Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:18
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:18
Understanding to grow in
We must remember that Jesus is a lion as well as a lamb, awesome as well as meek. The one who displayed such humility on earth is now glorified in heaven. And that's what we see at the beginning of this book, which was written perhaps as late as the 90s AD. It opens telling us it is a prophecy given from the Lord Jesus through an angel speaking to John in a vision. It's visionary nature alerts us to the fact that it is highly symbolic. So its images aren't necessary to be taken literally, but we should ponder the realities they reflect. The book is to show Christ's servants "what must soon take place" (1v1). But this is a prophetic "soon," that refers to events throughout the church age, culminating in Christ's return (1v7). It is intended to move every generation to live with a sense that the end is ever nearer. The stress of this first chapter is on the blessedness of those who heed the book, and on Jesus freeing his people from sin so that they would serve him in this world until he "comes." The vision begins with John seeing him in a manner that stresses his awesome majesty and holiness walking amongst seven lampstands, with a double-edged sword in his mouth and seven stars in his hand. We are told the lampstands are the seven key churches that the book is written to, and the angels probably angelic representatives who watch over them. The point is that by his Spirit the glorified Christ is present with his church, which is both terrifying and reassuring (as was the case in Malachi): terrifying because he sees everything and his word judges like a sword; reassuring because he declares John need not "be afraid" and that he, Jesus, holds the keys of death and hades. What Jesus is to the reader will depend on their response as they read the vision. As you read today, note what is learnt of Christ.
We must remember that Jesus is a lion as well as a lamb, awesome as well as meek. The one who displayed such humility on earth is now glorified in heaven. And that's what we see at the beginning of this book, which was written perhaps as late as the 90s AD. It opens telling us it is a prophecy given from the Lord Jesus through an angel speaking to John in a vision. It's visionary nature alerts us to the fact that it is highly symbolic. So its images aren't necessary to be taken literally, but we should ponder the realities they reflect. The book is to show Christ's servants "what must soon take place" (1v1). But this is a prophetic "soon," that refers to events throughout the church age, culminating in Christ's return (1v7). It is intended to move every generation to live with a sense that the end is ever nearer. The stress of this first chapter is on the blessedness of those who heed the book, and on Jesus freeing his people from sin so that they would serve him in this world until he "comes." The vision begins with John seeing him in a manner that stresses his awesome majesty and holiness walking amongst seven lampstands, with a double-edged sword in his mouth and seven stars in his hand. We are told the lampstands are the seven key churches that the book is written to, and the angels probably angelic representatives who watch over them. The point is that by his Spirit the glorified Christ is present with his church, which is both terrifying and reassuring (as was the case in Malachi): terrifying because he sees everything and his word judges like a sword; reassuring because he declares John need not "be afraid" and that he, Jesus, holds the keys of death and hades. What Jesus is to the reader will depend on their response as they read the vision. As you read today, note what is learnt of Christ.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.