The Daily Dose

His two witnesses

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.  Revelation 11:4

 The two witnesses are another place where people often get focused on who they are when reading Revelation.  Obviously, John was not told to identify them if he recognized them, that is why we really don’t know who theses two are.  So, let’s talk about what we do know about them.  Since the passage doesn’t tell us their names, it is pointless to try to guess.  It just isn’t important at this time, or it would have been written down for us to know. Their purpose is clear from their description.  They are called olive trees and lampstands.  They are anointed to be the light in Jerusalem for three and a half years during the Tribulation.  This goes back to a reference in Zecheriah 4.  (You can see the cross reference when you read the passage in verse 4)

So once again, God is making every provision for people in the world at that time to repent and follow Him.  First there was the 144,000 evangelists and now the two witnesses.  These witnesses are telling His story.  No one can touch them wrongly or harm them in any way or they will be consumed by fire.  This is a very exciting time in Jerusalem, however these witnesses will be hated by many.  And obviously, there will be those against them that will make multiple attempts to take their lives, unsuccessfully.  From the passage, it looks like they are causing bad things to happen in the earth, but that is often the very thing that turn hearts to God.

I used to think it would be really cool to be here at the time of the two witnesses because of the awesomeness of God’s power on them.  However, now I am thankful that I can just watch this scene play out from heaven and do not have to experience this treacherous time in person.

Today, we have many opportunities to see bad things going on around us.  Wars, earthquakes, storms, even volcanoes and fires out of control, but the message God wants to get to the world is the same.  He loves us and wants us to be victorious. His protection is with us and His salvation is for all of us.

Today I want to encourage you to be the light in the world around you.  Oh, I know you may not have this great anointing and power the two witnesses will have.  But you do have the same message to carry and that is that God loves all people unconditionally and wants to show up in their daily life to guide and protect.  Jesus came into the world to save all people and He wants everyone, everywhere to receive the truth of His great gift of salvation.  Decide today to let your life be a testimony for Him, then you will be sure to accomplish the purpose you were born into this world for.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:3-6

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 

5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 

6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The Temple of God

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. Revelation 11:1

Reading through the book of Revelation this time, I have come to recognize yet another truth to keep in mind to understanding the content.  That truth is, not to try to figure out the missing pieces, but to ask the questions: Why is the content included? and When is this event taking place? Unfortunately when reading the book of Revelation, we see it as a puzzle to try to figure out the missing pieces instead of putting attention on the detail that are written. 

There is a great example of this at the beginning of Chapter 11.  After John ate the little book and was told that he would prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings at the end of chapter 10, he was given a reed for measuring.  He was told by the angel to measure the temple and altar of God and all who worship there.  Because the finding of what he measured is never mentioned again, it is obvious that the focus of this verse is the temple, not the measurements. We know that the angel is talking about the temple in the world because John was told that the outer court has been given over to the gentiles (those without God).  The fact that there is a temple is the interesting part of this scripture.  At the time John was writing these words, the temple in Jerusalem had already been destroyed for the third time and there has not been a temple in it’s place since that time.  I’m sure when John saw the temple in his vision, he was completely amazed and drawn in. The temple at this point in time of the great tribulation would automatically allow us to conclude that the Jewish temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt no matter how impossible it may look today for that to happen.

However, in today’s world, the age of grace that we live in, God’s people are the temple of God.  We no longer must atone for our sin each year on Passover because the punishment of sin was paid through the blood of Jesus.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

When Jesus took the punishment of the sin of the world and nailed it to the cross, He paid the price of the perfect sacrifice for all who would receive it.  After He rose from that death on the cross and ascended into heaven, He sent God’s Spirit to live inside of the hearts of those who would receive His great gift of salvation.  Now we as God’s people have become His temple and dwelling place in the earth.  Instead of coming down to the Holy of Holies once a year to receive the sacrifice of the people, we daily give our lives as a living sacrifice.  In Romans 12:1-2 we find our mission and purpose in life today as a child of God.  It says: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Today I want to encourage you to live your life as a living sacrifice fit for the ministry of rescuing those who are lost and bringing them to the Savior of all.  He will not turn anyone away who asks because His blood paid the debt of all sin for all time.  Press into your calling today of being a living sacrifice and lift up your life in service to Him as a sweet smelling savor.  Then listen closely to the direction His Spirit speaks to you each day to follow and complete through His empowering grace and accomplish His plan for this time in history.  If you have never received His great gift of love and cleansing, do it today and lift up your life as a living sacrifice by praying the prayer below.  He will come into your heart and into your life and He will direct your path as you acknowledge Him in all your ways.

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 11:1-3

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 

2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

No Excuse

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.  Matthew 5:37

When I was young, I heard a lot of kids say the phrase, “I swear on a stack of Bibles.”  Meaning they were being as honest and authentic as they could possibly be.  Like one Bible was not enough to stress their point.  Today’s scripture says don’t swear by anything because you don’t even have the power to change any natural thing and there could be something else going on that you don’t’ even know about.  It goes on to say if you say Yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no, others will trust your word when it comes to important things, because you were trustworthy in the little things.

I like the way the message translation breaks this passage down.  It goes like this:

“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

So, the passages is telling us don’t say things you don’t intend to do, just to make yourself look super spiritual or putting on the pretense of caring.  I know in my own life, I tend to want to excuse or justify my responses to ensure that I am clearly communicating without offending others or making myself look bad.  But the truth is, I only need to be clear and not misleading in my answer.  That doesn’t mean I have to be rude, just give the answer “yes” or “no”.  Simple as that. No excuse needed.

Today I want to encourage you to be upfront with others.  Don’t but on a façade to pretend you are something that you are not.  That will only get you into trouble.  Be authentic and real with people and clearly communicate your intentions without being underhanded and sneaky.  Give clear and concise answers like yes and no, but don’t feel like you have to justify or excuse your response. Lastly, don’t make up and promise to do things for others that you don’t intend to do like praying for them or blessing them.  Just be honest and loving without making up excuses. Only then will you stay far from the intensions of the evil one.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:33-37

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 

34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 

35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 

36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 

37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Cut it off

_{And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  Matthew 5:30}

This scripture has always been a little disturbing to me.  I mean, it seems so dramatic and extreme to cut of your right hand and cast it from you.  Why would you cut off a part of your body?  Why not just remove the offense from your life.  However, now that I come back to this passage after some time, it makes perfect sense to me.  In fact, that is exactly what the message of the verse is.  If you are struggling with a sin or destructive habit that you can’t seem to shake, cut it off!  Cut off all connections with that behavior and get as far away from it as you possibly can.  The passage also says that if you are having trouble with what you are looking at, stop looking at it and get it out of your sight.

An example of this may be a toxic relationship that always seems to influence you to activities that you do not want to be involved in?  Cut it off.  Break off that relationship and get far from it.  Until you are strong enough and stable enough to say no to that undesired activity, flee from it to save your soul. If you struggle with addictive substances such as drugs or alcohol, cut them off.  Give yourself no access to them and stay far away from people who would try to lure you back in again.

It reminds me of Joseph, when Potiphar’s wife came onto him.  He cut that conversation, relationship and coat off as quickly as he could.  He ran out of the place because he knew that was the wrong environment for him to stay pure in.  This is a perfect example of how we should behave when approached with temptation.  Do not consider, do not count the cost just get away from it even if you have to leave something behind.

James 4:7 gives us the answer to any temptation that comes our way.  It says: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  When you acknowledge your Heavenly Father in all your ways, you are taking the first step in resisting the enemy and his plans to trap you in a sin that you cannot get away from.

Lastly, when you are in the position of struggling, it will be very frustrating as you continue to fall into the same pit, but don’t be discouraged. Instead ask for help. You do not have to overcome alone, in fact you probably never will. You need the strength and help of God’s Spirit and He is right there inside of you waiting for you to ask. Invite His wisdom and help into your circumstances to keep you far from any temptation and to lead you in a direction that is far from the offenses of the world.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all submit all your thoughts and ways to God.  Then He will strengthen you to resist the devil and his tricks to hold you in bondage to habits and addictions.  Next, cut off all relationships, activities and substances that cause you to stumble.  Cut them off and get far away from them.  The more you stay away, the easier it will be to keep away.  So, the next time your right hand tries to cause you to sin, cut that sin off before it ever happens.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:27-32

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 

28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 

32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

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.