I am Coming Soon!

Here in New Jersey, yesterday was the darkest day of the year. The sun rose after 7:16 am and set at 4:32 pm, lasting a mere 9 hours and 15 minutes. After enjoying the long warm days of summer, sunset at 4:30 is depressing. I often find myself driving home in the dark, getting up in the dark. Even now as I write this, it is dark. 

But starting today, the tide has turned. The days will become lighter. At first, just a fraction of a minute, but it is happening. 

The Creator of the Universe, who set the sun and moon in place, scheduled a day when light was to return to the earth. They call it the winter solstice. Unlike Easter, the scriptures do not point us to a specific date for the birth of Christ. Church fathers chose this date to celebrate it, some say partly because of this phenomenon, and it is certainly fitting. 

"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness."

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." (John 12:46, 3:19)

Now that all evil has been destroyed, we are ready to live in God's light, in the perfect garden He has created for us.  

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. (Revelation 22:1,2,5) 

In this garden, God has created not only the extravagant beauty explained in Revelation 21 but He will also abundantly and constantly provide for all our needs: water, food, healing, light. The cycles of darkness will be over. Seasons of famine and drought and cold will be over. Times of war and violence will be over. God has cast all evil outside of His kingdom. 

Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to approach the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14 AMPC) 

Again God reminds us no one has the right to the tree of life on our own. We must come to Jesus for forgiveness, for His righteousness. By His mercy, He has already accomplished our atonement and He invites us all to come to Him. The gift is free. 

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17) 

God doesn't answer all of our questions in this book. I read the last chapter of Revelation and react like I do to one of my novels wondering about the main characters because the author does not wrap up their lives entirely. God also does not give us all the details. I still have questions. When will this happen? Will believers be present during the entire tribulation? What will we be doing for eternity together? And of course, will my dog Fudge be there in heaven when I get there?

Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. (Revelation 22:10)

The angel tells us the time is near, but this was written 2000 years ago. What was he trying to say? 

I believe the point is this prophesy is relevant to every generation. It is vital for us all to read it and understand it's message: 

• God wins and He invites us to be on His side. He desires to provide us a perfect home where we can live with Him forever.
  
• There is evil in the world and it is seductive and deceptive. It looks lovely but desires our destruction.   
• In order to win eternal life, we must choose God, stay alert and close to Him.
  

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

Jesus Himself signs the letter. This is a gift to His church. It does not tell us everything, but we can trust His goodness and that He has told us enough to prepare us. His Holy Spirit has been given to us to understand what we will need at the important time. 

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

* * * * * * *

This is a last of a 23 day devotional series for Advent based on the 22 chapter of Revelation. Start at the beginning! Click here.

The Holy City

I hate housecleaning. I postpone it until it is absolutely necessary. If you were to come visit unexpected, you would find piles of random items everywhere: stacks of mail, groceries, the grandchildren's toys, books, more mail, tools, electronics in pieces. But once in a while, usually when company is expected, I clean up. 

Yesterday, I finally put old photos in new frames and rearranged them in my dining room. I even dusted the shelves. It was a thing of beauty. There was something rejuvenating about discarding the broken frames, selecting the best photos of family, and placing them in order together.  

Maybe in a small way, this was the joy of God as He was able to put His creation back in order. He had already defeated evil. Now onto the process of getting His world in order.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, (Revelation 21:1) 

As God first created the world, now He recreates it. 

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)

This is what God always wanted, to dwell with us. There was a long process to get there and He had patiently waited for it to play out to the end.  God will tenderly care for His people now that He can bring them into their final home. He will comfort them, provide for them, stay near to them.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” ...

He said to me: “It is done... To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:4-7) 

The earth has been destroyed and so God brings from heaven a new, even more glorious creation. He describes it to John so that we can know how magnificent it will be. 

One of the seven angels ... said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he ...showed me The Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel...

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (Revelation 21:9-11, 21-23)

God is creating a city so enormous, so stunningly beautiful, we can't imagine it. But as His image-bearers, we understand in a small way the joy of creating things, comforts for ourselves and for others we invite into our homes. He is not only creating for us and our joy, but I can feel His joy as well, His anticipation of a time and a place where He can dwell with His children and there will be true peace.  

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:24-27)

Beloved, I can only imagine what this will be like. Thank You for pulling back the curtain so that we can see it, if only dimly. I am delighted with Your delight to be with us for eternity. Help me to look forward to it and past this dark chaotic world. Let the anticipation of Your perfect glory inspire me to follow You more closely every day. 

The Battle Between God and Satan

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) 

When Jesus came to earth as a baby, God sends His angels to announce it, proclaiming it is good news. There will be great joy for all people. Our Savior has come. 

At Christ's first coming, it is good news. At the second, the news is good and bad. It is bad news for Satan. His time of terror has come to an end, even if only for a while at first.  

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1-2) 

Christ has come and Satan has been defeated, captured and securely bound. He will no longer lead astray, deceive, and seduce the nations.

They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years... They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4,6) 

Those who belong to Christ will be resurrected. They will enjoy of time of peace, purpose, and joy because Christ will have restored His earthly kingdom and He will reign. Earth will have a perfect king, who rules with perfect wisdom and love. The future all our hearts long for will come true.  

But this is not the end of the story. There is one more chapter before the happy ending. Satan is permitted to return. 

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations...and to gather them for battle...they are like the sand on the seashore...But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. (Revelation 20:7-9) 

God bound Satan. Then He releases him. Why? What does this tell us about God? What does this tell us about humanity? Because after living in paradise, multitudes side with Satan and battle against the kingdom of God!

• God is ultimately in control. He can bind Satan, and He can release Him. Satan does have power, but it is limited by God alone.

• God provides second chances. Indeed, multiple chance to repent, to turn to Him, to change our ways.  But there will be a limit. There will be a time of judgment. Was this a second chance offered to Satan, after he had seen the beauty of a kingdom where Christ is king? Was this a second chance given to God's subjects, to choose evil and reject Him? Was this to remind us that we are never satisfied but always looking around the corner for the better deal? I am not certain of these answers but I am sure I want to choose Christ. Always.
  

• God can take the deceiver out of the world, but our hearts are still wicked. It is inside us. We desperately need a Savior to atone for our sins, and also to heal us from sin forever. We cannot do it on our own power. Left to ourselves, we march against God in defiance, wanting our own way. We want to be king! That is why we must cast our crowns before Him who will reign forever and ever.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it... And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened...The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books... 

Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11,12,15) 

We will be judged by our deeds, but our deeds will not save us, even if it seems the good outweighs the bad. Only if our name had been written in the Book of Life by Christ Himself because we surrendered to Him in humility.

God longs to give us our heart's true desire: an eternity of peace and joy. But that only exists with Him, inside His kingdom. He has provided the way, the door in Christ. 

Will you enter it?

Beloved, thank You for saving me! Heal my heart of pride, self-centerness! I submit to Your mercy and to Your correction. I want to stay inside Your Kingdom forever because You alone are the Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, our God-Hero. 

The Sharp Sword of His Mouth

This morning I reflected on how differently the armies of heaven announce the first and second coming of Christ.

The angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth
to those with whom God is pleased.”
(Luke 2:13-14) 

At the First Coming, the angels announce peace on earth. God's mercy had come to us, in the flesh, as a gentle baby, to atone for our sins. Contrast with that the announcement of His Second Coming:

A great multitude in heaven shouting:
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
for true and just are His judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.”
(Revelation 19:1-2) 

The next time time Jesus comes, it will be in power to judge and condemn the people of earth. He will take revenge on those who tortured and murdered His servants. He comes on a white horse with the armies of heaven following Him. He will wage war. He will destroy His enemies and cast them out of the earth. 

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. The armies of heaven were following Him... Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. (Revelation 19:11, 14, 15) 

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the Rider on the horse and His army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet ... The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 

The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the Rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. (Revelation 19:19-21) 

It will be a blood bath. 

Jesus will decisively concur evil. There will be no prolonged battle. Victory will come in an instant. What will Jesus use to accomplish this? The sword of His mouth! With His words, He created the heavens and the earth. With His mouth He will speak to evil and it will be cast out. God's Truth overcomes lies. God's light overcomes darkness.

It will not be pretty. It sounds incredibly gory actually. But it will be GOOD.  

In His first coming, Jesus provided a way, a door, into the kingdom of heaven. He purchased it at great price, by His own suffering and blood. He offers it to all of us. Just by saying yes, He will cleanse us from our sin and provide the Holy Spirit who will continue to stay near and transform us. The Spirit will make us ready to meet our King face to face. 

But before Christ meets His bride, the Church, He must make a place suitable for her. He must wipe out all evil. And so when He does, the waiting is over and the heavens sing... 

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and His bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Revelation 19:6-8)  

Beloved, I too will be shouting praises in heaven when evil is conquered and You are victorious. But until then, remind me to continue to submit to the Spirit as He transforms me. Remind me to continue to pray for family and friends to say yes to You and Your kingdom. You are good in Your mercy and in Your judgment. You are good and I trust You. 

Come Out!

Growing up, I could see New York City from our street corner. The lights sparkled, especially when the daylight dwindled in the fall. My parents would bring us to Radio City Music Hall to see the show. As we walked on the streets, my mother used to say the sidewalks were paved with diamonds. Indeed, they did glitter in the night as they reflected the lights.

Last trip together into NYC with mom

We continued the tradition with my daughters. We would visit at Christmas time to see the tree at Rockefeller center and enjoy the Christmas lights and excitement of the city.

We have lived our whole lives at the outskirts of New York City, the largest, richest, most powerful city in the world. As a culture, we enjoy her gifts, but we ignore her sins. She attracts the  homeless and poor, greed and corruption, filth and immorality. We step around these things when we visit. We look away from the beggar, cross the street when we see the unsavory. But we keep coming back. We try to be close, while keeping our coats clean.    

What does God instruct us regarding the culture of sin around us? 

“Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes."(Revelation 18:4-5) 

Scripture tells us to leave. Not to live in suburbia and visit occasionally, but to separate, come away. To stay close is to partner in these sins. Sin is seductive. It is devious. It is contagious. When we remain close, we will become contaminated.

"For all the nations have drunk
the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”
(Revelation 18:3) 

Immorality, greed, and power are never satisfied. These sins multiply and grow more deeply embedded. They become normalized and accepted. Evil invites us to it's revelry but it hates us will destroy us. Wickedness tastes delicious even though it is deadly.       

"Your merchants were the world’s important people.
By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,
of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (Revelation 16:23-24) 

God sees all and He will surely judge the wicked. Quickly, totally it will be destroyed. Let's not allow His delay to fool us. 

“In one hour your doom has come! ...
With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again." (Revelation 18:10,21) 

The world will mourn the destruction of evil but God's people will rejoice. God will show Himself faithful and His judgment is good.

"Rejoice, you people of God!
Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”
(Revelation 18:20) 

Beloved, I want to be a part of it, the excitement, the lights, the fun. It cunningly masks the immoral. It draws me too. I am not immune. I too can be seduced by immorality, greed, power and pride. Allow me to see the truth, that You alone are joy and peace. Let me take seriously Your call to come out.  

Are We Drunk by the Wine of Her Immorality?

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:26-28) 

Consider the contrast between the Mary, virgin of Nazareth and the great prostitute of Babylon described in chapter 17 of Revelation.

One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.” (Revelation 17:1-2) 

I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. (Revelation 17:6) 

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because He is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And His called and chosen and faithful ones will be with Him.” (Revelation 17:14) 

And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world.” (Revelation 17:18)

What is the difference between the great prostitute of Babylon and Mary, the virgin of Nazareth?

• The prostitute is rich. Mary is poor.
• The prostitute controls the nations and martyrs the people of God. Mary has no control beyond her own personal choice. She can't even control the reaction of her fiance Joseph. An angel must intervene.
• The prostitute blasphemies God. She loves her sins and wears them like a royal robe. Mary trusts the Lord and is obedient to His will.
• The prostitute is full of obscenities, impurity and immorality.  Mary magnifies the Lord and is grateful. 
• The prostitute will war against Christ and His followers. Mary was willing to risk everything to bring Christ into the world. 
  

Reading about the great prostitute of Babylon is horrifying. I want to figure out what country the angels are talking about. Is it my own? When will this happen? How can I and my family stay safe?

Those are not the important questions. Like Mary, I have no control beyond my own person choice. I must focus on that: 

• Will I refuse the comforts and riches of Babylon when they require my allegiance to anything else besides Christ? 
• Will I stay alert to seduction of the culture and its immoral things and refuse them? 
• Will I trust the Lord and stay obedient to His word even when it costs me? 
• Will I praise Him and be grateful even in the suffering? 
• Will I side with Christ against the things of this world?    

Beloved, send Your Spirit. I am weak but Your Spirit is strong. Help me to be like Mary. Continue Your work to sanctify me while I wait for Your victory!

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

He will come like a Thief!

There are ten days until Christmas. 

The good thing about the holiday is you know when it is coming. I can plan ahead, purchase what is needed, prepare my home. I know how many days I have left.

The second coming of Christ will not be like that. It will be unexpected. Even with the signs He has given us, we will not know the exact day or the hour of His coming. Or the day when He will announce from heaven that He has had enough.

Then I heard a mighty voice from the temple sanctuary saying to the seven angels, Go and empty out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath and indignation. (Revelation 16:1 AMPC) 

Why is God doing this? Why is He punishing the people of the earth? 

 “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One,
    You who are and who were;
for they have shed the blood of Your holy people and Your prophets,
    and You have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”
(Revelation 16:5-6)

God will bring justice. He would prefer forgiveness, but the remainder of the people on earth refuse Him, no matter what punishment He brings to them. 

People were severely burned (scorched) by the fiery heat, and they reviled and blasphemed the name of God, Who has control of these plagues, and they did not repent of their sins [felt no regret, contrition, and compunction for their waywardness, refusing to amend their ways] to give Him glory. (Revelation 16:9 AMPC) 

Beloved, help me to feel contrition and deep regret for all my sins. Help me to amend my ways to follow You! Let me not put off until tomorrow what must be done today. 

I need not know when You are coming. I need always to be ready to greet You, clothed in Your righteousness alone. Let me not be trapped by my pride, my self-rightousness, or selfish, sinful desires. You alone deserve all my devotion and my praise.  

Behold, I am going to come like a thief! Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who stays awake (alert) and who guards his clothes, so that he may not be naked and [have the shame of being] seen exposed! (Revelation 16:15 AMPC)