READ, LOOK, LISTEN
Suggested Reading: Revelation 14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
One of the many sculptures in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome depicts a woman reading the Bible. John XXIII began changes which would have encouraged reformers such as Martin Luther. He issued a revolutionary statement. He told his people to "READ THE BIBLE!"
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 14:3a
They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders…
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
John now shifts from a description of the beast and his worshippers (chapter 13) to a description of the Lamb and His followers. Consistent with Old Testament expectation, the venue is Mount Zion. Micah, for instance, foresaw the day when God would gather the faithful remnant to Mount Zion and reign over them forever (Micah 4:6-8). Joel and Isaiah also saw something similar (Joel 2:32; Isaiah 11:9-12; 40:1-46).
Who are these “144,000”? In chapter 7, we saw this number first mentioned, and I underlined the importance of the symbolic numbering. The group in this chapter (chapter 14) is probably the same people. In both chapters, the 144,000 are sealed on their foreheads…in chapter 7, the substance of the seal is not mentioned, but in chapter 14, John tells us that the seal comprises the names of the Father and the Lamb. This seal, of course, is in direct contrast to the name (or number of the name) of the beast which was placed on the right hand or forehead of his worshippers in chapter 13.
The message to the worshippers of the beast is one of dire warning – they “will drink of the wine of God’s fury” and “will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb” (verse 10). Usually we think of torment as the exclusive domain of Hell, but here we see the high view God has of our wilful choices and the total anger He has at those who choose to reject His Son. That’s why verse 13 has special meaning and warning: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m very aware that one day I will stand before Your Judgment Seat where believers in Jesus will be judged. The words of the hymn writer come to mind, “Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” I pray for Your grace so that my faith in Jesus’ salvation will never waver. In Jesus’ Name! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Besides telling his people to read the Bible, which was something discouraged by the Roman Catholic church for centuries, Pope John XXIII (1958-1963) symbolically opened a window in the vatican which faced St. Peter’s Square, and in front of thousands of people welcomed the Holy Spirit to come in. Shortly after this I was preaching in Quebec City at the invitation of Rev. Vern O’Brien, when we received an invitation to visit a Roman Catholic convent to preach to the nuns. The Mother Superior had written to me as a result of seeing the Crossroads telecasts on local TV. She wrote that she had prayed with me and for the first time in her life she had the assurance of eternal life. Vern and I witnessed an amazing sight… 20 or more Roman Catholic sisters opening their hearts and minds to the assurance of salvation according to the promises of the Bible as shared with them by Protestants. It was quite shocking for us to see the Holy Spirit come upon these nuns as the Apostle Peter had seen at the home of the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, as recorded in Acts 10:34-48. This work of the Holy Spirit, I discovered, was happening all over the world. When we begin to read seriously and consistently God’s Word, we begin to think God’s thoughts, and as someone has said, “When a person begins to think, God has the advantage.”
Yours for reading (or listening) to God’s Word and for enthusiastically convincing others to do the same,
David
The Basilica centers around the Papal Altar where only the Pope celebrates Mass. It was consecrated by Clement VIII, June 5, 1594, on top of several other older altars. Rising above the altar is the baldacchino (95ft. canopy), Bernini's masterpiece and first work in St. Peter's. The ancient tomb where the Apostle Peter is said to be buried lies directly below the altar.
Artistic representation of Biblical stories and portrayals of important leaders seem to cover every square inch of St. Peter's Basilica. John's challenge was to try to put the visuals he saw in his visions into words. The artists such as Michelangelo had the opposite challenge. They sought to put words into visuals.
My Hope is Built
Edward Mote
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
One morning it came into my mind as I went to labour, to write an hymn on the ‘Gracious Experience of a Christian.’ As I went up Holborn I had the chorus,
‘On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.’
In the day I had four first verses complete, and wrote them off. On the Sabbath following I met brother King as I came out of Lisle Street Meeting…who informed me that his wife was very ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an early tea, and called afterwards. He said that it was his usual custom to sing a hymn, read a portion, and engage in prayer, before he went to meeting. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it nowhere. I said, ‘I have some verses in my pocket; if he liked, we would sing them.’ We did, and his wife enjoyed them so much, that after service he asked me, as a favour, to leave a copy of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fireside composed the last two verses, wrote the whole off, and took them to sister King…As these verses so met the dying woman’s case, my attention to them was the more arrested, and I had a thousand printed for distribution. I sent one to the Spiritual Magazine, without my initials, which appeared some time after this. Brother Rees, of Crown Street, Soho, brought out an edition of hymns [1836], and this hymn was in it. David Denham introduced it [1837] with Rees’ name, and others after…Your inserting this brief outline may in future shield me from the charge of stealth, and be a vindication of truthfulness in my connection with the Church of God.
Edward Mote
Letter to the Gospel Herald
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myhopeis.htm
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:25-26
Dear Saints: It might be standard practice to write a song out, stating “refrain” as the repeated chorus. That is the way it is written in hymnbooks as we sing, but the effect of the words we are singing in praise to our God is lost, when we read it that way. Hence, I copied the written chorus out each time because it gives it so much more meaning, and we are so in love with our God, as John the Apostle, like Jesus, our precious Lord and Saviour, calls us to be! Amen!!!
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk&hd=1
Viewing the historical architecture and Christian artwork in Cathedrals has been amazing to behold! I am thankful to have experienced renewal and to have shared these experiences while traveling. Yet, this is not to be compared to witnessing birth of a newborn child or the majestic Rocky Mountains et al. God certainly has a hold on us as we align our thoughts and perceptions on His glory and majesty through all creation! Stay calm and at peace in His light this day.
I am so grateful that I am free to read God’s Word without fear, and I am led to pray for those throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith.
Holy and Righteous Father I bring my prayers to you today by The Blood of the Lamb Jesus, and ask for protection for those who must worship you in places where fear abides. Grant them courage to continue in your strength and help us never to forget to bring them before Your throne of mercy, grace, love and protection. Amen
Thank you for today’s reading and beautiful pictures. Blessings to all.
Amen Catherine!
Amen
…When we begin to read seriously and consistently God’s Word, we begin to think God’s thoughts, and as someone has said, “When a person begins to think, God has the advantage.”… AMEN!
I too find the quiet of the early morning a very precious time of reading the word and following this faithful spirit-filled blog. Thank you David Mainse and family for keeping this daily blog alive for another 2 years…
May the Lord Jesus bless the reading of His Word… Have a joyful and blessed day fellow bloggers.
Amen! You as well
Awesome revelations in today’s reading. I’m so happy these revelations aren’t to be taken literally. 144,000 isn’t very many people to be saved, in the grand scheme of things.
My sister wrote a beautiful poem I’d like to share with my fellow saints.
I Love You Lord
I love you more today Lord
Than I did yesterday.
You’ve been a faithful friend to me
And led me all the way.
You’ve calmed my fears and soothed my pain
And heard my every cry.
Your presence is so real to me
You’re always standing by.
Your word is tried and proven Lord
Your promise will not fail.
Your spirit whispers peace to me
And tells me all is well.
You suffered sore upon the cross
To set this sinner free,
And God forbid that I love you less
For what you did for me.
Should my face reveal what’s in my heart
Then surely it will say
I love you more today Lord
Than I did yesterday.
What a lovely simple expression of pure love– thanks for sharing it and tell your sister she is very blessed.
I agree either Donna…may the good Lord continue to inspire her. Amen
With not either
Thank you Patricia.
Thank you Donna, I shall tell her.
Reading that ” No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins (revelations 14:3&4)”, reminds me of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, ” Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:1, 2 NIV)”. May the Good Lord continue to have mercy on us all. May we all Have a blessed Wednesday my blog family
I do not comment a lot but i do read every day ,so thank God bless you David!!!!!
Thank you Beverlee Kay for that song…one of my favorites!!! and so true!!!
Thank you Reynold Mainse for those photos…the details of the church domes you captured are spectacular! I pray the Lord Bless you and Kathy and your children!!!