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 31:21
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:21
Understanding to grow in
The harsh realities of history should not surprise us. They are no surprise to the Lord. Note 6v1. It is the lamb (Jesus) who opens the seals that loose the various judgments on the earth: conquest, violence, famine, death, and with it the persecution of God's people who cry out for justice when in heaven. In marking the seven almost complete, the sixth seal seems to bring cosmic upheaval (whether purely symbolic or partially literal) that cause the most mighty and most lowly to seek shelter from the wrath of God and the lamb that is about to be dispensed at the end of history. The point is that God's people are about to get the justice they long for. Chapter 7 then clarifies that before any of these judgments were loosed, God had "sealed" his people so they would be kept eternally secure despite having to live through them. The number of 144,00 is almost certainly symbolic, picturing the fullness of God's people. The 12x12 are the dimensions of the New Jerusalem in chapter 21. And the 1000 (10x10x10) symbolises a "great multitude" (7v9). This is the complete number of the redeemed who John sees in heaven at the end of history in white robes, symbolising the purity they have in being forgiven through the blood of the lamb, holding palm branches in celebration of their salvation, and serving God. As they celebrate with the angels, we are told they have come out of the great tribulation of chapter 6 that (to my mind) spans the church age in which God's judgments are dispensed and his people persecuted. And in the light of that they will then receive the most tender act of God wiping away their tears as they enjoy the safe pasture and living water Christ has led them to. What encouragement when we find life here hard. As you read note what we can expect in our present and our future.
The harsh realities of history should not surprise us. They are no surprise to the Lord. Note 6v1. It is the lamb (Jesus) who opens the seals that loose the various judgments on the earth: conquest, violence, famine, death, and with it the persecution of God's people who cry out for justice when in heaven. In marking the seven almost complete, the sixth seal seems to bring cosmic upheaval (whether purely symbolic or partially literal) that cause the most mighty and most lowly to seek shelter from the wrath of God and the lamb that is about to be dispensed at the end of history. The point is that God's people are about to get the justice they long for. Chapter 7 then clarifies that before any of these judgments were loosed, God had "sealed" his people so they would be kept eternally secure despite having to live through them. The number of 144,00 is almost certainly symbolic, picturing the fullness of God's people. The 12x12 are the dimensions of the New Jerusalem in chapter 21. And the 1000 (10x10x10) symbolises a "great multitude" (7v9). This is the complete number of the redeemed who John sees in heaven at the end of history in white robes, symbolising the purity they have in being forgiven through the blood of the lamb, holding palm branches in celebration of their salvation, and serving God. As they celebrate with the angels, we are told they have come out of the great tribulation of chapter 6 that (to my mind) spans the church age in which God's judgments are dispensed and his people persecuted. And in the light of that they will then receive the most tender act of God wiping away their tears as they enjoy the safe pasture and living water Christ has led them to. What encouragement when we find life here hard. As you read note what we can expect in our present and our future.
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.