Read the Bible in One Year!

Doom of the Harlot Scripture December 30—Revelation 17-19: Two Babylons Observation The last of the seven bowls of judgment has been poured out, and now John sees the doom of "Babylon the Great." Its disastrous end is announced by an angelic messenger, and mourned by kings and merchants alike who profited from her rich trade and false religion. While Babylon is being destroyed on earth, the heavens resound with praise in preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb. A warrior emerges in great pomp and majesty to bring God's final destruction upon the beast, false prophet, and their armies—a warrior whose name is Faithful and True, The Word of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Application When you think about it, there are many portions of Scripture that—from a human point of view—never should have had to be written in the first place. Passages such as Noah's adventures on the ark ( Genesis 6-9 ) . . . Israel's wandering in the wilderness ( Numbe...

Scripture December 29—Revelation 14-16: Seven Bowls with Seven Plagues Observation Another vision of the 144,000—now singing a new song—precedes the final series of divine judgments upon the earth. As angels proclaim the gospel message, the final outpouring of God's wrath begins. Seven angels carrying seven bowls of God's judgment pour out their destruction in the form of blood scorching heat, darkness, pain, earthquakes, hailstones and warfare. Yet, through it all, men "cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores, but they refused to repent of all their evil deeds" (16:11). Application On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your singing ability? (Think of ten as "positively CeCe Winans," one as "strictly for the showers.") Your ability to sing hymns of praise to God with enthusiasm and feeling (though not necessarily with perfect pitch) is one of the best barometers of the level of joy in your spiritual life. Paul says in ...

Praise God! Weekly Devotional December 28— Psalm 147 : A Lifestyle of Praise Reflection God's amazing glimpse of the end of time and the beginning of eternity through John's eyes has no doubt sparked your desire to get even closer to your glorious Lord. The scenes of Worship in heaven have whetted our appetite for the day we can join the eternal chorus of praise. But there's no reason to wait! As our walk through the Bible in a year draws to a close, let's rejuvenate our final steps by spending some time pondering Psalm 147 and praising our worthy Lord! Hallelujah! Psalm 147:1 gives three reasons for God's people to praise him: (1) it is good in God's eyes; (2) it is delightful to the one doing the praising; and (3) it is right (appropriate) for all who share the praise experience. Praise is like a bride's wedding ring. Her husband rejoices to see her wear it, and it testifies to the appropriateness of the couple's relationship. Tie a smal...

The Sunclothed Woman Scripture December 27—Revelation 10-13: Witnesses and Wars Observation After being assured of God's control in the midst of great upheaval (the vision of the strong angel), John is told to consume a little book as divine preparation for his prophetic task. Next, John sees two witnesses who exercise astonishing powers on earth for 1,260 days, then are martyred for their testimony. The great rejoicing at their death is hushed by their resurrection and ascension in heaven. The sounding of the seventh trumpet is followed by a description of the next seven "actors" in the drama of Revelation: a sunclothed woman, a dragon, a male child, the angel Michael, the rest of the woman's children, a beast from the sea and a second beast from the earth. Is the book of Revelation a beastly book? The Greek word for "beast" occurs forty-five times in the New Testament—thirty-eight of which are in the book of Revelation! Application The best way...

Woe to the People of the Earth Scripture December 26—Revelation 7-9: Sealed Saints and Seven Trumpets Observation Before the seventh seal is opened, John sees a vision in which 144,000 "out of all twelve tribes of Israel" (7:4) receive an angelic seal of protection. Next, a great multitude dressed like a grand white-robed choir, who have come "out of Great Tribulation" (7:14), present themselves before the throne of God to serve him night and day. Following a dramatic pause, the horrors of the seventh and last seal are unfolded in the form of seven trumpets, each heralding the beginning of a devastating judgment. The first hour judgments affect nature; the final three fall upon mankind in such destructive force that each is called a "woe". "Woe, woe, woe to the people of the earth" (8:13). Application "He had it coming to him!" Has that phrase ever rolled off your lips when you saw someone receive the punishment that was due...

Happy Birthday, Jesus! CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION December 25—Glory to God! A Savior is Born Observation Today we're pausing in our walk through the Bible to celebrate the coming of Jesus to earth. Matthew (1:18-2:12) recounts the angelic revelation of the birth of the Messiah to Mary and then to Joseph, a birth that fulfills the prophets' announcements of old. While Matthew tells of the wise men who later come from the East to pay homage to the newborn King, Luke's account (2:1-20) includes an angelic announcement to humble shepherds, who also come to worship the Christ child. Rich or poor, highly important or humble, Jesus comes to be Lord of all! Application Nothing is impossible with God. If you don't believe that, then just consider the obstacles he had to overcome in order to send his Son into the World. His Son had to be born in Bethlehem ( Matthew 2:6 ), and while still a child, escape the murderous attack of a deranged king ( Matthew 2:16-19 ). His So...