THE BOOK OF LIFE
Today’s 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 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. I ask for your help in bringing many others into the discipline of daily Bible reading. Become a 100words.ca blog promoter! Maybe you can spread the word via Facebook or in person to your friends and neighbours.
Thank You, God, for your mercy on us. Watched the video of you announcing the becoming of the blog, again, David. Thank you for heeding God’s call. Look forward to another two years with you. 100Words has been a wonderful daily discipline of reading God’s Word, learning the Bible, sharing comments, and praying for one another on the blog. God’s continued blessings, dearest saints, in the Lord!
“LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God.
Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Saviour.”
Psalm 38: 21-22, NIV
Be Lifted Up: Bethel Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqkQ-3OsMpo
Amen! and again i say Amen!
Amen, David, listened to your video again. Looking forward to what you think the books are. Thanks for the song link Beverlee.
Amen David. Listened to your video again and am glad you are doing another two year journey through the Bible. Am going to try to increase your readership. Thank you for the song link Beverlee.
Yes, Amen David. I’m looking forward to your thoughts on the “other books” Listened to the video explaining the start of this blog. a good refresher for its reason and purpose. Worshiped together with musical link; thanks Beverlee
Dear Saints, I would like to ask a favour of you and hope to receive some replies. I would like to open a discussion up about speaking in tongues. How many of you currently speak in tongues? When did you receive this gifting from the Holy Spirit? Do you actively speak in tongues in your churches or just at home? What has your experience been? Currently, I am reading “The Hidden Power of Speaking in Tongues” by Mahesh Chavda. Thanking you in advance.
~Beverlee Kay~
I hope you got my comment from yesterday Beverlee Kay.
please pray for this young man Jason.
JUST MY THOUGHTS:::::::::
As for speaking in tongues, I believe Scripture says it is a gift, some have this gift, some do not! It is not something that hinges on our salvation! PRAISE THE LORD!
We are all different and we all have gifts, I don’t
believe that one gift is greater than the other as this would lead to greed, selfishness, etc.
For me personally a person who can speak in tongues
has this gift from the Holy Spirit and so does a mom/dad who change their baby’s diaper, burps them, hugs them, kisses them, smiles at the baby, tells them they love the child and lay the precious child down for it’s evening sleep! That is a gift in my opinion!
Whenever a sense of I am better than you begins to surface, that definitely is not from God!
Having the gift of a singing voice, playing instruments, making music, this is beautiful, someone who can plant a beautiful vegetable garden and share with neighbours and family is also a gift….Even showing up to church, a Bible study or showing up to help out with the homeless, the people who are addicted, this is a gift from God,……..
I am off to music lessons, the fact that someone gave me a ukulele years ago and now I take lessons, is absolutely a gift from God!
Have a good day everyone………
It was in 1971 that I was Baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in my heavenly language…also known as speaking in tongues.
When our church was first birthed, we did speak in tongues as a congregation, and also there was specific teaching on being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
Unfortunately for about the past two or three years or so, although there is praying in the spirit when praying for individual needs, or persons; the congregational singing in the Spirit, is no longer happening.
However, prophetic messages are brought forth as the Spirit gives utterance.
My hearts desire is that once again the move of the Spirit would come forth in freedom of speaking and singing in The Spirit.
Praying in the Spirit and in my understanding is a daily part of my life, as is reading the Word daily.
Thanks for bringing forth that question.
The gift of praying and speaking in the Spirit is for edifying, uplifting, encouraging others as the Spirit gives utterance; not for self edification, but for ministering to others in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Yes, it is a gift from God.
Sorry Beverlee, I missed reading your question yesterday. Yes, I am currently speaking in tongues. In fact, a lady evangelist who spoke in our area recently challenged us to pray in tongues everyday which I am trying to do. I received this gifting in a church in Windsor, On on Riverside Drive in 1972. At present I am using this gift in church when praying for people. To be used in the interpretation of tongues in church takes more faith. I am not familiar with the author or book you are reading but I have the book Norma Jean recommended called “The Blessing” by Thomas E. Trask and Wayne I. Goodall which I also highly recommend. You can get it from Amazon. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit has been given as a power for witness to Jesus Christ(Acts 1:8) and He(the Holy Spirit) has helped me through many trials when I have prayed in tongues in my private prayer time. That is my experience. Hope that answers some of your questions. Blessings, Ger
Thank you saints, for your comments to my question re: speaking in tongues. I am with you Irene and Ger, in speaking in tongues. It is very sad when churches who were once moved to speak in the Spirit, swerve away. My church is charismatic and speaking in tongues is part of our calling. I, myself, am just beginning and reading a great deal as the Spirit has started to move through me. Oh, how I wish we could worship together!! Thanks for mentioning the book, Ger. I will look into ordering it. Bless you, dear sisters-in-Christ!
Hi David: This is my second time through with you and I agree, the 2 yr plan is better.
Thank you for what you are doing here, Every day I learn more fresh daily bread.
Hi David, just wanted to encourage you as you walk in faith. I will continue to read the Word and your blog daily. Also enjoying the new Video version as well.