DANIEL 11,12:
These two chapters are filled with specific details of prophecy regarding different kingdoms. Chapter 11 outlines 4 different kingdoms and their rise and ultimate fall, it ends with a discussion of the Antichrist. Chapter 12 discusses the end times. "Multitudes will who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and contempt."(vs. 12:2) The book ends with final instructions and farewell to Daniel. "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your inheritance." (12:13)
2 JOHN 1:
Book is only one chapter and written around 90 ad. Thought to be written around same time as other letters from John out of Ephesus. It begins being addressed to the "chosen lady and her children"(1:1). This is thought to be a particular church and her congregation.
The book continues with the theme of obedience through love, and love to God through obedience. "I ask that we love one another. 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." (1:5,6) It ends with warning against those that deceive and do not acknowledge Christ. It even goes so far as to state that anyone who "welcomes him shares in his wicked work." (1:10)
JOURNAL:
Yesterday I was again impressed by the miracle of God's grace in that we actually get to read and learn from the lives of the prophets. Reading their letters, learning of their struggles and their visions and seeing how God attended to them and how his purposes never failed. I however am a bit overwhelmed by the gifts that we have been blessed to have and own. Technology, health, our ability to communicate, our access to knowledge. Am I really doing all I can? Am I really truly engaging and living my live in obedience? I really don't have to think about it too long to acknowledge that I don't.
However, I do know that this line of thinking can do more damage in causing me to shrink back in shame. It has a devious way of heaping obligations to the point that it becomes paralyzing. In reality, if I take John's letter to heart, it commands me to simply obey God by loving others. In doing this I am to acknowledge that this love comes and originates with God through Christ. Everything else is left in God's hands with the humbling reality that I will always fail, yet that is the point. I fail, yet God never will...this does not motivate me to be lazy but rather to continue to act in love and faith knowing that God is sovereign and therefore does not fail.
"God loves you! So do I! Make it a great day!"
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