pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: martyr


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Almost Done

Reading: Revelation 18-20

Revelation 19:9 – “Write this: Favored are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.”

Chapter 18 details Babylon’s fall. An angel announces the fall, calls out any who are faithful, and pours a double portion of God’s wrath. Deadly disease, grief, and hunger strike her and then fire consumes Babylon – all in a day. The kings of the earth, merchants, and seafarers mourn and weep. The seafarers invite the saints, apostles, and prophets to rejoice. Then a powerful angel hurls a huge stone into the sea, bringing complete destruction: “It won’t be found anymore.”

Heaven celebrates the fall in the first half of chapter 19. A huge crowd, the elders, and the four living creatures celebrate God using “royal power.” Then an angel says to John, “Write this: Favored are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.” Oh to be in that invitation list!

Heaven then opens and Christ emerges. He is “Faithful and True,” “Word of God,” and “King of kings and Lord of lords.” An angel invites the birds to be ready to devour flesh. The beast and its allies draw up for battle. The beast and false prophet are thrown forever into the “fiery lake” and the rest die by the sword in Jesus Christ’s mouth.

An angel comes down from heaven holding the key to the abyss and a large chain. Satan is thrown into the abyss for 1,000 years. Those who were martyred reign with Christ. Satan is released and gathers all that he can deceive. Fire consumes the army and Satan is thrown forever into the lake to fire and sulfur. Then comes the final judgment. Death and the Grave are thrown into the fiery lake along with all whose names are not written in the book of life. It is almost done.

Prayer: Lord God, evil is defeated and sent forever into the lake of fire and sulfur. All the faithful join you for the great wedding banquet. It is an either/or day. To take the long walk of faith – it is not easy. Daily lead and guide us to walk faithfully with you, or… Amen.


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A Great Crowd

Reading: Revelation 6:1-8:5

Revelation 7:9 – “After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number… from every nation, tribe, people, and language.”

In chapter 6 the Lamb opens 6 of the 7 seals. The first four bring the four horses and their riders. Death, war, violence, famine, and disease sweep across the earth. One-fourth of humanity dies. The fifth seal is broken and those who have been martyred for their faith cry out, “How long…?” Given white robes, they’re told to wait just a little longer. The sixth seal is broken, first bringing a great earthquake. Then the sun turns black and the moon red. The stars fall from the sky. All the people of the earth try to hide. They beg the mountains, “Fall on us!” They know that the great day of wrath has come upon them.

The seal of God is then placed upon the foreheads of the 144,000 – 12,000 from each remaining tribe of Israel. John looks back to heaven and sees a great multitude. In 7:9 we read, “After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number… from every nation, tribe, people, and language.” Wearing robes that have been washed white in the blood of the Lamb, holding palm branches, they worship God. They’ve gone through hardship. Now they will not hunger or thirst. God has wiped away every tear. The Lamb guides them to the life-giving waters. The seventh seal is broken and there is silence in heaven for half an hour.

Seven angels with seven trumpets take their places. Another angel holds a bowl with incense. The prayers of the saints rise in the smoke up to God. The bowl is then filled with fire from the altar. It is thrown down upon the earth. The angels are about to blow their trumpets.

Prayer: Lord God, over and over, Old Testament and New, we hear the calls to change hearts and lives. Today in our reading the outcomes of our choices become clearer and clearer. As we rejoice today in the coming of our Savior, remind us of his ultimate purpose at the end of this age. Lead and guide us, O God, to live lives worthy of our calling. Amen.


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Obedience

Reading: John 13:31-35

Verse 31: “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him”.

Jesus’ ministry on earth was all about glorifying God. In the miracles Jesus brought glory to God. In His words that were full of wisdom from above, Jesus glorified God. As the gospel of John works towards its conclusion, Jesus says, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him”. The Son will be glorified when God brings Him out of the tomb. God is glorified when the Son goes to the cross to fulfill the Father’s plan. Through an act of obedience Jesus glorifies God. It is through our acts of obedience that we too glorify God.

Jesus’ act of obedience is a bit more than most of us could offer. While the reality is that someone will probably be martyred today, it is an obedience most of us will only have to ponder. Yet in our day to day lives our smaller acts of obedience accomplish the same purpose – to bring glory to God. Each time we offer a simple act of kindness or do something unexpected for another, then the other sees the light of Christ in us. That reveals the glory of God.

Throughout our day today we will each feel nudges or hear whispers from the Holy Spirit, calling us to action. If we are obedient to the lead and guide of the Spirit, then our words or actions will bring glory to God. Often we are faced with a simple choice in these moments. The choice often puts self against God and the other. We can easily try and trick ourselves into thinking we are too busy or that the cost is too great or… Excuses are much easier than obedience. Yet what Jesus modeled and what God calls us to is obedience. It is not a pick and choose obedience but a full time commitment. That is the one that Christ offers to us. May we return the blessing today by offering our all in all to God, being obedient to the point of dying to self so that we can live for Jesus.

Prayer: God, I know most is not all. Being obedient most of the time is where I usually find myself. Move me closer to you and away from me today so that I can walk step by step with you. May it be so. Amen.