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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

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.

(722) 24 December : Proverbs 31v23 / Revelation 10-11 / Psalm 147v12-20

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 31:23
Understanding to grow in
These chapters need more explanation. They give pause to help us understand what is happening to the church whilst the events so far have been taking place. Before the seventh and final trumpet is sounded a majestic angel declares that "the mystery of God" will be accomplished. Throughout the New Testament, this is his purpose of gathering those from Jew and Gentile to faith in Christ. The angel combines the earlier descriptions of God and of Christ (10v1,3 with 4v3, 5v5), so may be Christ himself or a representative of him. As Christ opened a scroll in chapter 5 detailing the events of history, the scroll John takes from angel is likely to be this same one, or a section of it detailing what can be made known. It could have contained the message of chapters 12-19, or of the whole book. Whatever, John is to make known what it contained (10v11). We can only understand what follows in the light of the rest of the book. In every instance, the temple and altar are those John is seeing in heaven (6v9, 9v13, 7v15, 11v19), and the "holy city" is the new Jerusalem - the society of God's people in heaven (21v2). This makes the "outer court" most likely earth itself. Measuring the temple, altar and worshippers was a way of symbolising their completion. It tells us that at the end all who are to be in will be in, or that there is space for all who will come in. But we are also told that preceding any completion, the people of God that are the "holy city" will be trampled on for 3 and a half years - the period from the book of Daniel that symbolises a time of evil and persecution. During that time "two witnesses" will prophecy. They are olive trees and the lampstands the trees give oil to. Chapter 1 has told us lampstands picture churches. So, most likely, with the background of Zechariah 4 where these refer to priestly and kingly individuals, this refers to the church as the body of Christ, performing its kingly and priestly role of expressing his rule and serving his purposes (see 5v10). Throughout the specified period (probably the whole church age) we are told they will be persecuted but will also have to prophesy by sharing the gospel, and that those who harm them will come under judgment. We are then told that at the end of this period, a beast (Satan) will be released from the Abyss, and attack the church (see 20v7-10), which will then seem dead in "the great city" - Babylon, symbolising ungodly society throughout the earth (18v10). The point is that towards the end there will be a huge persecution which will almost wipe out the church and which the world will celebrate. It is truly sobering. However, we are then told God will raise his people, bring them to heaven, and dispense destruction on the city (ungodly society) - with, it seems, a few repenting at the last minute (11v13). The "7000" killed symbolises a great and complete number. The end will then come with the seventh trumpet, Christ's everlasting reign beginning on earth and God being praised for finally bringing justice. As you read consider what this should encourage us as God's people to.

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.