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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Ezekiel 25 "i am the Lord"

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Read: Ezekiel 25

Verses chosen for reflection:

Ezekiel 25:5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon a fold for flocks. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 6 For thus says the Lord God: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel, 7 therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you, and will hand you over as plunder to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and will make you perish out of the countries; I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.


Reflect:

Even as God judged Judah for her sins, He is just and also judged the sins of the surrounding nations. These nations included Ammon, Moab, Seir, Edom, Philista, Tyre, Egypt and later on, Babylon. 


What are the sins of these nations? 


The sins of these nations, included the times when they mocked and went against the people of Israel and Judah. They celebrated with wickedness in their hearts when Israel and Judah fell. When they did so, they were essentially going against the children and Name of God. 


Much as the children of God went astray; God would not overlook the transgression of the wicked nations. All who went against the will and Name of God, would be judged. The main reason, as repeated time and again in Chapter 25, is so that the nations would come to know that God is the Lord of their lives ("I am the Lord").


Relate:

Two points to relate here.

Firstly, it is a good reminder not to celebrate when our "enemies" or those whom we dislike stumbled in their walk with God. Even if their stumbling was caused by their own sins. We are reminded to be humble and even stretch out a helping hand if need be. For when we laugh at our "enemies" sins; we are as wicked as them. We are going against the teachings of Christ who has called us to love even our enemies. 


Secondly, God judged the sins of the nations, so that they would come to know that God is the Lord. The point was not for God to satisfy His own ego; but to allow the nations to understand that Yahweh is the One True God. The purpose was for the nations to worship the True God and not gods, demons or idols which cannot bring true peace to their souls. The purpose was also for the nations to understand that in the midst of a holy God, sin is a serious transgression and must be judged.  


Sometimes, in order for something good to happen, we must go through the "bad stuff" or discipline that comes from God. This is not to say that God's methods are always about "learning through discipline"; just that sometimes, we need to be awaken from our sinful stupor through suffering. This is probably something many of us learned from when we became sluggish with our studies and failed exams. God allowed the failing so that we learn from our mistakes.


Even as we are now saved through faith in what Jesus had done on the Cross, who suffered for our sins; God can and will choose to allow us to go through suffering so that we can be reminded that the Lord is God. This is especially so after many warnings like how God warned Israel and the nations. We can be so harden in our hearts that a "hammer" must be used to crack open our solid defences for sin. Yes, we are usually very vocal when it comes to other people's sinfulness but when it comes to our own, we are super defensive.


The process of discipline is always a painful one; but if we are able to endure, repent and make good of the process; the fruit of it is always beautiful and worthy. For God is for us. He is here to mould us for the better. And we can choose to totally trust in His Name. Just as how the Lord called Judah to endure 70 years for His return; so God shall give us second chances so that we can repent and turn back to Him for a much brighter future.


Rest:

Lord God, help me to accept and make good of the discipline and suffering that You have allowed into my life. Help me grow to be a better servant of Yours in the process; for I know that You love and care for me. Thank you for Jesus, who had done what is necessary for me to continue to live in Your grace, truth and the joy of a life in spiritual freedom. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen. 


Jason



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Revelations 22:12-21

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