Rest for the weary...

"And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” -- Revelation 14:11

December is quite a busy month for so many people. The first Christmas season that I was in retail sales I worked six days a week and no less than twelve hours a day. Each day brought more work and less energy. As the old saying goes, "There's no rest for the weary", and the weary desperately yearn for rest.
With that thought, consider these lyrics, "God rest ye merry, gentlemen / Let nothing you dismay / Remember, Christ, our Savior / Was born on Christmas day / To save us all from Satan's power". Rest is a wonderful promise of Christmas. Jesus extended the invitation to all who would respond with the words, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) But for those who reject the Christ of Christmas to serve another... forever and ever, there will be no rest.

However busy you may be this week my friend, are you at rest? Have you found rest for your soul that carries you through the most challenging day with peace? Are those that you care for at rest today and will they be at rest in eternity? What a promise is given in verse thirteen, "Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors". There IS rest for the weary... in the Christ of Christmas.

Who's in charge?

"Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them... and by the signs that it is allowed to work... And it was allowed to give breath..." -- Revelation 13:7, 14, 15

When the meter reader used to come to our old house he would wait at the door until I secured our dog. He looked to me for his safety from my ferocious beast. (I am being quite satirical about my kind hearted hound) While it is possible for our canine to bite a stranger, I would be held responsible for allowing her to carry out the deed. Someone has to be in charge.

As we view the unbearable days of the tribulation we are overwhelmed by the evil that is poured out by the two beasts. The anti-Christ and false prophet are a dastardly duo who bring incredible carnage upon mankind. In truth, as part of the overall judgment of God upon a lost and rebellious earth, he allows them to carry out their work. They are only as powerful as they are allowed. God is in charge.

In the day of injustice and ungodly conduct is there anyone in control? Yes, there is, and He rules the world. God doesn't create evil, but he allows it to run its course as we move closer to the end of this age. (Romans 1:18-32) Therefore, don't give in to the evil that surrounds you my friend. Turn to the One who is in control and seek his redemptive and  protective care. Only God is truly in charge.

Time is short...

"Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” -- Revelation 12:12

I have ministered to church young people for more years than any old guy should. The way these marvelous characters react to life is a wonder to behold. At any given teen event the time comes to call it a day. We always give notice when the time to leave approaches. Upon such an announcement our wise and cooperative youth group will suddenly disappear. They are determined to get the most fun out of the time that is short.

Everyone tries to make the most of limited opportunity. The devil is no different in his great battle with God and his servants. We need to be very much prepared for a most formidable foe such as Satan. While he comes down to earth in great wrath in the days of tribulation, his efforts are even now increased as that time approaches. He is determined to do the most damage in the time that is short.

May your testimony be known by the fact that you loved not your life, even unto death my friend. You have conquered by the blood of the Lamb and victory is yours. But do you live with all out effort and attention on the hour? Satan is busier than ever as the days slip away, are you? Be determined to do the most for Jesus in the time that is short.

You just need to stop...

“If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. For pressing milk produces curds,  pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.” – Proverbs 30:32-33

Speed limits; they exist for a variety of reasons, but one of the most significant is safety. We can drive at excessive speeds and arrive safely today, but eventually such driving will catch up to us. Some people make light of traffic laws until they or a loved one ends up in the hospital or worse. There are some things that you just need to stop before you get hurt.

The words of wisdom that we read above are written for many reasons, but one of the most significant is safety. One should be careful when they make light of the spiritual dangers that come with ignoring Biblical wisdom. Time may slip by without ramifications, but eventually "pressing anger produces strife." There are some things that you just need to stop before you get hurt.

How cautious do you live your life my friend? Are you careful to follow the Biblical wisdom that sets protective perimeters on your conduct? Or do you take sinful activity lightly and fail to recognize its damaging effect? Well, "If you have been foolish"... you just need to stop before you get hurt.

Hope...

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;” – Psalm 146:3-6

How often do we believe that the next leader, president down to mayor, will change everything in our world? If they are good leaders, we put all our hope in them to bring prosperity. Yet, such people slip away over the years and life goes on as it was before. Where can we turn for real hope?

The psalmist knew the real truth about human leadership. He was quite aware that "this too shall pass". No man can bring salvation, and his power to change the world is limited at best. His plans perish along with him as he slips into the grave and is replaced by another.  But blessed is the one whose help is the Lord, for he finds hope in the one "who keeps faith forever"!

Salvation belongs to the Lord alone and only he can change the world. Why not put your trust in the one who has both power and faithfulness to bless his people? The sooner we take our eyes off people and focus on God, the sooner we will be at peace in the midst of the storm. We will always find hope in the Lord.

Exchanging Presents...

"For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth." -- Revelation 11:9-10

It's the time of year when crowds gather in shopping malls across the country to shop until they drop. Decorations and lights are hung inside and out with great skill. Every effort is made to celebrate and show one another the true holiday spirit. Having fun and giving to others is absolutely basic to Christmas... the season when people are merry and exchange presents.

In light of that I have always found this passage to be quite a curiosity. In the same way we see people rejoicing over the death of God's prophets by giving to others. Apparently holiday celebration can occur for most any reason. I believe this begs the question: do people really understand the true meaning of Christmas and as a result give of themselves to others? Or does the season just provide an opportunity to be merry and exchange presents?

The spirit of giving is not intrinsic to Christmas alone. People celebrate and give at the drop of a hat. But when we reflect on the good news of Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a Savior who came to redeem the souls of lost people. We can exchange presents anytime for any reason, but at Christmas we ought to give of ourselves in love, because "while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8) God loved us from a manger to the cross.

We don't need to know...

"And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” -- Revelation 10:4

News reporters insist that the public needs to know everything about the story. No matter how graphic or unbearable, these news hounds are bound to publish every detail. There are times that I really don't want to know or I'm just not ready to receive the information. Some things we don't need to know.

Prophecy is a lot like news reporting, except prophets are reporting the future. They record all that is revealed to them for the Lord's ultimate purpose. Prophetic writings are intended to alert people to ultimate accountability and the need for repentance and faith. These writings are not for the curious. Therefore, God directs the prophet to write what will accomplish his goal and no more. Some things we don't need to know.

Are you a prophecy hound? Do you read and study the prophetic books with a keen interest? What is the heart of that pursuit my friend? Are you seeking to satisfy your curiosity, or are you open to the change that God desires for your life? All that you need to know for spiritual growth is recorded. Apply what is revealed and leave the rest alone. Some things we don't need to know.