Genesis 1-3

A quick story.

When Patty and I lived in Dallas and worked at CFNI, a friend, Tim Barrett, was in town for a conference. He called me and attended a Saturday evening service with me. Mom Lindsay was speaking. She talked about the importance of reading the Bible through every year. Her admonition impressed Tim so much that he and his wife began doing it. That was 26 years ago and they have done it ever since.

Tim just told that story to me last evening. Patty and I talked to him and Linda on Facebook Messenger.

Many formulas to read through. Mom Lindsay always promoted 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sunday.

Rev. 22

In the last book of the Bible, we are left with a promise, a hope, and a solution. Christ is coming back for His Bride … us!

What do you do when someone important is coming? You GET READY for them! Hence, readiness is our modus operandi. Our preparation is not for retirement, or any investment that brings its return in this world. We are preparing for the world to come, to live with God in His eternal home. Everything we do should be with that in mind.

Soon could mean tonite, tomorrow, next week, next year, even the next decade. At least we know He is coming, so readiness and preparation are our priorities.

God does not lie.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [Rev. 22:12]

Rev. 21

There is a NEW ORDER coming. A new heaven, a new earth, and the old order of things will pass away.

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [1 Cor. 2:9]

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. [Ps. 16:11]

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. [Rev. 21:3,4]

Rev. 20

At the conclusion of the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth, God will conduct His great White Throne judgement. He will open the Book of Life. Whomever has their name written in this book will avoid being cast into the Lake of Fire which will burn with torment forever.

Our job as Christians is to share the Good News that through Christ’s cleansing, souls can qualify to have their name written in this book.

Paul said, “We proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. This is what I am working at all the time, with all the strength that God gives me.” [Col. 1:28,29 Phillips]

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Rev. 19

The false prophet will delude people into receiving the mark of the beast and worshiping its image. Many will believe the end time lies that try to dissuade people against the Lord.

Why do people believe lies? They are chasing after what they want for themselves and are willing to do whatever to get it.

The disciplined, truth-seeking life of a Christian resists being deluded by the enemy’s promises. They stay close to God’s Word for their instructions for living. They deny their fleshly desires and hold out for “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy … ” [Phil. 4:8]

Rev. 17,18

Simply put, every religious or political institution that aligns itself against the Lamb will fail. The Lamb, Christ Jesus, will prevail over all His resistance. Many are deceived into thinking Christ is just a deterrent to their quest for success in life. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Words He spoke will NEVER pass away. [Matt. 24:35]

Rev. 15,16

Chapter 16 refers to the battle of Armageddon where God’s power and forces will battle His enemies. His judgements will already have been poured out upon the earth to appease His wrath, yet His enemies JUST WON’T LEARN. They must ultimately be corralled into the great battle that will happen in the valley of Israel. There, they will meet their doom and be defeated by the Host of Heaven.

In the meantime, we persuade men to be made right with their Creator.

Rev. 14

The picture of God’s wrath and punishment in Rev. 14 is unbearable. Those who worship the beast and take his mark will reap God’s judgement. It’s essentially an eternity of unceasing pain and anguish. As lovely and blissful as His rewards are, so conversely are God’s penalties the extreme of suffering. This is what helps motivate us to share the Gospel and pray for the salvation of those we love and care about.

Rev. 13

Upon reading the book of Revelation, we find many confusing and mysterious pictures. The beast is one. Who was or who is the beast? His number, 666, can point to Nero when adding up the numerical values assigned to the letters of the Hebrew language. He’s dead and gone. However, the text suggests that there is a world ruler to come that will embody a Nero-like evil.

How does the New Testament Christian respond? John writes, “Amid all this stands the endurance and faith of the saints.” [J.B. Phillips]

We develop the patient endurance and trusting faith through our DAILY communion with the Lord found in His Word and prayer. This devotion builds up our spiritual strength so we can “run through a troop and leap over a wall.” [Ps. 18:29]

Rev. 12

Our enemy, Satan, is said to be “filled with fury”. Do you notice how some people are like this also. They are mad and always looking for a way to express their anger.

In contrast, God’s children, in spite of their weak moments of shortfall, ultimately want to express God’s love and kindness in behalf of Christ. Christ’s disciples are to be known by their love.

Satan is doing whatever he can through whomever he can possess to rob, kill and destroy. He is especially targeting God’s people who have the testimony of Jesus and keep God’s commands.

Let’s face it. The devil hates Jesus and whomever loves Christ. (Warning! This can get very political.)