Dec 31 - Rev 19-22 - A New Jerusalem

It is with sadness I write today. Just got off the phone with my daughter. Her husband's mother who has been battling stage 4 cancer the last few months is in the hospital and has taken a turn for the worse. Doctors give her about 36 hours. My daughter and son-in-law are in a whirlwind of activity trying to figure out their next move. We have been praying for a miraculous healing, but it appears God has a different plan. It is in that context that I read Rev 19-22.

These chapters cover the judgment, the lake of fire and such, as well as the appearing of the New Jerusalem - our eternal dwelling place with God. What struck me as I read about the New Jerusalem today was the phrase "prepared as a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband." (Rev 21:2). I was reminded how every wedding I go to, there is something about the bride; she is beautiful, she glows, she is expectant. I mean no offense by this, but no matter how plain or beautiful a woman may be in everyday life, she is at her most beautiful on her wedding day. Now, as I re-read the description of the new Jerusalem, I think of the beautiful bride and can picture more clearly how glowing and beautiful this new city will be. And while it seems that this new Jerusalem will not come into being until the very end of this age, it is to this destiny that our dear in-law Peggy is headed.

If she in fact is taken from earth in a few hours or days, we know with confidence that her hope is in Christ and her name is surely written in the book of Life. The chapters I read today clearly describe the result of our choice here on earth. Some wrestle with the notion that God would actually condemn someone to death, but I don't. Rev 21:27 says that "Nothing impure will ever enter into it," speaking of the New Jerusalem. God is perfect, His dwelling place is perfect and pure, He can not allow even one speck of impurity into His Kingdom because then it would no longer be pure. Our purity is not of our own effort, it is in the covering of Jesus who lived sinlessly and sacrificed for us. And the great thing is, this is a free gift to any who would take it. You too can have this eternal destiny by only accepting this gift and turning your life around to live for Jesus. Which of you will give back unopened this wonderful Christmas present?


Peggy with her husband Perry - the day before our daughter married their son.
Peggy & Perry with their two sons and new daughter-in-law

Finally, Peggy dancing with her son at the wedding reception

Dec 28-29 - Rev 5-14: Worship and Judgment

The chapters of these last 2 days of reading bring two words to mind.

1. Worship: There are several scenes of various worship services giving praise to God the Creator, the Lamb our Redeemer and the Sovereign Ruler of all. Angels worshipped, elders worshipped, a huge host of redeemed souls worshipped and creatures worshipped. Our own worship of God is not a trivial thing. It is a testimony of God and all He is, all He has done, is doing and will do. We worship with our lives in how we conduct ourselves; we worship with our voices, singing and speaking praises; we worship in the giving of gifts be they our talents, our resources, our time or our acts of charity (love) and service. Praise be to our God, the Almighty, Sovereign Lord! Praise be to the Savior of His creation! Glory to His Name.


2. Judgment: In contrast, we see the results of living in denial of God and His rightful place in our hearts and lives. Unspeakable suffering chases after those who rebel against the reality of God. Their hearts become hard and they are easily deceived into believing anything that appears to be great and wise and good - as long as it is not God! The suffering they endure causes them to become angry at God and all the more defiant. Admitting their errors and repentence is not even a thought. Their choice is fully realized in the judgment they will face. We see in these chapters only the beginning.

My response to these chapters is the same as Joshua's when he says "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Josh 24:15).

Here is a little of my worship of God the Creator....

Dec 27, 2008 - Rev 1-4: Rewards for the Faithful

Obvious learnings from the letters to the seven churches are the warnings about the things that God hates to see in His people. But what struck more today was how much hope there is in these letters. To those who overcome, persevere and stay true to the end, these are the rewards that await them:

1. The right to eat from the tree of life


2. Access to the paradise of God


3. They will not be hurt by the second death


4. They will receive hidden manna


5. They will receive a white stone with a new name on it that only they will know


6. They’ll have authority over the nations


7. They’ll receive the morning star


8. They will get clothes of white


9. They will remain in the book of life


10. They will have protection from the coming hour of trial


11. They will be a pillar in the temple of God


12. They will have the name of God and His city written on them


13. They will receive a new name


14. They will have the right to sit with Jesus on His throne

In a word; WOW! To remember what our eternal destiny is, the sacrifices (the things we give up for the sake of Jesus) in this life are pale and empty in comparison. Give your all, your whole life to Jesus and it will be worth it, both now and in eternity.