Devotions

Heat Up The Furnace

by  • 

These accounts are about Daniel and his companions. They were the brightest of their community. They were the best educated. They were impacting their nation and getting prophetic insight from God. So, we might make the mistake of thinking God is only interested in kings and the elite, but Jesus didn’t pick his disciples this way, in fact people said of them, these are Galileans which was a derogatory statement. We can learn from the dedication Daniel and his companions display toward God. This is the way we all should live. The same favor Daniel and his companions received, we may also experience, but remember, they were captives that had been taken by military conquest. It wasn’t all perfect or easy for them. There is much to say in these chapters but it all leads to this end point in Daniel 4:26 “when you acknowledge that heaven is sovereign”.

A Statue of Gold

Daniel 3:1–8
Some years have gone by and the king has settled his kingdom. The vision explained by Daniel was still in his mind “as suggested to him by the dream (Da 2:38), “Thou art this head of gold.” The interval between the dream and the event here was about nineteen years. Nebuchadnezzar had just returned from finishing the Jewish and Syrian wars, the spoils of which would furnish the means of rearing such a colossal statue”1

Now, the king not only makes the statue, but also a decree in Daniel 3:6 that all should worship or “be thrown into the midst of the furnace”.

Worship the Statue

Daniel 3:9–18
Then there is a comment, it seems almost as an after thought, that, in Daniel 3:8 “some astrologers … denounce the Jews”. But this is how the accusers work, and they very likely were the ones pushing the king to make this decree so they could get rid of these Jews that had been promoted above them all (see Daniel 2:48).

Daniel 3:10-11 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the trigon, the harp and the drum and all kinds of music, he shall fall down and shall worship the statue of gold. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.

Daniel has been with the king so the accusers don’t raise his name, but his companions have been out of sight, so in Daniel 3:12 the accusers say, “these men, O king, pay you no heed”. These manipulators know the king will defend any challenge to his authority, and this is what he perceives in this accusation.

The three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond, we will not worship the statue. In Daniel 3:16-18 they say God will deliver us, and if not, “we will not worship”.

Tell The King His Dream

Daniel 2:1–12
Here in Daniel 2:1 we see the king is troubled. And it makes sense that “Each year in the early part of his reign Nebuchadrezzar’s expeditionary force went to the extremities of the empire to ensure that subjugated lands paid their taxes. In 604 Ashkelon had put up stiff resistance and had had to be reduced to rubble; in 603 an extra large army, siege towers and heavy equipment are mentioned, and Babylonian troops were in the field for several months. Such a show of prestige hid a fear of inadequacy: his spirit was troubled.2

Then in Daniel 2:2 “the king said to call …” all the wisest and best. As the king presents is concern about this dream, the all respond, in Daniel 2:4 “tell the dream … and we will reveal the explanation”. But the king has dealt with these people before and he knows how they twist words so in Daniel 2:6 he says “If you tell me the dream … you will receive gifts … and great honor from me”. And there response is not any surprise, in Daniel 2:10-11 the answer “There is not a man on earth that is able … except the gods”. The king knew that these he depended on for answers, didn’t have any answers and, in Daniel 2:12 “he became very enraged, and said that all the wise men of Babylon are to be destroyed”.

Daniel Responded Prudently and Discreetly

Daniel 2:13–23
The decree was issued in Daniel 2:13 “and they searched for Daniel and his companions to be executed”. Daniel responded to “Arioch, the commander of the imperial guard of the king, who had gone out to execute … “. In Daniel 2:14-16 Daniel gets an audience with the king and asks for time. Daniel is not in the “in crowd” because he had not been included in the earlier request by the king. And no one thought to call on Daniel at the kings earlier request so it is amazing that Daniel was able to get an audience and even more amazing that the king gave him time after refusing any more time to his inner circle of advisors. In Daniel 2:16, Daniel had favor.

In Daniel 2:17-18 he gathers his companions and explains, asking them to “seek mercy from God” but not only for themselves, but also for all “the wise men of Babylon”. And in Daniel 2:19 “in a vision of the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel”. So Daniel blesses God in Daniel 2:20-23. 

Heat Up The Furnace

Daniel 3:19–27
The king had met these companions of Daniel and expected compliance from them as from all of his subjects. But their response in Daniel 3:18 was “we will not worship”. The king, in Daniel 3:19 “was filled with anger and the image of his face was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, so he ordered and said to heat up the one furnace seven times what was usual to heat it up”. It probably wasn’t literally seven times hotter, more likely this means make it as hot as it can be made!

No one would walk voluntarily into a flaming furnace and the king was angry and wasn’t waiting a minute so in Daniel 3:20 ”he commanded the strongest men of the guards who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace”. As the soldiers carried them close, in Daniel 3:22 “the flame of the fire killed these men”, these soldiers were burned up, and in Daniel 3:23 God’s three, who were bound “fell down into the midst of the furnace”.

Suddenly, the king reacts in

Daniel 3:24-26 ”Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and he rose up in haste and he asked, saying to his advisers, “Did we not throw three men, bound, into the midst of the fire? They answered, saying to the king, “Certainly, O king!” 25 He answered, saying, “Look, I see four men unbound walking in the midst of the fire and there is no damage to them, and the appearance of the fourth man resembles the son of a god.” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire, and he called out, saying, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!

The king, being a king, was still exercising control over them even though they were in no hurry to get out of the flames. And all of them, including the accusers, in

Daniel 3:27 “were assembling, and they saw these men, that the fire had no power over their bodies, and the hair of their heads was not singed, and their garments were not harmed, and the smell of fire did not come from them.“

Blessed Be Their God

Daniel 3:28–4:3
This was nothing less than a miracle and in

Daniel 3:28 “Nebuchadnezzar responded, saying, “Blessed be their God, … who sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him”.

And this experience has abated the Kings anger so that he sets this decree in

Daniel 3:29 “any people, nation, or language that may utter criticism against their God—the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—will be broken into pieces and their house will be made like ruins. For there is not another God who is able to rescue like this God.”

Then in Daniel 3:30 ”the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon” which actually was the position they had previously held (see Daniel 2:49). But there is one more thing, Nebuchadnezzar has not yet accepted the Lord as his God. 

Tell Me The Visions

Daniel 4:4–9
A shift is coming for the king, everything was going smoothly as it says in

Daniel 4:4 “I, Nebuchadnezzar, was content in my house and prospering in my palace.

And then he has this dream. The dream wasn’t a horror but he sensed that it wasn’t good. It unsettled him and he sought an explanation from all of the wise men. None of them were able to explain its meaning. Please note here that God is communicating with a Gentile king, one that we would call ungodly. And God is using Daniel, his servant to explain the message. We may find ourselves in similar circumstance because we are, like Daniel, in the world among the ungodly. And in

Daniel 4:8-9 “Then at last Daniel came before me whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom was the spirit of the holy gods, and I related the dream to him.
9 “ ‘O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I myself know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Now tell me the visions of my dream that I saw, and its explanation.

I have included these two full verses here because they illustrate the thinking of the king. He addresses Daniel using the name given by their gods. Then he recognizes only that “the spirit of the holy gods is in you”. He sees some influence in Daniel that is greater than in others, but for him, it is just one of many gods, maybe one that is above some others (see Daniel 2:47).

A Tree

Daniel 4:10–18
In Daniel 4:10-12 the king told Daniel the dream as he had told it to all of the wise men of the land. The dream is of a tree and the very natural environment around it. Birds in its branches, animals under its shade.

Then, in Daniel 4:13 the king sees a spiritual being that he calls a watcher, a being we might call an angel. And this watcher speaks out a decree in Daniel 4:14-16 “cut down the tree … ” then says “let his mind be changed”. And the reason for the sentence is explained in the dream in

Daniel 4:17 “in order that the living will know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of humankind, and to whomever he wills he gives it, and he even sets the humblest of men over it.”

Daniel 4:17 also shows us that “the sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the command of the holy ones”. The decision is made in heaven by God and his angels carry out the sentence. 

The Most High is Sovereign

Daniel 4:19–27
Daniel is very careful in his response and in Daniel 4:19 the king senses his hesitation. Daniel goes ahead and says the king is the tree in Daniel 4:22. Then in Daniel 4:24 “it is a decree of the most high” and in Daniel 4:25 “you will be driven away from humanity”. But there is a chance for redemption in Daniel 4:26 “your kingdom will be restored for you when you acknowledge that heaven is sovereign”. Then Daniel offers one more bit of advise, in Daniel 4:27 “have mercy on the oppressed, in case there might be a prolongation of your prosperity.”

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Daniel 3:1-30
  • Daniel 4:1-27

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 626). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Devotions

All These Kingdoms

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The book of Daniel begins as the king of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and it says that “the Lord gave Jehoiakim the king of Judah into his hand”. This doesn’t give us the history to understand that this is God’s judgement on Jehoiakim who had done evil and also on the people, the nation. Daniel finds himself carried away as a result of others actions. He had no control over his destiny but he did have control of who he was. Daniel set his mind to follow God and he finds favor. But even more, Daniel seeks the well being of his companions and even those who are his captors. Daniel trusts God for the wisdom and insight that he needs not only for his own life but to stand before the king. And God, through Daniel, shows Nebuchadnezzar “all these kingdoms” of the world, and the final everlasting kingdom.

The Lord Gave Jehoiakim the King of Judah

Daniel 1:1–7
There was history here before Daniel, in

2 Chronicles 36:4–5 (LEB) And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and he changed his name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz his brother and brought him to Egypt. 5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the eyes of Yahweh his God.

And the Lord had sent the prophet in Jeremiah 26 to tell them what was coming. Now in Daniel 1:1-2 Jerusalem is taken by Nebuchadnezzar as are “the utensils of the temple of God” and apparently the king “2 Ch 36:6, 7, states that Nebuchadnezzar had intended “to carry Jehoiakim to Babylon,” and that he “carried off the vessels of the house of the Lord” thither. But Jehoiakim died at Jerusalem, before the conqueror’s intention as to him was carried into effect (Je 22:18, 19; 36:30), and his dead body, as was foretold, was dragged out of the gates by the Chaldean besiegers, and left unburied”1

Children from “royal families and from the lords” were also taken in Daniel 1:3-7, “to be educated for three years. And at the end of their training, they were to be stationed before the king”. And among these children were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Each of them were given names and expected to live their lives in service to the king of Babylon. Nothing is said about their families, but it was clear that there was no going back for them. 

Daniel Set His Mind

Daniel 1:8–21
Daniel may have been sixteen and finds himself in a completely new environment under the authority of the king of Babylon. All of his needs are taken care of, in fact they are given the kings food which would have been the best they had to offer. Yet, in Daniel 1:8 “Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself”. Daniel already understood who God is and the value of serving God. He was bold enough to ask, not only for himself, but also for those taken captive with him. In Daniel 1:9 “God gave Daniel favor” and his request, in Daniel 1:12 “please test your servants” was granted. And in Daniel 1:15 “at the end of ten days their appearances appeared better and they were healthier of body”. In Daniel 1:17 “God gave them knowledge and insight” so when they came before the king in Daniel 1:20 “he found them ten times better than all … that were in his entire kingdom”.

Tell The King His Dream

Daniel 2:1–12
Here in Daniel 2:1 we see the king is troubled. And it makes sense that “Each year in the early part of his reign Nebuchadrezzar’s expeditionary force went to the extremities of the empire to ensure that subjugated lands paid their taxes. In 604 Ashkelon had put up stiff resistance and had had to be reduced to rubble; in 603 an extra large army, siege towers and heavy equipment are mentioned, and Babylonian troops were in the field for several months. Such a show of prestige hid a fear of inadequacy: his spirit was troubled.2

Then in Daniel 2:2 “the king said to call …” all the wisest and best. As the king presents is concern about this dream, the all respond, in Daniel 2:4 “tell the dream … and we will reveal the explanation”. But the king has dealt with these people before and he knows how they twist words so in Daniel 2:6 he says “If you tell me the dream … you will receive gifts … and great honor from me”. And there response is not any surprise, in Daniel 2:10-11 the answer “There is not a man on earth that is able … except the gods”. The king knew that these he depended on for answers, didn’t have any answers and, in Daniel 2:12 “he became very enraged, and said that all the wise men of Babylon are to be destroyed”.

Daniel Responded Prudently and Discreetly

Daniel 2:13–23
The decree was issued in Daniel 2:13 “and they searched for Daniel and his companions to be executed”. Daniel responded to “Arioch, the commander of the imperial guard of the king, who had gone out to execute … “. In Daniel 2:14-16 Daniel gets an audience with the king and asks for time. Daniel is not in the “in crowd” because he had not been included in the earlier request by the king. And no one thought to call on Daniel at the kings earlier request so it is amazing that Daniel was able to get an audience and even more amazing that the king gave him time after refusing any more time to his inner circle of advisors. In Daniel 2:16, Daniel had favor.

In Daniel 2:17-18 he gathers his companions and explains, asking them to “seek mercy from God” but not only for themselves, but also for all “the wise men of Babylon”. And in Daniel 2:19 “in a vision of the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel”. So Daniel blesses God in Daniel 2:20-23. 

Take Me Before The King

Daniel 2:24–31
Daniel goes to Arioch and says, in Daniel 2:24 “You must not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me in before the king and I will give the explanation to the king” and “quickly” he responds in Daniel 2:25. The king asked in vs 26 “are you able” and Daniel demonstrates great wisdom in his response. Daniel might have just said yes, and spared his own life, but Daniel first says, in Daniel 2:27 he first agrees with the kings counselors, “no wise men, … are able” which diffuses the kings anger toward the wise men of Babylon who are under a decree of death.

Daniel then says, in vs. 28 “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what it is that will be at the end of days”. Then Daniel does two more things. In vs. 29 he says “As for you king, …” which acknowledges that God is speaking directly to the king the things he needs to know. Then in vs. 30 he says “As for me, it is not because of wisdom …”. Daniel does not take personal credit for what God is doing, he is just the servant of God and the servant of the king “that the explanation may be made known to the king”. 

All These Kingdoms

Daniel 2:32–45
Daniel describes the statue the king saw in his dream and the rock that broke it and the wind that carried it away in Daniel 2:32-36. Then in Daniel 2:37-45 he explains that the statue represents Nebuchadnezzars’ kingdom and the kingdoms that will follow. Daniel explains that this is a prophetic dream showing the future and the end of all things is in Daniel 2:44 “the god of heaven will set up a kingdom that will not be destroyed”. Then closes in Daniel 2:45 saying “the great God has made known to the king what will be … the dream is certain and its explanation trustworthy”.

The God of Gods

Daniel 2:46–49
Nebuchadnezzar didn’t recognize Daniel’s God as the only God or as his God, but in Daniel 2:47 as “the God of gods” because “this God had manifested Himself to him through Daniel as the supreme God, who rules over kings, and reveals hidden things which the gods of the Chaldean wise men were not able to reveal … He did not recognise the God of the Jews as the only, or the alone true God, but only as God of gods … and as such must be honoured along with the gods of his own country.”3

Then the king promoted Daniel in Daniel 2:48 “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon”. But Daniel didn’t forget his companions, and they also, in Daniel 2:49 were appointed “over the affairs of the province of Babylon”.

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Daniel 1:1-21
  • Daniel 2:1-49

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 621–622). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. Baldwin, J. G. (1978). Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 23, p. 96). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
  • 3. Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 9, p. 562). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
Devotions

New Heaven and New Earth

by  • 

All of the judgments are finished and God wipes away every tear. The new heaven and new earth are revealed. In this realm, there is great beauty, but even more than that, “God is with humanity”. In our lives and experience, God was in the temple, in the holy of holies throughout the old testament, and in the new testament, the veil was torn (Hebrews 4:16) but we are still separated flesh and spirit. But here, God is the temple and there is no separation, there is no more consciousness of any separation from God and in Revelation 22:4 “they will see his face”. 

The Holy City, New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1–8
Finally, a new heaven and a new earth. Corruption has been put away as has the sea. Now, in Revelation 21:1-4 God’s city, “the holy city, new jerusalem” comes down and “a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity … he will wipe away every tear … death will not exist … pain will not exist … “. Then in Revelation 21:5-6 God speaks for himself “I am making all things new … I will give water from the spring of the water of life freely”. But God has strong boundaries. Not just anyone is allowed. In Revelation 21:7 He says, “the one who conquers will inherit”. Then there are all the rest in

Revelation 21:8 (LEB) But as for the cowards and unbelievers and detestable persons and murderers and sexually immoral people and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their share is in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.

We, who have accepted Christ, who have conquered the world, and the flesh and the devil are starting fresh. A new life. But for God, there is this lake of fire that burns forever, the pain of sin and death and rebellion.

The Holy City Jerusalem

Revelation 21:9–18
We sometimes forget that the angels perform God’s word without delay, without regret or remorse, without any judgement or second thought. This same angel, in Revelation 21:9 that carried “the seven last plaques” came to John saying “I will show you the bride”. In a moment he has moved from the final judgement and destruction of the ungodly to the “radiance” of the “holy city, Jerusalem” in Revelation 21:10-18.It is interesting to me that the city has a wall around it and that is has gates on every side and it has twelve foundations.

“The city was surrounded by a great, high wall, which means that it was secure and inviolable. It cannot be meant as a defence, for all enemies have been destroyed and in any case its gates are never shut (v. 25).”1

The city is secure because of the wall, and unshakable because of the foundation, and it represents a separation of the holy, what is inside, and the common, on the outside.

The Glory of God Illuminates

Revelation 21:19–27
The city itself is beautiful in its construction and in the materials used but this is not its most magnificent feature. In

Revelation 21:22 And I did not see a temple in it, for the Lord God All-Powerful is its temple, and the Lamb.

The Lord and the Lamb are the temple. And, in

Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon, that they shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

And that light is truly the light of this new world because in

Revelation 21:24-25 And the nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 And its gates will never be shut by day (for there will be no night there),

 

The Water of Life

Revelation 22:1–5
Here in Revelation 22:1 we find “the river of life … coming out from the throne” and this seems to be more than just water, but it certainly is “clear as crystal” and is nourishing “the tree of life” in Revelation 22:2 “and the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations”. And, in

Revelation 21:1 (LEB) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea did not exist any longer.

If there is no sea, where is the source of water? Let me suggest that God has always been the source as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:45 (LEB) “he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust.”

Lets not lose the main point though, in Revelation 22:3-5 “there will not be any curse any longer … and they will see his face … and they will reign forever.” As we read in Revelation 21:3 “the dwelling of God is with humanity”, there is no longer any separation from God, no more outer court or holy of holies that only the priest can enter. As we read in Revelation 21:22 “the Lord God All-Powerful is its temple, and the Lamb”. There is no more consciousness of any separation from God and I’ll quote again Revelation 22:4 “they will see his face”. 

I Am Coming Quickly

Revelation 22:6–15
It may seem like a long time coming, but for those on the wrong side of God’s wrath, it will seem too soon. Here is the thing about God, He always tells you what is coming before it happens, and you have an opportunity to “be holy” in Revelation 22:11 and be “blessed” in Revelation 22:14. And he always say it through more than one person’s testimony, as he told John in Revelation 22:10 “do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book”.

Long before, Daniel was given a similar vision in Daniel 12:4 and Jesus warned of the end in Mk 13:32–37.

The Spirit and The Bride Say Come

Revelation 22:16–21
The closing verses say it well

Revelation 22:16–17 (LEB) “I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one who hears, let him say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty, let him come. The one who wants, let him take the water of life freely.

And John adds his final comment in

Revelation 22:20 The one who testifies about these things (John) says, “Yes, I am coming quickly!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

 

The Path of Life

Psalm 16:1–11
My wife happened to see the Sid Roth show with guest Kevin Zadai as he gives the testimony of his death, encounter with Jesus in heaven and his return life on earth. There were several powerful points and this one refers to Psalm 16.

From the transcript: “Jesus said that David wrote that psalm and he memorized that psalm because when he was in the depths of Hell, he said he spoke that verse of that psalm over and over again, and he said, “I cleared a way out in that place for you and for everyone, and Messiah to pray from those depths.” He said, “I prayed myself out of Hell because I had the Psalm 16 and I prayed that continually and then the Holy Spirit came and resurrected me.” He said, “When you pray, you pray with that kind of fervency where you know who you are based on the scripture.” Because he said, “I had no witness when I was down there. I had no Holy Spirit help.” He said, “If the Father had not given the command,” he said, “I would sit down there until he gave the command for me to be resurrected. That’s how much I trusted him.” He said, “That’s where you pray from. You pray from those depths, that trust.””.

Video:
https://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/kevin-zadai-2/?src=banner_tv

Audio Link:
https://sidroth.org/radio/radio-archives/kevin-zadai-2/

Download PDF Transcript:
https://ofm6z46z825qpxk83fa00q1a-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ISTranscript944_Zadai.pdf

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

References

  • 1. Morris, L. (1987). Revelation: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 20, p. 238). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Devotions

Salvation and Glory and Power

by  • 

As the judgments of God are finished, Babylon the great city is destroyed, the harvest of the fruit of the earth is done (what we call the rapture of the believers) and there is a great Hallelujah chorus in heaven. It is time for the wedding supper of the Lamb. It is time for Jesus to be seen as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” and he takes his place as the head of the armies of heaven arrayed against the beast and his ten kings and their armies. The beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire and the rest of their armies are slain. But there is one more battle. Jesus and the saints from the first resurrection rule on earth for a thousand years. Then the devil deceives the nations again raising an army and surrounding the fortified camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire comes down from heaven to destroy his army and Satan is thrown into the lake of fire forever. And now is the great white throne judgement with Death and Hades thrown into the lake of fire with all that are not written in the Lambs book of life.

The Lord God, the All-Powerful Reigns

Revelation 19:1–6
In the previous section, Revelation 18, the kings and merchants and seaman of the world were lamenting the fall of Babylon, “never to be found again”, because “with your sorcery they deceived all the nations” and these merchants had become “the most important people of the earth” but at the cost of blood.

Now, in Revelation 19:1-3 there is “the loud sound of a great crowd in heaven saying, Hallelujah!” There is a celebration that judgement has finally come on this system that had rewarded those that oppressed and killed God’s servants. All of heaven says Hallelujah! Then in Revelation 19:4 the elders and living creatures worshiped God saying “Amen Hallelujah!” Then in Revelation 19:5 “a voice from the throne, saying “Praise our god”. Then in Revelation 19:6 “a great crowd … saying, Hallelujah! For the Lord God, the All-Powerful, reigns”.

The Wedding Celebration of the Lamb

Revelation 19:7–10
The day when we are all together comes in Revelation 19:7-9. This is the wedding supper, not just a time when we might meet or look to the future with plans about what might happen. This is the day when the marriage is sealed forever.

With Justice He Judges and Makes War

Revelation 19:11–16
Here in Revelation 19:11-16 we see the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”, the leader of the armies of heaven. This is not the sacrificial lamb, the one that laid down his life to pay the price for our sins. This is the risen Christ, “the Word of God” whose “eyes were a flame of fire”. He it is that “stomps the winepress of the wine of the furious wrath of God” the one who is not named in Revelation 14:20.

The Great Banquet of God

Revelation 19:17–21
In Revelation 19:17-18 an angel summons “all the birds that fly directly overhead” in vs. 21 “to gorge themselves” on the defeated armies flesh. Then the armies of the beast and his ten kings array themselves against the “King of Kings”, “the one seated on the horse”. And in Revelation 19:20 “the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet … The two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur” and they are never to be heard from again. Then in Revelation 19:21 “the rest were killed by the sword … that comes out of his mouth”.

The Ancient Serpent Bound

Revelation 20:1–6
In Revelation 20:1-3 an angel binds the devil with a chain and locks him in “the abyss … in order that he could not deceive the nations again until the thousand years are completed”. Since the context is earthly for these actions, the angel descended, to remove the devil who had been previously thrown down to the earth, and the devil was bound in the abyss so he could not deceive the earthly nations, the thrones and authority in Revelation 20:4 must be on the earth.

Life continues on the earth for this thousand years. And those that had refused the mark of the beast and were beheaded for their refusal are raised from the dead to rule. Not everything was destroyed by the judgments. Jesus took a harvest of believers who are in heaven. The beast and his army was destroyed, Babylon the great city was destroyed, a third of the trees were destroyed, every living thing in the sea died, but not every living thing. In Revelation 20:6 “they will reign with him (Jesus Christ) a thousand years”. They will reign on the earth, where he has defeated the beast and his kings and his armies.

Fire Came Down From Heaven

Revelation 20:7–10
I don’t know why “Satan will be released from his prison” as it says in Revelation 20:7 but I trust that God is righteous and just in all of His ways. Then in Revelation 20:2 “he will go out to deceive the nations … to assemble them for battle”. And “they went up on the broad plain of the earth, in Revelation 20:9. Note that we are still in the context of the earth. And vs. 9 continues, “and surrounded the fortified camp of the saints and the beloved city”. For a thousand years, Jesus will reign with these resurrected saints in Jerusalem. But here, in vs. 9, they don’t raise a finger in defense, “fire came down from heaven and consumed them”, well, all but the devil who in Revelation 20:10 is “thrown into the lake of fire”.

A Great White Throne

Revelation 20:11–15
In Revelation 20:11 the scene shifts, we are no longer on the earth, as it says, “earth and heaven fled”. This is the end of seed, time, and harvest. This is the end of evening and morning, the sun and moon, as we know them. Then in Revelation 20:12-13 the “books were opened … and the dead were judged … according to their deeds”. Everything we do is recorded in heaven. Nothing hidden, nothing secret. And then there is

Revelation 20:14–15 (LEB) And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This is the end of all sin, rebellion, unrighteousness.

Study Verses

  • Revelation 19:1–6
  • Revelation 19:17–21
  • Revelation 20:7–10

Today’s Reading

  • Revelation 19:1-21
  • Revelation 20:1-15
Devotions

God Has Pronounced Your Judgement

by  • 

The beast comes on the scene with ten leaders that give their power and authority over. They destroy the harlot, false religion, and throw off the sovereignty she and the great city Babylon have over them. Many who had been made rich by her lament, but there is a voice from heaven, “God has pronounced your judgement on her”. The voice of the blood of the prophets and saints and many that had been slaughtered has been answered.

These Will Make War

Revelation 17:9–18
The seven kings in Revelation 17:9-10 seem to represent kingdoms, “five have fallen, one is, the other is not yet come” which looks forward to one more after the fall of the Roman Empire. So after this short rule, the seventh, In Revelation 17:11 comes the beast as the eighth. Then, in Revelation 17:12-13 “ten kings … one opinion … and they will give their power and authority to the beast”. and “these will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them” in Revelation 17:14.

But first, they must throw off, as it says in Revelation 17:18 her “sovereignty over the kings of the earth”. This is why they turn on her. Kings who ruled on the earth were to be under God’s authority and to be confirmed by God’s priests. Even though she had become the harlot, this false religion continued to exercise sovereignty as if blessed by God. Maybe because of Revelation 17:15, “where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and crowds and nations and languages” and she still held influence over these people. Now, the beast, and these kings have cast off all religious influence, all restraint to pursue their ends.

Then Revelation 17:16 uses an an old testament reference, “In the Old Testament, that (devouring flesh) is the action of a most savage and powerful enemy. It is the complaint of the psalmist that the wicked devour his flesh (Psalm 27:2). The wicked in Israel, with their grasping oppression, eat the flesh of the people of God (Micah 3:3). This is a picture of terrible vengeance. They will burn her in the fire. This is the punishment for the most wicked sin (Leviticus 20:14), and above all the punishment for the daughter of a priest who has been guilty of sexual immorality (Leviticus 21:9)”1.

Fallen is Babylon the Great

Revelation 18:1–8
In Revelation 18:1 we see “another angel descending from heaven, who had great authority” and in Revelation 18:2-3 we hear him declaring “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great”. Then in Revelation 18:5-8 “another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her my people …”. These things happening to her are “because the Lord God who passes judgement on her is powerful!”. It seems odd that this warning would need to be given to God’s people, except that her influence has become so pervasive, even the elect find themselves shoulder to shoulder, or as Jesus said in Matthew 13:24-30, wheat among tares.

Woe, The Great City

Revelation 18:9–18
Revelation 17:18 says, “the woman is the great city”. Her destruction is also the destruction of the city and global commerce with it. “The kings of the earth” in Revelation 18:9, I think the other kings, not the beast and his ten that are seeking to reign with “one opinion”, but because the global commercial economy supported by her has failed, the rest of the leaders of the world lament. Now the Merchants join the lament in Revelation 18:11-16 and “every shipmaster and every seafarer and sailor” join the lament in Revelation 18:17-18.

Rejoice Over Her

Revelation 18:19–24
The lament of those that had been made rich by her continues in Revelation 18:19. And then we hear a different voice in Revelation 18:120-24 saying “Rejoice over her, heaven and the saints and the prophets because God has pronounced your judgement on her!” This is quite a statement. Jesus said, in

John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

In Revelation 18:21 “Babylon the great city will be thrown down with violence, and will never be found again!” because in

Revelation 18:24 And in her was found the blood of the prophets and saints and all those that had been slaughtered in the earth.

Study Verses

  • Revelation 17:9–18
  • Revelation 18:9–18
  • Revelation 18:19–24

Today’s Reading

  • Revelation 17:9-18
  • Revelation 18:1-24

References

  • 1. Barclay, W. (2004). Revelation of John (Vol. 2, p. 168). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
Devotions

An Eternal Gospel

by  • 

There is a gospel message that has gone into the world and it begins with the message of Jesus Christ. But there is also a message to avoid the false religion that offers false promises. And the last message, that is the hardest to hear, there is eternal judgement for those that sell their soul to be accepted. There is an end coming, when “the hour to reap has come” and after “the earth was reaped” by Jesus Christ. And in heaven are “those that conquered the beast” singing “righteous and true are your ways, King of the ages”. Then, everything that is left in the earth will be reaped and thrown “into the great winepress of the wrath of God”. Once this happens, the tent of the testimony in heaven is opened and no one can enter until the bowls of the wrath of God are poured out. And even as it happens, “they did not repent”.

Three Angels With Three Messages

Revelation 14:6–11
Here in Revelation 14:6-11 there are three angels with three messages. We often hear only the first message, but all three are necessary.

  • Revelation 14:7 “Fear (reverence) God … worship the one who made heaven and earth”. Accept the work of Jesus Christ and be saved.
  • Revelation 14:8 “fallen is Babylon” which is not described in detail and is “here first mentioned; identical with the harlot, the apostate Church”1
  • Revelation 14:9-11 “if anyone worships the beast … he himself also … will be tortured with fire and sulphur … forever and ever …”

One Like A Son of Man

Revelation 14:12–16
Here in Revelation 14:12-13 is the end for “those who keep the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus”, true believers in Christ. The harvest is ready, in Revelation 14:14-16 “one like a son of man”, Jesus, “swung his sickle on the earth and the earth was reaped”. It is over in a moment and we are together with the Lord.

Harvest the Clusters of Grapes

Revelation 14:17–20
In Revelation 14:17 “another angel came out of the temple” waiting with “a sharp sickle”. And in Revelation 14:18 the “angel who had authority over the fire went out from the altar … saying, … harvest the clusters.” This is the same angel at “the altar—upon which were offered the incense-accompanied prayers of all saints, which bring down in answer God’s fiery judgment on the Church’s foes, the fire being taken from the altar and cast upon the earth.”2

Then in Revelation 14:19-20 “threw the grapes into the great winepress of the wrath of God”. But there is no description of who does the pressing of this winepress. In Joel it says because of great evil, in Isaiah it says, ” have done it alone”.

Joel 3:13 (LEB) Send forth the sickle, for the harvest is ripe! Go tread, for the winepress is full! The vats overflow, because their evil is great!

Isaiah 63:2–6 (LEB) Why are your garments red, and your garments like he who treads in the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and there was no man from the peoples with me. And I trod them in my anger, and I trampled them in my wrath, and spattered their juice on my garments, and stained all my clothing, 4 for the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my blood-vengeance has come! 5 And I looked, but there was no helper, and I was appalled, but there was no one who sustains, so my arm came to assist me, and my wrath was what sustained me. 6 And I trampled peoples in my anger, and I made them drunk in my wrath, and I brought their juice down to the earth.”

Those Who Had Conquered

Revelation 15:1–4
John sees the seven angels with the last seven plaques in Revelation 15:1 but his attention is taken by the Revelation 15:2-4 “those who had conquered the beast … holding harps from God … singing the song of Moses … and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God All-Powerful; righteous and true are your ways, King of the ages! 4 Who would never fear, Lord, and glorify your name? For only you are holy, because all the nations will come and worship before you, because your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

These are likely the ones that gave up their life rather than accept the mark of the beast, the ones that were killed. But God calls them “those who had conquered the beast”.

The Tent of the Testimony

Revelation 15:5–8
In Revelation 15:5 we see the holy of holies, the “tent of the testimony”. In the earthly tabernacle, this was the place where God’s presence resided, the place only the high priest entered and only once a year.

“The word “temple” here – ναὸς naos – does not refer to the whole of the building called the “temple,” but to the holy of holies. See the notes on Heb_9:3. This was regarded as the unique dwelling-place of God; and it was this sacred place, usually closed from all access, that now seemed to be opened, implying that the command to execute these purposes came directly from God himself.”3

In Revelation 15:7 the angels were given “golden bowls full of the wrath of God”. Then in Revelation 15:8 “no one was able to enter until the seven plaques of the seven angels were completed”. This was not a judgement of man or carried out in any way by men.

The Wrath of God

Revelation 16:1–7
In Revelation 16:1 John “heard a loud voice from the temple saying … Go and pour out …”. So, in Revelation 16:2 “the first went and poured out … an evil and painful sore on the people that had the mark of the beast”. And we could easily imagine a physical reaction to an implant, even a seemingly innocuous one like those used in animals today.

Then in Revelation 16:3 “the second poured out his bowl on the sea … and every living thing that was in the sea died”. Again, this might easily happen as we have seen “Red tides … a result of high concentrations of … a microscopic marine algae that occurs naturally … its toxin paralyzes the central nervous system of fish so they cannot breathe.”

And, in Revelation 16:4 “the third poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water and they became blood”. The angel, in Revelation 16:5-7 explains, “they have poured out the blood of the saints … you have given them blood to drink”.

The Wrath of God (cont’d)

Revelation 16:8–14
In Revelation 16:8 “the fourth poured out his bowl on the sun… and people were burned up by great heat”. It isn’t necessary to explain the natural phenomenon that might cause this effect, but certainly an increase in solar flare activity could, or a change in the ozone layer could.

In Revelation 18:10-11 “the fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast … and they blasphemed the God of heaven”. This is different from the sores experienced by those having only the mark of the beast. For these, “they began chewing their tongues because of the pain”. It is easy to think with today’s technology that some would augment themselves, implant, to enhance themselves and what might go wrong? It isn’t unusual for science fiction to become science fact. And I caution here, that just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.

In Revelation 16:12-14 “the sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up … prepared for the kings from the east”. And China’s President has proposed the “Belt and Road Initiative” to boost trade and stimulate economic growth across Asia and revive the old silk road.

And He Gathered Them

Revelation 16:15–21
In Revelation 16:15 there is a reminder, “I Am Coming Like A Thief”, Jesus will come and harvest the believers before the final wrath. Then in Revelation 16:16 it says “he gathered them” before Revelation 16:17 “the seventh poured out his bowl on the air, and a loud voice came saying, … it is done”. Then in Revelation 16:18-21 “a great earthquake, as has not happened from the time humanity has been on the earth”. Not only is this Armageddon, but the destruction of “the great city”, Babylon.

I Will Show You The Judgement

Revelation 17:1–8
The woman “is that miserable attempt made in every age to counterfeit the true Church of the living God. Man does not like the religion of the cross, of faith, of self-denial, and each age has witnessed some false system from which all these objectionable elements are eliminated. Surely a meretricious system has revealed itself successively in Babylon, Jerusalem, Rome, London, New York, and other great centers. Fashion smiles on it, wealth bedizens it, human power unites with it, and in every age it has been drunken with the blood of martyrs.4

Rather than stand for righteousness and holiness, this false religion not only throws off all restraint, but teaches this as the way.

Study Verses

  • Revelation 14:6–11
  • Revelation 15:5–8
  • Revelation 16:8–14

Today’s Reading

  • Revelation 14:6-20
  • Revelation 15:1-8
  • Revelation 16:1-21
  • Revelation 17:1-8

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 586). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 586). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 3. Barnes, Albert (1847). Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
  • 4. Meyer, F.B. (1914). Through the Bible Day by Day