Is It The End? Are You Prepared?

Scripture:

Revelation 6:1-4 (NIV)

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one.  Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

Devotional:

As I look around and read more and more headlines on the Internet it is easy to become despaired.  All around us we hear of violence and destruction.  There are wars and fighting going on all over.  Peace does seem to be slipping away.  Not all peace is leaving with the end of violence either.  Unrest comes in many forms at all times of the day. 

I hear people say we are in the “End Times” Revelation is here.  I normally comment on the fact I don’t think it is here yet.  The signs are there.  They have been there for generations.  Many people thought Hitler was the antichrist.  Some people I talk to say that this person or that person today is the antichrist.  While I am not so sure the end isn’t here, I am not convinced it is either.

The truth of the matter is that we don’t know when the end will come.  Christ could return upon the clouds today.  Times are tough and they will get worse before it is over.  All we can do is be prepared.  Do our part in reaching the world.  Our daughters watched the movie “Hoodwinked” and in it a goat sings a song.  The song is about being prepared.  It is a cute song for kids but there is a ring of truth in it.  It is also the Boy Scout motto.  Be prepared, are you?

Worthy Is The Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb
Scripture:
Revelation 5:1-10 (NKJV)

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

Devotional:

After reading the first seven verses of chapter five I am reminded of King Arthur. Excalibur was thrust into the stone. The legend has it that only the true king of England can draw the sword from the stone. Knights from near and far would come to try and draw the sword and become king of England. One after another they all failed to draw the sword. Finally a boy comes along and slips it easily out of the stone.

Christ is the only one worthy and able to open the sealed scroll. He alone can open the seals to reveal what is written within the scroll. Jesus is worthy of our praise and worship. More importantly He is the only one qualified to save us. Others proclaim victory and redemption. Others come along and proclaim to be the messiah our savior. They speak supposed truth and salvation. A way to freedom and the heavens. The truth of the matter is that there is only one who is worthy and only one who can actually save us. Jesus is the way, the truth, and life. John 14:6 (NKJV) “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

No one else is worthy. No one else can truly save us. It is through Christ that we are redeemed and made righteous. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Worthy is the Lamb…

Give Praise to the LORD

Scripture:
Revelation 4 (NKJV)

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Devotional:

I read Revelation four pondering over what it says.  I try to imagine what these four creatures look like with little success.  I move on to the throne room and sea of glass.  I think of the emerald rainbow.  How beautiful the throne and surrounding areas must be.  The praises that are sung are for one who is truly worthy.  In fact no one else is worthy of our praise.

How often do you just give God praise?  No reasoning or special event needed.  Do you just offer up praise for God?  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, first and last.  In fact He is also everything in between.  He alone is worthy of our praise.  We don’t have to sit in a church, or be in a revival in order to give God praise.  We can praise God anywhere anytime.  Turn on the radio if you want and sing your favorite praise song or hymn.  Find a friend to sing along with or just sing by yourself.  Tap your toes or clap your hands make a joyful noise unto the Lord.  Psalm 100 (NKJV):

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.

Sing and shout your praises to God for He alone is worthy…

Neither Hot Nor Cold

Scripture:

Revelation 3:14-22 (NIV)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm neither hot nor cold I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Devotional:

Have you ever taken a drink of ice tea only to have it lukewarm and tepid as you drink?  Or have you ever taken a drink of coffee only to have it mediocre at best not hot or cold just blah?   Few things are worse than getting a glass of nice cold milk only to find that it is at room temperature, yuck.  There are so called Christians who are just that, lukewarm.  They are neither hot nor cold but just sit on the fence tepid and lukewarm. 

What is it to be hot or cold?  Think of hot water to sooth you in a bath, or to clean dirty dishes with.  Hot water can be used to make a nice cup of hot tea.  Just add ice and you get a great cup of ice tea. Ice-cold water is refreshing to drink on a hot sunny day.  Cold water is great to cool down with.  It is good to be either hot or cold.  Being lukewarm is another matter.

Some of us start off strong but peter-out and never finish what we start.  Too often we as Christians sit on the sidelines thinking that someone else can do it.  We think that someday we will get around to it.  The problem is I have never found a round to-it.  Tomorrow never comes and things don’t get done.  We are neither hot nor cold but just mediocre.  Jesus warns us not to be mediocre.  He implores us to repent.  He is knocking on our doors seeking to come in.  But He will not intrude or force himself.  He will politely wait until we invite Him in.  It is time that we warm up and set our hearts on fire for Christ.  We cannot wait for someone else to get to it for us.  God is calling us to action.  He is asking us not to just be that Sunday Christian who only goes to church but fails to have a meaningful relationship with Him. 

Take inventory of your life.  Ask yourself if you are lukewarm, hot, or cold.  Don’t just give a brief thought.  Take a few minutes, or more, to really think about your relationship with Jesus.  You cannot afford to be that room temperature glass of milk or tea.  It is not healthy for you to be that lukewarm cup of coffee or hot chocolate.  Instead make yourself become that piping hot cup.  Look into what interests you.  What is that gets your blood pumping just thinking about it?  Once you discover what that is start looking how you can use it to Glorify God.  How can you take what you are passionate about and use it to reach others?  When we find what we are passionate about and use it we can become a Christian on fire for Christ…