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 17-18; Psalm 67

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READ: Leviticus 17-18; Psalm 67

Verses chosen for meditation: Leviticus 18:3-4  

3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. 


REFLECT

Most moderns see this chapter as irrelevant to our present Bible believers, as they were seen merely as a list of prohibitions from the Old Testament regarding human sexuality. But although NT believers are not responsible for these laws (Mark 7:17-29; Rom 6:14-15; Gal 3; 5:18), they do clearly show Yahweh (YHWH)’s respect for marriage and procreation (Gen 1:28; 9:1,7). Human sexuality in God’s standard is indeed His idea and holy plan for mankind.

These commands coming from Israel’s covenantal God, express the mind and heart of God regarding human sexuality throughout the generations. This is evident in many NT commands to abstain from sexual immorality and uncleanness (Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; I Thess 4:3-8, etc). When writing this subject, the New Testament did so from understanding Leviticus 18 as one of the important passages that define sexual immorality and impurity. After all, Jesus Himself affirmed the goodness of these commands when He said, “He came to fulfil the Law but not to destroy the Law”, (Sermon on the Mount, Matt 5:17-19). Therefore, obedience to the commands in this chapter is both an expression of love to God and for our neighbour, in that we will not sin against by participating with them in behaviour that is against God’s will and purpose. 

God had also commanded in v. 3, “You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do.”. He declared this principle: “You belong to Me; you shall not do as the world does.” Israelites were told not to do what they saw among the Egyptians in the past, or what they would see among the Canaanites in the future. These commands cannot be any less important and biblical since the Israelites are commanded not to act as the other nations (vv. 3, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30). They were mentioned some seven times in the introduction and conclusion of chapter 18.

 

Also notice the word, “abominations” was mentioned some 5 times in the latter half of Chapter 18. “Abominations” (or being detestable) is often used with reference to idolatry (Deut 18:9; Ezek 5:11). Clearly, all unclean and immoral practices called in history or present were unacceptable, has violated the laws of God and defile His holiness because God’s character remains the same from generations to generations.

 


RELATE


The passage closes emphatically by anchoring a call to obedience to the character of Yahweh, the Holy God. Unfortunately, man have moved further and further from a biblically guided sexual morality. In our modern culture, it often allows the strongest idea, “if it feels good, then it is right for me”, to shape our senses and influence our values. It is important that Christians in modern time live according to God’s sense of right and wrong when it comes to sexual matters, and not do according to the doings of the surrounding culture. Any disobediences or compromises would deem to be heading for destruction or judgement, v 5.

 

Therefore, we are reminded Apostle Paul’s exhortation: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”, Romans 12:2.

  

REST

Holy God, so help guard my martial relationship and private life that they be holy and acceptable to You. Help me to live by Your holy standard in all sexual matters because they are ultimately given for a blessed and fulfilling life.  Amen.

Vincent Lee

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