Revelation 11: Are You God’s Faithful Witness?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”
1. Witness (V1-13)
V8 “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”
During the Great Tribulation period, God sends two faithful witnesses, cloth in sackcloth, to testify to the people for 1,260 days to believe and trust in Him. They wear sackcloth to signify that it is a mourning time as Satan is all out to deceive and destroy men. However, God shall give His two witnesses power to control rain, turn water into blood, and punish the earth with plagues so that the people know that they are of God, and from God. After 1,260 days, God allows the beast, whose master is Satan, to kill them in the great city, which is spiritually known as Sodom or Egypt but is actually Jerusalem, where the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. The beast then instigates the people to celebrate the death of the two witnesses for three and a half days, mocking God that Satan have victory over God’s two witnesses. However, God has the last say, as He sends His Spirit of life to enter into His two dead witnesses and suddenly they resurrect from the dead and ascend to heaven before the people. Fear comes to many, and many believe and trust in the Lord.
2. Woe (V14-15)
V14 “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
The second woe comes when God resurrects His two faithful witnesses and sends a great earthquake that shall destroy 10th part of Jerusalem and killing 7,000 men. The people then acknowledge God’s eternal power, and give Him the glory. Indeed, let us remember that God always triumphs over Satan, because He is God, and Satan is only His creature.
3. Worship (V16-19)
V16 “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,”
After the ascension of the two faithful witnesses, the seventh angel then proclaims that all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of God, and the 24 elders who sit before God shall fall upon Him and worship Him as He reigns forever. During the Great Tribulation period when all the Christians are called up to glorious heaven and the Holy Spirit is restrained, God still demonstrates His love for men by sending His two faithful witnesses to testify of His presence and power. However, let us not wait until the Great Tribulation period to believe in God, because it shall be a tough and trying time as Satan shall deceive and destroy, and torture and torment men. Today is the day of salvation as you repent of your sins, and believe and receive Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be Your faithful witness that all shall believe in You.
Revelation 10: Do You Believe In The Little Book?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,”
1. Book (V1-8)
V1 “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:”
The Almighty God revealed to Apostle John that a mighty angel would come down from heaven with a little book, which was none other than the Word of God, the Bible, that he would eat it. He obeyed and ate it. He also witnessed certain prophecies which the seven thunders had uttered but God commanded him to seal them. Indeed, there are certain prophecies that God will not reveal to us until we are with Him in His home in glory land.
2. Belly (V9)
V9 “And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.”
When John ate the little book it was sweet in his mouth as it is God’s Word, but bitter in his stomach as he saw God’s impending judgment upon the unbelievers. Indeed, God’s Word is sweet to all who believe in Christ, because He has many wonderful promises, especially glorious heaven, for His believers. However, it is bitter to those who reject Christ, because He has many severe judgments upon the unbelievers, especially fiery hell.
3. Bitter (V10-11)
V10 “And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.”
Today, if you repent your sins, and receive Christ as your personal Saviour, the little book will taste sweet in your mouth, yet bitter in your stomach as you know that God’s impending judgment upon the unbelievers. However, if you reject Christ, the little book will taste bitter in both your mouth and stomach as you will face God’s severe judgments, especially eternal condemnation. One day, if you are still around when you see all the Christians suddenly disappear into thin air, you will realise that it is actually an event which is known as - the Rapture - when Christ shall call all His Christians to His glorious heaven. God then permit an influential leader, the antichrist, whose master is the Devil, to rule the world. The antichrist will deceive the people that the Christians’ disappearance is some kind of conspiracies. He initially rules with a false peace, but eventually he torments the people, and leads them to fiery hell, which is his final destination. Let us therefore keep sharing the gospel of Christ as - the Rapture - is any time from now!
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I believe in Your little book, Your Word, the Bible.
Revelation 9: Are You At The Golden Altar?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,”
1. Angel (V1-10)
V1 “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”
Our holy God reveals to Apostle John that the fifth angel will sound, and a star who is none other than Satan, the Devil, will fall from heaven to earth, and be given the key to the bottomless pit which is fiery hell. Though this event of Satan’s fall had already happened, God still reveals it to John to give him the background so that he can fully understand the future events that are unfolding before him. Today, Satan is on earth deceiving and devouring many but with much restraint as the Holy Spirit is also on earth convicting sinners to repent their sins, and indwelling Christians who believe in Christ. However when the Rapture - which is any time now when all Christians shall be called up by Christ to be with Him in heaven forever, and at the same time God shall restrain His Spirit - takes place, Satan shall have full control of the world to deceive, torment and eventually kill many. The fifth angel will then send out killer locusts to hurt and torment all men, except those who have God’s seal on their foreheads, for five grievous months.
2. Abaddon (V11-12)
V11 “And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”
These locusts have a king or a demon leader named Abaddon in Hebrew, and Apollyon in Greek, and it means The Destroyer. Indeed, he lives up to his name as he destroys many.
3. Altar (V13-21)
V20 “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:”
The sixth angel sounds the trumpet, and a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, then proclaims to the angel to release four angels that are bound - which are actually four demons - at the great river Euphrates - the place of Satan’s last stand - to slay one third of the world population. The golden altar represents the prayers of all the saints of the Old and New Testaments as they continually pray for all who are going through the Great Tribulation period that they will repent of their sins, and cease their worship of the Devil and his demons, and turn to the holy God, and worship Him.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always be at Your golden altar praying to You.
Revelation 8: Will You Escape The Wormwood?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were bitter.”
1. Waters (V1-10)
V10 “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;”
Finally, the Almighty God revealed to Apostle John the seventh and last seal by sending seven angels with seven trumpets who are about to sound and send forth His most severe judgment on the entire world during the Great Tribulation period - which is a period after the Rapture where all Christians are caught up into heaven and God actually restrain the working of His Spirit thus allow the Devil to have full control of the whole world. There shall be complete silence of half an hour before God commands His first angel to sound the trumpet and send hail and fire mingled with blood that burns one third of the earth. The second angel then sounds and sends something like a great mountain burning with fire into the oceans turning one third of the oceans into blood resulting in the death of one third of all sea creatures as well as the destruction of one third of the ships in the seas.
2. Wormwood (V11-12)
V12 “And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.”
The third angel sounds and sends a great falling star, which is called Wormwood that is poisonous, into the seas and rivers resulting in the death of many who drink the poisonous water. The fourth angel sounds and destroys the third part of the sun, the moon as well as the stars resulting in one third darkness of the world and creating great chaos.
3. Woe (V13)
V13 “And I beheld, and hear an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
Let us not delay our decision to believe and trust in Jesus Christ because the terrible day will come when we will suffer much as we live through the Great Tribulation period. It will be a woeful and troubled time because we will beg God to let us die as His judgments are too severe upon us. My friends, today is the day of salvation, and let us repent our sins, and believe and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord!
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I escape from the Wormwood because I believe in You.
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.