Rev 6:12-17 6th Seal

Rev 6 12-17 NIV


The sky turned black
and the stars fell to the earth.
Photo: John Arthur Photography

The sixth seal is opened and the earth and skies are shaken. The world as we know is devastated in the face of the wrath of God. Not only are the earth and heavens shaken; but, the people are shaken at the knowledge of the coming of the Lord. They would hide if they could beneath the falling mountains. They would rather be crushed to death than to face the Lord God in the day of His judgment.

John's visions are horrifying to those who do not worship the Lord; to those who know that they have turned their backs on God. There is still time. We know not how much time. Turn to the Lord. Love and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart and soul and mind. The visions of the end can be terrifying for those who do not worship the one true God. But, for those who do, we know that all things are for the good for those who love Him; for the coming of His Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Rev 6:9-11 How Much Longer?

Revelation 6:9-11 NIV

How many times have we heard or even asked ourselves, "How much longer, Lord?"

As the fifth seal is opened, St. John see the multitude of souls of those who had been killed for the word of God. They want to know how much longer before their blood will be avenged. They want to know how much longer they must wait for the judgment of the inhabitants of the earth. They want an end to the pain and suffering; the persecution of God's children on earth.

They want to know and so do we. When will it end? It will end they were told when the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters in Christ, have been killed just as they had been. The persecution and execution of Christians appears to be escalating once again. Who can tell when the full number of martyrs will join those already dressed in white robes?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Zechariah 6 - Four Winds of Heaven

Zechariah has yet another vision: four chariots being pulled by horses of various colors. The angel tells Zechariah that "these are the four winds of heaven going out, after presenting themselves before the LORD of all the earth." (Zech 6:5 NIV) The four winds (spirits) of heaven are anxious to go to the four corners of the earth: north, south, east and west as they patrol the earth.

God is in charge of even the wind - even the wind obeys and answers to Him. This portion of the vision is symbolic of God's presence, through His Spirit, throughout the world. He is not absent as some would think He is absent. He is not a God far off; but, is very near. His Spirit abides with us always. He sees and knows all that we say, and think and do.

He sends His Spirit to gather to Himself, to His Holy Temple, people from every corner of the earth. He sends His Spirit to reconcile, even you, to Himself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Micah 6 - Walk Humbly

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8 NIV)

It would be very good indeed in this world, if we all just did the good that the LORD has shown us. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every professing Christian actually made it a priority to act justly and love mercy as we walk humbly with our God?

One of my favorite descriptions of humility was written by Washington Allston. He wrote: "Humility is also a healing virtue; it will cicatrize a thousand wounds, which pride would keep for ever open."

Let us then set aside our pride as we walk humbly with our God, so that justice and mercy might prevail.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Amos 6 - Complacent?

"Woe to you who are complacent in Zion,
    and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria..." (Amos 6:1 NIV)

We probably all get a little complacent from time to time. Complacency is when we get too satisfied with the way things are and don't care for or want anything to change. But, is that a good thing? Is it good to go through life without making any changes; with ourselves or the things around us?

We all need change. When I was young, I use to hear this quite often: "When you quit learning, you die." Everyone of us needs to keep learning and growing. St. Paul wrote: "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Cor 13:11-12 NIV)

We cannot remain babies forever; not, in this world and not in the Kingdom of God. One day, we will all know the truth fully. That day has not yet come. But, it does not mean that we should be complacent and not strive to seek the truth or seek His face.

You think you know Jesus? How well do you know Him? Have you become complacent with a Sunday morning (or less) relationship?

 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Eph 1:17-21)  Amen!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 6 - Calamity Not In Vain

"And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them." (Ezekiel 6:10 NIV)

It is sometimes (no, most of the time) difficult to find any good news in the prophecies of old. The prophets warned the people over and over again to turn to the LORD and worship only Him. But, they did not listen and suffered greatly for it. In today's reading the LORD reminds us that there is a reason: that the remnant might realize that He is the LORD and return to Him.

Sadly, we do not listen to God's word and often we have to learn the hard way that when our feet follow paths we should not follow, destruction follows those footsteps. It is when destruction happens, when we are brought low, by the worship of our false gods, that we realize that we have to turn to the LORD for help. He is our help in every time and need.

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J