Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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Leviticus 10; Psalm 63 "Unauthorized Fires"

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Read: Leviticus 10; Psalm 63

Verses chosen for meditation: 

Leviticus 10:6-7  6 And Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and Ithamar his sons, "Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the LORD has kindled.  7 And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you." And they did according to the word of Moses.


Reflect:

If you were Aaron, would you have listened to Moses and done the same? 


Moses was asking Aaron and his surviving sons, not to grief the death of Nadab and Abihu. These two sons, took their own censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it. Leviticus 10:1 said that they had offered “unauthorized” fire. This means that they had not used the fire that was supposed to come from the main altar. Instead, they used something “foreign and strange” to ignite the holy things of God. This was considered worthy of death in several ways. 


Firstly, the incense was part of Tabernacle worship where the very glory of God dwelt. By presenting unauthorized fire, the brothers threatened the very sanctity of Israel’s worship to God. Furthermore, Nadab and Abihu were consecrated as priests to serve as intermediaries between God and the people. 


They were specially set apart for serving God. Yet they brought ungodly things into the very presence of the most holy God. If the brothers were not struck dead, Israel will not realize how serious holiness and worship are about. As such, Aaron and his surviving sons were told not to grief. They were not to feel sorry for the death of their kin. For their death, in the eyes of God, was well justified. 


Relate:

How seriously do we treat our worship of God? 


These days, we are not required to offer burnt offerings or have priests igniting authorized fires as incense for the Lord. Because of what Jesus had done on the Cross, we have direct access to God in His sanctuary. 


Yet, we are all called to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). We are to worship God with the way we live our lives (Colossians 1:10). Hence, our posture for worship should not be any lesser than in the days of Moses. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our worship of God ought to be done with great reverence and godly fear. 


Whatever forms we use to worship God now, it ought to be done with the right attitude and posture. Hence, whether it is a hymn or more modern Christian praise; it matters more on how we use them for worship. Do we use them to praise God with all of our hearts? Or do we care more on how familiar we are with the tunes? 


Or how about allowing God to “wait for us” as we drag our feet to a service? Yes true, some of us might have real physical challenges; but for the most of us, it is really a matter of the heart. Or how about the way we serve? Do we serve well only when people agree with us? Or do we serve because we truly love God and His church? 


Or how about the times when we are alone? What do we do when no one is looking? Do we sneak in some unholy practices to occupy our time? Or do we use that time as a golden opportunity to worship and pray to God in private? Or how about us pastors? Are we using unauthorized fires to minister? Or are we going to the right source by keeping in step with God? As someone once said, pastors who are not praying are playing.


Yes, we can be most grateful that we will not be struck down for treating our worship in a slipshod manner. Yet, how we worship God speaks very much of how we view Jesus as our Redeemer. Are we truly grateful to His salvation and lordship over our lives? Or are we just playing a game of chance?


Rest

Lord, we know who we are. You know who we are. Help us to repent in the areas of our lives where we are presenting unauthorized fires to You. Help us to find our way to the real Source of holy fire. Rekindle our hearts to take our worship of You seriously. And there, may Your Name be glorified. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


Jason


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