New Testament in a Year

Revelation 18:1-24
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In Revelation chapter 18 today we read about the fall of Babylon.  This is one of those chapters in Revelation that can be interpreted in many ways by many different people – with the overriding question and interpretation revolving around who is Babylon that John is referring to here?  Most commentaries that I have read suggest that John is referring to the Roman empire of the 1st century in this chapter.  Much of Revelation is eschatological – end times prophecy – and some commentaries suggest that this chapter is too.   But it seems that most commentaries look at this chapter as a prophecy toward the fall of the Roman empire – an empire that in John’s time was a “cult of emperor worship”.   An empire that John wrote about here to warn the early Christian churches to be on guard against because it stood against God and His people.  However – other commentaries do consider Babylon in this chapter to represent the political and religious system of the world in general under the rule of the antichrist.  And some others see this chapter to be about a literal Babylon in Mesopotamia that is rebuilt and restored in the end times.   Below is John Martin’s “Fall of Babylon” from Illustrations from the Bible, 1835:

Since we’re nearing the end of the book of Revelation, and in particular because of the questions this chapter 18 can bring up, this is probably a good time for me to re-post this information below about the book of Revelation – same info I posted up when we started Revelation chapter 1 on December 9th.  There are basically 4 lines of thinking on how to interpret the book of Revelation, which I think are helpful to consider before diving into this book.  I am editing these comments below from bible.org at this link: Please check out this link for more details on these 4 points below and the book of Revelation overall – these comments were edited on bible.org from M. C. Tenney, Interpreting Revelation.

“(1) The preterist approach believes that “Revelation is simply a sketch of the conditions of the empire in the first century.”

(2) The historicist view (or continuous-historicist view) “contends that Revelation is a symbolic presentation of the entire course of the history of the church from the close of the first century to the end of time.”

(3) The futurist approach usually argues that “all of the visions from Revelation 4:1 to the end of the book are yet to be fulfilled in the period immediately preceding and following the second advent of Christ.”

(4) In the idealist approach, “the Revelation represents the eternal conflict of good and evil which persists in every age, although here it may have particular application to the period of the church.””

Below is art titled “The Angel with the Millstone” – a manuscript illumination from the year 1020 for chapter 18 verse 21 today: “Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted, “Just like this, the great city Babylon will be thrown down with violence and will never be found again.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 18 titled “Destruction of Commercial Babylon” is at this link. 

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the fantastic song “Give This Christmas Away” by Matthew West and Amy Grant, with this terrific video featuring Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ulYpoNXC0

Did you give this Christmas away?  Click here and give it all to Jesus!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 17:1-18
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Today in Revelation chapter 17 we read about the woman and the beast.  How have our readings in Revelation about the beast affected your faith or outlook on end times? Do you believe these writings in Revelation are true? Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith’s “Babylon the Great riding the Beast”:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 17 titled “The Judgment of Religious Babylon” is at this link.

Worship Video: As it is the day after Christmas, here is for KING AND COUNTRY singing “Little Drummer Boy:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzEX3QMuVPM

Have you honored the new born king?  Click here to meet your King!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 16:1-21
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Merry Christmas!  Busy week with Christmas – full posts will be back on December 26th.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 16 titled “The Bowl Judgments” is at this link.  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith’s “The Seven Bowl Judgments” and “The Plagues of the Seven Bowls:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Merry Christmas! – I will close out this Christmas day blog entry with a quick reflection here on A Charlie Brown Christmas.  🙂

I think sometimes many of us wonder the same things that Charlie Brown did during this time of year.  “What is the meaning of Christmas?”  Well, I’ll leave you will Linus’ wonderful answer to Charlie and the Peanuts gang straight from Luke 2:8-14 (King James Version):

^“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Video: Here’s Linus in Charlie Brown’s Christmas reciting the verses from Luke per above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eff0cqYefYY

Do you know the true meaning of Christmas?  Click here to meet CHRISTmas!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 15:1-8
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Busy this week with Christmas – full posts with images will be back on December 26th. Merry Christmas!

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 15 titled “Prelude to the Seven Last Plagues” is at this link.

Worship Video: As it is Christmas Eve, here is “Oh Holy Night” with Josh Groban singing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU

How are you celebrating on this Holy Night?  Click here to celebrate forevermore!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:4 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are bringing glory to God’s name with your worship and life. Pray that you are evangelizing others to fear the Lord and worship Him now and forevermore.

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 14:1-20
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Today in Revelation chapter 14 we read about Jesus (the Lamb) and all believers (the 144,000) in the heavenly Jerusalem (Mount Zion).   I love verses 4 and 5 in this chapter: “For they are spiritually undefiled, pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. No falsehood can be charged against them; they are blameless.”  Are these 2 verses attractive to you?  Do you want to be like this someday in heaven?  Spiritually undefiled?  Pure?  Following Jesus wherever he goes?  Blameless?

We then read about the Three Angels and In verse 8 we read: “Then another angel followed him through the skies, shouting, “Babylon is fallen–that great city is fallen–because she seduced the nations of the world and made them drink the wine of her passionate immorality.””  Babylon, as we know from our recent readings in the Old Testament, such as Daniel, was in ancient Mesopotamia and the commercial, political, and religious center of a world empire led by Nebuchadnezzar.  Some commentators believe that John is writing about Rome here when he says Babylon – and that John uses the term Babylon because it would be too dangerous for him to say Rome.  Some others believe this reference to Babylon refers to the time of the antichrist in the end days, and represents the corrupt political and religious systems of the world in the end times.

Verse 12 is likely referring to the end times, but it does make me think about the persecuted Christians in our world today – “Let this encourage God’s holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus.”  There are thousands, if not millions, of Christians in our world today who suffer for their belief in Christ.  They are persecuted.  Today.   How can we encourage these holy people of God who are enduring persecution today?  Prayer is certainly one thing we can do, as a starter.  Have you heard of the International Day of the Persecuted Church?  Please visit their website by clicking on this link – and then click on the links on their home page to check out some great ministries that are serving the needs of the Persecuted Church.  Thank you for considering praying and getting involved in the Persecuted Church.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 14 titled “Special Announcements” is at this link.

Worship Video: As it is almost Christmas, here is Casting Crown’s “I Heard Bells on Christmas Day” live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0

Do you know the peace of God’s Silent Night?  Click here for heavenly peace!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 12:18-13:18
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Today we read about the beast that comes out of the sea and the beast that comes out of the earth.  This is a pretty intense chapter that ends in the infamous number of the beast, 666.   One thing I learned from reading Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion book today is that the 3 sixes could represent the unholy trinity of Satan – which is comprised of Satan, the first beast, and the false prophet coming up in Revelation chapter 13.  Also, the number 666 was probably applied to the emperor Nero, whose Greek letters in his name represent numbers that total 666, by John’s 1st century readers.  The other way to look at this number is that each of the numbers fall short of the holy numbering of 777 – which represents complete perfection.  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith’s take on “The Three Beasts and 666”:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

In verse 1 we read: “And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.”  Back in the Roman empire many emperors assumed titles of deity and require worship of them, which would obviously be blasphemous to God.  An example was the emperor Domitian (AD 51-96) required people to address him as Dominus et Deus, which means “our lord and our god”.  Below is an ancient bust of Domitian:

Verses 13 – 15 should be warning to us to not fall for false signs and wonders that do not come from God…  as we read about the beast from the earth –  “He did astounding miracles, such as making fire flash down to earth from heaven while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people of the world to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.”  The danger of these above verses can best be demonstrated by Deuteronomy chapter 13 verses 1 through 4 – “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,”  you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.”  How do these 2 sets of verses – from Revelation and Deuteronomy – speak to you?  Are there possibly even false signs and wonders and false idols in our world today which draw our attention away from loving God with all of our heart and soul?  Will you hold fast to God?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 13 titled “The Beast and The False Prophet” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of “Silent Night” sung here by Matt Maher:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAxgOvJh-Tg

Do you know the peace of God’s Silent Night?  Click here for heavenly peace!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 12:1-17
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In Revelation chapter 12 today we read about the Woman and the Dragon!  The woman is representative of the believing Messianic community and the twelve stars represent Israel’s twelve tribes.  The red dragon is Satan.  In verse 5 we read about Jesus: “She gave birth to a boy who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And the child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.” The “caught up” part of this verse is representative of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith’s “The Woman and the Dragon” –

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

In verse 7 we read about Michael the Archangel, who we recently read about in the book of Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 when Daniel is prophesying about the end times: “”At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.”  In the remainder of the chapter we see a war in the spiritual realm, with Satan becoming alarmed that his time is short and increasingly angry at those who love God.

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Verse 10 stood out to me in today’s readings: “Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has happened at last–the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ!”  What a great proclamation!  Are you looking forward to the salvation and power and kingdom of God?   And do you believe in the authority of Jesus Christ?

Below is an incredible image for verses 13 & 14: “When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.  But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.”

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

And below is an incredible image for verses 15-17: “Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon.  And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.”

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 12 titled “The Angelic Conflict” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of a beautiful song by JJ Heller called “Your Hands,” performed here on K-LOVE with her husband playing guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-F6DGGF4Qs

Are you in God’s Hands today?  Click here and be in His hands forevermore!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.’” Revelation 12:10 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that God wins! Pray in thanksgiving that good wins. Pray in thanksgiving if you are in God’s hands, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 11:1-19
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Today in Revelation chapter 11 we read about the Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet bringing the third terror!  The two witnesses in today’s reading are modeled after Moses and Elijah.  They may be representing two actual believers who will be martyred or they may be symbolic of all testifying believers in the final days.  Below are two incredible pieces of artwork from Pat Marvenko Smith of the two witnesses prophesying and being taken up to heaven:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

In verse 11:7 we have the first mention of the beast in the book of Revelation – the enemy that comes from the bottomless pit and wages war in the hearts and lives of men and women.  In verse 11:8 allowing dead bodies to lie out in the street is a major violation of decency.  In verse 15 things begin to shift in big ways as we read: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.””  Is the whole world now part of the kingdom of God?  What are some examples of why or why not?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Revelation chapter 11 titled “The Temple, the Two Witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Revelation 11:15 reminded me of Handel’s Messiah “Hallelujah Chorus:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzOQFpGPYE

Do you know Jesus, who will reign forever?  Click here and meet your eternal King!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 10:1-11
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Revelation chapter 10 brings forth the angel and the little scroll!  Note that this scroll is not the same as the scroll in Revelation chapter 5, verse 1.  This first scroll contains a revelation of judgments against evil, whereas this little scroll’s contents are not disclosed – though, it may contain a judgment as well.  You will recall from our readings of Ezekiel earlier this winter that, similar to John in this chapter, Ezekiel was instructed in a vision to eat a scroll that was sweet to taste but contained judgments against Israel.  From Ezekiel chapter 3 verse 3 you’ll recall: “Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

Revelation Chapter 10 Verse 1 in today’s readings has some cool stuff going on in it – “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.”  The angel being surrounded by a cloud recalls God speaking to Peter James and John on the mountain of the Transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17 verse 5 – “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”   The rainbow over the angel’s head recalls God’s promise to Noah after the flood to never destroy the earth by water again, as we see in Genesis chapter 9 verses 15 & 16 – “I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.””  And the angels feet being like pillars of fire recalls the pillars of fire and cloud that guided and protected the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt, as we see in Exodus chapter 13 verses 21 & 22   “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Bluetree song (made famous by Chris Tomlin) called “God of this City.”  Bluetree are from Belfast, Northern Ireland, so you’ll pick up the great Irish accent in this live acoustic version of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1YECQwk1_g

Do you know the God of your city?  Click here and meet your God!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Revelation 9:1-21
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Revelation chapter 9 brings forth the 5th and 6th trumpet plagues at the end times!  A note on the star in verse 1 – this is likely an angel that descends from heaven with the key from Jesus to open the abyss. 

The fierce demonic locusts in today’s readings are intense.  You may recall we read about locusts in a similar fashion in the Old Testament in Joel chapter 1 through chapter 2 verse 11. 

 

Verses 20 & 21 in this chapter stand out: “But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to turn from their evil deeds. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood–idols that neither see nor hear nor walk! And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their immorality or their thefts.”  Even in the midst of such destruction and horror, many people do not repent.  Is it possible that we receive much less severe signs in our own life today to repent, and we ignore them?  Why do we ignore the signs?  Is this wise?  Below is an image of the first six trumpet judgements by the incredible artist Pat Marvenko Smith:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the Sidewalk Prophets song “The Words I Would Say:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htyU9cwNp0k

Do you know how much He loves you?  Click here for His eternal love!

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!