Revelation 7: Will God Wipe Away Your Tears?
Verse of the Day: (V17) “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living foundations of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
1. Winds (V1-8)
V1 “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.”
The four winds are the winds of God’s judgments upon the people during the Great Tribulation period. Only God decides as to how and when He shall judge the people for their sins and rebellion. God restrains and withholds the winds of judgments on all who reject and rebel against Him until He has sealed all who have trusted and obeyed Him on their foreheads. Indeed, though it is very trying and tough to believe in God during the Great Tribulation period because God has restraint His Holy Spirit and has allowed the Devil to have full control of the world, yet there are still an hundred and forty and four thousands Jews as well as a great multitude of Gentiles who still trust and obey Him.
2. White (V9-14)
V9 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”
Only an hundred and forty and four thousands Jews chosen equally from the twelve tribes of Israel together with a great multitude of Gentiles who truly believe and trust in Christ survive the Great Tribulation period. They are all dressed in white robes signifying they are washed by the precious blood of Christ, and the palms in their hands symbolising their victory over spiritual death as Christ triumphantly conquers death when He rose from the dead. Indeed, God loves and desires to save all because He makes all in His image and likeness, and for His pleasure and praise, if only man truly believes in Him.
3. Wipe (V15-17)
V15 “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
All believers during the Old and New Testaments including the hundred and forty and four thousands Jews and the great multitude of Gentiles who survive the Great Tribulation period shall bow before the throne of God serving Him day and night. God shall then wipe away all tears from their eyes, and they shall never be hungry or thirsty as they feed on His Word and drink from His living fountains of waters. Let us therefore continue to love and serve God until the day of His glorious return or He calls us home.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for wiping my tears as I fully believe and trust in You.
Revelation 6: Will You Escape The Great Day?
Verse of the Day: (V17) “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
1. Great Sword (V1-11)
V4 “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”
The seven seals are revealed to Apostle John. The first seal - is a white horse - and the rider had a bow and a crown on him, and it represents false peace as Antichrist, the supposedly chosen leader or the world dictator, who shall rule the world is actually under the evil influence of the Devil. This period is called the great day or - the Great Tribulation - which is immediately after - the Rapture - when the Lord Jesus Christ shall call all His Christians to be with Him in heaven forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Antichrist shall deceive the unbelievers who are left behind that the sudden disappearance of the Christians is a great mystery – however, he assures them that he is in-charge and everything is under control. The second seal - is a red horse – and the rider has a great sword, and it represents war and bloodshed. There is really no peace, but great suffering of the people. The third seal - is a black horse - and the rider has a pair of balances, and it represents worldwide famine. The fourth seal - is a pale horse - and the rider’s names are Death and Hell, and it represents worldwide disease. The fifth seal – is an altar - and under it is the precious blood of all the saints who have died for their faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Great Earthquake (V12-14)
V12 “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;”
The sixth seal - is a great earthquake, and the sun become black, and the moon become bloody - which the world has never seen or experience before, and many choose rather to die than live during this Great Tribulation period because of the great suffering and pain.
3. Great Men (V15-17)
V15 “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;”
During the great day or the Great Tribulation period, everyone from the greatest to the weakest, the richest to the poorest, the freemen to the prisoners, shall seek and hide themselves in dens and rocks to escape the terrible disasters, but many perish and die. Many shall seek death, but are too fearful to die. Yet only a few shall truly call upon Jesus, and repent of their sins, and believe and receive Him as their personal Saviour.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I escape the great day because I trust and obey You.
Revelation 5: Do You Know The Lamb?
Verse of the Day: (V12) “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
1. Lion (V1-7)
V5 “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
Apostle John, who was in his spirit, had a glimpse of the future, yet he wept as no one could open the book of the future events, and let loose the seven seals of God’s dealings with men. One of the elders then revealed to him that only Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the Root of David, could open the book and loose the seven seals. What are these seven seals? These seven seals prophesy God’s future severe judgments upon the people who reject Him, and this period is also known as the Great Tribulation, which shall last for seven years. This Great Tribulation shall begin after God has called His Holy Spirit and all His churches to glorious heaven. It is then that the Devil shall have full control of the earth, and shall deceive, torment and lead them to fiery hell, which is also his final destination, because of his pride and rebellion against God, His Creator. Time is short, and let us share God’s salvation plan so that all shall believe in Jesus Christ, and shall be called up to heaven, and escape the terrible Great Tribulation.
2. Lamb (V8-12)
V8 “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”
John described prayers of the saints as golden vessels full of fragrance that are pleasing to many. Prayer is indeed the source of power from Christ, the Lamb as well as the Lion. Though the Lamb is meek and gentle, and the Lion is strong and powerful, yet Christ has all of these characteristics, so that He is meek and gentle to know our sufferings, and strong and powerful to give us power to do His work. Let us therefore continue in prayers, because they are truly our source of meekness, gentleness, strength as well as power.
3. Live (V13-14)
V14 “And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”
Praise God, all beasts, elders and saints who believe and receive Jesus Christ, the Lion, the Lamb, as our Lord and Saviour, shall live forever with Him in glorious heaven. Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow. Because Jesus lives, life is worth living now and forever! Today, will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know You, the Lamb, who loved and died for my sins.
Revelation 4: Do You Know The God On The Throne?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,”
1. Throne (V1-3)
V2 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
The Almighty God revealed to Apostle John in his spirit a glimpse of the amazing and marvellous sights and beauty of His glorious home in heaven. This was to encourage and inspire John to continue to endure his suffering and persecution, as soon he shall be promoted to heaven and to worship God for all eternity. Indeed, no creature can truly worship God except men and angels. However, men are above the angels, because they are created in God’s image, and are therefore called God’s children when they believe and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord. Since the fall of the first couple - Adam and Eve - men became sinners, and they needed a Saviour, Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, to die on the cross, and shed His blood for their sins. Whoever believes in Jesus shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.
2. Thanks (V4-9)
V4 “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”
God revealed to John that the twenty four elders who surrounded Him comprised the twelve tribes of Israel during the Old Testament, and the twelve apostles of the church during the New Testament. In other words, the tribes and apostles are God’s chosen leaders to lead the people to God’s love, so that by faith both the people in the Old as well as the New Testament shall believe in Jesus Christ, and worship and thank Him for all that He has done. By faith, God’s saints in the Old Testament believed that Jesus shall come to save them, and similarly by faith God’s saints in the New Testament believe that Jesus already came and died and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of their sins.
3. Things (V10--11)
V11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
God who sits on the throne creates all things – the heaven, the stars, the earth, the seas, the mountains, the animals, and especially the people, who are created in His own image. Indeed, God creates men for His own pleasure so that men shall truly worship Him, and in so doing their souls shall be fully and deeply satisfied. This is the sole and ultimate purpose of men’s existence that their souls are in tune with their Creator for all eternity.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know and worship You on Your throne in heaven.
Revelation 3: Will You Open The Door?
Verse of the Day: (V20) “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
1. Dead (V1-6)
V1 “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
God judged the fifth church or star - the church at Sardis – and found them guilty though He highly commended a few names who were faithful and obedient to Him. The church at Sardis was a dead church because they had neglected to fulfil God’s Word - the Great Commission of preaching the gospel and sending and supporting missionaries to reach out to the lost souls in the various parts of the world, and - the Great Commandment of loving one another. Let us remember that God richly bless the church that obey His Word.
2. David (V7-13)
V7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”
God commended the sixth church or star - the church in Philadelphia - because they had faithfully kept His Word - the Great Commission of reaching out to the lost souls, and - the Great Commandment of loving one another. Indeed, Jesus Christ is holy and true, and has the key of David or Heaven, and whoever repents his sins, and believes and receives Him shall enter Heaven and shun Hell, and no one, not even the Devil, can stop him. In other words, once saved, always saved - once a child of God, always a child of God.
3. Door (V14-22)
V16 “So then because thou art lukewarm , and neither cold nor hot, I will spue I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
God judged the seventh and last church – the church of the Laodiceans – and found them guilty. They were blessed with material wealth and possessions, but instead of believing and trusting and serving God, they were neither hot nor cold, and God warned them that He would spit them and remove His glory and presence from them. Let us be hot and on fire for God by fulfilling His Word to obey His Great Commission and Great Commandment so that He shall richly bless and keep us now and forever. Today, Jesus Christ is knocking at your door or heart to come and bless you, will you open? Let us open our hearts to Him and repent of our sins and wrongdoings, and believe and receive Jesus as our personal Saviour and Lord, and we shall be blessed and called His children!
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I open my door in my heart to receive You as my Lord.
Revelation 2: How Is Your First Love?
Verse of the Day: (V4) “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
1. First (V1-7)
V1 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;”
God through John revealed His judgment on the seven churches or golden candlesticks and - the first church to be judged was - the church at Ephesus. They had left their first love which was the most important proof of their faith in God. They had done everything right - they preached God’s Word and cast out false preachers - yet God rebuked them for leaving their first love. God warned them that He shall remove the golden candlestick or His glory from them, unless they would repent of their hypocrisy, and return to their first love. Indeed, the church can be serving God, but if they are doing everything mechanically and routinely, and without sincerity and truth - they have left their first love!
2. Fear (V8-17)
V10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
God commended the second church - the church at Smyrna - because they were faithful amid intense persecution and even death. God encouraged them to fear not suffering, persecution or even death, because He shall be with them in life and in death, and one day He shall reward them with crowns of life in His home in glorious heaven. God then judged the third church - the church at Pergamos. Though they had faith in God yet they had subscribed to the doctrine of Balaam - the sins of idolatry - and also the doctrine of the Nicolaitans - the sins of the flesh. In other words, they were living double lives - on one hand, they seemed to be Christians as they attended and worshipped God in church, yet on the other hand, they seemed to be unbelievers as they lived in sins and wickedness.
3. Faith (V18-29)
V19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
God judged the fourth church – the church at Thyatira – and found them guilty. Though they had works, love, service, faith and patience – yet they had not complete faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - they had actually allowed Jezebel, a female false prophetess, to teach and lead them to immorality and idolatry. God warned them to repent of their sins, otherwise they were reaped the severe consequences of His wrath and judgement on them.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always keep my first love with You now and forever.
Revelation 1: Do You Know Alpha & Omega?
Verse of the Day: (V8) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
1. Alpha (V1-10)
V9 “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
The Almighty God revealed to Apostle John - at the island of Patmos which he was there as a prisoner because of his faith in Jesus Christ and God’s Word - of the manifold blessings as well as fiery judgments that shall come to mankind. It was a great encouragement to John as he realised that God was in control of everything – the past, the present and the future – because He is Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end, and He exists from everlasting to everlasting. However, John also got a fearful glimpse of the impending judgment and punishment for those who reject and curse God - fiery hell.
2. Asia (V11-17)
V11 “Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
The Alpha and Omega through Apostle John sent a book of His judgment and assessment on the 7 churches in Asia and only 2 out of the 7 churches, namely - Smyrna and Philadelphia - were commended for their faithfulness and labour of love, while the rest of them - Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea - were judged and found unfaithful and disobedient. Let us pray and ponder as we search our hearts and the spirituality of our church that we be commended - like Smyrna and Philadelphia – to be found obedient to God and His Word, and are faithful to death or till His glorious return.
3. Amen (V18-20)
V18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Amen means – Let it be done. We can never outsmart and outwit God, because He is our Creator who holds the keys to glorious heaven and fiery hell. Though men time and again think that we are smarter and wiser than God, yet it shall come a time of reckoning and judgment that we are nothing but creatures in the hand of our Creator. The vital question is - Are we in the hand of a loving God because we believe and receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord? Or - Are we in the hand of an angry God because we reject and curse Jesus, and He shall punish us for our unbelief and rebellion? The choice is yours!
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know You, Alpha & Omega, my Saviour & Lord.
Jude 1: Twice Dead
Verse of the Day: (V12) “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”
1. Denying (V1-11)
V3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
God’s servant, Jude, urged Christians to earnestly contend for the faith in Jesus Christ amid false preachers, who had crept in as grievous wolves in sheep clothing, denying the Lord Jesus, and destroying the faith of many, and turning God’s grace to man’s lusts.
V4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. Dead (V12-19)
V12 “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”
These false preachers are eloquent and impressive in man’s eyes, but they are ungodly and deceitful in God’s eyes as they lead many to eternal condemnation. They are like fruits that look delicious but are actually poisonous. Indeed, Christians are borne twice – physical and spiritual birth - but they die only once – physical death - as they shall live with God forever. On the other hand, the unbelievers are born only once – physical birth - but they die twice – physical and spiritual death as they shall be condemned in fiery hell.
V15 “To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
3. Difference (V20-25)
V21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Let us keep ourselves in God’s love by demonstrating our compassion for others so that people can see we are truly different from this unloving world, and that Jesus lives in us!
V22 “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am borne twice but die only once and live forever.
3 John 1: Are You A Doer Of God’s Word?
Verse of the Day: (V5) “Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;”
1. Doer (V1-8)
V1 “The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”
Apostle John expressed his love in the truth for Gaius, and wished him materially, physically and spiritually well, because he was truly a doer of God’s holy Word. Gaius would faithfully and diligently do and fulfil God’s Word and commands as he demonstrated his great love and hospitality to God’s preachers, people and even strangers.
V2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
2. Diotrephes (V9-11)
V9 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.”
Do not be surprised and shocked when your church leaders behaved badly as Diotrephes was an example of an ungodly leader who was proud and unfriendly, and he was only a hearer, but not a doer of God’s Word. Indeed, we may wonder why a righteous God allow such wicked leaders in the church, but let us be assured that He shall eventually judge the church and her people if it is truly His church and His people. Let us not be weary in well doing as the churches and their people shall eventually reap what we sow.
V10 “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”
3. Demetrius (V12-14)
V12 “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.”
Indeed, there are always godly and ungodly churches and leaders. Demetrius was a godly leader as he demonstrated his love and hospitality for God’s preachers, people and even strangers. Let us also learn from Apostle John that the best communication is close and personal, and the best way to show our love and care for others is to know their names.
V14 “But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a doer, and not just a hearer of Your holy Word.
2 John 1: Are You Loving In Truth?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;”
1. Truth (V1-8)
V7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
God is Love and the Truth, and both are inseparable - in other words - you cannot love without the truth, and you cannot have the truth without love. This is why the elder or Apostle John expressed his love in the truth for the elect lady and her children who demonstrated their love and hospitality to all visiting preachers that God shall reward them for their good works. He warned them never to entertain antichrists or false preachers who would come to them lest they fall into their heresies that Jesus did not come as a man. This is indeed the cornerstone of Christianity – Jesus, God’s begotten Son, came as a man to live, and die, and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world!
V8 “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
2. Transgress (V9-11)
V9 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
When we believe and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord, and trust and obey His doctrine or the Bible, we shall have both God and Christ, and the Holy Spirit shall dwell in us. If any preacher does not preach Christ as God’s Son, and the whole counsel of the Bible, he transgresses and sins against God and do not entertain him.
V10 “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
3. Trust (V12-13)
V12 “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”
John conveyed the greetings of the children of the elect lady’s sister, and trusted to see her face to face than writing to her so that they could enjoy the warm fellowship. Indeed, when we all get to heaven, what a day it shall be - when we shall see Jesus face to face!
V13 “The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love all in truth, and to look forward to see You soon.
