Spreading like Cancer - Himalayan Heights – May 31 Readings: Revelation 2:18-29 – Thyatira

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 2:18-29

The last book of the Bible does exactly what its title says it will do, it reveals Jesus Christ to us in a way that is unique in Scripture.

“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan” —as they say—I am not putting any other burden on you. 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations— 27 and he will rule them with an iron scepter;he will shatter them like pottery — 28 just as I have received this from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. 29 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Thyatira was a compromised church, just like Pergamum. The small problem in Pergamum was now in full bloom as "Jezebel" had taken over and led the church astray. As is often the case, we do not actually know the specifics of the heresy of Jezebel, but scholars tend toward two ideas. Many believe Jezebel is an actual woman who has taken authority in the church and is leading it astray while others say the name harkens back to Israel's idolatrous past. I tend to believe Jezebel, while not an actual name, represents an actual woman. 

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 5-6, John 8:31–59, Psalm 69:1–6, Proverbs14:11-12

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Spreading like Cancer     

A few summers ago, I was out visiting some of the Back Yard Bible clubs our church was holding around the area, when I noticed something disconcerting on the passenger side rear wheel well of my truck. There was a spot of rust - just a tiny little speck. Had I sanded it out and put some primer on it then, it would have been fine, but I neglected it and if you go out and look at my truck today, that area is rusted away completely. I neglected it and the rust won.

That is the way it is with sin and false teaching in a church. If you look at the churches that Jesus admonishes in Revelation 2 and 3, there is clear progress of evil from Ephesus to Laodicea. In Ephesus, there was just a speck of rust on an otherwise solid vehicle. It was a good church with a lot of great qualities, but Jesus said, "I have this (one thing) against you." They'd lost their passion for Jesus. We move on to Pergamum and still, the rust hasn't completely taken hold but it is beginning to work its way beneath the surface. They are still a good church but they were beginning to tolerate evil and false teachers in the church. Today, we read about Thyatira, where the rust had taken over and eaten completely through the wheel well. Jezebel was running the church and things were a mess. In tomorrow's reading we will look at Sardis, a church that has a great reputation for being alive, but is actually dead and then we will end up with the most horrible picture a church can imagine in Laodicea, where Jesus is standing at the door of the church he died to redeem, knocking and asking to be let in!

Rust is never content to mar the surface of your vehicle, it is determined to dig in deep and eat away all the metal. Sin acts the same way in a church. When a church begins to compromise and allow a "a little harmless sin" (usually in the name of grace) or countenance false teaching (not just differences of opinion, but teachings that undermine the nature of God or the Gospel of Christ), it is never satisfied with a little trouble. Sin starts small and grows.

If I had dealt with the rust when I noticed that speck, it could have been contained, before it destroyed a whole section of my truck. We must deal with sin and with false teaching in the church before it destroys our churches. Of course, we deal with these graciously, seeking restoration and grace, but we must not allow compromise to become Satan's rust to eat away our churches.

In 2018, I received a call from my doctor at about 7 PM, which was unusual. There was a note in her voice that was not normal either. I had been sick after one of my trips to Africa and they were running tests on my gall bladder. While they were looking at my gall bladder they saw something on my kidney that didn't look right. Yep, she used that word no one wants to hear. I had cancer. But by God's grace, they had found the cancer (call it an accident, if you wish) so early that they could remove it easily. At my one year checkup, the surgeon said that if he didn't know that he had operated on that kidney, he would swear it had never been touched.

My cancer was dealt with early and easily! If I'd let it go for several years, it could have gotten to be a very serious thing. Too many churches allow sin and false teaching to fester in their midst like cancer until it is so widespread that the church becomes terminally ill.

Deal with sin early. Deal with it graciously but deal with it clearly. Do not let the rust of sin or the cancer of false teaching spread and destroy your church!

Father, forgive me for when I have failed to deal with sin and falsehood in your church. May I be faithful to you no matter what!

Think and Pray:

Are you tolerant of things that God does not tolerate?
Do you seek approval from people more than approval from God? 

Jesus KNOWS - Himalayan Heights – May 30 Readings: Revelation 2:12-17 – Pergamum

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 2:12-17 

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

“Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: Thus says the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword: 13 I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. 15 In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 3-4, John 8:12–30, Psalm 68:29–35, Proverbs14:9-10

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Jesus KNOWS    

Wouldn't you love to know exactly what Jesus Christ thinks of our church? Wouldn't it be interesting (or, perhaps, horrifying) to get a report card from him, a progress report that says exactly what he thinks of how we are doing as a church? We have looked at the letters to Ephesus and Smyrna, and today we will see what Jesus said to Pergamum. Let's focus on something he says to Pergamum that he also says to the other churches. "I know your works."

One of my struggles has always been dealing with the opinions of others. When people have been angry at me or critical, it buries itself deep in my spirit, and often I've been too susceptible to praise and flattery. Proverbs says that the fear of man is a snare, that living my life according to man's opinion, to please others, is a path of folly.

But what does God think? Of course, I have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me to convict me of sin and to lead me in the ways of righteousness. But I can read what God said to the churches and see what pleases him and what does not.

Jesus walks among the candlesticks and he knows what is going on. "I know your works." He knows what we have been doing. I can fool my church, at least for a while. I can fool my family, though likely for a shorter time. In fact, I can fool myself. Lots of people live in self-deception. But I cannot fool Jesus. We cannot put one over on him. He knows exactly what is going on in his church. He knows the good and the bad, that which is of the flesh and of the Spirit. There is no point in rationalization or justification - he sees, he knows, and he judges rightly.

To the church of Pergamum, he says in verse 13, "I know where you dwell." He knows what is going on in my life. He knows my struggles and hurts. He knows the pain I'm going through and the challenges I'm facing. He knows exactly what is happening in my life. Both of these are true in our church as well. He knows what we are doing and he knows what we are going through. We need to look at ourselves honestly and let God's Spirit work his work in us.

The problem in Pergamum (and even worse in Thyatira) was tolerance. Jesus did something strange to our ears. He will rebuke Thyatira for that tolerance - of sin in the church. They let a wicked woman run the church and lead many people astray. Tolerating evil is never acceptable to the servant of God.

But the specifics are not the issue today. Just remember that God knows. Your Savior knows. Jesus sees all! He knows what is going on in your heart and in your life. He knows your struggles and he sees your choices. As you pray, there is no point in trying to put on a show. He sees behind the mask. He sees you! Your heart and soul! He sees deep into your spirit. He knows. Let his Spirit search your soul and conform you to Christ.

Father, forgive me for my artifice, for my silly attempts to pretend. You see and you know. Lead me in the paths of righteousness and conform me to Christ. 

Think and Pray:

Which of the churches reminds you most of yours?
If Jesus was reviewing your life and your church, what would he say?
Let God's Spirit use the Word to speak truth to you today.
Do you ever tolerate evil to keep people happy? 

How Jesus Grades Churches - Himalayan Heights – May 29 Readings: Revelation 2:8-11 – Smyrna

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 2:8-11

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

“Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death.

Smryna, now known as Ismir, is a perfect demonstration of the fact that Jesus grades differently than we do. Ephesus was a hard-working church with money and sound doctrine, a church others aspired to be, but Jesus rebuked them because they'd left their first love. No one wanted to be Smyrna. It was poor and persecuted, a church where people were slandered and suffered under the fires of Satan's attacks. Jesus had not a word to say against this church. Think of the irony - the church everyone envied was judged by Jesus and Smyrna, which no one wanted to be, was lauded by Jesus with not a word of rebuke. 

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 1-2, John 7:40–8:11, Psalm 68:22–28, Proverbs14:7-8

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: How Jesus Grades Churches    

God sees things differently than we see them. If we received report cards from heaven for our churches we would be shocked. We look at churches with massive numerical growth and assume God must be smiling. We see brand new buildings and charismatic leaders and state-of-the-art technology and believe heaven must be applauding. When we see a church struggling with rundown facilities and small numbers, we are sure they are not walking under God's favor. In America, we would praise the church of Ephesus and pity Smyrna, but when Jesus gave out his grades, things looked very different. 

Of the seven churches in Asia Minor, only two are given commendation without any rebuke from Jesus. Most are commended for some things and warned about others, but Smyrna and Philadelphia were given no negative reviews by Jesus at all. 

Smyrna, a town just north of Ephesus on the coast, was home to a church, likely planted out of the church at Ephesus, but contrary to that church it was marked by two things, poverty and affliction. They were poor and they were persecuted. In fact, Jesus warned them that they were about to come under Satan's attack, which would be intense. 

And that is where we learn what Jesus values in a church. There are good churches that have lots of money and good churches that have little. There are good churches that are big and good ones that are small. Good churches come in all shapes and all sizes, but there is one thing they all have in common, according to verse 10. They are faithful, even to the point of death. 

Faithful. They are loyal and faithful to Jesus more than anyone or anything else. They are not seeking popularity in this world, but fidelity to the Savior. They remain true to God's word even if the whole world hates it. When things go well, they are faithful and when things go poorly, they are faithful. When there is money rolling in, they are faithful and when things are tight, they are faithful. When the numbers are good, they remain faithful to God and to God's word, and even when numbers sag they refuse to compromise God's truth. 

Faithful to the end. Smyrna had none of the things other churches envied, but they had God's approval, because they were faithful. 

Father, more than anything else, help me to be faithful to you and to your word. 

Think and Pray:

When you judge a church, yours or another, do you look at externals, at things this world looks at, or do you look at faithfulness to Christ and to his word? 

First Love - Himalayan Heights – May 28 Readings: Revelation 2:1-7 – Ephesus

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 2:1-7

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

“Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Ephesus, the first of the churches Paul started in this region, and the strongest, was a crown jewel among the churches. But God gave a slightly different view of things. Other churches envied them and put them on a pedestal, but Jesus saw a fatal flaw, that, if not corrected, would be the end of them. To us, it might seem minor, but not to the Savior.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 21-22, John 7:25–39, Psalm 68:15–21, Proverbs 14:5-6

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: First Love    

It is a startling contrast that Jesus draws in his analysis of the church at Ephesus. First, he describes how great a church it was. This was no Corinth, with its immorality, its showy spirituality, and its false doctrine. And it was certainly no Pergamum or Thyatira, no Sardis, and definitely no Laodicea. If I was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Ephesus (okay, it probably wasn't called First Baptist...) I'd think we had a pretty good thing going on!

Look at what Jesus himself said about the church in verses 2 and 3.

 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people...

They were hardworking, laboring faithfully, and with endurance in ministry. They did not tolerate evil in their midst (a problem seem later in Pergamum and Thyatira). They tested and identified false teachers and found them to be liars. This was high praise from the Savior.

And his charge against them seemed like such a small thing. He did not charge them with heresy or with immorality. His only charge against them had to do with their passion. They had left their first love. I don't particularly like the translation of the text we are using here - the CSB (which I generally love) - because it gives the idea of time. Jesus is not talking about a love they USED to have but a love that puts Jesus first above anything else. It is about priorities. Jesus was no longer the #1 passion in their hearts. 

They were working for Jesus. They were wearing themselves out in the service of the gospel. They were doctrinally sound and careful to maintain theological discernment in the church - no false apostles were going to peddle their toxic wares in that congregation. But Jesus was no longer the driving passion of their hearts. 

Jesus is not willing to accept second place in the hearts of the redeemed and he is not willing to share first place. It is no small thing when a church or the people who comprise it let their passion for Christ trail off and replace it with a passion for anything else - even good things. A passion for sound doctrine and hard work in ministry is great, but it cannot replace a passion for Christ. 

Jesus must always be first. 

Father, I realize that too much of my life has been lived in Ephesus. Rekindle the fire of my passion for Christ every day. 

Think and Pray:

What is the controlling passion of your life?
Is Jesus the driving force, the One who matters most?
Or do you give him the leftovers, what you don't give to other things?
Is Jesus your "first love?"

Fear Not? Himalayan Heights – May 27 Readings: Revelation 1:17-20 – Alpha and Omega

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 1:17-20

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 19-20, John 7:1–24, Psalm 68:8–14, Proverbs14:3-4

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Fear Not?    

John was blessed to have a vision of Jesus, to see him as he really, and Revelation 1:17 says that he did the only sensible thing any person can do. He "fell at his feet like a dead man." When you see Jesus, you don't giggle or joke, you fall on your face in worship - hoping you can maintain consciousness as his glory washes over you!

Throughout the Bible, when people saw angels or had visions of God, this is the reaction they had. In fact, Exodus 33:20 warns us that people cannot see the face of God and live. A full vision of God in all of his glory, unveiled, would kill anyone of us. That is the kind of God we worship - one we must stop taking lightly.

It is odd, then, that the first words of Jesus to John are, "Do not fear," perhaps better rendered, "Stop being afraid of me." Don't sinners like us have every reason to be afraid of a pure and holy Lord who will one day judge sinners? Don't I have every reason to be afraid of Jesus? I am a sinner and that is the kind of person he judges! And yet, he says, fear not.

Why? Because of the next two words. "I am." These words harken back to John's Gospel and all the way back to God's self-revelation in Exodus 3. "I am who I am." God's name, Yahweh, is based on the Hebrew word "I am." Jesus, Yahweh God himself, came among us as the demonstration of God's love. Though God judges sin and we deserve judgment, Jesus demonstrated to us that God loves us and when we turn from sin and trust in him, we have every reason to "Fear not" both in our relationship with God and in our daily lives in this messed up, sin-ridden world.

Jesus gives three specifics to John that tell him why there is no need to fear. First, we need not fear because Jesus is the "first and the last." He is also called "the beginning and the end" in chapter 22 and elsewhere "the Alpha and Omega" (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This speaks of Jesus' power over history. He was there in the beginning, ruling over heaven and he will be there in the end, victorious over every foe, receiving heaven's praise.

Second, Jesus is the "Living One" who was dead, but now is alive forever and ever. The Bible often speaks of our God as the Living God and Jesus is described as the source of the springs of living water. HE is the way, the truth, and the life - so much so that even when they slaughtered him on the cross, he rose up in victory and defeated death. Jesus has power over death and is the Lord of life.

Finally, Jesus holds the keys of Death and Hades (the abode of the dead). The Greeks and Romans had elaborate mythologies about the afterlife and believed in gods who controlled the dead and governed life after death. Jesus died and rose and the Bible tells us the mythology is nonsense Jesus holds the keys to the afterlife. You need not fear anything in this life or the next if you trust in Christ, because he is Lord of life and Lord of the Afterlife! What happens when you close your eyes for the last time is determined by King of kings, not the king of the underworld.

So, even though we are sinners and are born under the sentence of death, Jesus has freed us, and if we believe in him, we have every reason to "fear not."

Perhaps this might be a good time to sing the doxology?

Father, I thank you for your Son who freed me from sin and gave me every reason to be confident before you and bold before your throne. I need fear nothing in life or in death because of him!

Think and Pray:

Do you live in fear?
Do you fear death and what comes after?
Is  your confidence in Christ? 

A Picture of Jesus - Himalayan Heights – May 26 Readings: Revelation 1:9-16 – The Real Jesus

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 1:9-16 

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

John, your brother and partner in the affliction, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
 12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 14 The hair of his head was white as wool—white as snow—and his eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of cascading waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 17-18, John 6:49–71, Psalm 68:1–7, Proverbs 14:1-2

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: A Picture of Jesus     

Ever wished you had a photo of Jesus? Of course, there are those famous paintings of the Savior that dominate our perceptions, but they represent medieval Italian men far more than a First Century Jewish man. There have been some recent renderings of what such men tended to look like, but the most graphic presentation of Jesus is found in Revelation 1:9-16, when John is caught up in a vision and sees Jesus.

If you want some nightmares, google Revelation 1 and look at some of the "artists" renderings of John's descriptions. They range from grotesque to silly. This was not meant to be a verbal portrayal of Jesus' appearance but of his character and power. We learn in this passage less what he looks like and more who he is.

This is the Real Jesus, my friends.

It begins with an ironic twist. Literally, verse 12 says, "I turned to see the voice..." Generally, you hear a voice, but this person is defined by his voice. Jesus is the word of God and his voice has been his power since the world was spoken into being and will be until a sword proceeds from his mouth and strikes down the nations. accomplishes his work primarily through the power of his voice – from speaking the world into being to proclaiming truth to a sharp two-edged sword which comes from his mouth to strike down the nations! 

There are nine descriptions of him given in this passage. Most of them are repeated from Daniel 7 and Daniel 10, where they refer to God the Father, the Ancient of Days. The fact that they are used to refer to Jesus here is clear indication of the divinity of Christ.

He walks among the lampstands. (12)

The first thing John saw was seven lampstands, which we are later told represent the seven churches of Asia Minor. These lampstands are golden because churches, even flawed churches with huge problems, are precious to Jesus - never forget that! These lampstands remind us of the ultimate purpose of the church. We are not a country club for superior saints or a political organization, but a lighthouse to shine God's light into this dark world. 

The best news is that Jesus is among the lampstands. It is easy to despair when you look at the mess the church is in, but never forget that the Savior walks among us - nothing is hopeless!

He wears a long robe and sash (v 13)

When Jesus walked on earth the first time, he lived in poverty, dressed simply, and was despised and rejected. People ignored him, abused him, tortured him, and crucified him. Not anymore! Scholars debate whether this pictures Jesus as our great high priest or our great king, but what is clear is taht he is now GREAT!  Yes, Satan still roars and Jesus seeks and saves the lost, but one day, the time for pleas will be over and Jesus will stand triumphant over all the world. 

He has white hair. (14)

This comes directly from Daniel 7:9, a verse directed at the Ancient of Days. This white hair shows Jesus as pure and sinless, but also is a sign of age and wisdom. He is the Eternal God who is from everlasting to everlasting, who knows all things and is worthy of our trust.

His eyes are like fiery flames. (14)

Picking up on this omniscient wisdom and purity, this speaks to his piercing eyes which see everything. He sees deep into our souls, his eyes penetrating into the dark places of our hearts and understanding even our motives. 

His feet are like burnished bronze. (15)

John uses a word here that is found nowhere else in Greek literature, but it is believed to have a military context. Jesus is not wandering the wilderness in sandals anymore. He stands in burnished bronze, in armor, a victorious military conqueror. This armor has been fired in a furnace! This speaks of Jesus’ sufferings. He conquers by suffering. He is Lamb of God who became the Lion of Judah. He conquered through his death.

Four Triumphant Metaphors (15-16)

Picking up on the theme of conquering, the last four metaphors all describe him in victorious terms. He has a “voice like cascading waters.” His word is loud and thunderous, strong and powerful. You cannot ignore him! He “holds the seven stars in his right hand.” This might be a difficult one, except that verse 20 explains that this refers to the “angels” (either pastors or some sort of guardian angels) of the seven churches. That debate won’t be settled, but this passage settles who is in charge. The glorified Christ is in charge of the church. From his mouth comes a “sharp, double-edged sword” which speaks, in Revelation, of the judgment he will pour out on the world. Today, we decide whether we want Jesus, but we must remember that ultimately, Jesus is Lord and will judge the living and the dead. He will conquer all his enemies with this sword and will judge them. There is simply no gain from opposing Jesus! Finally, the face of Jesus is like the “sun at full strength.” This is the clearest affirmation of the deity of Christ. He is not a moon that reflects God’s glory, but the sun who shines it fully. All the fullness of the glory of God dwells in him.

Look at the Scriptures and let them reveal Jesus to you. He will save your soul and heal your heart and change everything in your life!

Father, reveal to me your Son, powerful and living Lord! Show me the One who is and was, and is to come!

Think and Pray:

Consider the truths about Jesus revealed in John's vision.
Which one is the most shocking to you?
How would understanding the "Real Jesus" change the way you live your life? 

The REAL Jesus - Himalayan Heights – May 25 Readings: Revelation 1:1-8 – The Revelation of Jesus

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 1:1-8

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatever he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near. 4 John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.      

7Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
And all the tribes of the earth
will mourn over him.
So it is to be. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

God's timing is sometimes odd. Yesterday, I began a sermon series on Revelation, and today we begin a two-week trek through the first five chapters in our devotionals. There is great power here as we examine these truths!

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 15-16, John 6:22–48, Psalm 67, Proverbs13:23-25

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: The REAL Jesus     

The Book of Revelation is often approached as a divine Mapquest, seeking a clear timeline for future events and getting all the facts in order. We study it to win arguments, to answer questions, to satisfy our curiosity over questions about the timing of the Rapture, the identity of the antichrist, or whether certain current events are fulfilling biblical prophecies. As we spend the next two weeks reviewing the first five chapters of Revelation, we will not delve into those questions, which have their place and time. I believe in futurist interpretation of Revelation, but too often, those interpretations miss the key truth - the reason Jesus Christ told John that we would be blessed for reading it.

It all comes down to the first five words of the book. “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” That is precisely what Revelation does, it reveals to us the real Jesus Christ, and that is what we need more than anything else. We think our solutions are political, or financial, or medical, but in reality, we need Jesus - the real Jesus. We need the truth and living Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed in all his glory, the Alpha and Omega, who was, and is, and is to come!

Charles Wesley wrote about the Jesus we see revealed in the Gospels, in his birth. 

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

The Jesus that we meet here in Revelation is the same Jesus, of course, but the veil has been removed and his glory is now fully revealed. Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus emptied himself and took on the form of a servant. There are some significant differences between the Jesus we see in the Gospels and the one we encounter here.

• 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. 

The Jesus of Revelation is not to be ignored, the victorious conqueror, King of kings and Lord of lords. He loves us and those of us who believe in him will reign with him, but we must remember that there is an expiration date on God's gracious offers. One day, the trumpet will sound and Jesus the judge will stand where Jesus the Savior once stood.

It is incumbent on us to know the Real Jesus and to proclaim his glory to all.

Father, I thank you for your Son. Help me to know him as he really is and to worship him. 

Think and Pray:

Is your mental picture of Jesus formed more by the Gospels or by Revelation? Do you see Jesus as he was when he walked on earth, or as he IS in all of his glory? 

All Things New - Himalayan Heights – May 24 Readings: Super 7 – Revelation 21:1-7

 Super 7 - Key Scriptures for All Christians

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 21:1-7

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. 5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 13-14, John 6:1–21, Psalm 66:16–20, Proverbs13:21-22

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: All Things New     

Anyone getting tired of the shutdown? How about partisan politics? Are you tired of the daily struggle of making a living and raising a family, and especially the struggle of resisting temptation and sin? Living for Jesus in a world that hates him, that resists him, that stands against everything he represents - it is never easy.

But the end of the Bible is a message of hope. It will not always be this way. This sinful world we live in is going to be fixed one day, to become everything God intended it to be. One of the greatest verses in the Bible in Revelation 21: 5, in which it says, "Look, I am making everything new." This rundown, mixed-up, messed-up world has an appointment for renovation. Everything wicked will be banished and everything broken will be repaired. Every trace of sin will be replaced by the full manifestation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ and glory will reign.

John tried to explain this in Revelation 21-22. It is almost impossible for sinful people to imagine a sinless world. It is impossible for people who live in a time-bound world to imagine eternity. The song says, "I can only imagine" but even our imagination fails to grasp the realities of God's eternal glory. Most of John's descriptions are negative - he tells us those things that are part of our experience today that will not be part of heaven.

• 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. The pounding waves of politics and business and all of the things of this world are gone. 
• Death no longer exists (21:4). Jesus has once and for all defeated the ultimate enemy of humanity and it is no longer a threat. Sin is banished and all its effects are nullified. 
• 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. 

The one thing we know is that the Alpha and Omega, Jesus Christ, will give life to everything. The thirst of our soul will be slaked by the living water of Christ and we will rejoice forever with our God.

Father, thank you future and hope you give us through your Son!

Think and Pray:

Spend time meditating and considering the glories of heaven.
Let them feed your soul and strengthen you to face the things that challenge you today. 

When "They" Hate Us - Himalayan Heights – May 23 Readings: Super 7 – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

 Super 7 - Key Scriptures for All Christians

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  2 Timothy 4:3-4

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 11-12, John 5:30–47, Psalm 66:9–15, Proverbs13:19-20

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: When "They" Hate Us    

I have been involved in this kind of discussion and read articles based on a certain assumption. People leave a church and there must be something wrong with the church. When society is offended at the stands the church is taking or is turned off by what we are doing, we need to change our ways or the church will die. The subtle message is that if sinners disapprove of us, there must be something wrong with us. We need to mold our message to gain popularity and approval in the world. No one would say that, of course, but it is in the background in many of our discussions.

The idea that America used to be a Christian nation is largely based on nostalgic fiction. It has always been tough to walk with Christ and to be faithful to him. Ministry in the name of Christ has never been easy and it is not going to get easier as The Day draws near. There is a fiction that everyone loved Jesus, but he was roundly hated and persecuted, and he was crucified. He told his disciples that if the world hated him it would hate them as well. The Apostles were martyred, except for John. Where in the Scripture do we get the idea that the world should agree with us, honor us, celebrate us, or love us?

Our key passage today is a harsh one, but it could not be plainer. It is a promise from God through Paul that a time would come in which people - and the clear assumption here is that this is CHURCH people - would not abide the teaching of God's truth, but would gather to themselves teachers who would tickle their ears with truths that they wanted to hear.

We live in that day. I have no idea how long it will be until Jesus returns, and it may get much worse, but the church today is filled with false teachers scratching the ears of people who applaud them. "God will never ask you to change who you are." "God loves you so much he would never judge you." "God just wants you to have a great life." "God would never give you more than you can handle." "God wants you healthy and wealthy all the time."

Sound doctrine, in verse 3, literally means "healthy teaching." It refers to that which is in faithful accord with Scripture and produces spiritual health in the hearers. The fact is that what people need to hear is not what always what people want to hear. When I had cancer, I did not want to hear that diagnosis, but thank God my doctor called me and told me the truth so we could treat it. She told me the truth, not what I wanted to hear.

The world is never going to love the message of Christ. There are several teachings, essential to the gospel, which are insulting to human nature and will never be popular. Let's start at the start. You are a sinner who deserves God's eternal judgment. Do you think people would rather hear that truth or the lie that they are good people, just the way they are? Nothing you do will ever be good enough to earn the favor of God or win a ticket to heaven. Ever seen that wildly popular child's book, "I Can Do It Myself?" That's the message we want to hear. Just do your best and God will accept it. It' a lie, but that's what scratches itching ears. There is no salvation except through Jesus. The world views that as arrogant. It is fundamental truth. Coming to Christ is submitting your entire life to Jesus. He is in charge. Jesus is Lord. What, Dave, you mean I don't get to do as I please?

The message of the Gospel will never tickle itching ears, but it saves souls who listen and respond. When we are faithful to Christ, we have to accept that we will never be popular in this world, but we must be faithful to Christ.

Father, help me to be faithful to Christ in all things, regardless of the reactions of people in this world. May I care more about what YOU think of me than what people think.  

Think and Pray:

Do you live to please people and to be popular in this world?
Think through the implications of this verse. Remember, that it is our message, not our demeanor that should be the offense. 

By God's Power - Himalayan Heights – May 22 Readings: Super 7 – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

 Super 7 - Key Scriptures for All Christians

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  1 Thessalonians 5:24

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.

Today's verse is short and powerful, with a meaning we often overlook.  

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 9-10, John 5:1–29, Psalm 66:1–8, Proverbs13:17-18

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  By God's Power    

"God will never give more than you can handle."

Can you tell me where that teaching is found in the Bible? Of course you can't, because not only is it not a verse of the Bible, it runs counter to everything the Bible teaches. From Genesis to Revelation, God called his people to tasks that were far beyond their abilities. There are only a few instances in which God called people to tasks at which they had even the remotest chance to succeed.

It is interesting, as you read the Old Testament, how often God called one of his choice servants to a mind-boggling task that caused the person to choke and sputter. Moses begged God to find someone else. Gideon was stunned that God was calling on him. Others had similar experiences. Each time, God gave his servant a promise. "I will be with you." He didn't promise them an easy time or great success, but he promised that he would be there to help them. In fact, when God gave us our Great Commission, to make disciples in all the world, what was his promise? "I am with you always."

This is the "Significant Servant" syndrome that happens throughout the Bible. God reveals his purposes to one of his servants and then lays out his plans for that person. "I am going to flood the earth, now build a boat, Noah." "I am going to deliver Israel, now go to Egypt, Moses." God called them to tasks at which they could not possibly succeed in their own strength and power. The required response is two-fold - obedience and perseverance. They did what God told them to do and then kept on doing it when things got hard. Then, God worked in power.

Here is the key point. God doesn't call us to ministry and tell us "do the best you can." He doesn't leave us on our own to live on the basis of our strength and our ability. He calls us to impossible tasks and when we walk in obedience to him, he accomplishes his mighty works through us.

The who calls you to the tasks of ministry is faithful and "he will do it." That is what our text today says. God accomplishes his work by his power.

Here's the amazing thing. He does that through people like you and me. God could have done it himself or used angels to do the work, but he chooses to use us. He calls us to supernatural, extraordinary work that is beyond our imaginings and then, God accomplishes HIS work in us by HIS power!

Father, thank you for empowering me to do everything you call me to do. 

Think and Pray:

Are you doing anything in your life that clearly demonstrates the power of God?
Are you living in your own strength and power, depending on your own abilities, or are you letting God do his work through you? 

God-breathed and Useful - Himalayan Heights – May 21 Readings: Super 7 – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 Super 7 - Key Scriptures for All Christians

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:   2 Timothy 3:16-17 

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 7-8, John 4:46–54, Psalm 65:8–13, Proverbs13:15-16

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: God-breathed and Useful 

How does the church achieve all it needs to achieve? How can a pastor do what needs to be done? In this day, we are told we need to be creative, innovative, come up with new strategies and programs to lead the church into the new world. Paul, when he was advising his protege Timothy, had a very different view. He told him that there was one thing that would equip him for every good work and complete him in God.

Paul told Timothy to be invested in Scripture. The Bible. Of course, to Timothy, the Scriptures were what we now know of as the Old Testament. God was inspiring Paul, John, and the other apostles to write the New Testament books that would eventually be gathered and complete what we now know of as the Bible. Peter referred to Paul's writings as Scripture, so there was some recognition that what they were writing was of God. It was the word of God that would equip the man of God to do the work of God.

Paul begins 2 Timothy 3:16 by making two statements about God's word, the Bible. Note that he makes these assertions about ALL Scriptures, not just some. From Genesis to Revelation, every word of God's word is inspired and profitable. The basis of this study, "Himalayan Heights" is that there are some Scriptures that are more inspiring to us (who would want to read Romans 8 or Psalm 23 over the genealogies of 1 Chronicles?) but we still affirm that Leviticus' teachings on infectious skin disease and mildew and the 8 chapters of begats are inspired and they have value - they are profitable.

The first word, inspired, literally means "God-breathed." God spoke to and through different men and used their minds, their personalities, their writing styles construct the Bible, but there was one author, one voice, one breath behind all of it - God's. Whether Moses or Matthew or Peter or Paul is writing, it is God who is speaking.

Because the words come from God, they are profitable, useful. They work. They are true and they have their desired effect on us. God works in us by his Spirit to guide us through the written word. It is when we immerse ourselves in God's word that we are completed in Christ and prepared for every good work God calls us to do.

Verse 16 defines four specific ways the Scriptures are profitable in our lives. First, the Bible is profitable to teach us the ways of God, the character of God, the things of God. We learn the gospel and the truth of Christ through the Bible. When we stray from the ways of Christ taught in the Bible, it rebukes us. God's word is like a mirror that shows us who we really are, revealing our sins to us. The Spirit convicts us through the teachings of Scripture and then it corrects us, showing us how to get back on the right road. God does not just use the word to show us where we are wrong, but how we can get right again. Then, God's word trains us in righteousness, so that we do not fall into sin again.

If you want to grow in Christ, be a student of God's word. Here, nearing my 15th year as pastor at Southern Hills, that is now my 2 millionth time to give that advice, but it doesn't change. Get in the word and stay in the word!

Father, I thank you for God's word that teaches me God's way, rebukes and corrects me when I go wrong, and trains me so that I can walk in God's righteous path. 

Think and Pray:

Are you a deep and passionate student of God's word or is the Bible a closed book in your life? How would you describe your Bible study life? 

Why Won't They Believe? - Himalayan Heights – May 20 Readings: Super 7 – 1 Corinthians 2:14

 Super 7 - Key Scriptures for All Christians

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  1 Corinthians 2:14 

The "Super 7" refers to 7 passages I consider formative in my Bible Study and Christian life. They are taken from both the Old Testament and the New, various sources and various subjects.

Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 to get the full background of our key verse.

But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

Through the Bible Readings: 1 Kings 5-6, John 4:20–45, Psalm 65:1–7, Proverbs13:13-14

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  Why Won't They Believe?    

Why can't he understand? Why won't she listen?

Have you ever beat your head against the wall wondering why someone you love can't seem to get the beauty of your faith in Jesus Christ? You share the gospel and they either just don't get it or they think it is some kind of fairy tale. To you, it is everything - Jesus is life and hope and joy. And he is very real. But for this person you love and care about, nothing seems to sink in.

There is a reason for this, one that Paul explained in detail in 1 Corinthians 2. The message we share, the gospel we preach, the truth we proclaim from the Word we believe - it is "God's hidden wisdom." (Verse 7) We are not talking about some kind of gnostic secret only known to the initiated. This wisdom has been publicly proclaimed and it is clearly revealed in the Scriptures. But God reveals these things by the Spirit (verse 10) and only those who have received the Spirit (verse 12) can understand and process this truth from God. Our key verse today, verse 14, spells it out. Without the Holy Spirit, the things of God are nonsense and they cannot understand.

It is not that we who believe are smarter or nobler than those who do not believe. That was made clear in chapter 1. The difference is that we have received the Spirit of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the Spirit has opened our minds to the truth of God.

He is the Spirit of Truth, the one who reveals the things of God to the people of God. The disciples went everywhere with Jesus but never understood him. They were constantly falling all over themselves in confusion, saying foolish things and misunderstanding even Jesus' simplest teachings. Then, at Pentecost, the Spirit fell on them and suddenly they understood it all. Peter, the disciple voted "Most Likely to Say Something Stupid" three years running, suddenly stood up before the hostile crowd, delivered the gospel with clarity and power and 3000 souls were saved.

It is not that your lost friend or family member will not listen and believe. The minds of the unbelieving have been blinded by Satan and are in slavery to his lies. It is only when the Spirit of God opens our minds and hearts that we are able to understand the truth, believe God and follow his word.

Our job is to proclaim God's truth clearly, consistently, and comprehensively. We must tell everyone the truth of Jesus Christ. We must love them with the love of Christ and live in the power of Christ that they might see. But ultimately, we cannot coerce or even convince people. Only the Spirit of God can open the sinful mind. We preach and then we pray, "Lord, may your Spirit convince them of your truth."

Father, thank you for your Spirit who guides us into all truth. May he not only teach me that truth, but use me to proclaim that truth as he opens the eyes and hearts of those who need you. 

Think and Pray:

Thank God for the inner work of the Spirit who gives you the ability to understand the things of God. 

What are the signs that God is at work in someone and that they are ready to receive God's word?