Read posts the reference the Apocalypse

Amen

Amen.

It comes from the Hebrew word for firm or trustworthy
By the time of the New Testament church, the congregation spoke the word at the end of a public prayer.

Amen.
So be it.
Let it be done.

In Revelation 3:14, Jesus calls Himself the Amen.

Amen isn’t just a tag at the end of our prayers.
It’s an affirmation that we understand we have asked the Sovereign Lord of all to move on our behalf.
It testifies to our confidence in Him.
It means we are assured of God’s faithfulness, and His character.
So our prayers are heard.

Amen!

Insights from Isaiah: Our Future

By Paula

Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. Isaiah 65:24-25

It is not a utopian dream.
It is not an allegory.

Isaiah saw it.
And years later John saw it.

It is reality.
It is our future.

It encourages us that peace will come,
That creation will be redeemed.
That God will dwell alongside us,
Hearing us before we speak.

They will not hurt and destroy.
John says there will be no tears or death.

A new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 66:22, Revelation 21:1)
One vision. One future.
One God and Father
One Lord Jesus Christ.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Check out the first post in the Insights from Isaiah series
Come

Walk Worthy

By Paula

I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Ephesians 4:1

Worthy.

At least six times in the New Testament, we are called on to walk worthy, to live in a way that reflects our calling.
To ensure our daily habits give that calling the honor it’s due.

Being called by God is no small thing, not to be taken lightly.

But sometimes,
it becomes familiar,
common,
ordinary.

Maybe if remembered the example of Jesus.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Revelation 5:12

He was worthy because of His sacrifice.

We walk worthy of our calling when we surrender ourselves. Day in and day out. Consistently. Willingly

Worthy.

Made to Reign

By Paula

No doubt you’re familiar with the story of Joseph — the coat, the dreams, slavery, imprisonment and finally vindication as he’s made prime minister of Egypt. (You can read the details in Genesis chapters 37-50.) I’ve often heard him described as a type of Christ in the way he forgives, and the way he saves his family. But lately as I looked at his life and circumstances, I saw that Joseph is a type of us.

Joseph lived a pretty good life in Potiphar’s house, but he was still a slave. Being in charge of the prison must have had its perks, but it was still prison. Joseph held on to those dreams, though. He knew there was more.

He knew he wasn’t made to be a slave or a prisoner. His destiny was to reign alongside the king.

We have that same destiny.

It’s easy to forget that fact. This world we live in now, with its challenges and sorrows, is not where we belong. This is slavery and prison. One day the king will call for us. He’ll clothe us in His own fine linen and set us over His kingdom to rule with Him.

You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10

Study Tip: Finished

By Paula

Usually, when I study, I focus on books or passages, or even words, with the intent of seeing the deep details God incorporates into His word. I love studying that way. However, sometimes it’s good to remember that the Bible for all its diversity in authorship, time and style is one coherent story. This one story is told in three parts, each marked by the word “finished” (or “done,” depending on your translation).

Creation is finished.
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Genesis 2:2

Salvation is finished.
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30

Final redemption is finished.
And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Revelation 21:6

He created us. He saved us. He will one day bring us into His eternal presence. He initiated each step in the plan and He brought it to completion. Keeping the larger narrative in mind helps refocus our attention on God and His plan. In focusing on and glorifying God that way, we fulfill the true purpose of all Bible study — worship.

Study Tip: Palm Sunday

By Paula

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Matthew 21:4-5

The Bible records two instances in which Jesus rode instead of walking. The first we’ll remember and celebrate this coming Palm Sunday. The second we’ll celebrate sometime in the future.

Matthew 21:1-5 records Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem the Sunday before His crucifixion. In a perfect fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, He enters the city riding on a young donkey.

Albert Barnes and others who study the historical side of Scriptures attest that horses were rare in Judea, so they were only used in times of war. During peace time, kings and princes rode donkeys. (Judges 10:4, 12:14 and 1 Samuel 25:20 show the noble and the wealthy riding donkeys.)

The unmistakable picture is that of a King coming as a peacemaker. The crowds immediately recognized what Jesus was doing and began shouting the Messianic sections of Psalm 118. All of the promises they had clung to through countless Passover celebrations were about to reach their fulfillment.

Except they didn’t.

We know how the story plays out. The mood changed and days later that crowd who had pronounced blessings became a mob calling for His blood.

Now let’s skip ahead.

In Revelation 19:11, John reports, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”

Now Christ rides a white horse. Roman general rode white horses, especially in their victory parades. Jesus is not coming to make peace this time. The text plainly says He’s coming to make war. The offer of peace has expired, and those who have rejected it have become His enemies and will face Him on the battlefield. Further reading in Revelation 19 reveals it’s a war He will win decisively.

As you celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, consider what an amazing thing it is for the King, crowned with power and majesty, to offer us terms of peace, a peace that would cost us nothing but our allegiance to Him.

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Amen

Insights from Isaiah: Our Future

Walk Worthy

Made to Reign

Study Tip: Finished

Study Tip: Palm Sunday

Encounters Series

Covenant of Trust Series

Foundations Series