Rv8

For centuries the sound of a trumpet has brought distinction and and meaning to all who hear. These final trumpet blasts will be the sound of judgement! It is a scary thing to actually consider.

In Iowa we have horns and sirens to sound the alarm! When we hear the sound, we know to take cover because eminent danger is at hand! In the same way (yet far more extreme), these trumpets will be the final warning on earth. God's judgement is coming. His patience has run its course.

Will we be living when the trumpets sound? Are we truly living in the final days? As we draw near to Christmas, (Christ almost silent entrance), let's not forget His final coming will be to judge. Right celebration keeps this in mind.

Rv7

I love this verse. "The Lamb…will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." It reminds me of Psalm 23! "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." 

The time is coming when all of us will either be wonderfully cared for by the Lamb or horribly judged by Him for all eternity. Jesus is patiently waiting for all to put their trust in Him. 

Regret comes when we should have done something but we didn't. I hate regret. I love the feeling of having done something right. Living for Christ is always right. Helping others know Him is a great thing to pursue.

Live with eternity in mind.

troy

Rv6

What do you think about modern christian martyrs? Were you aware that there are still thousands of christians martyred for their faith each year? Some estimates are as high as 100,000, but even the most conservative estimates put the number into the thousands! Think about it. In 2015 thousands of people will be killed because they are christians.

Someone once said that dying for Christ might be harder than living for Him. Even though it was a "catchy" saying, I don't think it is very true. I believe christians who are "in danger" of being killed for Christ have counted the cost and likely are living for Him.

But what about us? What will we live for today?As christians will our lives reflect that we would die before we would disown Jesus? According to Revelation, the end is near. May we be found living for Jesus and willing to die for Him if necessary.

Rv4

What will heaven be like? How often do we think about this eternal reality? Do we live our daily lives with this eternal reality in mind?

Personally, I don't think of heaven much. In fact, I think of it far too little. For me the subject comes up most often when someone dies or when I am sharing the gospel with an unbeliever. But is this how it should be? Shouldn't I think of heaven on a regular basis? Shouldn't I be living each day for this reality?

Someday I will retire. I don't think about that much either but I do think about that more often than I do heaven. This is sad. IF I ever do retire, it will be short lived (but hopefully productive) compared to my eternal destination. Reading today's chapter helps redirect my mind. I am so grateful for John's spectacular vision.

Rv3

"As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline." - Jesus

When was the last time we felt rebuked or disciplined from the Lord? If it is recently, take courage, you are a child of God. He does not have children He does not love. Therefore, He does not have children He does not discipline.

Love always disciplines for the good of the one loved. To not discipline is to NOT love. It is crazy how our culture has turned this concept around! So many parents today feel that love withholds discipline. Nothing could be farther from the truth! An undisciplined life is an unloved life.

To not feel God's loving parenting in discipline might be a sign that we are deceived about who is actually our parent. I never like being disciplined by God. I always feel loved by it.

Rv2

If Jesus was to write a personal letter to me today, what would it say? Would it be a letter of rebuke or encouragement? Would it be harsh or gentle? I think this is a good thing to think about.

I receive all kinds of letters (mostly electronic). Generally the letters are simple information; come here at this time, do this, can you believe this?, buy this, etc. Occasionally I will get a letter of substance; something personal, something thoughtful, something that i truly needed to hear.

As I read these letters today to the churches, I felt as though I was reading someone else's mail. A letter not intended for me, but letters that were personal, thoughtful and needed. Honestly, the Ephesian letter hit me the most. Especially this line, "You have abandoned the love you had at first."

There is nothing like first love. Time to get back to what really matters. 

Rv1

John begins this final letter in our bibles with a wonderful description of Jesus: "To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,". What a wonderful introduction and description!

We end every year reading Revelation. It is a great way to end each year and to think about Christ's second coming! It is also a great time to celebrate Jesus first coming at Christmas. This season is ripe with significance and meaning. Let's not get caught up in the activity of the season and totally miss the greatest thing of all…mainly Christ.

Certainly the time is "near". If John thought it urgent to write about Christ's return over 2000 years ago, how much closer are we today? Is this the final season to celebrate? Will this be the final advent? We do know this, we are one day closer today.

Live with the end in mind.