Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 1-2; Revelation 14
Devotional Thought:
Revelation 7 introduces the 144,000 warriors of God. Chapter six explains that the world will experience wars, severe famines, deadly plagues, and terrible earthquakes and other natural disasters, all of which will result in millions of deaths. Satan will create destruction over the entire earth, using both demons that fell with him from heaven and those who will be released from their bondage in hell. Sin will be prevalent and uninhibited. The Antichrist will unleash the most terrible persecution upon Christians that the world has ever known, and countless thousands of them will be slaughtered. Because of the seal and protection of God, these incredible warriors of God will survive both the wrath of God being poured out upon the earth as well as the Antichrist’s rage against Christians. Although potentially millions of Christians will die during the Tribulation, these 144,000 will survive and stand with King Jesus on Mount Zion at the revelation. They will be ushered into the millennial kingdom, along with a host of others who have been saved during the tribulation, including the multitude of Jews who are converted at the coming of Christ. (Zech. 12)
Chapters 12-13 are a retelling of the tribulation events to that point, from Satan’s perspective, and chapter 15 starts the revelation of the final trumpet events. Chapter 14 is focused on God and what He is doing. This chapter is filled with practical Christian living help as we look at the person and character of Christ. In verse seven we find an angel of the Lord sharing the gospel with the whole world. “… Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” The warning in verses 8-11 explains those who will be made to believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12), because they took the mark of the beast into their foreheads or hands. Today the Holy Spirit is present in the lives of born again Christians, but we still face the temptation of Satan to believe his lies and deny the truth of the Bible. “Yea, and all they that live godly in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12) We know that this is true. However, we are commanded to live by faith. We must trust what God has said in His word and obey His commandments. These faithful warriors are an example of how faithful we should be. I am thankful that I will not be asked to go through the persecution and difficulties that these will endure, but I am still asked by God to be a faithful testimony of His grace, strength, and holiness. I desire to be faithful to my Savior right up to my death. God gives a great verse of encouragement for those who are faithful to Him. “…Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” (vs. 13) There will be a day when I will no longer be asked to fight my flesh, the world, or the Devil. I will be at rest with the Lord!
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to stand in the face of adversity. Please help me to have the discernment, wisdom, and grace to recognize temptation and resist it. Please help me to be faithful as these 144,000 witnesses are.
• Lord, please help me to live by faith. I know everything you have said in the Bible is true. Please help me to live it out everyday and not allow it to be a mere intellectual truth.
• Lord, thank you for your grace in every era of time. How you always have a gospel witness that is sharing your love and remedy for our sin problem. Please help me to realize my responsibility for this dispensation.