Revelation 21-22

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:21)

It seems fitting to end my blogging with the blessing that ends the Bible's book of Revelation. May blessings of grace--God's free gift to us--fill every soul, every moment, and every universe.

I have learned something about myself by reading through the Bible in one year in this way. I have learned many things, in fact, but I sense deep conviction about this: I intend to read, study, and contemplate the scriptures going forward from today, but I do not intend to read through the Bible in one year in this way again. Why? The schedule for reading--Genesis through Revelation in order with Psalms and Proverbs in order scattered throughout the weeks of the year--put me at odds with the seasons of the Christian year. For example, it dictated reading the creation story during Christmastide. We read the Bible's book of Nehemiah at Pentecost! The schedule did not lend support to the established rhythm of either my spiritual life or Christ's faith community. At times I felt the schedule distracted me or subtracted from our spirituality.

Note to self: When reading through the Bible in one year choose a schedule of reading that meshes well with the seasons of the Christian year.

Thank you for sharing this experience with me, reader. 

Christmas blessings!

Revelation 18-20, Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs‬ ‭31:10-31‬)

Yes, who can find a woman doing all these things? This selection from the Bible’s book of Proverbs reads like an exhaustive list of what is desirable in a wife from the ancient Jewish man’s point of view. I approve of the advice given to those men embedded within the list: “Praise her!” If more husbands appreciated and praised their wives, then in my opinion both they and their wives would be better satisfied.

It’s not recorded in the Bible, but I suspect that somewhere there is an exhaustive list of what is desirable in a husband  from the woman’s point of view. It’s likely no man can live up to all those expectations, but given the appreciation and praise of his wife, a husband may therewith find contentment.

I feel we live well with reasonable expectations of one another, and we live miserably with mutual expectations that are either too high or too low.

Revelation 14-17

I see some similarities between the seven bowls of God's wrath (Revelation, chapter 16) and the plagues visited on Egypt, described in the Bible's book of Exodus, chapters 7-11:

• Plagues of festering sores or boils - See Revelation 16:2 and Exodus 9:9.
• Plagues of water turned to blood - See Revelation 16:3-4 and Exodus 7:20-21
• Plagues of darkness - See Revelation 16:10 and Exodus 10:21-23
• Plagues of impure spirits, appearing as frogs, and frogs, literally - See Revelation 16:13 and Exodus 8:6
• Plagues of hailstones - See Revelation 16:21 and Exodus 9:22-25

While the target of the plagues described in Exodus is clear (Pharaoh/Egypt), the specific target of Revelation's plagues is shrouded in mystery. It is called “Babylon” and “Egypt.” It is a dragon. It is a great prostitute. It is allied with Satan and the devil.

This much is no mystery; it is clear: Judgment falls on those who deny Jesus Christ, those who blaspheme, those who practice immorality, magic, and deception.

Revelation 11-13

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.‭‭ (Revelation‬ ‭11:15‬)




The text and tune are intertwined with the Christmas Tradition. Happy Boxer Day!

Revelation 8-10

First, seven seals; now seven trumpets, announcing seven plagues:

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21)

These two verses of scripture seem to confirm my opinion that no amount of punishment deters people from whatever they are committed to do. Evil is not overcome with evil, but it may be overcome with good.

What does this have to do with Christmas Day, the celebration of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ?

Revelation 6-7, Proverbs 30

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands...

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God

and serve him day and night in his temple;

and he who sits on the throne

will shelter them with his presence.

‘Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat down on them,’

nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be their shepherd;

‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’

‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” 

(Revelation 7:9, 13-17)

It comforts me to read of God's care for all manner of souls--every nationality, ethnicity, language, and culture. I am encouraged to know the diversity and countless numbers of persons trusting the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. 

O to be sheltered by the presence of God! I sense that sheltering presence at times. On certain occasions it feels powerful, warm, and satisfying. I seem invited to rest, simply to be.

On other occasions it feels inviting, challenging, and disconcerting. I seem invited to perform a task or several tasks, obediently to do. 

And whether "being" or "doing," I know that I know that I know God as real, here, and now.

Revelation 4-5, Proverbs 29

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. (Revelation 4:2)

John has written the phrase, "I was in the Spirit," before:

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet... (Revelation 1:9-10)

When John is in the Spirit he sees what God wants him to see. He hears what God wants him to hear. He follows the instructions he is given while he is in the Spirit. While in the Spirit what he sees is colorful. The one sitting on a throne has the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow shining like an emerald encircles the throne. While in the Spirit what he hears is majestic. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" Thousands and thousands, ten thousands and ten thousands speak with one loud voice, "Worthy is the lamb..."

At times, I feel I, too, see what God wants me to see. I hear what God wants me to hear. I act with God-given conviction. I take such occasions to be my "in the Spirit" times. Often what I see is not very colorful. What I hear is not so majestic. But the sense of what God desires compels me anyway.

What qualifies as "in the Spirit" for you, reader?