New Testament in a Year

Revelation 8:1-13
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Revelation chapter 8 transitions from the breaking of the seals on the scroll to the trumpets! 

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

In Old Testament times trumpets represented the announcement of important events or times of war.  Here we will see plagues that are more devastating than the seals, but not as devastating as the bowls to come in Revelation chapter 16.  The eagle in this chapter represents swiftness and destruction.  When the eagle speaks of “all who belong to this world” in verse 13, it is referring to people who are not in relationship with God.

Verses 3 & 4 in this chapter today are beautiful: “Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great quantity of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people, to be offered on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of the saints, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.”  I love that analogy of the incense mixing with the prayers of the saints.  Do you believe that your prayers reach God’s altar in heaven? 

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “How He Loves Us” sung here by David Crowder:

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

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

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:3-4 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that your prayers to God are like incense smoke, going up to God from the hands of angels. Pray without ceasing. Pray right now.

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 7:1-17
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Revelation chapter 7 verse 3 in today’s reading tells us: “Wait! Don’t hurt the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”  Commentaries suggest that the seal represents the name of God being stamped on the foreheads of his followers – to protect them from the coming judgments.  This imagery is very similar to Ezekiel 9:4 – “”Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

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

Verse 4 tells us: “And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God. There were 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel.”  Some interpret this to mean 144,000 descendents of the actual Jewish tribes during the time of tribulation, which I agree with.  Others interpret this passage to be symbolic of all the faithful believers who live during the time of tribulation.

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

Verses 5 through 8 are interesting in that Judah is listed first, which is unusual.  When the twelve tribes of Israel are listed usually Reuben, his older brother, is listed first.  The thought here is that since Jesus and David came from the tribe of Judah, that is why it is listed first.  Also, the tribe of Dan is not listed – which may be because Dan had some idolatry issues in Judges 18:30.  Instead, Manasseh, one of Joseph’s son’s is listed – along with Joseph.

Verse 12 is very powerful in that it has 7 attributes of God: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and forever.”  Will you attribute to God – Blessing?  Glory?  Wisdom?  Thanksgiving?  Honor?  Power?  Strength?  Forever….?  Has anyone read A.W. Tozer’s book “The Attributes of God“?  I haven’t, but have heard it is terrific!

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel:”

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

Are you a captive in need of Ransom?  Click here to meet your Emmanuel!

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 6:1-17
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Revelation chapter 6 begins the first of 3 seven-part judgments with the opening of the seals on the scroll!  The seven trumpets in chapters 8 & 9 and the seven bowls in chapter 16 are the remaining two.  The unsealing of the seals on the scroll by Jesus in this chapter sets in motion events that will bring about the end of human history.  Verse 12 today tells us: “I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood.”

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

The imagery of the four horsemen in this chapter comes from Zechariah chapter 1 verses 8-17 and chapter 6 verse 1-6.  In chapter 1 of Zechariah verses 8-10 we read: “During the night I had a vision-and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. I asked, “What are these, my lord?”  The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.” Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth.””  This is a good example of how John is utilizing a lot of imagery for the book of Revelation from the Old Testament.  And of course it is a great example of how the Old Testament is fulfilled by the New Testament.

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

A portion of verse 8 should be noted about the 4 horsemen: “They were given authority over one-fourth of the earth.”  Some commentaries have noted that this demonstrates that even in the end of days, God is continuing to show compassion.  He only allows the four horsemen to do their work over 1/4th of the earth, giving everyone in the other 3/4ths of the earth an opportunity to repent and turn to Jesus.

Below is another incredible piece of artwork from Pat Marvenko Smith for Revelation chapter 6 verses 9 through 11!  “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.”

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

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Revelation remind me of the Matt Maher song “Alive Again.” Here’s a great live performance from Matt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSTaVmDQP5s

Are you truly alive?  Click here and be made Alive Again!

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 5:1-14
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Revelation 5 is another beautiful chapter looking at worship in heaven!  And in this chapter we see the worship of Jesus, the Lion and the Lamb, who opens the scroll.  It is interesting that Jesus is described first as the Lion of Judah in verse 5 and then as a Lamb in verse 6.  This demonstrates both Jesus’ authority and power (lion) and Jesus’ submission to God’s will (lamb).

Verse 9 is certainly powerful in today’s readings: “And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”  Do you believe that Jesus’ blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation?  How do people accept this gift – this ransom?  Are the stakes high enough that we should accept this ransom?

And verse 12 is powerful: “And they sang in a mighty chorus: “The Lamb is worthy–the Lamb who was killed. He is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”  Do you believe that Jesus is worthy to receive power?  And riches?  And wisdom?  And honor?  And glory?  And blessing?  Will you give these things to Jesus in your life today?

To powerfully close out this New Testament post today, below is an image of Revelation Chapter 5 titled “The Opening of the Sealed Scroll” by the amazing artist Pat Marvenko Smith from www.revelationillustrated.com.  Based on today’s readings, please take a few moments to reflect on this image and what it means to you personally…

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 this terrific Chris Tomlin song that was written based on Revelation Chapter 5 called “Is He Worthy?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRiYsTN7KY

Do you know our Worthy Lord??  Click here to meet Him!

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 4:1-11
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Revelation chapter 4 today is an amazing chapter, where we get a great glimpse of worship in heaven!  Verses 1 & 2 are an awesome start to this chapter with John first seeing an open door in heaven and then being instantly in the Spirit!  “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit.” 

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

Verse 3 stands out today with a great glimpse of God’s glory – “The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones–jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.” You’ll note that there is not a clear description of God, as he is often described as dwelling in an “unapproachable light”.  But I think the gemstones and the emerald rainbow are pretty good starters for envisioning God’s glory…  Can you imagine seeing God face to face some day?  Does this make your heart leap with excitement and joy?

Verse 4 stood out in today’s readings as well: “Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.” It is said that these 24 thrones represent both the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles of Jesus.  Thus, representing all righteous and redeemed men and women before and after Jesus’ life.

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

Verses 6 & 7 will remind us of the seraphs in Isaiah and the cherubim in Ezekiel – “In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings had the form of a lion; the second looked like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth had the form of an eagle with wings spread out as though in flight.”  These creatures are said to represent aspects of the attributes of God.  The lion representing majesty & power.  The ox representing faithfulness.  The human representing intelligence.  And the eagle representing sovereignty.

Verses 10 & 11 is a beautiful look at elders worshiping God!  “The twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever and ever. And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”   Imagine yourself in heaven with a crown of some sort.  Will you lay down your crown before the throne of God and worship God in this same manner?  Do you believe that God is worthy to receive all glory, and honor, and power?  Do you believe that it was for God’s pleasure that everything exists and was created?

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

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Revelation reminded me of the song “Joy to the World” sung here by Phil Wickham:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbZNk5uSYK4

Are you joyful?  Click here for Joy!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” Revelation 4:10-11 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you will always fall down and lay your crown at the feet of Jesus. Pray that you will praise and worship Jesus giving Him all glory and honor and power.

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 3:7-22
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Today in Revelation chapter 3 we read about The Message to the Church in Philadelphia and Laodicea.   Verse 8 today is powerful, from Jesus: “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut.”  Jesus has opened the door for us to enter God’s kingdom through faith in him.  No one can keep us from entering through this open door – besides ourselves.  Will you walk through the door Jesus has opened for you?

Verses 15 and 16 are convicting words from Jesus!  “”I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!”  Are you hot or cold in your faith for God these days?  Or maybe lukewarm?  Will you live now and tomorrow with only a hot faith in God?  Hot Tamales Hot?  🙂

Verse 20 is beautiful from Jesus:  “”Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.”  As we read above – the door to entering into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus is open and no one can shut it – except maybe we will shut the door ourselves in our own lives.  If you have shut the door, is it possible that you hear Jesus knocking on the door?  Is it possible Jesus is calling to you from the other side of the door you have shut?  Will you open it?  Do you want to share a meal with Jesus as friends?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the NeedToBreathe song “Washed By the Water:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMAmTLXJG2U

Have you been washed by the water?  Click here and be made clean!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are hot for the Lord. Pray against any lukewarm-ness in your life when it comes to your love and faith in 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 2:18-3:6
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Today in Revelation we continue to read Jesus’ messages to the 7 churches in Asia Minor – see yesterday’s posting below for a map of where these 7 churches were located.  Also, don’t forget the powerful vision that John saw of Jesus in Revelation chapter 1 verses 12 through 14 and verse 20 just before we began reading these messages to the 7 churches: “When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance… This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

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

Revelation chapter 2 verse 19 is awesome as Jesus says: “”I know all the things you do–your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”   How are you doing in these areas in your life?  Are you focusing on love, faith, service and patience?  Are you constantly improving in these areas in your life?

Revelation chapter 3 verse 3 is powerful from Jesus: “Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again.”  My thought here is that sometimes we are so on fire for our faith in Jesus and God – particularly when we first believe.  And then this fire and initial strong faith begins to wane over time.  And to a degree, this is okay.  We will not be on the “mountaintop” all of the time – we must traverse through the valleys as well. But, if perhaps we’ve been camped out in the valleys for a bit too long now, is it possible that we might need to go back to what we heard and believed at first?  Might we need to hold to these first beliefs more firmly?  And turn to Jesus again? This Advent and Christmas season, will you return to Jesus once again? Will you return to the Manger in Bethlehem?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Revelation remind me of the Christmas carol “Do You Hear What I Hear” performed here by Josh Wilson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0y4ZS0Upk4

Do you hear what I hear?  Click here and hear all about 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 2:1-17
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Revelation chapter 2 begins our journey of Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor! (modern day Turkey).  Below is a map of the 7 churches of Revelation:

Depending on what type of Bible you read, you might notice that ALL of the words in chapter 2 in today’s readings are highlighted red – meaning, we are hearing directly from Jesus in these verses, so it’s good to pay attention here!  🙂

The beginning of Revelation 2 verse 2 stands out to me today – “”I know all the things you do.”  Short and simple…. Do you suppose this is true about Jesus and your life?  Do you think Jesus knows all of the things you do?  Even every single thing that you think?

Verse 7 certainly stands out today as well from Jesus: “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”  The tree of life takes us back to the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve ended up eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge – which gave them the knowledge of good and evil.  God then banished them from the Garden before they could eat from the tree of life and live eternally.  The tree of life represents eternal life, and as we see in this verse it is offered to all who are victorious.  What does it mean to be victorious?  Do you want to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God?  Will you listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying?  Below is a stained glass image of the Tree of Life:

Verse 17 is intriguing!  “Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.”  The second sentence is very intriguing to me – a white stone will be given with a new name upon it.  I need to do some more research on what exactly this means.  If anyone has thoughts on the white stone / new name, please post up in the comments below.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Revelation 2:2 remind me of the Crowder song “Thanks Giver:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxDKchUybN0

Are you a Thanks Giver?  Click here and give Thanks!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for ears to hear. Pray for victory. Pray that you will receive a white stone with a new name written on it. Pray for the gift of hidden manna.

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 1:1-20
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Today we start the book of Revelation!  I have to confess that I have been a bit nervous about blogging through the book of Revelation.  But here goes nothing!  🙂   Revelation has been called “The Revelation of John”, but really this book is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”.   It is believed that the apostle John wrote this book.  He also wrote the Gospel of John and the letters of First, Second, and Third John.  There was some dispute about the apostle John writing this book in the third century by a bishop named Dionysius – as he thought the writing style of this book was so different from the Gospel of John & his letters.   But most do believe that the apostle John did indeed write the book of Revelation on the Island of Patmos, off the coast of Ephesus, or modern-day Turkey.  It is said that one of the major purposes of this book, written in circa 95 A.D., was to encourage Christians to resist the Roman empire’s demands of emperor worship. The other important thing to note is the Revelation is apocalyptic literature, which means that its writing is highly symbolic.  Below is artwork of John on Patmos writing the book of Revelation:

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.””

Into the readings today… Chapter 1 verse 8 certainly stands out in today’s readings, as we hear from Jesus himself: “”I am the Alpha and the Omega–the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.”  I like that – the Alpha & Omega.  The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  Jesus is the beginning and end of all things.  Jesus is God.

 

In verses 17 & 18 today we hear this similar theme from Jesus again to John: “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”  It is awesome that Jesus uses the term Living One here.  This is very similar to Old Testament verses we hear about God being a Living God.  Jesus is also truly Living today in our lives.  Do you believe Jesus is the Alpha & Omega?  The Living One?

 

Worship Video: Revelation chapter 1 verse 8 in today’s readings reminds me of the fantastic song by Mark Harris called “One True God:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xuTmGRYFqM

Do you know the One true God?  Click here and meet the One!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “‘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 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you know that Jesus is your Alpha and Omega. Pray today and every day, Come Lord Jesus, Come!

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!

Jude 1:1-25
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Today we start and finish the book of Jude!  Revelation begins tomorrow!

~ Jude ~
Author: Jude, a brother of Jesus
Place: Uncertain
Date:  A.D. 65-70
Content: It is not known to whom this letter was addressed, but the problem that Jude confronts is very clear.  Jude is urging the believers to stand firm against some false teachers and the false doctrine that they bring.  In a lengthy passage Jude gives examples of judgment in the past that God visited upon sin, as well as a devastating description of the evil lives of those false teachers.  Jude closes with an exhortation to the Christians to stand fast in the power of God who will keep us from falling.
Theme: The danger of false doctrine and the need for constant vigilance by the church is the theme of this book.  Jude admonishes us to examine what people say and the kind of lives that they live so that we may approve what is pleasing in the sight of God.  We may call upon God to help in this with full assurance that he will hear and answer our prayer. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 34-35)    A great overview of Jude by Daniel Wallace is at this link.

The letter of Jude carries forward some of the themes in John’s letter’s we’ve recently read about false teachers.  This letter was written in about 65 A.D.  From Jude & John, it seems like there were obviously some issues of false teachers back in the early church.  People that twisted the truth of who Jesus was.  I read a commentary today which said the twisted truths back then were basically these: 1.  Jesus was not divine.  He was just a man who was infused with the divinity of “the Christ” when he was Baptized in the Jordan, but that the divine nature left him before he died on the cross.  (this would be a huge issue for theology…  it ain’t true folks…)  and 2. Once you believe in Christ and your sins are forgiven, then you have a license to do whatever you want in life.  You’re home free.  Feel free to be as immoral as you want.  (again not true of course…).   Early Gnosticism was a part of the problem with these lines of thinking.  The early Gnostics basically believed that anything of matter/material/flesh was bad, and anything of the spirit was good.  Hence, their belief that Jesus really couldn’t have been a man and God at the same time – and that once they were saved/believed in Christ, then their sins were forgiven in the spiritual realm, so they could do whatever the heck they wanted.  They veered way off the path of Truth…

All this to say – it is so easy for theology to get twisted around.  It happened back in the early church as we see in Jude’s letter today, and in John’s previous letters.  And it happens today.  Something I heard recently that I liked and that I believe is so true.  The Gospel is not complicated.  It’s simple.  If you want the straightforward simple truth of the gospel, head for the Gospel of John in the New Testament and everything you basically need to know is there.  That’s it.  We don’t need to complicate things so much that we get ourselves caught up in ideas that basically create barriers to our relationship with God.  God who loves us so much and wants to be in relationship with us…  we have a good way of complicating this very simple love relationship!   🙂

Verse 24 is so wonderful at the end of Jude’s letter today:- “And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy.”  Great joy indeed I believe can only be found through our relationship with God! There are other temporary happinesses we experience in life.  But great joy…  that’s God.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “O Come All Ye Faithful” sung here by Passion Music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wW4R4lfUQI

Have you adored Him?  Click here and adore Him 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

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