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.
Divine! We finished another two year study of the Bible! What words could be sweeter than these? Our God is the Root and Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And those of us who hear say, “Come!” Those who are thirsty come; and those who wish, take the free gift of the water of life. Fellow saints, we have been given everything in truth, faith, life and hope. The Lamb of God has sprinkled us with His undying blood and gift of eternal life. May this hope inspire all who may be struggling and feeling alone during dark times. We cling to Your Word in prayer, Lord God, for You are the shining Light that leads us home. We lift up our hearts in praise and thankgsgiving to You. Amen. His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11 ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV
Rejoice In The Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7CflVL5Drs
Happy Birthdays to Ron Mainse and Andrea Patterson. God bless you today, and in the year ahead. 🎂 🎈 🎉
Amen! Happy Birthday to Ron and Andrea!
This final chapter of Revelation fills our hearts with great hope and joy! Oh, what a Savior we have!
https://youtu.be/L-neoykTHBs
Wonderful, Deanna!! What a Saviour, indeed!! Wow!! 💜🙏🏻
Thank you for this blog. I have being reading it for 3 years, and will continue when it starts again in June. I thoroughly enjoyed studing the Bible in this fashion. Thank you David for the insight you had and for your love of Jesus, and never forgetting that it is “all about Jesus” . God bless the team who has continued to post this blog daily. Having completed Revelation and as we see this pandemic and the ravages it is causing we too cry out “Come Lord Jesus” Rev. 22:20b
God bless…. in Jesus name
Thank You, Lord God, for these Waters of Life. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are coming back soon, and there will be no more curse. Thank You, Lord, for the Mainse family and all who keep this ministry, and all gospel ministries, going. May Your Word, Lord, keep going out freely, more and more, deeper and deeper, throughout this world, bringing life, healing, and salvation wherever it goes. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen
Amen ! Come Lord Jesus !
Tears in my eyes today reading this last chapter. Eagerly waiting for His return. Will be beyond Words! Ravi Zacharias memorial will be @ 11 am today (instructions say tune in @ 10:30). Will be on FB & I Tunes & will be available to view at later times on line. I think Googling will give all the information. Happy birthday Ron & Andrea!
In agreement with Rob and Doreen, anticipating with tears in our eyes, the day our Lord and Saviour returns to us. It could be anytime. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Happy anniversary of your _ _ Birthdays,Ron and Andrea.
We have much to look forward to clothed in His grace,”face to face”,WOW !
I can’t begin to imagine that;if I did,I know it would fall short.A beautiful real poem too,both vivid flowing words and with excellent rhyming.If you take away the rhyme then you have a grocery list.This happens when one translates a poem from another language.It has to be appreciated in it’s mother language.I hope to one day read (and understand) the Psalms in their original language.Praise God
From Your Kingdom
When You summon me face to Face,
I will meet you clothed in Your grace,
And I will bow and kiss Your feet
When on holy ground we meet.
There will be tears flowing down my cheek
When no more worldly gain I seek,
For down so low upon my knees
I meet the end of my pleas.
You,oh Lord,came more than half way,
For my Pentecost on that day
Led me into the darkest pit
Where there was no candle lit.
But that was a test from above
And I was fed Your fiery love
To arm me for what is to come
When I serve from Your kingdom.
GW (Bill) Marshall,29 May,2020
Happy Anniversary Blog and Happy Birthday Andrea and Ron. I am ready to start on another two year journey.
Happy, joyful birthday Ron and Andrea and many many more.
A friend sent me this beautiful video befitting us seniors:-).
https://youtu.be/J8Ioa1gVVeA
One way our Lord redeems what he allows is by using suffering to grow us spiritually. Lucado suggests: “Rather than say, ‘God, why?’ ask ‘God, what? What can I learn from this experience?’ Rather than ask God to change your circumstances, ask him to use your circumstances to change you.”
God’s blessings upon all saints.
Yes, even so, come Lord Jesus, come. Getting to seem more real all the time. Looking out of my window at the beautiful white billowy clouds, the Lord Jesus is going to appear in them someday. There is a beautiful old hymn that goes, “Oh that will be glory for me, glory for me, when by His grace I shall look on His face, that will be glory, be glory for me.” We have made it through another 2 years in reading the Word and following David’s blog, 8 years in all since it was started. Thank you Lord Jesus for your gift of salvation, eternal life and the Word! Also thank you Ron and Ann, Norma Jean and fellow bloggers. It has been a good journey ! Also Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea, and be blessed.
Have been reading The Word through every 2 years since David started with New Direction. thankful for this plan and the daily remarks.
thank you, Ron and Ann
looking forward to starting in Genesis June 3.
Happy Birthday Ron and Andrea.I have enjoyed 100 Words since David first started it. Thank you for continuing it. God bless you all.
Revelation 22 – what an amazing chapter. What an amazing Promise. What an amazing invitation. A significant admonition to John, “do not seal the words of this prophecy.”… there is still time to accept the all-inclusive invitation “Come”…”Come” to an amazing Saviour – the Glorified Lord.. as the Holy Spirit touches our lives again and again. I think the cry of “the Spirit & Bride” saying “Come” … is getting louder by all who Love the Lord.. and as we witness the happenings in the word. “Even so, Lord Jesus, Come!”
Grateful to David Mainse for this 2 year reading of the Bible and blog and to his dear wife and Partner, Norma-Jean. Praying God will continue to undergird her and the entire family with His ongoing love, grace and comfort.
Joining you again for the “5th” round of the two Year Bible Reading.
Thanking Ron & Ann for continuing the blog in Memory of Ron’s Dad and the time, effort and commitment to do this.
Special Happy Birthday to Ron & Andrea.
“Strength” and “Peace” (Psalm 29:11
Sam
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON, Its your day, enjoy it:)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA, have a wonderful day!!
Thank you Mainse family for posting this blog; Looking forward to the next two years.
Enjoy this day saints
Watched on Utube the Memorial Service for Ravi Zachariah. It was wonderful, if you get a chance watch it.
I enjoyed all comments and poems today.
Also HappyBirthday to Ron&Andrea. Eleanor M.
Thank you Ron & Ann for continuing the Blog – Happy birthday to both Ron & Andrea – Looking forward to another 2 years in GOD’S WORD and the comments