Summary Judgment

Daily Reading:  Revelation 20

Scripture Focus: And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne… and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.  Revelation 20:12

Devotional Thought: In this scene of the Lord’s revelation to John, we read of the White Throne Judgment.  There are differing opinions as to whether or not believers will be present at this judgment, but to the same end.  Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be judged according to the gospel, justified and acquitted by Christ, and will enter into eternal life with God.

What of those who are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life?  They will stand before the throne of God and be judged according to what is found in the other books, in which all of their past actions, thoughts and deeds are written.  What a terrifying thought, for all of what has been done openly and in secret will be laid bare before our holy Creator.  There is none who can stand before Him in our own merit.  All who try will be thrown into the lake of fire (v15).

What do we do with this knowledge?  How do we process this terrible imagery?  First, it should give us renewed determination to reach others with the saving news of the gospel.  Like us, their only hope is to have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Second, it should renew in us a sober-mindedness regarding the tremendous cost of our sin, and of the Lord’s contrasting holiness.  We have no hope apart from God’s grace.  Third, the appropriate response of those who have trusted in Jesus for their salvation is wholehearted worship and praise.  At the end of time, there will be a blood sacrifice required by the Lord.  The only question is: whose blood will pay the price?  Praise God, for He has provided the perfect Lamb, whose blood is sufficient for all of our sins!

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, without the Lamb of God, we would be hopelessly lost.  None can stand before your throne of judgment.  Praise Your holy Name for the atoning blood of Your Son!

Psalm of the Day:  7 God has promised in his holiness: "With exultation I will divide up Shechem and portion out the Valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter. 9 Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph." 10 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies. 12 Oh grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 13 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. (Psalms 108:7-13)

Wedding Planner

Daily Reading:  Revelation 19

Scripture Focus: The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. (Revelation 19.7b-18)

Devotional Thought: In a few weeks I will be performing a wedding for some friends.  Preparations are being made.  One of the most important I always stress: 'You need to get your marriage license now!  Bring it to me at least a week before the wedding."  I want to be sure because if they don't do that, all the other preparations will be in vain.  That's the stuff of wedding nightmares!

There is coming a day for another marriage. The angel told John, "The marriage of the Lamb has come."  The date is set.  It is known only to the Father, but Jesus has been preparing ever since the foundation of the world.  In the eternal counsels of God, he looked down the corridors of time and envisioned a perfect and eternal setting where we would be with him. The Kingdom of God comes.  He will be our god, and we will be his people.

The Bride must make herself ready.  First of all by saying yes to his proposal we take on the garments of Christ - his righteousness!  As the song goes, "Not our own righteousness, but Christ within!"  Having been clothed in the righteousness of Christ, then we can start putting on "fine linen, bright and pure."  This is "righteous deeds of the saints."  Notice that the bride of Christ is always singular.  Jesus does not have many brides, but only one.  It is the church.  But, each one of us are a part of the body of the bride.  And each one of us can do something to effect the beauty of the bride.  Those are our righteous deeds.

Are you putting on fine linen, bright and pure?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for clothing me in your righteousness.  Help me, O Lord, to enhance the beauty of the church and to glorify your name as I live out this life of righteousness with my deeds.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  1 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! 2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! 3 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me! (Psalms 108:1-6)

Permanent Residence

Daily Reading:  Revelation 18

Scripture Focus: Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more (Revelation 18.21b)

Devotional Thought: A few weeks ago I was riding through town with a friend.  We drove by an old, dilapidated house on her street.  The house had a bright orange 'X' on an outside wall.  She remarked, "I thought they were going to tear that house down."  I thought to myself, "If they leave it much longer, they won't need to.  It's going to fall down!"  That's kind of sad to think about, isn't it?  When that house was built many years ago it was a source of satisfaction and pride.  Today it is ready to be torn down to "be found no more."

I've had a hand in the construction of 4 new homes.  I've loved those homes - been proud of them - but I recognize that they will not be there forever.  Whether through the ravages of time or by an act of violence, everything is destined to destruction. 

John the Revelator saw that future for Babylon.  In chapter 16 of Revelation we saw Babylon as symbolic of this world's corrupt powers.  Today, I see in it another comparison: Babylon as the temporal city vs. The New Jerusalem as the eternal city.

The New Jerusalem is a city coming down from heaven (ch. 21).  It is destined to host the marriage supper of the Lamb, (ch. 19).  It is an eternal city where those who enter shall never go out (ch. 3).

Abraham sought a city with foundations whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11).  That is the new Jerusalem.  That is the house built on the Rock which is Jesus Christ.  It will remain strong through all the storms of life.

Are you building your life on Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, I am looking for a better city, an eternal city, the abode of God.  Help me to live in this world in such a way that I may dwell in your world forever.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalms 107:39-43)

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)

Is Papaw in heaven?

Daily Reading:  Revelation 16

Scripture Focus: And God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. (Revelation 16.19b)

Devotional Thought: A few weeks ago, I was asked the question, "Is Papaw in heaven?"  That's tough - especially at a funeral.  What do you say when 'Papaw' was obviously not a Christian?

As a young pastor, I was scared to death of doing funerals, especially when the deceased was not a Christian.  Eugene Simpson, my District Superintendent, helped me so much.  He told me, "Scott, remember that your funeral sermon cannot preach one person into heaven, nor can you preach one person out of heaven."  That is reflected in the words of a graveside committal: "This body we commit to the ground.  The spirit we leave with God, the just and merciful judge of the earth." 

You see, it isn't our job to judge anybody.  Our information at best is inaccurate and incomplete.  Often, it is biased.  But, there is One who is not subject to our biases, who sees perfectly and forgets nothing (except confessed sins!).  God remembers.

Babylon in the book of Revelation is a metaphorical reference to Rome and the oppressive systems of this world.  At times, the government - or other powerful sources such as media, business, and Hollywood - line themselves up against the children of God.  As a matter of fact, Jesus said that the world would hate us because it hated him.  The good news is, we don't have to seek vengeance (It mine, says the Lord) or try to mete out the correct punishment for the crime.  We don't even have to keep track of it.  God remembers.

So, is 'Papaw' in heaven?  We will leave it in the hands of the Lord, for God remembers.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for failing to think about the eternal destiny of lost souls.  Stir our hearts to bear witness to the salvation of the Lord. And then, Lord, having done all we can, help us to leave their spirits with God, for you remember.  Amen."

Psalm of the Day:  23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. (Psalms 107:23-32)

Sing to the Lord

Daily Reading:  Revelation 14-15

Scripture Focus: And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! (Revelation 15.3)

Devotional Thought: Today is bittersweet, our retirement day.  Lana and I are going a new direction in ministry.  Before we embark on that journey, we plan to see our grandkids.  One of the stops will be Charleston, SC.  Besides visiting our kids, we will go to Kiawah Beach.  We love the ocean.  It communicates a sense of God's glory to us.  Though we don't sing on the beach, we feel like it!

According to Revelation 15, The multitude of worshipers in heaven will find themselves on the shore of "a sea of glass mingled with fire" (v. 2)  "With harps of God in their hands," they will sing...

The song of Moses, the servant of God.  This is the song of deliverance.  After the children of Israel were delivered from Egyptian slavery, Moses wrote a song (Exodus 15).  He praised God for bringing them safely out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.  In heaven, we will be able to look back at the troubles and obstacles of life and see how God delivered us.  We will sing of his great salvation!

The song of the Lamb, the Son of God.  This is the song of redemption.  The Bible says that we have been redeemed from the curse of sin.  The price of redemption?  The blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God!  So, in heaven we will sing a new song to the Lamb: "Worthy are you ... for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5).

Lana, I can't wait to sing in that choir with you!  I hope we are standing side-by-side, praising our Lord together!

Please visit my website at momentumministries.org, and become a part of our new ministry!

Prayer: "We praise thee, O God, for the Son of thy love, for Jesus who died and is now gone above.  Hallelujah!  Thine the glory!  Hallelujah!  Amen!  Hallelujah!  Thine the glory!  Revive us again."

Psalm of the Day:  17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! (Psalms 107:17-22)

Hear. Heed. Hang on.

Daily Reading:  Revelation 12-13

Scripture Focus: If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13.9-10)

Devotional Thought: In Revelation 13, there is a beast who has authority over the nations of the earth.  This beast will force all whose names are not written in the Book of Life to worship him.  John issued a threefold warning to the church:

Hear.  "If anyone has an ear, let him hear."  I watched with dismay as the confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh progressed.  Or, should I say did not progress?  Those who had made up their minds before the first hearing did everything in their power not to hear what he had to say.  And they wanted to prevent anyone else from hearing it, too.  Satan uses the same strategy - silence the truth.  The truth is available to us, if we would but hear.  Our culture has turned a deaf ear to God and we will pay the price for it.  Worse yet, I fear that there are those in the church who have tuned God out, not wanting to face the plain truth of Scripture.  They would rather be in the dark and do what they want!

Heed.  "With the sword must he be slain."  Those who refuse to heed what they hear from God and his Word, face a judgment.  Taken captive by their own lusts, these rejecters of God will receive the due consequences of their decisions.    We cannot be simply hearers of the Word, we must be doers of the Word! (James 1.22)

Hang on. "Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints."  You've heard the expression, "That's why they play the game."  The outcome of the sporting events is not predetermined.  They play to see who wins.  In the same way, the saints have to endure and believe to the end.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving me spiritual ears.  Help me to hear.  Thank you for giving me truth.  Help me to heed it.  Thank you for giving me the ability to hang on.  Help me to do so in your power and by your grace.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. 13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. (Psalms 107:10-16)