I believe it is helpful to start with this bit of commentary from gotquestions.org:
All four gospels present an account of Jesus being anointed by a woman with a costly jar of perfume (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8). Matthew and Mark relate the same event but do not give the woman’s name; Luke tells of a different woman, also anonymous, on an earlier occasion; and, in yet another event, the woman in John is identified as Mary of Bethany (John 11:2), sister to Martha and Lazarus.
gotquestions.org
There are many women named Mary in the Bible, so it should be noted that Mary of Bethany, the woman mentioned in John’s account of the ‘alabaster box’, is also known to us as the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:2). While Matthew and Mark did not identify the woman in their accounts by name, they related similar stories. Each story, though brief, is a beautiful display of an “extravagant act of worship”.1
The three women who anointed Jesus recognized Christ’s unequaled value and expressed their gratitude with unreserved love and devotion. gotquestions.org
It is also worth noting that at least one of the disciples (if not all) complained about the woman’s act being extravagant and wasteful. In each of these accounts, Jesus corrects the disciples’ criticism/concern for what she had done for Him. My favorite response is found in Matthew 26:10:
“She has done a beautiful thing to me”. Christ explains that the anointing is to prepare His body for burial and that the woman’s act of love will forever be remembered wherever the good news is preached.
Friends, to borrow a statement of prayer from the journal: “May we pour out our lives in service to Him.” May we worship Him with such reverence and awe that we hold nothing back ~ that He might say of us, “She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
Reflection and Application
(answers, thoughts, and questions may be left in the comment section below)
We may be criticized when we ‘pour it all out for Him’, but we must ask ourselves: Is quitting worth missing out on giving Him the glory He deserves?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She replied,“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who comes into the world.
John 11:25-26
I love this part of Martha’s story. Remember, Martha had just bared her heart and grief to Jesus, saying, “…”if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” However, she also went on to speak her faith as well, “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will grant You.”
Friends, don’t miss this. Jesus, knowing that Martha is grieving her brother’s death, has encouraged her that her brother will rise again (v23), and then He uses the opportunity to share the Gospel message with her – telling her:
I am the resurrection and the life…
Whoever believes in Me will live even if he dies.
Jesus doesn’t stop there, though. He follows the statements up with one powerful question:
“Do you believe this?”
Her answer was not only the best she could have given, but it revealed even more of her heart and attitude toward Jesus, as she acknowledged that she not only believed in Him but also knew Him as the Lord (ultimate authority) and Messiah (Christ, the Son of God). – This presses me to ask anyone reading this post: Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that – if you believe in Him – you will live, even if you die?
Every aspect of our walk with the Lord is based on our answer to this question.
She, Volume 1, p 35
If you’re wondering how you or anyone can possibly believe the promise of Jesus – consider then the love and actions of God: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The study guide points out another enlightening and important detail about Martha and her response to Jesus’ words to her … “She went to tell Mary.”
And when she had said this, Martha went and called her sister Mary, saying privately, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
John 11:28
Oh sweet friends, may our faith cause us to want to introduce someone else to Jesus.
Reflection/Application
What are you asking the Lord to do for you? (Phil 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7)
Do you believe He is able to do it? (Ephesians 3:20-21; Ps 118:13-14)
Who do you need to tell about Jesus? (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15)
Scroll down to leave a comment or question, or if you would like to know more about Jesus’ promise of eternal life 💕 –
… See my hands and look at my feet It’s okay if it’s hard to believe I have faith you will do greater things It’s my time to go but before I leave
… Go tell the world about me I was dead but now I live I’ve gotta go now for a little while But goodbye is not the end
… Don’t forget the things that I taught you I’ve conquered death and I hold the keys Where I go you will go too, someday But there’s much to do here before you leave
… Go tell the world about me I was dead but now I live I’ve gotta go now for a little while But goodbye is not the
… End of the journey, the end of the road My spirit is with you wherever you go You have a purpose and I have a plan I’ll make you this promise I’ll come back again but until then
… Go tell the world about me I was dead but now I live I’ve gotta go now for a little while But goodbye is not the end
… go tell them about me (Go tell the world) I’ve gotta go (Go tell the world) for a little while But goodbye is not the end
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 11:5, 20-23, and 12:2
As both Scripture and our study guide point out, Martha “had a history of being moved to action by her love for Jesus.” We see this truth in action after Lazarus dies, and Martha hears that Jesus is coming – she immediately goes to meet Him. It is unclear if she even told Mary that He was coming or that she was going out to meet Him. The fact that Mary remained sitting in the house leads one to believe that she may not have known.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:21
While Martha’s statement to Jesus can be seen as an accusation, it is also possible and even probable that it was simply a statement of sorrow, coupled with Martha’s strong faith that, had Jesus been there, the outcome could have been different. One commentary explains it like this: In full context, her meaning is something like, “this is not how I hoped things would be.” Which was followed by her next statement: “But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.“1 Can you imagine her delight when, after seeing/hearing her faith, Jesus responded: “Your brother shall rise again.”
So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Reflection/Application
What example(s) does Martha set for us in today’s passage?
What could you be doing while you wait for His return?
The More We Know
It is worth noting this piece of trivia from the study guide: “The last time Martha is mentioned she served supper.” – “There they made Him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him.” John 12:2
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:38-40
My mother was the queen of rummage sales and alley finds, and refurbishing the treasures she found was her gift. Perhaps this explains some of why she loved to entertain. Whether it was her bridge night with her besties from high school, a larger gathering of friends, or dinner for the extended family, some of my fondest childhood memories are of when we had guests over.
However, having guests over often meant chores, like polishing silver, extra dusting, and cleaning throughout the house. It wasn’t that I truly minded the chores that came before the guests, but once the guests arrived, I wanted to be in the midst of them. Even if the company did not include other children, I wanted to hear the conversations and/or simply watch their interaction. Along the way, I learned that while I enjoyed being with the guests, the ‘hosting’ responsibilities were important as well. I also learned that hosting brought its own joy. That being said, I am still very much a ‘Mary” at heart, particularly if the Word is being taught or discussed (I credit this to my dad, who loved to discuss and expound on the Word or sit and talk with others about questions they had or things they had learned). As for Mary and Martha, the good news is that today’s passage of our journey teaches neither is bad/wrong; in fact, both are good. However, it is important to note that while Martha’s concern for and act of hospitality were not wrong, hospitality was not the most important thing. The most important thing was to “sit at His feet”.1 –
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look clear in his wonderful face – and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/Selah
Today’s study guide points out something that surprised me. Maybe you’ve always known it, but for me it was somehow new. Martha and Mary had both sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word (vs 39), but as verse 40 notes, “Martha was distracted“ first, by the preparations that still needed to be done, and then by the fact that Mary wasn’t helping her, and finally (and perhaps most sadly), to the idea that Jesus did not care that she had been left alone to serve. The thing that stands out to me in Martha’s distraction is that once her mind was distracted by the need to serve, more distractions followed.
Reflection/Application:
Martha asked Jesus, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me alone to serve?”
Did He care about Martha?
Does He care for us?
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
How can you serve Him more?
Share your thoughts or comments/questions in the comment section or join me at my FB page, Journey Through the Word, for more discussion.
Our previous day’s journey focused on Lydia and how the Gospel she heard from Paul changed her life. Her life was no longer about a religion or religious acts – instead, it was now about a relationship with God, made possible through the grace of God and the saving work of Jesus Christ, His Son. This change in Lydia’s heart is a prime example that “there is”, as the study guide puts it, “a difference in knowing something, and actually believing, or placing your faith in it” (p 26).
After her heart was opened, she placed her faith in Jesus and never looked back. Scripture tells us that she (and her household)* were baptized … she then provided housing for Paul and those with him on more than one occasion. One commentary describes her as one who is “generous and passes on that generous spirit to the church that started in her home (Phil 4:15-16).
And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion you sent something for my need.
Philippians 4:15-16
While Lydia’s name doesn’t appear often in Scripture, it is easy to see – from her salvation (believed to be the first in Europe)…to her public profession of faith through baptism…to her willingness to house Paul and the others…to opening her home so others could hear the message and grow in their faith…to laboring with Paul and others in spreading the Gospel … and using her income to help missionaries whom she often hosted in her home – why it is believed that “she had a great impact on the church.”
“She had a great impact on the church.”
She Volume 1, p 27
Lydia was not bashful but bold with her faith. As the writers of our study guide point out, “She must have told all that were in her household what the Lord had done for her” – for they were baptized with her. Lydia was so excited and passionate about her faith that she had to share it with those around her. What a beautiful picture she is of “the effects the Gospel can have on our lives.” Surely she is an inspiration to be active and open in our walk of faith, generous and purposeful in ministry, and ready and willing to share the Gospel, mindful that the person seated beside you week after week in church may need to hear the Gospel message of salvation.
Words of Encouragement: For Faith and Duty
Sharing the Gospel does not come easily for everyone. From our personalities to our understanding of the Gospel, and everything in between, there are many reasons or excuses we allow to hold us back. Perhaps we’re afraid we will say the wrong thing or offend someone – there are a myriad of other reasons we can offer, but there is one reason that should outweigh all of the reasons/excuses we can think of – and it is found in John 3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.Simply put, it is a choice between life and death. Trust me, I’m not making light of the ‘difficulty’ we have with this all-important commission. I still freeze up sometimes, and/or I make excuses that it’s not the right setting or timing … or I can’t remember what to say … and sometimes those things may be true, but I have found that if I just open my mouth – God will lead the way and the conversation. Sometimes it ends up being an invitation to church; other times it is putting the Gospel information in their hands; still others, it is actually sharing the Gospel, as Paul did with Lydia – and even then the outcome isn’t on us … for only God can open someone’s heart and mind to understand the message of salvation.
Consider this … When Moses was sent by God to speak with Pharaoh, Moses told God: “Please, Lord, I am not a man of words, neither formerly nor since you’ve been speaking to your servant, because my mouth and my tongue are clumsy.” God heard Moses’ response and replied back: And Yahweh said to him:“Who made man’s mouth? Who makes him dumb or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now, go! And I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:10-12
Friends, the battle belongs to the Lord! Just as God came down and spoke to Moses – leading Him to set His people free from slavery to Pharaoh – Jesus came down to set sinners free from their bondage to the law of sin and death. Like Moses, we have been commissioned to be the mouthpieces and the lights that lead them out – the hands and feet of Jesus, His love (the very message of the Gospel) in and to a lost and dying world.
Reflection/Application
What does Lydia inspire you to do? – share your answer, question, or comment in the comment section below – or jump over to my Journey Through the Word page
The More We Know
Need help sharing the Gospel? Check out this step-by-step plan of salvation from my church’s website. You can also message me for something to share with those who may need to hear the Gospel message.
17 They acted like fools in their rebellious ways, and suffered because of their sins. 18 They lost their appetite for all food, and they drew near the gates of death. 19 They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles. 20 He sent them an assuring word and healed them; he rescued them from the pits where they were trapped. 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love, and for the amazing things he has done for people. 22 Let them present thank offerings, and loudly proclaim what he has done.
Psalm 107:17-22
As he did in verses 6 and 13, the Psalmist once again calls the people to “give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” He not only calls them to give thanks but to sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and to declare the LORD’s works with rejoicing. What wonderful encouragement these passages are. They are good and necessary reminders that if we are going to cry out to the LORD in our trouble, we should first look for the deliverance He will surely bring, and seeing it, we should give Him offerings of thanksgiving1 and declare His works with rejoicing. This not only glorifies God but also opens the door for others who may be in a time of trouble and need to know that there is a loving and faithful deliverer!
When the people cried out for help in verse 13, we read in verse 14 that “He brought them out of the utter darkness, and tore off their shackles.” However, in today’s passage, when the people cry out to God for help, the Scripture says that not only did He bring them out of darkness, but He also sent His word and healed them, and He delivered them from their destruction.“Oh, how glad I am that we serve a God who will lead us out of darkness, even darkness that we have brought upon ourselves through rebellion, whether the darkness of sin or death, or other distresses. His Word and the testimonies of His people bear witness to His faithfulness to rescue and deliver us when we cry out to Him.
“All that God has to do, in order to save us, is to send us his word. He has done that by sending his dear Son, who is the incarnate Word. He sends us the word in the shape of the Holy Scriptures; he sends us the word in the preaching of his servants; but what we want most of all is to have that word sent home by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Spurgeon)
Friends, how have you seen God “heal you” with His Word? Perhaps you are in a season of darkness or destruction now. If so, take heart and call out to Him, for He is able to deliver you out of your troubles.
Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons— Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, Therefore, He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two.
Psalm 107:10-16
Oh what a gloomy psalm …While the previous section of this Psalm (4-9) describes God leading His people out from the wilderness, where they were lost and homeless and so hungry and thirsty that they nearly died…this section describes God’s people as prisoners, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death – bound in affliction and irons. Why? The Scripture declares that it was because the people had rebelled against the words of their God, they had turned away from His instructions, and despised His counsel. So bad was their situation that they fell down, and the Psalmist says there was no one there to help them. It was then, at their lowest point, they cried out to God for help, or as one commentator put it, “God’s imprisoned people begged Him for help,” ~ “and He delivered/saved them from their distress, bringing them out of the darkness and shadow of death, and breaking their chains in pieces.” – I love the way David Guzik defines this answer from God as “pure grace and mercy.” Guzik goes on to quote commentator John Trapp, who said of this verse: “This is comfort to the greatest sinners; if they can but find a praying heart, God will find a pitying heart…”
They cried out to the LORD in their trouble: In their chains and hardship, God’s imprisoned people begged Him for help, and He answered. He saved them out of their distresses and broke their chains in pieces. This was pure grace and mercy from God; these prisoners were under God’s own discipline. Yet when they cried out to Him, He mercifully answered. (Guzik)
i. “This is comfort to the greatest sinners; if they can but find a praying heart, God will find a pitying heart, and rebels shall be received with all sweetness, if at length they return, though brought in by the cross.” (Trapp)
Enduring Word
Now, the psalmist again, and rightfully so, calls those who have seen and experienced such grace from the Lord to “give thanks to God for His goodness and wonderful works.”
Friends, where have you seen His grace and mercy … His goodness .. and His wonderful works? ` Let’s make it a habit, when we see these things, to stop and praise Him.
Sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Today’s “Thankful” passage is part of a chain of verses that caught my attention this past weekend. I was originally led to verses 4-9. However, after reading the entire Psalm and realizing that it is a beautiful crescendo of words that are best read together, from the introduction of the Psalmist’s declaration of God’s enduring love, or “loyal love”, as one translation puts it — to the conclusion, where God’s wisdom allows us to understand His loving-kindness and we are led to praise Him all the more.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Psalm 107:2-3 KJV
Sin’s Power Is Broken –
6 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:1-11 NLT
Friends, if you are a believer, it is so important to remember that we were once slaves to sin, and though freed from that slavery, we are still the target of our enemy, the devil. “He actively works to nullify the effect of the Word of God in people’s hearts (Matthew 13:3–4, 19), and he blinds the intellect of those who do not believe so they cannot understand the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).1” The payment for our sin was death2, meaning we were desperately in need of a redeemer.3 God sent Jesus, our “Kinsman Redeemer,4” to pay the penalty we owed, so that we might not only live but have eternal life!5 His death on the cross broke the power of sin over all who put their faith in Jesus Christ.
While commentator, David Guzik, rightfully notes that, “We might be redeemed from the world, the flesh, the devil, or countless other snares. Here, the psalmist has in mind redemption from the hand of the enemy, probably connected with the exile of God’s people.” However, once we realize the detailed truth of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, (outlined for us here and throughout God’s Word), would it not be the epitome of rudeness to be silent about such a great gift of His redeeming us from the power of sin and death? Oh, how little we must think of His great and unmerited gift of life, if we do not daily proclaim our redemption to Him with thanksgiving and to the people around us, that they might also be redeemed. After all, to declare our redemption is to make known the Gospel Message, of which we are ambassadors who are not to be ashamed, for the gospel message is God’s power to save.
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Romans 1:16
Friends, may we be faithful stewards of our words – both in praises to God and in sharing His redemptive plan with the world around us. – Or as the old chorus echoing through my mind says:
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so Let the redeemed of the Lord say so Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed, Praise the Lord!
The More We Know
The word gospel means “good news,” which is the message of forgiveness for sin through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It is essentially God’s rescue plan of redemption for those who will trust in His divine Son in order to be reconciled to a just and holy God.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord! Scripture says it, and I have personally found it to be true in my life. The writer of this Psalm obviously knew it to be true, for throughout the chapter, he calls his listeners/readers to proclaim God’s goodness. He also continues to reveal the goodness of God throughout the entire Psalm.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Ps.107:1
I love that the Psalmist not only calls us to give thanks but also tells us why to give thanks. He calls us to give thanks for two specific reasons that we are wise to remember and daily declare.
He is good.
His mercies (or loyal love) endure forever.
To know His goodness and mercies is a wonderful thing/feeling, but more than that, it is a catalyst for knowing Him intimately. His goodness and mercy allow us to know Him. They draw our eyes upward. They open our eyes to His love and kindness. They convince us of His faithfulness to never leave or forsake us. They are seen in His grace to save/deliver us from our sins, and in His power to transform us from the inside out. His goodness knows no boundaries – for God is only, always, good.
The gotquestions.org commentary explains it like this:“To say that God is good means that God always acts in accordance to what is right, true, and good. Goodness is part of God’s nature, and He cannot contradict His nature. Holiness and righteousness are part of God’s nature; He cannot do anything that is unholy or unrighteous. God is the standard of all that is good.”
Friends, let’s ask Him to open our eyes to see His goodness and mercy throughout the day, and may we be quick and faithful to give Him thanks, declaring aloud: ‘Thank You, God!’ For You are good and Your mercies endure forever!
Based on the LGG Journal, From the Beginning to Foreverw6/d5
Read: Revelation 1:4-8; 20:7-10 and 21:1-6/SOAP: Revelation 21:3-4
Greeting the Seven Churches
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:4-8 (NKJV)
Satanic Rebellion Crushed
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:7-10 NKJV
All Things Made New
21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
Revelation 21:1-6 (NKJV)
Friends, as today’s LGG Journal entry points out, “This is the future reality the Bible paints for us.”1
We can only imagine what that day will be like… The sights and sounds, the reality of God wiping away every tear, death, sorrow, crying, and pain no longer being a part of life…The inexplicable joy of coming into the presence of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End…the One who will “freely give us, for all eternity, spiritual blessings to enjoy…resources from God that will be at our disposal for the enjoyment of the new heaven and earth.”2
Perhaps, like me, you are longing for that day…a day when God will dwell with His people as He did in the garden…a day when pain and sorrow and all of the harsh realities of this life will be over…the day when we will live in the New Jerusalem. “Oh, what a glorious day that will be!”3 If you do not have the certainty of that hope, but would like to learn how to share in it, I invite you to continue reading this post and then visit the link “Know These Truths.”
Revelation is unquestionably a complex book, especially for those of us who like things spelled out more than we appreciate descriptions or depictions that are a challenge to fully grasp and leave us shaking our heads, saying, “What?”. Honestly, while I dive into nearly every other book of the Bible without hesitation, I have tended to steer clear of the book of Revelation, not out of fear of what’s to come, but out of frustration and concern that I will be confused by or misunderstand the complexity of John’s words. However, as I find myself praying more and more, “Come, Lord Jesus, come,” I have become increasingly drawn to the book. I have a hunger to know more than the clear and certain truths of the end times that I have professed for years: Jesus is coming again…He will defeat not only Satan but all of His enemies…and He will rule forever as King. While traveling through “From the Beginning to Forever,” I have been reminded of the need to live with the full reality of eternity in mind – not just that I am going to live with Him forever in the New Jerusalem, but that those who have not believed in the Lord Jesus Christ will spend their eternity in hell. If I lose sight of this, I give the enemy a foothold to hold me back from sharing the message of the Gospel, which is the good news that Jesus saves, and that salvation is not only the promise of forgiveness and eternal life, but that it is the free gift of God to all who believe.4
Friends, knowing what our “forever” is, is a blessing above all blessings, for we know that, “We will day be glorified and spend eternity with the Savior.”5 However, may we never lose sight of the truth that those who have never believed face a real and certain eternity in anguish in the flame.6
Me From the Inside Out 