December 29, 2008

Revelation 20:1-15

The Thousand Years
1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Satan's Doom
7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Dead Are Judged
11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

December 28, 2008

Revelation 19:1-21

Hallelujah!
1After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
"Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 3And again they shouted:
"Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
4The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
"Amen, Hallelujah!"

5Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both small and great!"

6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

9Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

10At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

The Rider on the White Horse
11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."

19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

December 26, 2008

Revelation 17:1-18

The Woman and the Beast
1One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5This title was written on her forehead:
MYSTERY
BABYLON THE GREAT
THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.

9"This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

12"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

15Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."

December 25, 2008

Revelation 16:1-21

The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth." 2The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
3The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.

4The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:
"You are just in these judgments,
you who are and who were, the Holy One,
because you have so judged;
6for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."

7And I heard the altar respond:
"Yes, Lord God Almighty,
true and just are your judgments."

8The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

10The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

12The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13Then I saw three evil[a] spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

15"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."

16Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

17The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

December 24, 2008

Revelation 15:1-8

Seven Angels with Seven Plagues
1I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God's wrath is completed. 2And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
4Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."
5After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. 6Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

December 23, 2008

Revelation 14:1-20

The Lamb and the 144,000
1Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
The Three Angels
6Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
8A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."

9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." 12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

13Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

The Harvest of the Earth
14I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man"[a] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

December 22, 2008

Revelation 13:1b-18

The Beast out of the Sea
And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. 4Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"
5The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.[b]

9He who has an ear, let him hear.
10If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed[c] with the sword,
with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

The Beast out of the Earth
11Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

December 21, 2008

Revelation 12-13:1

The Woman and the Dragon
1A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. 5She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."

13When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 13
1And the dragon[a] stood on the shore of the sea.

December 20, 2008

Revelation 11:1-19

The Two Witnesses
1I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. 2But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

11But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

13At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

The Seventh Trumpet
15The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he will reign for ever and ever." 16And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying:
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.
18The nations were angry; and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your saints and those who reverence your name,
both small and great—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

December 19, 2008

Revelation 10:1-11

The Angel and the Little Scroll
1Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
5Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! 7But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

8Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

9So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." 10I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."

December 18, 2008

Revelation 9:1-21

1The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

7The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.[a]

12The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

13The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns[b] of the golden altar that is before God. 14It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

17The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

20The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

December 17, 2008

Revelation 8:1-13

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

3Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

The Trumpets
6Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
7The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

8The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

12The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, 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 turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

13As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

December 16, 2008

Revelation 7:1-17

Revelation 7
144,000 Sealed
1After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." 11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
13Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

14I answered, "Sir, you know."

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
16Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

December 15, 2008

Revelation 6:1-17

Revelation 6

The Seals

1I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
3When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart[a] of wheat for a day's wages,[b] and three quarts of barley for a day's wages,[c] and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

7When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

12I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

15Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

December 11, 2008

Revelation 2:18-3:6

To the Church in Thyatira

18"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—

27'He will rule them with an iron scepter;

he will dash them to pieces like pottery'[a]— just as I have received authority from my Father. 28I will also give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3

To the Church in Sardis

1"To the angel[b] of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[c]of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Decemeber 10, 2008

Revelation 2:1-17

To the church in Ephesus

1"To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

To the Church in Smyrna

8"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

To the Church in Pergamum

12"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. 15Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

December 9, 2008

Revelation 1:1-20

1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

4John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

7Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

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

One like a Son of Man
9I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

12I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"[b]dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

17When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

19"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[c] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

December 8, 2008

Jude 1:1-25

One day judgment will come and God will evaluate our lives.

let us be careful not to be grumblers and faultfinders; to be boastful or flatter others for our own advantage.

but instead, let us encourage one another to build ourselves up in our faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit.

and let us remember to be merciful to those who doubt about the faith, but to show love and grace.

"mercy, mixed with fear"...to show mercy because we have shown mercy and to fear Him because He is the only true God.

December 7, 2008

3 John 1:1-14

"...do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God."

let us be imitate those who do good and so please God. who in your life would you like to imitate? is anyone trying to imitate you?

may we today continue to walk in faithful to Him and His truth.

have a blessed day today and enjoy His presence.

December 6, 2008

2 John 1:1-13

command: love one another & walk in love.

i find qt important, because it allows me to realign my life to the Word of God and it gives me time to ask myself if i am being obedient to God's commands. for instance today, i would think about the people in my life, and if i am really loving them. am i really walking in love? or am i being selfish? do i care as much for them as i care for myself?

the word "continue" seems to be popping up a lot lately. the scripture indicates that we can "lose" what we have worked for. having obeyed God once doesn't really matter all that much, God wants us to obey Him on a consistent basis. He desires us to be faithful to Him as He is faithful to us.

December 5, 2008

1 John 5:1-21

it's funny, but when you love, things are much easier to do. the love overwhelms. and when we are in love with God, it is so true that his commands are not burdensome. they become a delight, for we do them for Him.

do we pray with confidence? well, we know that if we ask for anything according to his will, he hears us. so let's pray prayers that go after what God wants, and we'll see God using us even more.

don't want the evil one to touch/harm you? simple. if we do not continue to sin, he has no right to do anything to us. no authority. confess sins regularly and be continually covered by His blood. you'll be untouchable.

December 4, 2008

1 John 4:1-21

wow.

2 verses that have made a great impact in my life:

"...because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." this verse has given me such boldness in life, knowing that there is nothing in the world that i need to be afraid of.

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." to the degree we love others, is the degree that God lives in us. and since we are called to be Him in this world, are we love?

dear friends, let's love one another, for love comes from God. if you are finding it difficult to love a certain person today, ask God for help and He'll fill you up with love overflowing.

December 3, 2008

1 John 3:7-24

Continuing on his thoughts on hate, today we are told that anyone who hates is a murderer and anyone who is a murderer does not have eternal life. Pretty serious stuff.

another hard core msg today: "and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers". wow. are we ready to do this given opportunity?

"...let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth." amen. let's go out there and love family, friends, co-workers, brothers/sisters and strangers.

let's continue to obey His commands: believe in Him and love one another and so be able to enjoy His fellowship.

December 2, 2008

1 John 2:18-3:6

Dear Friends,

The sermon of Hope continues to resonate through this Daniel and 1 John passage. With no qualms, we do live in the last days and we need to be wary of doctrines and words that do not adhere with the Bible, the Spirit inside us or produce good fruit.

That said, I pray that continually you live as children of God, righteous and pure. So that when the time comes, you will stand without shirking before our King.

December 1, 2008

1 John 2

Dear Friends,

The resonating theme of NT never ceases to blow me away as it contrasts so starkly with the OT. Yes we may sin, but no sin can hold us back from our Father. We just need to be like the prodigal son (Luke 15)...repentant and willing to come home. No sacrifice necessary. This is the same solace you can give to your non-Christian friends when they are tired of the world and are in the pits. Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for them too.

I hope that sacrifice spurs you on to obey His commands. You get to know Him, He gets to know you, your friends get to know Him. The effects are pure domino. That act is an act of love for Him and for others, fulfilling love the Lord Your God and love your neighbors as you love yourself. And that's how Jesus walked. Aspire to do the same.

May your love for Him grow strong and conquer the world. More love to Thee. :)

November 30, 2008

1 John 1:1-10

John wrote this letter to put believers back on track, since at the time the main problem with the church was declining commitment: many believers were conforming to the standards of the world, failing to stand up for Christ, and compromising their faith.

-yes God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. We can not both walk in sin and be friends with God. but when we confess our sins, He does forgive us (purify us from ALL sin), and we then enjoy wonderful fellowship with Him and each other (the Body of Christ).

November 29, 2008

2 Peter 3

Interview with Myself:
Q: How do I react to people who taunt me about Jesus' seemingly delayed coming?
A: Well, I have friends that sadly, encourage me to do things that are not good. I am sorely tempted and I have stumbled along the way. Father You forgive me, but forgive them Father, they know not what they do!

I need to speak the gospel and answer in love. He has perfect timing and He waits so that all may hear the gospel. He gives me and my family time to be saved. He gives your family time to be saved! The Lord's patience gives people time to be saved.

Q: How will I respond to the day of the Lord?
A: Calmly, joyfully and not running away to "pray". You?

November 28, 2008

2 Peter 2:1-22

It says "Many will follow", speaking about people who would be deceived by the false teachers...best way for us to avoid this is to really know our Word and to test everything against it.

as God has done so in the past, we can be confident that God will rescue godly men and hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment.

when God is speaking about the unrighteous, the words "bold, arrogant, slander, blaspheme, boastful" all leap off the page. we would be wise to be cautious in this area and to be clothed always with humility and reverent fear.

people always ask me why i want to be Christian, and telling me that it's so restrictive. they tell me that life without God promises "freedom", but like the Word says they themselves are "slaves of depravity".

our prayer is that they may come to the knowledge of God and so be truly set free. this is our purpose to share with them the Gospel.

i am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...

November 27, 2008

2 Peter 1:1-21

-"make every effort..." and "if you do these things...", much of what is speaking to me today, speaks about taking an active role in our daily walk with God. it is up to us to receive His promises so that we may participate in his divine nature and escape the corruption in the world.

-"remind you of these things,...", "it is right to refresh your memory", and "be able to remember these things." Many of the things we read or hear on Sundays we might have already heard, but the Christian life is not necessarily about learning new stuff all the time, but instead an ongoing remembering and meditation of the truths of our faith.

-during that time and even now, there will always be false teachers. but throughout it all, we know that we can depend on God's Word to check whatever we are hearing. For the scripture didn't come about because of man's interpretation but was God speaking through men. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a lamp for our path. Keep the Word close to your hearts.

November 26, 2008

1 Peter 4:7 - 5:14

-before anything i gotta love first, since it covers over a multitude of sins.

-also a reminder that i need to be an example in word, deed, faith and love.

-there are wonderful things that happen with submission. we talked it in the area of marriage/jobs a couple days ago, but today we are talking about being submissive to those older. we need to be clothed with humility at all times and respect one another.

-God, we cast ALL OUR ANXIETIES on You, because You do care for us.

-let's continue to be alert and encourage one another, since we know the enemy prowls around wanting to devour us.

November 25th 2008

Daniel 1 - 2:23

Sometimes you really need to just fast to make something happen. It might not make sense to the physical eye. People think you're starving yourself. People think you're trying to lose weight. People just don't get it. But I can tell you that it is worth it.

This is a shoutout to a friend who's doing the Daniel fast now. You will stand apart and really shine in the workplace and beyond! You will look healthier and God will honor you with wisdom...to be as shrewd as a serpent but as innocent as a dove (Matthew 10:16).

Who knows, maybe even the interpretation of dreams? :)

Stand strong in the fast!

1 Peter 3:8 - 4:6

We live in a complaining and self-indulgent society. We are so used to everything being impeccable. You can call it high standards, but when things don't go right, we are easily jilted, get moody and things can go from bad to worse as we complain or speak badly of someone. But don't let evil run wild in your speech. It just opens up the door for resentment, jealousy, bitterness and more.

Choose not to exacerbate the situation. Seek peace and blessing in all situations and with all people. Take heart that truly, "12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”[b]

Things to meditate on:
- Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Do you ask for His counsel in the things that matter? Even how to approach looking for a job? How to deal with your boss? Are His words and instructions lived out in your life?
- Are you spending your life "chasing your own desires?"

Meditate also on the psalm and proverb.

May your day be filled with thanksgiving.

November 24th 2008

1 Peter 2: 11 - 3:17

Dear Friends,

When you're on vacay nothing is really yours except for your experience and the retained remnants of pictures and keepsakes. You cannot maintain any type of ownership of the physicalities of your location in a continued state. The hotel room, the amazing sights and smells...they are all on a limited time offer.

This passage reminds me that my life is just as temporary as that. So while we are here we should live it upright and with impact, knowing that people are watching us. We have a responsibility towards them and to God for that. Who knows how they are affected by you?

And living uprightly also means submitting to the authorities placed in our time. God put them there. Here in Hong Kong it's the SAR government, our bosses, our supervisors, etc.. And especially when ordinances or their requests are nonsensical and drive you up the wall, remember that "God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you."

Remember, our crowns are for us in heaven. But also our temporary growing pains allow us to share with Jesus in the fellowship of suffering.

I pray that your perspectives be continually made more eternal.

November 23, 2008

1 Peter 1:13-2:10

We need to be people of action and self-control, who live lives not according to our previous evil desires but instead to be holy in ALL WE DO! And He will judge us, so we are called to live in reverent fear. (We need to talk about reverent fear more.)

And again I'm reminded to love brothers deeply from the heart and not superficially.

Let's all encourage one another to crave spiritual milk (HIS WORD) like newborns and so GROW UP in our salvation.

For we have tasted that the LORD is good!

November 22, 2008

1 Peter 1:1-12

We talked about the gap between a self-centered and a Christ-centered Christian recently. One of the differences between the two is in the area of faith/belief:

Do you believe that God chose us to be His? (and not the other way around)

Do you believe that you have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade?

Do you believe that a loving Father allows us to have trials in life?

Although we DO NOT SEE HIM, we do love Him and believe in Him.

and curiously enough, when we do believe we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!!!

so let's start believing in Him and what He tells us about ourselves. (Let's be Teflon ppl!)

Let's believe ALL of His Word.

November 21, 2008

James 5:1-20

The first part makes me think about the present financial crisis. How our earthly wealth will not make it into our next life, and it made me think if I lived in luxury and self-indulgence.

I like the admonition today to not grumble. Life is so much better free of any grumblings.

v12 talks about us saying what we mean. God wants our word to actually mean something.

The last bit talks a lot of prayer. I need to pray more and with more faith. Hey, if Elijah who is one of us could do it, then we too can pray prayers that bring in the rain.

November 20, 2008

James 4: 1 - 17

James wrote this with some really extreme and hard-hitting language. I hope his intensity and good intentions really drive home the points the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about the importance of drawing close to God.

*****

How do you quell "quarrels and fights" in the church?
How do you control "the evil desires at war within you"?
How do you get rid of jealousy?

All these problems are resolved by continually drawing close to God and looking only to Him to satisfy. I know this by experience. I still stumble when my logic propels me to attain things in a worldly way by striving or other means. But James challenges me:

Could I be being "spiritually adulterous" in doing so?

That sounds overly dramatic but God speaks of loving and longing for us like a husband longs for his wife! The whole book of Hosea talks about that. God longs for me to be completely with Him. God is JEALOUS for me! Us! Crazy! He's God!! He longs to provide in our lives and yearns for us to go to Him with our longings.

God calls us to draw close to Him. Are you doing so with everything you are? And if you're not, remember that God is gracious. He gives us second chances. He gives us xth number of chances.

I pray that you come before God and repent if you have been proud and resorting to your own ways. I pray that your loyalty glorifies God and you will see Him glorifying you. I pray in drawing near you will be overwhelmed and overflowing with God's love.

November 19th 2008

James 2:18-3:18

Does your actions/deeds carry out your faith? It is through that living faith we experience that connection with God and witness Him in action. Hebrews 11:1.

Please pray for the leaders of Solomon's Porch. They really need it! I really need it! Your blessings and prayers are heard by God and are powerful! I can testify of one occasion where I had vivid nightmares and I shared this with the Intercessory Prayer Team. They prayed over me and I slept so well!

Tongues are a fickle thing. Mine is. This passage suggests to me that instead of relying on my tongue to do good things, I can do good by action. Loving others by giving them what they need and loving God by spending time with Him and doing what He asks of me.

Tough but good things for all of us to think about:
- Why are you doing good? Is it for your "selfish ambition"? Or is it "humility that comes from wisdom" that spurs you on?
- Are you boasting and/or lying about the things you do?
- People may look at you and see you as a Christ-centered person, but God sees your heart. If the motivation for your works are jealousy and selfishness, repent and ask the Holy Spirit to give you God's wisdom which is all of v17 - 18. Also know you have the authority to command the demonic things to go to Jesus' feet. Very much like how Pr. Jenny taught us in the relationship seminar. And if you need guidance, please remember we are available for you.

May the Holy Spirit speak deep into your hearts and convict you of God's desire to see goodness overflow from your life.

See you tonight!

November 18th 2008

Ezekiel 37:1 - 38:23 is one of my favorite passages, because it shows how God chooses to use His prophet Ezekiel to raise up a whole army of warriors from dry bones.

I don't need to do that yet, but this passage has still spoken into my life about God's ability to change something dry and hopeless into something vital and hope-filled. Say, my life when I'm burnt out?

I hope this will remind you that when God tells you to prophesy over something, it also means He's given you the power to do so. He will not lead you through something without the ability to carry it out. This segues into the NT part of November 18th, James 1:22-25. The verses here remind us that God doesn't speak to us through His word for nothing. So activate your faith (James 2:14) and carry out those deeds!

November 17th 2008

James 1: 1 - 26

I have a confession to make: I'm no athlete.

So when James tells me to have pure joy when my faith is tested to develop perseverance, I associate it with other scripture and "running the race". My instinct is to grimace and to white-knuckle it.

Yet my inner healing, recent gym sign-up and increasing health conscience is reforming my knee-jerk reaction. The Father of lights uses difficulties to make me confident, spiritually muscular and complete in Him. His first fruit. And all of this, just makes me WANT to run the race. Because I WANT to show Jesus I love Him. I WANT to finish well and I WANT the crown of life.

My encouragement to you is to gain perspective. God's perspective. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. "

That's a lot to be joyful about.

November 16th 2008

Hebrews 13: 1 - 25

To me, this is the capsule of the book of Hebrews.

Verse 2 has really been making me think and challenges me to serve those outside of church. Especially in the community of my workplace and the greater Hong Kong.

Thank s guys for helping me really appreciate Scripture. :) Doing this OYB blog makes me fall in love with it. I get so much out of it.

November 15th 2008

Hebrews 12: 14 - 29

Taking a look at the NIV, New American Standard and the New Living Translation helped me get a fuller perspective of this dense passage. It resonates to me most about what holiness implies for us.

I'm grateful that it is by Jesus' sacrifice alone I am holy. I am amazed that grants me an audience among angels in the King's court, to be before Father God and Jesus our Intercessor. Full-on access compared to cower-in-fear-lest-thee-be-striked access.

Note that this is not about when we go to heaven, this is about when we're on earth! We just might not sense it. I wonder if God asks us to pursue holiness so that we may sense and see it more...

I'm also grateful that the grace of God is for everyone regardless of the type of mistake. There is nothing His grace can't cover and He will hold me in His right hand (Psalms 20:6, 60:5, 63:8 and more). I just need to remember that I need to ask for it when the time comes.

Being holy is powerful and I have yet to wrap my mind around all of it. But praise God that holiness gives us access to Him and a citizenship in a kingdom that is indestructible. What an awesome Abba, Father we have.

Questions for you to consider:
* Are there things in your life that you're bitter about? Write them down, confess them and ask for forgiveness. If you're having difficulty over these things, come talk to us and we'll pray and stand with you.
* Do you know that you are holy and that you have face-to-face access with God? Are you scared? If so, why?
* God cares extremely about two "our firsts" - our purity and our birth rights. Are we respecting and honoring them as He asks us to?
* Meditate on the grace of God.

November 14th 2008

Hebrews 11:32 - 12: 13

"...the world was not worthy of them."

This struck a chord within me. While we have never gone through such taxing trials as these men and women, we are all of greater worth than this world because by faith we believe Jesus made us holy and righteous.

Knowing their stories and God's involvement every step of the way, I am continually encouraged that He will see to it that I/we will run this race called Life well. I am also deeply grateful that He cheerleads me as my Father.

Some of us are going through some really really difficult times. I can tell you there are times that it really hurts (v11) but I can also testify that God is truly good. And He will do amazing things to transform not only you but impact those around you. Really. Whatever you're going through, I pray that you hold on to see it through. His promises always come to pass.

And when you are too weak, cry out to God and remember your cloud of witnesses: us! Ecclesiastes 4:8 - 10. We will stand with you.

Have a great friday.

November 13 2008

Hebrews 11: 17 - 31

All these people from the Old Testament pleased God with their faith.

He asked them to do some CRAZY things! And they chose to obey. The result was blessings of children/fruitfulness, victory, life and more.

Those challenges and blessings still apply for us now. They still apply to me and you. I didn't understand three years ago why God asked me to come Hong Kong. It wasn't my game plan. I struggled with the idea that God wanted me in HK when I had a good church, a job, good friends and more in Toronto. It made even less sense when I had non-Christian parents that I feared would keep me from going to church. There was no job, no friends nor church in sight.

But moving out of faith was the best thing for me. I got more than I imagined. A great church, great friends, a comfortable job, my family's support, healing...the list runs on. It was more than I thought was possible.

Yes, faith in Abba leads to abundant blessings. But more importantly, I challenge you all to pursue the sweetest thing: a personal relationship with our Father in heaven. As you pursue and obey Him, blessings will pursue you.

Have a great day everyone. :)

November 12th 2008

Hebrew 11:1-16

The capsule message of this passage resonates one thing: have faith in God, His scripture, the leaders He appoints, His desire to do good in your life.

We may not always understands His will, but when the time comes and He tells you to do something, will you obey and go about in faith?

What do you hope for?

What are you certain is/will be even though you have yet seen?

All these questions should spur you on to know that God is pleased with faith! I believe He is pleased, because it helps us grow in our trust in Him, our Father. Small steps of faith can lead to bigger steps of faith as we are shown time and time again God is for us and not against us...and He has used these times to glorify Himself.

I pray that if God is speaking something to you about something, you will take the risk to know Him, obey Him and love Him. It can be scary, but it's worth it and better than what you could have ever planned for your own well-being (Isaiah 55:8-9). Sometimes, we may not see the fruit of our faith in this lifetime, but we can always ask Him when we get there. :)

November 11th 2008

Hebrews 10:18 - 39

Jesus' sacrifice covers our sins. The ones in the past, the ones in the present and the ones in the future.

I stumble sometimes, but this reminds me that Jesus settled my debt i.e. death (Romans 6:23)and I can approach my Father in heaven as I ask for forgiveness. His sacrifice is so great that I receive clean hands, a pure heart and be in the presence of God (check out Psalm 24). That blows my mind away. He's so holy, and I'm really not. But with Jesus as my high priest, I am made holy, and I can fellowship with God (Hebrews 10:10)

Be encouraged that regardless of how many times you fall, God will not forsake you. Be faithful in believing that to be true! Refrain from succumbing to temptation, knowing that 1 Corinthians 10:13 (memory verse from GIC!) is true. Hold onto God's promise of finishing His good work in you (Hebrews 12:2).

Know also that we persevere together. I'm grateful that we can share our struggles and love one another in hc, in sp, in eg, in gic, in...wherever or whenever we meet together.

Have a hope-filled Canadian Remembrance Day!

God is in it with each and every one of us and we are also in this together. Keep on training and racing.

November 9, 2008

Hebrews 9:11-28

v15) I had always wondered what happened to people who were alive before Christ, but Christ died for everyone, including those beforehand who offered sacrifices.

v22) Christ died to pay the penalty for us, then rose again to proclaim victory over sin and death!

(Adapted from the One Year Bible Companion)

November 8, 2008

Hebrews 9:1-10

Isn't it great that we always have access to the Father through Jesus? Not just once a year through a high-priest and sacrificies, but through Jesus any time and any place. He's accessible 24/7, PTL!

November 7, 2008

Hebrews 8:1-13

v4) His perfect sacrifice ended all need for further priests and sacrifices.

v8-12) This is a quotation from Jeremiah 31:31-34, which compares the new covenant with the old. Law vs Grace. And it includes all the Gentile nations. And it offers a new way to forgiveness, not through animal sacrifice but through faith.

(Adapted from the One Year Bible)

November 6, 2008

Hebrews 7:18-28

v22-24) What is the "new arrangement"?

Through Jesus, it is new and better because it allows us to go directly to God through Christ. We no longer need to rely on sacrificed animals and mediating priests to obtain God's forgiveness. Priests and sacrifices could not save people, but Christ truly saves.

(Adapted from the One Year Bible Companion)

November 5, 2008

Hebrews 7:1-17

v2-16) What is the purpose of the story in Hebrews?

Basically to show the priesthood of Christ like Melchizedek was superior to the Jewish priests and their laws.

The priests' sacrifices had to be repeated, but Christ's sacrifice was only offered once, and it offers total and permanent forgiveness. Under the new covenant, the Levitical priesthood was canceled in favor of Christ's role as high priest.

(Adapted from the One Year Bible Companion)

November 4, 2008

Hebrews 6:1-20

v19) What is the veil mentioned in Hebrews 6:19?

This curtain hung across the entrance from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, the two innermost rooms of the temple. This curtain prevented anyone from entering, gazing into, or even getting a fleeting glimpse of the Most Holy Place. The high priest could enter there only once a year to stand before God's presence and atone for the sins of the entire nation. But Christ is in God's presence at all times as the high priest who can continually intercede for us.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

November 3, 2008

Hebrews 5:1-14

This chapter stresses both Christ's divine appointment and his humanity. The writer uses two Old Testament verses to show Christ's divine appointment. At the time this book was written, the Romans selected the high priest in Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, however, God chose Aaron, and only Aaron's descendants could be high priests. Christ, like Aaron, was chosen and called by God.

v12-13) Why were the Hebrew Christians called "infants"?

These Jewish Christians were immature. Some of them should have been teaching others, but they had not even applied the basics to their own lives. They were reluctant to move beyond age-old traditions, established doctrines, and discussion of the basics. They wouldn't be able to understand the high-priestly role of Christ unless they moved out of their comfortable position, cut some of their Jewish ties, and stopped trying to blend in with their culture.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

November 2, 2008

Hebrews 4:1-16

v1) Why does Hebrews say "be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short"?

Some of the Jewish Christians who received this letter may have been on the verge of turning back from their promised rest in Christ, just as the people in Moses' day had turned back from the promised land. In both cases, the difficulties of the present moment overshadowed the reality of God's promise, and the people doubted that God would fulfill his promises.

v14) Is Jesus a High Priest?

To the Jews, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. He alone entered the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. Like the high priest, Jesus mediates between God and us. As humanity's representative, he intercedes for us before God. As God's representative, he assures us of God's forgiveness. Jesus has more authority, he is superior to the Jewish high priests because he is truly God and truly man. Unlike the high priest who could go before God only once a year, Christ is always at God's right hand, interceding for us.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

November 1, 2008

Hebrews 3:1-19

Couple things speak to me today.

Throughout the passage, I feel God calling us to be faithful and obedient. Also that we be sensitive to His voice and not harden our hearts. How easy it is in our current day, to continue to do things our way. But the only way we can enter His rest, is if we do things His way.

So may we continue to enourage each other daily, fixing our thoughts on Jesus, and holding firm to the end!

God you are so faithful to us!!!

October 31, 2008

Hebrews 2:1-18

v16-17) What does it mean that Jesus is "our merciful and faithful High Priest before God"?

He came to earth as a human being and understands our weaknesses and shows mercy to us. We are released from sin's domination over us when we commit ourselves fully to Christ, trusting completely in what he has done for us.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 30, 2008

Hebrews 1:1-14

v1) What is the background of the book of Hebrews?

The book of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ not only fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, but how Jesus Christ is better than everything in the Jewish system of thought.

The Jews accepted the Old Testament, but most of them rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The recipients of this letter seem to have been Jewish Christians. They were well-versed in Scripture, and they have professed faith in Christ. Whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, however, they may have been in danger of giving up their Christian faith and returning to Judaism.

The authorship of this book is uncertain. Several names have been suggested, including Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, and Paul. Most scholars do not believe that Paul was the author, because of the writing style of Hebrews is quite different from that of his letters.

In addition, Paul identified himself in his other letters and appealed to his authority as an apostle, whereas this writer fo Hebrews, who never gives his or her name, appeals to eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry for authority. Nevertheless, the author of Hebrews evidently knew Paul well. Hebrews was probably written by one of Paul's close associates who often heard him preach.

v13-14) Why does Hebrews say that Christ is better than the angels?

False teachers in many of the early churches taught that God could be approached only through the angels. Instead of worshipping God directly, followers of these heretics bowed to angels. Hebrews clearly denounces such teaching as false. Some thought of Jesus as the highest angel of God. But Jesus is not a superior angel; and, in any case, angels are not to be worshiped. Jesus is God, he alone deserves our worship. Angels are God's messengers, spiritual beings created by God and under his authority.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 29, 2008

Philemon 1:1-25

v1) What is the purpose of Paul's letter to Philemon?

Paul wrote this letter from Rome in about A.D. 60, when he was under house arrest. Onesimus was a domestic slave who belonged to Philemon, a wealthy man and a member of the church in Colose. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had made his way to Rome where he met Paul who apparently led him to Christ. Paul convinced Onesimus that running from his problems wouldn't solve them, and he persuaded Onesimus to return to his master. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to ask him to be reconciled to his runaway slave.

v1-2) Who were Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus?

Philemon was a Greek landowner living in Colose. He had been converted under Paul's ministry. Apphia may have been Philemon's wife. Archippus may have been Philemon's son, or perhaps an elder in the Colossian church. In either case, Paul included him as a recipient of the letter, possibly so Archippus could read the letter with Philemon and encourage him to take Paul's advice. The Colossian church met in Philemon's home. The early churches often would meet in people's homes.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 28, 2008

Titus 3:1-15

v12) Where was Nicopolis?

The city of Nicopolis was on the western coast of Greece. Artemas or Tychicus would take over Titus' work on the island of Crete, so Titus could meet Paul in Nicopolis. Tychicus was one of Paul's trusted companions. Titus would have to leave soon because sea travel was dangerous in the winter months.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 27, 2008

Titus 2:1-15

v9-10) Why did Paul speak of slavery?

Slavery was common in Paul's day. Paul did not condemn slavery in any of his letters, but he advised slaves and masters to be loving and responsible in their conduct. The standards set by Paul can help any employee/employer relationship. Employees should always do their best work and be trustworthy, not just when the employer is watching.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 26, 2008

Titus 1:1-16

*Why did Paul write to Titus?

Paul wrote this letter between his first and second imprisonments in Rome (before he wrote 2 Timothy) to guide Titus in working with the churches on the island of Crete. Paul had visited Crete with Titus and had left him there to minister (Tit. 1:5). There was a strong pagan influence on this small island, because Crete may have been a training center for Roman soldiers. Therefore, the church in Crete needed strong Christian leadership.

*Who was Titus?

Titus, a Greek, was one of Paul's most trusted and dependable co-workers. Paul sent Titus to Corinth on several special missions to help the church in its troubles (2 Cor. 7-8). Paul and Titus also traveled together to Jerusalem and Crete. Paul left Titus in Crete to lead the new churches spring up on the island. Titus is last mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul's last recorded letter. Titus had leadership ability, so Paul gave him leadership responsibility, urging him to use his abilities well.

v12) Why would Paul say such terrible things about the people of Crete?

Paul was quoting a line from a poem by Epimenides, a poet and philosopher who had lived in Crete 600 years earlier. Some Cretans had a bad reputation and were known for lying. Paul used this familiar phrase to make the point that Titus' ministry and leadership were very much needed.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 25, 2008

2 Timothy 4:1-22

v8) What is the "crown of righteousness" Paul is expecting?

In Roman athletic games, a laurel wreath was given to the winners. A symbol of triumph and honor, it was the most coveted prize in ancient Rome. This is probably what Paul was referring to when he spoke of a "crown". But his would be a crown of righteousness.

v10) Who was Demas?

Demas had been one of Paul's co-workers (Col. 4:14; Philem. 24), but he had deserted Paul because he "loved this world." In other words, Demas loved worldly values and worldly pleasures. There are two ways to love the world. God loves the world as he created it and as it could be if it were rescued from evil. Others, like Demas, love the world as it is, sin and all. Mentioning Demas reminded Paul of more faithful co-workers. Only Luke was with Paul, and Paul was feeling lonely. Tychicus, one ofhis most trusted companions, had already left for Ephesus.

v13) If Paul was in prison why did he need his coat?

Paul's arrest probably occurred so suddenly that he was not allowed to return home to gather his personal belongings. Because he was a prisioner in a damp and chilly dungeon, Paul asked Timothy to bring him his coat. Even more than the cloak, Paul wanted his scrolls and parchments. The scrolls ma have included books of the Old Testament; the parchments may have included copies of his own letters or have been blank sheets for writing.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 24, 2008

2 Timothy 2:22 - 3:17

v6-7) Who were the "gullible women loaded down with sins"?

This phrase is also translated "silly, sin-burdened women" (TLB). Because of their cultural background, women in the Ephesian church had had no formal religious training. They enjoyed their new freedom to study Christian truths, but their eagerness to learn made them a target for false teachers. Paul warned Timothy to watch out for men who would take advantage of these women.

v8-9) Who were Jannes and Jambres?

According to tradition, Jannes and Jambres were two of the magicians who counterfeited Moses' miracles before Pharaoh (Exod. 7:11-12). Paul explained that just as Moses exposed and defeated them (Exod. 8:18-19), God would overthrow the false teachers who were plaguing the Ephesian church.

v11) How did Timothy know about Paul's troubles?

In Lystra, Timothy's hometown, Paul had been stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19); it is likely that Timothy witnessed this event. This was only one incident amony many. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 Paul summarized his lifetime of suffering for the sake of the gospel. Paul mentioned his suffering here to contrast his experience with that of the pleasure-seeking false teachers.

v16) What is the meaning of the phrase "All Scripture is God-breathed"?

This is a more literal translation of the Greek words that are often rendered "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (NKJV). The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. It is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people (2 Peter 1:20-21). This process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted them to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. The Bible is "God-breathed." Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 23, 2008

2 Timothy 2:1-21

v8-9) Why did the Gospel bring suffering to Paul?

Paul was in chains in prison because of the gospel he preached. When Paul said that Jesus was God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; but many Jews became followers of Christ (1 Cor. 1:24). He angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar's household turned to Jesus (Phil. 4:22). When Paul said Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks who thought divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many Greeks accepted the faith (Acts 11:20-21). The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but it is being believed by people every day.

v17) Who were Hymenaeus and Philetus?

They were heretics who had "wandered away from the truth" (2 Tim. 2:18). Hymenaeus is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20. He weakened people's faith by teaching that the resurrection had already occurred. In 1 Timothy 1:20 Paul says that he handed Hymenaeus over to Satan, meaning that Paul had removed him from the fellowship of the church. Paul did this so that Hymenaeus would see his error and repent. The ultimate purpose of this punishment was correction.

v18) What does it mean that "the resurrection of the dead has already occurred"?

The false teachers were denying the resurrection of the body. They believed that when a person became a Christian, he or she was spiritually reborn, and that was the only resurrection there would ever be. To them, resurrection was symbolic and spiritual, not physical. Paul clearly taught, however, that believers will be resurrected after they die, and that their bodies as well as their souls will live eternally with Christ.

(The One Year Bible Companion)

October 22, 2008

2 Timothy 1:1-18

What is the background of Paul's second letter to Timothy?

This is a somber letter. Paul was imprisoned for the last time, and he knew he would soon die. Unlike Paul's first imprisonment in Rome, when he was in a house (Acts 28:16, 23, 30) where he continued to teach, this time he was probably confined to a cold dungeon, awaiting his death (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Emperor Nero had begun a major persecution in A.D. 64 as part of his plan to pass the blame for the great fire of Rome from himself to the Christians. This persecution spread across the empire and included social ostracism, public torture, and murder. As Paul was waiting to die, he wrote a letter to his dear friend Timothy, a younger man who was like a son to him (2 Tim. 1:2). Written in approximately A.D. 66/67, these are the last words we have from Paul. (The One Year Bible Companion)

October 21, 2008

1 Timothy 6:1 - 21

v1) Praise God that we are slaves to none but righteousness. Romans 6 speaks clearly of how we benefit and reap holiness and eternal life.

v3 - 4) Praise God we have solid God-fearing pastors and teachers, that build us up with sound instruction from the Lord! This is also a reminder for me to live with the solid backing of scripture and have a vibrant, Christ-centered lifestyle. That said, pray for teachers and pastoral leaders to be godly, wise and discerning with finances!

v6-10) A perfect capsule summary of our Sunday sermon. A reminder that money itself is an object and that the attitude with it is what counts. Money cannot buy you happiness and looking to it as such will only lead you away from God and to much sorrow.

v11-14) How do you stay away from loving money? By pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness!

v17) How are you using your financial wealth? Those of you who are prosperous, are you using money for good deeds? Money will pass away with this world and I encourage you to lay up treasure in heaven by being generous and willing to share.

October 20, 2008

1 Timothy 5:1-25

v1-2) It seems that these instructions are not limited to only believers, but to all people. The command then is to treat everyone as family.
v3-7) Very strong verses about putting our religion into practice and by repaying parents/grandparents. Are we providing for those relatives/family members in need?
v11-15) Reminder to not say things we ought not to.
v17-19) May God continue to bless and provide for Pastor Sam Song, Pastor Sam Kim, and Pastor Nate Chung.