The Daily Dose

Heaven opened

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  Revelation 19:11

Here we go!  Here in chapter 19 is the climax of the entire book of Revelation.  At least it is for me.  When I first read this passage, I was frightened at the idea of Jesus coming back to take over.  Of course, I was only twelve at the time and could not comprehend how awesome and great that day is going to be.

There is so much detail in these next verses, so I want to go through them slowly to unpack much of the scene when the world is finally ruled in justice and righteousness.  I listed out the details to start because when I read through the passage again, I missed many points because it all ran together. Some of the descriptive language got lost in the many elements of this event.  The list is:

• Heaven opened
• A white horse is released
• The Rider is Faithful and True
• He Judges in righteousness
• He makes war
• His eyes like a flame of fire
• He wears many crowns on His head
• He has a name written that no one knows except Him
• He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood
• His name is called the Word of God
• The armies in heaven followed Him on white horses
• They are clothed in fine linen white and clean
• A sharp sword goes out of His mouth to strike the nations
• He will rule with a rod of iron
• He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of God Almighty
• On His robe and thigh, a name is written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

Today I want to focus on verses 11-12.  These verses are all about the rider that is released when heaven is opened.  But wait!  What does that even mean?  Can you comprehend heaven opening?  I have never seen that happen before, so I can imagine what it may look like.  The clouds parting?  A portal opens from one dimension to the earth realm?  A bright light shining down from the sky like a spotlight on the main event?  Truly, you can let your creative images run wild and still not be able to grasp this concept of Heaven opening.  A picture that will solidify for all people on earth that there is a God and now He is here for all to see.  But for those who have gathered to meet Him at that time, it will not be a good day.

Now, out of that open gateway, a white horse leads a multitude of white horses with the armies of heaven deployed, riding on those white horses.  On that leading mount is our glorified Lord and Savior. His white horse indicates purity, victory and righteousness. The rider is Faithful and True.  Those descriptive words are capitalized implying that they are not descriptions of Who He is at all, but rather names that He is known by. These names tell all people the unwavering trustworthiness and integrity of King Jesus.  Those here in the world will know that He is here to make war and to take back what has been stolen from Him with the wrath and fierceness of almighty God.

Some personal features of His appearance include: eyes like a flame of fire and on His head not just one crown but many crowns.  Another picture that I cannot fully understand.  It does say that His eyes are like a flame of fire, they are not actually burning fire.  It is an imagery showing that with His eyes He has the ability to see all hearts and judge them with the purifying flame that burns off all the chaff and impurities to examine what is left to be tried in the great time of judgement.  We know that His judgments are perfect and fair, and we have confidence that ultimate justice will be served. Finally, the wrongs of this world will be righted by His perfect and just hand.

As I try to picture wearing many crowns, I can see crowns of all kinds stacked on top of one another settled on the Kings head to display His majesty. However, at a closer look, these crowns represent His complete and ultimate authority and dominion over all the nations of the world and creation.

The last point I want to highlight today is His name, which only He knows. I cannot tell you what it is because only He knows it. This secret name opens up our understanding to the depth and mystery of His divine and perfect nature. As the Word of God, He is the ultimate revelation of God’s truth and love to all people, and it reminds us of His unending, unchangeable rule and the security we have under His kingship. There is no end to His greatness, goodness and love!

Today I want to encourage you that while these details are a lot to consider and grasp in our understanding, ultimately, they remind us that we can trust in His faithfulness in every circumstance of life.  We rely on Jesus, the Faithful and True One, to lead us today and every day with integrity and truth. His faithfulness is a constant source of strength, encouragement and His empowering grace.  I also encourage you to remember to hope in His Justice, knowing that Jesus judges with perfect justice even in the face of injustice and suffering that we see in the world today.  His Judgement will prevail once and for all.  Lastly take comfort in knowing that He, the Lord of all has established His throne in heavens and His kingdom rules over all. So, remember that our lives are under the care of the king of kings and the Lord of lords and He has given us His peace and comfort in the Holy Spirit until we ride back with Him on that great day of victory.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:11-12

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 

12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 

Do not do that

I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do it! I am a servant together with you and with other believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God!” For the truth that Jesus revealed is what inspires the prophets. Revelation 19:10

I have never been in a position where I was encouraged or even felt inspired to bow down to a person here in this world.  I’m sure there are foreign dignitaries or even royal families who are used to being bowed before.  I just haven’t been in the vicinity of any such individuals.  I know that I am not cultured or even educated enough to know who would expect that type of greeting if by some chance I was brought into that scenario.  I do, however, take that position often when I am in prayer.  In fact, I prefer to be face down on my knees when spending time with my Father in prayer.  One of the reasons is because it helps me to shut out all distractions and make sure all my attention is on what I am doing and why I am in that position to begin with, but mostly, I just want to approach my Father with the honor and reverence He is due!

You do not have to bow down or prostrate yourself to show worship or to idolize someone.  This level of putting a person on a pedestal can be done simply by giving the majority of your attention to or even a belief that having that person in an elevated position makes your life better in some way.  It can be a famous actor or musician or even a politician that can take up so much space in your life that actually becomes a form of worship.

In today’s reading, the apostle John finds himself in a place where he feels compelled to bow down to the one that is hosting his experience in heaven.  Who could blame him?  He is in a place of complete perfection and inexplicable beauty surrounded by heavenly hosts of every kind.  If there was ever a situation worthy of bowing down, certainly it will be in the throne room of God.  However, John’s heavenly guide tells him don’t do that!  Then goes on to explains that he is a fellow servant just like John and all other believers.  Then he tells John that God is the only One that should be worshiped and this is the truth that Jesus has revealed to inspire John to write the prophecy he was given at that time.  Even Jesus said when He was here in the world: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ (See Luke 4:8)

This is good news for us even today.  We do not have to wonder Who deserves our worship and Who is worthy of our praise!  We worship Him!  The God of creation and the God of the entire universe and beyond.  He is the One Who sent a Savoir to rescue us and He is the One who loves us with the most perfect love!  So the next time you step into an intentional place to commune with your heavenly Father, go ahead and bow down and worship Him because He is worthy and He is holy!  He is the One Who is due all our worship and the One we give all our praise, honor and glory to.

Today I want to encourage you to consider if there is anyone in this world that you may be worshiping.  Have you given your loyalty and allegiance to a celebrity or even political figure?  Yes, there are important people in the world and we are instructed to give praise to whom praise is due, but make sure not to go to far in thinking that there is a person or leader that can fix the world we live in or is worthy of our worship.  There is none worthy no not one!  Worship God your heavenly Father, He alone is worthy!

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:9-10

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Build on the Rock

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:”  Matthew 7:24

Before you can build any structure, you must have a foundation.  It is what holds the building in place and keeps it secure.  If the foundation is weak and unstable, a house will not be safe.  It is only as sturdy as its foundation.  The ground is also a factor.  If you built on a hill side, the understructure can become threatened and even crack as the earth shifts over time.  The dangers go far beyond a cracked wall in the basement, the safety of the home and the lives of those who live there are at risk.

In today’s scripture, Jesus says that His teachings are the foundation that a wise person builds their life on.  Since this is at the end of a three-chapter sermon, it is safe to use the previous chapters as that base. Below is a list of the foundational principles Jesus taught that day.

         Be Poor in spirit

         Be Meek

         Hunger and Thirst for righteousness

         Be Merciful

         Have a Pure heart

         Be a Peacemaker

         Be the Salt of the earth

         Be the Light of the world

         Keep Gods commands

         Do not be angry without a cause

         Cast sin from your life

         Do not swear falsely

         Go the extra mile

         Love your enemies

         Bless those who curse you

         Pray for those who use you

         Do charitable deeds in secret

         Pray

         Fast in secret

         Layup treasure in heaven

         Serve God, not Mammon (money)

         Do not worry

         Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness

         Do not judge others but love them

         Ask and it will be given to you

         Seek and you will find

         Enter the narrow way

         Bear good fruit

         Have a personal relationship with Him

That’s quite a list, and it is true that this list will not save you from an eternity separated from God.  Even if you did each one of these acts perfectly, you would still need a Savior to pay to price for you. However, after you receive His salvation, these actions will ensure that your foundation is strong and any ministry built on top will withstand the storms of life.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your foundations.  Review the list above and even read Matthew 5-7 again to strengthen and reinforce your foundation.  If you are already in ministry, go back and assess the foundations that the mission was built on.  Secure your life’s work on the rock of Jesus’ teaching and ensure that all your efforts will have eternal value.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:24-29

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Do you know Him?

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Matthew 7:23

Many people do a lot of great things to impact this world in a positive way.  There are philanthropists who give millions of dollars to fund orphanages and schools.  Some would give their lives to minister to the sick and serve homeless people.  Others serve on Mission fields around the world separated from home and family all their lives.  While these are all honorable things and certainly worthy of recognition here on earth, it is interesting to hear what Jesus has to say about the day we finally stand face to face with Him.

In today’s scripture, Jesus talked about the day when the books are open.  He said the only thing that matters on that day is that you know Him personally.  He’s not looking for you to tell Him how many souls you brought with you. He’s not looking for how many good deeds you have done while here on earth and He’s not even interested in how good you behaved in this life.  There will be those who come before Him saying they prophesied, cast out demons, and did many wonders in His name.  It is amazing to me that He will say to them “I never knew who you were” or in other words, they had no personal relationship with Him.  The point is that there is power in the name of Jesus, and even if you see great things being done in His name, none of these things will get you into eternity with Him, only that you know Him personally.  You must set aside time to cultivate your relationship with Him by talking and listening to Him daily, growing an active relationship with Him.

Today I want to encourage you to remember the time that you personally invited Jesus to be the LORD of your life.  Remember the day that you first started following His direction and leading for your life.  Take this time to think about the day that you first started talking to God personally and walking with Him day by day, the day that you finally made Him the LORD over every area of your life.  Now think about the relationship you have with Him today.  Do you spend time growing that relationship each day?  Do you recognize Him and His Word as the ultimate authority in your life?  Are you looking forward to the day when you hear “Well done, My faithful one” because you followed the plan and the leading of His Spirit day by day?   Decide today that you are going to go deeper with God by walking and listening closer to the direction He has for you each day.  Your relationship with Him is, hands down, the most important thing in this life and the next.

If you have never invited Him in to be your Lord and Savior, do that right now by praying this prayer of salvation and begin walking out each day with His love and direction guiding you.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:15-23

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

The narrow gate?

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  Matthew 7:14

Living the good life? What does that truly mean?  What was God’s idea of a good life when He created people?  Is it to work hard to accumulate things?  Is it being entertained at every free minute?  Is it having a family, working until you are 65 and retiring to live out the rest of your days in comfort and leisure? While none of these things are bad, and there certainly are worse ways to live out your days, but today’s text gives us some hints on God’s idea of living life to the fullest.

The passage starts with “Enter by the narrow gate.”  It goes on to say the narrow gate is difficult but leads to life.  So why is the narrow gate difficult?  If you picture an actual gate that is narrow, you could imagine that it would require you to unload anything that wasn’t actually part of you to get through it.  You would have to put down all the things that were heavy and burdensome.  In today’s world, you would have to enter on foot, not driving a vehicle through or bringing any of your possessions.  Mostly, it is taking a path that is purposeful and planned out by the Creator Himself.  Most people would follow the path of least resistance.  The road that is popular and well-traveled so that there is plenty of room and attractions along the way.  It can seem easier to coast or drift through life without purposefully pointing your life in a direction of intentionality.  Some would even purpose to pursue the things of this world that are fleeting and temporary but will disappear like a vapor when they are done living here in this world.

I see this as a spiritual gate.  Living your life growing your spirit person, that is what gets through the narrow gate.  Consider in a spiritual sense of laying down your cares and burdens and trusting in the God of the universe to get you through.  Notice that He is only interested in a relationship with you, not the things of this world.  Of course, it is wise to properly maintain your physical body, but this is not what actually goes through the narrow gate.  To truly live this life to the fullest, an individual must have a personal relationship and fellowship with the Father of love.  The wide gate is for the masses which many can fit through all at once.  Those headed toward this gate give no consideration to a personal relationship with the God of creation, only trying to satisfy and fill up with self-indulgence. 

Today I would encourage you to take a look at which gate you are heading toward.  Are you seeking out the precious personal time to fellowship and commune with your heavenly Father?  Or are you with the masses that are only looking out for number one? Have you stored up for yourself treasures in this world, or do you place your treasure and resources in His kingdom where it cannot be eaten away by rust and moths?  Decide today that you are going to start making eternal investments by helping others and using your resources to promote God’s agenda.  Then spend time each day purposing to press into Him through the narrow gate of relationship and being an example of His love everywhere you go.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:13-14

 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Write

Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”  Revelation 19:9

You can write!  We all can. I have been a proponent of writing for the past several years.  I encourage people to journal to capture the things in your heart and in your thoughts.  Journaling is so simple, just write scriptures that you are meditating and want to remember or the impressions and thoughts you get during your quiet time.  You can write out the things you are praying and putting before God and make notes as you see Him moving in those situations. Write your story and the many wonderful ways you see God moving in your life.  Write a note or letter to someone you care about or randomly think of.  Write a text message to let someone know you are praying for them.  You can even write a social media post to tell the world there is hope.

Writing helps not only the people you are writing to, but it also helps you.  Writing things out reinforces them in your thoughts and also in your heart.  Writing also gives clarity and helps you organize ideas and plans.  Writing to others can inspire and motivate them to take a next step in life and writing your testimony can help you be ready to share it at any moment.

In today’s reading, a fellow servant tells John to write.  This voice tells Joh to write a blessing on those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, the bride of Christ.  It was a true saying back then and it is still today.  John wrote down this message so that it could be preserved for the coming generations.  This encouragement was for the churches that John was writing to then, and it is also for us.  John’s writing that he did nearly 2000 years ago is impacting us still today all these years later.

That brings me to my final point.  Your writing will live on after you.  You have the opportunity today to impact the generations of tomorrow.  So start writing something today at least in a journal so that your words will continue to speak the love of God long after you have left this world.

Today I want to encourage you to write!  Write daily scriptures and thoughts.  Write letters and journals to help others get up when they get down.  Write notes and text to tell people you love them and they are doing a great work no matter how small it may seem.  Impact the world around you for years to come by writing what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart today.

Today’s Scripture reading: Revelation 19:9-10

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Righteous Acts

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  Revelation 19:8

I can’t wait to get to heaven!  Not that I want to die and leave my life here, but as I read through the book of Revelation, I can’t help but notice the awesome time we will have when we get there.  From what we have read throughout this book, it looks like there is constant celebration and rejoicing.  A continual release of our expression of gratitude and admiration for all God has done in His creation and for delivering us from the evil clutches of sin.

In today’s reading there is once again a loud cheer of praise.  Thunderous voices of a great multitude crying out “Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns!”  Then the celebration goes into overdrive because the wedding celebration of the Lamb begins.  The bride of Christ has gotten herself ready to meet her groom, the Lord Jesus Christ!

I like how this is phrased here: “His wife has made herself ready.”  It doesn’t say, He has made her ready by His blood and sacrifice and it doesn’t say that God has made her ready by rescuing her from sin.  Those are the ways of salvation, only. The passage actually says that she gets herself ready and the way she does that is in the very next line.  She is wearing fine linen, clean and bright, which is the righteous acts that we do. This is not to be confused with good works for salvation. There is only one way God saves people and that is accepting the Lord Jesus as the Son of God and receiving His payment of His blood and sacrifice for the penalty of our sin. These righteous acts are for preparing the bride for His coming to get her for the wedding.

Tada!  Here it is, what we are to be doing to get ready for the wedding to come.  The day when we will be united with Jesus our Lord.  We are to be putting on righteous acts or doing what is good and right in the eyes of God our Father.  We are not to be condemning the world because of the sin bondage that it is under, and we are not to be squabbling with each other over doctrine and denominations.  There is no question what a good deed is and that is what our days here in this world should consist of.  When we are doing righteous acts, there is no room for the arguments and disagreements that blemish His bride, there is only joy and peace as we put on the robe of righteousness and fine linen.

Upon doing a search in the scripture of what “righteous acts” are, I was not surprised to find out that they are things we do beyond ourselves.  It is not going to church, being baptized or taking communion.  Righteous acts are the things that Jesus taught us to do for others.  Things we do in secret and not to be seen or praised by important people. In Matthew 6, Jesus taught us the things we are to do for others.  Things such as: giving alms to the needy and beggars.  Giving anonymously, generously and cheerfully. Praying for others in secret, not loud and repetitive for others to see how spiritual we are.  Fasting, a practice that is not so common in the church today, but one that is still most effective in purifying your heart and purging out distractions and unhealthy habits, either food or something else.  Jesus taught us to do unto others what we would want others to do for us (Matthew 7:12) and the things we do for those who are hurting and lost, we are doing it as unto Him. (Matthew 25:40)

So today I want to encourage you to get yourself ready by coming into agreement with the Word of God and God’s people.  Even if it seems impossible to get into agreement with others, you can do this with the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit.  Ask Him to show you areas where you can put on righteous acts such as giving, praying and fasting and begin doing those things today.  Get a plan in place to be ready to give when an opportunity presents itself and then when you do, remember that you are doing it unto the Lord, too.  Don’t walk right by the hurting people around you, share the love of God with them in a kind act, just as Jesus did.  Then encourage other believers to do the same thing.  You can influence believers that you are around and help them to get ready also.  Put on the robe of fine linen today and continue to wear it until the day the Lord Jesus comes back to get His glorious bride prepared without spot or wrinkle.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:6-8

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 

7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 

8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Righteous Acts

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  Revelation 19:8

I can’t wait to get to heaven!  Not that I want to die and leave my life here, but as I read through the book of Revelation, I can’t help but notice the awesome time we will have when we get there.  From what we have read throughout this book, it looks like there is constant celebration and rejoicing.  A continual release of our expression of gratitude and admiration for all God has done in His creation and for delivering us from the evil clutches of sin.

In today’s reading there is once again a loud cheer of praise.  Thunderous voices of a great multitude crying out “Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns!”  Then the celebration goes into overdrive because the wedding celebration of the Lamb begins.  The bride of Christ has gotten herself ready to meet her groom, the Lord Jesus Christ!

I like how this is phrased here: “His wife has made herself ready.”  It doesn’t say, He has made her ready by His blood and sacrifice and it doesn’t say that God has made her ready by rescuing her from sin.  Those are the ways of salvation, only. The passage actually says that she gets herself ready and the way she does that is in the very next line.  She is wearing fine linen, clean and bright, which is the righteous acts that we do. This is not to be confused with good works for salvation. There is only one way God saves people and that is accepting the Lord Jesus as the Son of God and receiving His payment of His blood and sacrifice for the penalty of our sin. These righteous acts are for preparing the bride for His coming to get her for the wedding.

Tada!  Here it is, what we are to be doing to get ready for the wedding to come.  The day when we will be united with Jesus our Lord.  We are to be putting on righteous acts or doing what is good and right in the eyes of God our Father.  We are not to be condemning the world because of the sin bondage that it is under, and we are not to be squabbling with each other over doctrine and denominations.  There is no question what a good deed is and that is what our days here in this world should consist of.  When we are doing righteous acts, there is no room for the arguments and disagreements that blemish His bride, there is only joy and peace as we put on the robe of righteousness and fine linen.

Upon doing a search in the scripture of what “righteous acts” are, I was not surprised to find out that they are things we do beyond ourselves.  It is not going to church, being baptized or taking communion.  Righteous acts are the things that Jesus taught us to do for others.  Things we do in secret and not to be seen or praised by important people. In Matthew 6, Jesus taught us the things we are to do for others.  Things such as: giving alms to the needy and beggars.  Giving anonymously, generously and cheerfully. Praying for others in secret, not loud and repetitive for others to see how spiritual we are.  Fasting, a practice that is not so common in the church today, but one that is still most effective in purifying your heart and purging out distractions and unhealthy habits, either food or something else.  Jesus taught us to do unto others what we would want others to do for us (Matthew 7:12) and the things we do for those who are hurting and lost, we are doing it as unto Him. (Matthew 25:40)

So today I want to encourage you to get yourself ready by coming into agreement with the Word of God and God’s people.  Even if it seems impossible to get into agreement with others, you can do this with the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit.  Ask Him to show you areas where you can put on righteous acts such as giving, praying and fasting and begin doing those things today.  Get a plan in place to be ready to give when an opportunity presents itself and then when you do, remember that you are doing it unto the Lord, too.  Don’t walk right by the hurting people around you, share the love of God with them in a kind act, just as Jesus did.  Then encourage other believers to do the same thing.  You can influence believers that you are around and help them to get ready also.  Put on the robe of fine linen today and continue to wear it until the day the Lord Jesus comes back to get His glorious bride prepared without spot or wrinkle.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:6-8

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 

7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 

8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

A voice from the throne

Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”  Revelation 19:5

This phrase struck me as I read through the passage for today.  A voice from the throne said, “Praise our God.”  As I stopped reading to consider it, I asked myself, Who is saying this?  It didn’t make sense that God would be saying from His throne “Praise our God.”  If it were God speaking, He would have said, “Praise Me!” 

Then I considered the fact that God is not the only One on the throne.  Even though there is one throne, it is occupied by three.  The triune God.  God the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus the Son.  The voice coming from the throne here is Jesus. 

Hebrews chapter 2 explains to us that Jesus is one with those who receive salvation.  Verse 11 proclaims He is not ashamed to call us brethren.  It goes on to say in verse 12 that He, Jesus declares God’s name to us and sings praises with us to God our Father.  Jesus leads us to the throne of God to praise and worship God right along with Him.  The passage in Hebrew even goes so far to say the Jesus puts His trust in God, just like we need to. He is truly the example we need to follow and the first and last in all things.

And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” – Hebrew 2:13

This is not a new thought for me but one that always causes me to be in awe of Him.  Jesus, our Savior, the perfect Lamb of God, the man part of the Godhead, worships God with us.  He leads us in praise to our Father and He is only complete with His whole body, the church.  Together and as one being, we trust in God our Father. Think about that.

Today I want to encourage you as you spend time in praise and worship, remember that Jesus is right there with you worshiping our Father and leading you in praise to Him.  Next Sunday when you go to church with your brothers and sisters in Christ, keep in mind that Jesus is worshiping with you.  He is the head of the body of believers, and He is the One that leads us to the throne, the One Who directs our steps.  So today, lets praise our God together with Jesus all those who fear Him both great and small.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:4-5

4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

Finally!

His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.” – Revelation 19:2

It has been some time since I wrote the Daily Dose blog.  Over two weeks now.  Although it was nice to have a break, I have to say that I miss writing each day and sharing with all of you the thoughts and encouraging words that come to my heart as I read the Word of God.  My husband and I had the great privilege to tour the travels of the apostle Paul through Greece and what a great treasure it was to see many of the places that I have written about over the past three years.  Included in our trip was a visit to the island of Patmos, which to me was one of the greatest highlights of the trip.  Now as I read and write out the final chapters of Revelation, my memories of the island come flooding back as I consider the place where the Lord Jesus revealed God’s plan for the end of this age to the apostle John.  After John wrote the words and images that were revealed to him, I am sure he had many questions and thoughts about the message he was given.  Probably one of the most frequent questions was: “How long before these things come to pass?” or “When would his suffering end?”

Maybe you have looked at the issues going on in the world today or the stresses that you face in life each day and asked similar questions.  “When will all the pressure end?” And “How long before all is made right?”

In today’s reading, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that this time of great tribulation is finally wrapping up.  Chapter 19 starts out with a celebration in heaven.  The hosts of God’s kingdom are shouting and praising God with all that is within us!  Our praise is that judgement has come on the earth and punishment for the corruption and the murdering of His servants has finally been executed.  No longer will God’s people in the world wonder how long they must suffer and is it finally the end of the government of perverse men and women.  The end of this time is here and now we will return with our Lord to take it all back!

So today if you are wondering how long it will be until things are made right, remember the time is near.  Look up to the One who has it all planned out and is lining up all things on His scheduled timeline.  Seek out His part of the plan He has for you and begin to step into your calling to get the work done.  It is only natural to want to be free from the pressures of life that we face day to day, but when you are living life in your designed space and calling, you will enjoy the time you spend here because your mission will bring others into the Kingdom of heaven with you forever.

Today I want to encourage you to change your focus from asking “How long oh Lord?” to “What is my assignment today, my Lord?”  As you purpose in your heart to fulfill God’s plan, you will have a sense of satisfaction and desire to not only do your part, but connect with others and grow along the way.  Start today to daily get the plan and then receive His empowering grace to complete, down to the last detail every step God’s Spirit points you to.  You only get one chance to live a life of purpose so start walking out that purpose today.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:1-3

1 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.

2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.”

3 And again their voices rang out: “Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”