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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Daniel 12:5-13

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Read

Daniel 12:5-13


Verses chosen for devotion:


”And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.“

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ ‭


”I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my Lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.“

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬


”Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.“

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬


”Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”“

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬



Reflect 


This final chapter continues to focus on the end times, tribulation and the need to stay faithful until the end. It was also written that the righteous people will suffer and the evil will rule for a while (vs7). And although Daniel said he heard but he did not understand he was asked to go his way (i.e. to stop asking) for everything will reveal itself at end times. There is no need for us to understand everything God has planned ahead and neither do we have that level of wisdom to know His timing. Vs 10 said many shall continue to be purified (I would like to believe that this will be done by the blood of our Lord Jesus, and also through God’s perfect salvation plan. We are also told that the wicked (vs 10) will continue to do evil and they shall not understand the truth of God, and that is probably why they do not repent. What comforts me will be the ending verse that says those who are faithful shall be allotted a place at the end of days!


Relate


There is no immunity to sufferings even for Christians. All of us (Christian and non-Christian alike) are being plagued by regional war and conflict, climate disaster, inflation, sickness and even death. On daily basis we are saddled with worries about our job, our health and problems of our loved ones. There is just no peace. So I can only imagine the end times of tribulation will be much worse. The evil ones seem to prosper and gain power, and they have all the means to abuse their authority and their ill-gained wealth. 2 Timothy 3 also tells us in the last days there will be times of great difficulties, where people will be lovers of self, money, pride, treacherous schemes, and they will be unholy and Godless. Doesn’t this remind us of the people of this present age?


Many are trying to predict the time for the Lord’s second coming. And there are so many false prophecies - predictions of political wins, coronavirus (that it would be over by Passover), events of pop culture, so on and so forth. And these prophetical messages which are operated via online platforms and conferences, offer the prediction of the world events through spiritual lenses. Jesus warned his disciples about false prophets deceiving many in Matthew 24. Hence we ought to stay steadfast till the end and not to be deceived. We should learn to go our way (without asking too much) just as what Daniel was being told to do, as there are more important things for us to do then predicting the future.


Daniel 12:10 tells us that the wicked shall continue to do evil, which again is very true in today’s context. People just do not reflect on their own Godless behaviour and their pride and greed blinded their sight of seeing God and His righteousness. They are no longer sensitive to the voice of God reaching out to them as they are already drowned in self indulgence and pleasure. We are urged to be like the wise who shall understand (in vs 10). We have to be wise to fear the Lord and be faithful to His commandment. Proverbs 9 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.


Staying faithful till the end is not an easy task. It is a race but it comes with a promise (we will be allotted a place in heaven v13). Many times our struggle with bodily pleasure, pride, lack of self control and frustration with God over unanswered prayer may tear us apart from God. Let us then bear this verse in mind - 2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight,  I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.


As I read this final chapter of Daniel, I am reminded that the second coming of our Lord is imminent. There is no time to change my mind. And I pray that we will all be ready by then.


Rest


I wish we'd all been ready - song lyrics by Larry Norman


“Life was filled with guns and war

And everyone got trampled on the floor

I wish we'd all been ready

Children died, the days grew cold

A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold

I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind

The Son has come and you've been left behind


A man and wife asleep in bed

She hears a noise and turns her head

He's gone

I wish we'd all been ready

Two men walking up a hill

One disappears and one's left standing still

I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind

The Son has come and you've been left behind”


Alan Wong

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