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Revelation 22:6-21

For something different, I took the time this week to jot down some of my brief thoughts about this passage. May the Lord Jesus find us ready, watching, and waiting…every day! Let us keep the sayings of “this book” to be blessed in time and eternity.

“These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6) — and what do they have to do with me today?

What am I doing with the “sayings…of this book” (Revelation 22:7)?

The angel knew he didn’t deserve worship (Revelation 22:8,9). In his integrity and holiness, he stopped John from offering it. I see this “side lesson” here: When someone offers unmerited or inaccurate praise to me, I shouldn’t stand by silently and absorb it as though it were entirely accurate and I deserved every bit of it. Read it all

Revelation 21:9-14, 21-22:5

To Enter the City Built of God, Believe on the Son and Live in Him

Entrance into “that holy city, new Jerusalem” shall be granted only to those “which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:2, 27). Is your name there now?

Believe on the Son. Only through faith in Jesus will your name appear in that book. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36). “He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12). There is no other way. Absolutely none.

Live in faithfulness to the Son. Read it all

Revelation 20 — We can choose our verdict before we get to the day of judgment!

Am I at peace with the scenario painted of the day of judgment in Revelation 20?

Am I at peace with the Judge of Revelation 20?

Am I now “found written in the book of life”?

Have I purposed to be faithful to Jesus and His Word?

No devilish deception for 1000 years! What a strange world in which to live!

Give your life “for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God” (Revelation 20:4)!

Do the books of Revelation 20:12 contain a record of their works? Perhaps. Or they could contain the code by which those works will be judged. We just aren’t told what’s in the books that aren’t the book of life. Whatever the content of those books, we know this for sure: all people will be judged “according to their works” (Revelation 20:12, 13). God judges both evil and good (2 Corinthians 5:10). One way to look at this is that we can choose our verdict before we get to that day! Let us purposefully and deliberately choose good. Let us choose God. Let us choose the blood and life of the Lamb. Read it all

Revelation 19:1-16 — A special marriage approaches! The Bridegroom is coming!

Are you appropriately dressed for the occasion?

I attended two very special weddings. I hadn’t worn a suit in years, but I did for both of those occasions. Something about marriage ceremonies makes me want to wear something special, especially if a family member is part of the featured couple. But if I hadn’t worn something special, no great harm would have been done.

Another marriage is on the horizon. I want to be appropriately dressed for that occasion as well. After all, it will top all other weddings for “special.” For this one, though, if I don’t dress properly, the greatest of all harms will be done to me. I won’t even be allowed to attend, with the consequences of that being eternal. Read it all

Revelation 14:1-15 — The redeemed and the unrighteous must appear before the judgment seat of Jesus. We have no choice in the matter.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). What a simple way to distinguish between the redeemed and the unrightous! Keep the commandments of God. Keep the faith of Jesus.

Having the Patient Endurance to Obey, Like This…

Righteousness is godliness and rightness. Righteousness is integrity, virtue, and purity of life. Righteousness is correctness of thinking, feeling, speaking, and acting. Righteousness is the pursuit of the Holy. Righteousness is the way of knowledge and wisdom. Righteousness is The Way of the Kingdom.

The realization that we live in the end times should raise our sights even more to righteousness and faithfulness. Iniquity abounds. Apostasy is everywhere. Moral confusion and corruption multiply at an increasing rate. The devil wants everyone, including you.

The closer we get to eternity, the less material things should matter. The closer we get to eternity, the less our own fleshly comfort and satisfaction should matter. Alas, not many of us are aware of the closeness of eternity. Few of us think of a remaining life span of two or three years, or even of fifteen. Number your days (and don’t be too generous!) and give your heart to wisdom. Thirst for righteousness. Do not swerve from The Way. Be obedient. Be faithful.

Hang in there and continue in the faith and its works. Do not quit or even slack off in your obedience. Persevere and receive the blessing: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Read it all