daily content will resume next year

Micah 5
He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Luke 2
.. the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord.

Micah 5

2 [a]But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you,
one whose origins are from the distant past.

Luke 2
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

A truly humble man is sensible of the small extent of his knowledge, and the great extent of his ignorance, and of the
small extent of his understanding, as compared with the understanding of God.
He is sensible of his natural distance from God, of his dependence on Him, of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom;
and that it is by God's power that he is upheld and provided for; and that he needs God's wisdom to lead and guide him,
and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him.
Johathon Edwards

"God cannot bear with seeing His glory appropriated by the creature in even the smallest degree, so intolerable to Him is the sacrilegious arrogance of those who, by praising themselves, obscure His glory as far as they can."
John Calvin

"Lord, command what You will and grant what You command."
St. Augustine

Revelation 22 concludes the prophetic words and visions given to John regarding the "end times" and God's future reign in the new Jerusalem. First, John sees a symbolic pure, clear, thirst-quenching river flowing from the throne of God, representing the eternal fullness of life and blessings awaiting believers. Also, there will be "on each side of the river ...a tree of life", from which we will be able to forever eat freely in God's provision. God's throne will be there and His servants "will see His face, and... the Lord will shine on them" and "no longer will anything be cursed". Jesus said to John, "Look. I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the prophecy written in this scroll. See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me". John says therefore, "blessed are those who wash their robes", those who seek to purify themselves from a sinful way of life and strive daily to remain faithful and ready for Christ's return. John explains that the reward that Jesus refers to is the "entry through the gates of the city" and the ability to "eat the fruit from the trees of life". Jesus says to John "I am the bright morning star", the light of our salvation and He and the Spirit say to the people everywhere, "Come". And the church who hears him will say to the people everywhere, "Come". But only those who thirst for Him and seek Him will come and "drink the water of life without charge".

Come , Lord Jesus !

Rev 21 is about the new heaven and earth and the new Jerusalem. John saw Jerusalem coming down out of heaven , "made ready as a bride adorned for her husband". And he heard a voice from the throne , "Look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them and they will be His people." He says there will be no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, and no more pain, for "these things are gone forever". The voice from the throne also says, "I am making everything new... It is finished...all who are thirsty will I give freely from the springs of life", and they will be "victorious and will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God". John describes the new Jerusalem, which descended out of heaven, and will "shine with the glory of God" and will "sparkle like a precious stone". There will be no temple in the city, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple". There will also be no sun or moon, "for the glory of God will illuminate the city" and the "nations will walk in its light... and all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city". Only "those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life" will be allowed to enter the city.

Rev 20 describes the casting of Satan down into the "abyss", where he will remain for a time while the saints will come to life in the first resurrection and will reign with Christ in judgment. John says, "Blessed and holy" are those who have "a part in the first resurrection, for over these the second death has no power". After a time, though, Satan will be released and return again to deceive the nations of the earth and will wage war against "the camp of saints and the beloved city", but John says a fire will come down from heaven and devour him. "And the devil who deceived them" will be "thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone" with the beasts and false prophets, and "they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Then John describes the judgment of those who names are not found written in the book of life. These dead , both "great and small", will stand before the throne and be judged according to their deeds, and will then be thrown into the lake of fire.

In Rev 19 John shares that he saw heaven standing open and a white horse, "whose rider is called Faithful and True" (Jesus).
He says Jesus will judge and make war with His justice. "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God." Jesus will rule and "tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty." "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments." John describes hearing what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! "

Rev 18 describes the doom and fall of Babylon, the home of demons, foul spirits, those drunk in sin, and the worldly kingdom of the Antichrist. "'Woe! Woe, O great city... In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you."

Rev 17
"They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers."

Rev 16 discusses the seven "bowls of God's wrath" that are poured out onto creation. An angel says to God after the third bowl, "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged... Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments ". After the seventh judgment bowl was poured out, there was another voice that announced "It is finished" and there was immediately thunder, lightning, and a tremendous earthquake. Reminds me of when Jesus was at the end of His life and announced the same while he was on the cross ( "It is finished") and an earthquake followed immediately. Both events mark historically a beginning and and end to life as we know it and have absolute and eternal consequences both physically and spiritually for all of mankind.

Rev 15
"Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed."

Rev 13 discusses two more evil beasts, one who rises from the sea and the other from the earth. They are allowed to speak great blasphemies against God and deceive all the people who belong to the world. They were allowed to wage war against God's holy people. The people of the world, those whose names were not written in the Book of Life, all worshiped the beasts. John tells us also that the beast's number is 666, which has some mysterious relevance to Satan's attempt to undo Chris's work.
Rev 14 describes the destiny of the body of believers who have endured persecution on earth and will soon enter eternity of blessing and glory with Him, and forever "will rest from all their toils and trials". Jesus is described as having separated the "harvest", which is a "ripe crop" among the whole earth. Believers will receive their long-awaited reward and God's wrath and judgement will be proceed against the unbelievers, symbolized by imagery of grapes being trodden and blood flowing from a winepress.

Rev 12
"It has happened at last--the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ! For the accuser has been thrown down to earth--the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die. Rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice ! But terror will come on the earth and the sea. For the devil has come down to you in great anger, and he knows that he has little time."

Rev 10-11 tells of another "mighty angel coming down from heaven" to announce the final judgements on all creation. Then the seventh angel will sound his trumpet and the whole world will "become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and he will reign forever and ever".

Rev 9 explains the results of fifth and sixth angels sounding their trumpets, namely the first and second "woe" referred to at the end of chapter eight. The first involves the opening of the Abyss, from which an intense smoke arose and covered the sky and contained locusts appearing like horses prepared for battle. The locusts will have tails that sting like scorpions and the power to torment and torture people who did not have the seal of God. Then when the sixth angel sounds its trumpet, there will be voice saying "release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates". When they are released, they will kill 1/3 of remaining mankind with plagues from their mouths: fire, smoke, and sulfur. John concludes by explaining that the hearts of the still remaining mankind will continue to be unyielding and will even yet not repent. ( Didn't they read Exodus?)

Rev 8 tells us about the seven angels and their trumpets. After the seventh seal was opened, there was a period of silence and then the four of the seven angels each sounded their trumpets, which caused destruction of 1/3 of the earth, 1/3 of the sea, 1/3 of the fresh water supply, and the sun, moon, and stars. As if this wasn't enough, John hears from "midair call out in a loud voice: Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!".

Rev 7 reminds us that we who are marked with the "seal of God" as His servants "will be fully protected" and preserved. We will be among those in John's vision,"a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language" marked with the seal of God, all shouting that our "salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!". John was told in his vision that "they will never again be hungry or thirsty...for the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd..and lead them to the springs of life-giving water".

Rev 6 is about the opening of the first six seals, which are opened by Christ "the Lamb". By opening the seals, Christ sets in motion events that bring about the end times, the unfolding judgement of God. The different seals are associated with different colored horses, representing different kinds of judgement (famine, warfare, death). God displays both His mercy and justice as history occurs according to the timing of His will.

In Rev 5, a book (scroll) was revealed to John , which was sealed in a special way with seven seals, and nobody was able to open or read it. Then John heard " Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has conquered. He is worthy to open and break it's seven seals." Next, John heard a song being sung before Christ, "For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." John heard again a song of worship, " The Lamb is worthy-- the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy ..." and "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne".
Jesus is on the throne , He is worthy, and He is in control.

In Rev 4, John hears again the "same voice" of Christ who tells him now " I will show you what must happen after these things". John saw a vision of the throne in heaven and "someone sitting on it". He describes the throne as " brilliant" with gemstones and gold and from the throne came "flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder". There also are four living beings around the throne , which appeared to be like a lion, ox, eagle, and human face. It seems that these beings represent attributes of God, such as power, strength, majesty, and intelligence. All of these beings were worshiping God , singing praises of "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty". In verse 11, John concludes with " You 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."

Rev 3 continues the instructions to the other three churches in Asia Minor: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. John follows the same pattern as in chapter 2, with a description of Jesus at the beginning of each section: "him who holds the seven spirits of God and seven stars", "him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David", and "the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation". Next, he states what God has "against" each church. To Sardis, "you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead". To Philadelphia, "you have little strength". To Laodicea, "you are neither cold nor hot". Then, the Lord gives direction: Sardis is told "remember what you have received and heard, obey it, and repent", Philadelphia is told "hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown", Laodicea is told "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. Be earnest, and repent". Next, those who overcome are described: to Sardis, " who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life", to Phladelphia, "who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God.. and I will also write on him my new name", to Laodicea, " who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne". Lastly, John concludes the address to each church with " he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".

Rev 2 begins the instructions that the Lord gave to the churches. In this chapter, John writes to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. In each address, John first describes whom the message is from, describing Jesus in various ways. He is called "the one who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands", "him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again", "him who has the sharp, double-edged sword" , and the "Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze". In each address, he then encourages each church. Ephesus is commended for "hard work", "perseverance", "not tolerating wicked men", "testing those who call themselves apostles", "enduring hardships for My name, and not grown weary", and "hating the practices of the Nicolations". Smyrna is commended for enduring "afflictions and poverty", and "slander of those who say they are Jews". Pergamum is encouraged for "remaining true to My name", and "not renouncing your faith in Me". Thyatira is commended for "your deeds, love, service, and perseverance", and "doing more than you did at first". Next, to each church, the Lord rebukes each church regarding some things He has "against them" and redirects them towards restoration. He says to Ephesus, "you have forsaken your first love" and you must "repent and do the things you did at first". To Smyrna, He says "do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer", but "be faithful". To Pergamum, He says "you have people there who hold to the teachings of Balaam", and "you also have those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans". , so "repent therefore!" Finally, He says to Thyratira , "you tolerate that woman Jezebel", who "misleads my servants", so you must "repent of her ways" and "hold on to what you have until I come". Then, to each church He says , "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches". Finally, John writes a statement about the rewarding consequences that each church will receive when they "overcome" and follow these instructions from the Lord. Ephesus is told " I will give you the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God". He says the church of Smyrna "will not be hurt at all by the second death" . Pergamum is told , "I will give you some of the hidden manna" and also "a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it". Lastly, Thyatira is told that He "will give (them) authority over the nations", "to rule with an iron scepter", and will give them "the morning star".

In Rev 1, John gives us some "revelations" about the future (why, what, and how) and why he wrote this book. "To show His servants what must soon take place", because "the time is near". John testifies what was revealed to him by Jesus himself, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. God made it know to us through His servant, John, who has testified what was made known to him. He says blessed are they that read it, hear it preached, and take it to heart. He reminds us that God loves us, freed us, and made us to be priests to serve Him. John says Jesus is coming and everyone will soon witness the return of our eternal Lord God, "who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty". Jesus spoke to John and told him to write all that Jesus had shown him and spoken to him so that he could share it with the church. John was told to "write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later". John was next instructed what to write to each of the seven churches of Asia Minor( Rev 2-3).

Jude contrasts the outlook for "those who have been called" and "godless men". Those who God has called into faith are "loved by God" and "kept by Jesus Christ". Jude gives those of us who "share the salvation" encouragement to contend for and defend the faith against the godless men who "change the grace of our God into a license for immorality". Jude reminds us that the Lord delivers His people, and has "destroyed those who did not believe". These godless people will encounter "everlasting chains of judgement on the great Day" and will "suffer the punishment of eternal fire". They are described as clouds without rain, trees without fruit and uprooted, "for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever". He says the Lord is coming to judge and convict the ungodly. "But, dear friends, ..." you will be built up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, who will keep you in God's love as you wait on the mercy of our Lord Jesus to bring you eternal life. The last two verses of this letter are very encouraging to any who doubt their future outlook or may have any fear of being able to remain faithful enough to persevere.

 24To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!