Monday, December 29, 2008
Revelation 15-16
PERSPECTIVE
Our reading today is Revelation 15-16 as we continue through the Bible. Here we find that the seven last plagues fall. The great disasters of human history are but warnings of the final, total calamities which will overtake those who rebel against God. The plagues described vividly recall those that fell on Egypt when that nation refused to let God’s people go. Again, God’s people are spared in this awful time.
DRAW NEAR
In this part of the program we are encouraging God’s children to draw near to Him. These devotionals are taken from our book entitled, “Draw Near.” In our devotional for today the Bible says, “Show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1-13). When the Tsar of Russia was brutally murdered along with all the members of his family, Lenin, who led the revolution, expressed glee. In fact, Lenin was leading a government meeting when the confirmation of their deaths finally came. He ignored the announcement and went on with business. In later years the world was to witness the heartless actions of this evil man who spilled death all over the world in the form of bloody communism. Another leader long ago had taken over a government from a foe. Rather than rejoicing over the death of Saul, David wept and longed for someone of Saul’s family that he might show kindness to. He found a crippled prince, Mephibosheth, and brought him unto the palace where he was to live in luxury until his death. He even ate at the king’s table. Anyone can return evil for evil, but it takes a great man like David to forgive old enemies and return kindness for evil. The crux of Christ’s message to mankind is that we are to love and pray for our enemies and have this greatness of character David displayed. May we today begin where we live and return good for evil.
THE MESSAGE
Our study today covers Revelation 15-16. Here is what is in our reading today: According to early Christian traditions, the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Revelation were all written by the apostle John. The Revelation is the only one of these books that claims to be written by someone named John. Though the author does not claim to be the apostle John, it seems unlikely that any other first-century Christian leader was well known enough with the churches of Asia Minor to have referred to himself simply as John. There are some differences in style and language between the fourth Gospel and John’s other books. In chapter 15, the seven angels with the seven plagues are noted. In chapter 16, the seven angels pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Our specific emphasis today is on Revelation 15:1-8.
LIFE LESSON
1. Those who defy God have no protection when His wrath comes.
LIFE LESSON
2. God turns up the heat when the rebellious refuse to listen.
LIFE LESSON
3. Unrepented sin is unforgotten sin. God remembers and will severely punish all evil.