Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Revelation 22:7-21
Set – Revelation 21-22
Go! – Revelation 19-22
Revelation 22:7-21
The Anointed One: 7 Look now, I am coming soon! The one who remains true to the prophetic words contained in this book will truly be blessed.
8 I, John, am the one who heard and witnessed these visions. And when I heard and witnessed them, I fell prostrate at the feet of the heavenly guide who showed them to me. 9 But he refused.
Guide: You must not do that! I am a servant with you, with your brothers and sisters the prophets, and with those who keep the words contained in this book. Worship God instead!
10 (continuing) Do not seal up the prophetic words contained in this book for another day, for the finale is near. 11 Let the one given to evil continue down evil’s path and the one addicted to filth continue to be its servant. But let the one who is righteous journey along the righteous road, and let the holy continue in holy ways.
The Anointed One: 12 See, I am coming soon, and I will bring My reward with Me. I will pay back every person according to the deeds he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and Omega, the First One and the Last One, the beginning and the end.
14 Blessed are those who wash their garments. In the end, they have rightful access to the tree of life and will enter the city through its gates. 15 The dogs, the sorcerers, those who commit immoral acts, the murderers, the idolaters, and all who love and practice deception must remain outside the gates for all eternity.
Jesus: 16 I, Jesus, have sent My messenger to show you and guide you so that you in turn would share this testimony with the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star.
The Spirit and the Bride: 17 Come.
And let everyone who hears these words say, “Come.”
And let those who thirst come.
All who desire to drink, let them take and drink freely from the water of life.
18 Beware, everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book. Know this for certain: if anyone adds to these words, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone subtracts from the prophetic words of this book, God will remove that person’s access to the tree of life and to the holy city which are described in this book.
20 The One who testifies to these realities makes this promise:
The Anointed One: Yes. I am coming soon.
To which we say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with all the saints. Amen.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
The visions I showed John about the end-times neared their end. John fell at the feet of the guide I had sent to help him see the visions of the things to come. But the guide did exactly what I expected of him. John’s guide told him to get up, only I am worthy of worship, all the angels in heaven, the prophets, those redeemed by My blood are brothers and sisters around the throne and all will worship Me together.
John’s guide reminded him that those who are righteous should remain righteous. The question you should then ask is, How? John’s guide hinted at the answer as he talked about remaining faithful to the prophecies in the book John saw. Remember, John’s Revelation talks about judgment, an accounting, rewards, and punishments. It also talks a lot about worship, praise, prayer, blessings, community, righteousness, and a lot of other things about heaven and what awaits you there.
Before you enter, though, the accounting of your life will happen. As this year comes to a close, perhaps it’s a good time to take inventory. Let Me examine your life before I do it at the finale when the stakes are eternal. You have the criteria. I’ve given you the answers to the exam. I didn’t even hide the questions you must answer. Do you believe in Me for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you confessed your sins and asked for My forgiveness? Do you obey the commands I give you?
These are the fundamental questions I will ask you. How do you know what My commands are? Read the textbook I left with you. Make My words a part of your life every day. Absorb them like a sponge soaks up water. Then don’t just read or hear My words, but do them. As you read and hear My word, ask yourself what you will do because of what you’ve heard. As James tells you, “Be doers of the word, not just hearers only.”
A new year starts tomorrow. How about beginning with Me, then every day begin with Me again, and again, and again. You’ll face Me at the finale John talks about in the vision I gave him. Why not get ready for it by walking with Me every day until then. You’ll pass the test if you do.
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