THE BOOK OF LIFE
Suggested Reading: Revelation 20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The sun sets over Jerusalem and the Golden Gate, also known as the Eastern Gate. Jesus will one day return to the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives through this gate, which was sealed in an attempt to prevent this from happening by the Turkish Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1541.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 20:10
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ “Day Unto Day” devotional series)…
When the beast and his prophet were thrown into the fiery lake, the rule of Antichrist ended. Now John’s ongoing vision is about to show how the “dragon,” Satan himself, meets a similar fate.
The star-angel (of 9:1), who holds the key to the Abyss, seizes the dragon and chains him for a thousand years in the Abyss. Then the martyrs, who had died refusing to receive the mark of the beast, are resurrected and they reign with Christ on the earth for that millennium. John refers to this resurrection as “the first resurrection” (verse 5).
After the thousand years has passed, Satan is released from the Abyss for a short time – but in that brief period he is able to incite the nations (symbolized by “Gog and Magog” of verse 8 ) to “surround the camp of God’s people” in Jerusalem (“the city He loves” verse 9). But it’s too late – Satan and the nations are defeated by supernatural fire (verse 9c). Then he is thrown into the fiery lake forever.
Satan’s destruction is followed by the “great white throne” judgment, when each person is “judged according to what he [has] done” (verse 13). All whose names are not “written in the Book of Life” are “thrown into the lake of fire” (verse 15). This is called “the second death” (verse 14).
The stage is now set for God to do what He has always planned to do – to create a new heaven and a new earth where God Himself will live with His people.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for many, many more names to be written in Your Book of Life. Fill me with a passion for doing my part as a soul winner. May I share today in the spirit of prophecy “The testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 19:10b). I pray for all true Evangelists and soul-winning Pastors that they will share more boldly than ever to the world the saving message of Jesus Christ. I pray for grace to support their work with my tithes to my local church, and with offerings over and above that in support of soul-winning ministries, such as Crossroads Christian Communications (click here) and other ministries which are helping to write new names in the “Book of Life!” I pray for wisdom to give to those who will not squander my offering on expensive lifestyles and ineffective projects, but will spend the funds entrusted to them for the maximum results in new names written down in Your “Book of Life!” In Jesus’ Name I fervently ask You, Almighty God! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS
“The lake of fire” is found three times in Revelation 20! This is an emphasis I cannot miss. I cry out to God for the salvation of precious never-dying souls. I believe that by God’s grace alone I am saved and my name is written in “The Book of Life.” I ask myself, “Is there more I can do to win people to Jesus?” I’m convinced that the most selfish thing I could ever do is to keep the Good News of Jesus to myself.
Today’s reading also mentions “Gog and Magog” and many nations whose armies will surround Jerusalem and will seek to destroy the people of God everywhere. If time permits, I suggest reading Ezekiel 38:1 to 39:16. The process for burying the remains of the armies of the allied nations sounds very much like the land may be contaminated by the leftover effects of the weapons used in the war, as it takes seven months to cleanse the land.
Here’s one final question. Besides “The Book of Life” that contains the names of those who are saved, there are other “Books” which were opened. What are these books? God willing I’ll write tomorrow about what I think they are (Revelation 20:12a).
Yours for helping at least one more person to faith in Jesus alone for their eternal life!!!
David
On June 3rd we start our next two years of journeying through the Scriptures. Click here for a video about the original inspiration for this blog and for the reason for two years rather than the standard one-year program. Also, in the June issue of “The Crossroads Compass” magazine, there is a promotional insert sheet for my 100words.ca blog. The sheet contains six cards, perforated for separation, which are for distribution to new potential readers (see photo below). I ask for your help in bringing many others into the discipline of daily Bible reading. If you don’t receive the Crossroads Compass magazine, you can still be a 100words.ca blog promoter! You could even print out the photo below, cut out the 100words.ca advertisements, and share them at your church. Maybe you can spread the word via Facebook or in person to your friends and neighbours. To get the Crossroads Compass magazine mailed to you monthly, consider becoming a Crossroads donor. Click here for more info.
This is the insert into the June "Crossroads Compass" magazine, as mentioned in my P.S. above.
Have enjoyed and learned from your personal writings over the past two years David, and am wondering if you will be adding new daily thoughts over the next two years? Or, will there be a replicate of the publication? I realize the additional two years will give anyone who has not started at the beginning, the opportunity to complete the entire series. Whatever the case, I look forward to progressing through the next two years (God Willing) as this has been very meaningful! Have a great day, to all!
I have never heard the view presented here that only the martyrs from the tribulation (those who refused the mark of the beast) will be resurrected to reign with Jesus for the thousand year period. I have been taught that all the dead in Christ will return with Him to reign for the millennium period
They will.
I know, but that isn’t clearly stated in the Cantelon commentary…sounds like they believe only martyrs from the tribulation will reign with Him.
Appreciate the discipline that this journey has taught us in reading the Word and for your admonition to be consistent, David. This helps us in other works for the Lord not to give up. If the Lord said it, He is able to perform it. Amen. I wonder about that verse in Rev. 20: 4 too, Linda. Any comments, friends? Blessings!
Awesome promotional cards, David–thank you! Revelation 20 and Ezekiel 38:1-39:16 are profound! Look forward to tomorrow’s post with your thoughts. Crying out in prayer with you, David, that my name is indeed in the book of life! None of us could ever be so humble to make assumptions. We will indeed be judged! I pray for the Spirit to enable my writing and testimony to bring souls to Christ. Thank you David, for bringing the countless souls you have to know our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Praise God!!! Let all the glory be to our our Sovereign God! Amen, amen, and amen! Blessings fellow saints!
The Bible teaches we can be sure if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. John 3:15 is a good verse.
Revelation 20 certainly is violent. Not sure if some of it has already happened or will be.
Will mention your next two-year study to as many people as I feel would be interested. Thank you Rev. DM for your devotion to Jesus and us mere mortals.
May God be pleased with us all.
Live near a small town in Alberta and editor of local newspapers will run notice of your up and coming two-year Bible study DM.:-)
Thank you for your prayer today Pastor David and I look forwrd to the next two years if studying with everyone. The discipline of being committed very day has been such a blessing to me.
Will be handing out the blog cards to some people too.
Like Linda I too was a little confused as to who will reign with Jesus for the 1000 years. Comments please.
I believe if you read Revelations 20:6 you will see you answer:)
When we asked Jesus in our hearts we died to self…and live in Him.
That was a powerful prayed David Mainse for that too is my desire and my prayer that many more names would be in the “Book of Life”
I received your cards and plan to distribute them.
Have a Blessed Day in the Lord!!!
This is how my first note should be:
I believe if you re-read Revelations 20:6 you will see your answer:)
When we asked Jesus into our hearts, we died to self..and live in Him and He in us…Praise His Holy Name!!!
That was a powerful prayer, David Mainse…and that too is my desire and my prayer that many more names would be included in the “Lamb’s Book of Life”!!!
I received your promotional cards and plan to distribute them.
to all …Have a Blessed Day in the Lord!
Dear Rev. David M.
Cant believe that next tuesday will be the 1st day of our new journey in Gods Precious Word once again, and all that because of your obedience to Our Lord, to the never ceasing support of your loving family and the team of Crossroad ministry.
Looking forward to sharing the 100 words coupons with as many as I can, letting The Holy Spirit lead the way, all for His Glory, in Jesus Precious Name , Amen, Amen.
Would appreciate my dear blog buddies to pray along with me for Tass, husband of my cousin Diane who has been waiting since a year for a hip replacement and is in excruciating pain . Heavenly Father I thank you in advance for what you will accomplish You are the Perfect Physician and let You manifest Yourself in all Your Glory and by that bring to You Your lost sheep.
I would also like to pray for my dear sister inChrist Ruth , Heavenly Father may you bring my sister financial relief by granting her that perfect job where she can fully serve you until your return in Jesus Precious Name , Amen.
Have a blessed day everyone .
xoxoxo Carole.
When you would mention how far we were on our journey through the Bible, all I could think was that we were getting closer to the end, and I didn’t want our journey to end. Now we all get to spend two more years delving into our holy book, and with each other, so to speak, as well. I can’t wait to make this journey again. Thank you so much, David. You don’t know how much it means to be able to do this again, and to have you with us.
Yes, David, that is a good prayer which I prayed with you. Lord, please use us to bring many more souls to you and have their names written in the Book of Life and our names as well. And please use us in any way that you have ordained beforehand. Lord we also bring Carole’s requests to you this morning to meet every need. In Jesus Name, Amen!
This Bible reading has been so inspiring, blessed to say the least!
We pray Gods continued blessing on you, David, and 100 Huntley.
This Bible reading has been so inspiring, blessed to say the least!!
We pray God will continue to bless you, David, and 100 Huntley!!!