READ, LOOK, LISTEN
Today’s 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.
Beautiful photos and history. Grateful for today’s interpretation that Revelation 14 is a message about the Father, the Lamb and His followers. That’s God’s message to us, saints. We are His children, worthy to be saved. We are forgiven by His undying love and sacrificical mercy and grace for us. Just as the disciple Peter was forgiven, look now at his basilica showing undying respect for Jesus who died and rose again. He shared the Word and Truth of our Lord just as David has with this blog; just as we are, fellow saints in the Lord. His blessings upon you, today. Oh how He loves us, so!
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 ESV
Sing to Jesus – Bethel Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AkjdQ3vnIg
Thank you Beverlee I enjoyed reading your post and the song was wonderful. I also loved the young woman who spoke at the end of it.
Yesterday was 1 year since my Grandson Gavin had his brain surgery. MY daughter shared with all how the Lord brought him through it. She thanks all the many people for their prayers, which include those off you are and have been praying for Gavin. He graduated from High School and hopes to go to college in the fall. He still has to have done more therapy on his right foot but it is a miracle that he survived. All praise goes to the Great Healer Jesus. Christ.
Blessings to all, hope your are enjoying a beautiful day like we are here in Ontario. Eleanor M
Thank you Lord for answering prayer
Thank you Eleanor for the update on Gavin. Praise the Lord!! Our prayers were answered, amen! Indeed, Gavin is a living miracle and we rejoice!! 💜
So happy for Gavin’s miracle! May He always live a life of gratitude for what the Lord has done for him.
Thank you, Eleanor for updating us. God bless you and your family!
Love to all of you, dear bloggers ❤️
Amen Beverlee
Praise the Lord for answered prayer. I also have a wonderful grandson, Gavin, who just finished Bibb school. God is so good!!
High School
Thank You, Lord God, for making us to be like Jesus. Please help all Your people everywhere to grow in You today, and to do and say the things You have prepared for each of us. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen,Rob.
Amen
Great sermon from Dr. Charles Stanley. Wow! Thank You!
The Courage to Keep Going – Dr. Charles Stanley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aun6rZywvx8
thank you Beverlee for posting this link; timely for me
Wonderful testimony of David of the Catholic sisters receiving the Holy Spirit. Welcome all who call on the Name of the Lord and are saved into the body of Christ. Amen. What a privilege to serve God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for posting about our brother Ravi Zacharias yesterday and I have also heard his testimony on tv. he will be greatly missed. Thanks for posting saints. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
He has many such stories and I love them all…it adds to our faith and shows the living Word.
Amen Ger
We have to stop treating Christianity as a competition and “walk in the light that “we have.Jesus will straighten out any differences created by denominational ‘barriers’ which comes from pride.
The SDA community lost a gentle giant following routine knee replacement surgery.He was a retired X ray tech who knew the bible ‘like Spock in Star Trek’.and will be greatly missed by their little church.He is a past member of our
interdenominational ‘Mens Club/choir.
My close friend and mentor,Rev John Fortier has a leaky heart valve and just found out he has Pancreatic Cancer.They see his doctor today to discuss his options.He is the most humble man I know and just turned 86 last week.Another member of our ‘Mens Club’ (choir),another extremely humble man.has an arm badly swollen and is going to a nursing home.Please pray for them and their many loved ones.Thank you.
May yall be blessed.
”’ Matthew 6:5-15 New International Version (NIV)
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”’
Dr Stanley speaks of this in this message.Yall be blessed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juCDFnel90E
Amen