The Badlands

Scripture:
Revelation 18:1-3(ESV)

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice,

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
    She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
For all nations have drunk
    the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
    and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

Devotional:

The first place that came to my mind after reading the first three verses was the “Badlands.”  The second was Dodge City.  Both are from our wild west days.  They were places were the outlaws and lawless lived.  I think of Wyatt Earp and the OK Corral in Tombstone Arizona.  I think of how a few men brought outlaws to justice throughout the old west.  The late eighteen hundreds was a time of change for the United States. 

I look at the major cities and I think about Washington DC.  How the corrupt and powerful fill the halls of our capital.  I think that we are becoming more and more like the Babylon described in Chapter eighteen.  Some people believe that we are somewhere in the middle of Revelations now.  That the end is here and now.  Sometimes I think they just might be right.  That Washington DC is another Babylon.  I don’t know if we are living through Revelation now.  I don’t know when it will come to pass. 

One thing I know is that I can look around and see all the good still in the world.  I hear about the millions of people coming to know Christ.  As bad as it might be, or get, I believe that we must continue to change the world.  That people out there need Jesus and it is up to us to help them make the connection.  Even if we live in a place as bad as Dodge City or Tombstone, or even a worse place, we have to keep reaching out. 

Remember one simple fact.  In the end you only have two choices.  The catch is that you have to choose before you get to the other side.  In this case you really don’t want the choice made for you.  We get only two choices.  One choice is hell, no thank you.  The other choice is Heaven, yes please.  What does it take to make that choice?  Jesus is all it takes.  Is He in your heart?  Is He your savior?  What about your family members?  What about your friends?  OK now the hard question, what about your enemies?

Lost Or Found?

Scripture:
Revelation 17 {17:15-19 (ESV)}

And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

Devotional:

As I sit and ponder chapter seventeen I struggle with what to share.  A few scattered thoughts slip in and out of my mind.  I think about the prostitute being a woman.  After a man has his way she is discarded tossed aside.  I think about a great and magnificent city that is the central power of the earth.  That someday it will be destroyed.  It will lie in ruins.  Then the thought of my life without Christ would be the same.  I am here today.  Tomorrow I would be tossed into the fire. 

Fortunately, my fate is different.  I will not be tossed aside like some piece of trash with no worth.  I am a treasure beyond compare.  In fact, we are all very valuable treasures.  Each of us is so valuable that God Himself paid a very high price for each of us.  Some of us are found while some of us remain lost.  The good news is that no one has to remain lost.  The choice is yours to make.  In the end there are only two places to go.  In the fiery furnace that consumes the trash.  Or you can go into a treasure vault in Heaven.  

Destruction Falls

Scripture:
Revelation 16:17-21 (ESV)

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Devotional:

As I read about the one hundred pound hailstones my mind wandered to the movie Armageddon with Bruce Willis.  It was about a giant asteroid that was on a collision course with Earth.  There have been other movies as well about meteors heading to Earth.  Always there is a hero or group of heroes that save the day.  Sure some die in the movies but civilization and the planet are saved.  Life goes on.

When God brings about the end and Revelation comes to pass no one can save the day.  God’s judgement and wrath are being poured out upon the earth for all of our foolish sins.  People will futilely curse God and blame Him.  But the truth of the matter it will be mankind’s own fault.  The choice is ours.  We can follow God’s ways or we can go at it our own way.  Just think if everyone turned to Christ there would not be any need for Revelation to come to pass.  No one would be around after the rapture.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?  The problem is that the entire world hasn’t accepted Jesus.  Not everyone will be willing to. 

Despite that we need to do our part.  Unfortunately, most Christians fail to reach out and make disciples, myself included.  Jesus tells us to go and make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19-20 ESV:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is not a request or a suggestion.  So why do we pass it on for someone else?  Why is it we think it isn’t our job or that we do not have to.  I am just as guilty and I have to change that.  It is our job to reach the world so that everyone will know Jesus.  If each of us started to do our part, we would change the world.  Not everyone will accept but that doesn’t mean we are supposed to give up.  Jesus hasn’t given up on you.  He hasn’t given up on me.  

Prepare For Battle

Scripture:

Revelation 16:12-16 (ESV)

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

Devotional:

Gathering for a great battle.  I can picture armies in shining armor lining up for a climatic face off.  Satan and his minions on one side.  Jesus with the heavenly host on the other side.  Reading Revelation about things to come.  It is easy to think that only the big battles in the end will be fought.  The truth is that we are already past lining up.  We are headlong into a battle.  We are fighting daily against the enemy.  Satan is constantly throwing any and everything he can at us.  The stronger in faith we are the more he attacks. 

Are you ready for the daily battles that are going on?  Have you put on the full armor of God?  Ephesians 10-18, ESV:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Only with God and the armor he provides can we stand a chance of winning the battle.  There will be times when you think you can’t win.  Some battles we will lose.  But remember through Christ we have the means to win them all.  The best part of all is that the war is already won.  

Bowls of Wrath

Scripture:
Revelation 16:1-10 (ESV)

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.

The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 

And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say,

“Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was,
   for you brought these judgments.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
    and you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!”

And I heard the altar saying,

“Yes, Lord God the Almighty,

    true and just are your judgments!”

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

Devotional:

Bible Gateway’s website has the heading Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath.  As I read these wraths I thought to myself why.  Not why did God pour out His wrath.  He is fully justified in doing so.  Nothing in mankind deserves anything less.  Every single one of us has sin in our lives.  We sin against other men and women.  We sin against loved ones and family members.  Most importantly we sin against God.  Not one person is righteous.  We cannot become righteous in our merit, deeds, or power.

Because of the sin in our lives we are able to be in the presence of God.  Isaiah 64:6 (ESV) states:

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.  We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

The fact is we deserve God’s wrath.  However, what I don’t understand is why people would choose to face God’s wrath when he has provided a way out.  We are all made clean and righteous through Jesus.  He died for us so that we can have a restored relationship with God and himself.

What is your choice?  What about your friends and family?  What choice have they made?  The bottom line is that we do not have to face or endure God’s wrath.  He has provided a way out.

Seven Angels, Seven Plagues

Scripture:

Revelation 15 (ESV)

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
    O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
    O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord,
    and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
    All nations will come
    and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

Devotional:

As bad as Revelation has been so far I can’t help but think the worst is about to come.  The seven plagues are about to be released upon the earth.  This is God’s final pouring out of His wrath.

Are there times in your life when you have vented your anger upon something or someone?  We vent out our anger letting loose some steam.  We watch movies full of rage.  People in them venting out their wrath upon others.  Whether you see fits of rage in real life or in the movies there usually is some amount of devastation.  It is never a good sight or ends well. 

God is justified in His wrath that is not the question.  God’s wrath is not the same as our petty fits of rage.  However, I can’t help but think of how much worse it will turn out when God pours out His wrath upon the earth.  As bad as Revelation has been to this point I ponder on how much worse it might get… 

Winepress of Wrath

Scripture:

Revelation: 14:14-20 (ESV)

Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia.

Devotional:

Reading this I picture Lucile Ball in “I Love Lucy” stomping grapes in a wine press.  I can still see her face as she is squishing grapes.  I can see a giant version of that winepress with the unsaved thrown in. I picture the blood rising higher and higher seeping through the winepress, and over it.

This is definitely not a place I want to end up.  Full of God’s wrath nothing but pain and misery.  When the earth is ripe God will poor out his wrath.  I think about the hell, damnation, fire and brimstone sermons we never hear anymore.  I use to think we didn’t need to hear them anymore.  They got old and outdated.  But, looking at where we are today I wonder if it might be possible we need more of those sermons.  For those who are saved it makes a great reminder.  For others hopefully a wakeup call. 

Do you need a wakeup call?  Do you know someone who does?  Revelation 14 shows us God’s wrath.  It also shows us what will happen to those who remain lost.  I am glad to know where I will reside in eternity.  Do you know where you will spend eternity?  What about your family and friends?  What about your neighbor? 

Tattoos, Marks, and Other Signs

Scripture:

Revelation 14:8-13 (ESV)

A second angel followed and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Devotional:

Tatoos and other markings are often used as a sign or symbol of belonging.  We have a desire to be identified with a group that accepts us.  Gang members sometimes will have identifying tattoos or wear certain colors to show their allegiance.  As kids we often will have some sort of symbol or sign to identifiy us with our closest friends.

When the end is here and Satan’s reign is high there will be a mark.  Those who worship him will receive this mark.  People will be forced to have this mark in order to get food or even be able to purchase things.  However, this mark is not one I personally would want.  It seals your fate forever.  The mark of the beast will mean eternity of torment. 

I can’t imagine what life will be like in those days.  I pray I am not around to live through them.  I do hope that no matter what I will always bear the mark that shows I belong to Christ.  He alone is worthy.  He alone can save.  It is through Jesus that we are saved and can have an eternity of peace.  Jesus is the way.

Give God The Glory

Scripture:

Revelation 14:6-7 (ESV)

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Devotional:

Fear God and give Him glory.  Sometimes it boggles my mind at how people can state that God is not real.  I don’t see how you can look at this beautiful world and up at the expanse of the universe and believe that.  Just look at the miracle of life.  A baby being born.  If you go by the odds those precious little babies should not survive.  It is amazing that we live and grow.

People still refuse to acknowledge God.  There will come a time when every knee will bend and tongue confess who God is.  If we fail to do so here it will be too late there.  God’s judgment will come.  Each of us will acknowledge.  The question you have to ask is who will pay the price for your sins.  I know the answer for myself.  What about you?  Do you know God?  Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  What about those around you?  Each of us need to act before it is too late.  Jesus is the way…  John 3:16-17 (ESV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.