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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I join with the multitudes in heaven and shout, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory” (Rev 19:1–2, 6–7). I praise you today as the God who judges sin and rewards righteousness. You delight to bless those who love you, and I delight to sing your praise. Hallelujah! For the one who is called Faithful and True is coming again! All glory and honor to the Lamb! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the last of the revelation of Jesus Christ. After the seven bowl judgments and the destruction of Babylon, John heard the praise of heaven ring out in celebration of your wrath on the wicked. It was time for the Lamb’s marriage ceremony and celebration feast, and all who are invited are blessed (Rev 19:9). That’s me! Christ loved me and gave himself up for me, that he might sanctify me by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present me, as part of the church, to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Eph 5:25–27). Praise the Lord! I’m privileged to be part of the bride of Christ, and one day I’ll be with him forever! John watched as Jesus came out of heaven on a white horse. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns. The armies of heaven, the saints, followed him on white horses, and they rode with him to tread the winepress of the fury of your wrath. Hallelujah! Jesus is coming again! He is coming to defeat the beast and the false prophet and cast them into the lake of fire. He is coming to seize that ancient serpent Satan and bind him for a thousand years. He is coming to resurrect those martyred for his testimony during the Great Tribulation and reign with them on earth. If anything should encourage me to stand strong in the faith and endure to the end, it’s the image of Jesus returning in power and glory. Truly, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)! Truly, I can be more than a conqueror through him who loves me (Rom 8:37)! As John looked on, the thousand years flew past and Satan was released from his prison. He was allowed to go out and deceive the nations and gather them together for battle against Jerusalem. This teaches me that a perfect environment cannot produce a perfect heart. The heart of man is incurably wicked (Jer 17:9), and it can only be changed by your grace (Jer 30:12–17). I must work to transform people’s lives with the gospel, for only then will a transformed environment really matter. John watched as you defeated Satan for the last time and cast him into the lake of fire. Then he saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. “Behold,” you said, “I am making all things new” (Rev 21:5). Hallelujah! My eternal heritage is a new heaven and a new earth and a heavenly city of radiant splendor! Most of all, my heritage is that you will live with me forever. I will be your child, and you will be my God. Now that’s a future worth fighting for! Reflection Jesus said, “I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Rev 22:7). This teaches me that you want prophecy to change my life, not merely fill my head with knowledge. Peter said that the certainty of your coming should motivate me to live a holy and godly life, waiting for and hastening the coming of your day (2 Pet 3:11–14). Am I being diligent to be found by you without spot or blemish, and at peace? Am I guarding myself against error and growing in grace? Request Father, I want to keep your words today and tomorrow and every day of my life! Help me to keep on being righteous, and enable me to keep on being holy (Rev 22:11). May my robes always be washed in Jesus’ precious blood. Thanksgiving Thank you for satisfying the thirst of my soul. You have given me the free gift of the water of life, and I praise you for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life that I may drink. He said, “Surely I am coming soon.” I say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20). In the name of the glorious, matchless Son of God, Jesus my Savior, Amen! Suggested Hymn: “The King Is Coming” – Ira D. Sankey. Meditation Verse: Revelation 22:14. |