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You are invited to join us on the Chronological Bible in a Year journey in 2026!<\/strong>\u00a0 Click on this link for more details and to sign up!\u00a0Or, you may be interested in joining us on the Bible in a Year (OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs daily) journey in 2026 and can sign up at this link:\u00a0www.bibleinayearblog.com<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation 3:1-6:17<\/strong><\/span> Revelation chapter 3 verse 3 is powerful from Jesus: \u201cGo back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 My thought here is that sometimes we are so on fire for our faith in Jesus and God \u2013 particularly when we first believe.\u00a0 And then this fire and initial strong faith begins to wane over time.\u00a0 And to a degree, this is okay.\u00a0 We will not be on the \u201cmountaintop\u201d all of the time \u2013 we must traverse through the valleys as well. But, if perhaps we\u2019ve been camped out in the valleys for a bit too long now, is it possible that we might need to go back to what we heard and believed at first?\u00a0 Might we need to hold to these first beliefs more firmly?\u00a0 And turn to Jesus again? In this Christmas season, will you return to Jesus once again? Will you return to the Manger in Bethlehem?<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Revelation chapter 3 we read about The Message to the Church in Philadelphia and Laodicea.\u00a0 \u00a0Verse 8 today is powerful, from Jesus: \u201cI know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Jesus has opened the door for us to enter God\u2019s kingdom through faith in him.\u00a0 No one can keep us from entering through this open door \u2013 besides ourselves.\u00a0 Will you walk through the door Jesus has opened for you?<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 15 and 16 are convicting words from Jesus!\u00a0 \u201c\u201dI know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Are you hot or cold in your faith for God these days?\u00a0 Or maybe lukewarm?\u00a0 Will you live now and tomorrow with only a hot faith in God?\u00a0 Hot Tamales Hot?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 20 is beautiful from Jesus:\u00a0 \u201c\u201dLook! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 As we read above \u2013 the door to entering into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus is open and no one can shut it \u2013 except maybe we will shut the door ourselves in our own lives.\u00a0 If you have shut the door, is it possible that you hear Jesus knocking on the door?\u00a0 Is it possible Jesus is calling to you from the other side of the door you have shut?\u00a0 Will you open it?\u00a0 Do you want to share a meal with Jesus as friends?<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation chapter 4 today is an amazing chapter, where we get a great glimpse of worship in heaven!\u00a0 Verses 1 & 2 are an awesome start to this chapter with John first seeing an open door in heaven and then being instantly in the Spirit!\u00a0 \u201cThen as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, \u201cCome up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.\u201d And instantly I was in the Spirit.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span> <\/p>\n Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Revelation Illustrated<\/span><\/p>\n \u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 3 stands out today with a great glimpse of God\u2019s glory \u2013 \u201cThe one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones\u2013jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.\u201d <\/em>You\u2019ll note that there is not a clear description of God, as he is often described as dwelling in an \u201cunapproachable light\u201d.\u00a0 But I think the gemstones and the emerald rainbow are pretty good starters for envisioning God\u2019s glory\u2026\u00a0 Can you imagine seeing God face to face some day?\u00a0 Does this make your heart leap with excitement and joy?<\/span> Verse 4 stood out in today\u2019s readings as well: \u201cTwenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.\u201d<\/em> It is said that these 24 thrones represent both the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus.\u00a0 Thus, representing all righteous and redeemed men and women before and after Jesus\u2019 life.<\/span> <\/p>\n Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Revelation Illustrated<\/span><\/p>\n \u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 6 & 7 will remind us of the seraphs in Isaiah and the cherubim in Ezekiel \u2013 \u201cIn the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings had the form of a lion; the second looked like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth had the form of an eagle with wings spread out as though in flight.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 These creatures are said to represent aspects of the attributes of God.\u00a0 The lion representing majesty & power.\u00a0 The ox representing faithfulness.\u00a0 The human representing intelligence.\u00a0 And the eagle representing sovereignty.<\/span> Verses 10 & 11 is a beautiful look at elders worshiping God!\u00a0 \u201cThe twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, \u201cYou are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Imagine yourself in heaven with a crown of some sort.\u00a0 Will you lay down your crown before the throne of God and worship God in this same manner?\u00a0 Do you believe that God is worthy to receive all glory, and honor, and power?\u00a0 Do you believe that it was for God\u2019s pleasure that everything exists and was created?<\/span> <\/p>\n Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Revelation Illustrated<\/span><\/p>\n \u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation 5 is another beautiful chapter looking at worship in heaven!\u00a0 And in this chapter we see the worship of Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, who opens the scroll.\u00a0 It is interesting that Jesus is described first as the Lion of Judah in verse 5 and then as a Lamb in verse 6.\u00a0 This demonstrates both Jesus\u2019 authority and power (lion) and Jesus\u2019 submission to God\u2019s will (lamb).<\/span> Verse 9 is certainly powerful in today\u2019s readings: \u201cAnd they sang a new song with these words: \u201cYou are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus\u2019 blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation?\u00a0 How do people accept this gift \u2013 this ransom?\u00a0 Are the stakes high enough that we should accept this ransom?<\/span> And verse 12 is powerful: \u201cAnd they sang in a mighty chorus: \u201cThe Lamb is worthy\u2013the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus is worthy to receive power?\u00a0 And riches?\u00a0 And wisdom?\u00a0 And honor?\u00a0 And glory?\u00a0 And blessing?\u00a0 Will you give these things to Jesus in your life today?<\/span> To powerfully close out this New Testament post today, below is an image of Revelation Chapter 5 titled \u201cThe Opening of the Sealed Scroll\u201d by the amazing artist Pat Marvenko Smith from <\/span>www.revelationillustrated.com<\/span>.\u00a0 Based on today\u2019s readings, please take a few moments to reflect on this image and what it means to you personally\u2026<\/span> <\/p>\n Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Revelation Illustrated<\/span><\/p>\n \u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation chapter 6 begins the first of 3 seven-part judgments with the opening of the seals on the scroll!\u00a0 The seven trumpets in chapters 8 & 9 and the seven bowls in chapter 16 are the remaining two.\u00a0 The unsealing of the seals on the scroll by Jesus in this chapter sets in motion events that will bring about the end of human history.\u00a0 Verse 12 today tells us: \u201cI watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. The imagery of the four horsemen in this chapter comes from Zechariah chapter 1 verses 8-17 and chapter 6 verse 1-6.\u00a0 In chapter 1 of Zechariah verses 8-10 we read: \u201cDuring the night I had a vision-and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. I asked, \u201cWhat are these, my lord?\u201d\u00a0 The angel who was talking with me answered, \u201cI will show you what they are.\u201d Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, \u201cThey are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This is a good example of how John is utilizing a lot of imagery for the book of Revelation from the Old Testament.\u00a0 And of course it is a great example of how the Old Testament is fulfilled by the New Testament.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. A portion of verse 8 should be noted about the 4 horsemen: \u201cThey were given authority over one-fourth of the earth.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Some commentaries have noted that this demonstrates that even in the end of days, God is continuing to show compassion.\u00a0 He only allows the four horsemen to do their work over 1\/4th of the earth, giving everyone in the other 3\/4ths of the earth an opportunity to repent and turn to Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n Below is another incredible piece of artwork from Pat Marvenko Smith for Revelation chapter 6 verses 9 through 11!\u00a0 \u201cWhen the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, \u201cO Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?\u201d Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters\u2014their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred\u2014had joined them.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings in Revelation 4:8-11 reminded me of the Chris Tomlin song \u201cWe Fall Down.\u201d Here\u2019s a great live video of Chris and Steven Curtis Chapman talking about the song and playing it together:<\/span>
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