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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1 Chronicles 1-2

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READ 1 Chronicles 1-2


As I was reading the 2 chapters, I struggled to comprehend what I could possibly learn from this long genealogical record of names.  But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminded me that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” So even when the passages seem to be giving a mundane list of names, there are nonetheless several reflections to be made here.


The listing of names started from Adam, the first man God created in His own image. It then went on to Noah, Abraham..Hamites..Semites…descendant of Hagar…descendant of Sarah…Jacob, sons of Israels..to David. Yes it is a long list of names.


Reflection 1


God is everlasting. He was among all the nations and tribes mentioned in Chronicles, whether they were His chosen people (e.g Abraham, Israelites) or not (e.g. Canaanites, Philistines, Edomites). He is the creator of all beings, even those who did not know Him or worship Him! And the lineage of all the different nations and tribes can be traced back to Noah and Adam.


Reflection 2


God knows everyone by their names. Some of the names mentioned in this genealogical record are very familiar and many others are unheard of. And I would like to believe that their existence (whether they were Godly or ungodly, great or small) were built around God’s purpose. God used the faithful Abraham to be the Father of many nations, Jacob as the patriarch of Israel, and David, to establish a throne of Israel for generations to come. God also used the ungodly - King Of Assyria to exile Israel because of their sins (2 Kings 17) and Pharaoh of Egypt (Exodus 9:16) to demonstrate His power and glory through the hardening of Pharaoh’s stubborn heart. So they all served God’s purpose in certain ways.


Reflection 3


Even though the nations listed in the passage can be traced to the same lineage of ancestors, not all have become God’s people. Some nations (with names listed in Chronicles) were even overthrown by God (read Deuteronomy 7:1, Acts 13:19) the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and Jebusites, for they had practiced idolatry and pagan worshipping. 


RELATE


God is infinite, and “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:17. He created all things and all beings in this world (Reflection 1). And He can use anyone (Godly or not, great or small) for His purpose (Reflection 2). Sometimes we witness senseless and unimaginable events of war, oppression, and global political conflicts and we are just unable to understand God’s plan in all these. 1 Corinthians 1:27, 28 says - But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. God has His own way of fulfilling His plan for the greater good, and He can choose anyone and any event to fulfil His purpose. This is beyond what human’s limited wisdom can perceive. Reflection 3 reminded us that relationship with God is personal, and this is not something that can be inherited through lineage. Although we are created to have a free will to choose, there is only one path that leads to salvation (as opposed to destruction through idolatry) and to become the citizens of God’s Kingdom. And God has made that path easier for us  -  “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8


REST


Immortal, invisible, God only wise, 

in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, 
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, 
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise


 

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Revelations 22:12-21

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