Tag Archive | 2025 Journaling the Bible

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 364

Dec31

Day 364 – Reading – Revelation 12 – 18

Read and believe in Jesus!

The Revelation 12 – 18

The next seven chapters escalate. Satan, the Beast (Monster), the Antichrist appear. The Tribulation escalates. And there is all-out War in Heaven. Michael and his host of mighty angels battle. The seven bowls of wrath and the seven plagues do their worst, and the “great prostitute, Babylon” (who is a dwelling place of demons) appears and …. falls!

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Revelation 12

“And A GREAT SIGN appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

A SIGN:  A symbol pointing to something else. This is the first of SEVEN SIGNS in the last half of Revelation. This first sign, the Woman giving birth, represents Israel. 

(There are three other symbolic women in Revelation. Jezebel (2:20) represents paganism, the Scarlet Woman (17:3-6) represents the Apostate Church, and the Wife of the Lamb (19:7) represents the True Church.

The next sign we see is the Great Red Dragon, which represents Satan. He is the woman’s mortal enemy. He has ceaselessly tried to destroy “her” to keep the Savior from coming, but he failed, and then he was unable to kill the baby, despite using Herod to massacre hundreds of infants at the time. Then Jesus did His redeeming work and ascended back to Heaven.

 

Although Satan and 1/3 of the angels (who are now his demons) fell from heaven after they rebelled, they still had access to it. (Remember Job?)  But now, after fighting with Michael and his host, they are THROWN DOWN to earth.  That old ACCUSER OF BELIEVERS who stood to accuse us day and night before God is cast down (and locked out).

Heaven rejoices, but “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down in great wrath, because he knows his time is short.”

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Furious, Satan pursued the Woman/Israel to kill her.  But she was given “two wings” (heavenly protection) and fled to the wilderness, where God kept her safe and nourished her for 42 months.  Frustrated and angry, Satan then went to wage war on the rest of her offspring (believing Jews and Gentiles), “who kept the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

Unable to destroy these, Satan went and stood on the sand of the sea………….

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Revelation 13.

…………….. And it seemed he summoned up his strongest and most horrible demon. 

John saw “a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and BLASPHEMOUS NAMES on its heads. And to this monster, Satan (the dragon) gave his power and his throne, and his great authority. 

The whole earth marveled as they followed the Beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the Beast, and they worshiped the Beast, saying, “Who is like the Beast, and who can fight against it?”

The Beast was allowed to exercise authority for 42 months.  It opened its mouth and uttered blasphemies against GOD, blaspheming His NAME and His Dwelling Place.  It was also allowed to make WAR on the saints and conquer them – from every tribe, people, language, and nation.

And ALL who dwelt on the earth… were made to worship it.  ALL whose name was NOT written from before the foundation of the world … in the Book of Life of the Lamb, who was slain.

 

John inserts a warning to his readers:  “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.”

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“Then I (John) saw another beast rising from out of the earth.  It had two horns… like a lamb… and it spoke like a dragon.” 

(We now have an unholy Satanic trinity of despicable evil.)

Unlikely as it looked, this lamb-appearing beast is the “enforcer” for the Beast.  It made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.  It also performed great miracles, even making fire come down from Heaven to earth in front of people. It deceived those who dwelled on earth.  It told the people to create an image of the Beas.  And it gave the image … speech.

All who did not worship the image were killed.

All who would not receive the mark of the Beast on forehead or right hand could neither buy nor sell… anything.

 

John again inserts a warning to his readers. “This calls for wisdom; let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is …. 666.”

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Revelation 14.

Then John looked, and in his vision he saw THE LAMB of God standing on Mount Zion, with the 144,000 who had NOT taken the mark of the beast. On THEIR foreheads was written the name of the LAMB and the name of His Father.  These 144K are the first fruits for God and the Lamb.  And a special song was sung to them and about them by the hosts of Heaven.

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Next, John saw three flying heralding angels, each with a message.

  • The first – “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
  • The second – “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
  • The third – “If anyone worships the Beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or hand, he also will drink of the wine of God’s wrath … and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

 

John again inserts a warning. “This is a call  for endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

 

Then, a voice from Heaven spoke a chilling statement.  “Write this: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.“

 

Then came angels and One, like the Son of Man, with sickles.  It was the time of THE REAPING OF THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH.  (Remember those parables Jesus told of just such a thing!)  

  • “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.
  • So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 
  • And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress as high as a horse’s bridle for 184 miles!”

 

You might be reminded of that old song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic right now.

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. 
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.

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Revelation 15.

Then John saw another great and amazing SIGN in heaven – seven angels with seven plagues.  

Here’s how it went down…..

John saw what looked like a sea of glass mingled with fire… and standing next to this sea were those who had conquered the Beast and its image and the number of its name.  They had harps and they sang “The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb.”

  • “Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!
  • Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!
  • Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
    All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

And as they sang, the Holy Place was opened in Heaven and out from the Santuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues.  One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels the seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God.

And the sanctuary was filled with the glory of God and His power, and no one could enter it until the seven plagues were finished.

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Revelation 16.

The voice came from the Temple, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

  • The first angel – poured out harmful and painful sores on the people who bore the mark of the Beast.
  • The second angel – poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became like blood, and every living thing died in it.
  • The third angel – poured out his bowl into the rivers, and they became blood.

“Just are You, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. 

It is what they deserve!”

  • The fourth angel – poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fierce heat.  (And they cursed the name of God. They did not repent. They did not give Him glory.)
  • The fifth angel – poured out his bowl on the throne of the Beast, and its kingdom plunged into darkness. People cursed God for their pain. They did not repent of their deeds.
  • The sixth angel – poured out his bowl on the great River Euphrates, and its water was dried up — to prepare the way for the kings from the east.

(Then John saw coming out of the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast, and False Prophet, demonic spirits that looked like frogs.  They did miracles and went to all the kings of the whole world to assemble them for battle on THE GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY.  And the assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called … ARMAGEDDON.)

  • The seventh angel – poured out his bowl into the air. And a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “IT IS DONE!”   

 

  • Followed by lightning, thunder, and a great earthquake.  And the great city – Jerusalem – split into three parts, and the cities of the earth fell. 
  • And God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.
  • And great hailstones – 100 pounds each – fell from on heaven on the people and they cursed God.

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Revelation 17.

One of the seven angels then came to John and said, “Come, I’ll show you the judgment of The Great Prostitute (remember this represents the Apostate Church) who is seated on many waters (the nations of the world), with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality.”

  • The angel carried John away in the spirit to a wilderness. He saw the Prostitute sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of blasphemous names.  The woman wore purple and scarlet, gold, jewels, and pearls.  In her hand, she held a golden cup FULL of abominations and impurities and immorality. 
  • On her forehead was written: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 
  • And she was drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus…….

The angel then explains the “mystery” about this woman and the beast with its multiple heads and horns,  and what they mean.

  • The multitude of the nations and people hate her and plan to kill her and burn her with fire, and hand over her royal power to the Beast until the Words of God are fulfilled.  That woman is … the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth … Babylon the Great.
  • These kings also plan to make war on the LAMB, but the LAMB will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those fighting with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

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Revelation 18.

After that private lesson from one of the angels, John saw another bright and mighty angel descended from heaven and call out,

FALLEN, FALLEN IS BABYLON THE GREAT, the haunt for every demon, every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, every unclean and detestable beast!

 

And the rest of the chapter goes on to describe this great and evil nation…. her sins, her false evil glories, her deceptions, her evil fruit, jewels, and gold with which she deceived the nations, and made them rich. How the world will mourn her destruction, and how they will miss her wealth.

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Then the mighty angel said,

“And so Babylon, the great city, will be thrown down with violence and will be found no more.” 

“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her.

 

Whew!

 

Tomorrow we finish THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.  It is a beautiful ending of what heaven will be like without the devil, sin, and sorrow.  The glorious new Jerusalem. Seeing God face to face.  I can’t wait.

The last book in the chronological study/reading, and the end of the year.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 363

Dec29

Day 363 – Reading – Revelation 6 – 11

Read and believe in Jesus!

The Revelation 6.

After all the glorious praise and worship, that John couldn’t have endured if he hadn’t been “in the Spirit,” Jesus, the Lamb, began opening the seals on the scroll. The first four loosed the “Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse.”

  1. The first seal – A white horse whose rider had a archer’s bow in his hand and was given a crown. He came out to CONQUER.
  2. The second seal – A bright red horse whose rider was given a sword. He came out to TAKE PEACE FROM THE EARTH, so that the people would begin killing each other.
  3. The third seal – A black horse whose rider had a pair of scales.  He would bring such FAMINE, that a day’s wages would not even buy 4 cups of wheat.  (ONE day’s work would provide only enough food for ONE person for ONE day.)
  4. The fourth seal – A pale horse (ashen-greenish like a decomposing corpse) whose rider was “DEATH and HADES.’  He was given power to KILL with a sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts.

The fifth seal revealed all the martyrs who had been killed for the Word of God and for their witness. They were under God’s throne (finally protected).  They cried for judgment and vengeance from the Sovereign God.  They were given WHITE ROBES and told to rest a little while longer until the others who were to be martyred were killed. 

The sixth seal was opened and catastrophic things began happening on earth.

  • a great earthquake
  • the sun darkened like sackcloth
  • the moon red like blood
  • the stars falling from heaven (asteroids and meteors)
  • the sky rolling up like a scroll
  • every mountain and island moved from their places
  • absolute terror on the kings, the great ones, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave or free. All ran into caves or called on mountains to fall over them and hide them from “HE WHO IS SEATED ON THE THRONE, AND FROM THE WRATH OF THE LAMB.

This begins the “great and terrible” Day of the LORD, and those experiencing it ask: WHO CAN STAND?

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Revelation 7.

This chapter is a parenthesis between the Sixth and Seventh Seals.  It answers the question posed at the end of chapter six. We will see the TWO GROUPS who will “STAND.”

The scene: GROUP ONE

  • Four angels are standing at the “four corners of the earth” holding back the four winds. 
  • Another angel descends with “the seal of the Living God.” 
  • This angels says, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. 
  • 144,000 were then sealed (protected), (12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel).

(It is interesting that Judah is listed first in the order.)

The scene: GROUP TWO.

  • This group “could not be numbered.” 
  • It was a great multitude from every nation, all tripes. peoples, and languages.
  • They stood before the throne and the Lamb.
  • They were clothed in white robes.
  • They had palm branches in their hands.
  • They kept crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.
  • And they fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying…

 

Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!  Amen!

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  • An elder: “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have them come?“
  • John: “I don’t know.”
  • The elder: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation (the converts of the 144,000 evangelists). They have washed their robes and made them WHITE in the BLOOD of the Lamb.”

And such rewards they received!!

  • They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night
  • God will shelter them with His presence
  • They will never humger or thirst
  • The sun will never burn them
  • The Lamb will be their shepherd
  • He will guide them to springs of living water
  • God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

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Revelation 8. (end of parenthesis)

Jesus, the Lamb, breaks the SEVENTH SEAL. (It contained the SEVEN TRUMPETS.)

Silence.

Then seven trumpets were given to the seven angels who stand before God.

Another angel brought a golden censer with much insence to offer on the Alter of Incense before the throne of God, and with it, the angel offered the prayers of the saints. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the saints, ROSE BEFORE GOD.

Then….. the angel filled the censer with fire from the alter and flung it on the earth.  Peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightening, and an earthquake broke forth.

THEN… the angels with the trumpets prepared to blow them.

  • The first angel blew – and hail and fire, mixed with blood were thrown down upon the earth. A third part of Earth was burned up.
  • The second angel blew – and a great “mountain” burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third part of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures living in it were destroyed.
  • The third angel blew – and a great star fell from heaven like a burning torch.The star was named “Wormwood,” and a third part of the fresh waters became bitter like wormwood.
  • The fourth angel blew – and a third part of the sun, the moon, and the stars, so their light became darkened.

Then an EAGLE flew overhead crying aloud, “WOE, WOE, WOE to those who dwelll on earth, for the last three trumpets are about to be blown.”

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Revelation 9.

  • The fifth angel blew – and a star (an angelic being) fell to the earth.  He had the key to the bottomless pit and he opened it.  Out came smoke like a great furnace and darkened the sun, and clogged the air. 

Then from the shaft came locusts on earth, but they were no normal insects. THESE had the stinging power of a scorpian.  They were not to harm the trees or grass, but to attack people, and torment them for five months.  It was so painful, the people tried to die but couldn’t.

These demonic locust-scorpians had a king over them.  His name was Abaddon (destroyer). This was either Satan’s most trusted leaders, or possibley Satan himself.

  • The sixth angel blew – and the four “demonic” angels who were bound at the great river, Euphrates, were released to kill a third of mankind. 

The “troops” of these angels numbered “twice 10,000 x 10,000. They were super scary and terrifying, with smoke and sulfer coming from their mouths. And a third of the remaining mankind was killed.

The rest of the mankind who were not killed….

  • did not repent of the works of their hands,
  • did not give up worshiping demons and idols,
  • did not repent of their murders or sorceries or sexual immorality or thefts.

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Revelation 10.

Chapters 10 and 11 are an “interlude” between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgments. The parenthesies and interludes are ways that God encourages and comforts his people in the middle of all this fury. They give a  minute to take a breath and KNOW that God is sovereign. He remembers His people, and they will ultimately be victorious.)

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Next we see one of the highest ranking angels in heaven, wrapped in a cloud with a rainbow over his head, and legs like pillars of fire.  (Whoa!)

This angel had a small open scroll in his hands, and he placed one foot on land and one foot in the sea.  Then he called out with a roar like a lion.  And the seven Thunders answered him. 

John was about to write down what the Thunders said, but a voice above him stopped him, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and DO NOT write it down.”

Then John saw that super-angel thrust his fist towards heaven and swear by Him who lives forever (God) that there would be NO MORE DELAY.  The seventh trumpet would sound and THE MYSTERY OF GOD THAT HE’D ANNOUNCED TO THE PROPHETS WOULD BE FULFILLED.

Then that voice behind John spoke again.  “Go, take the little scroll that is in the hand of the angel. Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet.”

John obeyed, and then the voice said, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

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Revelation 11.

Then John was given a measuring rod and told to go measure the Temple building (Holy Place and Most Holy Place), but not the outer court of the Gentiles (because they will “trample” over it for 3.5 years under the Antichrist.)  

NOTE: Since the Temple that existed during the time of Jesus (and John, the disciple) was destroyed in 70 A.D,, this must be the one rebuilt in time for the Tribulation. 

John is then told about God’s two “witnesses.” He calls them two olive trees (for oil) and two lampstands that stand before the Lord.  These two will have power to stop the rain, and to turn the water to blood and strike the earth with plagues.

(Many believe from this, that the two “witnesses” are Elijah and Moses (who also represent the prophets and the law).)

John is told that “the Beast that rises from the pit” will make war on them and kill them.  BUT!!! after three days they will rise again… and then ascend to Heaven, their job done.  After this happens, a large earthquake will hit Jerusalem and a 10th of the city will be destroyed.  7,000 people will die.  

And then a strange note: “…and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of Heaven.”  Who are these people, so UNLIKE all the rest who refused to repent and forsake their sin, no matter what happened to them.  These are Jews who have a genuine experience of salvation. (Zechariah 12:10 and 13:1)  WOW!

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  • And finally, the SEVENTH angel blew his trumpet. (This is hard to understand, because it includes the seven bowl judgments that follow and all the things that lead up to the establishment of Jesus’ Millenial Kingdom! 
  • Loud voices in heaven proclaim:  “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
  • And the 24 elders fall to their faces, worshiping God and thanking and praising Him 1) for His great power, and 2) for rewarding the prophets and saints, and 3) for destroying the destroyers of the earth.

THEN – and this is really glorious and wonderful – “God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was seen within His temple.”

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 362

Dec29

Day 362 – Reading – Revelation 1 – 5

Read and believe in Jesus!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Yep, that’s the full title of the book. 

“Revelation” means “an uncovering,” “an unveiling,” or “a disclosure.” What this book reveals is Jesus Christ in glory.  The truths about Him and His final victory that the Scriptures allude to become visible in this book. 

(Visible, but “through a glass darkly,” at least for me.)

The Apostle John is the author. He is the only one who refers to Jesus as “the Word” and “the Lamb” both in his Gospel and this book.

The spiritual decline of the seven churches of Asia Minor tells us that John wrote this book last, after his three letters.  He is a very old man, the last of the original apostles, and he’s in exile on the small, barren island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea just southwest of Ephesus.  He’s been banished there for his faithful preaching of the gospel.  While there, he received this vision.

This is a message of hope to the faltering churches experiencing persecution. God is sovereign in all the events of history, and though evil men often seem all-powerful, their ultimate doom is certain. Christ will come in glory to judge and rule.  (I wonder how the churches responded as this letter/book was read to them.)

In The Revelation (past the messages to the seven churches), we “learn about:

  • the final political setup of the world;
  • the last battle of human history;
  • the career and ultimate defeat of Antichrist;
  • Christ’s 1,000-year earthly kingdom;
  • the glories of heaven and the eternal state;
  • and the final state of the wicked and the righteous.

God rules over the kingdoms of men and will accomplish His sovereign purposes regardless of human or demonic opposition.  Hallelujah!  Praise Him forever!

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Revelation 1

God gave this revelation first to His Beloved Son as a reward for His perfect submission, to show Him His future glory.  It was then given to John to share abroad.

BLESSED is the one who READS ALOUD the words of this prophecy (Go ahead, do it!).  And BLESSED are those who HEAR it and KEEP what is written in it.  (What promises!!)

And so John begins the most magnificent letter of revelation that he’s ever written.   

“To the seven churches that are in Asia.  Grace to you and peace from Him, who IS and who WAS and who IS TO COME, from the seven-fold Spirit before the throne, and from Jesus Christ, faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, and ruler of all kings on earth. And behold, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him.”

What a salutation!!

Then a side note from John, who tells how it happened.  I’m your brother in tribulation, and while I was in exile on Patmos, I had this vision and commission. 

“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 

Now if you look on your Bible map, you will see these churches form a loose horse shoe shape, curving up, around and then back down again.  A perfect order for circulation.

Then John turned around to SEE who was speaking the voice that he had HEARD.

  • One like the Son of Man,
  • Clothed with a long robe with a golden sash around his chest,
  • The hairs on His head white as wool or snow.
  • His eyes like a flame of fire,
  • His feet like burnished bronze,
  • His voice like the roar of many waters.
  • In his right hand, seven stars.
  • From His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword,
  • His face like the sun shining at full strength.

This was no humble carpenter from Nazareth!!  When John saw Him, he fell at His feet like a dead man.

“Don’t be afraid, said the exalted Jesus. “I am the first and last, the living one. I died and behold I am alive forever.  And I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

And this glorious Savior-God tells John to write down what he’s seen, what things are, and those things that are to take place after this.   Then a hint at what John saw already.  The “stars” you saw in my hand are the angels (perhaps the key elders) of the seven churches, and the “lampstands” are the seven churches.”

So John takes up his parchment and quill and prepares to write…

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Revelation 2 & 3.

Chapters two and three are the personal, individual messages to those seven churches.  These were ACTUAL churches, with the problems listed. But, they can also represent the “types” of churches that have existed throughout the church age.  What the glorified Jesus says to them, is relevant today.

In each, Jesus identifies Himself in a particular way.  He reveals what He knows about the churches, both the good, bad, and the ugly. He sometimes commends them. He often scolds and warns them. And He usually gives an ultimatum and/or a promise.  LOOK FOR THESE as you read.

EPHESUS:

(Jesus, the One who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands.) 

Jesus knows how hard they are working and enduring, and that they hate the “Nicolaitans.” (False teachers leading the people into immorality.)  However, they “have lost their first love” towards Him. He calls for them to repent. and promises the Tree of Life in Paradise if they do.

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SMYRNA

(Jesus, the first and last, who died and came to life.)

Jesus tells this persecuted church that He KNOWS their tribulation, and the slander hurled against them by Jews who are really Satan’s emisaries.  Jesus warns them that they will be tested severely, imprisoned, and martyred.  “Be faithful to death and I will give you the Crown of Life. You won’t be hurt by the “second death.“

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PERGAMUM

(Jesus, who has the sharp two-edged sword.) 

Jesus tells this church that He KNOWS they are situated right in the center of Satanic activity and false religions. (On the acropolis was a giant alter to Zeus. A god of healing, represented by a snake, was also associated with Pergamum, and the “medicine men” forced the sick to lie in the temple with snakes crawling over them!!!)  Immorality was also rampant.  Jesus tells them to REPENT!  If they obey, He will give them some of the “hidden manna” (spiritual bread of life), and a “white stone with a new name on it” (symbol of reaching the winner’s circle.

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THYATIRA

(Jesus , the Son of God whose eyes are like fire and feet are like fiery bronze.)

Jesus, the Son of God, tells this church He KNOWS about their love, faith, service, and patient endurance. However, He is NOT PLEASED with how they tolerate the woman called Jezebel, who says she’s a prophetess, but who teaches and seduces them into sexual immorality.  Just reprisals will be laid against her and all who follow her.  BUT, to those who resist her teaching, Jesus says to “hold fast until I come,” and He will give them authority over nations to rule. He will also give them the “morning star” (Christ Himself.)

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SARDIS

(Jesus who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.)

Although this church had the reputation of being alive, Jesus knows they are DEAD. “Wake up!” He says. “Remember what you received and heard. Keep it, and REPENT!  If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief against you.”  And yet…. Jesus sees a few in Sardis who have not “soiled their garments” (Not stained their characters, but remained godly).  THESE will walk with Jesus in white. He will never blot their names out of the book of life, but confess them before His Father.”

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PHILADELPHIA

(Jesus, the holy One, the true One, who has the key of David, who opens and shuts and no one can undo it.) 

Jesus knows this church’s works. They have little power, but have kept His word and not denied Him. “I have loved you. And because you have kept my word, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.  I’m coming soon!  Hold fast to what you have!”  To those who conquor, Jesus promises to make them a “pillar” in the Temple (a secure place in the presence of gGod). He will write the Name of God on them, and His own New Name.”

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LAODICEA

Jesus, the “Amen (so be it.), the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s Creation.)

Jesus knows the lukewarmness of this church. They are neither cold or hot, but a sickening blah taste.  Jesus says, “I will spit you out of my mouth!”   “You say you are rich, prosperous, need nothing…. but you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy GOLD REFINED IN THE FIRE, and WHITE GARMENTS, so the shame of your nakedness may not be seen.  Be zealous and REPENT!!  And if they truly do, Jesus promises them they will sit with Him on His throne. 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!”

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Revelation 4.

After John finished writing these notes to the seven churches, he looked up and saw…. “Behold, a door standing open in heaven!”   Then John heard the invitation, ““Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

And immediately, John was “in the Spirit.” 

He saw a glorious throne and the God of Heaven seated on it. He describes it, much like what Ezekiel and Daniel and Isaiah wrote.  Glorious colors and light, a crystal sea, emerald rainbows and loud thunderous sound.  Elders and angels and amazing creatures all singing praise and falling down in worship.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty; who was and is and is to come.”

The elders cast down their crowns before such a One.

“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!”

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Revelation 5.

Then John saw in God’s right hand a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  An angel called, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?”

Silence.

And John began to cry loudly.

Then an angel come to him and told him NOT to weep for THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROOT OF DAVID has conquored, and HE can open the scroll and seals.”

A lion….. but when John looked, it was a Lamb, standing there, looking as though it had been killed (bloody).   He walked to the throne and took the scroll….

And immediate praise erupted. Music and incense, and a NEW SONG sung.

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

At that, John saw many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands all saying with a loud voice,

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

And answering them was “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is them,

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.”

Then the elders responded with “AMEN,” falling down before Him in worship.

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I mean, WOW!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 361

Dec27

Day 361 – Reading – 2 John and 3 John.
Read and believe in Jesus!

2 John 

These two letters are “short and to the point.”  The apostle wrote 2nd John to a specific church that he knew and loved.  Perhaps for protection in a Christian-persecuted world, he disguised their identity.  He calls this beloved church, “the elect lady and her children.”   

This church faced some of the same challenges that the churches John wrote to in his circulating sermon/letter of 1 John. Mainly, the false teachers, whom he calls deceivers and antichrists.

But first, he tells this church how much joy it brings him to know that “some” of the members (her children) are walking in the truth.  He reminds them to continue loving one another, as the basic command “from the beginning.”

Then, as in 1 John, the old Pastor warns this church about those “who do not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.”  This is a basic tenet of true Christianity, for if Jesus was not wholly “man” as well as wholly “God,” He could not have died in the place of sinners like you and me, and “paid” the sin-debt we owed. 

Then a stern command: If some of these deceivers come to you, DO NOT RECEIVE THEM INTO YOUR HOUSE (church), or even give them a greeting!  “For whoever greets these people takes part in their wicked work.”

(WHOA!  Does this apply to those from “other” cults and beliefs coming to our doors today?)

John signs off on this brief letter by saying he wants to visit in person. It would fill him with joy. Okay, a letter of ink on paper is good, but a personal vision and touch is the best! 

(I’m thankful John wrote these letters, or else we wouldn’t have had them, too.)

John then tells them the members of their sister church (Ephesus) greet them, too.

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3 John

Here’s another very short letter from John. It is actually less than 300 Greek words, so it could have fit on a single sheet of papyrus.  This letter is the most personal of the three, sent to a sole recipient – his “beloved Gaius.”  He was a member of one of the churches overseen by the aged ‘Pastor John’.  Sadly, nothing else is known about this faithful man.

John gives a personal prayer to this man, “I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”  

(What a wonderful prayer and example for us to pray!)

John was also so grateful that his man was “walking in the TRUTH,” and not the prevailing false teaching. John exclaims, “I have no greater joy to know my children (converts) are walking in the truth.”  

Then he commends Gaius for his hospitality towards the men he sent to the church, and encourages him to “send them on their way” when the time comes. (In other words, to help them financially and materially as much as he can.) 

THESE MEN are different from the false teachers John tells the other church NOT to greet or help.  THESE MEN are missionaries. They are going out “for the sake of “the Name.” (For God’s glory and not their own.) John tells Gaius that when he helps men of God, he is actually sharing in that ministry.

Then John candidly tells Gaius that he’s written to the church and to the leader, Diotrephes (who likes to put himself first), but the man has ignored John’s instructions. He could have been supporting the false teachers!  “I’ll deal with him when I come!” was John’s assurance.

Then he testifies about Demetrius (possibly the one delivering this letter to Gaius), and tells Gaius he is worthy of support and hospitality as well.

John ends with his desire to visit him “face to face.”  How much better than a missive of pen & ink!

Greet all my friends there!

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NOTE: It makes you wonder if the aging John ever got to visit these churches. He is probably in his 90’s by then, and his last years have been hard. (Imprisonment, torture by Nero)  Some time after he wrote these letters, the Roman authorities arrested him and exiled him to the island of Patmos, where he received the inspiration for The REVELATION.  That book was also sent to be read in these churches in Asia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 360

Dec26

Day 360 – Reading – 1 John  1 – 5
Read and believe in Jesus!

1 John

(An aside: I just noticed that this is Day 360. 360 degrees is a perfect circle. That’s interesting because John writes this letter/sermon in a very circular manner, returning to and repeating things he’s already said, but in different ways. See if you notice it as you read.)

The author is John, the “beloved disciple” of Jesus.  He’s already written the Gospel of John.  He will write this letter/sermon, two more very short letters, and the massive book, The Revelation.   The Gospel and these letters were probably written while he was at Ephesus.  The Revelation was written while he was in exile on the island of Patmos.  John was an old man when he became an author. He was the last remaining “eyewitness” disciple of Jesus.

After the threat of “legalism” in Paul’s day, it is “Gnosticism” that now threatens to destroy the churches. It’s the belief that matter is evil and spirit is good. This means they taught that Jesus was God but not human (to preserve Him from that evil).  However, if Jesus were not human, He couldn’t have died as the redeemer of humanity. John emphasized that Jesus WAS human.  John was an eyewitness. He saw Him, heard Him, and TOUCHED Him. A test of a true believer was someone who would affirm that “Jesus has come in the flesh.” (1 John 4:2-3)

Also, since “the body” was evil, it didn’t matter what sins it committed. Indulgence and immorality were permissible. They could deny that sin even existed.  John boldly confronted this idea. (1 John 1:8-9. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…..But if we confess our sin… )

1 John is a call “back to the basics of Christianity.”  God had preserved John for such a time as this, and he wrote with true apostolic authority. 

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1 John 1.

Credentials:   “That which was from the beginning (Jesus), which we have HEARD, which we have SEEN WITH OUR EYES, which we looked upon and have TOUCHED WITH OUR HANDS….” The word of life — that which we have seen and heard, we PROCLAIM to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us.“

And what did John (and true believers) PROCLAIM?  

  • “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
  • If we SAY we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie…
  • If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all SIN.
  • If we SAY we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
  • If we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
  • If we say we have NOT sinned, we make Him a liar, and the truth is not in us.”

John’s first “chapter” refutes Gnostic beliefs.

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1 John 2.

John speaks more about sin.  It’s a real thing. It is against God’s laws.  His readers (and we) DO IT. And it’s wrong.

“Little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you may NOT sin. But IF anyone does sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father: Jesus Christ the Righteous.  He is the PROPITIATION (appeasement) for our sins.”

John offers some proofs that they really “know” Christ (and are saved).

  • “If we keep His commandments, we know “we know” Him.
  • Whoever says he knows Him, but does NOT keep His commandments, is a liar.
  • Whoever KEEPS His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
  • Whoever SAYS he abides in Him ought to WALK in the same way in which He walked.”

John does a little wordplay with “old” and “new” commandments from Jesus.

  • The “old” commandment is still the same:  LOVE.
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
  • Love “others’ as (you love) yourself.

Jesus raised the standard of love for others to a new level for His followers.

  • Love “others” as “I have loved you.”  (Sacrificially, to the death if need be.)

Again, SAYING and DOING make all the difference.

  • “Whoever SAYS he is in the light (saved) and yet hates his brother, is still in darkness (unsaved).
  • Whoever loves his brother, abides in the LIGHT, and there is no cause for stumbling.”
  • But… whoever HATES his brother is in the darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.  (Speaking about false teaching.)

And more on what NOT to LOVE.

  • “DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD, or the things of the world. 
  • If you do, the love of the Father is not in you.”
  • Everything in the world (lust, greed, and pride) is NOT from the Father and is passing away.
  • Whoever does the will of God abides forever.

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Next, John warns them about the false teachers, liars, antichrists, and deceivers.

Many antichrists have come already!  They are already here, in the form of those who would lead them astray.

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

If you confess the Son, you have the Father too, and eternal life.  You also have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who teaches you what is true.  Abide in Jesus, so when He appears, you may have confidence.

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1 John 3.

“What love the Father has for us – that He calls us His children.  We are His children now, and when Jesus appears. we shall be like Him, because we shall SEE Him as he is.  WE have this HOPE, and it makes us want to live pure lives, as He is pure.

In Him, there is no sin. No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either SEEN Him or KNOWN Him.   Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil!  And the reason the Son of God appeared was TO DESTROY the works of the devil. NO ONE BORN OF GOD practices sinning.

Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God….. nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (Anyone who hates his brother – like Cain – is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal LIFE dwelling in him.)

Instead of killing, we should be “laying down our own lives” for the brothers.  And we should be loving, not in “talk” only, but in DEEDS and truth.

This is His commandment, that we BELIEVE in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Faith, love, and obedience.

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1 John 4.

Warning: Do NOT believe EVERY spirit, but TEST the spirits to see whether they are from God.  By THIS you will know the Spirit of God – that he confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

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“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

(Yes, I sang the song as I typed that!)

“And this is how the love of God is made manifest (evident) to us, that God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation (appeasement) for our sins.”

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1 John 5.

  • “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.
  • Everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him.
  • By this, we KNOW that we love the children of God, when we LOVE God and OBEY His commands.
  • Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the World.
  • He who overcomes the world is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 

John says three things testify that Jesus is the Son of God.  It’s the SPIRIT and the WATER and the BLOOD. The witness of God via the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism, and His blood shed on the cross for the redemption of sinners. 

HE IS GOD. HE DID COME IN THE FLESH. IN THE FLESH HE DIED AS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TOOK AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD. HE AROSE, ASCENDED, AND NOW INTERCEEDS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TRUSTED IN HIM BY FAITH.

  • We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning.
  • We know that we are from God, and the world lies in the power of the evil one.
  • We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding to know Him who is true.

Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 358

Dec24

Day 358 – Reading – 2 Timothy  1 – 4
Read and believe in Jesus!

2 Timothy

This is Paul’s LAST letter that we have recorded.  It’s to his beloved “son in the faith,” Timothy, who is currently ministering in Ephesus.  Paul is once again in prison in Rome, this time in the dungeon and not in a house under simple arrest.  It’s cold, lonely, and his old, achy body is yearning to “go home.” He will soon be martyred.  But he’s concerned with Timothy and the church in Ephesus…. and a few bodily comforts, if possible.

(I wonder what “my” or “your” last letter to a beloved convert would sound like.  Sadly, mine would probably be full of complaints. 

O LORD, help me! Make me a willing servant! Fill me with the Holy Spirit’s love. Help me to deny myself, take up my cross … and follow You to the death.)

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2 Timothy 1.

See Paul’s love for Timothy in the first verses.  “My beloved child.” “I remember you constantly in my prayers.” “I long to see you that I may be filled with joy.”

Paul is very grateful for the early work of Timothy’s Grandmother and mother, godly Jewish women, who established faith in the young ‘Timmy.’

You can also see Paul’s concern for Timothy, whom he’s leaving in charge of the considerable work in Ephesus.  There are 25 imperatives he gives to the young man in this book.  ALL would be suitable for us too!  Here are some:

  • Fan into flame the (ministry) gift of God, which is in you. 1:6
  • Do not be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord (or Paul). 1:8  (Paul says, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”)
  • Share in suffering for the Gospel. 1:8
  • Follow the pattern of sound words that you have heard from me. 1:13
  • Guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 1:14

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2 Timothy 2.

Continuing in Paul’s admonitions to Timothy.

  • Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:1
  • Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:3
  • Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, as preached in my gospel. 2:8
  • Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth. 2:15
  • Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead to more ungodliness. That talk will spread like gangrene. 2:16-17
  • Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. 2:22.
  • Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies. They breed quarrels, and the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with GENTLENESS. 2:22-25

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2 Timothy 3.

Then Paul tells Timothy that in “the last days” (which he and we are in right now!), there will be difficulty because of evil, unbelieving people.

Paul names some: lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the “appearance” of godliness, but denying it’s power. Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

(WOW. does this ever sound like today!!  And, oh, no!, I see some of my own sins in this list!!!)

  • Avoid such people. 3:5

Paul tells Timothy that HE did not learn such. HE followed the teaching, conduct, aim, faith, love, steadfastness and persecutions of Paul.   (Indeed, ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.)

  • Continue in what you have learned and have believed. 3:14

Paul is so grateful that Timothy was acquainted with the scriptures from a child (Thanks to his Mom and Grandma).  It’s why he became “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Then Paul tells of the supreme value of Scripture.  “All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

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2 Timothy 4.

You can hear the earnestness in Paul’s admonition to Timothy here.

  • Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. 
  • Reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching. 4:2
  • Always be sober-minded.
  • Endure suffering. 
  • Do the work of an evangelist.
  • Fulfill your ministry. 4:5

Paul longs that Timothy be as he is, and to be able to say at the time of his own death…. 

“I am ready to be ‘poured out’ as a drink offering.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord… will award to me on that day.  AND NOT ONLY TO ME, but to all who have loved His appearing.”

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And then we see some final personal words to Timothy.

  • Do your best to come to me soon. (For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me. Crescens and Titus are also working elsewhere.  Only Luke is with me.) 4:9
  • Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 4:11
  • When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas…. also the books, and above all, the parchments. 4:13
  • Beware of Alexander the coppersmith, for he strongly opposed our message. 4:15

Paul affirms to Timothy, “The Lord stood by me and strengthened me.  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.”

  • Timothy, do your best to come before winter. 4:21

And the LORD be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

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And that’s all Paul wrote that has been recorded for us.  This was written in A.D. 67, shortly before he was executed.

Tradition says that he was beheaded (suitable for a Roman citizen) at the command of Emperor Nero, and that Christians took his body and buried it in a believer’s family tomb along the Ostia Way.

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 357

Dec23

Day 357 – Reading – Hebrews 11 – 13
Read and believe in Jesus!

Hebrews 11.

This chapter is what is well-known as “The Faith Chapter.”  The author defines what faith IS to a believer, and just what has to be BELIEVED.

  1. Faith is the ASSURANCE of things hoped for, the CONVICTION of things not seen. (1:1)
  2. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God, MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS, and that He REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.

The author then names 18 specific people from the Old Testament who had faith in the promises of God and acted upon them … plus many others, not named, known by their actions of faith.

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’ parents, Moses, the people of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea on dry land and when the walls of Jericho came down, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets of God. 

These all conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong when weak, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 

And by faith WOMEN received back their dead by resurrection. 

Some of these O.T. Faith people were tortured.  Some suffered mocking and flogging, chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, sawn in two, and killed with the sword.  They were destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.

All these were commended for their FAITH, and the world was not worthy of them, but they did not receive what was promised.   They LOOKED FORWARD to the salvation WE HAVE received in the finished work of Jesus the Messiah, on the cross.

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Hebrews 12.

  • Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (all those men of FAITH listed above), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right had of the throne of God. 
  • And consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  

Then the writer relates some of the suffering that believers endure as “Discipline of the Lord.”   We are not to regard it lightly or grow weary of it, knowing that God disciplines the one He loves.  When God disciplines you, He is treating you as a son.  It’s for our own good, so we can share in His holiness. 

Okay, yes, discipline is painful at the moment when we are “spanked,” sent to our room, or have a privilege removed.  But later, this yields “the peaceful fruit of righteousness,” if we learn from it.  So, “buck up,” lift your drooping hands, strengthen your weak knees, and make straight the paths for your feet.  Don’t allow circumstances to get the best of you!  Endure.  Get a second wind.  RUN THE RACE!

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Hebrews 13.

The writer of Hebrews concludes with practical ethics of Christian living. 

  • First and foremost is LOVE for one another. 
  • And showing hospitality, which is a visible form of love.
  • Generosity to those in need (prisoners and mistreated) is another outward way to show love. 
  • Faithfulness to one’s marriage partner is another way of showing love. 
  • Contentment with what you have been given shows that you love God more than money.

Remember to honor, obey, and imitate the faith of your leaders. Don’t be led astray by strange teachings.

Continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of your lips, that acknowledge his Name.

And PRAY FOR US. Do it urgently so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

And his benediction:  “Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good, that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

And a final hope that his readers will “bear with his brief (???) “word of exhortation.” (This letter to the Hebrews).  

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 355 & 356

Dec22

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on MONDAYS

Day 355 – Reading – Hebrews  1 – 6

Day 356 – Hebrews 7 – 10
Read and believe in Jesus!

SUNDAY, Hebrews.

“To The Hebrews (Jews)” is the original and official title to this book, since it is filled with references to Jewish history and religion and doesn’t address any Gentile or pagan practices.  It was probably written while the temple and the priesthood were still intact in Jerusalem. (67-69 A.D.)

And as we’ve all heard, the author is unknown. Some have speculated on Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Luke, Philip, Priscilla (?!!), Aquila, and Clement.  But the letter’s style fits none of those exclusively. The author says he received Christ’s message from “others” (i. e. the disciples/apostles).  He also quotes from the Greek Old Testament rather than the Hebrew text.  A conundrum.

But. praise God, we know for sure that

  • “no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) 
  • And, “All scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness…” (I Timothy 3:15-16)

If you are so inclined… read and refresh you memory on the book of Leviticus before reading Hebrews.  It will explain a lot. The Jews (and all people) needed a PERFECT priest and a PERFECT sacrifice, all of which Jesus is.  Other O.T. texts which would be valuable to read with these first six chapters in Hebrews are: 2 Samuel 7, Deuteronomy 32, Psalms 8:4-6, 95:7-11, 110:4. (More later for the following chapters.)

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Hebrews 1.

THE SUPREMECY OF JESUS CHRIST OVER ANGELS.  Through the ages, God spoke to the Jews (and others) through the Holy Scriptures.  But NOW, God has spoken to all men through His Son, through whom He CREATED the world, and whom now UPHOLDS the universe by the power of His word.

This JESUS is “the radiance of the GLORY of God,” and “the exact imprint of God’s nature.”  You see Jesus, you see GOD. (John 14:9)   And He now sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high, His enemies, like a footstool under His feet.

He, Jesus, is much superior to angels.  God called Him, “my Son,” and said, “I will be a Father to Him.”  This is never said of angels!  In fact God told His angels to “worship” Jesus.  Angels are God’s ministers and messengers, sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. 

No, God the Father has given to Jesus a throne and a scepter forever, calling Him, “God.”  To which of the angels did God ever say to sit at His right hand?

Hebrews 2

NOTE: The readers of this book fall into 3 categories.

  • 1) Hebrew Christians who are suffering rejection and persecution by fellow Jews. 
  • 2) Jewish unbelievers who are convinced of the basic truths of the gospel, but who have not placed their faith in Jesus as the Savior ad Lord. 
  • 3) Jewish unbelievers who are not convinced of the gospel’s truth, but have had some exposure to it.

The warning in verses 1-4 seems to be to the second and third group, who have heard the gospel, perhaps given mental assent to the truth of it, but have not actually been saved by it.

  • …”we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
  • …how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”

The quotation from Psalm 8 refers to mankind. “What is mankind that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything under his feet.”  (Earth was originally under the administration of mankind.)  The incarnation of Jesus Christ proves God’s LOVE and REGARD for mankind. Christ was sent in the form of a man.

And of Jesus, “It was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory …. should make the “founder” of their salvation “perfect” through suffering. 

Since the “saved” share in flesh and blood, HE himself likewise partook of the same things (flesh and blood) that through death He might destroy the one who has power over death – the devil – and deliver those (through fear of death) were in lifelong slavery! 

HE had to be “made like His brothers” in every respect, so He could become a merciful and faithful high priest and make propitiation for the sins of the people.

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Hebrews 3.

THE SUPREMECY OF JESUS CHRIST OVER MOSES.  Consider Jesus – the apostle and high priest of our confessing – who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, just as Moses was also faithful in all God’s house.  But Jesus has been counted worthy of MUCH MORE GLORY THAN MOSES.

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house “as a servant” to testify to the things that were to be spoken later. But Christ is faithful over God’s house “as a son.”  (WE are His house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence.”)

The warnings in verses 7-11 and 12 – 15, also seem to be addressed to the second and third kinds of believers. (Those who have heard, but not committed themselves wholeheartedly to Jesus for salvation.)

  1. Today, if you hear His voice, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS as in the day of rebellion in the testing in the wilderness. (“They shall not enter My rest.”)
  2. Take care, lest there be in any of you and evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the Living God.  DON”T be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin!  TODAY, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS as in the rebellion!  (They did not enter God’s “rest” because of … UNBELIEF.)

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Hebrews 4.

Now, for more information about the “rest” he’s been writing about, that was forfeited by unbelief. It’s still available!

  • “Therefore, while the promise of entering His “rest” still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem t have failed to reach it. 
  • For Good News came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by FAITH.  But WE who have BELIEVED enter that rest.”
  • Since therefore it remains for SOME to enter it, and those who formerly received the Good News failed to enter because of disobedience, again He appoints a certain day.  
  • “TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,  DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”

Not only in Moses’ day, and Joshua’s day, and in David’s day (Psalm 95:7-11), those who disbelieve will not enter God’s “REST.”  If you hear the Word, respond!  It is the Word of God that must be believed and obeyed.

And perhaps you have memorized this passage, but consider it again in light of God’s “VOICEING it to YOU… TODAY.  (Hebrews 4:12-13)

  • “For the Word of god is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”   
  • “And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

And then for encouragement to the actual believing readers,

  • “SINCE then we have a great high priest, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 
  • For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN. 
  • Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

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Hebrews 5.

THE SUPREMECY OF JESUS CHRIST OVER AARON’S HIGH PRIESTHOOD.  The writer then explains how Jesus, our great high priest, is so different from the priests of old.  They…

  1. acted on behalf of men in relationship to God,
  2. offered gifts and sacrifices for sins,
  3. dealt gently with the ignorant and wayward,
  4. were themselves “beset with weakness,”
  5. had to offer sacrifices for their own sins,
  6. and only served when God called them. 

Jesus, our GREAT high priest,

  1. was appointed by God the Father, who called Him Son,
  2. was made a priest forever – not like Aaron – but like Melchizedek,
  3. became the source of ETERNAL salvation to all who obey Him (in faith).

The writer then chastens his readers for still being children in the things of doctrine.  Instead of being teachers now, they still needed the “milk” of the basic principles spoon-fed to them.  He says they should be eating the “solid food” of maturity.  They should have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil!!”

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Hebrews 5.

And so… (he continues into this chapter), “leave the elementary doctrines of Christ (repentance and faith, etc.), and go on to maturity.

And then, another warning. (These warnings can be a bit frightening, I agree. But again, were probably directed to those second and third groups.)

Here are five advantages possessed by the Jews, but are insufficient for their salvation.

  1. Having been enlightened, 
  2. having tasted the heavenly gift,
  3. having shared in (the convicting power of) the Holy Spirit,
  4. having tasted the goodness of the word of God,
  5. and having the powers of the age to come (like those people in the wilderness).

“For it is impossible, in these cases, after having fallen away, to be restored again to repentance, since they would be crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm, and holding Him up to contempt.”

YIKES!

Then he gives a down-to-earth illustration for what he’s saying. 

“For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. BUT, if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.”

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Then (thankfully) he turns to his believing readers with encouragement.

“Though we speak in this way, yet in YOUR case, beloved, we feel sure of better things – things that belong to salvation.  For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His Name in serving the saints, as you still do.   Have the full assurance of hope until the end to inherit the promises.”

And finally the writer turns to ABRAHAM as an example.

  • God made a promise to Abraham to bless and multiply him.
  • Abraham patiently waited, and obtained the promise.
  • When God wanted to show “the heirs of promise” the UNCHANGABLE CHARACTER OF HIS PURPOSE AND WORD, He swore by himself, and GOD CANNOT LIE!
  • And so, true believers have this sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. And our forever high priest, Jesus, guarantees it.

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MONDAY, Hebrews 7.

JESUS CHRIST AND MELCHIZEDEK.

If you have studied Genesis and Abraham, you will have met Melchizedek. His name means “King of Righteousness,” and he was the king of a city named Salem (peace), which was later renamed Jeru-Salem (Jerusalem). Melchizedek was also called “priest of the most high God.”  For so important a person, he seems to appear and disappear out of nowhere. 

When Abraham and his men pursued the four eastern kings who had captured his nephew Lot, God gave them success. Abe brought back ALL the captured people of the wicked city of Sodom, plus a lot of loot. (This was before their wickedness reached the tipping point and God destroyed them.)

Abraham had determined to keep none of the “tainted” booty for himself, although it was due him, because the king might boast HE made Abraham rich.  (Abraham did allow his men to take their fair share.) As the smarmy king of Sodom strode out to magnanimously offer the loot to Abraham, this mysterious Melchizedek stepped between them and took God’s man aside.

He’d brought bread and wine and “blessed” Abraham.  He also blessed God for helping Abraham defeat the enemy. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth (tithe) of everything. (Communion, blessing, and offering, this was a holy meeting between the man of God and the priest of God.)  And that’s all we know.

And now, in Hebrews 7, we also learn that Melchizedek was “without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, resembling the Son of God as He continues a priest forever.”

So, why do we need to know about Melchizedek now, when talking of Jesus as our forever High Priest?

Think now of the priesthood that came through Levi to Aaron and his descendants.  Levi was a great-grandson of Abraham – still in his “loins” if you will.  Aaron’s priesthood wasn’t established until the people had been freed from Egypt, and God set up the sacrificial system in Leviticus.  Melchizedek – and Jesus, who was born in the tribe of Judah – were separate from the system that would eventually fail. 

All those former priests died. But Jesus, after dying, rose again to life.  He can hold the priesthood permanently!  He “ever lives to make intercession for us!”

  • “It was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
  • He has NO NEED to offer sacrifices daily, first for His own sin, and then for the people, since He did this once for all when he offered Himself.

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Hebrews 8.

Jesus Christ is just such a high priest, one who is “seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the “true tent” that the Lord set up. (It is “the pattern” for the one Moses set up at Sinai.)  

Jesus’ ministry was “much more excellent” than the old system (He is priest AND atoning sacrifice), and so He can perfectly mediate between God and man.  This NEW covenant is also better, because God’s laws are no longer on stone tablets, but written in the people’s minds and on their hearts.  God will be “merciful toward their sins, and remember them no more!”

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Hebrews 9.

The writer of Hebrews now goes into some detail describing the earthly Tabernacle and its furnishings.  The Holy Place is where the priests ministered, but the “inner sanctum,” where the Ark of the Covenant and the presence of God dwelled, could only be accessed ONCE per year, by the HIGH PRIEST, and only if he carried the BLOOD of the sacrificial Lamb.

“The WAY into the holy places was not opened as long as the first section was standing.  

  • In other words, access to God’s presence was NOT OPENED to the people.
  • There was NO WAY TO GOD in the ceremonial system. 
  • ONLY CHRIST could open the way. 
  • God is NOT accessible apart from the death of Jesus Christ.
  • (Remember, when He died, the veil was ripped open from TOP to bottom?)

 

“He entered once for all into the holy place, not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of HIS OWN BLOOD, thus securing an ETERNAL redemption.

How much more will the blood of Christ, offered without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the Living God!

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

“And just as it is appointed for man to die ONCE and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered ONCE to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, NOT to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
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(Halleluia! Praise God. Thank You, Jesus!)

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Hebrews 10.

The writer emphasizes again that the old sacrificial system COULD NOT make perfect those who would “draw near” to God.  “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin.”  They are but a reminder of the cost of sin every year.

But Jesus came as the perfect, sinless sacrifice.  He came “to do God’s will.”  And by that WILL, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

“But when Christ had offered for all time a SINGLE SACRIFICE for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting until his enemies became His footstool. 

“For by a SINGLE OFFERING, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

And … “Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

Because of what Jesus did (the will of the Father),  we can have confidence to enter the presence of God, through that “new and living way He opened for us… through the curtain, that is, through His flesh..

So….

  • “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 
  • Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL. 
  • And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

AND THEN ANOTHER WARNING….

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire.

“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has 1) spurned the Son of God, and 2) profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has 3) outraged the Spirit of Grace?

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!”

YIKES!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 354

Dec20

Day 354 – Reading – 1 Peter 1 -5
Read and believe in Jesus!

1 Peter.

We haven’t heard from Peter in a while, but he’s in what he calls “Babylon,” which is the “code word” for Rome. Since the City burned under Nero’s watch, the Emperor is dodging blame by saying “the Christians did it.”  More persecution resulted, and a mass fleeing from the Empire’s capital. 

Many went to Asia, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bithynia, places where Paul established churches during his first and second missionary journeys.  Peter calls the recipients of his letter “elect exiles.” And they needed strengthening to endure the more intense suffering and persecution that was coming. 

Peter’s wife is probably with him (1 Corinthians 9:5), and also Mark who abandoned Paul earlier but who has since become useful in the ministry to both Peter and Paul.  Tradition says that Peter helped Mark write his Gospel. (Many things in that short, fast account of Jesus DO sound like Peter!)  Silas helped write this letter and will deliver it for Peter, having gone (and suffered in Asia) with Paul.

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1 Peter 1.

In his opening, Peter calls his readers elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, who caused them to be born again by His mercy through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (Peter was there. He saw it!)

He tells them to rejoice through their various trials, which are testing the genuineness of their faith, and which will ultimately bring glory, honor, and praise to Jesus Christ.  He encourages them to prepare their minds for action, and to set their hope on the grace that will come to them when Jesus is revealed.

He tells them not to be conformed to their former passions, but to be holy in their conduct, as He is holy. They are to remember that they were ransomed with the precious blood of Christ. And they are to love one another earnestly with a pure heart, since they’ve been born of imperishable seed through the Living Word of God.

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1 Peter 2

He encourages them to long for the pure spiritual milk, like infants, that they may grow up into salvation.  He tells them they are like precious stones, being built up as a spiritual house, Jesus Christ being the chosen and precious cornerstone.  He tells them they are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession whom He called out of darkness into His marvelous light. 

(THIS he’s saying to Gentile believers! WOW.)  

Once they were NOT a people, but now they are God’s people. Once they had NOT received mercy, but now they do receive mercy.   “Just keep your conduct honorable among unbelievers. They may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of salvation!” 

(Doesn’t this sound like Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?” Here’s some more.)

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor or governors. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.” 

They are to be like Christ. He also suffered as their example to follow.  When He suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted Himself to God who judges justly.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

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1 Peter 3.

Peter, as Paul did, admonishes his readers who are wives and husbands to be God-pleasing in their relationship.

  • Wives, be subject to your own husbands.
  • Don’t let your adorning be only external. 
  • Be adorned with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. 

And for husbands;

  • They are to live with their wives in an understanding way,
  • Show honor to them as weaker vessels.
  • This, so their prayers won’t be hindered.

Then Peter segues into  the topic of suffering.

“If you suffer for righteousness, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy.” 

“Always be prepared to made a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…. but do it with gentleness and respect.” 

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.”  

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1 Peter 4.

Peter continues..

  • “Since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.”   
  • “The END of all things is at hand, therefore be self-controlled and sober minded, for the sake of your prayers.” 
  • “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 
  • “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice, insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”   
  • “If your are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 
  • “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” 
  • “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

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1 Peter 5,

And then some words to the elders (or shepherds) of the churches, and to the people themselves.

  • “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, NOT under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you, NOT for shameful gain, but eagerly, NOT domineering, but being examples.” 
  • “Be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves – all of you –  with humility toward one another (for God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble).” 
  • “Humble yourselves under the hand of God so that at the proper time, He may exalt you.” 
  • “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 
  • “Be sober-minded and be watchful for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  RESIST him firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experience by your brethren throughout the world.” 
  • ” And, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you,”

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And then final greetings and a prayer for peace to all of them who are in Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 353

Dec19

Day 353 – Reading –  Titus  1 – 3
Read and believe in Jesus!

Titus.

Titus was another of Paul’s younger helpers, called “sons in the faith.” He probably was with Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys. He was a Gentile believer. They had visited Crete after Paul’s stay of house arrest in Rome and established a few churches. (Paul had actually been there briefly, at the harbor of Fair Havens, just before that huge storm and shipwreck.) 

Now, Paul was leaving Titus there (much like he left Timothy in Ephesus), to straighten out and steady up the new churches, who were behaving in a very naughty way (like Cretans!).  Paul later planned to send either Tychicus or Artemas to Crete, and when he arrived, Titus was then to come to Paul in Greece at Nicopolis.

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Titus 1.

Paul practically preaches a sermon on the gospel in his greetings to Titus in verses 1-3!  (Check it out and see how many doctrinal truths you can discover!!)

He states the reason why he left Titus in Crete: “so that he might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in very town, as he directed.”

As in the letter to Timothy, Paul lists the qualifications of elders, VERY important here in Crete, for they were known for their debauchery and insubordination!

  • Above reproach,
  • husband of one wife (at a time)
  • children who believe,
  • not open to charges of that debauchery or insubordination,
  • not arrogant or quick tempered,
  • not a drunk or violent, or greedy for gain,
  • hospitable, a lover of good,
  • self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
  • He must HOLD FIRM to the trustworthy Word, as taught,
  • able to give instruction in sound doctrine, 
  • and able to rebuke those who contradicted it.

Paul seems not to have a high opinion of the unsaved Cretans. He quotes one of their own prophets, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”  YIKES!  Infiltrating the church, these men were empty talkers, deceivers, teaching a “works” religion. 

“They must be silenced,” Paul tells Titus, then adds, “Rebuke them sharply!” He further says, “they profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work!”

(Yikes, Paul, let it all out!!)

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Titus 2.

“TEACH SOUND DOCTRINE” Paul instructs Titus. Then singles out members of a household.

  1. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and steadfastness.
  2. Older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and train the….
  3. Young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands.
  4. Younger men are to be self-controlled. (Here Paul tells the “young man,” Titus, to be an example of good works to them. He is to model integrity, dignity, and sound speech, so that their opponents will have nothing evil to say about them.)
  5. Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters. They are to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, showing good faith, so in everything glorify the doctrine of God.

Then Paul breaks into another paragraph of what the glorious gospel means in faith, duty, actions and words. He praises “Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for his own possession…”

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Titus 3.

Paul continues to tell Titus to “remind them” to be good!  He acknowledges that “we all” were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to passions and pleasures, and we passed our days in malice, envy, and hatred.

But!   “…when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he SAVED us, not because of works done by US in righteousness, but according to his own MERCY, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our savior…. so that being justified by His GRACE we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life!”

And a final exhortation before closing, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works (charity), so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”

Grace be with you all.