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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2 John

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Read 2 John

Verses chosen for meditation: 2 John: 4-6, 8-9 ESV:


 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.


8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.


Reflect


Who is the 'lady' that is being referred to?


What is the main thrust of John's final letter?


How do we deal with erroneous teachings and errant teachers?


Relate


The recipient of this letter is cryptically addressed as 'lady' by John, the apostle. It could be a local church, a particular congregation, or as the word implies, a specific person of the female gender. So much for the anonymity, the true identity of the recipient is still anyone's guess to this day.


There may be an explanation for such cryptic messaging, which conceals the identity of the organisation or persons concerned. Such a manner of correspondence is usually practised during times of persecution. This could have been the prevailing situation, prompting John to be discreet in his address. However, many pundits believe that he was either writing to a local church or a group of people.


But what's really important in this letter is the main thrust of the message although there is nothing new that has not previously been mentioned. Nothing new, however, doesn't necessarily equate nothing of importance. Most of the important things in life are, in fact, not new. This is something for us to bear in mind when following trends. The important things will often need repeating at different critical moments and, at times, from a different perspective.


I cannot further emphasise the importance of going over and over, of learning and relearning, even if it takes a whole lifetime. I have been doing it for my pet three topics: faith, hope and love.


Here, John is evoking the earlier sentiments of his letter to his readers, reminding them and emphasizing the importance of walking in truth and love yet again, more so now when false teaching is rife. There seems to be a strong hint of perversion of the truth that is being propagated by the gnostic Christians in their midst, people with their own brand of esoteric beliefs. It is only by going back to the basics again and again do we stamp out such wrong teachings.


Truth and love are indisputably the basic tenets of our faith. The Word of God is the truth that we're seeking. And we are required to walk in that truth. However, all this would still mean nothing in the end if there is no love. For no matter how noble it sounds, if it is devoid of Christlike love, it means nothing, period.


All the more, we need to continue with right teachings. It becomes more challenging when there are alternative ways to interpret the bible. This approach by Isaiah has served me well and I would highly recommend it to all seekers and teachers of the Word: "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my Word." (v 66: 2b)


When it comes to inviting preachers, we need to be equally careful as well. As much as we may want to be progressive, this is one time when we need to stand our ground. We should not be extending invitations to individuals whom we know are propagating false teachings and doctrines, short of calling them out. This is a safeguard to protect the sheep from wolves who are clad in sheep's clothing.


Still the best way, as John alludes to in this letter, is to walk in truth and love. There must be something potently synergistic about the combo: truth and love. It is as though we could discern what's covertly untrue and ultimately self - seeking if we walk in both truth and love. For sure, they reinforce each other (as in love rejoices with the truth). 


For this, we need look no further than the Cross. The perfect combination of truth and love was shown to us on the Cross where truth (I am the way, the truth and the life) meets love (God is love).


Rest


Lord, may we abide in your truth and love. May we also walk in truth and love. Help us discern your truth. Help us also display your love. Deliver us then from what's not true. And draw us, and also others through us, to your love. 


Naville Chia


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