December 28, Reading 3 – Revelation 19:11-20:6

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

What impresses you about Jesus in this tremendous passage? Once again Psalm 2 is part of the background. Psalms 1 and 2 portray the Law and the Prophets – the 2 witnesses to Christ.

SJA Notes

* Holy God, You are just and Your justice is without partiality. Thank You for Jesus, who took the punishment for our sin on Himself.

“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”

With the same weight that Jesus is the one who shows God’s grace and mercy to His people, He is also the one called Faithful and True – In righteousness He judges and makes war.

These are not past events described here, because while Jesus bore the curse at Calvary, taking on the punishment His people were due – There are many on the broad road who live and then die in opposition to Him.

“He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”

These should be sobering words. Words that clearly show us what will happen here at the end.

This is Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords. Shepherd and Judge.

* God Above,

Please help us see Jesus a little better this day from Your word.

Please help us point to Jesus, those around us, to take the opportunities You bring.

We pray that they would come to You in repentance and belief, so that they are found here at the end as Your sheep rather than the goats.

Amen.


December 27, Reading 3 – Revelation 19:1-10

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Heaven will be a wonderful place! Verse 10 is a key verse to understand what the Bible means by prophecy. A lot of modern Christian commentators place the spirit or focus of prophecy of the Old Testament in the Jews. John places it in the testimony of Jesus.

SJA Notes

* Faithful God, steadfast and true, thank You for Your word to us today.

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

We are nearly at the end of earthly things here. Events are building towards the return of the King, the One who will appear to mete out God’s justice and to outwork His love. Both with finality.

Jesus Himself said a few chapters previous that He stands at the door and knocks.

We know that those invited are those whose names have been written in the Lamb’s book of life.

So we God’s people are blessed!

Here at the end we see the conclusion of the two (and only two) paths in life.

The narrow way ends in the marriage feast.

The broad road ends in weeping and gnashing of teeth, the judgement on the great prostitute Babylon, smoke going up from here forever and ever.

May this passage today encourage us and exhort us both – That we might grasp every opportunity God brings us to point people to Him.

* Dear Lord God,

Please save those around us, for the sake of Your Great Name! Our loved ones, friends and family, who sit outside the sheepfold.

Please draw them with Your irresistible grace, to listen to the Good Shepherd and come and be saved!

Amen.

December 26, Reading 3 – Revelation 18

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The image of Babylon is the same as what Jesus meant by Mammon. Nahum 3, Habakkuk 2 and Zephaniah 3 are all passages with the same message. Where have I placed my love? Is my profession the same as my practice?

SJA Notes

* Dear God Above, Your word is full of Your wisdom. Please teach us a little today.

“Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

This city Babylon has been in our readings through Revelation. A mighty city, one that the kings of the earth commit immorality with.

In a single hour this great power will be undone.

For mighty is the Lord God who is the judge.

Kings, merchants, shipmasters – All who benefit from the trade of Babylon, they will weep and mourn.

In a single hour she will be laid waste, thrown down with violence, found no more.

A complete and forever end.

The world will not win. Our God, our King – He is returning as judge.

And the great Babylon that is this city all the leadership and powers on earth pay homage too – She will be judged.

Our God is not weak, and is not forgetful. He remembers the blood of His prophets, His saints.

Praise God that in Christ we have a hiding place from His judgement for our sin.

* Dear Lord God,

This world seems strong and powerful, full of evil intention and subtle attack.

Please steady us on You as our foundation, our rock, our Redeemer.

Thank You for Jesus! In whose power, in whose righteousness we stand.

Amen.