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.
Congratulation on finishing the two year Bible reading program!!
If you want to do it again or have friends who would like to, I won't be republishing things every day. However, if you go to this link, you can access each day as an individual pdf, according to the date in the file title: eg. "20180101 - Two year Bible reading program" is that of 1 January in the first year (which was 2018).
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
If you want to do it again or have friends who would like to, I won't be republishing things every day. However, if you go to this link, you can access each day as an individual pdf, according to the date in the file title: eg. "20180101 - Two year Bible reading program" is that of 1 January in the first year (which was 2018).
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 31:29-31
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:29-31
Understanding to grow in
What a way to end. We started with a pair as God's people, we end with a great multitude. We started in a garden as God's place, we end in a flourishing and renewed creation. We started with a pair obeying God with the possibility of losing it all, we end with those from all humanity forgiven and perfected so that there will never again be sin or death. We started with God walking in the garden, and we end with him dwelling with his people as a God they will forever praise for his grace. These chapters are full of symbols. The new heaven and earth is not made again from scratch, but this one now liberated from all that went wrong with it (see Rom 8v18-22). In chapter 13 the beast came out of the sea, so "no sea" may be a figurative way of saying there will be no place from which evil can come. And whether or not a literal city will descend from heaven, here it symbolises the people of God, because it is said to be the "bride" of Christ - loved, cherished and beautified by him (21v9-10). So it's descending may simply be that of the souls of the dead coming from heaven with Christ to reside on the earth (see 1 Thess 4v14-18). The names of Israel's tribes on the city's gates signify that it comprises the total people of God (the multiples of 12 in its dimensions stress this too). The angels at the gates ensure only God's people can come in. But we are later told the gates never shut as there is no night and so no threat to be shut out. The foundations of the walls are inscribed with the names of the apostles, showing this new society is built on their message (see Eph 2v20). And the jewels decorating the city allude to Eden and the High Priest's decorated tunic. They tell us the city is the place of God's presence as Eden and the temple were. To stress this, it is cube-shaped as the holy of holies was. So, we don't find a temple as temples are for when people need to be kept seperate from God so they don't come under his wrath at sin. By contrast, here God is everywhere - his glory lighting up everything, just as it filled the tabernacle and temple when they were both dedicated. And inside the city are those from all nations. So in being raised with memory of this life, there they bring their "glory" (probably the best of their their skill, artistry and culture) into the service of Jesus (see Isaiah 60). Most significant, however, is that the Lamb is there, reigning. So the curse is reversed and everlasting life can ceaslessly flow to those who will serve him in the new creation like priests as they reign over it like kings. Who knows what will be achieved as we utilize its resources for good as was intended in the beginning? The book ends looking for the return of Christ, acknowledging that whatever is done in this life cannot hinder it - and that when he comes he will bless and reward his people whilst casting all others out. So we would do well to heed the word of Revelation just as we should heed every word of the Bible. But we should do it with joyful anticipation and certain hope. Come Lord Jesus.
What a way to end. We started with a pair as God's people, we end with a great multitude. We started in a garden as God's place, we end in a flourishing and renewed creation. We started with a pair obeying God with the possibility of losing it all, we end with those from all humanity forgiven and perfected so that there will never again be sin or death. We started with God walking in the garden, and we end with him dwelling with his people as a God they will forever praise for his grace. These chapters are full of symbols. The new heaven and earth is not made again from scratch, but this one now liberated from all that went wrong with it (see Rom 8v18-22). In chapter 13 the beast came out of the sea, so "no sea" may be a figurative way of saying there will be no place from which evil can come. And whether or not a literal city will descend from heaven, here it symbolises the people of God, because it is said to be the "bride" of Christ - loved, cherished and beautified by him (21v9-10). So it's descending may simply be that of the souls of the dead coming from heaven with Christ to reside on the earth (see 1 Thess 4v14-18). The names of Israel's tribes on the city's gates signify that it comprises the total people of God (the multiples of 12 in its dimensions stress this too). The angels at the gates ensure only God's people can come in. But we are later told the gates never shut as there is no night and so no threat to be shut out. The foundations of the walls are inscribed with the names of the apostles, showing this new society is built on their message (see Eph 2v20). And the jewels decorating the city allude to Eden and the High Priest's decorated tunic. They tell us the city is the place of God's presence as Eden and the temple were. To stress this, it is cube-shaped as the holy of holies was. So, we don't find a temple as temples are for when people need to be kept seperate from God so they don't come under his wrath at sin. By contrast, here God is everywhere - his glory lighting up everything, just as it filled the tabernacle and temple when they were both dedicated. And inside the city are those from all nations. So in being raised with memory of this life, there they bring their "glory" (probably the best of their their skill, artistry and culture) into the service of Jesus (see Isaiah 60). Most significant, however, is that the Lamb is there, reigning. So the curse is reversed and everlasting life can ceaslessly flow to those who will serve him in the new creation like priests as they reign over it like kings. Who knows what will be achieved as we utilize its resources for good as was intended in the beginning? The book ends looking for the return of Christ, acknowledging that whatever is done in this life cannot hinder it - and that when he comes he will bless and reward his people whilst casting all others out. So we would do well to heed the word of Revelation just as we should heed every word of the Bible. But we should do it with joyful anticipation and certain hope. Come Lord Jesus.
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.