Time waits for no man...

"So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind." -- Revelation 9:15

Y2K; the date was a time consuming fear factor that engrossed more people than one could imagine. The expectations of disaster were overwhelming and the countdown was a much focused pastime. Nothing could change the fact that January 1, 2000 was going to take place at a very specific hour, day, month and year. While catastrophe didn't arrive, the day did come with exact precision. Time waits for no man.

In the same way a day set apart for divine judgment is coming. Disaster will follow it with certainty as determined by God's righteous purpose. This day is on the calendar just as Y2K was and it won't be changed or set aside. This passage makes it clear that this moment of retribution isn't a moment in the past or one to be spiritualized. It is on the Lord's schedule and the best response is to seek the Lord while he may be found. Time waits for no man.

Since "God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:9), there is hope for those who know the Lord. Is such a hope yours today my friend? Is it the hope of your family, friends and neighbors? If this isn't true of you and yours "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2). Remember... Time waits for no man.

Another day is coming...

"Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” -- Revelation 8:13

I'm always amazed at the interest shown for catastrophe movies. My wife and I were viewing some wild catastrophic film some months ago and we were sitting with three ladies in their eighties. Age and other variables are irrelevant when it comes to this subject. We are all curious about the possible doom of our world. Will such a day ever come?

In light of my observations I am further puzzled when the Scriptural accounts of God's ultimate judgment upon the earth is explained away. Why do people believe that a day of accountability to our Creator, Lord and King will never come? This passage begs to differ with those who believe that retribution is a thing of which legends are made. Without a doubt, the day is coming.

No one wants to read about God's wrath during the Christmas season. But doesn't the eventual worldwide condemnation make the gift of Jesus much more precious? Before God's wrath is poured out, his love floods the earth from a manger to the cross. Yes, the day of doom is coming, but today is a day of "good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) Spread the good news today... for another Day IS coming.

A greater principle...

"One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor." -- Proverbs 29:23

The late George Steinbrenner was once given the snub for a Baseball Hall of Fame nomination. I have no idea why he was passed over, but at first blush he seemed to be a shoe-in with seven World Series titles and eleven pennants for the Yankee ball club. Sometimes the obvious doesn't come to pass because there is a greater principle under the surface.

Solomon brings to surface one of the most significant principles in life. Pride will bring a person down when a lowly spirit will bring honor. The world totally opposes this wisdom and encourages pride driven pursuits in most careers. At first this attitude seems to succeed, but over time the humble leader is honored the most. Sometimes the obvious just doesn't come to pass.

How many times must you read this principle before it sinks in my friend? Does pride drive you in your work, ministry and family? Are you convinced that if you don't promote yourself, no one will? Have you considered this great truth: "“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you..." (1 Peter 5:5-6)? Sometimes the obvious just needs to be put aside for a greater principle.

Unchanging ...

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations." -- Psalm 145:13

Relevance; we constantly hear the term used to encourage our efforts in communicating to a newer generation. The cry goes out for new words and techniques because the younger people will never understand or consider old truth. Unless it's new and different it won't help the cause. The question comes to mind; is there anything that hasn't changed that retains any value? 

Solomon noted that there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) The years pass from one generation to the next and history repeats itself over and over again. Technology improves our lives, but daily needs and struggles continue without change. In a very real way we need help from someone that has stood the test of time and remains unchanged. David found just such a one in the Lord, whose kingdom is everlasting and whose dominion endures throughout all generations.

Build your life on things that never change my friend, and you will be relevant to every generation. In the face of unchanging struggles and storms of life, you need someone who "upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down". (verse 14) In this great truth we find relevance in the unchangeable person of our God and King.

Common Ground...

"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” -- Revelation 7:9-10

History has been marked by the bigotry of men; one nation rising up against another simply because of prejudice. People belittle others, all because they are a different culture. In many parts of the world every effort to establish peaceful reconciliation has miserably failed. When will people of different backgrounds come together on common ground?

As we step back and gaze at the throne of heaven we are amazed at the multitude of diversity. Every nation, tribe, people and language is represented as they worship the Lamb. No matter the color or culture, they are all clothed in white robes, rejoicing in their salvation. The long sought after common ground has been found!

We who are believers in Jesus have a vastly diverse family. One day we will worship in heaven together, but how well do we live together on earth? Did a racial slur recently come from your lips my friend?  Have you forgotten that you are related to many from that people group by blood? Yes, you stand with them on common ground... the blood of the Lamb.

You can run, but you can't hide

"Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” -- Revelation 6:15-17

Intrigue, conspiracy, espionage and secrets of every kind; such is our world past and present. Leaders get nervous over Wikileaks threats and fear the spreading of comments made behind closed doors. Hiding from each other protects us from accountability for wrong.
Adam and Eve hid when the Lord came walking in the Garden. When the Lamb comes in judgment in the last days, men and women will still be hiding. We far too often fear God a day late and a dollar short. Rather than fearing God and walking with him, we end up fearing God and running from him. We hide to be protected from ultimate accountability for sin.

Why do you avoid the Lord by skipping devotions, church and Bible studies? Are you hiding from God my friend? The day is coming when all who have run from God and his grace will try to hide from him and his wrath. But there will be no hiding and no protection from ultimate accountability. Walk with the Lord today, so you won't need to run from him then.

The Only Cure...

"... and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” -- Revelation 5:4-5

People grieve and weep over many things. They express sorrow over the serious loss of a loved one all the way to a sad ending in a movie. Tears are shed over broken relationships as well as lost pets. Yet, is there not a greater cause and cure for tears?

John was moved to tears "because no one was found worthy to open the scroll". He was saddened by the missing holy character needed to open the seals. Sin and all its damaging influence caused John to grieve to the point of weeping. But at the same time hope was announced, found in the Lion of Judah, the Root of David who has conquered. Jesus alone is the cure for all tears.

Let me ask you something my friend. When was the last time you wept over sin? Have you been grieved to tears when sin has damaged your relationship with the Lord? Or when evil has destroyed someone you love? And in turn, have you found relief when focused on the Lord Jesus, the Lion of Judah who has conquered? Sin is always the greatest cause for tears and Jesus is always the only cure.