Progressing Intimacy (Revelation 10:1-11)

Progressing Intimacy (Revelation 10:1-11)

Progressing in the love of Christ goes in two directions. As we deepen our confidence in the Majesty and Mercy of Christ we also experience the suffering of the sinful world more. As we taste more of the sweetness of Christ’s Word, we also get the bitter indigestion of having to be witnesses in a hostile and callous environment. But all this connects us more intimately to Christ, both in his humiliation and his exaltation. John shows us in chapter 10 that Christ gives us the power to preach boldly even through intensifying bitterness!

Repentance & Selective Hearing (Revelation 9:13-21)

Repentance & Selective Hearing (Revelation 9:13-21)

Selective hearing is a terrible curse, our will exercises it to avoid these GRACIOUS sounds. There is other loud sounds coming forth from Heaven and surrounding us every moment… do you know what it is? – Is is the SOUND of Lion of the Tribe of Judah proclaiming HE HAS CONQUERED! – it is the SPIRIT saying to the churches OUR GOD REIGNS… it is the sound of the worshiping Angels and multitudes surrounding the throne – and we the sealed can be selective in our hearing too! We also can be tuning out all these gracious and glorious sounds!

Tender and Tenacious Faith (Luke 18:15-17)

Tender and Tenacious Faith (Luke 18:15-17)

We can understand why this passage is hard when we see what was going on with the Disciples in their “Good old boy club” mentality and contrast the Tender heart of Jesus not excluding even the lowliest. Even more when we consider his righteous indignation toward any who would cause any hindrance to accessing the kingdom of God we can understand better, I think, why this passage is so hard. It strikes at our Pride! – demolishes our self-importance and it teaches us that Kingdom faith will be Tender and Tenacious!

Descriptions of Satanic Woe (Revelation 9:1-12)

Descriptions of Satanic Woe (Revelation 9:1-12)

Nothing can stop God from perfecting and protecting us. As John describes Satan’s power we certainly see how God is always protecting His children even when the gates of Hell are unleashed – they cannot prevail against us. In the description of Satan’s minions we are reminded that the locust eat away what is precious to us, the torment of those not sealed is that their lives are vain and whatever they produce, be it ever so GREAT, is eaten up and taken away from them (

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; ) – but for the believers, those who have been sealed by God, Whatever they put their hand to for the kingdom of God Prospers (Abraham; Joseph) – NOTHING is ever VAIN! God promises that we will have suffering in this life… But God will not allow OUR suffering to be pointless and lead to despair.

Blast of the Trumpet (Revelation 8:6-13)

Blast of the Trumpet (Revelation 8:6-13)

With the first four trumpets, in each case, every trumpet blown, including the falling of wormwood/Satan God allows the destruction they bring. Why? Because He is King and He is a good King… His trumpets are not final judgment but they are Mercy in the form of a temporal judgment to lead men to repentance. Like the watchman and his trumpet in

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, they warn the people of impending danger. But they are also a CALL to worship. Especially for us who have escaped the wrath to come and hear with each of their loud sounds the beaconing of the New Day!