"They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads." - Revelation 9:4

Over the years we all collect official documents. We have birth certificates, diplomas, marriage certificates, military discharges and some may have property deeds. If you take a careful look at these documents you will see something that makes them official. Yes, you will find a seal that verifies their authenticity for all legal purposes. Therefore, you will protect and preserve them above all other papers because... without the seal, there is no deal.

God set apart a number of people during this time of great judgment that were his alone. They were given a seal to verify their identity and protect them from the horrors of those days. Just as the Lord will protect those who are sealed during the tribulation, he will protect those who are sealed today from the horrors of coming judgment. Consider the great truth that Paul recorded for us in Ephesians 1:13-14, "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."

If you place your faith in Jesus Christ alone, as your only means of salvation, you will be born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit of God. As a result, God will protect you and preserve you until you come safely home to him and receive a guaranteed inheritance. But remember, this is promised only to those who are sealed because... without the seal, there is no deal.

"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 the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 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." - Revelation 8:3-5

Have you ever stopped praying for something because too much time had passed? How much time is too much time? A godly man of the nineteenth century named George Mueller decided to pray for the salvation of five close friends. Four came to Christ during his life, but after fifty-two years, Mueller died without the last one being converted. Mueller never gave up praying and a few months after he died, the last friend trusted Christ. Never forget that prayer is timeless.

Do you pray for God's Kingdom to come? Jesus taught us to pray for this and yet, after centuries of God's people praying, there is no earthly kingdom. Don't be discouraged, because John saw your prayers and the prayers of the ages offered up before the throne. The sweet incense of prayer is an important part of the coming of God's Kingdom on earth. Never forget that prayer is timeless.

The birth of Christ came after centuries of God's people praying for the coming of their Messiah. Jesus is coming again to bring final justice and eternal righteousness in answer to the prayers of his people. Don't give up praying and looking above for the coming of Christ. Never forget that prayer is timeless.

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." - Proverbs 29:25

Christmas stories are virtually beyond number. Some are funny, some are romantic and some are nostalgic. Most are pleasant tales that warm the heart and stir the emotions. One of my favorite stories is the true event of the Magi that came from the east to worship the Lord Jesus. It wasn't funny, romantic or nostalgic, it was just thought provoking and inspiring. The story tells of men who trusted the Lord and were kept safe.

Solomon wrote the words of this passage, as the wisest man in the world. Centuries later other wise men traveled from the east and again proved the proverb true. These men were not impressed with King Herod, nor did they fear him. They had followed the Star and trusted the Lord to guide their way. As a result, being warned in a dream, the Lord kept them safe from a very jealous and dangerous King.     

Are you like those in the Magi story that were troubled when the King was troubled? Are you afraid of men and their power... afraid of what men may do to harm you? Or are you a truly wise person who trusts in the Lord and are kept safe? You see, not only do wise men still seek him... wise men still trust him!

"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah" - Psalm 143:5-6

What was your very favorite Christmas? You might say, "This one". But Christmas time brings memories of all kinds. Hopefully many of those memories are pleasant thoughts of joyful times. Above all the seasonal and family celebrations, do you reflect on the works of the Lord and what his hands have done? Christmas is really a time to consider one special night in Bethlehem, a long, long time ago. Christmas is a time to remember.

When you put your tree up this year remember the one who created all the trees of the world and came to hang on one, just for you. When you place the beautiful colored balls on your tree, remember the one who so loved this round ball called earth that he came to save people of every color. When you string the lights all around, remember the one who came to bring light to your life. When you place the gifts below the tree, remember the one who is the most "indescribable gift". Christmas is a time to remember.

Maybe this Christmas will be your favorite. It can be if you take time to spread out your hands to Jesus, and consider what his hands have done... they were pierced for you. Slow down, stop, and look for Jesus in every celebration of this glorious season. Christmas is a time to remember.

“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” - Revelation 7:14-17

The wars fought by our military over the last forty years have been questioned and protested against in so many ways. Our soldiers fought with courage and loyalty for their homeland and were often greeted with sneers and distain by those they fought to protect. One might be justified in asking if the cause was worth the sacrifice. This will never be the case for the Christian soldier. God honors those who honor him.

As we look at this passage carefully, we see more than the words "well done". The Lord promises a future of glory, honor, provision, peace and healing for his faithful army. The question will never be asked if the cause was worth the sacrifice. God honors those who honor him.

Be true to the Savior's cause today. The way may be rough and the rewards few. But remember that this world is not the land of promise. When the battles are done and the wars are behind us, we will be met, not with sneers and distain, but with love and gratitude. God honors those who honor him.

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed." - Revelation 6:9-11

This morning, in the "News Room" of Voice of the Martyrs we read about persecution of fellow believers in China, Somalia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, Columbia and India. The stories range from churches being closed to pastors being murdered in the presence of their families. According to one source, more than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day and between 150,000 and 165,000 are martyred each year. The question echoes across the years: How long, Sovereign Lord?

Christianity began at the cross with the death of our Savior. From that day on, believers have given their lives for "the word of God and the testimony they had maintained." But the day is coming when persecution will end and white robes will be given to the faithful. As we "wait a little longer", don't give up your faith or compromise the Word of God.

As you consider this passage today, please "Remember those in prison..." (Hebrews 13:3). Pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. And cherish the freedom you have to worship your Lord, live your faith and share the good news. Honor your Lord and his martyrs... Be bold for Jesus today!

"And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” - Revelation 5:9-10

Presidential elections come and go, often with high expectations of a new day ahead. New CEOs arrive on the scene with hope for the future. Great leaders continue to rise and fall as time marches onward. Yet, the question still remains; is there someone who has what it takes to open the doors of the future and bring in a whole new world?

A new song was sung in heaven about a great leader who has already started to change the world. He has gathered people from every tribe, language, people and nation to be in his kingdom. He is worthy to lead because he paid the highest price so others would be worthy to serve and lead as well. Who is this leader you ask? He is the Lamb of God that takes away our sins... He is King Jesus.

Why look to men who are unworthy to open the scrolls of the future? Why expect men to change your world for the better? There is only one leader who is worthy of our confidence to give us hope for the future. Jesus said from the very beginning, "Follow Me". So, keep your eyes on Jesus, because he alone will truly "ROCK YOUR WORLD!"