26 Feb 2014; Rev 9
And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. (Revelation 9:1-2, ESV)
This is a picture of what hell is, a dark bottomless pit. Imagine someone is to fall into it. A never ending journey never reaching the bottom, filled with smoke and furnace.
Does this picture sound and move any heart of someone we loved that has not known Christ?
Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Revelation 9:3-4, ESV)
The good news is that if we are sealed by Christ on the forehead, we are safe. Are we and how about those who are not.
Clearly, it is a wake up for those who know Christ to proclaim the gospel to those who has yet to know. From the 7 seals to the now the 7 trumpets, it is an escalating tribulation. An urgency.
The fifth and the sixth God gave Satan the rights to torment the people. Torment the very worshipers of Satan, and yet there is no repentance. It is for us who know and have known God to speak light to them.
I pray for a heart that see these things coming and what is the reality of hell, the torment that is about to come. I am assured that I am sealed by Christ and I am safe. But it is not a time to be just satisfied, but to go ahead and be filled for the lost so as to proclaim the gospel. Soften my heart do a work so as I want and want to touch lives again. Amen.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
24 Feb 2014; Rev 8-9
24 Feb 2014; Rev 8-9
Rev 8 ends with "woe" woe" and "woe". An emphasis of what terrible things is to come, after a third of the world has been destroyed.
When a third of the world has been destroyed, it is a already a sign of urgency for something right that has to be done. God is judging - don't you want to do something.
For the believers - when God judge is is something fair - to separate what is right from wrong, good from evil. The time has come.
The earlier chapters when the seal is open, the saints suffered but are told to wait further. This time the trumpets, the world get it. This time is for the unbelievers - those that are not sealed.
Satan is given the key, mankind is torment, and a third later died. But yet
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21, ESV)
Non believers died because of their worship of Satan or false God. And yet no repentant!
What then as Christian, that we are to do? The woes sound an urgency of what is to come. The plague and death is another urgency of what living hell is going to be on earth. We know the eternities and the realities of life and death. Are we going to save some of them from the trumpet woes?
I pray for a heart to see beyond life and death on hell for those who do not know you. I pray against indifference and open my eye to see the urgency for what is coming soon. Amen.
Rev 8 ends with "woe" woe" and "woe". An emphasis of what terrible things is to come, after a third of the world has been destroyed.
When a third of the world has been destroyed, it is a already a sign of urgency for something right that has to be done. God is judging - don't you want to do something.
For the believers - when God judge is is something fair - to separate what is right from wrong, good from evil. The time has come.
The earlier chapters when the seal is open, the saints suffered but are told to wait further. This time the trumpets, the world get it. This time is for the unbelievers - those that are not sealed.
Satan is given the key, mankind is torment, and a third later died. But yet
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21, ESV)
Non believers died because of their worship of Satan or false God. And yet no repentant!
What then as Christian, that we are to do? The woes sound an urgency of what is to come. The plague and death is another urgency of what living hell is going to be on earth. We know the eternities and the realities of life and death. Are we going to save some of them from the trumpet woes?
I pray for a heart to see beyond life and death on hell for those who do not know you. I pray against indifference and open my eye to see the urgency for what is coming soon. Amen.
Friday, February 21, 2014
21 Feb; Rev 8
21 Feb; Rev 8
Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”(Revelation 8:13, ESV)
This is only after 4 trumpets.There is no way to run. A third of the tress are burnt, a third of the fish died, a third of the water become bad and a third of the sky darken.One out of three. It speaks of urgency, and high stake.
Jo is in his teen and 2 more growing up fast. Rach mentioned that if I dont catch Jo, I will miss him and "lost" one-third of my children. What is then the legacy I am leaving for my children.
I told Jo, that if he wants me to coach him or run with him, he has to obey. And if there is anything he does not want to do and not due to disobedience, he has to explain an alternative.
As for me I will closely watch his time table. I have to be conscious of his daily in and daily out and his activities, so that I can suggest to him his actions. At the same time I will keep him accountable and run in line and in pace with him.
But will I have that amount of time? I remembered 2 years ago when he is doing his exam, I stayed with him. Well, that may be the reason for a slow down this year.
Let me not wait for what comes next in Rev 8:13 - wow when the next 3 trumpets is blown.
Lord be with me as I lead and guide my children and family. Amen
Thursday, February 20, 2014
20 Feb 2014; Rev 7-8
20 Feb 2014; Rev 7-8
I spent yesterday morning packing my studies and sorting my bank accounts. And as I went through the drawers, saw some of the photos of my late father and mother. My father has kept his things is a simple but orderly manner. I too picked up notes and coins here and there and easily found a few hundred dollars. I find it such a blessings that I do not fret over money and what food can I place on the table next.
Rach called Jo's teacher and found that he has not done well in his test. Rach was upset. He has not done well in either the technical subjects or the humanity subjects and that is a concern. But the Lord Jesus Christ who hold the seven stars in your hand, has the best for Jo. In this global economy, Lord, I place my Jo in your hand that you will be his guide.
In times, in all times, we knew as from Rev 7 we are safe in you and our faith are sealed. Nothing that we do can make you love us less, nothing that we do will change the way you have loved us. This is grace. We are safe and sealed in Christ. The journey that we takes ventured us into a battle with the world and like Jo face the uncertainty of what life is next. But the assurance is sure.
The next is how are we satisfied in Christ. The world present us a wonderful place of material things to lured us away from the satisfaction of Christ.
Lord, let me be satisfied in you - the truth is only Christ can satisfy our needs - no longer thirsty or hungry, just the way I know that the Lord has provided the basic needs for this family - let me too be satisfied in other areas, knowing that the Lord will bless and provides that I need.
Rev 8 is after the opening of the seventh sealed. When 7th is open - another 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of destruction.
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (Revelation 8:1, ESV)
A pause and silent in the midst of chaos and destruction. For what?
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:1-5, ESV)
For God to listen to the prayers of the saints! These few verse describe how are prayers are like to God. He took them - kept everything quiet including the worship - showing that He cares, He listen as they are important to Him.
The prayers are like incense, rise up as a sweet aroma to God. Our prayers are like the smoke of the incense, that rose before God.
After that, action. Prayers followed by actions - peals of thunder, lightning and earthquake.
Therefore when prayers are "submitted", they are important, God listen and act. I prayed that this will become a important part of Christian living - presenting all our request and petition to Him and God likes them as though an incense unto Him. Amen.
I spent yesterday morning packing my studies and sorting my bank accounts. And as I went through the drawers, saw some of the photos of my late father and mother. My father has kept his things is a simple but orderly manner. I too picked up notes and coins here and there and easily found a few hundred dollars. I find it such a blessings that I do not fret over money and what food can I place on the table next.
Rach called Jo's teacher and found that he has not done well in his test. Rach was upset. He has not done well in either the technical subjects or the humanity subjects and that is a concern. But the Lord Jesus Christ who hold the seven stars in your hand, has the best for Jo. In this global economy, Lord, I place my Jo in your hand that you will be his guide.
In times, in all times, we knew as from Rev 7 we are safe in you and our faith are sealed. Nothing that we do can make you love us less, nothing that we do will change the way you have loved us. This is grace. We are safe and sealed in Christ. The journey that we takes ventured us into a battle with the world and like Jo face the uncertainty of what life is next. But the assurance is sure.
The next is how are we satisfied in Christ. The world present us a wonderful place of material things to lured us away from the satisfaction of Christ.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
Lord, let me be satisfied in you - the truth is only Christ can satisfy our needs - no longer thirsty or hungry, just the way I know that the Lord has provided the basic needs for this family - let me too be satisfied in other areas, knowing that the Lord will bless and provides that I need.
Rev 8 is after the opening of the seventh sealed. When 7th is open - another 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of destruction.
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (Revelation 8:1, ESV)
A pause and silent in the midst of chaos and destruction. For what?
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:1-5, ESV)
For God to listen to the prayers of the saints! These few verse describe how are prayers are like to God. He took them - kept everything quiet including the worship - showing that He cares, He listen as they are important to Him.
The prayers are like incense, rise up as a sweet aroma to God. Our prayers are like the smoke of the incense, that rose before God.
After that, action. Prayers followed by actions - peals of thunder, lightning and earthquake.
Therefore when prayers are "submitted", they are important, God listen and act. I prayed that this will become a important part of Christian living - presenting all our request and petition to Him and God likes them as though an incense unto Him. Amen.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
19 Feb 2014; Rev 7
19 Feb 2014; Rev 7
Rev 7 is a interlude after the release of judgement from the seal.
A good pause with the saints asking when will this end.
Reflecting on this is that I am past 40. With my kids growing up and the responsible to take care of them need another 15-20 years. What's the next next?
In the midst of chaos, so nice of God to provide a break.
My job is not that demanding, but am I busy for God and building up a momentum for the next phase of life in God?
Rev 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, ba great multitude that no one could number, cfrom every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dclothed in white robes, with epalm branches in their hands,
Like John and the song, Lord I stand in the midst of the multitude - of every tribes and tongue. I yearn to go to the nation in particular China, but has over the year - fire die down. Lord re-kindle my passion in your works.
I did a quick on my account and realize it is more than healthy, a blessings. I pack my room and found a stack of notes - good enough to buy a family meals for a week.
Lord, use the blessings I have receive from you to give back to the kingdom. Ultimately - souls matter, Lord retrieve that passions. Like the saints who die and waited for you. Amen.
Rev 7 is a interlude after the release of judgement from the seal.
A good pause with the saints asking when will this end.
Reflecting on this is that I am past 40. With my kids growing up and the responsible to take care of them need another 15-20 years. What's the next next?
In the midst of chaos, so nice of God to provide a break.
My job is not that demanding, but am I busy for God and building up a momentum for the next phase of life in God?
Rev 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, ba great multitude that no one could number, cfrom every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dclothed in white robes, with epalm branches in their hands,
Like John and the song, Lord I stand in the midst of the multitude - of every tribes and tongue. I yearn to go to the nation in particular China, but has over the year - fire die down. Lord re-kindle my passion in your works.
I did a quick on my account and realize it is more than healthy, a blessings. I pack my room and found a stack of notes - good enough to buy a family meals for a week.
Lord, use the blessings I have receive from you to give back to the kingdom. Ultimately - souls matter, Lord retrieve that passions. Like the saints who die and waited for you. Amen.
Friday, February 14, 2014
14 Feb 2014; Rev 6 and 7
14 Feb 2014; Rev 6 and 7
Rev 6: 9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
In the time of madness, there is an assurance that God is in Control, but even to those who is with God and know God, it is not the end.
The question is then how long can we wait and that test our faith. You will be tested and be killed for your faith and more will be killed.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”(Revelation 7:9-10, ESV)
Before the tribulation, are we too comfortable with the world? We do not belong to this world and who do we stand in faith in time of tribulation? If the norm is to comply with the things of this world, then we have a problem when such time comes.
It is not going to be just a one time testing, but more to wait and to come. In good times and in bad times, are we able to hold on?
Live within our means, live in a way that if the Lord provides good and if the Lord closes door - good too. Chasing after the world will only get us suck into the comfort and the yearning for more.
What is to come, I pray that we are ready - a trust in the Lord in provisions and in grace.
Rev 6: 9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
In the time of madness, there is an assurance that God is in Control, but even to those who is with God and know God, it is not the end.
The question is then how long can we wait and that test our faith. You will be tested and be killed for your faith and more will be killed.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”(Revelation 7:9-10, ESV)
Before the tribulation, are we too comfortable with the world? We do not belong to this world and who do we stand in faith in time of tribulation? If the norm is to comply with the things of this world, then we have a problem when such time comes.
It is not going to be just a one time testing, but more to wait and to come. In good times and in bad times, are we able to hold on?
Live within our means, live in a way that if the Lord provides good and if the Lord closes door - good too. Chasing after the world will only get us suck into the comfort and the yearning for more.
What is to come, I pray that we are ready - a trust in the Lord in provisions and in grace.
Monday, February 10, 2014
10 Feb 2014; Rev 6
10 Feb 2014; Rev 6
Chapter 4 and 5 is about the redemption b the King, recalling that chapter 4 is about heaven and the throne and that surround it. Chapter 5 is about who is worthy to open the seal - the slain lamb who is Jesus.
But what is really inside the 7 seals? In the next few chapters, the seal brought forth not "redemption" but wrath of God!
Why wrath has to do with redemption? The world in the most likely manner has went far too wayward, corrupt and has no regards for God. A purge has to occur, a cleansing, a tribulation to separate who still stand by God.
The question is that has tribulation occur, or if it is to occur now, what is our response as a Christian? Can we still stand or we just die and give up?
Many will die for our faith, or when we are threaten, we give up our faith?
Do we then questions who God is and where is He?
7 seals - 7 plagues.
Verse 2 - a white horse for conquer.
Verse 4 - red horse for taking away peace and slay
Verse 5 - black horse with a pair of scales - inflation
Verse 9 - pale horse for death
Verse 12 - earthquake
Chapter 8 verse 1 - 7 trumpets
By the end of the seals - more than a third would have died and those who survived still be plagued.
BUT looking at the verse the horse "was given"...
This shows that in all these madness - God IS IN CONTROL
Who then is this God to us? There is nothing we can do extra to make Him love us more or less. BUT who do we regard this God, the God of heaven or the things and strength of man and material matters that we trust?
Nothing will shake our faith and this faith will not be taken away among the madness, unless we choose to.
I pray that even in the madness, I and my family can continue to believe and trust God. We know this God and we put our faith in this God.
Chapter 4 and 5 is about the redemption b the King, recalling that chapter 4 is about heaven and the throne and that surround it. Chapter 5 is about who is worthy to open the seal - the slain lamb who is Jesus.
But what is really inside the 7 seals? In the next few chapters, the seal brought forth not "redemption" but wrath of God!
Why wrath has to do with redemption? The world in the most likely manner has went far too wayward, corrupt and has no regards for God. A purge has to occur, a cleansing, a tribulation to separate who still stand by God.
The question is that has tribulation occur, or if it is to occur now, what is our response as a Christian? Can we still stand or we just die and give up?
Many will die for our faith, or when we are threaten, we give up our faith?
Do we then questions who God is and where is He?
7 seals - 7 plagues.
Verse 2 - a white horse for conquer.
Verse 4 - red horse for taking away peace and slay
Verse 5 - black horse with a pair of scales - inflation
Verse 9 - pale horse for death
Verse 12 - earthquake
Chapter 8 verse 1 - 7 trumpets
By the end of the seals - more than a third would have died and those who survived still be plagued.
BUT looking at the verse the horse "was given"...
This shows that in all these madness - God IS IN CONTROL
Who then is this God to us? There is nothing we can do extra to make Him love us more or less. BUT who do we regard this God, the God of heaven or the things and strength of man and material matters that we trust?
Nothing will shake our faith and this faith will not be taken away among the madness, unless we choose to.
I pray that even in the madness, I and my family can continue to believe and trust God. We know this God and we put our faith in this God.
Friday, February 07, 2014
7 Feb 2014; Rev 5
7 Feb 2014; Rev 5
The center of today chapter that I have the most question is why did John wept because no one would open the seal to the scoll.
What then is contained in that scoll, that its seal should be opened?
No angel or human being. No person, alive or dead, can open the book. John weeps loudly because no one can open the book or look into it. No human being is worthy because all human beings have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23).
Looking back is a parallel from the book of Daniel and Eziekiel.
This is the same scroll that Ezekiel and Daniel saw but did not understand. “Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. (Ezekiel 2:9-10;Also see Daniel 12:4-13)
The scoll has to do with life and death, if the seal is not open - all will perish.
He weeps because if the book isn’t opened there is no hope for the human race. It isn’t that life would have no meaning if the book isn’t opened. No, John is convinced that God exists and he reigns over all. Life would still have meaning, but if the book isn’t opened, there is no hope for the human race. In other words, if the book isn’t opened all without exception will go to hell.
Now we know why John wept. Do we weep - because if the news of salvation is not proclaim - souls will be lost?
Who is worthy to open the seal? - Silent. Are we to continue to keep silent? The good news news is that the Lamb has been sacrifice and pay the price for our sins.. What then is our response for not having emotional feelings about the souls that is going to hell?
I pray for that return of seeing and knowing that same emotion that John has - crying for the lost. Amen
The center of today chapter that I have the most question is why did John wept because no one would open the seal to the scoll.
What then is contained in that scoll, that its seal should be opened?
No angel or human being. No person, alive or dead, can open the book. John weeps loudly because no one can open the book or look into it. No human being is worthy because all human beings have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23).
Looking back is a parallel from the book of Daniel and Eziekiel.
This is the same scroll that Ezekiel and Daniel saw but did not understand. “Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. (Ezekiel 2:9-10;Also see Daniel 12:4-13)
The scoll has to do with life and death, if the seal is not open - all will perish.
He weeps because if the book isn’t opened there is no hope for the human race. It isn’t that life would have no meaning if the book isn’t opened. No, John is convinced that God exists and he reigns over all. Life would still have meaning, but if the book isn’t opened, there is no hope for the human race. In other words, if the book isn’t opened all without exception will go to hell.
Now we know why John wept. Do we weep - because if the news of salvation is not proclaim - souls will be lost?
Who is worthy to open the seal? - Silent. Are we to continue to keep silent? The good news news is that the Lamb has been sacrifice and pay the price for our sins.. What then is our response for not having emotional feelings about the souls that is going to hell?
I pray for that return of seeing and knowing that same emotion that John has - crying for the lost. Amen
Thursday, February 06, 2014
6 Feb 2014; Rev 4
6 Feb 2014; Revelation 4
Rev 4 gives the picture of heaven.
It is about Jesus and the one who sits on throne and what that surround it. John was taken in a vision to heaven.
The one who sits on the throne looks like jasper, canelian (?).
The first surround is a rainbow around the throne.
The second is 24 thrones for the elders
The third is lightnings, thunder
The fourth is before the throne - 7 touches which is the 7 spirits of God
The fifth is before the throne - a sea of glass
The sixth - 4 living creatures (lion, ox, eagle and human), full of eyes, 6 wings
The seven is worship - by the elders and the creatures
The response is how this picture is to you? I remembered the first time reading this and the word "boring". Heaven is so boring!
Now my response is that if heaven is so boring, that we are too use to this world. Our value is still attached to this world - the material things, the fun, the relationship etc
This is the clearest picture in the book of the bible that describe the throne, the one seated on the throne.
Our yearns is for the what is to come, rather for the temporal things. The place we are going is eternal - so where is the wow? If hell is described, and it is going to be eternal burning and suffering - do we still yearns for it?
The next response is "ALL" about the throne and the one who is seated on it. The primary focus is the one who is seated on the throne. What then is our focus?
Lord, continue to change my heart, now that the revelation of heaven is made known - it should be the one who draws us back to you - to focus on you. We given time in our work and our family - therefore remember the one who is in the center of everything.
Rev 4 gives the picture of heaven.
It is about Jesus and the one who sits on throne and what that surround it. John was taken in a vision to heaven.
The one who sits on the throne looks like jasper, canelian (?).
The first surround is a rainbow around the throne.
The second is 24 thrones for the elders
The third is lightnings, thunder
The fourth is before the throne - 7 touches which is the 7 spirits of God
The fifth is before the throne - a sea of glass
The sixth - 4 living creatures (lion, ox, eagle and human), full of eyes, 6 wings
The seven is worship - by the elders and the creatures
The response is how this picture is to you? I remembered the first time reading this and the word "boring". Heaven is so boring!
Now my response is that if heaven is so boring, that we are too use to this world. Our value is still attached to this world - the material things, the fun, the relationship etc
This is the clearest picture in the book of the bible that describe the throne, the one seated on the throne.
Our yearns is for the what is to come, rather for the temporal things. The place we are going is eternal - so where is the wow? If hell is described, and it is going to be eternal burning and suffering - do we still yearns for it?
The next response is "ALL" about the throne and the one who is seated on it. The primary focus is the one who is seated on the throne. What then is our focus?
Lord, continue to change my heart, now that the revelation of heaven is made known - it should be the one who draws us back to you - to focus on you. We given time in our work and our family - therefore remember the one who is in the center of everything.
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