I, JESUS
Today’s Reading: Revelation 22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Underground rivers surface at Caesarea Philippi in northern Israel. This is one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here that the Apostle Peter began to, as today’s reading says, drink “of the water of life freely.” Here Peter’s thirst was quenched as he confessed to Jesus, “You are the Christ (Messiah), Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). One of the reasons for this blog is to encourage people everywhere to do as God’s final invitation in the Bible says, “Let him (or her) who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17b)!!!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
Bernard of Clairvaux wrote:
“Jesus the very thought of Thee
With Sweetness fills my breast,
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest!
Jesus our only joy be Thou
As Thou our prize wilt be:
Jesus, be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.”
This concluding chapter of Revelation is one of invitation. After giving a few more details about the new Jerusalem (verses 1-5), the vision crystalizes into the expectation of Christ’s return (verses 7, 12, 20) and the awesome offer to “whoever wishes” to “take the free gift of the water of life” (verse 17). It is a great invitation, and it is still possible to say “Yes” to God.
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” is the climactic statement of all Scripture. God has invited you! God has invited me! We can come to the wedding banquet. We can come to the new Jerusalem.
We can come because the Lord Jesus is coming…soon! The whole impetus of Revelation, and of history, is focused on that coming. His re-entry into space and time is the absolute pinnacle of the Church’s great hope.
As I wrote in my book, Theology for Non-Theologians,
“Suddenly the most sublime words of all come rolling out of the heavenlies. A divine invitation just for you…the whole point of the Bible suddenly becomes clear. A cry from deep within the heart explodes out on us, ‘Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’”
Indeed, “Thou our prize wilt be…”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I have heard Your invitation to drink of that “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” I am drinking now as I meditate on today’s reading. I am experiencing an inner “washing of water by the Word” (Ephesians 5:26b). It is an absolute necessity for life that I drink from Your “pure river” every day, without fail. I pray that I will not dehydrate spiritually, becoming a shrivelled up soul who fails to keep on drinking consistently! I ask for this blessing in the Name of Jesus Who cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37, 38). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I have two supplemental readings to suggest. Is it possible for a 21st century person to enter the mind space of Jewish people, who for over 600 years had been waiting for the Messiah (Ezekiel’s time to the time of Jesus)? I’ve tried to imagine the people who were worshipping God in the Temple and hearing the priests read the required Scripture on “The great day of the feast.” Read Ezekiel 47:1-12. Then read what Jesus did and said. He would have interrupted the liturgy with His loud cry! Read John 7:37-39! The priest had read of the living waters flowing out from under the doors of the Temple, and to the Jewish mind there was no mistaking the fact that Jesus, Himself, claimed to be those very waters prophesied about by Ezekiel.
Revelation 22:17a says, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘COME!'” That’s us. We, who believe in Jesus, are His bride! Make no mistake, you and I are to offer, in the power of the Spirit, that greatest invitation ever heard by human ears. Let’s get to it!!! Amen???
Also I cannot finish my personal words about the last chapter in the New Testament without referring to the last words of the Old Testament. In Malachi 4:6b God says, “Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse!” God did strike the earth with a curse. But it is written in Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ – see Deuteronomy 21:23). Because of the cross (the tree), the New Testament ends with the words of Jesus, “Surely I am coming quickly!” and we can respond, “Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!!!” And John gives us his final benediction, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) be with you all. Amen!!!” (the last two verses of the Bible).
Yours because it’s all about Jesus Who said, “I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16b),
David
P.S. My most heartfelt thanks to all who have helped me complete this two-year journey through the Bible. Today is my son Ron’s birthday. He has formatted each day’s blog and I’ve simply filled in the blanks. Ann, Ron’s wife, has read each blog before it is posted for accuracy, punctuation, etc. It’s also their daughter, Andrea Patterson’s birthday. She has recently obtained her PhD in bio-medial research, specializing in the field of cancer research and immunology, particularly in blood-related cancers. Happy birthdays from a very proud Dad, Grandfather, and from my sweetheart Norma-Jean, a proud Mom and Grandmother.
Over the next four days, until we start the next two-year reading period, I’ll be thanking others by name who have helped. The biggest thanks goes to God and to His people who’ve participated, reading with me daily for two whole years (or who have started along the way). Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!!
Several large reservoirs contain water from snow-capped Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the Middle East. The sources of the Jordan flow from underground streams that come from this mountain. On one occasion I travelled by a ski lift to the top. The borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel converge there. I witnessed an amazing sight. Just for fun the soldiers were exchanging snowballs across the border. They were all enjoying the fun in very good humour.
It is so rich to start the day with this blog. It is rich with spiritual insight, wisdom, encouragement, information, and delightful photographs! Thanks so much for continuing with it, Mainse family!
Happy birthday,Ron! God’s greatest blessings on you!
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea! Have a wonderful day. God Bless You Both!
Thank-you for continuing to post these wonderful bible study lessons.
Thank you Jesus for giving Your life that we may live. Thank you for your wonderful Word which You are also called in Revelation. Thank you David, Norma Jean, Ron, Ann, Reynold and all the Mainse family for this blog that I joined six years ago. And thank you to this blogging family who have supported in prayer and added to my life with you blogs as well. Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea. Appreciate you picking up the torch Ron and going forward with your father’s legacy. Thank you and God bless you all. Ger
Amen and amen!
Amen!!
Amen Ger.
Amen Ger!
Amen
I am so looking forward to another 2 years reading with you all again.
Thank you. Blessings to all.
Its been a year & a half since I started reading the WORD with David’s blog. I will have finished 2nd year in January. So thankful that Ron has continued his father’s legacy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ron and Andrea have a great celebration today and year ahead. GOD bless
Happy Birthday Ron! I have been so enriched by the reading of this blog on a daily basis for the past 4 years. I look forward to making it through the bible a third time. Amen!!
Thank you again for this way of reading the whole Bible. I have been doing this with David since The New Direction days. blessings on all who continue the great work.
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea!…..Thank you for keeping on doing the Blog…It is very motivational, and is keeping so many of us “in-Christ”
Happy Birthday, Mr. Mainse, and to your daughter, too! Thank you for the blog, and may God bless you and all his precious children today. In Jesus’s name, amen
Happy Birthday Ron & Andrea!! May your Special Day be Blessed mightily by God! This is the third time I have completed Reading the Bible through with your Dad’s Blogs Ron!! I have been so Blessed!!
Chris
Yes, Come Lord Jesus!!
Thank you Ron and Ann for continuing what David was inspired to present to us daily via this blog: Thank You Reynold for the awesome pictures you provided to enhance the scriptures: Thank you all who have contributed to this daily manna, during these past two years. I pray God’s blessing on all. Amen!
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea!!! God Bless you!
God bless you and Happy Birthday to Ron and Andrea! This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! amen amen amen
Some days there are few commenting.I hope it is inspiring for for Ron and family to see more people expressing their gratitude (Please include me.)It’s Wednesday and I’m still catching up from being away.
I wonder if the poem above was inspired by the same scripture as this one:
Inspired by Psalm 73:24-25
With wise counsel Thou will guide me
‘Til in glory Thou make me free,
For Who in heaven have I but Thee
And with no mortal I choose but with Thee to be,
For earthly strength may up and flee;
But Thou be my portion for eternity.
(G.W.)Bill Marshall/Oct 09, 2015
David has mentioned several times (no pun intended) “space-time”.He would have understood this poem too:
Time
Time is a dream where everyone partakes,
Like a bubble on the circle of eternity,
Where God can reach out as He makes
Each one ready to find infinity.
Time is made with a start and a finish,
Where eternity had never known such,
So He could measure without anguish
Every deed we do and each heart we touch.
Time is a miracle that hides our lives,
Where darkness is a future yet unknown,
For this darkness has treasure that gives
Light unto the many who’s truth he’s shown.
Time is a gift that will show The Master,
That we freely choose to love fellow man,
Or we fall in selfish disaster,
Where some choose to reject His holy plan.
Time will end at Heaven’s gates where His love
Will welcome His holy Lamb and His sheep,
With new work in His Kingdom above
To find the reward that each one shall reap.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 06 July, 2013
I hope you had a happy birthday,Ron and Andrea.(Her field of study,I assume,is no coincidence.)God bless
(A period denotes finality.For that reason,I try never to put a period after the word “bless” )
This blog has been a very great blessing to me and others.I’m well into my 3rd trip……3rd journey through the bible.I hope I don’t ‘trip’.
He will come at a time of His Father’s choosing;not of any man’s choosing (or guessing).