Revelation 18: Babylon Falls, Kings Weep

Babylon Falls, Kings Weep

This a probably a different Babylon in this chapter than the one mentioned in Chapter 17. The Babylon in Chapter 18 has some characteristics that are not contained within the Babylon of Chapter 18, such as great city, port city (coastal), habitation, marketplace, guilty of greed and self-indulgence and destroyed by sudden act of God (Dave Guzik). In verse 9 we read "and the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning." That means the leaders (not all necessarily will be kings) who were connected to her and benefiting from her (power, greed, ungodly things) will lose the influence and power they had with Babylon as it will fall. As I stated in yesterday's post, the Lamb wins again.

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Revelation 9: The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

The fifth trumpet (Revelation 9:1-11) released locust type creatures from a black smoke. The locusts were to harm only people who did not have the seal of God upon their forehead. This does not mean an actual locusts or an actual stamp or seal, but could also mean the will of God at the forefront of their mind (my opinion) and the way to avoid these locusts (demons) is to be truly follow after what God wants from you, His will and your obedience to it. Dave Guzik writes, "These are obviously not natural locusts. They avoid plants and attack men like scorpions attack. They are "A visual representation of the hordes of demons loosed upon the earth." (Walvoord). Furthermore, regarding the seal, Guzik says "Those who have the seal of God on their foreheads (the 144,000 and perhaps more) are protected, but none other are. This is an inescapable judgment of God." The sixth trumpet released four angels (possibly different angels from chapter 8) which killed a third of mankind with mounted troops numbering over 200 million. Guzik says it may not be exactly 200 million, but that number could have been used to signify the insane amount of mounted of troops like there were too many to count. They had fire, smoke and brimstone coming out of their mouths and that is how 1/3 of human kind was killed.  Chapter 9 closes out by stating that the rest of mankind that did not die from the plagues did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold" and other materials that cannot "see, hear or walk" like Jesus could. Nor did they "repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."

And in case anyone tells you we are "near" the end of times and the end of the world, they are probably wrong based on the fact that numerous others have "predicted" the same thing- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events

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Revelation 7: The 144,000

The 144,000

From my understanding, various groups have claimed that they are the 144,000 that is referred to in this chapter (Revelation 7:4-8). The 144,000 (according to Dave Guzik and his research) are not the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Mormons or any of that. Some points that he uses are not only from Revelation 7 (see above) but also Revelation 14 (verses 1, 4 and 5). Guzik concludes that it is best to see the 144,000 as "chosen Jewish people who "came to faith in Jesus." It would not make sense for other sects of Christianity to lay claim to be the 144,000 if their membership is over that number. That would mean that everyone over those 144,000 were not believers, which goes against scriptural teaching and understanding as far as what Jesus said.

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Revelation 4: Four Living Creatures

Four Living Creatures

In the Book of Revelation, there is a lot of symbolism and deeper meaning within things said and written. It is not always a quick understanding of things, but when you look deeper and use a study aide, you can understand things better. For instance, I came across Revelation 4:7-8 which speaks of four creatures (lion, ox, man, and eagle) and each of them had 6 wings and eyes all around. That to me sounds like so0mething out of a sci-fi comic book from the mind of Stan Lee and the marvel Universe. But, knowing what I know and having read what I have read from scripture, what is on the surface is not always the answer. You MUST go deeper if you want to understand. The four creatures (according to Dave Guzik's studies @Studylight.org) could be "the cardinal virtues, the faculties and powers of the human soul, the patriarchal churches, the great apostles, the orders of churchmen, the principle angels, and so forth." Also possible are the head tribes of Israel or symbols of Jesus as he is represented in the 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). No matter what they symbolize and mean, there is one thing that cannot be disputed and that is integral to growth as a church was them all "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" They spoke in unison and in agreement that the Lord God is Almighty, not maybe but is. They knew who the Lord is and was and knew that He was to come.

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Revelation 1: With the Clouds

With the Clouds

Revelation is not one of my favorite books. It can be read literally for its entirety, but I do not think that is the purpose and how it was intended to be written. I am not going to analyze every passage from Revelation, but I will pick something out from each chapter and write about it. For instance, the image of Jesus coming back to earth on a cloud or in clouds can be found in Revelation 1:7. It reads, " Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him." The word "clouds" here does mean an actual cloud as he ascended into Heaven with a cloud and he will descend from Heaven with the clouds (Acts 1:9-11). But the term "clouds" also has another meaning. It was used to describe the multitude of believers (Hebrews 12:1) and also to describe God's presence and glory (Exodus 13:21-22). My point is  just because the Bible says it, doesn't mean that it means what you think it means. Do some research. Here is the source I use for clarification: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/guz/revelation-1.html

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1 Thessalonians 5: Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

We need reminders sometimes to do things that seem so simple when read, but hard to remember when tested. As Paul closes out the first letter to the Thessalonian church, he gives the charge in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to "REJOICE always, PRAY without ceasing, GIVE THANKS in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We need to remember that when things get tough it is not doing us any good to wallow in our pity. It is one thing to grieve and deal with pain and loss, but there is a point when you need to not look at the circumstance anymore. Dave Guzik writes "The Christian can rejoice always because their joy isn't based in circumstances, but in God. Circumstances change, but God doesn't." Praying without ceasing connects us to the Holy Spirit and puts the focus on our faith in God. Giving thanks in all (not some, most or many) circumstances shows us that while things are not where and how we want them, we still love the good that God has done. Trust me, I know it is tough, but we need to remember to keep God at the center of our lives.

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2 Corinthians 8: Grace and Giving

Grace and Giving

In verse 7 Paul goes back on the sarcastic correction angle by reminding the Corinthian Christians, who have not excelled in faith, speech, knowledge and earnestness, that they should excel in in being gracious/giving grace to others. This could also have been Paul's way of saying "well if you say you have been excelling in these areas then I will take your word for it. If you excel in grace then you are following the example of Christ. Christ was very gracious unless someone was misusing the house of the Lord and twisting the word of God. That is when Christ was known to do more than just speak out. 
 

In the next section (2 Corinthians 8:8-14) Paul deals with the topic of giving. While the Old Testament had a standard of 10% (tithe) we see in the New Testament examples of giving what you have available to give. Dave Guzik's commentary focuses on the idea of 10% being more of an expectation and being seen like a tax rather than a giving from the heart. This is where grace can abound in giving. We give graciously and not from rule or regulation but from the heart.When we go to church is out of obligation or because we want to? When we give to the church is out of what we can or is it just what we want to give? Heart check! It matters.

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John 2:16- A House of Trade

A House of Trade

How often in the bible to do you see Jesus getting angry? The Pharisees tried to back him into corners, but never could. He was scoffed at and mocked. The ONLY time we ever read of Jesus's anger in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) at the church toward those who turned the temple into a "den of thieves" or a house of trade as in John 2:16. That incident alone should be an example of righteous anger (breaking God's commandments) versus human anger over things like misunderstandings.
 

Jesus was not mad that the temple was selling a book or a Biblical aid or something. Jesus was upset that the focus was completely turned away from God. People who visited the temple during the Passover had to pay a temple tax (like paying to go to church) and money changers served as the one who could convert Roman coins into "acceptable" currency for the temple offerings and the temple tax. 

This is not the same as a tithe or offering. Even in today's times, if I use a foreign bill or coin as an offering or tithe, there shouldn't be anyone there who is working at the church as a foreign cash exchange. That business should be done at the appropriate time and place like at a bank, not during the time of worship to God. When we go to church, we are going to worship God. He is the focus, not the person we find attractive, not the person you want to rub elbows with for political or  personal gain. God's word and teaching is the focus.

References- Got Questions and Study Light- Dave Guzik (Section B:1a-d)

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Luke 14:7-24- Humility and Salvation Parables

Humility and Salvation Parables

Jesus told many parables. He used these parables to drive home points that people needed to understand about humility and salvation and serving the poor. He brought up these points to also show us to be used by God for God's purposes. 

The scene is set knowing that Jesus is set to eat at the house of the ruler of the Pharisees on a Sabbath. He healed a man with dropsy (fluid accumulation in body tissues) and knowing he was being watch asks the lawyers and Pharisees if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. We know Jesus was far more focused on fulfilling God's purposes and being in God's will than trying to meet man's expectations and interpretations of God. Jesus asked them if their son or ox they owned fell into a well on the Sabbath, would they let them drown or try to save them? No one had an answer. Jesus is exposing their hypocrisy of how they would rationalize their own law breaking but hide it while condemning others who break laws.

Jesus then uses the parable of the Wedding Feast (Luke 14:7-11) to explain how many are concerned with giving only if they are to get back. In a Wedding Feast, people are likely to sit at places of honor and feel ashamed when asked to move to lower places. Jesus said that people should sit in the lowest place so that the host has the chance to move you to a higher place of honor. That way you will not be humbled in front of others, but be exalted by someone else rather than yourself. He is saying there is nothing wrong with being honored, but if you are honoring yourself then that can lead to being humbled and embarrassed.

The Great Banquet parable found in Luke 14:12-24. It has a couple of different pieces to it.  In verses 7-14, Jesus explains that when we have feasts, we should not invite those that can and may feel obligated to repay us. We should invite those that cannot repay us like the poor, crippled, lame and blind. Jesus says we will be repaid at the resurrection of the just ("we will never be the loser when we give after the pattern of Gods generosity."- Dave Guzik).  

There is a second part that breaks down Jesus's role in salvation. He compares God to a man who hosts a great feast and sends a servant (Jesus) to get people (all people on earth) to attend. People give excuses as to why they cannot attend the feast such as tending to a field, examining their property and being just being married. His point is that people will give any possible reason as to why they will not follow him (the servant) back to the man's (God's) feast (salvation or Heaven). God sent Jesus to get us to sit with Him in Heaven. It is up to us to follow Jesus to that feast.

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Luke 1- God's Promises

God's Promises

I have seen in my own life how God's promises do hold true. I was reflecting yesterday on how one thing that seems horrible at one point can be an absolute blessing years letter in retrospect.

In treading through Luke 1, I kept seeing something pop up. It was God's word holding firm and being true. God said something and it became true. In verse 13 an angel of the Lord came to Zechariah (father to be of John the Baptist) and told him his prayers had been answered and he and his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. Zechariah did not believe the angel (Gabriel) and for that was made mute (verses 18-20) until the birth of John.

Gabriel is the same angel that also told Mary (mother of Jesus) that she would give birth to a son even though she was a virgin. In verses 26-33, so much information is given about Jesus from not only his name but to how he will live.

In verses 62-64, as John was born, many were saying that he should be named after his father Zechariah, but he wrote on a tablet that "His name is John" which released his inability to speak. That is exactly what Gabriel said before that the inability to speak would last until John was born due to Zechariah's unbelief.

The thing I love about this chapter is that even when things seem impossible, Luke 1:37 reminds us of the truth that "nothing is impossible with God." Whether you are an old woman or an unmarried virgin, God can and will use you, if you let Him. Being out of God's will (as you may have read yesterday) is never helpful in your walk with Christ.

Another note, that really solidifies all that is embedded in why we follow Christ was that his birth fulfills prophecies that were stated and documented years and years before his birth. I read from Dave Guzik on Studylight.org who explains that when Gabriel spoke from God's presence about words being fulfilled in their time (section 4 subsection 2 c), he was referring to Jesus's birth and the surround prophecies that prove that Jesus is the messiah and not just a good teacher. Know that!

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