THE KINGDOM
Today’s Reading: Revelation 11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Red Basilica is a monumental ruined temple in the ancient city of Pergamos, now Bergama, in western Turkey. The temple was built by the Roman Empire, probably in the time of Emperor Hadrian and possibly on his orders. It is one of the largest Roman structures still surviving. This great empire obviously felt threatened by a 90-year-old Christian Jew named John, so much so that they arrested him, put him in prison, and then exiled him to an island so he could no longer preach on the streets of their cities. But they still could not silence him. There on that island he wrote the amazing book called, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 11:15b
The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
As John’s vision continues, he is given a measuring device and is told to “measure the temple of God and the altar” and to “count the worshippers there” (verse 1). He is also told not to measure the “outer court” because it has been given to “the Gentiles” who will “trample on the holy city for 42 months” (verse 2). Then the speaker refers to “my two witnesses” (the speaker is not named but I think we can assume it is Jesus) who will “prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth” (verse 3).
John goes on to say that these two witnesses are “two olive trees” and “two lampstands” who devour their enemies with fire that comes out of their mouths (verses 4, 5). Then, in verse 6, he calls them men, and in verses 7-12 we see them killed by a “beast that comes up from the Abyss”, and after three and a half days, they are resurrected and ascend “up to heaven in a cloud.”
The witnesses are not named, so I won’t speculate as to their identity (although some commentators build a case for them being Elijah and Moses). The beast is also not named, but we do know that this beast is the first of four referred to in the vision. The other three were the dragon (or Satan, 12:3), the beast with ten horns and seven heads (13:1), and the beast with two horns who spoke like a dragon (13:11). Apart from the variety of description, all these beasts are committed enemies of God. In this chapter, many commentators identify this beast with the Antichrist.
But the key verse (verse 15) is the focus of the chapter. The “kingdom of the world”, that is: Satan’s domain, will eventually give way to “the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.” The Lamb will “begin to reign” (verse 17).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, rule and reign over my life here and now! You have given me the great honour to come into Your presence and speak with You in prayer…and You speak to me through Your Word, which I read daily. I pray for the ability to concentrate on what You have to say, and after I have listened carefully, I ask for grace to do that which pleases You! In the Name of the One Who always pleased You, Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Very early in my life, I knew that a king ruled over a kingdom. As a Canadian, our king was named George VI. He was my king for my first 16 years. I was confused as a little boy, because we had a Canadian Prime Minister called Mackenzie King. There was never any confusion in my mind as to the real King, the King of kings, Jesus Christ. As a family, we bowed our heads and prayed before every meal and went to our knees after every meal to worship God and to pray for His blessings upon us. I never doubted that we were in the very presence of Almighty God! At least once every day my father would pray, “O God, may the smile of Your approval be upon our lives for this day!”
For several years I had the honour to serve as a judge in the awarding of the “Templeton Prize.” Among the prize winners were Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Rabbi Jacobovitz (Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth), Bill Bright, and others. The judges were invited each year to Buckingham Palace where the presentation was made to the winner. I discovered that there were ornately decorated rooms in the Palace representing every area of the world where Britain had once ruled. While their “Kingdom of this world” has been diminished greatly, the memories of an empire that once ruled over people on every continent were still there. The symbol of the “Lion,” depicting Great Britain’s power, seemed to be everywhere in and around the Palace. Look again at today’s key verse. The “Lamb” upon the throne! For some reason, I keep thinking over and over again of the nursery rhyme, “Mary had a little lamb.” Yes she did! The blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to “The Lamb of God!” A marvellous songwriter, Mark Lowry, who has often appeared on the 100 Huntley Street telecast, wrote a song called, Mary, Did You Know? Click here to listen to this song of profound and powerful truth.
Yours for Jesus’ reign forever and ever!!!,
David
P.S. What is Jesus’ Kingdom like? It’s described by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The stories and teachings written in the Gospels, which took place in between the birth of Jesus and His death, followed by His resurrection, are about His Kingdom rule here and now and in the world to come!!! I have a suggestion! This summer, set aside four days to read, non-stop if possible, one complete Gospel each day. I plan to do this in order to comprehend, in a fuller way, the eternal Kingdom!
A view from inside the Red Basilica in ancient Pergamos.
Great teaching, today. Oh, how we love You, Lord. You are the air we breathe. You are the step we spring. You are the hope we need. You are the faith we believe. You are the mercy and grace to which we cling. You are our everything, Lord. Our Prince of Peace, our King of Kings, our way, our truth and our life. We are nothing without You but everything with You. You transform us. You redeem us. You receive us. You transcend us. You carry us and uplift us. Whom have we in heaven but You, Lord? Our hearts and our flesh may fail. But You, Lord God, are the strength of our hearts and our portion, forever. May His unfailing love and blessing fill your hearts, this morning, fellow saints in the Lord. Oh, how He loves us, so!!!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
This is the Air I Breath_Michael W. Smith Lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEDcKZB7r2A
What a marvellous peace of music Beverlee. Very anointed. Psalm 3. The lifter of my head is a literal truth. Where would we be without the Love of God and the hope we have in Him. Blessings all.
Amen Beverlee; thanks, one of my favorite worship songs; it was popular many years ago; it needs to be brought into circulation once again
Amen Beverlee
God Bless You!!!
Great word from Dr. David Jeremiah on current times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVailav65Fc
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.”
Jeremiah 17:7 ESV
Thank you Beverlee what a powerful and clear message: thank you Pastor David Jeremiah
Agreeing fully with you in your prayer, dear Beverlee. I look forward to checking out the link you shared, and listen to Dr. David Jeremiah on this rainy, holiday Monday.
Listened to a very powerful message by Paul Washer last night, one of the most compelling and challenging I have ever heard, called Examine Yourself:
https://youtu.be/Ky8dTyPpiAo
Love and blessings on all you saints in the Lord today!
Dear Lord God, I heard someone say that prayer is a time to pour out all our doubts, fears, worries and misgivings to You. You do tell us to cast all our cares on You because You care for us, and You also say You desire honesty in us. Thank You, Lord God, that we can be totally honest with You, and that You will not turn us away. We are weak, Lord. Please help us to trust You, rest in You, love You, and love others. We are dirty, Lord. Please clean us so others can see the Spirit of God in us. We are scared, Lord, so often. Help us to trust in You as a child trusts in her strong father’s care. We need You, Lord. You are faithful, so help us to choose Your ways. Thank You, Lord, for Your loving care always. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob. Amen.
Agreeing with your prayer Rob
Amen Rob
I’m in tears
God Bless You
Wonderful posts of thanksgiving and praise to our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in whom is our only hope. Woke up at 12 midnight and went to my computer and came up with a prophecy of the end times and what is happening now in preparation to the coming of the antichrist by J.D. Faraq. Talking about such things as tracking and detention rooms etc. But he finished saying we Christians should not fear as we will be taken from here in the Rapture which could happen anytime. We were suppose to get rain today but so far it is a bright sunny day. Blessings on your day saints.
Did you listen to the sermon from Dr. David Jeremiah that I posted, Ger? It is all about his opinion on the coronavirus in relation to the end times. Well worth the hearing. It has been rainy and cold and overcast here, all day. Keep your toes warm and God bless you.
Always great prayers,Rob.Thank you.
Honesty with God is actually being honest with ourselves for God always knows the truth and knows our hearts better than we do ourselves but some are so confused with the lies of this world that it ‘confuses their hearts’ so when we are honest with God we are reaching deeper into our hearts and this is how He helps us to be ‘honest with ourselves’ and thus knowing ourselves better and,again,He always knows the truth….but wants us to know it too.IMHO.
Surrender
I lay them down in front of you,
For Jesus,that is what I must do
When my burdens become too much,
I surrender them to your gentle touch.
Lord,I give all my troubles to you,
They are yours when my day is through,
Please make them smaller for me
So I am unencumbered and free.
Lord you found me and gave me hope
With new strength that I might cope,
And now I have surrendered to you,
Body and soul to be made anew.
You lifted me up so I could see,
That you were always beside me,
Now I feel grief for the lost years,
But I shall not cry any wasted tears.
So I will lay them at Your holy feet,
For You have made me more complete,
I am yours through the fires of Hell,
With love that Satan’s hordes can’t quell.
G W(Bill) Marshall/2012
Written,over a year after my ‘surrender’,
on my knees,in my living room.
Emotional poem that spilled out from your heart William; thanks for sharing
Listened to David Jeremiah’s sermon tonight Beverlee. Very good sermon and thank you for posting.