Revelation 8:10-11 – The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
“ The third angel sounded his trumpet…” The judgements are coming one after another.
“…and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water…” Some think that this judgement is from nuclear fallout. It is not inconceivable that it may be so. The word for star is both literal and figurative. So if it is here used figuratively, then perhaps a man who lived over two thousand years ago, seeing a fiery missile entering the atmosphere may see it as a fallen star. However, this does not seem likely. A nuclear bomb would hurt more than just fresh water. This judgement falls specifically on one third of the fresh waters of the world. That indicates that waters throughout the world, are targeted. The Word here says “a” great star fell. That would mean one star, not multiple stars. To hit multiple targets across the world would require more than one missile.
This seems to be exactly what it said it is, a fallen star. In Matthew 24:29 Jesus, speaking of the End Times, said that “…the stars will fall from the sky…” This star falling onto earth would seem to be a fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus gave.
We may consider that missiles will usually hit what they were meant to hit. It will not break up as it follows its course. A star entering the earth’s atmosphere can easily break up and thus hit different regions of the earth. What this star mostly hits is the fresh water sources. So this star lands where He who sent it intends for it to land. This star is judgement and He who is sending the judgment on the earth directs it to the exact targets He intends.
“…the name of the star is Wormwood.” Wormwood means bitter. The word in Greek is “apsinthion” (transliteration). The tie to Exodus 15:22-25 seems clear. Here the people of Israel were in the desert for three days and they had found no water to drink. Finally they saw water and ran to drink it. But the water was not drinkable, it was bitter water. So people began to grumble against Moses. Then the Lord showed Moses a “piece of wood” NIV. The NIV calls what Moses was led to a “piece of wood.” The NKJV calls it a “tree.” The ESV called it a “log,” but adds the footnote that it could be translated as “tree.” The original word is translated either as “tree,” “wood,” “stick,” or even “gallows.” So it is interesting that the waters of Marah (bitter) were made fresh by the tree. Jesus died upon the cross of wood and saved mankind. He turned a bitter life and future to a sweet life and future. God led Moses to use a specific tree to turn the water of death to the water of life. Jesus died to give us eternal life. Now this star called Wormwood falls upon the fresh waters, makes it bitter, and many people die from drinking it. The people of God do not drink this polluted water and the judgement of God does not fall on them. They are already safe in Heaven. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” John 4:14. So those on earth, those who reject Jesus as Savior and Lord, will drink the bitter waters of judgement and will perish. Those who drink from the Life of Jesus, will live forever with Him. Praise God!
An interesting side note for those who believe that this star is a nuclear missile is that Chernobyl, in English, is wormwood. However, that nuclear tragedy had not, as far as we know, polluted one third of fresh water on earth. Also, the nuclear site did not fall from the sky.
“A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.” This bitter water kills people. This is the third trumpet of judgement upon a rebellious earth.
Family, it is true that we will be saved from this judgement (1 Thessalonians 5:9). But what of all our family, friends and acquaintances? If we have the love of God within us, and all His children do, then we love these people (John 3:16). We bring the Gospel to them, we pray for them, and we pray that they would repent and be saved. Children of God are not satisfied that that they themselves are saved, but, as the Lord does, desires that all would come to know Him as Savior and Lord (1 Timothy 2:4). As we believe that the time for the Lord’s return is close, perhaps it may happen today, we need to keep putting out the Word of God to all who will listen, and even to those who will not. Let us love and pray for the world as we endeavor to reach it. Blessings and love to all! God bless you all!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 8:-9 – The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
“…something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea.” John does not say that a blazing mountain fell into the sea, but says it was “something like” a blazing mountain. It is not said specifically what it is. What is most theorized is that it is a huge asteroid that strikes penetrates the atmosphere of the earth and intact strikes the ocean. Certainly the fact that it is blazing may be a result from entering the earth’s atmosphere.
This is not a natural phenomenon as John relates that whatever it is that strikes the sea was thrown into the sea. This is not an errant asteroid that happens to strike the earth, but it is something that was purposely “thrown” into the sea. John does not say who threw it, but since we know that this is a judgement from God it would seem obvious who threw it. It would seem to be the Lord, though that is not said.
“A third of the sea turned into blood…” It does not say it is blood colored, but that it “turned into blood.” The text seems to clearly state that the sea is not merely blood colored but that it is turned into blood. The word used here is ginomai (transliteration) and it is most often translated as “be,” with the intent of something “becoming” something. A change takes place. Water becomes blood. Family, let no one with a bent on allegorizing this Word of God convince you that this change is merely the color of blood due somehow to pollution. This is an event, a happening, that arises from the judgement of God. What happens here has precedence, on a smaller scale, in Exodus 7:19-21. That happening, and this one, are both judgements from God.
“…a third of the living creatures in the sea died…” The first trumpet brought judgement to land, this judgement is upon the sea. About seventy-five percent of the world is water. It has been estimated that the Atlantic Ocean makes up about thirty percent of the ocean waters. If this blazing mountain landed in the Atlantic, it is possible to for this type of death in the oceans to occur. This would not simply mean devastating loss of marine life, but the ramifications would absolutely affect human life. It is not said that this causes human death, but result from this loss of marine life would likely cause inestimable human lives. The ecosystem of the seas would be devastating. The impact on the ocean’s circle of life would be crippling.
“…and a third of the ships were destroyed.” There is much thought about if a tsunami would occur. Most would think it would, the size of the resulting tsunami is estimated differently. The direct results of this on human life and property would depend on where it landed. If it landed in the middle of the ocean it is estimated to have less immediate direct impact on loss of human lives than if it landed near the coast. An object as big as described here would bring hurricane force winds, besides the resulting tsunami. If it landed by the coast it would cause great loss of life.
Again Family, judgement from God falls upon those who reject Him. All this is terrifying to the unredeemed, but not to the saints. God protects his people, as He did with Noah (Genesis 6-9) and with Lot (Genesis 9:1-29). Let us pray that many will repent and turn to Jesus as Lord and Savior and thereby save their lives. Let us know the certainty of the facts that God is good all the time and that He loves us. Let us always praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 8:6-7 – Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. 7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
“Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.” These seven angels with their seven trumpets “prepared” to sound them. What does that mean? We are not told. This a reminder that, while God gives us much information and detail, He does not give us all the information and all the detail. Some things that we would like to know we just have to wait until God reveals them to us. Perhaps in heaven. We should be satisfied with this because it is the God Himself who decided what to tell us and what not to tell us. We dare not think that we know or understand better than God. Let us not think about God should have revealed this, or done this or that. God is God and we are not. Let us be satisfied with what God has revealed. Sure we can wonder, but let us be satisfied with what God gives us, in all matters.
“The first angel sounded his trumpet…” The first four trumpets that will be blown are again divided into four and three. The first four are against nature and the final three against unrepentant man.
The interlude of silence, the gathering of the prayers of the saints, is passed. With the prayers of the people of God hurled to the earth, terrifying judgement is coming to the earth. No wonder Stephen cried out to the Lord asking Him to not hold the sins of the people who were killing him against them (Acts 7:60). What is coming upon the earth is horrible and terrifying. It is enough. Especially to those who refuse Jesus as Savior and Lord. Yet, though this may be hard for some to receive, there is beauty and peace in these judgements. We must remember that what is happening is God’s justness, righteousness and faithfulness. He has said this would happen and it is happening. This is beautiful to those who love and serve God. For just as true that judgement is falling, as the Lord said it would, so is His grace and mercy a sure thing. So while even the Christian sees the horror and terror coming to the earth, there is a peace in knowing that God will keep all His promises to His people. His people will be in peace with Him for eternity. Praise God!
When people lament that people who do not love Jesus have riches and fame, while knowing the frustration of aspects of that, it may be best to grant that to the lost. See, those who have rejected the Messiah, only have hope in this world. In eternity, there is no hope for them. While we, the redeemed, focus not on this world but on eternity. So let the lost have their coins and their conquests, the redeemed of the Lord have their treasure, God Himself. Praise God!
“…and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth.” Notice that this judgement does not flow to earth, but is hurled down to earth. The judgement of God has been restrained so that as many as would come to Him would come (2 Peter 3:9). He has been holding back the judgement that the rebellious have piled up against themselves. He has given them every chance to repent. They have not. Now, the judgement that they said would never come, is hurled down and they shall suffer the consequences of rejecting Jesus, and thereby God.
“…hail and fire mixed with blood…” Some see this as nuclear warfare. Some see this as an electrical thunderstorm such as never before has been seen. The blood is seen by some to mean the skies will colored blood red.
“A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” Notice that these trumpet blasts bring limited judgement. All the earth, all the trees and all the grass will not be burned up. This is not the final judgement to come. Which part of the earth, which trees and what grass is part of the one third? It is not explained. Are the targets of this judgement targets that are meant to most wake up man? Such as fruit trees, and crops? Or is it limited to one part of the earth? Or does this hail and fire target certain areas that would most likely cause people to repent? We are not told, but what we do know is that this devastation is certainly coming to the earth. God is still sending the alarm to repent. Why? Because He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23).
Family, we don’t want any of our loved ones to have to endure the coming judgement on the earth. We need to tell all who will listen. We must tell them in love and with humility and respect (1 Peter 3:15), even at the risk of their anger. We want them to repent and be saved, just as we have and as we are. Let the book of Revelation wake us up. Let us not be slack in spreading the Gospel. All who love God care about the lost. Let’s never ease up in our active and passionate desire to share Jesus.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
by Bob withRevelation 8:2-5 – And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.” These angels are not directly identified, other than their position before God. Standing before God is symbolic for serving Him, being ready to do what He speaks. These angels are ready to do the work of God. Oh that I could be as ready as these angels are and that I would always have the heart of the boy Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10 “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.””). Sometimes it is imperative that we do not question a directive from another, but act on it immediately. Sometimes life and death depend on whether ones acts immediately of not. When someone yells “Duck!” it is best to do so immediately. It is better to be wrong than to risk severe harm, or death, because we did not obey the call to “duck.” When God speaks what should immediately follow is action to obey. It is in our best interest. It is the correct response to everything God says.
Trumpets are calls to action, calls to war, like a bugle in the battlefield. They are often blown signifying end times events (Some examples of trumpet usage may be seen in Numbers 10, Exodus 19:16-19, 1 Kings 1:34,39, Joshua 6:13-16).
The seven angels were given seven trumpets. Someone gave the angels the trumpets, who did is not identified.
There are references from the Apocrypha that speak of seven angels that stand before God and carry the prayers of the saints, and even gives names of these angels. The supposed names of them are Uriel, Raphael, Ragel, Michael, Saraquel, Gabriel and Remiel. This is interesting, but should be considered tradition more than scripture, and thus properly weighted.
“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar…” This angel is likewise not identified.
The angel had with him a golden censer. The censer was a vessel that could be used for carrying burning incense. It could be shaped like a bowl, or even like a sauce pan (with a handle). That the censer is golden is meaning that what is within it is of great value.
Before the altar, where the mercy, benevolence and provision of God is sought. The altar is golden, as we shall see with the following verse. Again, it is golden because of the importance purpose and position of it.
“He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.” The incense here accompanies, but is specifically not, the prayers of God’s people. In Revelation 5:8 the incense was the prayers. Here the incense accompanies the prayers.
What is placed on the golden altar is the prayers of all God’s people. It is interesting that the word “all” is used here. It is not referring only to the prayers of tribulation saints, but rather says “all.” All would include all of us saints. Are the prayers of saints that had not previously been answered found here, and now answered? One thing we know is that the Lord hears our prayers (1 John 5:14). All our prayers to the Lord are heard and all of them are precious to Him. He does not lose one of them. Praise God!
Where the prayers are placed are on the golden altar before the very throne of God. Praise God!
“The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” The prayer of God’s people, from the hand of angel to the presence of God. What a wonderful picture!
“Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” Here is the reason for the silence in the midst of judgement falling upon earth. The value and importance of our prayer is great with the Lord. Even the Great Tribulation is stopped for a brief time as God addresses the prayers of His people. We look back to Revelation 6:9-11 where the Lord tells the souls under the altar to wait. The time for justice and judgement of God will come. Here we see the prayers of all God’s people hurled to the earth and the judgement that falls on the earth is now multiplied. The prayers of those that the world hated and mistreated because they stood with Jesus now ignites what is coming to the earth “peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. The half hour of silence is broken. With it comes the horror of God’s judgment on the earth. Hebrews 10:31 NLV “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Some may condemn God at this point. That reminds me of the well know term applied to people who testify against a law breaker. It is that many call these people a “rat.” Isn’t that everything backward! The person who did wrong calls the person who did right a “rat.” The truth is that the person who did the wrong was the one who acted like a rat and the person who told on the person was the one who did the right thing. That is what the world is transforming into. Bad is called good and good is called bad. Yet, Family, the time of judgement is close, but not yet upon us. May we be the messengers, the sent ones, who tells everyone that we know, as soon as possible, that today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). God is good and loves us, let us live in His love, grace and mercy. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Revelation 8:1 – When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
At the end of Revelation is the great multitude who were slain in “the great tribulation.” The next verse is Revelation 8:1. The seventh seal is opened and a hush falls on heaven. God pauses and the entire audience of heaven is instantly quieted. From the flurry of activity and heart racing events that proceeded the opening of the seventh seal, now it is quiet.
Recalling times in services when the congregation were singing and praising God. Songs and exclamations of praise pouring from people to praise God as best they knew how. Then, suddenly the worship would seem to stop and everyone was waiting. Someone new to the church may have wondered what was happening. People stopped and listened. Waiting for God to inspire a message. Great anticipation was in the room. When the message came, our hearts were filled to overflowing and the result was a fresh outburst of praise and gratitude to God! Oh, the best of times.
Getting on a roller coaster the young see the heights of the path of the roller coaster and are excited, they can’t wait for the roller coaster to peak and the fun to begin. The older folks may get on the roller coaster with a gulp in the throat and wait for the ride to happen. The roller coaster climbs in slow jerky motions and then, for a moment that seems much longer than it is, it pauses. Everyone is now at the top. Everyone sees what is coming. It is quiet at the top.
Those saints who were slaughtered during the Great Tribulation have asked the Lord, how long till their murders are avenged in the justice and righteousness of God. He hushed them, instructing to wait a bit, till the full number who were also to be martyred is complete.
What comes next? Silence. For a full half hour. After all the excitement that half hour must seem like hours. It is as if God is saying, to be calm, to be still before God and consider what has happened and what is coming (1 Samuel 12:16, Habakkuk 2:20, Psalm 37:7). We shall see that the pungent prayers of the saints are filling the nostrils of the Lord. This is a solemn moment. Six seals have been broken and judgement has begun to overtake the earth. The prayers of saints are about to receive the action of God, with grave consequences to the world. Saints have prayed and God has taken them in with a mighty inhaling. What will happen? How will God react to the martyrdom of His saints? How will He react to the prayer of His saints crying out in prayer for help? God has hushed the crowd. The anticipation is palpable. All of heaven is quiet and waits for the Lord to act. What shall come? The Lord knows.
When we are on a life roller coaster, tossed to and fro, rising to heights only to be plunged down to scary depths, what should we be doing? We ought to do, we ought to be, as John described himself when the Revelation began (Revelation 1:10). We ought to be in the Spirit. How are we found in the Spirit? In prayer. In prayer seeking God. In prayer seeking God with all that we are. In prayer seeking God with all that we are as if our very lives depend on it. When we seek God our eyes, our minds and our hearts God will meet us and teach us Truth. He will reveal Truth to us. Yet, we must pursue God with all that we are . We must love God with an insatiable thirst (Psalm 63). It is there that God most often speaks. There are exceptions, but that is where God speaks to His saints. It is there that the Word of God is revealed by the Holy Spirit. It is there that God Himself calms us and coos to our spirits. Consider that Jesus said that we are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).” Yes, this is saying to love God with all that we are, but it is more than that! It is to ache and to long for God (Psalm 51:11). It is wanting God with a necessity greater than food, or drink, or air (Psalm 63:1)! It is a need to have God or be certain of death. It is urgent! It is desperation with the knowledge of attaining. When we seek God in such a way, God answers. God speaks, God reveals.
This hush that fell in heaven also brought intense longing to see and know the will and the plan of God. We are betwixt the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and His return. It is appropriate, it is correct, to be, with bated breath, waiting for His return. Lord Jesus please return! God Almighty we await the fulfillment of Your plan. Heaven is focused on what comes next. May we also be. As we do may the praises of God resound within us. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Luke 2:1-21 – In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Family I pray that every morning we would remind ourselves of the wonder of the birth of Jesus. The reason Jesus came was because of the love of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit for us. One of the most famous verses of the Bible is John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The verse starts “For God so loved the world.” Why did Jesus come? Because God has loved mankind that He created. The secret of the birth of Jesus Christ (Christ means “Anointed One” or “Chosen One. It is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah. Jesus Christ means “Jesus the Messiah.”) is the love of God for all of us. That is why Jesus came. All of us were lost (Romans 3:10) and Jesus came to lead all who would follow, back to a right relationship with God. The birth of Jesus, the life of Jesus, from His sweet birth to His suffering and death is all because of God’s love for us. This is not a small statement. To mankind, there is no statement more powerful that was ever uttered. “God so loved the world.” God so loved Bob. God so loved you. God so loved every human being that ever lived that He sent His Son to the earth to die for all of us. “God so loved the world!”
As so many of us are warm in our homes, together with family, as we celebrate Jesus, let us look with love and appreciation at all our loved ones. Let us all have an “Ah, I love them all so much” moment. Let us soak it all in and be taken by the moment. Maybe a perfect moment. Now imagine taking one of your children, one of your loved ones, and telling them that they must be sacrificed for the world. Really, let that horrid thought chill your bones. Will you sacrifice your child, or let our husband or wife go to be killed for the world. It is a choice that is hard to imagine to agree to. In fact, it seems impossible. God sent His “one and only Son” to die so that we may live forever in His love, joy, and peace. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” God loves us all so much that He sent Jesus “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus loved His Father and us all so much that He was willing to do so. That is the miracle of God’s love for us, the miracle of the birth of Jesus that we all should celebrate every day of our lives.
In good conscience I cannot end there. John 3:17 tells us that Jesus came not as a condemning God to send us all to a place of eternal fire, but to save us from hell. John 3:18 then states “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” This verse is telling us that, building on V17, whoever believes is Jesus is saved. Then V18 reveals what those who love Jesus are saved from. First, what does the word “save” mean? It means that someone is in a certain position, or situation, usually harmful or life threatening, that they have a need to be removed from by another because they cannot (are incapable) do so themselves. See, some may twist a very important fact. The fact is that the birth of Jesus does not bring damnation to mankind, it rescues mankind from the damnation they are already in. Family, every single person born into this world has inherited, from Adam and Eve, a sin nature. We all have inherited from Adam and Eve a position that is separation from God, as they were sent from the Garden of Eden and separated from God. So all of us, from the day we were created, because of the sin of the parents that we all share, inherited a sin nature and therefore, we were all born into separation from God. In that condition, if nothing changed, we would all quite literally travel through this earthly life and then end up in horrible suffering and remain separated from God forever. What V18 states is that Jesus came to save from the condemnation that we all were born with. We all inherit traits of our parents. We have all inherited this from Adam and Eve. Not only did we inherit this position of being separated from God, but also, none of us, no not one of us, had any ability to save ourselves. We were without hope. A very dreadful position we have all been born into.
Yet, when it is darkest, that is when light shines brightest. In this utter darkness with men not seeing any truth of their situation, God send His Son Jesus into the World to save us. Jesus is the Light of The World (John 8:12). He brought Light to men to see the Truth and the Way to, and of, salvation. Now let’s remember that God was in heaven not lacking anything, not needing anything. He did not need mankind. Yet, God chose to love mankind. He chose to love every single one of us! So, from His love, He sent Jesus to be born a man, to suffer and die, to save us from a very terrible position we were in. But wait! There’s more! God did not only send Jesus to be the embodiment of Good News, but He sent Jesus to make it easy. No man ever born, but Jesus, could live a perfectly sinless life (1 Peter 2:22). So God sent Jesus to pay the full price for all the sins of all mankind and to receive the free gift of being saved from condemnation by loving, believing and following Jesus as the Savior and their Lord. All who do so are plucked from the sewage of the condemnation from mankind, they are washed clean and “saved” from “condemnation.” That means we can be saved to living in God’s presence, His love, His peace and His joy, forever. And when God says forever, He means forever.
For God so loved the world that Jesus was born to save us. May we all embrace and celebrate the birth of Jesus every day and not only one day. Every day may we celebrate the love of God tangibly given to us on that special day. Let’s love God and love each other (showing that we belong to Him! Praise God who has done such a great thing! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
1 Timothy 6:17b – …but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
So blessed. Coming and going, rising and laying down and everything in between, so very blessed. Trials come and sometimes disturb, but joy is never gone (Isaiah 51:11). We have a joy that is not capable of being taken away. Troubled by the worries of earth, but yet a peace, a quietness, and a joy that never leaves (John 16:33). We walk in parallel realities (2 Corinthians 4:18). We are born to this earth, but God has known us before we were born. Before the heavens and the earth were created He knew us (Ephesians 1:4). The spiritual reality is eternal, this world we live in is temporary (Matthew 24:35, 1 John 2:17, 2 Peter 3:12-13). Even if we hurt now, we know a day is coming when all emotion, physical and spiritual pain will cease (Revelation 21:4). Why, because God loves us (Jeremiah 31:3). Oh shout for joy! Shout for Jesus, the Savior born to us, and for us! Praise God! I love my family I was born into! I love my eternal family of God! How I wish that they were completely the same. Still, I love and enjoy all!
Soon many will come together to celebrate the birth of Christ. I know it is not the exact date of His birth, I know problems with the history of the day, but it is a day that many use to acknowledge the birth of the Savior and Lord Jesus. I will celebrate it! God redeemed a filthy thing like me and He surely can redeem this date, and touch the hearts of men. And, indeed He has. I celebrate this date which focuses millions of mind on the birth of Christ. As I focus on the birth of Jesus, who came to this world that men may live eternally with God in peace, I am overwhelmed by God’s love and I am overflowing with thankfulness to God. In Jesus we have all we need. Family, we know, we understand. We see a strong truth, even on bumper stickers, “Know God, Know Peace, No God, No Peace.” This is truth. Eternal truth that has no end and is invulnerable to attacks. I am thankful to God for the complete Truth and the complete victory that comes through Jesus. The coming of the Messiah, of Jesus, was foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Isaiah 7:14 foretold of His virgin birth and this was fulfilled in Matthew 1:23. Micah 5:2 foretold where He would be born and this was fulfilled in Matthew 2:6 and John 7:42. Jeremiah 31:15 foretold that the preceding the birth of Christ the enemy of God would do all He could to stop it and this was fulfilled in Matthew 2:16-18. Hosea 11:1 foretold that the Messiah would be called out of Egypt and this was fulfilled in Matthew 2:13-15. Yes, Jesus is the Messiah and He has paid the full price for all who love God and want to live eternally with Him to do so.
Thank you Father God, thank you Jesus, for our families, for the body of Christ and the natural. I am thankful for God the Father sending Jesus His Son to supernaturally make a way where there was no way. I love my Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. We will spend eternity together! I thank God for all who come to Him. I look forward to spending eternity with Jesus and with my family in Him. Considering how greatly God has blessed us, my soul is at rest. My soul is at peace. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
“before the Lamb.” This great multitude no longer has struggles, they are with the God. They are at peace and the world can not harm them. The world cannot trouble them. They live in the joy and peace, which they formerly had a taste of and now the full reality is upon them. Family, this is our sure hope, let’s keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
Revelation 6:17 asks “for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” An answer is given here, it is the redeemed of the Lord who may stand before God in the great throne room. Family, you and I can stand there because we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!
“They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” The word used for “robes” is stole (transliteration, accent over the “e”) and it refers to a long robe. It is not garb that was suitable for manual work. It was worn by those with influence and position. The Pharisees preferred to wear these robes to make themselves conspicuous. They wanted people to think they were important. This all is in stark contrast to these saints who are now in heaven. What the Pharisees gave to themselves, Jesus now gives to His own. The Pharisees wore these to make themselves elite, not like the common worker. Jesus now clothes his own to show that their labor is over. White shows purity, but also victory. Likewise the palm branches are a symbol of victory. Here this multitude are allowed to stand as victors before God. The reason they are able to do so is because they have the victory that only comes through Jesus. The proud of mankind struggle and fight to be thought people of position and victory. Jesus washes clean those who thought their earthly life not worth clinging to, but laid their lives down and declared that their will was dead that Christ may live, and be glorified, in them (as Jesus did – Philippians 2:5-11). As the Father has elevated Jesus, Jesus has given us the victory over the second death through His work (Revelation 2:11, 20:6). He, the victor of all, has shared His victory to all His own. Praise the Lord!
“And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”” This multitude knows why they stand in the throne room of God, before the Father and the Lamb of God. They know why they wear long robes of white and hold palm branches. Standing before God the profession of their lives on earth, what lives in their souls and in their minds, bursts forth as they recognize how they were saved from the second death by none other than the Lamb of God. The word for used here for “cried out” is Krazo (transliteration, accent over the “o”). It means to cry out in a way that is appropriate for the situation. Such as a startled crow crying out from a sudden and surprising fear or pain. It is to cry aloud and actually refers to the cry of a raven. It is an uncontrolled utterance which cannot be denied and suits the occasion. Here the multitude cries out the obvious truth that cannot be denied. The cry out a confession to He who is on the throne and to the Lamb, that the salvation of the multitude is not due to anything they have done, but solely is the result of the love and work of God through Jesus the Lamb of God. They cry out the truth as they stand in awe of God and they cannot do otherwise. Jesus used this same word when He told the Pharisees that He would stop those, at His triumphant entry to Jerusalem, from praising Him. He used the same word there as used here when He said if the people did not cry out His praise than the “stones will cry out.” Family, it is hard for us to fully conceive the wondrous, awesome, powerful, terrifying and loving presence of God. God so deserves praise that if we would not praise Him, then the voice of creation will cry out to pray Him. Here, the multitude cries out because they couldn’t not cry out to state the obvious. What they cried out was the Truth they had lived by, and died for. There was no holding back and they had no desire to do so. They are there solely by the will of God. They are there by the work and person of Jesus the Messiah.
Family their cry is our cry. What bursts forth from them bursts forth from us! We praise God because we must. We are so in love with God that we cannot help but tell what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). A man or woman who is in love finds that love escaping in their actions and in their words. Their love cannot be confined in the hearts or minds, they have got to tell someone. So it is with us. We have just got to share Jesus with anyone who will listen! We run to people who will listen. When the Lord brings us to an open heart we run to share with them about Jesus. Our hearts race as we are so excited to share the love of God that is within us. What an honor! We thank the Lord for the privilege. Our spirits shout “Yahoo!” as we “get to” share Jesus! Praise God! We can’t help but do so! He is worthy and we are most anxious to do so! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! May His praise eternally flow from our lips! Amen!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.