Day #353-355 Ready or not?—Bible Reading Plan - Denise Pass
Ready or Not?
The end is coming. Ready or not. But we who are in Christ need not fear. Our hope is in Christ. Not in anything on this earth.
Bible Reading: Revelation 16-20, Psalms 145-147, Songs 5-6
Today’s reading in the book of Revelation reveals the seven bowl or vial judgments which are the final judgments of the tribulation period—God’s wrath against sin.
I believe the beginning of Revelation 16 and other verses that describe the mark of the beast hold a fearsome warning that many of us want to make sure we are not the recipients of.
Revelation 16:1, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.”
Ready or Not?—Fear Not!
To be clear, the mark of the beast is not something we will accidentally do or receive. It will be a willful decision to worship the antichrist. What we have to be is discerning in these times. The enemy of our souls is a deceiver. But if we are in God’s precious word, we will be aware and not easily deceived.
Revelation 17:8(b)-9(a)
“8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind that has wisdom.”
Ready or Not?—Keep Watch!
These bowls and the judgments contained in the book of Revelation are not for those who profess Christ. Nonetheless, we need to be sure of our salvation and on the watch, friends.
Revelation 16:15
“15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Ready or Not?—Good News!
Friends, there is good news for us as we read the book of Revelation. We who have accepted the gift of salvation and believed that Christ died for us have been forgiven. God does not judge us as our sins deserve. And we will overcome with Christ.
Revelation 17:14
14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
What ought our response to be? The Psalmist says it well. In our reading for tomorrow,
Ready or Not?—God is Faithful!
Psalm 145:8
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. 9 The Lord is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made. 10 All you have made will thank you, Lord; the faithful will bless you.”
God is kind. Forgiving. And God is good. Righteous. Perfect. Yet He draws near to us.
Psalm 145:17-21
“17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts. 18 The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them. 20 The Lord guards all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked. 21 My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise; let every living thing bless his holy name forever and ever.”
Our God who executes judgment also gives mercy. Our God is holy. He cannot condone sin. But He sets His love on those who will accept it.
Psalm 146:5-10
“Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, 7 executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. 8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. And the Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 And the Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God reigns for all generations. Hallelujah!”
Scripture of the Day: Psalm 147:11
“The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love.”
God’s love for us is compared to the reading in Song of Solomon 5-6. His love is faithful. His love endures. And His love is devoted.
Solomon 6:3(a)
“I am my love’s and my love is mine.”
When we belong to Jesus, we also need to prove faithful.
Application
- Friends, let’s be on the watch and stay alert.
- Let’s not believe all of the theories out there. Let’s be people in our word so we can recognize and interpret the times we live in.
- And let’s be in the word so we are ready to share it.
- And let’s fear God and hope in Him alone.
- Those who hope in God will never be disappointed.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #353-355: Revelation 16-20, Psalms 145-147, Songs 5-6
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Psalm 147:11
“The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love.”
Join live: www.facebook.com/deniseduboispass
Missed one of the Bible time lives? No problem! Check it out on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/denisepass_seeingdeep
Sign up for the Bible Reading Plan!
