The Daily Dose

Bitter Sweet

And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”  Revelation 10:9

I love God’s Word and I am so thankful that He has protected and preserved it through thousands of years of time so that we can still have it with us today.  I am also grateful that in today’s world, we have access to it at any time in abundance.  There is no shortage of His Word in the day we live in.  I know the love I have for the holy scripture was instilled in me as a young child. I didn’t get it at the time, but my father demonstrated daily his love for God’s love letter to the world.  I remember seeing him sitting in our living room reading it intently and he even started every prayer that he prayed by saying: “Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for your Word and the promises you gave us in it.”  My mother also spent time in God’s word daily, so it is no surprise that it grew up in me as I grew up around it continually.

In today’s reading, the apostle John received instructions to eat the little book that was held by the mighty angel. John reports after eating the book, that it tasted sweet in his mouth, but it also caused bitterness in his stomach. This is often what we experience as we “take in” God’s Word—bringing both joy and conviction, comfort and challenge.

As believers, we draw strength and encouragement from this imagery because it reminds us that God’s Word is nourishment for the soul: Just as John found the book sweet to the taste, God’s Word nourishes our souls and satisfies our spiritual hunger. In times of uncertainty and turmoil, the Word of God provides us with sustenance and strength to persevere.

The bitterness that John experienced after eating the book also helps us to remember the conviction and transformation that God’s Word brings to our lives. It challenges us to examine our hearts, repent of sin, and align our lives with God’s will. This is not always an easy thing to do, but He promises in His Word that He has given us His empowering grace to walk through every struggle to our victory as we trust Him every step of the way.

Revelation ten concludes with God’s commission to John to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. Similarly, as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and allow it to transform our lives, we are empowered to boldly share the message of salvation to the world around us.

This passage also reminds us that God’s Word is relevant and powerful in every season of life. Whether we are experiencing seasons of joy or seasons of trial, God’s Word remains a source of comfort, guidance, and strength. It speaks directly to our hearts, offering hope and encouragement even in the middle of trouble.

Today I want to encourage you as you read this message in Revelation ten to embrace the Word of God with humility and reverence. Allow it to penetrate deep into your heart, transforming you from the inside out. Find sweetness in His promises and allow His truth to convict and challenge you for strength and growth.  In a world filled with uncertainties and challenges, God’s Word stands firm as a source of hope and encouragement. Hold fast to its truths, allowing them to guide and empower you today to be a bold witnesses for the Lord Jesus.  With an open heart to receive the sweetness and the bitterness of God’s Word, you will be transformed into a vessel of His grace and an instrument of His love in a world in need of His salvation.  Create a love and desire in your life for God’s Word by spending time in it each day and when others see the importance it is in your life, they will be inspired to love it too.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 10:8-11

8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 

11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

His Timing

Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”. Revelation 10:4

 This passage in Revelation ten reminds me of Jesus during His time living in this physical world, when He would heal or rescue someone.  At the beginning of His ministry, He would tell people not to tell anyone He healed them because it was not yet His time to be known.  In the third year of ministering, He no longer tried to keep things quiet.  He knew it was time to get the attention of those who would fulfill the scripture of God’s plan for salvation.

Today, we are reading about the seventh trumpet that is about to sound.  In the preparation time of that blast, John is about to write what was going to be said in heaven, but he is instructed not to.  He heard a voice from heaven telling him to “Seal up what the seven thunders uttered and do not write it down.”  The angel that was positioned with one foot on the sea and one on land was holding a little book open in his hand.  This angel declared that there should be no more delay in finishing the mystery of God.  The book that is in the angel’s hand is open and ready to be revealed.

As I read about the angel holding the book, ready to reveal its contents, I am reminded of God’s divine purpose for my own life and yours. Each one of us has a unique role to play in God’s kingdom, and He equips us with His Word and His Spirit to fulfill that purpose. Just as John received instructions from the angel and heard the voice from heaven, we too have an important commission for our lives. We are called to be bold and courageous in proclaiming God’s good news to the world, even when it may be difficult or unpopular. The instruction to seal up the words of the seven thunders reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s timing and in His plan. There may be parts of God’s purpose that are not meant to be revealed to us at this time, but we can trust that His agenda will ultimately be fulfilled in our lives as we follow Him.

Today I want to encourage you to remain faithful and obedient to God’s Word and leading, even when you may not fully understand His ways. Like John, you are called to listen attentively to God’s voice and respond with faith and obedience. Remember that God’s divine call on your life and the importance of the mission is fulfilling that purpose. As you think about these verses be encouraged to trust in God’s timing, remain faithful to His Word, and boldly proclaim His truth to the world around you. In the middle of uncertainty and challenges, take comfort in the love of your heavenly Father and know that His purposes will prevail. With your heart open to His leading and ears tuned into His voice, you can walk in obedience and fulfill the divine purpose He has for your life. Like John, be ready and willing to receive the “little book” of God’s Word and revelation and walk out every detail that He has designed you to complete.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 10:1-7

1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 

2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 

3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 

4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven 

6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 

7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

Agree with your adversary

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Matthew 5:25

We live in an extremely angry world.  People everywhere are ready to tell you what they are irritated and angry about.  Whether it is the government, their job and even home life, most people are unhappy about their surroundings and want everyone around them to know about it.  They look for the problem in every circumstance of life, never considering that there is a positive side to the issue.

Today’s verse instructs us to be agreeable.  To even agree with your enemy/adversary.  This is not a popular message, and no one wants to hear that the right thing to do is to find a place of agreement in every conflict.  This is not to say that you agree with their complaints, but the passage does say that if you end up in court, the judge has no personal stake in the argument, and he will hand you over to be thrown in prison.

This is extreme, I know, but I can relate to this because I was once in a predicament where I was in a court battle.  If was ugly and there is no “being nice” in that situation.  Going through the court system will bring the worst out in anyone.  I felt defenseless because I was not willing to be ruthless and callous through the process.  As I prayed and committed the procedures to the LORD, I knew in my spirit that He was telling me to get this argument out of the courts and settle peacefully.  I did, but it felt like I was giving up.  I didn’t feel like I was being treated fairly, but at least I was the one who made the decision to settle which put the control in my hands.  I had no idea of the long-term benefits that would come from that decision.  All I could see in the moment was that I was giving up my rights and letting the other party off the hook.  Now years later, I am so thankful that I listened to God’s direction.  What could have been drawn out for years and hurt many innocent people along the way, was cut short with no lasting repercussions.  God took care of me and my rights after I surrendered them and got rid of the pride and anger that I was holding on to. 

Now when I read this scripture, it makes perfect sense to me.  When I agree with my adversary quickly and settle things in a peaceful way, it not only honors God, but it also gives Him an entrance into the situation to work thing out for good, every time.

Today I want to encourage you to put anger far from you.  Surrender all your hurts and offenses over to your loving Father.  He will take care of you as you give Him entrance into all the conflict you have in life.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:21-26

_{21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’} 

_{22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.} 

_{23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,} 

_{24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.} 

_{25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.} 

_{26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.}

God’s law

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  Matthew 5:17

As a young person, I was always under the impression that God gave the law/commandments to keep the people from sinning.  Even though that is true, I now realize that there was so much more to it.  Yes, God established the law as a foundation for the government of His nation Israel, but in reality, God was giving His people the instruction manual for successful living. It was actually the way He is and by following His way, we could like a peaceful and holy life.

Think about it.  God created the heavens and the earth.  Each part of creation knows their place and assignment.  They are constant and follow the directive they were given at the time they were made.  The sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening.  The moon goes through its phases the same way every month.  Plants form from their seeds and continue to produce more seed to grow the next season.  Even the solar system moves in the set course it was given in the beginning.

Then we have the laws of nature that never change.  The law of gravity we can depend on to always work.  We know that what goes up is coming back down again.  Only the law of lift supersedes that law.  The law that everything produces after its own kind will also never change.

The spirit world is no different. Spiritual laws are no different. Everyone lives and makes decision with the same spiritual results, but not everyone understands that you can choose to live under the curse by your own actions or under God’s blessings by following His ways.  These laws include things such as “you will reap what you sow”, “give and it will be given to you”, “seek and you will find” and “call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved.”

Looking at the laws of nature reveals to us that the commandments are God’s direction for success in living life with others.  God was not intending to control people, that is why He created us with the ability to choose.  In fact, we are the only part of His creation that was given that privilege.  God in His great love for us, did not leave people to figure out the road to success on their own, He gave us the guidelines to keep us lined up with the way He created us to live a life of victory.  God comes before everything else, don’t worship idols, only God.  Don’t use God’s name disrespectfully or in vain.  He even created us to require a day of rest and gave us the gift of the sabbath to take that day.  Honor and respect your parents. Don’t kill others.  Don’t commit adultery or steal.  Don’t lie and gossip and don’t desire to have other people’s possessions.

When you look at God’s direction in the light of His love and the way He created us to be successful, you can easily see that His law is the way He created a society to work and to exist peacefully within His created world.

Thank goodness these concepts have been preserved through time so that we can know how to live in peace and flourish even in these chaotic times.  In today’s scripture, Jesus said He came to fulfill the law.  That doesn’t mean it is no longer something we need to follow.  On the contrary, He showed us that when we live life by the manual, we can fulfill every detail of the plan of God for our lives.

Today I want to encourage you to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, the way He established us to live in this world.  He never intended for us to make it up as we go.  He clearly gave us the procedures that lead us to His perfect peace.  Line up your life with God’s success principles today and watch how plainly He reveals all His goodness in your daily living.  This may require you to spend some time digging in and learning more about His supernatural love for you, but that time spent will be exceedingly more profitable than the hours you spend on social media or watching t.v.  Decide today that you are going to make 2024 the year that you get into agreement with God’s laws of success and take the time to focus on all the love and goodness He has stored up for you along that path.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:17-20

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 

18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 

19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Is there hope?

So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.  Revelation 9:15

Recently, I watched a movie that was set during the time of WW1.  The backdrop surrounding each scene was devasting with continual explosions and chaos.   The scenes that were most impactful for me were focused on the medical provisions of the war.  It was a new idea for me to consider that there was a need to move the medical camps as the bombing got closer to the current locations.  Many of the dying soldiers had to be left behind because of the urgency to move before everything and everyone was destroyed.  I have to admit that some of the images were hard for me to look at, as wounded and dying servicemen were brought into the camp for aide.  As grewsome as the film made it, these made-up scenes would never be as horrific as the real life nightmare of the reality of war.  Just watching the reenactment of that time made me feel the sense of hopelessness that the people were undoubtedly feeling.  As we read today’s passage, there is a description of a war that will far surpass any war that this world has ever seen in the past.  It will be easy for people to lose all hope that are left here to go through it.

In today’s reading, it is obvious that John is seeing into the spirit realm as well at the natural.  The beginning of this section took place in heaven and then angelic forces are released on earth.  After that, John describes an army with a specific number of horsemen in the natural world.  This huge army kills one third of the world’s population with fire, smoke and brimstone.

After reading about this devasting event, it is easy to feel like there would be no hope for anyone that is in the world in those days.  That is when I must remind myself that God is still the same God and His mission to find those who will call out to Him is still the same. While it will seem like there is not hope in that time of great tribulation, God will still save those who call on His name and receive His salvation.

As we read the details of the events happening in this chapter, it is plain to see that God is not caught off guard by the things happening to people.  He is ever watching and ready to respond from heaven as things are wrapping up here in the world.  Just as He is watching us in the days that we live in and ready to help and empower us through the troubles we face each day, He will be with those who recognize their need for Him in that dark hour.  We can trust His faithfulness and unfailing love today and it will go on for eternity, even during the time of tribulation beyond anything this world has ever seen before.

Additionally, the power of prayer will be at work during this rise of enemy forces.  We saw the importance of prayer as an essential weapon in spiritual warfare. In chapter eight, we saw the prayers of the saints as powerful incense rising before the throne of God (Revelation 8:3-4), and they have the ability to bring about change and intervention during this time of adversity.  Even though the circumstances around them may not change, hearts and lives will be turned around by the transforming power of heaven.  Just as we stand in our faith today against enemy forces that try to stop our purpose and mission in life, the saints of the tribulation time will still be standing with their weapons of warfare and sword of the spirit to accomplish their mission then.

The trials and tribulations described in Revelation should be a reminder of the importance of perseverance and endurance when we face adversity in the days we live in. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our hope is anchored in Christ Jesus the Lord, who has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Today I want to encourage you that as you read this passage of scripture keep in mind the hope we have in our salvation in the blood of Jesus. Even in the middle of circumstances of adversity and hardship, find comfort in God’s love, goodness and purpose for your life.  Connect with Him continually through the power of prayer and endure through perseverance as a soldier in the army of the Lord. Remember you have His promise of victory in Jesus because He has already won the war and hold fast to His hope as you walk right through life’s trials and tribulations. 

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 9:13-21

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 

14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 

15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 

16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 

17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 

18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 

19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 

21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The Spirit Realm

Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that fell from heaven to earth, and he was handed the key to the shaft leading down to the pit of the deep.  Revelation 9:1

God created people to be a three part being, made up of a body, a soul and a spirit. Our body is the part of us that moves us around in this physical world.  It also allows us to be seen and gives us authority in the earth.  Without a body, we cannot operate according to the laws of physics on this planet.  Our soul consists of our mind, will and emotions.  We think, feel and make choices from that part of who we are.  Then there is our spirit person.  This is the part that connects with God, the part of us that operates in faith and learns from the Holy Spirit when He lives on the inside of us.  Our spirit part is where God takes up residence.

As a three part being, there are three parts to our world also.  There is the physical part that we move around in, there is the soul part of how we connect with others. There is also the spirit part that we cannot see, but we know by faith it is there.  The spirit world is not some place far away or only in the heavenly realm.  It is the part of this world that we live in that either tries to pull us in a negative direction or we choose to move toward God through His Holy Spirit.

As we begin reading Revelation Nine, we see an intense scene unfolding.  The fifth trumpet sounds and a fallen star from heaven was given the key to the bottomless pit. With that key there is now released on the earth of great locusts that come out of a cloud of smoke.  These locust are fierce and they have power to torment the people on the earth that do not have the seal of God on them.  They are not given power to kill people or any vegetation that is still alive in the world at that time.  The passage says these locusts will afflict the people of earth for five months.

As I read about these images and the description of these unimaginable creatures and events taking place, I ask myself if these are physical scenes that the apostle John was describing or was he writing about what he was seeing in the spirit realm.  These spiritual forces coming against people to turn hearts to God or away from Him.  My other consideration is that John was trying to explain things of the future that he had never see before and didn’t have words at the time for what he was seeing.  Either way, the results were the same.  People were being tormented and through that time of suffering, people were either turning to God or away from Him.

The reality is that the people that are in the world during the time that the pit is open will face the same choice that we do today.  That decision is to call out to God for salvation and protection or to turn away from Him and run to a hiding place.  Whether we view this from the perspective of the physical world or the spiritual world doesn’t change the fact that we have been given the choice to choose and that is what sets us apart from every other created being.  In the words of Deuteronomy 30:19, Life and death have been set before us to choose. Psst, the correct answer is to choose life so that you and your children may live with Him forever.

Today I want to encourage you to not be full of fear when you read about these disturbing images through this vision John wrote.  Instead, view these words through the same lens that you view the world today, through the spirit realm.  We know there is activity out there that we cannot see with our physical eyes and that even though the battle tries to rage on, our enemy has already been defeated.  Rejoice today in knowing we already have the victory and that despite the enemy’s efforts to derail us, when we call out to our heavenly Father and follow His lead, He will take us through every opposition to triumph.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 9:1-12

1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 

2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 

3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 

4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 

5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 

6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 

8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 

9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 

10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 

11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

The first four Trumpets

The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.  Revelation 8:7

We are getting deep into the book of Revelation now.  As we read more each day, I am recognizing that it is getting harder to find an encouraging message in the things we are about to read.  Yesterday, we saw the seven angels at the throne of God given seven trumpets.  Today, these angels are released to sound these horns.  For the rest of chapter eight, the first four angels blow their trumpet to release devastation in the world.  First the vegetation is struck with hail, fire and blood.  As the second angel sounds his horn, a third of the sea became blood and one third of the creatures living in the sea died.  After the third angel’s horn sounds, a great star falls from heaven burning like a torch and pollutes a third of the rivers and springs of water, contaminating them so that the water is unusable.  When the fourth angel sounds, one third of the sun, moon and stars are darkened.  Then comes a pause from the trumpet blasts so that another angel can give a warning of the remaining three angels to sound their trumpets

These powerful images of heavenly action with the angels sounding their trumpets, show us imagery that seem very intimidating on the surface, but we can find encouragement and hope in the passages we are about to read of the events to come. I will remind us all here that this is God’s book and His plan to use these events to reach the masses of people still on the earth. Below are four reminders of where we can keep our focus as we read through what looks and sounds like total devastation in the world.

1. Remember that God’s plan and actions, even those depicted in the book of Revelation, are always purposeful and just. As the ruler of the universe, He works all things according to His will and for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Therefore, even in the face of apparent chaos, we can trust that God is at work, bringing about His divine plan for redemption and restoration.
2. Let’s use the book of Revelation as a reminder of the urgency of our faith and the need for being ready spiritually. Just as the trumpet blast signals the beginning of divine intervention, it calls us to examine our hearts and draw closer to God. Purpose to use the time we have now to deepen our relationship with Him, by seeking His guidance and surrendering to His plan and purpose for our lives each day.
3. We can also find comfort in the promise of God’s presence with us in every circumstance. In times of uncertainty and upheaval, we can take refuge in the assurance that God is our ever-present help and strength (Psalm 46:1). He is our shelter in the storm, providing peace and protection right in the middle of life’s challenges.
4. We can view Revelation 8 as a call to action. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be agents of His love and light in a world that desperately needs it. We can extend compassion and kindness to those around us, sharing the hope and truth of the gospel with boldness and His empowering grace.

So today, I want to encourage you that even through these scenes of unsettling images, find encouragement and hope in the middle of it all. Trust in God’s love and plan for your life and draw near to Him in faith and prayer. Take refuge in His presence, and be a bold witness of His love and provision of salvation to the world while we still have time. If you have never received His gift of salvation, do that today by praying the prayer below from your heart. Jesus will come into your life and lead you in His perfect path of righteousness.

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: Revelation 8:7-13

7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 

9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 

11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

In the stillness

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  Revelation 8:1

 When I was ten years old, my family took a trip to Washington D.C.  It was the perfect time for me to go.  Even though I didn’t understand the significance of many sights, I was old enough to remember them for the day when I learned more about these places.  One particular ceremony we witnessed was the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.  At the time, I had no idea what was going on, but the memory of the display by “The Old Guard” a special Army unit of the 3^rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, is still with me today.  Everyday, at the top of each hour, a relief commander shows up at the tomb and announces the Changing of the Guard.  Then the ceremony begins.  The soldiers go through a series of steps and pauses facing East and turns to face north for 21 seconds each.  Every motion is done 21 times to represent the highest military honor (the 21-gun salute) that a soldier can receive for giving their life in service to their country.  When the commander appears to execute the shift change, the crowds that are watching become completely silent.  As a ten year old child, that is what I noticed the most.  Complete stillness is hard when you are that age, at least it was for me.  Even though I didn’t understand what was going on, in the silence, there was a reason for the ceremonial procedure and a significance for every step they took.  Something was happening much deeper than just some guards taking 21 steps and looking in certain directions.  They were guarding a place of honor and continually reminding the onlookers that this was a place to be given the highest respect because of the lives it represented.

As we read today at the beginning of Revelations eight, the seventh seal is opened from the scroll that only the Lamb of God can open.  Immediately after the seal is broken, there is silence in heaven for a half hour.  Even though it is quiet, things are happening that everyone there is watching.  Seven angels appear and they are given seven trumpets.  Another angel stood at the altar and offered up incense along with the prayers of the saints on the earth. The scent of the incense along with to the prayers are lifted up to God and then the angel throws the golden censer full of fire to the earth.  That sets off a series of thundering, lightnings and another great earthquake.  This ceremony is made in preparation for the seven angels to sound their trumpets.  While there is complete silence in this scene, there is still something going on of great significance.  This final seal of the scroll is about to set in motion another series of seven in the sounding of the trumpet by the angels who hold them.

As I consider this scene and the prayers of the saint’s involvement in it, it occurs to me that many times this happens when we pray for something here in the world, yet we do not see any results right away.  Even though the circumstances we are praying about do not seem to change immediately, there is something much deeper happening.  Heaven is positioning and preparing the answer and beginning to put pressure on the situation to change.  We can remember this time of stillness as we wait and watch for the answer to arrive in our trouble and be assured that even though it doesn’t look like much is happening, heaven is on the move.

Today I want to encourage you to rejoice as you lift up your requests and petitions to your Father in heaven.  Get excited and know that as soon as you make your need known to God, heaven is put into action.  Things are beginning to shift at the command to the angelic forces and your answer will soon be on its way. Keep in mind that just as this scene in today’s reading or even the changing of the guard, something much deeper is happening in the silence. Oh, you may not see any thunder and lightning, but you will have that peace and confidence that in the stillness, things are about to change.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 8:1-6

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

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 

3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 

4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 

5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Ask the question

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” Revelation 7:13

 Each day as I write the Daily Dose, I ask the Holy Spirit two questions:  1. What do you want to show me in this passage of scripture today? 2. What truth do you want me to write about and share?  These are good questions, yet most times I am still amazed that He answers those questions so quickly as I read His Word.  I don’t have to get down on my knees and beg for revelation and I don’t have to wait for days for the answers to come.  I just begin writing what He puts on my heart and many times it unfolds as I write.  Whatever He highlights in a passage, I begin to think about it and then begin writing about it and as I do, He opens up my understanding even more.  This is one of the reasons I encourage all people to journal.  Not only does it help in processing your thoughts and feelings, but more revelation comes as a result of writing down the things God’s Spirit is showing you at the time.

In today’s reading, the apostle John has just watched as the 144,000 servants of God have been sealed on the forehead with God’s seal in the world.  When he is finished watching angel that is doing the sealing on the earth, his attention is drawn back to the throne of God.  Suddenly, there is a great celebration going on again!  A multitude of newcomers of every nation, tribe and tongue are now standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb of God, their Savior.  This innumerable crowd is clothed in white robes, holding up palm branches and praising God with a loud voice saying: “Salvation belongs to our God Who sits on the throne, and the Lamb!”  This seems to be a contagious shout because everyone else that is there around the throne joins in with the worship and they know just what to sing: “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever, Amen!”

While this is happening, John is questioned by one of the elders, who seems to be close to him or guiding him at this point in the vision. The elder asks: “Who are those dressed in white robes and where did they come from?”  John does not try to guess or make up an answer that might sound intelligent or wise, he simply says: “Please, tell me what you know about them.”  As this vision and scripture is being revealed to John, I love that he doesn’t pretend like he understands it all.  He writes what is given to him by faith, but he asks questions along the way when given the opportunity. It is almost like the elder senses that John has a question right now and then asks him.

The elder explains that what John is seeing is millions of people that have come out of the Great Tribulation who were turned to salvation by the 144,000 witnesses that he had just seen get sealed by the angel.  These that have been saved at that time are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple.  God the Father lives among them and they will never hunger or thirst anymore because the Lamb of God will be shepherding them and leading them to living fountains of waters.  Then God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  These that are before the throne have suffered much in the Great Tribulation and now, they are home with the Lord, never to suffer again for all eternity. 

This is a great scene and a joyous celebration of those who have been persecuted and afflicted beyond anything we know today. Now they are in heaven away from the terrible misery of the Great Tribulation.  God personally wipes away their tears and grief and welcomes them home!  John did not ask any more questions like: Why did they have to suffer so much?   Why were they left on earth for so long? or Why didn’t God protect them from suffering?  He receives by faith that the end result was salvation that brought them to the end of suffering and into Glory to ever be with their Lord.

Today I want to encourage you to ask questions.  Especially when you have trouble understanding scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the message that He has for you in it at that time.  Begin to write out the things that He is showing you.  Recognize that you don’t have to know all the details, be satisfied with what you receive in the moment and by faith apply that to your heart and life.  Don’t be so set on understanding the whole council of God in one moment, because it will never happen.  God is way to big for us to ever understand Him completely.  The good news is that He will give you exactly what you need in your moment of struggle as you ask and receive His assurance to your heart! Trust Him today to lead you in that perfect path and them by faith start walking on it.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 7:9-17

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 

10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 

12 saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”

14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 

16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 

17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Let your light shine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

What do you see when you reflect back on your life and ask the questions: Have I achieved everything I have set out to do so far?  How am I doing with the goals I have set in my life to accomplish?  What areas can I do better?

If you have never set goals, it is not to late to start now. Having a vision for where you are going and what is coming up will strengthen and grow your relationship with your heavenly Father and others.  Objectives such as: Spend quiet time with God each day.  Get physically fit/healthier.  Make a conscience effort to connect with family and friends more.  Save money or learn a new skill.  The possibilities are endless.

If you have no idea where to start, learn from today’s scripture.  Jesus gave us three things that we can do each day that will impact our lives like nothing ever has before this time.  He said:

1.         Let your light shine for everyone

2.         Let it shine through doing good for others

3.         Glorify your Father in heaven

These three things are connected and when you do the first one, the other two are the result.  For example, serving others at every opportunity, whether it is an act of kindness, an encouraging word or a gift to help someone who is struggling financially, are examples of how you shine God’s light in the world.  As you help others in love, you are showing them how important they are to you and also to God.  You are representing your Father in heaven as you reach into lives around you with your “good works.”  Sure, we share the message of the gospel with others, but even Jesus helped others with the physical needs before He told them the good news of salvation.  The truth is that helping others with what they think they need first, prepares their heart for the message that God loves them unconditionally and wants to rescue them from an eternal life separated from Him.

Today I want to encourage you to start fresh with the decision to do good to others every day.  Become aware and look for those that you can bless.  Set a goal each morning that you are going to touch at least one person’s life today.  If you get to the end of the day and it hasn’t happened, send a message of encouragement to someone or give them a call.  Sure, these things take some of your time and effort, but the richness they will produce in your life is priceless.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.