Chapter 1
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3 – Blessed are those who understand everything in this book fully. Blessed are those who can fully describe in detail the differences between premillennialism and amillennialism. Blessed are those who relate all that’s said in this book to every Old Testament passage that speaks the same. That’s what this verse said right? No, not at all thankfully. Scripture says we are blessed when we read these words, listen to them, and seek to keep what we hear. We don’t have to fully grasp everything, we’re told though to study this and seek to live out the message we hear from it. Let that be a comfort to you as we tackle this last book in the Bible and the last book in our first round of Daily DEVOs. As with all of scripture seek to understand it and seek to grasp all you can of it, but don’t let the parts you don’t understand hold you back from pursuing Jesus. If we have to fully understand everything first then no one would be a follower of Jesus. This is a lifelong journey of learning, let this study just be a part of that. God is promising to bless those who take on this book, let’s lean into that promise and seek to learn what we can about Him and His heart. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1569
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 – What a blessing it is to have the book of Revelation! While yes it certainly can be confusing and caused division even within the church about it’s meaning, the overarching message of Revelation is the one we are to focus in on together. Jesus is returning, Jesus is over all, and Jesus wins. While I am no scholar on end times studies, what we are going to do with this book is seek to understand together what God is teaching through each chapter about what is to come and how our lives today ought to be lived with such things in mind. While John is the one speaking at the beginning of the chapter, in verse 8 the speaker changes. Now Jesus Himself is speaking and is reminding John and the church exactly who He is. Being the Alpha and Omega, means He was in the beginning and He will be there in the end and He is over all in between. A note on the almighty from Enduring Word Commentary, “This great word Almighty is used ten times in the New Testament, and nine of the ten times are in the Book of Revelation. This book has a striking emphasis on God’s sovereignty, the understanding that He has His hand on everything.” Let us keep this truth about our God being the Almighty with us as we navigate these chapters over the next three weeks, and as we go about our day today. While is over all that is to come, He is also over all that is today. He is over the struggle, over your family, over your church, and over you. His hand is on all those things and His power is great enough to save. And being the Alpha and Omega, He isn’t going anywhere, so you can lean on Him forever. Praise Jesus we have a savior, king, priest, and God like Him in our story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2785
Chapter 2
And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. Revelation 2:23b – With each of the messages He has for the different churches He starts with an “I know.” I know your works, I know tribulation, I know where you dwell. He continues by showing He knows how they had chosen to live out their faith life through all the persecutions and temptations that were around. He knows who had stayed faithful and who had begun to lean after other teachings. He knows. For us know our situation isn’t hidden from God. He knows where we dwell, He knows our works, and He knows our tribulations. He knows if we are staying true to His Word or leaning after other things. He knows. For those of you who are staying faithful take pleasure in knowing all this, He knows and sees your faithfulness. For those who have leaned away, take this as a message to lean back into Him, He knows and sees you’re walking away. Whichever you find yourself in, know He knows. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1570
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:29 – Chapter 2 and 3 of Revelation is Jesus speaking directly to seven different churches in this time period. He addresses them personally, speaks of what they are doing well in, yet also addresses areas where they need to change in. What we see though at the end of each of the messages to the seven churches is a verse like verse 29. Jesus makes it clear that His message isn’t solely for the individual church He is addressing in the letter, but to the “churches” and any who has an ear to hear what the Spirit says. So He is addressing the faithful in the church, the ones deceived by Satan in the church, and the leaders who allowed sin to enter into the doors of the church. He also is addressing all those in the church, past, present, and future. Taking that truth then to heart, how does this chapter speak to us that has ears today? Has our passion for Jesus and others diminished like Ephesus? Are we fearful of the persecution that likely is coming out way like Smyrna? Have we allowed false doctrine into the church like Pergamum? Have we allowed individuals to remain in the church that are leading other to sin like Thyatira? I think when phrased in such ways we realize how deeply we need to take such messages to heart within our churches today. Let us pray for passion again. Let us pray for boldness. Let us pray for discernment for truth and fearlessness towards those who battle against the truth. For God’s promises of life and blessings within this passage still rings true today, yet beyond any blessing we may receive for such faithfulness, our God alone deserves our faithfulness for all He has already done for us. Let us be a church that hosts fast to His word and His Gospel until He returns. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2786
Chapter 3
Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4 – When it came to His message to the church in Sardis, it wasn’t calling them out on any particular immoral act, it was to label them dead. Yet, from within the deadness, there were still a few names that had not followed the path of the rest. A few that had continued to remain faithful after God, even when the whole rest of the church had gone another path. Take this as a reminder that each one of us has the choice as to who we are going to follow and pursue. Maybe our whole community is going one way, and that way isn’t honoring to God, you can choose a different path. Know God’s path won’t always be the popular one, even to groups with the title of “Church.” Seek out who God is in His Word, learn the path He wants you to follow, then regardless of who travels with you pursue Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1571
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! Revelation 3:15 – For each of the seven churches, Jesus proclaims this truth…He knows. He knew their works, He knew they dwelled where Satan’s throne was, and He knew the trials they were going through. For the three churches in our chapter Jesus knew how one looked holy on the outside, but He could see the dead heart under the surface. He knew how another faithfully served him though having little strength and was being attacked by the enemy. And the last church Jesus knew that while they believed they were rich and needed nothing, they were spiritually wretched, poor, and naked. We must understand that Jesus sees everything and knows everything, even the aspects we desire Him not to be aware of. But we also must be willing to take His viewpoint on us over our viewpoint of us. As David Guzik put it, “What Jesus saw in them was more important than how they saw themselves.” While they thought they were alive, Jesus said they were dead. While they thought they were rich, Jesus said they were poor. When Jesus declares over us something different than we believe about ourselves, we must be willing to humble ourselves and accept the word we hear from Him. Yes, He may call us lukewarm and we need to accept that and repent. He also may say that you are loved by Him, and you need to accept that truth as well. Again, it’s not how we see us that matters, but how Jesus sees us. For Jesus knows our works and He knows us. He created us! Allow then the voice of our Creator be the definer and director of our life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2787
Chapter 4
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. Revelation 4:2- Anytime I read through this chapter this single verse captures my attention. We have John getting a glimpse of heaven. In it he sees elders and thrones and seas of glass. Grand and marvelous things are before him. Yet what does he see first? What must have been the most brilliant, most wonderful, most important thing in heaven that captured his focus first? A throne with one seated on it. God himself seated in power is the most brilliant and most wonderful part of heaven. Yes, seeing our loved ones who have passed will be amazing and existing in a place separated from the evil of this world will be a wonderful. Yet the most special part of heaven is what John saw first, our God seated in power over all. Our God truly is worthy of all our worship today, tomorrow, and for eternity. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1572
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:9-11 – The messages to the seven churches is complete, and now John is taken up in the Spirit to Heaven. Immediately the thing that captures his attention first is the throne and the one seated on the throne. That was the most glorious, eye-catching thing there was in all of Heaven. He sees a green-hued rainbow around the throne establishing God’s covenant promise with His people. John sees 24 thrones with elders on each of these thrones, all representing the whole of God’s people in worship of the Lord on His throne. Surround the throne were 4 living creatures, that we learn from Ezekiel were cherubim angels. These were the leaders of worship in heaven, never ceasing to declare God’s holiness and might. When the cherubim worshiped, so did the elders, casting all their crowns before the Lord. Let us today remember this is what Heaven is about…God and the worship of God. It is not about the great golf course or buffet in the sky. It’s not about us. It’s about God. We are being invited into His home. If then our eternal life is going to be about eternal worship of the Lord, why should our earthly life be any different? Today is practice for what you will be doing for eternity. If all of creation for all time will never cease to be in worship of the One seated on the throne, then let today be the day you begin your worship. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2788
Chapter 5
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 – We have a choice to give God the label of Savior in our story. If we don’t accept His salvation in our life He isn’t our Savior. What we see play out in this passage is a reminder though that there are other titles of God that we have no say in. Worthy of all praise, deserving of all glory and honor, Lord of all. Yes, you have the choice in your story to accept His salvation or not, but we see here either way we and every other creation will be acknowledging Him as Lord of all. One day each of us will see God for who He truly is. Our pride and our rejections of Him will be pushed aside and praise of Him will be what’s in all our mouths. Not because He’s forcing any to, but because when He reveals Himself like this all can’t help but worship. Let’s today begin the worship that will certainly come in our future. Let’s live lives today that show who we follow and show who we love so those around us can get a glimpse of the glory of God they will fully see one day. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1573
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Revelation 5:6 – While chapter 4 was focused on the One who sat upon the throne, chapter 5 is focused on the scroll within the hand of the One on the throne. The scroll is written on both sides, meaning it had a lot to say about something, and sealed seven times. While we aren’t given what is written on the scroll, we know the main thing about this scroll. That even after asking if anyone was worthy in all of Heaven and earth to open the scroll, no one was worthy. That is, expect the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, our Jesus. While declared a Lion, John saw Him as our verse above describes him. Jesus appeared as a Lamb, one that had been slaughtered like a lamb would be for a sacrifice. For the other descriptors, remember seven in scripture is the number of perfection. Horns were symbols of power, so Jesus is declared to have perfect power, omnipotence, over all things. The eyes are the seven (Complete, perfect) spirits of God that we see from other places in Revelation so far, declaring Jesus has perfect wisdom and knowledge, omniscience, over everything. Who then is worthy? Only the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfectly filled with the Spirit of Almighty God who sits on the Throne of Heaven Lamb that bore our wounds upon His shoulders. Only Jesus is worthy. And if the cherubim, elders, and tens of thousands of angels in Heaven worship Him as they worshiped the One seated on the throne, then maybe He is worthy of our worship today too. Thank you Jesus that while we are not worthy, you are, and you have stepped into our story to be our sacrificial Lamb for our sin and the Lion that reigns. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2789
Chapter 6
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. Revelation 6:10-11 – God will make things right. Here those who has passed on due to their faithfulness to God are now asking God when He will bring about justice for them. They had been killed for their following of Him, when will He avenge their deaths? What’s God’s reply? Wait, there are more to join you. Meaning not only is God not standing up for us but God’s allowing more people to die? Yes, that is, for at least right now. The work isn’t done, more people are still to come to Him, and His priority is people coming to know Him over avenging. As we keep reading it’s clear no one is getting away with anything and at the same time all are getting a chance to come to know Him. In His timing everything works out. Trust the way He works things out. When it’s left in His hands all are given a chance to come to Him and justice is found. While in the moment things may seem all convoluted, know instead it’s all covered. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1574
…for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand? Revelation 6:17 – In chapter 5 John sees a scroll with seven seals that only the Lamb (Jesus) is worthy to open. Our chapter today is the events that unfold when each seal is broken. We see terrible things happening in the world, the events of the Great Tribulation unfolding. Death, famine, and war like never seen before on earth. From the most powerful to the most pitiful, all are in terror of what is happening. After the sixth seal is opened and all this calamity is happening, the people cry out our verse, “who can stand?” Who can remain standing through all the destruction? Only those who turn and believe in the Lord. Let us remember that while the wrath of the Lord is present and real, those who place their faith in Jesus have no need to fear the wrath of God for Jesus took it upon Himself on the cross. Turning to the Lamb now saves us from God’s wrath, and turning to the Lamb even in the days of Revelation can save. Thank you Lord that we have a Savior who is worthy to open the seals and bring judgement on this wicked world, yet be gracious enough to go to the cross for the wicked world so it can have a open door for salvation. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2790
Chapter 7
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:13-14- What was encouraging to me as I read through this passage was the reminder that tribulations, even the great tribulation, doesn’t have to only have the result of turning eyes away from God. In fact we see here a great multitude who through tribulation turned their eyes to Jesus and came out the other end followers of Him. Possibly you’ve seen this as well in your story where the worst of situations actually turned hearts to Jesus. How can this be? Because when in those moments we see Jesus is truly the only one who can do anything to help. While it’s not our desire, nor God’s, for us to walk through times of tribulation, God can make something wonderful happen within those times. He can demonstrate how He can help, can lead, and how He can save in those times. While we may never pray for times like these, let’s give thanks that God can still create a movement towards Him within those times. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1575
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. Revelation 7:16 – While in the time of the Great Tribulation, we see something truly beautiful unfold. While yes, it will be a time of destruction like the world has never experienced before, but it will also be a time where we will see a wonderful multitude of people turning to Jesus. Our chapter shows us that thousands from the Jewish people will turn to embrace Jesus, and a multitude that is too great to count from all over the earth will be saved. We see in verse 16 some of the description of Heaven the tribulation saints will experience. Hunger and thirst will be gone, and the heat of the sun will be no more. Now remember what they were experiencing during this time of the Tribulation. Terror, great famines, food prices being far too great to afford, and terrible natural disasters. Yet, now they are with the Lord, all those struggles are gone. For us today, let us cherish the truth that the struggles we are facing today will too be gone when we find ourselves in the presence of our Lord. Every tear will be wiped away by our Good Shepherd. While this truth doesn’t make the struggle of today any less real or painful, it does provide hope that tomorrow is promised to be better. Know the Lord is with you today, and while the blessings we experience here on earth are amazing, oh how much more amazing will be the blessings when we are before His throne. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2791
Chapter 8
The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. Revelation 8:7 – You’ll notice as you read through this chapter that as the trumpets blow and their judgments come the end result is a third of each thing was effected. A third of the trees, a third of the ships, a third of the day. If you’re like me possibly you’re curious as to why a third is used here. Looks like it is to show that under God’s judgment a substantial portion will be effected, but not the whole. That God is deeply showing His power over and heart toward the rebellion of the world yet His refusal to destroy the whole reveals to us that He is continuing to extend His mercy even in those times to any who will repent. For us, know God is serious about rebellion. He’ll make it clear that turning from Him isn’t a path He approves of. Yet, in the midst of all that, He continues to extend His mercies to us offering us a way back to Him. Know God isn’t gentle toward the rebellion in our story, but He’s compassionate to the heart that turns to seek Him once again. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1576
The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. Revelation 8:12 – We see finally the seventh seal being opened on the scroll that Jesus, the Lamb, was only worthy to open. There is silence for 30 minutes, much like the calm before the storm, for what is about to take place on the earth now that the scroll is fully open is terrifying. Seven angels are each given a trumpet, and soon we’ll see seven bowls being poured out, fourteen total judgments to be given on the earth during the Great Tribulation. God is judging the world for its sin, but even in His judgement we see that God’s heart is still primarily for repentance not punishment. During these four first trumpet blasts we see “one-third” brought up multiple times. God’s mercy is being revealed even here, that He is a God, as David Guzik writes, “spares more than He smites.” He certainly is carrying out His word and judgment on the world, for even just a third of the things being destroyed like we see in this passage would be catastrophic. Our God though is still opening the door for any during this time to turn from this sin and follow Him. From Him creating garments of animal skin to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness after their sin all the way to the book of Revelation, God’s heart is people being in right relationship with Him. How are we doing as His church to have a heart for what the Lord has a heart for? He spares more than He smites so people may be saved. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2792
Chapter 9
And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. Revelation 9:6 – Hearing about the pain they will be going through it’s no surprise that they’d seek an end to their suffering. Yet why they can’t find it or even what that passage exactly means is uncertain. What I do know is that while they may seek death, seek a path out of the pain they are feeling in this world, the life after ones dies without Jesus is no escape from pain. In fact the worst pain and turmoil one could experience here on earth can’t even compare to what Hell is like. So even if they escaped the pain they were feeling they would have been stepping into something even worse, eternal life without God. Let’s share anytime time we can about the life one can have with Jesus so their story won’t have this sort of ending. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1577
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, 21 nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:20-21 – In chapter 9 we see the fifth and sixth trumpets of judgment being blown, and while the first four trumpets brought disastrous things, they have nothing on what we see in this chapter. With the fifth trumpet, demonic spirits are loosed onto the earth to torment for months the people that had not yet turned to the Lord. With the sixth trumpet, four angels lead a massive military force and are released to kill a third of mankind. Truly, this is terror like we have never seen before, yet look at our verses above that close out our chapter of doom. It says those that lived through these 6 trumpets of judgement still didn’t acknowledge God as Lord and turn from their sin, but instead kept on worshipping demons and wallowing in their sin. What we discover here is God’s intention for such intense judgments. He wanted people to repent, for while these judgements were terrible, Hell is worse. Why do you think death wasn’t allowed to come to the people that longed for it like we see in verse 6? For death to escape the pain of this world only to be sent to Hell is no escape at all. The eternal punishment for Satan and his demons was never God’s design for mankind, so in His love He is going to the extreme to wake these people up to the realness of their sin and the deception of the enemy. While we today have no control over when the end will come nor how God will handle the world during these times, what we can do is pray for our lost neighbors. Pray their hearts will be softened towards the Lord and they will embrace the gift of life that is available to them today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2793
Chapter 10
So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” Revelation 10:9 – The gospel is sweet to those who embrace it, bitter to those who reject it. For John, this idea of eating the scroll was to symbolize him taking in this message. The sweetness of communing with God was there, the bitterness of knowing this message was one of judgement and condemnation was there as well. For those of us who follow Jesus we too are told to “eat the scroll.” We are to take in the message of God and share it with others. For some it will be a sweet experience because they’ll embrace the message of forgiveness. For others it will be a bitter one because they’ll reject the life God is offering them. We can’t dictate how the message will be received, we can though determine if it’s delivered. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1578
And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. Revelation 10:10 – As there was a pause between the sixth and seventh seal, so is there a pause between the sixth and seventh trumpet. Within this pause we see a mighty angel (possibly Jesus, possibly just an angel) coming down from heaven with a little scroll opened in his hand. The angel declares how the events that were still to unfold were to come without delay, and John is then told to approach the angel and ask for the scroll in his hand. The angel then gives the scroll to John, tells him to eat it, and John does. While we aren’t given the details of what was written on the scroll, what we know is that John was commanded to continue prophesying to the world what he was seeing. As it was with John, if we are wanting to be faithful in the command to spread the word of God accurately and boldly, we too must be willing to fully consume the message of the Lord. Too often believers “consume” the word of God like a toddler with vegetables. They just move it around on the plate, taste little bits, and eat only what’s forced. If though we desire to useful to the Lord, we must fully consume His word. While like with John, the message for us is sweet, yet when we see how those who we share it too don’t always embrace it, the bitterness of it all comes into view as well. While in a chapter like this there is so much we can’t fully know or understand because it wasn’t revealed to us, let us be about consuming the Word that has been revealed. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2794
Chapter 11
And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them…Revelation 11:7 – Sounds like a harsh ending for the two witnesses that have been faithful in all that God had commanded them to do. Notice though how in their efforts they were able to completely finish all they had come to do then the beast came. What this reminds us is that all the evil forces at play here are subject to God’s authority. If He says to them you can’t move, they can’t move. While we may not understand why in certain cases evil forces are allowed to move forward, let’s consider what havoc there would be on earth if God never held back any evil. If God never stepped in or never held anything evil Satan had planned for us at bay how wretched would our world be? While it can be confusing why some things still happen, let’s give praise to God that all the horrors Satan wants to bring aren’t able to move forward because of God’s power. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1579
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 – Our chapter begins with John receiving a measuring rod to measure the temple within Jerusalem that will be built in the future, likely during the Tribulation. This measuring is to declare ownership of the Lord of His temple, yet we see the nations during this time will desecrate the temple area with their sinfulness. Two new characters come into play, the Two Witnesses. While we aren’t given clarity on who they are, we see for 3½ years they will speak the words of God over the people of the earth, pointing them to repentance. While unable to be defeated by the world, we see after their time of ministering, the beast (which is likely the Antichrist), is able to kill them. While the world rejoices over the death of the two witnesses for the message of repentance conflicted with the sin they wanted to continue living in, the two witnesses rise from the dead and are welcomed into Heaven by the Lord. While the earth watched this unfold, a massive earthquake hits Jerusalem, thousands perish, yet the remaining Jewish people there in the city finally acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Then the seventh trumpet blasts, setting in motion the final move of God’s redemptive plan. Heaven rejoices as this blast, for it means the end is soon and the eternal kingdom of Jesus was soon to be established. While this devotion certainly was more of a breakdown of the chapter, it and the ones to follow will be quite confusing to read. A takeaway though from this chapter is this wonderful reminder that God is still sovereign during the chaos of today, and His eternal kingdom will one day be established. The enemy will fight hard, and will have moments of what looks like victory, but our God is the God that breathes out life, not death. Whether it’s during the time of Revelation, or the hardships of your life today, remember Satan is not the one sovereign over all this, but our Savior Jesus is. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2795
Chapter 12
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:10 – Lots of confusing things here in this chapter, at least there was for me. After some studying here’s what I think the different characters are representing. Woman = church, baby = a holy people to be born, dragon = Satan. If we understand it that way then the story plays out like this. Satan doesn’t want the church to grow yet God keeps safe the church from the attacks of the enemy. Very simple way of looking at this passage, but it can help to begin to understand it. Know that even in the most chaotic times God is going to watch over and protect the church. He will not let the enemy find victory over His people. Take comfort in knowing that God is watching over the church and protecting us as we move forward with the mission. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1580 (See later devotions on this chapter for a different, likely more accurate understanding of the roles in this chapter)
And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 12:1 – First, let us keep in mind that John is seeing “signs” showing that the things he is describing represent something. Breaking this down, we see a woman, which represents Israel (Genesis 37:9-11), giving birth to a child, which is Jesus, that is to rule the nations. The dragon (Satan) and his third of the stars (the angels that followed him) seek to destroy Jesus but can’t, and then seeks to destroy Israel during the time of the Tribulation, but God protects the Jewish people that have now turned to Him. We see a great heavenly battle taking place sometime during the Tribulation, and finally Satan and his forces are permanently cast out of Heaven. While the enemy continues to seek after Israel, he loses, and also when he begins seeking to destroy the believers who turn to Jesus during the Tribulation, he finds failure in that too. Let this symbolic chapter bring you peace that nothing can defeat our God. Satan, at the peak of his fury and might, will be seeking to use every weapon he has, but nothing he does can stop our God. God is able to move heaven and earth to protect His people, and if you have been washed by the blood of the Lamb, know you are a part of God’s people. Let though these chapters of chaos bring you fear if you still have not turned to follow Jesus. The time is now for you to place your faith in the God that saves. If you have questions about Jesus and would like to place your faith in Jesus, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2796
Chapter 13
And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Revelation 13:15 – Listen to what Habakkuk 2:19 says, “Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it.” Everything this first and second beast is doing seems to imitate something of God or to seek to counter something He said to be true. Like here breath is given to their idol to make it seem alive and deceive people. As we move forward know our enemy is going to do everything he can to deceive us and stop us. He’ll take scripture out of context to confuse us, he’ll imitate the power of God as much as he can, he’ll even seek to disprove God by his actions like we see done here. Be aware of this and be watchful. This is not meant to instill fear in your hearts, this is just to bring to light what the enemy is trying to keep hidden. Know he is moving and has plans to move more. Know as well God is moving and has bigger plans to more even more. There’s a reason why the enemy would want to imitate the power of God. For why would you seek to imitate the power of something if it held less power than you? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1581
Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:7-8 – In our chapter we are introduced to two beasts, the first which is the Antichrist, and the second which is the False Prophet. During the space of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will rise to power in the world for seven years. The False Prophet will also be present in this time to promote the worship of the Antichrist. During this time horrible things will be said of God, the believers of God will be persecuted and executed, and the sign and wonders will be done to point all people to the worship of Satan. They will have control of the world’s economy and all powers, and all who do not submit to the Antichrist’s rule will be unable to survive on earth. These are crazy and intense times that are ahead for our world. Let us though remind ourselves of what scripture has to say about the future of these two beasts. Revelation 19:20 says, “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” While their power will seem grand, and the world will believe no one is like this beast and none can fight against it, when Jesus steps onto the scene, everything changes. Hold fast then to the hope you have in Jesus. Whether it’s the persecution we are reading about in our chapter, or the trials you are facing today as a believer, remember our God is mightier than our enemy. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2797
Chapter 14
And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” Revelation 14:18 – Here we see one of the greatest miracles in existence play itself out. We see the miracle of God’s patience towards sinners. One commentary I read over this passage said that while God’s patience with our sin is long lasting, it isn’t everlasting. Our sinfulness has to be taken care of at some point. Either we will carry to our grave and live under the weight of it’s punishment for eternity or let Jesus take that weight for us. As we step into Holy Week let us keep in mind that the sin in our story was what created a need for Jesus to go on the cross. There God showed the high level of patience and love He has for us, even while we were still sinners. Know if you’re still breathing that time to turn to Jesus is still available to you. If you’d like to know more of what that means and how to do that, reach out, I’d love to share with you about it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1582
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:6-7 – We see in this chapter such a devastation that is ahead for those who continue to reject the message of salvation that God is making overly clear and available. The two harvests at the end of the chapter summarize the terror and death that is to come with the seven bowls and the judgement of Armageddon, and it truly will be great. Yet remember here how those living on the earth at this time will have the gospel everywhere in front of them. They will have the 144,000 Jewish evangelists that follow Jesus preaching the gospel. They will have the two witnesses from chapter 11 preaching the gospel, and they’ll also have the thousands upon thousands of Tribulation saints who have turned to Jesus during this time sharing how people need to turn to Jesus. Now, even an angel of the Lord flies over the entire earth, to every language and nation, proclaiming this eternal gospel to all people. Our God is a God that desires people to Himself, not people to be separated from Him into Hell. So let us not be lazy with the mission, nor ever think that because an angel will take care of getting the message out to the whole earth then we don’t have to. Let us remember who the great commission was given to…the angels or to us? We have been given the mission, and what is ahead for those who don’t embrace it should put a fire under us to share the gospel to all. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2798
Chapter 15
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 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!” Revelation15:2-3 – Those that conquered the beast, image, and number. These are thought to be the survivors, or even martyrs, that refused to take the mark of the beast and refused to worship the antichrist. Through their rejection of him and his ways they prevailed over him. What we see then is these very ones who stood strong and showed there power humbled themselves still before someone. While they didn’t find in the beast anything worth worshiping, they found everything in God. What power and holiness must God have if the ones who refused to worship the beast, even if that meant death, would kneel before God for eternity. Let’s these passages increase our view of God’s power and greatness. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1583
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! 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:3-4 – The seventh seal has been broken, the seventh trumpet has been sounded, and now the final judgement of God will be poured out on the earth by the seven bowls. While this judgement will be complete and terrifying to those on the earth that have still refused to accept Jesus as Lord despite all the ways God has presented His love and grace to them, this time will be a time of praise for the believers in Jesus. Here we have the followers of God that come to faith during the Tribulation, those who are still alive and those who were martyred, lifting loudly their praise to the Lord. Notice though the nature of their worship. While existing in a time of torment for those who follow Jesus, and even many being killed for their faith in Jesus, their worship will still be centered on Jesus and who He is. He is great and amazing, and He does wonderous deeds. Jesus is Lord, just, true, and the King. All will fear Him and give glory to His name. Jesus is holy, and all will worship Him. Yes, they will be going through the worst persecution the Christian faith has ever faced, yet their face will still be upon their Savior. Let us today, in whatever pressures we are faced with, still give glory to God and remember His worthiness to be praised. This life isn’t about us, it’s about Jesus, so even in the storms we can give praise to our God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2799
Chapter 16
Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! Revelation 16:15 – While this message may not have been directed at us within this passage, it’s one we can listen to and follow. What we see here in this chapter is plague after plague coming on the people of earth. God is pouring out His wrath on their sin yet still offering a chance to any to repent. While we aren’t living in the sort of days playing out in scripture yet, the key word is yet. We don’t know when Jesus will return. Let us then stay awake like this passage teaches us to. Remain clothed, meaning remain ready for whatever may come your way. Ready for any and every opportunity that may come our way to share Jesus with someone so they won’t have to move through all that we see written about in these chapters if Jesus were to return soon. If then one of these opportunities walked through your door right now, how ready would you be to share? Wake up, get some clothes on, and be ready to share. Jesus is coming back and we should want the world to come with us to meet Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1584
They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish 11 and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. Revelation 16:9-11 – In this chapter we see the rapid-fire judgements of the seven bowls being poured out. Once completed, we hear a voice declaring “It is done!” but the terror that comes from these seven bowls is unlike anything we’ve read In Revelation so far. Painful sores, all sea life being destroyed, all fresh water gone, scorching heat, plunged into darkness, and 100-pound hailstones falling from the sky. Truly devastation like never before, and with such devastation we may think it would turn people to the Lord for they would finally acknowledge He has the power, and not Satan (who they were worshipping). Yet, like we see in our passage above, rather than turn to the Lord, the cursed Him and refused to repent. Sometimes we can think that if people just saw the real power of God, then they’d turn from their sin. What we learn from scripture though is just because there may be great displays of power from the Lord, or even if they saw someone raise from the dead, it doesn’t mean people will repent and believe. Fear isn’t what is going to lead to true repentance, only an understanding of God’s grace. When sin is seen as sin, and an understanding that our efforts can’t rescue us from the death sin brings, there is where we begin to see our desperate need of a Savior. Whoever then is in your life stubbornly refusing Jesus, pray their heart will understand the truth. We see what’s ahead for those who refuse Jesus, let us then all the more be praying for their heart to change towards the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2800
Chapter 17
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” Revelation 17:1-2 – Here this means that Satan will seek to create an anti-church, anti-God religion that will set people’s heart in a direction away from God. While this is something spoken about to happen during the end times, we must not be foolish to think our enemy isn’t seeking to do the same now. His whole agenda is to keep people away from God and running after anything else other than the Savior who can save them from their sin. Knowing this, how should this change your day? If we know the enemy is working, let’s work harder. Just because he is pointing people away from God, we can be drawing people near to Jesus even more. So what’s at least one way today you can oppose the work of our enemy and be drawing people’s attention to the God who loves them and can save them? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1585
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. Revelation 17:3 – This chapter is full of imagery that needs to be broken down to understand, so let’s start there. The beast is the Antichrist. This woman, the great prostitute, is the spiritual “Babylon,” a one-world religion that will be used by the Antichrist to gain power. Seven heads are seven world powers (6 behind us, 1 to come), and the ten horns are ten kings that will give their power to the Antichrist. Remember as well that prostitution and adultery often in scripture are referring to idolatry. So what we have here is a look back again at the reign of the Antichrist during the Tribulation. There will be a one-world religion that the world will be hooked on, it will be led by the Antichrist, and it will seek to destroy the believers in God. When this one-world religion seems to be taking the glory away from the Antichrist, he’ll destroy it and take all the worship to himself instead. All this sounds a little overwhelming, doesn’t it? What hope is there if the whole world is going to unite against the Lord and His people? Let us remember though what verse 14 says, “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.” Yes, they will come against the Lord, but our God is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and instead of crumbling under the pressure of their attack, He’ll conquer. This message is the one all must remember as we read the scary events of Revelation…Jesus wins. The question you must ask yourself is are you on the winning side? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2801
Chapter 18
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.” Revelation 18:21-23 – No more. The evil will be no more. The power of the enemy will be no more. The hold the enemy has on the world will be no more. God will step in and throw the evil, sin, and the bringer of all that down and they will be no more. I love how this passage landed on Good Friday, something I didn’t intentionally do when I planned this year’s reading plan. Today we remember the death of Jesus on the cross, crushing the hold of sin and death in our lives, offering us a way of salvation. Then today we see in Revelation how in the end God will put down satan for good and all his evil with him. No more will our enemy have his way. What a day to look forward to and what a day we have to celebrate today. On the cross Jesus showed He was far more powerful than our enemy. So when He says things like we read in our passage we can have confidence He can do all those things. If He conquered death he can conquer our enemy once and for all. What an awesome God we serve! ….Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and making a way for us to be with the Father….I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1586
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; 5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4-5 – As with chapter 17, we are getting a detailed look at the world during the Tribulation under the reign of the Antichrist. We saw in chapter 17 the one-world religion, the spiritual Babylon, being used to bring the Antichrist his power, but him destroying it halfway through the Tribulation for it was receiving the worship rather than himself. Now we see in chapter 18 the commercial Babylon, the world economy under the reign of the Antichrist. This will be a time where the enemy is having his way with the world, and all will be worshipping him. Yet we see in our passage, a voice from heaven calling out to the followers of God that have placed their faith in Jesus during the time of the Tribulation. This voice is telling them to abandon the system of the Antichrist, to run as far as they can from it, for her sins are many and God sees them. We see in this chapter the destruction of the Antichrist’s reign, system, and power, and God’s desire was His people to be wholly separate from such evil. Whether it’s during the time of the tribulation, during the times of the Old Testament, or in our time today, God’s heart is His people to abandon the ways of the enemy and run from sinfulness. How often though do we as believers still enjoy dipping our toes into the sinful things of this world? See from passages like this that such sinful things have no prosperous end and those who enjoy such things never find the fulfillment they are looking for. Only in Jesus can we find a beautiful ending and the fulfillment of all we could ever long for. See the vanity of the world and the value of our Savior. He is worth living for, enduring for, and dying for. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2802
Chapter 19
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:9 – Most likely you’ve been invited some places recently. Possibly to a family members house for an Easter dinner. Hopefully you’ve been invited by someone to join you for Easter services somewhere, if not, count this as your formal invitation to join me this Easter! Yet here we see scripture saying those who get this invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb are truly blessed. Why? Because only those who have given their life over to Jesus can come. This is a supper between Jesus and His bride, the church. Don’t think though if you aren’t a Christian you are left out. See what Jesus did on the cross created a door for any to follow Him and become part of His church. Choose today to begin a pursuit of Jesus and a life with Him so whenever these things play themselves out that we’re reading about today you can join in on the side of victory. If you want to know more about how to know Jesus and pursue Him, reach out, I’d love to talk with you about it! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1587
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God” Revelation 19:1 – The majority of Revelation, chapters 6-18, is a detailed look at the time of the Tribulation. We see the judgements God will bring on the wayward world and we see also the horrible persecution that will come on those who reject Satan and choose Jesus during the Tribulation. Now, the end of Tribulation is here and Jesus returns in power! We see four times the word hallelujah used in this chapter, which means “Praise to God!” Uniquely though the word hallelujah is used nowhere else in the New Testament except here in Revelation 19. That shows then just how wonderful this time will be for the faithful, enduring saints and how precious the union is to be between Jesus and His bride (all those who have chosen Him). Let then this chapter reframe how we see Jesus and the church. Jesus may to some seem only a meek lamb, unable to even prevent His own death. The church may to some seem to be pitiful and worthless. Yet here we see Jesus for who He truly is, the King of kings and Lord of lords, riding in with all power. We also see the church for who she is, beautiful and precious in the sight of the King. Truly “Hallelujah” is the only word that can match the wonder of this time. For us today, let us be about adding to the number of those a part of the bride of Christ. Revelation clearly shows the end for both those who embrace Jesus and those who reject Him. It’s Heaven or Hell. Let us then be about filling the streets of Heaven with those who follow Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2803
Chapter 20
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:7-10 – This passage describes for us the final defeat of Satan. Yes, he’ll rise with power and deceive many, but God in one swoop will put an end to him and his hold. Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus holds the keys to death, he conquered it and sin and the holds the enemy wanted to try to have on us. He showed them the enemy is no match for Him and in our passage we see just how little power Satan has in comparison to the might of our God. Let’s praise God today for saving us, breaking the chains that were on us, and has a sure plan to finish off our enemy once and for all. Happy Easter! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1588
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 – The seven years of the Tribulation have ended with Jesus’ return and He begins the time we call the Millennium, where for 1000 years Jesus reigns and Satan, along his all his forces, are bound and have no influence on the earth. At the end of that 1000 years, we see Satan and his forces being released to deceive the people on the earth and gather an army for what he thinks will be the battle to reclaim his reign on the earth. Yet we see God, in an instant, lay waste to the enemy forces and condemn the devil finally to his eternal punishment. Now that the enemy is forever gone, the current earth and heaven are swept away and the focus is on the throne of our God. All those then that had died, who never accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus offered, now stand before the throne judged according to their sinful works. And they all were cast into the lake of fire, the same place the Antichrist, False Prophet, and Satan will be at for all eternity experiencing punishment for their sin. Truly, if Christians needed a passage to light a fire under them to share the Gospel, this ought to be it! While it’s been made clear that even with a myriad of witnesses, people will still reject Jesus, and even during a 1000-year period of perfection under Jesus’ reign there will still be people that reject what He offers, our mission remains the same. We should seek Hell to be as empty as possible and Heaven as full as possible. Let us be in prayer today seeking out how God wants to use us for His glory and how He wants to use us in shepherding people to Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2804
Chapter 21
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:6-8 – What a promise, and yet what a warning as well. Notice the different sins God considers worthy of the second death. Sure things like murder and sorcery are on the list, but then things like liars, those who are cowardly, and the faithless are in the list. What this reveals to us is sin is sin to God and every sin causes separation between us and Him. Maybe by human standards they are different yet to God each carries the weight of death. This message is heavy to take in, but notice as well the message of life given here. Any who are thirsty may come and have life freely. God’s serious about sin, but even more serious about our salvation. While yesterday we celebrated our risen Savior, that salvation He bought for us is available today, tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, and so on. If you haven’t yet come to Him thirsty for the life He offers, know today you can. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1589
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27 – What every believer is looking forward to is held within this chapter. Finally, once the enemy and all those who follow him are eternally cast away, God completely does away with the earth and sky to create something new. Showing this world we know today will one day be completely gone, and like God did at the beginning of time, He will create a new, holy earth for us to dwell on. Within this earth will be a new, holy city of Jerusalem where God Himself will dwell with man. There will be no need for a sun, because we have the glory of God bringing light. There will be no tears, no death, no crying, and nothing unclean will ever enter this city. Now saying that last part, does that mean there is a threat of sin and sinful people entering? No, we know that Satan and all his forces are forever cast into the lake of fire, so the threat of sin entering this new, holy city isn’t possible. This verse is an alert for all readers today knowing that if you ever want to participate in this glorious future, there is only one way to do so. You must have your name written in the Lamb’s book of life, and the only way for your name to be there is to place your faith in Jesus and have Him wash clean your sins. The call then is being made to you today if you have never placed your faith in Jesus to do so today, for God desires you to be with Him in this city. If you are a believer, who in your story right now would not be allowed to enter this city for they have never chosen to follow Jesus? You now know why you were given breath and another day today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2805
Chapter 22
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 – Come. Even in the very last chapter of scripture the message is “come.” Over and over and over God is reaching out to the world telling them the path to Him has been made and the invitation has been given. Any who thirst for something more than what this life can offer are able to come to Him. Any who wants to drink deeply of the life He gives can do so without paying anything. Everything we could want or need, all free of charge to us, and the path to it has been cleared. Jesus died to make all this happen for us. So because of Jesus the message isn’t “work harder” or “give up more” or even “you’re not good enough here.” The message to you is “come.” Come freely, come thirsty, simply come to Jesus and find a love and welcome beyond your imagination. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac……………For all of you who have been following along with these devotions, thank you for your support and encouragement! Today is a big goal for me, we have finally done a devotion over every chapter of the Bible! It took three and a half years to do so but having you along for the ride each day has kept me pushing in even on those days I really wasn’t feeling it. I look forward to starting round two tomorrow morning! With this first round done know in round two I may try a few different things so if you have ideas on how to make what I’m doing connect with more people let me know! Thanks again everyone! ILYBJLYM – Mac – Daily DEVO 1590
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. Revelation 22:16 – Here Jesus, our Lord Himself, sends a direct message to the churches…us. Hearing that this is coming straight from Jesus Himself ought to bring focus and submission to whatever is said. So what did Jesus say? “Come.” Jesus in this verse above confirms that what we’ve read in Revelation is faithful and true for He is faithful and true. Everything about the gloriousness of what’s to come for believers is true! We’ll be able to see God face to face, something not even Moses could do while on earth. We’ll be the Bride of Christ, invited into to the holiness of all He will create, welcomed at His table and welcomed before His throne for eternity. Yet this also means everything we see about the future for those who reject Jesus is true as well. Great pains are coming their way and their eternal destination is the place designed to punish the demons. So again, what is the message Jesus wants the world to hear, and His church to grab a hold of? Come. Come who is thirsty, come those who need rest. Come and drink of His goodness freely. As we now have studied the whole book of Revelation together, we see there is still so much ahead for the church and the world, and the course the world is taking until Jesus returns in glory is not towards health. Yet we have been reminded of a wonderous truth, Jesus wins. Taking that truth then into our daily life today, let us boldly share the gospel and boldly live out our faith for Jesus. For Jesus is coming soon, and if Jesus’ message was, “Come,” then let our message be the same to those who need to hear His Gospel truth. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2806
Daily DEVO 