Rev. 20

Gehenna, or the valley of Hinnom, is an actual valley in the city of Jerusalem. In Israel’s past, it was used as a place of child sacrifice. From the reign of Josiah onward, it was used as a garbage dump where the fires burned the refuse continuously. Jesus used it as an illustration of the final judgment of the wicked. Gehenna is the permanent place where both the body and the soul are reunited to spend eternity apart from God. It is located outside the new Jerusalem, the place where believers will be with the Lord.

-Don Stewart, blueletterbible.org

Rev. 19

John saw Heaven, and he saw Jesus seated on a great white horse as the commander of all the armies of Heaven. Christ commands the greatest army in the universe. We need to be mindful of His power as we meet the challenges of life.

God also revealed this army to Elisha’s servant. In 2 Kings 6 we read of how God opened the eyes of the servant to behold an army of horses and chariots of fire protecting them.

When God’s army gets done with the enemy at Armageddon, He will call in the birds to eat the dead flesh of the foe.

Our God is a great warrior. He protects us. He leads us. We are eternally safe with Him.

Rev. 18

David Wilkerson, I believe, said, “If God excuses the sin of NYC, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah”.

When you read this chapter envisioning NYC, it makes sense. No other city in the world or in history matches the description like it. I think of David Wilkerson, Jim Cymbala, and others who have had a great ministry there. God is trying to reach its inhabitants.

One sad thing is that we have become so numbed to the depravity of NYC, LA, and other major cities, that we lose our disgust with their sin.

God doesn’t. He grieves. He will judge.

Pray.

Rev. 17

I am the first to admit that I don’t have much understanding about John’s book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Whether or not the U.S. is Mystery Babylon or who the identity of the Beast is, I’m not sure. Frankly, I haven’t been challenged to study it for these answers. I have a wait and see approach.

This one thing is for sure, and it’s one thing I understand … Christ, God’s Lamb, will overcome all. He will reign supreme and conquer all His foes. THIS I understand!

Surely Christ Jesus knows all and will protect me when times get tough. I rest in the Lamb. I trust the Lamb. I will stay with the Lamb.

Rev. 16

The word judgement has a scary sound. In general, it means to vindicate or hold to a standard. When the person judged has done wrong, it can mean punishment.

In most competitive events, there is a judge or evaluating official . In a baseball game, an official is designated to call balls and strikes. Likewise there are judges to make calls on each base, safe or out. Video replay has helped make some sports judgements more fair.

God is the Great Judge Who sits in the heavens and watches everything. He is the only perfectly accurate Judge of everything. We can have the blood of Jesus cleanse us from all unrighteousness and go on living our lives with the peaceful assurance that He will control the outcome of every judgment we are subjected to. We can thereby live life and REST. Just trust Him.

Rev. 15

Interestingly, smoke filled the temple John saw in heaven. It signified the thick glory and presence of God there. Smoke also filled Solomon’s temple when he dedicated it. We read of that in smoke in 2 Chron. 7.

Personally, I have never seen this type of smoke. I HAVE been in some very special services where God’s presence was VERY THICK. They are most memorable.

Regardless of whether we actually see the smoke, it’s a worthy goal to pray for this kind of services in our churches. One very key ingredient is prayer. We should be asking God for such a display of His presence when we gather together. We may not see smoke, but we surely desire to see His mighty power displayed.

Rev. 14

People literally have no idea about their fate if they reject Christ’s offer for salvation. This chapter of Revelation speaks of their punishment … “They will be tormented with burning sulfur …  And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” [Rev. 14:10b, 11]

You may recall the devo I published about my “blue light” treatment at the skin cancer clinic. For a mere 6 or so minutes of time, I was subjected to a burning pain on my face to treat pre-cancer spots. It was almost unbearable. In that moment, I couldn’t imagine experiencing it all over my body FOREVER.

People just have no idea of what they will experience if they reject Christ.

Rev. 13

In light of your future, what challenges you will face in the days to come, God’s Word encourages you to have patient endurance and faithfulness. Our hope is ultimately IN THE LORD and not on our circumstances. We don’t always know what challenges life will bring … if we did our anxiety might become less tolerable … but we can set our heart to focus on God’s faithfulness and rely upon His grace to get us through.

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [Jn. 16:33]

Rev. 12

The devil is on a timeline and a leash. He is NOT HAPPY. He and his imps (demons) are dedicated to making life miserable for you. Ever get that feeling?

What do we do? We run to Jesus for cover and protection. We are safe there. In fact, the Lord Jesus loves it when we find our refuge in Him. If you are a parent, you understand how wonderful it is when your young children snuggle up and find their comfort in your arms. The love Christ has for us is like that. He loves it when His children come to Him. This is what He says to us …

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.” [Matt. 11:28]

Rev. 11

Our president announced that the US would lead a New World Order. I think, “Who gave him the authority to do this?” I then think of Psalm 2 which says, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

This amuses the Lord. In fact, the Psalmist said that God laughs at these plans men make. In Revelation, we read of His Mighty Power and how He reveals it according to a timeline He has established. Remember, God controls ALL the elements …. earthquakes, wind and rain, the heavens (sun, moon and stars). Even the animals will obey His Voice an do what He instructs them to do.

Our hope is IN THE LORD, not in a silly New World Order.