Scripture –

Revelation 14:12- 13 – Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this:  Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord from now on.”  “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Observation –

John is revealing a call to fear God and follow Him as is the time of judgement. The world will be deceived and follow the beast and receive the mark of the beast to engage in commerce. The Spirt tells John for believers in spite of persecution to have faith in Jesus and persevere.  Believers endure in the Lord will be blessed with rest from their labor for the Kingdom.

Application –

We are living in a time where a secular worldview is becoming more prominent and we are seeing a moral revolution contrary to God’s created order snowball before our eyes.  The sanctity of human life is being challenged as it is deceitfully being perpetrated as women’s healthcare/reproductive rights.  We are in this time and the world is telling us we need to follow it to be right.  Good is being mocked as evil and evil is being celebrated as good.  I have to draw near to God by being in His Word and prayer.  I must trust in the Lord and lean not on my own feelings or worldly understanding.  My trust, faith and love of Jesus needs to stronger than ever for eternal consequences are at stake.  An eternal rest in heaven with the Father is waiting for those in the Lord versus eternal separation and torment.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your truth in the revelation from John.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit be with me to guide me and give me strength, encouragement in Jesus to endure in faith as I live to know you and share your love with others to glorify you.

Journal Rev 13 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “… and all who dwell on earth will worship it (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”  Rev 13:8

 

Observation:  What does “this” mean; and “that”?  A lot of people can get caught up in the mysteries of Revelation and miss some obvious building blocks of Doctrine.

 

Analysis:  In the Book of John’s Revelation, note that no one has the definitive answer of what everything means—there are significant mysteries.

 

But there are certain concretely spoken doctrinal statements that should not be ignored.  The above reference is not about worshiping the “beast” but of the doctrine of Election.  Elected folks will not fall victim to the “beast” (according to the Scripture above).

 

I have an acquaintance in New York who is adamant that God somehow restructures His Omnipotence, Omniscience and Sovereignty to make it possible that Man has independent and sovereign Will to choose Christ as his Savior.  And yet, God says in a number of places and a number of ways that certain names are written and known before the foundation of the earth; documented in a volume called the Book of Life.  I have to think of it this way (according to the Scriptures): Before Genesis, the Book of Life exists and there are names listed; there aren’t any blank spaces for names to be listed after “Let there be light…”

 

Why is this important to note?  Why can’t I go on believing in “free will” as a gift of God?

 

1. It perpetuates an idea that God can suspend His Attributes.  After all, if God can suspend His Omniscience for even just a moment, what else can He (and does) suspend?  If He suspends His Omniscience even for a moment, He literally suspends His Sovereignty and relinquishes being the Almighty God of Creation.
2. It creates a “false God.”  I want the idea that I am not a puppet.  Therefore, I create the idea that “out of “love” God allows me independent, free, sovereignchoice to choose Salvation—making of my own imagination and wishes for a god that can make himself anything I can imagine of him.
3. If I can imagine God relinquishing his Might for even a second, then I should be able to imagine a God that doesn’t need the Gospel for man to be saved by, right?  And if I can imagine that, then I can have “salvation” without Jesus?

 

Candidly, the only way I can handle the Doctrine of Election is to understand it is academic knowledge, not practical knowledge: I cannot “practice” Election in witnessing anywhere in the Scriptures.  I cannot (and must not) apply Election based discretion in preaching the Gospel.  Election is the only way to affirm His Sovereignty in Salvation.

I cannot practice Election applications even to the face in the mirror.  I must acknowledge I am saved by the Gospel every day, that Jesus died for my sin, that because of him my sin has been atoned for.

 

Prayer:  Father, I try to not jump on the Election thing when I see it baldly in Scripture.  But there are times where it is right to write about.  I am still wringing out all the implications and I suppose I will to the end of my days, never completely getting it.

How did you unravel all the possibilities of the future?  Because the future for me isn’t the future for You—while I can say this, it is difficult to assimilate in my mind.  Just the same, I am glad that I am known, now and forever.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal Micah 2-3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Do not preach” —(thus they preach [anyway])—“…one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.”

 

Should this be said, O house of Jacob?  Has the Lord grown impatient?  Are these his deeds?  Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly? …

 

If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink, he would be the preacher for this people!”” Micah 2:6-7 and 11

 

Observation:  Softening up the message, anyone?

 

Analysis: It took a while to come to this assumption.  “What is Micah talking about”, I wondered?  How I did this was to recite it out loud, in different tones and inflection until it came out of my mouth in something that sounded logical.

 

And with that, a corresponding scripture reference came to my thinking: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” 2 Tim 4:3

 

I think that is exactly what Micah is prophesying to Judah and Israel—don’t preach of challenging things like exposure of sin and repentance, “…disgrace (and shame) will not overtake us…”

 

I consider my personal life, how I shy away from speaking my mind, if I think the words are too harsh: “I am so sorry for what has fallen to you, but your lifestyle may have brought you here.  Confess your deeds and repent…”  These words choke in my throat because, on the surface, they sound so critical and condemning; they do not ooze love and forgiveness, they are Judgmental.

 

While I am facetiously “thinking” that I am trying to present an “acceptable” witness to another, what I may be doing is arguing with God: “…do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly? …

 

I am my worst impediment to speaking about the Gospel.  Where the rubber hits the road, I can be ashamed to speak about the Gospel, all of the Gospel.  I can be reluctant to speak about the Judgment and subsequent Wrath of God that (according to His Word) all of mankind is destined for.  I am good to speak of the love that Jesus has, but conveniently leave out that the Savior is also assigned the duty of being Judge of all Creation.

 

Micah looks like he is reminding Judah that God is not fooled: they are picking and choosing what they want preached—just like what I and maybe the rest of American Christianity struggles with.

 

I wonder if I can find some spiritual calamine lotion for my itching ears…

 

Prayer: Father, many are called, few are chosen.  I am not a person convinced of the “free will” ambiguity imagined about your Sovereignty.  You are who you are.

Help me to long for the sweetness of your Word; that sweetness that is full of flavor but not saccharine–cloyingly and sickly sweet.  I don’t want to pull out what I consider the Bad News of the Good News so that I can sell a gospel.  People deserve the Whole Gospel.

AMEN

Rick Sutton

Journal Rev 11 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

 

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on the faces and worshipped God, saying,

 

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty; who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.”  Rev 11:15-17

 

Observation: Reading Revelation gets thicker and thicker and more difficult to understand.  It is as if I must keep reading it to form a tableau in my imagination to make sense of it.

 

Where is Tim LaHaye or Hal Lindsey when you need them?

 

Analysis: I have often wondered the biblical basis of when I resorted to the answer understood by children around the world, “Because I said so!”

 

No, I haven’t wondered, and I would be lying through my teeth if I asserted that.  Still, it seems an appropriate answer for most of what I am reading in Revelation now.

 

My wife and I are looking daily at these Chapters.  The further we get into the statements, the more mysterious they become, mostly because I must resort to applying my personal Point of View (POV) and/or my Imagination—I want to understand these things and they don’t lend well to understanding.

 

My wife either has an answer or asks me for an answer… “I don’t know, it is a mystery” is the correct theological/biblical analysis answer, but it is so unsatisfying.  I want to punch through and force an answer on the scripture, just to be able to have a framework of discussion established.  She does too.  Most times it doesn’t work like that.

 

Journaling is a practice at times of self-confession—like reminding myself of places in scripture where the obvious answer is “huh?”

 

I don’t know all the mysteries of the Trinity and His Creation.  Shucks, the stuff I do know about can fit on a pinhead comparatively.  What I do write down, though, can remind or prod me into more thorough study for the future.

 

I must remember, though, that “I don’t know, it is a mystery” is the correct answer and is no slight on my character or maturity.

 

Prayer:  Father, You call me to search your Word and wrestle with it that your mysteries unfold…eventually.  It is that “eventually” that tries my patience and is the stumbling block to hearing you, Spirit.

Help me savor your Word, turning it over and over in my mind and heart, until You bring clarity of your intent and purposes.  Because this is your Word and not mine, and that you teach line upon line and precept upon precept, help me to hold your Word firmly where I know to hold it firmly and loosely where that is appropriate.

Bring revival…

AMEN

Journal Micah 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.

 

For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.  And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open (like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place).

 

All this is for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel.” Micah 1:2-5

 

Observation:  Aren’t I glad the Holy Spirit gave the New Testament?  I would have to work 4-5 times as hard to learn the Gospel….

 

Analysis:  I have been thinking about Micah the last few days; what am I trying to glean from Micah, what are You saying to me, Lord?

 

There are some books (minor prophets) and some chapters in the various books of the Old Testament that are very focused on that time of their life.  In a contrary way, the New Testament is much of a well stated summary of the doctrines and principles found (with some difficulty) in the Old Testament.

 

So, what do I do when trying to seriously read in the OT?

 

I am aware I am looking for the “gotcha” statement; that verse or verses that I can pluck out and hang it on the wall of my house and say, “There is the promise of God.” (Of course, while it looks and sounds cool, maybe I took it out of context?  Take a look at the context surrounding Philippians 4:4.)

 

Therefore, I must split that attention and not only be aware of those promises, but also look at the greater message: What was being communicated to Israel (and surrounding communities) at large?  What was God saying to Israel specifically and the nations of the earth secondarily?

 

I am also aware that I need to look at the historical context…from God’s POV through the prophets.  Taking Micah 1:5 as the “gain of function” statement (to pull the phrase out of today’s news), the objective/goal statement is succinct: “All this for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel…”

 

There may not be a “gotcha” statement available.  There is always a “God’s objective” statement—it wouldn’t be the Living Word of God if it was not.  It is where Doctrines, Principles, and Precepts are found.

 

We stand on the shoulders of the Apostles, Prophets, Fathers, Scholars, Leaders of the Faith because of their ability to shrink down the Word of God into things that we can remember.

 

Musicians are in this group as well.  They allow us to sing the Doctrines of the Church in catchy, easy to remember songs and lyrics to reinforce the Faith.  While certainly there were others, Charles and John Wesley led the pack in the 1700’s by putting godly lyrics to catchy music of the time.  We still sing them today.

 

What has this to do with Micah this morning?  Nothing directly, I suppose.  This is what dropped in my heart meditating before the Lord God.

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for dropping this in my heart in the last few days.  I hope I got it right, and for me, it will affect the process of the reading of your Word.

AMEN

Rick.

Journal Jonah 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.

 

And (Jonah) prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country?  That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.

 

Therefore, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live…”  Jonah 4:1-3

 

Observation: Even prophets can be dramatic: “And the academy award for best posturing after preaching repentance, goes to………Jonah!!” (applause, applause)

 

Analysis:  Sometimes I can read the Bible and come away with a snicker, or maybe an outright belly laugh.

 

Short story: “Jonah, go to Nineveh and preach.”

“No way, those folks are bad, bad.  If you are going to strike them down, good!!  I don’t want to warn them.  Because You are Whom You are, You probably would give them Mercy.”

“Jonah, go to Nineveh and preach!”

“NO” and into the belly of a fish he goes.

 

Jonah relents, the fish spits him out and Jonah calls out for repentance.  Nineveh repents and turns to God for mercy.

 

And then Jonah cops an attitude: “I KNEW you were going to do that, that is why I ran away…”  And then Jonah whines, he dramatically throws his arm against his forehead and wails: “Please kill me right here, I can’t stand the pain, the inequity, the injustice…” It is better for me to die than to live” …”

 

Confession: I have toyed with the idea that “so and so” probably deserves God’s wrath.  Jeffery Epstein, anyone?  Perhaps Jonah had the conviction that Nineveh was a city of Epstein’s.  Jonah, in that case, made Judgment on Nineveh even though he recognized that God abounds in patience: “Slow to anger, abounds in lovingkindness and steadfast love…”

 

I have encountered many Christians (including the Face in the Mirror) that condone the effects of observed “natural” disasters and call it deserved…for the “obvious sin.”  What is not my first thought is perhaps this is the lovingkindness of God and they will turn in repentance.  No, my first thought is “deserved.”

 

I need to change my mind about this; I need to have a different reflexive mindset.  For this attitude goes from countries, to cities, to the guy next door.  How about beggars on the street corners—drug users, drunks, begging for the next pack of smokes?

 

Practicing Jonah’s attitude is not practicing the Lovingkindness of God.

 

Prayer:  Lord, you see how I struggle with this.  I am fighting this with being prepared to give to those on the street corners—and not trying to evaluate on my own reasoning but obeying your Word and focusing on your Whisper.

If I evaluate too hard, I start thinking about who deserves your Gospel—and that is not my job, my prerogative.  My goal is the Good Samaritan example and that without fear and judgment/condemnation.

AMEN.

Rick Sutton

Revelation 8

 

Scripture

 

Vs 1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

 

Vs 3 And another angel … was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,

Vs 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

VS 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth.

 

13 … “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

 

Observation

 

The judgement of God is coming.

But He is patient.

There will be a pause … a time of preserving the saints.

 

And the prayers of the saints are somehow involved in the coming and overflowing of the judgement of God.

 

The prayers of the saints rise before God …

And then pour over the earth!

 

And everyone on earth should have the highest level of alertness and caution for this coming judgement!

 

Application

 

Do I take the coming judgement of God seriously?

And do I take my current prayers seriously?

 

This judgement will come, but for the saints it is something we can actually pray for.

 

Because with God’s judgement comes the ultimate justice,

Even if we don’t understand it now.

 

But God will secure, preserve, and protect us … the “saints”.

 

With this security, I can confidently pray for the ultimate judgement of God to come.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, that your judgment means ultimate justice.

Help me prayers be a pleasing aroma for You

Help me pray wisely and in your ways

In Jesus Name

Amen

Scripture

Revelation 7:9 – After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!”

Observation –

John is describing that the redeemed will be an innumerable amount from all nations, tribes and tongues.  The redeemed, will be wearing white robes washed by the blood of the Lamb and be loudly praising God before His throne for their salvation through Jesus.

 

Application –

The gospel of Jesus Christ is global as this is God’s redemptive plan from the beginning.  By the grace of God, I have been saved by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to pay for my sin debt in full when I place my faith and trust in Him as my Lord and Savior.  Let me rejoice in that and shout loudly with all the saints! So, I am saved by grace through faith not just to enjoy His grace.  James tells us faith without works is dead.  God’s calling is for His glory to be declared among the nations.  We are living in a time where there are still billions of people worldwide that have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many of these people groups live in what is referred to as the 10- 40 (Longitude – Latitude) window.  My role needs to let my story be God’s glory by welcoming different people groups, praying, equipping, sending and even going to help the spread of the gospel here and amongst the nations.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love and grace you have given me in salvation through Jesus.  Let the power of the Spirit lead me to share your glory here and amongst all people groups.

Journal Rev 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.  They cried out with a loud voice: “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true—how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  Rev 6:9-10

 

Observation:  Have I ever imagined: “Someday you will get yours…”?

 

Analysis: One function of journaling is to put down in writing things that strike and question in my soul; stuff that makes me go, “huh?  What is that about?”  I may not be able to reason an answer out immediately, but it does cause me to wonder and meditate.

 

Why did the Spirit cause John to see the souls under the altar?  Souls: a multiple, not a single.  How many souls?  Scripture doesn’t say.  Among other things, they cry out for an answer to how long will it take to be avenged (or “even the score”)?

 

Why is it ok to call out to be avenged then when that is not what Jesus instructed now: “…for if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…” (Matt 6:14-15; see also Matt 18)? So, forgiving and calling out to be avenged seems to be a dichotomy, a contradiction.

 

At the moment, I don’t know the answer.  It seems that I must shift perception gears in a way that recognizes that I have my daily character instruction (“…forgive, as the Father forgives…”) and something in the future that releases me to ask about being avenged.

 

What popped in my mind is the word, Malice.  What would ever release me to exhibit godly malice?  Could I have malice and still be godly on the earth?  No, absolutely no.  Malice would feed my character, my sinful inner man to think that I am due some sort of “fairness.”  On earth (and my character battle), this could mean “I want what I want, and I am due for it.  Being blocked from my due calls for vengeance.”

 

How does this correspond with a heavenly desire for vengeance?  I truly don’t know.  And that is a question to be answered by the Spirit in the future—I cannot imagine it.

 

At this point in my life, I work at forgiveness without holding malice; honoring Jesus in everything I do without hiding a desire for vengeance.  This means that the

attitude of, “I forgive but I don’t forget…” must be waged war against.  Recommendation: Don’t use Rev 6:14-15 to support this attitude…

By the way, on the subject of fairness: Being condemned to the Wrath of God is being fair—it is what I deserve. Encountering Grace and Mercy is generosity from God.  God is not being fair when He saves us.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord.  I don’t get this section of scripture, at least I cannot imagine how it would apply.  That’s ok, I will tack that on the list of things to seek your Face about.

Please ease the hearts of those around Darryl.  AMEN.

Journal Rev 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains—calling to the mountains and rocks,

 

“Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the Wrath of the Lamb—for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”  Rev 6:15-17

 

Observation: Every so often I must remember that the Lamb that I worship…. has teeth.

 

Analysis:  The Terrible Day of the Lamb is the Gospel as well as the Cross and the Resurrection.

 

The End of All Things is not usually equated with the Good News except for…never mind—it is not usually equated.  I think about John 3:16 rewritten with That Day in mind: “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only son…that all of those who DID NOT believe in Him shall perish under the terrible, righteous, GOOD, wrath of the Most High.”

 

I tend to be binary about a lot of things.  The opposite of Good is Bad.  Under that reasoning, what God did with the Atonement (and me) is Good.  What I reason as Bad, I can’t quite attribute to God, so it must be the devil.  But that reasoning, besides being dualistic (heresy), doesn’t jibe with what is known about God.

 

God is Sovereign and Supreme in all of Eternity and what I perceive as Creation.  All creatures were created by Him and are subject to Him—even the devil.  The devil cannot operate independently from God (c. Job 1-3).   Fast forwarding in the theological explanation, because God is Good as an inalterable tenant of His Attributes and Character, all decisions—even subjecting unbelievers to His Wrath—is a function of His Goodness.

 

Therefore, in the scene represented by the above scripture quote, it is with sober understanding that the Wrath of the Lamb is integrated with the other of Jesus’ identifiable (communicable and incommunicable) Attributes as the Trinitarian God—His Goodness is equal with His Wrath as a function of His Character—sin cannot, will not be tolerated at the advent of the New Heavens and the New Earth.

 

It is conceivable then, in the light of His revealed character, that these folks somehow recognize that as far as His Goodness and Mercy is from the east to the west, so is His Wrath recognized at the End of Days.

 

Makes me wonder why that side of Jesus isn’t acknowledged today as well?

 

Prayer: Sobering today, O Lord.  I must deliberately orient my mind to be accurate about all your Attributes and Characteristics equaling each other in width, breadth, and intensity.  I am in error when exalt your Love and diminish your Wrath—not to mention favoring your Forgiveness and ignoring your Judgment against and Condemnation of Sin.

It is difficult—if not plainly hard—unless I immerse and embrace the whole Gospel, beginning to End—and that daily.

Make me into the image of the Son (Ro 8:29), O Lord of everlasting Holiness.

Bring revival.

AMEN.

Scripture:

 

[1]Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. [2]And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” [3]But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. [4]I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. [5]Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

 

[6]Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits sent out into all the earth. [7]He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [8]And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

 

Observation:

 

This is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible.

 

With God sitting on the throne holding the scroll, a mighty angel belting out a challenge – Who is worthy?

 

No one in heaven or under the earth or on the earth is worthy to open or read the scroll. That pretty much covers everyone. But wait.. our Lord was not conceived from this earth. He and He alone is worthy. One of the elders tells John to look toward the Lion of Judah, as He triumphantly enters the scene with with strength and power. What John sees is the Lamb, with scars of sacrifice for dying for the sins of man – He alone is worthy. He shows up as omnipotent with seven horns – there is no one more powerful. He shows up as omnipresent with seven eyes being the Holy Spirit.

 

Application:

 

What a feeling and a visual we will never see this side of heaven – Father God on the throne, Jesus Christ as the Lion and the Lamb, and the Holy Spirit all at once.

 

Scholars have differing opinions on what was written on the scroll but to me that’s not all that important. What’s important is that the scroll must be opened and only the Lamb of God is worthy.

 

We look to him as the Lion to fight our battles and give us our victories, which He can do but may not always do when or how we hope.  But if we open our hearts, look close enough, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will always find Him who sacrificed for us. We can lean on that fact even when it seems the Lord is not fighting our battles or we are experiencing defeats in this life.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord thank you for blessing us with Your word as it is written in Revelation. I love You and look forward to spending eternity with You. I pray that I honor and obey You as I wait for that day. In Jesus Christ mighty and holy name I pray, amen.

Journal Rev 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:  “And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne (who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him (who lives forever and ever).

 

They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

 

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things, and,

by your will they existed and were created.”  (Rev 4:9-11)

 

Observation:  Revelation 4 portrays a bunch of beings worshiping God; verse 9 gathers all the descriptions up and lumps them into the category “living creatures.”  And then there are the Elders, 24 of them, reacting in a certain way that I take notice of…

 

Analysis:  In the past year or so, this section of Revelation has gripped me.

 

It has come in a time where I am wrestling with ego versus the Cross.  (I would say “was wrestling” but no one ever fully completes an issue being a disciple—it always pops back up sometimes in life.)

 

Being a charismatically influenced Reformed Theology sort of guy, the question for me is always: “Am I a celebrating son in Christ”, or; “Am I a non-deserving creature of Grace?”  I think the answer is BOTH.

 

I am loved.  I am embraced by the Father of Heaven as a son.  I am welcomed into an intimate circle of being cared for by the Most High God.  Inconceivably, He rejoices over me with singing:

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zeph 3:17; cp Ps 105:43, Prov 8:31b

Angels are dumbfounded and puzzled on why such love was lavished upon Man (1 Pet 1:12).

 

That is one side.

 

I am not deserving of His love.  I am at heart a traitor to his ways.  All my ways are in opposition to His rule and reign.  My sin condemns me before His holiness.  I deserve His wrath.  I am redeemed by His Sovereign decision even though I have no value other than His choice to give me Grace and to show me Mercy.

 

That is the other side.

Both sides are equally true.  One does not trump the other.

 

That is why preaching the Gospel to myself is so important.  I want to understand the depth and height of what it costs to redeem myself everyday so that I do not get full of myself.

 

Additionally, with that firmly in mind, I begin to really understand why these Elders, these important saints standing before God, cast (verb: throw, chuck, fling, toss, pitch, etc.) their crowns at His feet.   Whatever the crowns were awarded for from Jesus, these guys knew that, in comparison, they did not deserve it—only Jesus deserves any and all praise and glory.

 

This is clear from my side.  Probably makes Jesus nuts: “Here, take this with my blessing.”  “No, no, I don’t deserve this” and back and forth and back and forth.

 

I wonder if He ever has a thought: “Ok then, I will keep it.  That’ll show them…”

 

Probably not.  He is good that way.

 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for providing a way of redemption through the blood of the Son, my Lord.  Holy Spirit, thank you for making me alive in You by causing me to be born again, not physically but by and in You O Spirit.

Keep me holding both of these understandings equally—not abandoning one in preference of the other because leaning primarily either way skews my view of You—and, boy, I really want to have You firmly in front of my eyes all my days.

Bring revival, AMEN.

Journal Rev 3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (To the Sardis church) “…I know your works.  You have the reputation of being alive, but (are) dead.  Waken up, strengthen what remains (and is about to die), for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God…” Rev 3:1-2

 

(To the Philadelphia church) “…I know your works…I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my Name…Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world…” Rev 3:7-10

 

(To the Laodicean church) “…I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  (I) would that you were either cold OR hot!  So, because you are lukewarm…I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say: I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing—not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked…” Rev 3: 14-17

 

Observation: Here are three local churches being prophesied to.  The Spirit begins: I know your works.  Judgment is not necessarily condemnation.  The Spirit evaluates as well.  These are points of evaluation to take up even in our day…

 

Analysis: “I know your works…”

 

Thinking about this statement, do I know my own works (Conduct? Heart?) and how it lines up with the Word of God?

 

What if I am under siege by the everyday cares of life?  Do I relax to complain about my lot in life or do I redouble my efforts to walk worthy of the Gospel and to persevere in patience to Him who called me?

 

What if I am taxed by indwelling sin?  What if I let sinful imaginations wreak havoc on my mind, savoring titillating thoughts, welcoming temptations of the eyes and body?

 

What if I revert to handling things on my own, disavowing faith in God and turning to my own efforts and strength to solve problems that will not conform my life to His Word but to conform my life to my wants and desires?

 

What if I am satisfied to cruise through life on a single belief that once upon a time, I made a “confession” of faith in Christ and I need to do no more than that?

 

God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: “I have been saved through Grace and that is not of myself.  It is the gift of God so that no one may boast.”  This is a statement of fact in His Sovereignty—I have nothing to add or subtract from God’s sovereign intent and action.  It is looking at Grace from the 5,000-foot level.

 

Life-long PURSUIT of God: this is not pursuing His Favor as if the more pursuit I do stacks His Judgment in my favor (like scales of balance).  It is the MINIMUM calling of the Believer; It is my Human Responsibility towards the Almighty God.

 

Works are rewarded by jewels in a crown, not a ticket into the Gates.  Nevertheless, no one can tally up a jewel count while on earth.  Refer to the story of the Rich Man and the poor Widow (Luke 21:1-2).

 

Works start within, evaluating the Face in the Mirror, confessing and repenting.  Then to your household (no matter how big the household is).  It might feel silly; if to a spouse, there might be derision and disbelief towards the confessor—this is where work comes in, not attempts at being convincing, but demonstrating HUMILITY and conscious effort towards being worthy of the Calling in which you have been called.

 

Note: it is relatively easy to show “good works” to people to whom you don’t live with.  Beware of compliments from folks that point out good works. To husbands and fathers: If your families are not boasting about you unbidden, then outside compliments, while encouraging and perhaps from the Spirit of God, are not the compliments you want.

 

Prayer: Father, writing about the 2 principles of Your Sovereignty and My Responsibility is tough.  I think I see it well enough but understand that I still need to think about this every day.  I realize that I can muddle it up and make unhealthy choices.

Please let Your Words be somewhere in my words.  Guide me to write better, make coherent sense of these principles and doctrines.

AMEN,

Rick.

Scripture: “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

 

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen.  Repent and do the works you did at first.  If not, I will come to you and remove the lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

 

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans (which I also hate).

 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”  Rev 3-7

 

Observation:  From my eyes, this section of Scripture (and some others that follow in Revelation), implies that the “once saved, always saved” doctrine (OSAS) might not be necessarily true the way it is generally practiced.  Persevering intentionally to the End appears to be the order of the day…

 

Analysis:  I am thinking about David’s life right now.  Up and down, back, and forth from overt (and covert) giving into sinful practices—yet it was said of David’s life that he “served the purpose of God in his generation.” (Acts 13:36) Despite what David did to sin (and there was much), talking against God or idolatry wasn’t among it.

 

So, what I can deduce from this section of scripture without stretching anything:

1. The Spirit commends Ephesus for endurance with patience for the Sake of the Name and has not grown weary about it.

 

So, they have been physically strong.  Could it be inferred that they have a strong mind and determination to conduct themselves in a visual manner?

2. On the negative, Ephesus has lost their heart for Jesus.  They did what they did not for the Love of the Lord, but for (is this too stretched?  I don’t think so…) a new morality?

 

Christianity as a new moral code—isn’t that a thought?  I see it in myself; I act a certain way, I have a certain way of thinking, I encourage my children to act right, think right, have a right conduct—all to conform as close as I can get them (me too) to be visual “christians”, but not Fierce Christians.

 

Just looking up “Nicolaitans” in Google/Wikipedia, the short definition is that Nicolaitans thought this way: Before Jesus illicit sexual liaisons was bad.  Now that I am saved, I have been released from that sin.  Now, everything is permissible, including sex and especially ritual sex (that kind of sex done in a worship setting).  A little twisting here and there and voila—what was immoral is now moral…all because of losing a First Love.

 

If I have to think about it, what is revival for?  Is it to “revive” our unbelieving community?  Revive what, actually?  Wouldn’t it be obvious that revival is for those who have once called on the Name of Jesus and have abandoned their First Love?

 

Remembering to “preach the Gospel” to ourselves is the first step for rekindling the Flame we once had and to keep lit.

 

Prayer:  Father, to be a fierce, everyday Christian is what I want, terribly desire—that kind of guy that can’t keep thoughts of you out of my head, remembering your Word and meditating on it.

By doing this, maybe I can keep being a moral Christian out of my lexicon and being a fiercely determined godly man as my life.

I wish I didn’t fail so much.

Amen, bring revival,

Rick Sutton

Scripture

 

Vs 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ … to His servant John, ² who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ …

VS 4 … who is and who was and who is to come …

Vs 5 …, Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

Vs 6 … to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Vs 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 

Vs 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance

that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

 

Vs 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last …

Vs 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

 

Observation

 

John’s introduces Revelation by declaring Whose Revelation it is: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”

And by declaring who John is first: “His servant”

 

John’s emphasis in his introduction is the overwhelming immensity and authority and majesty of Jesus Christ:

“who is and who was and who is to come”

“the ruler of kings on earth”

“glory and dominion forever and ever”

“the Alpha and the Omega”

 

So, first John introduces Jesus and John’s role to him: “His servant”

Then John introduces who he is to his readers: “your brother and partner”

What a strikingly humble posture to take here.

He is the one seeing Jesus and delivering the words of Jesus firsthand, yet he is the “brother and partner”, not of Jesus, but of his readers and fellow believers.

 

John states first he is “bore witness to the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ”.

And states he is now in exile “on account of the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ”.

Yet, this is not something to lift his own status.

It is a mere recognition of the infinite lifting of Jesus’ status.

And even a lifting of our status, his readers, that of “partner and brother” of John!

 

And we can live this because Jesus is the “living One” … the One who “died and is alive forevermore”!

 

Application

 

To have a proper perspective of anything, I must see Jesus as over everything!

 

When I do this, I see properly how to be John’s “partner”.

What is it that I am “partnering with john in?

“the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance”

 

If I do not see Jesus as “ruler”, will I “partner in tribulation”? Not likely.

If I do not see Jesus as “the One who is, who was, and is to come”, will I “patiently endure”? Not likely.

 

But when I see Jesus as having “dominion over the rulers of the earth”, I can embrace the invitation to “partner” in the “kingdom”.

 

And only in this way will I “Fear Not”! … Because He is “alive forevermore” with the “keys to Death”.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for your Word and testimony

Help me to “Fear not”

Thank you that I can be a brother and partner in your kingdom

In Jesus name,

Amen