Verse of the Day 5/5

Through the Bible - Numbers 20-22, Revelation 22

 

Good morning,

We live in an age where it would be difficult if not impossible to realize that we live in a world that is constantly at war.  What some may not realize is that there is a constant spiritual battle going on as well.

 

If you are involved in a war, you must be prepared for battle and be aware of what the enemy is up to and trying to accomplish.  For today's verse we'll continue to take a look at the "beatitudes" in Revelation.  This time we'll go to Revelation 16 which speaks to those who are prepared for the battle.

 

Rev 16:15 "Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed."   NLT

Those who aren't prepared, dressed for battle, will be exposed.  The ESV reads "blessed is the one who stays awake".    Yesterday's verse from Revelation 14 referred to the faithful as "standing passionately patient", such a person is one who will stay awake, be in a state of constant readiness for the Lord's return.  The image is that of a soldier ready for battle or a homeowner aware of a prowler, he won't fall asleep, there's too much at stake.

 

Look back to Revelation 3 where Jesus had these words for the church at Sardis:

Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.  NKJV

For those who stay awake there will be a reward.

 

Mal 3:16-18 Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name.

 

God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "They're mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving him.   The Message

 

Will you be ready?

 

Life was filled with guns and war 
And everyone got trampled on the floor 
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died the days grew cold 
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold 
I wish we'd all been ready 

There's no time to change your mind 
The Son has come and you've been left behind 

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Rev 16:12-17

 

Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up

 

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

 

15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."

 

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

 

NKJV