Read: Joel 1:1-3:21; Revelation 1:1-20; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 29:18
Joel gives us a picture of the end judgement on the earth. God urges the people to repent because God is so merciful and always giving his people a way out of judgment if they would only choose it. Judgement is imminent but his promise is that he would pour his Spirit out on his sons and daughters. He fulfilled this the first time on Pentecost but he will do it again.
Revelation is the revelation of who Christ is and it gives the history of the New Testament and of what was to happen soon. God used the churches that had been established to be pictures of the progression of the church to come. John received this vision on a the day of Atonement which was the “Lord’s day”. He was to write what he heard on a scroll and send it to the seven churches so they could repent and grow.
John heard a voice and when he turned to look, he saw Jesus, the Living One who was dead but came alive and holds the keys to death and Hades. Hades is the place of the dead or the grave which we call hell. John saw seven stars and seven lamp stands. The stars are the messengers or prophets of the different ages and the lamps were the churches themselves.
Our Psalm gives us our blessing - it comes to those who fear the Lord. Those who fear the Lord will be blessed in every area of their lives. Our Proverbs tells us what happens when there is no “now” revelation or understanding of the days they are living in; these people have no restraint. But, the people who obey the Lord will be blessed.
We are living in the time of great revelation and truth being exposed - both good and bad. We are in the beginning of the kingdom age where we are learning to walk as Jesus walked on the earth. We are learning our identity in Christ and are getting God’s perspective on life which takes a renewing of our minds. We are embarking on the greatest time for the history of the church.
Lord, help us to know the times we are living in and walk in your Spirit.
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