And the winner is...

Daily Reading:  Revelation 17

Scripture Focus: They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. (Revelation 17.14)

Devotional Thought: Coexist!  I've read that many times on bumper stickers, and I appreciate its sentiment.  But are there not some things that by their very nature cannot exist together?  Where there is light, darkness must flee.  Where there is contamination, purity is compromised.  Where there is truth, deception cannot survive.  Where there is war, peace is gone.  Where there is love, hatred has no home.  We can cover the world with bumper stickers, but the fact remains that some things are mutually exclusive. 

In today's verse, there are three distinct groups or individuals:

·        The Lamb.  Jesus is the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.  But, he has overcome the world.  By defeating the despair of death and conquering the darkness of the grave, Jesus has won over all that is an enemy of life and light.  The Lamb will conquer for he is Lord of lords and King of kings!

·        Those with the Lamb.  Jesus is not the sole Victor.  He brings with him those who trust in him.  At the end of all things, we are victorious because we are called, chosen and faithful!

·        Those against the Lamb.  Rallied by powerful God-haters and truth-deniers, there will be those who make war on the Lamb.  In the words of that ancient hymn: Lo their doom is sure.  One little word shall fell them.

A Mighty Fortress is our God!  Jesus said that those who are not with him are against him.  There is no neutral ground and there is no default position.  Are you with or against him?

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, O King of kings and Lord of lords, for the victory that you have won.  I trust in you.  I am with you, Lord!  I am for you, Lord!  I am in you, Lord!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. 35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. 38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. (Psalms 107:33-38)