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 35-36 "Loathe yourselves!"

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Read: Ezekiel 35-36

Verses chosen for reflection:

26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.


Reflect

Verses 26-32 speaks of the New Covenant. The New Covenant which has been established by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus our Lord. Only through Jesus that those who believe can undergo spiritual transformation. Under the New Covenant, all who believe will receive a new heart of flesh as well as the Holy Spirit to enable us to obey God's commandments. 


One of the marks of those who received the Lord, is that we will remember our evil ways and we will hate ourselves for having done what is evil. We will be convicted of what is not right with God and seek to overcome sin through the grace and power of God.


The exiled people who received such a message from the prophet Ezekiel might not have understood the significance of what was going to happen. Yet, they might be able to glimpse the mercy and grace which God is giving to not only Israel, but to the whole world. Israel and the surrounding nations might have done many evil things that deserve judgement from God. Yet, the Lord is merciful and gave a way out for restoration. This way out, took nothing less than the sacrifice of God's only begotten Son. 


Relate


As a pastor, I have been asked many questions. One of those which I love to answer is about our personal walk with Jesus. Like how do I know if I am saved? Apart from Romans 8:16 which says the Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are the children of God; one other way is to ask ourselves if we struggle with the temptation to sin. 


Ezekiel 35:31 seems to suggest, if we truly believe that Jesus is Lord, then we will hate what God hates and love what He loves. Even if we are struggling with sin, we will at certain level, loathe what we are doing and seek to overcome. The point, as God put it, is not to glorify ourselves but to glorify the Name of God who saves us. 


Indeed, I remember during the days of my youth when I did not know God, the perspective of what is sin never cross my mind. Sure enough, I have some sense of what is morally right and wrong. I mean, I do not think it is right for anyone to murder anybody. Yet, the notion of sin did not come into my heart when I disobeyed my parents and was rude to them. Only when I came to know Christ, did the Spirit speaks to my inner man, that what I was in the past was indeed loathsome. 


The more I grow as a Christian, the more I became convicted of the things which I never knew was a problem. This was a difficult but necessary process. And the good thing is that I am assured by the word of God, that this is "normal". He who gave me the new life is holy and if I want to follow Jesus, holiness is the way. 


So if you are reading this devotional and had some doubts on whether you are a Christian; may the word today brings you some assurance and comfort. If you need someone to talk to or pray with, please feel free to speak with one of the pastors or ministry staff in church. 


Rest

Lord, despite of what we have done and what we are so capable of, You are always so gracious and merciful. Help us to behold Your love and glory and give us the conviction to pursue holiness. Grant to us grateful hearts so that we do not take what You have done for us for granted. We do not want to walk in the ways of Judah or Israel. We want to be a people who can thrive in the ways of Christ. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-UL_PKxLF8


Jason






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