overarching truth - this world is God's and Jesus is its judge. He is going to wrap it up in glory, defeat Satan, and establish his rule and reign eternally. 

Permit me a personal gripe here. This book is the Revelation, not "Revelations." It reveals ONE thing - singular - the glorious victory of Jesus. It is the revelation of Jesus, not a bunch of interesting facts about the end times to be debated. This is THE Revelation, not a bunch of revelations. Rant over!

Today, in chapter 1, we get the best verbal painting of the real Jesus any of us will ever see, from the vision of John on Patmos. 

Devotional - Will the REAL Jesus Please Stand Up?

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, 
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.

Charles Wesley penned these words to this beautiful hymn in 1742. We love this Christmas season because of the cute little baby in the manger, bathed in the star's soft light, surrounded by his mother, the shepherds and the Magi (a misunderstanding - they didn't leave until Jesus was born and arrived many months later). It is sweet and sentimental. 

And potentially deceptive. 

Yes, Jesus was everything I have mentioned. He was gentle Jesus, meek and mild, come to seek and to save the lost. He emptied himself of heavenly glory and cloaked his divinity in human frailty. He made himself a lowly servant to accomplish the Father's purposes. That is why he was born as a baby - not just as a photo op to keep the Christmas card vendors in business. 

But it is a mistake to see Jesus only as he was in his first coming. Philippians 2:6-8 tells us that Jesus emptied himself to come to earth and become a man. He revealed God's character and grace to us. But there is more to Jesus than that. Those who only see Jesus as the meek, the servant, those who fail to understand the real Jesus as he exists now need to open their eyes!

Ever wished there was a picture of Jesus or an accurate painting that showed us exactly what he looked like? Nothing like that exists - we only have the imagination of medieval painters. But there is a description of Jesus, the real Jesus, the Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, in Revelation 1:9-20. This is Jesus unveiled, in all his glory. 

There are key differences between the Jesus who walked the earth and the Jesus whose picture is painted verbally in Romans 1. 

• In his first coming, Jesus was born in obscurity. The Jesus of Revelation will come in glory and all the world will see. 
• In his first coming, Jesus cloaked his glory, but the Jesus of Revelation has removed that cloak and his glory is on full display. 
• Jesus came the first time to seek and to save. But the Jesus of Revelation comes to judge the living and the dead and establish his kingdom on earth. He will not come a second time to serve, but to rule. 
• Jesus endured scorn, ridicule, and abuse in his first coming, but the Jesus of Revelation will strike down rebellious nations with the Sword which proceeds from his mouth. 
• In his first coming, Jesus offered himself to mankind, but the Jesus of Revelation no man can resist. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess - some to their eternal reward and some to eternal punishment. None can escape this glorious Jesus. 

In Revelation 1, the glorious Jesus walks among the churches (golden lampstands), the powerful presence of God to accomplish God's work. Jesus is at work in the church. It may have flaws and impurities, but Jesus is here and the gold will be refined!

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 1:12-16

Jesus wears a long robe with a golden sash, representing his office as Great High Priest, one who makes atone for our sins (Hebrews 2:17-18), one who understands our temptations (Hebrews 4:14-15), and who always lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). 

His head and hair are of brilliant white. This likely calls to mind Daniel's description of the "Ancient of Days" in Daniel 7:9, asserting Jesus' deity. It also speaks of his holiness and purity. This is the sinless Son of God in whom there is no stain, in whom there is no transgression. He is the Holy God. 

His eyes are as a fiery flame. Hebrews 4:13 tells us that no creature can hide from the sight of God. Jesus has eyes that pierce through the haze of deception and the fog of worldliness to see clearly and truly. He sees everything and judges rightly. Nothing is beyond him. Nothing gets past him. 

His feet are like refined bronze, having been fired in a furnace. This is no novice testing out his glory. No, this person has walked through the fires and now has a refined authority, gained through suffering, which has established his position of honor. Before these feet, all will fall in recognition of his Lordship. 

His voice is like the sound of rushing waters, like the roar of Niagara Falls. It is a powerful voice, a voice of truth and authority, one that speaks words of hope to his people and warning to his enemies. 

It is Christ who is in charge, especially of his church. He holds the leaders of the church (here described as stars) in his hands, speaking to his authority over them and his work through them. Out of his mouth comes the two-edged Sword, the Word of God, which is the rock upon which his church if founded. It is our hope and strength. And his face shines as the noonday sun. He is the glory of god in the church. The church doesn't have to do anything but let Christ shine!

This is the Jesus who sits today at the right hand of God and who one of these days will ride out of heaven. He is the glorious, pure, powerful, Sovereign Lord, our Great High Priest, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Glory of the church who is at work among us today. 

Father, may I see Jesus, not just as he WAS, but as he IS. I bow before him and acknowledge him as the rightful Lord of all. 

Think and Pray

 Do you tend to see Jesus more as the "meek and mild" Jesus of the gospels or do you understand him as the glorious conqueror that Revelation presents him to be? 

What are the effects of our view of Jesus? 

Identifying Marks of False Teachers - July 20 Reading: Jude

Today’s Readings

Context

Jude is one of the shortest and least familiar books of the New Testament. It was likely written by the Jude who was one of Jesus' earthly brothers, as indicated by Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. It is interesting that he identifies himself as a brother of James but only as a servant of Jesus. He was a brother of Jesus but did not "name names" - instead, he used the humble form of "servant."

The similarities of this letter and 2 Peter are striking, especially 2 Peter 2. It is likely that either both used a common source or one used the other as a source for their writings.

The common theme is all these letters written in the last apostolic era is the warning against the rise of false teachers. 

Devotional - Identifying Marks of False Teachers

Jude wrote this letter to tell us to fight! No, we are not to fight against one another, but we must "contend for the faith" because "certain people" have crept into the church and are seeking to cause trouble. It is utter folly to fail to accept this. There are wolves among the sheep - predators posing as pastors, liars claiming to speak truth, servants of darkness shining an artificial light. They are everywhere.

The question is simple for us. How do we identify them? How can we know who these "certain people" are? Jude's short letter gives us a series of ideas. If you see these character qualities and behaviors in someone you should be wary. Each of these deserves a greater development, but I am simply going to list them with brief commentary.

• "They pervert the grace of God into sensuality" (verse 4) - God's grace is amazing, but false teachers use it as an excuse to sin, to live for worldly pleasures instead of eternal things. The false teacher will tend to focus on enjoying this world instead of God's eternal glory. 
• "Deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (4) - Christianity is about the Lordship of Christ, the sinless God-man. False teachers always deny some aspect of that. 
• "Relying on their dreams." (8) God did speak through dreams, but he revealed himself through his perfect word. Relying on their dreams speaks of someone who refuses to be guided by sound exegesis of the word of God but founds his ministry on his own ideas. 
• "Reject authority." (8) They refuse to submit to God-ordained authority - the word or any other authority God has placed in this world. 
• "Blaspheme the glorious ones." (8) This seems to mean that they act in disrespectful and arrogant ways toward spiritual powers. 
• "They walked in the way of Cain." (11) Cain attempted to make a sacrifice on his own terms - a bloodless sacrifice. If a man ignores the fact that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, if he ignores the Cross of Christ, he is false. 
• "Abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error." (11) There is nothing wrong with making a living from preaching God's word, but Balaam was a profit for the money. He was not in it for the truth or to serve God, but to make money. If money is a high priority in a man's life, it is a blinking red warning light. 
• "Perished in Korah's rebellion." (11) This likely speaks of men who do not submit to God's authority but instead usurp it and attempt to rule the church their own way. They are rebellious and self-willed. 
• "These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted." (12) There're some metaphors for you, eh? In general, they mean that these men are predators among the people of God who produce no real spiritual fruit but instead destroy and damage the church. 
• "They are grumblers and malcontents." (16) Griping, complaining - that is their normal fare. They lack the joy of the Lord and hearts of thanksgiving. Mostly, they complain about anything that is not controlled by or calls attention to them. 
• "They are loud-mouthed boasters." (16) Arrogant and self-centered, their favorite topic is themselves and they will trumpet their own greatness with enthusiasm. 
• "Showing favoritism to gain advantage." (16) James warned us that favoritism had no place in the church of Jesus Christ, but these men ignore that. They will show favoritism who can do them favors. It's not about Christ but about how you can help and advance HIM. 
• "Cause division." (19) They love to divide the Body of Christ for their personal advantage. 
• "Devoid of the Spirit." (19) They are not led by the power of God's Spirit, but by ego and selfish ambition. 

Jude ends with a couple of balancing comments. In verse 22, we are told to have mercy on those who doubt and in verse 23, to seek to help those who live in fear. Jude wants us to be aware of the false teachers but that should not make us over-aggressive heresy-hunters; eager to assign anyone who doesn't conform to our ideas to the category of false brethren. Only those who fail the biblical test should be categorized as part of the "certain people." There are people who are weak, needy, fearful - they are not false brethren and should not be treated as such.

Father, give us wisdom in identifying false brethren as well as in ministering to the weak and needy. 

Think and Pray

Do you have a tendency to fall out of balance on one side or the other - either you fail to show discernment or you tend to condemn people too quickly?
As you read through the list of qualities of false brethren, did names come to mind?
What should you do if someone does come to mind? 

Healing Prayer - July 19 Reading: 3 John

Today’s Readings

Context

It is clear that 2 John and 3 John have the same author and the most likely candidate is John the Apostle. This letter is written to Gaius and may have been carried by the hand of Demetrius, who was given a strong recommendation by "the elder." John warns about Diotrephes who loves to put himself first - continuing the theme of warnings about false teachers. 

Devotional - Healing Prayers

3 John 2 is a favorite verse among those who hold to the false prosperity gospel - John prays that it would go well with them and their health would prosper in the same way their souls prosper. See, they say, God wants us to be healthy and happy just as much as he wants us to be holy.

But that's not what this verse is saying. John is simply expressing a prayer; a hope to God on behalf of people he loved and cared about. This verse is no universal guarantee that all of John's prayers would be answered or that every believer has a right to perfect health. We don't. Life can be hard and suffering is part of it. Sometimes the diagnosis comes and it is bad. Sometimes God heals. We don't know why he answers some prayers with healing and refuses others.

But the takeaway for us is simply. Pray. Ask. Remember the warning in James - "you have not because you ask not." A few years back there was a big fooferall about the "Prayer of Jabez." It was a bit of a tempest in a teapot, but the lesson of that prayer is the same as this one. Pray. Ask God. Ask God for big things. Never be afraid to ask God for things that boggle your mind because they will not stress him in the least. God is big and strong - able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine.

God can handle it! Don't be afraid to ask.

Father, I ask you to fill me with the faith to ask you for things I've never asked before - things that stretch my faith but do not strain your power!

Think and Pray

Do you pray in faith, believing in a God who can do more than you can ask or imagine?

Progress Isn't Always Good - July 18 Reading: 2 John

Today’s Readings

Context

There is little about this epistle that not debated by scholars. Who wrote it? When was it written? To whom was it written? The author identifies himself as "the elder" and writes to the "elect lady and her children." The strongest traditions assign the book to John, the son of Zebedee, the author of the gospel and also the first (and third) epistles. This seems the most likely.

Who is the elect lady? The majority see that as a reference to the church, the bride of Christ, chosen as the people of God. Some believe this is a reference to a particular lady and some even believe that "electa kyria" (elect lady) is not a designation but an actual name. A few have even suggested that the book was written to Mary, the mother of Jesus and that her children were the earthly siblings of Jesus. Again, the majority is probably right and the church is the lady. The children are the people in the church.

The purpose of this book is easier to determine. As with the first epistle, John writes to combat the spread of docetic or gnostic Christianity, which denied that Jesus was actually born in the flesh. He continues to balance the love of one another in the Body of Christ and the importance of discernment, especially where the person and work of Christ are at stake. 

Devotional

It is one of my favorites of the seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader." One of the first stops in the epic adventure takes Prince Caspian and his band to an island where they are captured and enslaved. The island has become a haven for slave traders. Caspian is freed and marshals his forces to free his friends and the entire island. When he confronts Governor Gumpas about the slave trade and demands it be stopped, Gumpas responds,

But that would be putting the clock back," gasped the Governor. "Have you no idea of progress, of development?"

Prince Caspian's rejoinder is brilliant, demonstrating CS Lewis' absolute mastery of metaphor.

"I have seen them both in an egg," said Caspian. "We call it Going bad in Narnia. This trade must stop."

Obviously, some progress is good - we are not called to be curmudgeons, to live in the past or to oppose anything new. But neither are we to fall for the modern idea that all progress is good, that newer is better. Look at what John said in 2 John 9. 

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.

There are ways in which we must make progress. We need to do better in race relations, in finding ways to proclaim Christ, in world evangelization. But there are areas in which progress is never good, in which it always "going bad." Doctrinal progress is seldom a good thing. Oh, we can refine our views and do a better job of stating them, but the word of God does not change and when people come up with brand new approaches to scriptures they are often not new insights, but they are violations of the 2 John 9, they are "going bad." 

There's an important warning here. We must never assume that we know everything and that anything that varies from OUR understanding is heresy. That's arrogance. But we must also be wary of that which diverges from the core truths of the faith - the truth of God's word, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, his substitutionary atonement, the exclusivity of Christ, his glorious second coming. When men depart from these truths we must not follow them in the name of progress!

We live in a rapidly changing world and we have to change. But some things must never change. Those things that are central to the gospel are the things that can never change. They will just cause us to "go bad." 

Father, I want to be flexible and willing to change, but help me to be unyielding and unbending on those things that matter. May we be strong and courageous where that is needed.  

Think and Pray

Do you tend to rigid on things other than gospel issues?
Do you compromise on key truths?
Think through these issues and consider how to be flexible where it's needed and uncompromising where that is required.