BIBLE READING: Revelation 12

The major message of Revelation begins in chapter 4 with the introduction of God on his throne. Everything else up to this point was preparatory as John is about to witness the “Drama of Redemption.” We are introduced to Jesus as the living, victorious Christ (Revelation 1). The audience this drama is to benefit is presented in Revelation 2-3 with all their vices and virtues. Revelation 4-5 settles our attention on God and sets the tone for all that follows. God reigns supreme and his dealings with humanity find purpose and meaning in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God (4.11). He alone is worthy to unveil the mystery hidden for ages because he fulfilled the redemptive purposes of God towards man (5.9-10).

Revelation is not intended to be read as a linear timeline but rather as a mural depicting the various elements of redemptive history. In this book we see the hand of Christ opening the sealed book of God’s dealings with men and giving clarity to God’s actions.

As the seals are broken and trumpets are blown, we see wickedness and corruption increase throughout history (Revelation 6). Evil gains prominence and the world becomes an apparent wasteland, ruled by wicked leaders, and filled with unrepentant peoples (Revelation 9). This culminates in apparent victory for evil (11.7-10). But throughout there are constant reminders of God’s power and presence to redeem those who are his (see 6.9-11; 7.9-17). These events are within the bounds of God’s power as it is his messengers who usher the timing of their occurrence (marked by angels blowing trumpets, pouring bowls, etc).

When all hope seems lost, the tides suddenly turn. The murdered witnesses revive (11.11), and the apparent kingdom of the world becomes “the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (11.15). The temple is opened (11.19) indicating universal access to God.

But this is not the end of the story. At this point we must turn our attention to the enemy at large. Satan has been cast down and he knows his time is short (12.9, 12). He is furiously working to make war on “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (12.17). In the chapters that follow, Satan’s ferocity and tenacity are intimidating and, for many, convincing. He is relentless because he has no time to waste. “…But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12.12).

This is the time in which we live. Satan operates openly and covertly. He manipulates people and situations to take our attention off Jesus. This is not some childish apparition; We have an enemy who is out to get us (1 Peter 5.8). Every day we must live with this awareness and prepare our minds to engage. He has no time to waste… and neither do we.

"Let no one deceive you… walk as children of light… look carefully how you walk… making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5.6-16)

BIBLE READING: 2 Peter 2-3

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2.1)

You expect the church to be a safe space where you can trust people. But even Satan finds his way in sometimes. We shouldn’t mistrust one another, but we should be on guard for Satan’s schemes. He works through personal agendas, greed, and other means that are sometimes undetectable to the spiritually immature.

Passages like this reveal and ugly reality of life that we wish didn’t exist. For some it may plant ideas in the mind that cause anxiety, worry, and doubt. Can I really trust anybody? While uncomfortable to consider, it is this thought that drives us to the need for a standard outside of ourselves. In addressing these concerns Peter would say this:

“…I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles…” (2 Peter 3.1-2)

Peter’s remedy for identifying false teachers and establishing our faith is this: Listen to the predictions of the prophets and follow the commandments of Jesus and the apostles. For both, he says “remember,” meaning not just recollect, but to consider their application to the present. To explain, he gives a practical example for how this works.

People in the first century would question the return of Jesus in judgment— “where is the evidence? Nothing like this has ever happened before.” But they’re wrong. God judged the world in Noah’s day with a flood, destroying everyone but the righteous. This stands as a witness to God’s ability to bring another judgment in the future which will happen. (2 Peter 3.3-7, paraphrased)

It is the prophets who give power to the words of Jesus and the apostles (Romans 15.4). This is why we need to know the Old Testament. God’s prophets weren’t making stuff up. They spoke as they were moved by God, often in ways they didn’t understand because they were serving future generations (Consider Amos 3.7; 1 Peter 1.10-12; 2 Peter 1.21).

We may not always be able to trust one another, but we can trust the apostles, prophets and Jesus. Our commitment must be to believe their predictions and adhere to their patterns. Without these, we can easily be led astray by things that sound good or by people that appear trusting (1 Timothy 4.1-2). I pray God that does not happen to us! Let us then commit to have a fellowship “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2.20).

“…we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you would do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…” (2 Peter 1.19)

BIBLE READING: Amos 5

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5.24)

A primary complaint from the prophets was the lack of justice. The rich oppressed the poor. The widow and fatherless had no advocate. Those in authority corrupted what was right. And nobody was doing anything about it. For their injustice to one another, God would bring judgment (Amos 4.1-2).

We need to understand how motivated God is by injustice. It is the primary reason Amos offers for God’s judgment on the nations (Amos 1-2). Jesus echoes the OT prophets when he calls out the Pharisees for neglecting “justice and the love of God” (Luke 11.42). Justice holds a central place throughout his teaching and ministry. For Jesus, a lack of concern for the marginalized is not a minor oversight but reveals that a person is at odds with God. This is illustrated in the parable of the sheep and goats where the true sheep are those who have a heart for the hungry, the stranger, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned (Matthew 25.35-36).

Many social and political movements operate under the guise of justice while promoting an agenda. But true justice is motivated by righteousness and concern for others. That’s because justice is rooted in the character of God. He is a God who loves and gives (John 3.16); who seeks and serves. Justice comes from a just God who could not overlook sin, but also would not allow us remain in our helpless state (Romans 3.10-27).

Christians cannot be ambivalent to the need for justice, for it is the reason Christ died for my sins (Romans 5.8). Therefore, how we “do justice” (Micah 6.8) is a direct reflection of how we view God’s mercy and grace towards us. As we look at our world, we must be people motivated to do justice: to help the helpless, defend the weak and provide for those in need. Not for the sake of creating societal equality – that is never the point of justice! – but to show the same concern God shows for all humanity. Let justice roll down through your life! 

There will always be those who are helpless and marginalized. And while we seek to serve them, we must always point them to the justice we all receive from Jesus. In him, God is not only “just but the justifier of those who have faith in Christ” (Romans 3.26-27). In what small ways we can, let us honor him by seeking to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6.8).

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely” (Proverbs 28.5)

…learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1.17)

BIBLE READING: Colossians 1

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…” (Colossians 1.3)

Praying for one another is a powerful and necessary activity we should do for one another in Christ. Paul would describe it as a struggle he has in his efforts to bring other believers to maturity through his ministry (Colossians 2.1)

In Christ, I grow when we grow. God is glorified as we become closer knit together as a single body, working in harmony and love (Ephesians 3.10, 4.11-16; Colossians 2.2). We need to constantly pray for one another towards this end (Colossians 1.9).

How can you pray for others in the body of Christ? We sometimes relegate these prayers to physical needs (health, reprieve from physical challenges) as they are evident; but we must remember that we are bound together as spiritual people. While needed, Paul reminds us of specific things we need to pray for one another:

1. “That you may be filled with the knowledge of his will” (1.9). We sometimes grope for direction and meaning in life. For the body to grow and my faith to be strengthened, we all must grow in our knowledge of God’s will. It changes us in hope (1.5-6) and continues to alter us, ultimately directing us to please God (1.10). When I pray this for others, it benefits them and opens my heart to ways I can serve them (2.1-2).
2. “[that you are] strengthened with all power… for all endurance and patience with joy” (1.11). The struggle between the Spirit and flesh bombards the life of every believer (Galatians 5.16-26). Conforming to Christ causes struggle, leading many to doubt, despair and even to leave their faith. But “we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and preserve [our] souls” (Hebrews 10.39). “We can do all things through the strength of Christ” (Philippians 4.13). Those in the body need prayers to “patiently endure tribulation (Romans 12.2) as we “to press on towards the goal” (Philippians 3.12). “You have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Hebrews 10.36).

When we pray for others, we become more aware of God’s will. We learn more about his desire for all people to be saved and come to repentance (2 Peter 3.9). We recognize the need for his people to grow into maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4.15; Colossians 1.28). We begin to see the brokenness of the world through his eyes and develop desires that are aligned with our God and Father; who loved me, even when I was an enemy of his, and gave himself for me (Romans 5.8; Galatians 2.20; 1 John 3.1).

Have you prayed for others today?

“…from the day we heard [of your love in the Spirit], we have not ceased to pray for you…” (Colossians 1.9)

BIBLE READING: Romans 12

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Romans 12.9)

Love it patient and kind. It is not jealous, and it does not brag. Love does not seek its own way. Love believes, hopes and endures all things. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13.4-8, paraphrased). The attributes and actions of love are pure. There is nothing more powerful than genuine love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son…” (John 3.16). “God shows his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5.8). From God we learn that love transcends personal feelings and past hurts for the good of others. It is pursued and practiced.

Romans 12 reminds us that love is displayed in the context of others. As spiritual people, it dictates every area of our spiritual service: in serving, giving, teaching and leading (Romans 12.6-8). In Christ, it defines our attitude towards one another. Is there anything more critical than to operate with an attitude of love? “If I have not love… I am nothing [and] I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13.1-3).

In our church relationships, we must let love be genuine. We shouldn’t be motivated by rivalry, pride or any sort of agenda. We must be humble and kind, giving preference and consideration to one another (Romans 12.3-5; Philippians 2.1-4). We must speak the truth in love. We must appreciate the gifts of others and look for ways to build them up (Ephesians 4.15-16).

In our families, we must let love be genuine. Parents mustn’t wield authority in an oppressive way but with patience and longsuffering, as God does with his children (Ephesians 6.4). We must teach and train our families to know God with compassion and grace.

In our marriages, we must let love be genuine. We cannot set limits and boundaries on our kindness or service to one another. “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her that he might sanctify her” (Ephesians 5.25-27). Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5.22).

In every situation, we must let love be genuine. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12.14-18)

There is nothing more powerful than genuine love. It reflects the selfless giving of God, and, in turn, reconciles, redeems and restores. Is your love genuine?

“The aim of our charge is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1.5).