"In Righteousness He Judges and Makes War"

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns....He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God....Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations....He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On His robe and on His thigh he has this name written:

                KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."  (Revelation 19)

This is the Second Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Very few paintings of our Lord reveal what is described here.  Maybe the "scene" is too violent.  Maybe humanity, and too many in the Church, do not want this present age to end in the great "Final Conflict"----- but it will.

2 Thessalonians tells us of the Second Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.  "God is just:  He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled....This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus...."  This present age will not end well for those who reject Jesus. 

The KJV says in verse 7, "And to you who are troubled rest with us...."  While our passages today speak of war and judgment, those who are Followers of Jesus are promised, "....rest with us."  But these passages ought to also motivate us to fervent prayer for the lost. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray again our text from yesterday, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts," and, "....that [we] be filled with all the fullness of God."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

A Prayer For You From One of Today's Readings

"....that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."  (Ephesians 3:16-19)  Amen.

You just cannot find a greater prayer for the salvation of humanity and the ongoing victorious life of the Follower of Jesus Christ.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Don't Ask For What You Already Have

"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation....

The context is that Jesus, "Himself is our peace," the peace between Jew and Gentile.  But we can also say that there can be no such peace in any relationship, e.g., husband and wife, brother and sister, neighbors, nations without Jesus, "....Himself...our peace...."  Peace is not the absence of fighting or wars, "For He Himself is our peace...."  Whatever looks like peace apart from Jesus Christ is a delusion.

But for the "personal" application of our text, I remind you today that our Lord Jesus does not stand on some remote place in the Universe and throw "peace" at us, "For He Himself is our peace...."  I read this glorious truth every quarter, and continually thank our God for it/Him.  I do not want to attempt to think what existence here would be without the truth of our text.

When I hear of someone going through a very difficult time, I often pray that the Holy Spirit remind them continually of our text, Jesus, "....Himself is our peace."   Notice that it is not a "prayer" when Paul says to the Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing....And the peace of God...WILL guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Our text today is not something we have to ask for.  It is the reality for all in whom Jesus Christ lives.

So many times people ask and beg God for that which is already theirs in Jesus Christ.  If we pray for anything in this regard, it should be that we have written in our hearts and minds the glorious reality of all that is ours in Jesus Christ.

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never insult You by asking for that which is already mine in and through the Cross of Jesus.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"The House...Filled With The Fragrance"

"Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.  And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."  (John 12:3)

When we pour the oil of honor and precedence on our Lord Jesus Christ, all whose hearts are open to Him will perceive, "....the house...filled with the fragrance of the oil."

I suggest today that the Church will "smell" more and more, "the fragrance," of His Presence if the Church more and more pours, "....very costly oil of," worship, honor and glory upon Jesus, "All should honor the Son just as they honor the Father." (John 5) 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You that even though no one could or can ever "see" You, You appeared in all Your Glory in Jesus.  May Your Church walk through the earth, pouring the, "very costly oil," upon You.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

How Do You Want To Arrive?

"The Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power...."  (Revelation 15:8a)

Someone once wrote that "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'WOW!... What a ride!'"

This may be upsetting for some people, but not for me; it is exactly what I want for myself, and to be perfectly honest, for you too.  Is this not the "worker's" prayer?  Is this not for those, "who follow the Lamb wherever He goes"?  Is this not the classic, "going out with our boots on?!?"

This is in no way to minimize any pain and suffering in you or the world.  But somehow I believe that our long anticipated hearing of the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant," is awaiting those whose lives are servant-lives, living for others, living and dying for and in Jesus Christ, closing our eyes with, "WOW!... What a ride!"

So, my friend, join in the heavenly chorus which is recorded earlier in Revelation 15, and know that this sojourn is brief, whether it be full of pain and suffering or little pain and suffering.  To be in, "the temple...filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power," is worth anything.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray I will say as I close my eyes, "WOW!...What a ride!"  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2