Saturday, May 14, 2022

144,000

Today’s Reading: Revelation 7 

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem is said to be the place where the shepherds watched their flocks by night, when the angels appeared to them with the announcement of the birth of Jesus. In the symbolism of today’s reading, the Lamb is also the Shepherd. Tradition tells us that John was in a cave on the island of Patmos when he received the “Revelation.”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ “Day Unto Day” devotional series)…

Reading Revelation is like looking through a kaleidoscope. The colours, the patterns, the overall picture keeps changing – it seems in constant flux. Suddenly, the martyrs “under the altar” of 6:9 are now “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb” (7:9). Numbered among them are “144,000 from all the tribes of Israel” (verse 4). I say “numbered” loosely, for we’re reading about an apocalyptic vision here, and any number’s value is symbolic. (Even the naming of “all the tribes” bows to symbolism in this case, for the tribe of Dan is not mentioned. Instead of Dan is Manasseh – see Genesis 49.)

As the martyrs glorify God – “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (verse 10) – the angels “around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures” (verse 11a) fall down and worship (verses 11b, 12).

In the middle of all this, a dialogue occurs between two people: John and “one of the elders” (verse 13a). The elder asks John if he knows who these countless thousands are. Then he answers the question himself, telling John that “these are they who have come out of the great tribulation” (verse 14a). They “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (verse 14b). And now, “the Lamb…will be their shepherd” (verse 17). That first martyr, Jesus, who gave His life that they might live, “will lead them to springs of living water” (verse 17b). The Lamb is a Shepherd.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

O “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b), Your servant, John, was likely there at the Jordan 70 years earlier and heard John the Baptist say those words. Thank You for all those years of faithfulness by John and for the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” which he shares with us. I pray for the faith to receive the promise. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a child of probably 9 or 10, Revelation 6:14-17 made a huge impression on me at a family altar reading. The word picture here is so powerful! I could imagine all the rulers who thought they were so big, so important, and so powerful that they did not need God, and who had blasphemed His Name, cowering in the caves for fear. I could almost hear them crying out “to the mountains and rocks ‘fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!'” (6:16). I remember looking around at my mother and father and seeing peace and security on their faces. And when we knelt in prayer, their prayers for lost souls gave me a sense of that which is most important in preparing for eternity. Mother died when I was 12. I had no doubt that she was in a place of perfect peace and joy. For me, however, I wallowed in self-pity and resentment against God for almost four years. I urge, with passion in my heart, for everybody to come to Jesus now. He took upon Himself the judgment of God! At His death the rocks ripped apart, the skies were total darkness, and He said, “It is finished!” From that time until now He says to us who believe, “DO NOT FEAR!!!” Call 1-866-273-4444 for a loving person who will pray with you for assurance of your eternal safety, security, love and peace in Jesus!

Yours for NO FEAR!!!

David

The support pillars were not there in the cave with the shepherds and sheep at the birth of Jesus but are in place today as a safety measure for visitors. God chose the shepherds as the first evangelists. They proclaimed to all in Bethlehem, the place where the lambs for the Temple sacrifices were born and raised. Luke probably interviewed the shepherds for his Gospel. He wrote of the shepherds, “They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child, and all those who heard it marvelled at those things which were told them concerning this Child” (Luke 2:17-18).

11 thoughts on “Saturday, May 14, 2022

  1. Do not fear. DO NOT FEAR. Thank You Lord. Knowing that You are in control and that You Love us, is so comforting. Bless our families and friends with this Truth also, in Jesus Name. Amen

    • So true dear Doreen, amen. I’ve been ill lately and missed a few 100 Huntley St. blogs but love the way it just continues with God’s word and keeps on a keepin on:-).
      Praying more souls would come to Jesus each and every day and bring their children to Him also. Blessings on all saints.
      Please pray for my complete and total healing…”where two or more…”

  2. Father, You are in control, and we praise You for that. We see so much turmoil in this worldly world, but this is not our eternal home. Thank You for going to prepare a place for us where there will be no more tears. In the meantime, we pray for healing and strength for Lynda and for all our families and loved ones. We pray for Your workers – blessings on each one; help all do the work You have given. We ask You to open the doors for Your Word to go out to all people everywhere. We ask You to pour out Your Holy Spirit so many will turn to You today. All this and more, petitions and praise, in Jesus’s great name, amen

  3. Amen Lynda.
    I pray for your complete healing, in Jesus’
    Holy Name, Amen.
    May God bless you with good health and peace of mind in His Name, Amen.

  4. Thank you so very much all dear bloggers for your kind prayer asking God for my complete and total healing. Feeling better already:-)
    God bless you and yours.

    • Amen! Thankful to know, Lynda.

      So encouraging to be unified in Hs Spirit! Thanking all for prayers spoken and unspoken.

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