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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 68 & 69

Mar10
Day 68 – 69.  Reading Numbers 33-34 and 35-36. 
(Sunday & Monday posts are published on Monday.)
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 33.

In this chapter, God told Moses to write a list of all the stages of Israel’s progress when they left Egypt with Moses and Aaron, between Rameses and their current camp at the Jordan River in the plains of Moab, just opposite Jericho. Moses obeyed (what a memory!)  There were 40 stages (of course).

God also told Moses to challenge the people (once again, probably for the 40th time!) to “Drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and metal images, and demolish all their high places.” 

“Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. You shall inherit the land by lot according to your clans – a large inheritance for large tribes and a smaller inheritance for smaller tribes.  Where each lot falls, THAT will be their portion.”

Then God, through Moses, warned them, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you…. then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And…. I will do to YOU as I thought to do to them.

Numbers 34.

Then, in preparation for Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, God also told them the boundaries of the Land He promised them, which actually did not include the land on the east of the river that the 2 1/2 tribes took.

Southern border:  From the bottom of the Dead Sea, down along the western side of Edom, through the wilderness of Zin to Kadesh-Barnea (the farthest point south). Then cut up toward the west to the Brook of Egypt, ending in the Mediterranean Sea (which includes the land of the Philistines … and Gaza).

Western border: The Mediterranean Sea (called The Great Sea here).

Northern border: From just above Tyre, on the sea coast, this line would cut east to Hazar-Enan near the source of the Jordan River at the base of Mt. Herman.

Eastern border:  From Hazar-Enan, go southward along the Jordan “trickle” through that little lake and then along the Sea of Galilee, following the Jordan River south to the Dead Sea, which is the Eastern border.

Moses: “This is the land that you shall inherit by lot, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine and a half tribes.  The other two and a half tribes received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho, toward the sunrise.

Moses then lists the twelve tribal chiefs.  These twelve, along with the high priest Eleazar and Commander Joshua, will divide up the land.  (But first, of course, they have to conquer it!)

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Numbers 35. 

In advance of Israel conquering the Promised Land, God also designates an inheritance for the Levites.  They shall get cities spread throughout the entire land. The cities will include some pastureland around the cities as a place to keep the animals given to them as offerings.  There were to be forty-eight cities for the Levites. Six of them, spread equally north/south were also designated as Refuge Cities. 

Refuge Cities were places that a person accused of Manslaughter (accidental killing of a person, and NOT MURDER), could run to and escape the dead person’s “Avenger of Blood.”  An Avenger was contracted by the deceased’s family to exact judgment on the manslayer (a life for a life).  But if the accidentally guilty person made it to a City of Refuge and went inside, he would be safe from revenge death. He had to remain ALWAYS INSIDE that city for the rest of his life to be secure or until the high priest died.  When that happened, the manslayer would be free to “safely” return to his home and land.

Moses clarified this by stating, “If anyone kills a person on purpose, the MURDERER shall be put to death on the evidence of at least two witnesses. No ransom can be paid. He shall be put to death. (Also, no ransom can be paid for a manslayer, so he may return home from a City of Refuge before the high priest dies.)

(I mean, you got to put it into law!)

Numbers 36 (last chapter).

One more point of law needed clarification.  Remember how those daughters came to Moses (Numbers 27:1-11), asking if their line would miss out on an inheritance because there were no males to inherit.  God told Moses that, in that case, the women could inherit their father’s portion.

Now, the brothers of the sonless man came to Moses.  What if those daughters (who inherited a portion of land) were to marry outside our tribe. Then THAT tribe would get more land, and we would have less.

Moses again went to the Lord.  Solution:  Those daughters would be allowed to marry ANYONE THEY WANTED, as long as he was IN THEIR TRIBE.  No problem.  Those five daughters married inside their tribe.  Ta-Da!

So, a new law was created for this situation. “No inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another, for each of the tribes of people of Israel shall hold on to his own inheritance.”

And now, Israel waits by the Jordan River at Jericho.  (You know what’s going to happen, right?)

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But first, the last book of the law, Deuteronomy.  Moses wrote all but a part of the last chapters, about his death, which Joshua added on.  They are a series of speeches that Moses gave to Israel and later wrote down and gave to the priests for safekeeping, covering about a month. 

TUNE IN TOMORROW TO BEGIN IT.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 67

Mar8
Day 67.  Reading Numbers 31-32. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 31.

Remember yesterday?  The gross immorality between Israel and the pagan, idol-loving women?  And Phinehas spearing the two blatant offenders?  Well, here is God’s word to Moses:

“Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites. Send 1,000 men from each tribe of Israel to war.” 

And so, Moses sent them, together with Phinehas with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for alarm in his hand.  And the warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every male. The also killed the five Midianite kings …. and Balaam. 

But the Israeli warriors ALSO took plunder: cattle, flocks, all the goods, children … and the women of Midian.   YIKES!  Not woman!! That’s who led them astray before!!!

Moses was angry too, and had them kill …. every male among the children and every female who has known a man.  (They could keep all the young girls alive for themselves.)  This all happened outside the camp. All the “loot” was also purified by either fire or water depending on what it was made of. Then the soldiers could cleanse themselves and enter the camp after one week.  

A law was made that would continue in Israel’s history.  The loot that was secured by the warriors who fought would be divided with those who did not go out.  And a part was for the LORD’s house and service as well.  (The plunder that day was HUMOUNGOUS!) 

Then the great news!  Not one Israeli soldier was missing.  (God’s grace & mercy, for sure.)

Numbers 32.

One more problem needed settling before Moses could die.  The tribes of Gad and Reuben came to him and said they REALLY liked the land they’d seen on the EAST side of the Jordan River.  It was fertile for farming and livestock raising. Could they settle here?

WHAT?????  Moses was furious!  He pictured another 40 years of wilderness wandering, because Israel refused to go in and possess the land God had promised them.  It was JUST TOO MUCH!

But these tribes assured him that their soldiers WOULD GO INTO THE LAND, and fight alongside their brothers until the land was conquered.  Only, allow them to have THIS land as their possession.  They would settle their flocks and herds and families into the cities and farms, AND THEN lead the way to conquest with the rest of Israel.  They vowed.  They promised.  

So Moses said okay.  You can tell that the 120 year old man was tired of this people. But he portioned out the land and cities to Gad, Reuben, and 1/2 of the tribe of Manasseh, who liked the farm land as well.  They got to work, took the cities and settled their families and animals.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 64

Mar5
Day 64.  Reading Numbers 23-25. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 23.

The story of Balaam continues.

So far, Balaam has inquired of the LORD twice if he can go curse Israel for the Moabite King, Balak. After all, a lot of cash and honor is involved. The LORD says No, and then Yes, IF YOU SAY EXACTLY WHAT I TELL YOU.  Of course God knows what’s in Balaam’s greedy heart, and stops him by sending a fierce angel and scaring his donkey so much that it ACTUALLY SPEAKS to Balaam.  

Yesterday we saw Balaam with King Balak on a hill overlooking part of Israel’s camp.

So… Balaam (for show???) offers seven bulls and seven rams on seven altars. Then he walks over to a high cliff, looks down on the Israelites.  But the word of the LORD to him is, “You sent me to curse this people, but how can I curse what God has blessed?  Let my own end be like Israel’s.”

Yes, Balak is furious. He takes Balaam to a different spot and says to try again to curse this people.

And again with the seven offerings of bulls and rams on altars. Balaam again goes to the cliff overlooking the people and returns to Balak with this message….

  • “God is not man, that He should lie, or the son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? Behold, I received a command to bless, H e has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.  He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has He seen trouble in Israel. The LORD their God is with them.“

“No, no, no!  Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all!” cried King Balak.  And then he took Balaam to a third spot to view Israel. Again with the three bulls and rams on altars.

Numbers 24.

This time, when Balaam looked out, he saw each of Israel’s tribes camped in order.  “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!  Blessed are those who bless you. Cursed are those who curse you.”

King Balak is FURIOUS!  “I called you to curse my enemies, and you have blessed them three times. Go home now. I will NOT HONOR you.“

But Balaam has one last prophecy concerning Israel and Moab, Edom, Amalek, the Kenites (Midian), and even Assyria. “King Balak, Come, I will let you know what THIS people will do to YOUR peoples in the latter days.” He pronounces his last scary “oracle” before he goes home.

Numbers 25.

Ah, but Israel, does not recognize, appreciate, or return the love of their God back to Him.

(Peek ahead to Numbers 31:16 to see that it was Balaam who suggested the following.)

These Moabites invited the people to sacrifices of their gods, and soon Israeli men were eating with them and bowing to their idol Baal. 

God was horrifically angry and told Moses to have the judges of Israel round up all the men “who had yoked themselves to Baal” and kill them. He sent a plague of His fury through the camp. But to show the people’s utter arrogance in the matter, one Israeli man brought a Midianite woman right into the camp, and in front of them all, went into the tent and had sex with her.

Phinehas, the son of the high priest Eleazar, burned with indignation for the LORD.  He took a spear, went into the man’s tent and ran the spear clear through both their bellies … in the very act.  The plague stopped, but not before killing 24,000 of Israel.   The LORD told Moses that it was the zeal of Phinehas that had turned back His wrath, and that his house would have a perpetual priesthood. 

God then told Moses to “harass” the Midianites and strike them down, because of the “wiles, with which they beguiled Israel in this matter.”

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Has the old generation finally all died? Tomorrow a Census of the NEW GENERATION is taken.

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 63

Mar4
Day 63.  Reading Numbers 21 -22. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 21.

Let the battles begin!

Living in the Negev (South desert) was the small kingdom of Arad. The king captured a few Jews. Israel vowed to the LORD, if He would give them this people, they would “devote all the cities to destruction.”  God did, and they did, and they named it Hormah (destruction). 

After that victory they set themselves to go around Edom and to turn north on the Eastern side of the Dead Sea/Jordan Valley.  BUT!!!!! The people became impatient. They spoke against God and Moses. “There’s no food. There’s no water. And we hate this worthless manna.”

(Sigh)

Obviously there were still some of the “Old Guard” among them who needed killing.  God sent fiery serpents among them. (Eek!!) The snakes bit many people and they died a horrible death.

“Moses! We have sinned, for we haven spoken against the LORD and against you.  Pray to the LORD to take away the serpents!”

Moses prayed, and the LORD provided a way to defeat the snakes’ poison. Moses was to make an image of a serpent and put it on a pole to hold high up.  When the people looked on the bronze serpent (believing  what God said) they would be healed.   

(Jesus used this Old Testament story to show how HE would be lifted up on a CROSS, and if anyone looked to HIM in faith, they would be saved from death.)

Israel swung around the southern and eastern boarders of Edom, and past Moab on the Eastern side of the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley to the Arnon River**, the boarder between Moab and the Amorites. 

(**NOTE:  I picture the land on the east side of the Jordan River Valley from Galilee down to the bottom of the Dead sea, like the figure of a man with the rivers at parts of his body. 

  • Going into the bottom of the Dead Sea is the ZERED BROOK. Think of that as the feet of the man-figure, wearing zories (flip-flops).
  • The ARNON RIVER enters the Dead Sea about midway. I think of that as an “iron-on patch” on the man-figure’s knees. 
  • Further up the JABBOK RIVER flows into the Jordan between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. I picture this as a finger jabbing the man-figure in the ribs. 
  • The YARMOUK RIVER flows into the Jordan just south of Galilee.  I picture that as the Yarmulka (skull cap) on the head of the man-figure. 

I know, I’m weird, but “pictures” help me remember.)

Numbers 22. 

So, Israel is camped near the Arnon River, which is the boarder between the Amorites and Moabites. They send a message to Sihon, king of the Amorites, asking him to let them pass through their land.  “Nope! Let’s fight.”  And Israel soundly beat them, all the way to the Jabbok River. And Israel moved into the territory.

Og, the city king of Bashon came out against Israel, but God told Israel not to worry. As they’d defeated Sihon, they would defeat Og.  And so they did.  Then Israel camped in the plains of Moab on the East of the Jordan River at Jericho.

Balak king of Moab sent messages to the Midianites about Israel. “This horde will not like up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” And he sent a personal message to Balaam, a seer/prophet.  “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. I know that whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed.”

The elders of Moab and Midian, raised a “fee for divination” to give to Balaam. 

But Balaam told them to wait a night while he asked God.  God said, “You shall NOT go with them. You shall NOT curse the people, for they are blessed.”

So far, so good with Balaam. He told the messengers “no” and they left.

BUT, the kings would not accept “no.”  They sent messages back saying they would give Balaam “great honor” and whatever he asked for. 

Balaam holds steady at first. “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold I could not go beyond the command of the LORD…. BUT….. stay here tonight and I will inquire of the Lord again.” 

Ah-OH. Didn’t God already say NO?

God said, “You can go with them, BUT ONLY DO WHAT I TELL YOU.”

The next part is weird, because “God’s anger was kindled because Balaam went.”  God probably knew that Balaam would actually try to curse the people and get the money. So God sent an angel to stop him. Except Balaam did not SEE the angel with the drawn sword blocking the road. ONLY THE DONKEY SAW IT. What??

Balaam beat the poor donkey because it kept turning aside into the bushes, and scratching his legs.

FINALLY, THE DONKEY SPOKE!!!  “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life to this day?  Is it my habit to treat you this way?”

AND BALAAM ACTUALLY ANSWERED THE DONKEY!  “No.”

And the LORD opened his eyes to see the angel.

Balaam realized he’d sinned and said he’d turn back. But God said THAT was NOT His plan. Balaam was to go with them…. but ONLY SAY WHAT GOD TOLD HIM.  Perhaps Balaam understood this time, for he went with the men and warned the king he could only say what God gave him.

In the morning, King Balak took Balaam up on a hill and showed him “a fraction” of the masses of Israel.

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WHAT WILL BALAAM DO? Stay tuned for tomorrow. 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 37

Feb6

Day 37. Reading  Exodus 22 – 24. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Exodus 22.

Liability and Social Justice – sounds like today’s courtrooms, except God’s laws are righteous.

  • Restitution for theft of an animal (a person’s livelihood) is four or five times the worth.
  • You’re cool if a thief breaks into your home at night, and you kill him. But … better just capture him during the daytime. 
  • If a fire breaks out, catches dry grass, and consumes stacked or standing grain or a field … HE WHO STARTED THE FIRE SHALL MAKE FULL RESTITUTION!  
  • Full restitution is required if you borrow anything from a neighbor and it’s broken, lost, (or dies).
  • Rape of a virgin means paying a bride price and marrying her.
  • No witch shall live.
  • Do not mistreat or take advantage of a foreigner, widow, or orphan. SERIOUS penalties follow!
  • Never take interest when loaning money to a friend or fellow believer.
  • Never curse God … OR a ruler of your people. (Oops!)
  • The first of EVERYTHING belongs to the LORD.

Exodus 23.

Laws of righteous justice.

  • Don’t spread false reports or be a malicious witness.
  • Don’t join groups to do evil (rioting?)
  • Don’t pervert justice against the poor.
  • Don’t take bribes.
  • Don’t oppress foreigners.
  • Observe the Sabbath year so your fields and workers may have rest, and so the poor can collect the crops of grain, grapes, or fruit that are produced naturally.
  • Keep these three feasts of remembrance and gratitude to the Lord every year:
  • 1) Passover/Unleavened Bread, 2) Feast of Firstfruits (Weeks, Pentecost), and 3) Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles/Booths).

And lest the people feel overwhelmed with all these regulations, God reminds them of the Promised Land. 

“If you carefully obey, then I will be an enemy to your enemies.”  “I will blot them out. You shall not bow down to their gods or serve them … but overthrow and break their pillars into pieces. YOU SHALL SERVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HE WILL BLESS YOUR BREAD AND YOUR WATER  … and take sickness away from you. None shall miscarry or be barren. You will live to your full age.”

Exodus 24.

Moses wrote all this down. He built an altar and made sacrifices to the Lord. He read these laws to the people, and they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” Then Moses sprinkled blood on the altar and the people to confirm what they said.

And God called Moses, Aaron, two of his sons, and seventy elders up onto the mountain (part way, only Moses went near God). 

And they “saw the God of Israel.”  WHAT???

WHAT DID THEY SEE, for God has said, even to Moses, that no one shall see Him and live?  Verse 10 mentions the clear-as-glass sapphire stone under His feet. That is all that was revealed, or … perhaps in the terror of awe, they dared not raise their eyes higher than the pavement where God’s feet rested.

They all ate and drank there. Then God called Moses and his assistant, Joshua, up into the mountain of God to give Moses the Tables of Stone (10 Commandments).  Moses told the elders and gave them Aaron and Hur to help with the people if there were disputes while he was gone.

Moses went up, and the cloud of God’s glory covered the Mountain for six days before God spoke. It appeared like a devouring fire to the people of Israel who waited below. Moses entered the cloud and was on the mountain for forty days and nights.

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(And what a glorious vision Moses had of a place of worship and God’s presence with His people!!)

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 35

Feb4

Day 35. Reading in Exodus 16 – 18. 

Read the scripture for today. What do you learn about God? Share what you learn with others.

Exodus 16.

.Wow!  Walking through a Sea, seeing their enemies destroyed, experiencing joy, celebration, and worship, a miracle of sweet water from bitter water, receiving a glorious promise of health from God, and an oasis in the desert.   What more could Israel desire?

Food.

Grumble, grumble, grumble, (eight times it’s mentioned that the people grumbled against their situation, Moses, and even the LORD.) What a grumpy lot!! I guess hunger will do that to you. (Think of diets and fasts.)

Anyway, Moses goes to God, and God answers his prayer and their grumbling.  He promises to send them meat for dinner and bread in the morning for the whole day. And He does.  Quail came and covered the camp at sundown. The people caught them, stewed or roasted them, and ate the meat until they were … satisfied? (It doesn’t say.) The next morning, their 40-year daily food supply began to arrive.  “What IS it??? (The meaning of the word “manna.”) 

Quite a novelty – light, sweet, nutritious, and absolutely free. They did not LABOR for it.  They only had to gather it and prepare it into cakes, bread, porridge, or…?? Their choice.  Yummy and two quarts per person was all they needed to fill every tummy.  They loved it. They called it “bread/grain from heaven” and the “bread of angels.” (Psalm 78:25, 105:40) 

The Jews in Jesus’ time remembered it fondly. Jesus said it “pictured” HIM, the true bread of life. (John 6:31-35)

But it wouldn’t be long before these grumblers said they were “tired of THIS manna” and longed for the onions and leeks of Egypt.

  • Oh, LORD, what do I grumble about? (Lots of things!!) Please help me to have a grateful and contented heart!  You are so kind to supply my “daily bread.”

The people had to follow some instructions about Manna, such as eating it all the same day as gathered, except on the 6th day. That day they were to gather double because there wouldn’t be any on the 7th day. But it wouldn’t get stinky and wormy as on other days if “hoarded.”  They had to learn from experience, as WE do. 

This “day of resting” was established for Israel even before God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. By His example, God had shown them in creation how to rest after six days of work.  Rest and worship/fellowship with Him.

This daily bread supply fed Israel for 40+ years until they crossed into the Promised Land and could begin eating the foods of the land.  How faithful our God is! (A memorial jar of Manna was later kept in the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle/Temple.)

Exodus 17.

With food established, the congregation of Israel moved on in stages as the Pillar led them to the wilderness of Sin (Shin) and camped at Rephidim.  There, they QUARRELED and grumbled again. Their water skins filled at the oasis were once again empty. “Moses! Give us water! Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst!?”

God told Moses what to do. It took faith to do this. He once again was to take “the rod of God” (that he used to bring plagues on Egypt at God’s command) along with some elders of Israel to witness it and go to the rock at Horeb. “Strike the rock that I will show you and water will come out of it, and the people will drink.” Whoa!

Moses did that and God supplied enough continuous water to quench the thirst of the people and animals while they were camped there.  Moses called that place “Massa” and “Meribah, because the people quarreled and tested the Lord.

THEN!!! (Another test.) The hoard of Amalek came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Yikes!! (The Amalekites descended from Esau and were nomadic.)  

Moses told Joshua to choose men and go out and fight them.  The plan was that Moses (with Aaron and Hur) would stand up on the hill overlooking the battleground and wage spiritual war. Whenever Moses held up his arms (with his staff), the fighting men of Israel would prevail.  When his arms were tired and drooped, Amalek would prevail.  (Eventually, Aaron and Hur had Moses sit on a rock, and they held up his arms. And so war was waged physically and spiritually till the sun went down.  

And Joshua (with God’s help) overwhelmed Amalek with the sword.

Then, God had Moses tell Joshua (and put into writing) His vow. “I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”  Moses built an altar there, claiming, “The Lord is My Banner,” confirming God’s total war on Amalek.

(It would take Joshua, King Saul/Samuel, and finally, Queen Ester & Mordecai to kill the very last of them. But God’s word stood until it was accomplished. Amen.)

Exodus 18.

Whoa!  Guess who came for a visit?  Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law, the priest of Midian), came and brought to Moses, his wife Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. (Rephidim wasn’t too far from where Moses had lived in Midian.)

Moses went out to meet them and honored his father-in-law by bowing. They hugged and kissed and caught up with everything that God had done for Moses and Israel since he left. Jethro rejoiced with Moses and gave praise to God. “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I KNOW that the LORD is greater than all gods!”

Then, the older, wise Jethro watched as Moses dealt with the problems of the people in the camp.  Both petty and serious problems took all of Moses’ time as he interceded before God and made judgments.

“What are you doing, son?” asked Jethro. “This is not good. You are going to wear yourself out!” And he gave Moses some advice. “YOU bring the weighty things before God concerning his statutes and laws.  But, choose able men to judge over the petty grievances.”

Moses took his advice. He chose men as local judges. He was then free to judge the hard cases they brought to him.  Wow, what an opportune visit.  Moses had his family now and a way to relieve the tremendous load of the people that he carried.  God was so gracious to provide Jethro at that perfect time.

  • Thank you, Father, for caring for me, seeing my wrong choices, and sending others to lovingly correct me.

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 365 – the last day!

Dec31

   Day 365—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying THE REVELATION to John.

Day 365 – Revelation 19 – 22 (Rejoicing in Heaven, 1,000 years, Satan defeated, new Heaven/Earth, new Jerusalem, River & Tree of Life, Jesus is coming)

Revelation 19.

“Hallelujah! Salvation, and glory, and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just.”

“Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.”

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready: it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.”  Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Then John saw a white horse ridden by One called “Faithful and True.” His eyes are like a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems. He has “a name written that no one knows but Himself.”

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is “The Word of God.”  This One will defeat the nations and rule them. He will “tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.”  On his robe and on his thigh, He has a name written, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

And the “armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white a pure” (the saints) were following Him on white horses.

“I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who was sitting on the horse and against His army. The beast was captured, and the false prophet, who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the Mark of the Beast and those who worshipped its image.  THESE TWO WERE THROWN ALIVE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE THAT BURNS WITH SULFER.”

Revelation 20.

Then John saw an angel holding the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer.” (Until the thousand years have ended, and he is released for a LITTLE while.)

Then John saw the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. (It’s when Israel’s promised King will reign on the actual earth from Jerusalem.  (A promise fulfilled to the Jews.)

After that, Satan will be released to try to deceive men again, and there will be a great war until fire from Heaven comes down and consumes them. THEN THE DEVIL WILL BE THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND SULFUR AND WILL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOREVER AND EVER!”

Next comes “the Great White Throne Judgment,” when all the dead will stand before God’s throne. Books will be opened and the dead will be judged by WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, as written in the books.  “If anyone’s name was not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.“. 

Revelation 21.

John then saw a NEW heaven and a NEW earth.  He saw “the Holy City” descending out of heaven from God, like a bride adorned for her husband.  GOD IS GOING TO DWELL WITH MEN, AND THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND HE THEIR GOD. 

All tears will be wiped away. There won’t be death, no mourning, no crying, and no more pain.  All things will be made new. 

Then, an angel showed John the Holy City, Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God. It was radiant like the most rare jewel, crystal clear like a diamond.  It had a high wall with twelve gates. Inscribed on each gate was the name of one of the twelve sons of Israel.  The wall had twelve foundations made of twelve precious jewels, with each of the twelve apostles’ names on them. 

The angel with John measured the city. It was a perfect 1,500-mile cube (about 2 million square miles in volume). It mirrored the configuration of the Most Holy Place in the temple.  It was made of pure gold, transparent as glass. 

There was NO TEMPLE because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were the temple.

There was NO SUN OR MOON because the glory of God and the lamp of the Lamb gave it light.

There was NOTHING UNCLEAN, ONLY those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are allowed to enter the city.

Revelation 22.

The angel then showed John the pure, crystal-clear river of the Water of Life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  It flowed through the middle of the street of the city. Growing on either side was the Tree of Life with twelve kinds of fruits, one for each month.

The servants of God and the Lamb will worship  Him.  And they will SEE HIS FACE. (see 1 John 3:2)

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John then signs his name. “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.”   

The angel told John, “Do NOT seal up the words of the prophecy of this book (like the prophet Daniel was told to do in Daniel 8:26, 12:4-10), “for the time is near.”

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, COME!

Let the one who hears (reads) say, COME!

He who testifies to these things (Jesus) says, SURELY I AM COMING SOON.

John says, AMEN. COME, LORD JESUS!

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We did it. What a glorious trip through the Word of Almighty God, from pure beginning to purity restored.  Glory, hallelujah!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 363-364

Dec29

   Day 363-364—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.

NOTE: USUALLY, Sunday’s and Monday’s studies are posted TOGETHER,  but because these readings are so long, I’ll post them SEPARATELY, today AND Monday. 

Day 363, Part A – Revelation 6 – 11 (Aspects of the Great Tribulation, the seven seals, 144K of Israel sealed, seven trumpets, two witnesses)

Revelation 6.

When Jesus, the Lamb, opens the first seals on the scroll, we see the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse emerge, one after another, bringing antichrists, war, famine, and death to the earth. The fifth seal reveals those who had already been martyred, crying for God to avenge their deaths. The sixth seal brings great earthquakes and changes in the heavens, causing the people on Earth to cry and hide in terror.

Revelation 7.

Then there is a pause while an angel of God descends and “seals” 144K of Israel (12K from each tribe) to give them authority and protection to proclaim salvation saved in the Tribulation, having “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Revelation 8.

When Jesus, the Lamb, opened the seventh seal, there was absolute silence in heaven for a half hour. Then, an angel came to stand by the altar with a gold censer filled with incense and “the prayers of God’s people.” The smoke from it rose before God.  Then, the angel filled the censer with fire and hurled it on the Earth. There were peals of thunder, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Next, angels with seven trumpets began to blow them, one at a time. At the first trumpet, hail and fire (and blood) were thrown onto the earth burning up a third of the vegetation. The second blast sent a vast burning mountain into the sea, turning a third into blood and killing a portion of sea creatures. With the third trumpet, a great star fell like a torch onto a third of the rivers, poisoning them. At the fourth trumpet, the sun, moon, and stars lost a third of their light.  “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth!“

Revelation 9.

At the fifth trumpet, John saw a star (angel) who was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.  He opened the shaft, and there arose from it smoke like a great furnace that darkened the sun. And from it came creatures like locusts and scorpions to kill and torment the people on earth for five months. (the 144K were spared this)  People longed for death but couldn’t. These creatures had a “king.” It was Apollyon himself.

At the sixth trumpet blast, God released the four angels, bound up at the Euphrates River. They were released and went in four directions, killing a third of mankind with plagues. 

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, DID NOT REPENT of the works of their hands, or give up worshiping demons and idols, nor did they repent of their murders, sorceries, sexual immorality, or thefts.”

Revelation 10.

After that, a mighty angel descended from the clouds and set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. In his hand was a little scroll, opened.  And he roared like a lion or many peals of thunder, reading from the scroll.  But a voice told John NOT TO WRITE DOWN what it said.  Then the voice told John to go over, take the scroll, and eat it (like Ezekiel did in 3:1). It would be sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach.  John obeyed.  

Revelation 11.

John is then told to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.  He is also told about God’s TWO WITNESSES, clothed in sackcloth, who will prophesy for three and a half years.  No one can harm them for that time. They will have the power to stop it from raining during that time, turn the earth’s waters into blood, and strike the Earth with all kinds of plagues. 

(Many people believe, from the description of their powers, that these two men are Elijah and Moses.)

At the end of those 3.5 years, the “beast that rises from the bottomless pit” will kill them.  All the world will see. Their dead bodies will lay in the street. People will refuse to bury them but rather rejoice over them, make merry, and exchange presents at their death BECAUSE they had been a torment to them. However, after 3.5 days, a breath of life from God will enter them and they will arise.  And God will call them from Heaven, “Come up here!”  And they will go up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watch. 

At that, a great earthquake will cause a tenth of the Great city to fall, killing 7K people and terrifying the rest. 

Finally, the seventh trumpet is blown. And, as a prelude, loud voices in heaven proclaim, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, an He shall reign forever and ever!”

Everyone falls on their faces and worships God, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign….” 

Then….. God’s temple in heaven was opened. The Ark of His covenant was seen within His temple!

And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. And a great sign appeared in heaven……….

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Day 364, Part B – Revelation 12 – 18  === See tomorrow.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 362

Dec28

   Day 362—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying THE REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST to John.

Day 362 – Revelation 1 – 5 (Meeting the reigning Jesus, His messages to 7 churches, into the throne room.)

John, an old man, and the last surviving apostle, is in exile on the prison island of Patmos (think Alcatraz) for his faithful preaching of the gospel. The churches he wrote to before are feeling the persecution and have begun to decline. This is a message of hope.

Revelation promises a blessing for reading it and ends with a warning about tampering with it.

1:3 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”

22:18-19 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

Revelation 1.

A glorious introduction reveals the author and the recipient of the “revelation” letter.  It describes the Eternal triune God who was, is, and is to come. It depicts Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler of kings on earth, the One who LOVES us, has FREED us from our sins, and MADE us a kingdom and priests.  TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER!  And He is coming soon, in the clouds, as he left.

John explains he was “in the Spirit” when he received this revelation and ascended to heaven.

(It makes me think of Paul’s experience in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, except Paul was NOT allowed to speak of what he saw.)

In John’s experience, Jesus told him to ‘write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches.” 

Then John attempts to describe the glorified Jesus Christ.  I saw “One like a son of man, clothed with a long robe with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.”

WHEN I SAW HIM, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS THOUGH DEAD.

And what were Jesus’ first words to His beloved disciple?  “Fear not. I am the living one. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” He tells John what to write: “The things that you have seen, those that are, and those that are to take place after this.”

Then, Jesus begins his messages to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor, listed in the route the “book” would be circulated, beginning with Ephesus (John’s church).

Revelation 2 – 3.

There is a pattern to the messages. First, Jesus identifies Himself in a certain way. Then, He lists the good things (if any) that are found in that church. Next, He raises a concern – what has gone wrong in that church, either with their own hearts or with the entrance of some false doctrine. Lastly, Jesus promises them a reward if they “conquer” (overcome the sin/threat and persevere to the end).

He does this with Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  Smyrna is a church under deep persecution and poverty, and Jesus states nothing wrong with them, while He says nothing good about Laodicea, giving only a warning to change while there is still time. 

Revelation 4.

John dutifully writes every word he hears, and then he looks up and sees an open door into heaven! (WOW!) He hears a voice saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place.” 

IMMEDIATELY, John, in the Spirit, was IN THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD!  And oh, what a sight that was.  He tries to describe the One seated on the throne and the throne in terms of radiant jewels – jasper, carnelian, emerald.

He describes 24 elders (maybe representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles) clothed in white with golden crowns.  He tries to describe the sounds and sights – flashes of lightning, peels of thunder, torches of fire, and in front, a reflecting pavement of crystal-clear glass.  There were “strange-looking living creatures” around the thrown who never stopped singing, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME!”

Everyone falls on their faces and worships Him, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 5.

Then John saw that the One on the throne was holding a scroll.  And angel shouted, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?”

No one was found in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, and John began to weep loudly.  But one of the elders said, “Weep no more; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that HE can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

But instead of a Lion, John saw a Lamb with a bloody throat as if it had been killed.  It was Jesus, and HE took the scroll.  When that happened, all the creatures and elders sang a new song.

“Worthy are YOU to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood, You ransomed people for God, from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

At that, all around the throne and in heaven, myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands of angels broke into praise and worship.

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory and blessing.”   “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 

And all fell down and worshiped.

(Can you imagine being John??)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 272

Sep28

    Day 272—We are in the NINTH month of Bible reading with more of Israel’s history and the end of the book of NEHEMIAH, with a PSALM.

    Day 272 – Nehemiah 11 – 13, Psalm 126 (leaders in Jerusalem, the dedication of the wall with choirs, Nehemiah leaves & returns & scolds people)

Nehemiah 11.  This chapter lists the secular and religious people living inside Jerusalem and tells how 1 in 10 were chosen by lot to live within the city’s walls. 

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Nehemiah 12.  This chapter begins by listing the priests and Levites who had returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua/Joshua and Nehemiah and Ezra. 

Next, the completed wall of Jerusalem, which Nehemiah was sent to rebuild, was dedicated in a large and joyful ceremony.  (With gladness, thanksgiving, singing; with cymbals, harps and lyres.)  The leaders of Judah were put up on the wall, and two great choirs were appointed to give thanks.  Ezra, the scribe, led the procession up to the temple. They sang and rejoiced, “for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.”

Men were appointed over the storerooms, contributions, first fruits, and tithes to gather into them portions required by the Law for the priests and Levites.  “And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers as well as the Levites and priests.”

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Nehemiah 13.  On that day of dedication, they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people.  This time, they discovered the law that said no Ammonite or Moabite (descendants of Lot) should be allowed in the assembly of God. This was because of how they had treated Israel when they came from Egypt. (Numbers 22-23).  As soon as the people heard this, they separated from Israel those of foreign descent.

NOTE: It appears that after this, Nehemiah returned to the service of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. He had been gone for two years.  While he was back in Persia, things began to fall apart. The priest, Eliashib, who was over the chambers for grain & offering storage, had cleaned out one of the larger ones and made a room for Tobiah. (Remember him? Arch foe of the Jews, back in Nehemiah 1-8) 

Other things had happened, too. The offerings for the Levites had fallen off, so they had to go work their farms outside the city. All kinds of work and buying & selling were done on the Sabbath, which had caused God’s anger in the past.  And, the people had begun intermarrying again with women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, so much so that their children couldn’t speak or understand Hebrew. 

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Nehemiah 13.  Nehemiah (after about 9 years, asked King Artaxerxes if he could return to Jerusalem to set things right. He was given approval.

He first threw Tobiah and all his furniture out of the temple storage chamber and had it cleaned.  Then, he confronted all the officials of Jerusalem and asked why the tithes had stopped coming in.  Soon, the people were bringing their tithes of grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. Nehemiah chose reliable men to distribute it to the Levites.  (The prophet Malachi – which we’ll read tomorrow – also prophesied against these people for neglecting this very thing.)

Next, Nehemiah raged against the people for buying and selling in the city on the Sabbath. “What is this evil thing you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? Did not your fathers act this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and this city?”  He regulated the opening and closing of the city gates, closing them at the beginning of the Sabbath and not reopening them until afterward.  When merchants camped outside the walls to sell there, he chased them off. 

Nehemiah got very angry with those who were intermarrying with pagans. He confronted them, cursed them, beat some of them, and pulled out their hair.  He made them take an oath that they would not give their daughters to pagans or take women from them. 

 “Did not Solomon, king of Israel, sin on account of such woman?. He was beloved by his God and God made him King over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.  Shall you do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women???

Even a grandson of the high priest had married a daughter of Sanballat (Remember him?).  Nehemiah chased him out. 

“Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work.”  Remember me, O my God, for good.

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NOTE: We don’t know if Nehemiah ever returned to Babylon/Persia.  And even though we study the prophet Malachi tomorrow, the book of Nehemiah was the final book in the original Old Testament.  It was the end of the Biblical history of the Jews for about 400 years until the next prophet came saying… “Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (A voice crying in the wilderness: John the Baptist)

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Psalm 126. 

"When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, 
we were like those who dream. 
Then our mouth was filled with laughter 
and our tongue with shouts of joy; 
then they said among the nations, 
'The LORD has done great things for them.'  
The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad."