Sunday, December 28, 2014

ZECHARIAH 7-9:

The people come to inquire of God as to whether they should continue to fast in the 5th month.  Apparently they had been doing so as a sign of mourning since Nebuchadnezzar had burned down the temple in 586 B.C.

God answers and questions their motives. 

"When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?"(7:4)

God then recounts his simple instructions all along...which were disobeyed and were the cause of all the destruction.

"Administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor.  In your hearts do not think evil of each other." 

"But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears.  The made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord almighty had sent by his Spirit...So the Lord Almighty was very angry.  When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen...This is how they made the pleasant land desolate." (7:9-14)

The rest of the two chapters reiterate the same points and end with predictions of Christ and the coming of the Kingdom.

REVELATION 19:

"Hallelujah!" The roar goes up from Heaven as the announcement of the entrance of Christ.

For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine lined, bright and clean, was given her to wear."

John at this point falls down to worship the messengar and he rebukes him...

Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!

Then enters Christ

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God...Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations...On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

The final battle is underway...the beast and false prophet are captured and thrown into the "fiery lake of burning sulfur"

JOURNAL:

I am amazed...I guess I should be amazed at how little I typically comprehend. I feel as if you could take these few chapters and spend years disecting them and also living by them.  So often my motives for my actions are completely selfish.  I do things because I hope they will benefit me.  Not because I am obedient to God.  I tend to worship and place importance on myself and then on things and people that are not God.  I see very clearly that I am no better than the rebellious Israelites. Even though for all my life scripture is right here...clearly revealing my rebellious ways, I still tend to focus first on myself and then on all those things that benefit my wants and desires. 

No wonder Paul, a man who obeyed the scriptures all of his life and could quote entire books says...

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

With that...there is really nothing left to say!

"God loves you! So do I! Make it a great day!