Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

Marriage of the Lamb

7/21/2013

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (Revelation 19:6-7).

The marriage of the Lamb is the final restoration of Christ to His people. His people are composed of all those since the beginning of time that are known by Him. To be known by Him is to be saved. It is also a gracious action by God, predicted from the beginning, brought to fruition through the omnipotent power and knowledge of God. Happy are those called by His grace.

Separate for good reason

7/20/2013

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues (Revelation 18:4).

God asks His people to be different and to separate themselves from sin. This is not so they can judge others but so they will be able to avoid judgment themselves. Our only hope is in God’s saving grace through His mercy towards our condition. Ultimately, God sets His people apart for His glory and their good.

Called, chosen and faithful

7/19/2013

14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful (Revelation 17:14).

God’s people are called, chosen and faithful. There is a lot of theology in these facts. To be called means that there is a caller (God). To be chosen means that there is an action taken by the chooser (God). To be faithful means there is a response to the caller and the chooser: a response to God. When we respond to God we are responding to the One that is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

God is righteous

7/18/2013

7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments (Revelation 16:7).

This chapter of Revelation contains the vial judgments of God. They are severe and it will not be a good time to be on earth during these judgments of God. We tend, I think, to gloss over the judgments of God in our day-to-day existence. But God is righteous and I think it is worth a reminder that even the slightest of sins is rebellion against God and by God’s own words, and from His perspective, deserving of death (remember from Genesis what God said about the results of sin). So no sin, no matter how small from our perspective, is insignificant because the sin is disobedience towards the Holy Creator God. God however in His infinite mercy and grace has provided a mechanism for salvation. That salvation is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. So judgment can be avoided through Him-This is both good news and a source of hope.

The response to the fear of God

7/17/2013

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest (Revelation 15:4).

The book of Revelation contains many references to the fear of God and the future judgments by God. The judgments are a result of rebellion against God and they are just. The judgments are just because God is holy and perfect and He does not make mistakes. When we fear God we are really humbling ourselves before Him and in so doing we are recognizing that there is a big distinction between the Created and the Creator.

Fear and worship God

7/16/2013

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters (Revelation 14:6-7).

The Gospel message is everlasting and unchanging. The time is coming when the Gospel will be preached to all that are on earth. Notice too that the first command as part of the preaching is to fear God. The fear of God is the beginning of all faith and wisdom. The second command given is to give glory to God. So we are to fear and worship God.

If anyone has an ear, let them hear

7/15/2013

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear (Revelation 13:4-9).

Rebellion against God always leads to worship of something or someone other than God. While it may be foreign for us to think this way, there are just two types of people: those for God, and those against. Absence of the former is the latter. I have been discussing generalities but this passage is very specific. There is a future time when a deceiver of immense magnitude will be on the earth and he will oppose all that is God. He will lead a rebellion against God and God’s people. This will be a horrible time on earth, but as has always been the case, all that call upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.

War in heaven

7/14/2013

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven (Revelation 12:7-8).

While there are clearly struggles here on earth, it is important to realize that we only see part of the overall struggle between good and evil. Much of the struggles are spiritual battles. These battles are real and they involve beings of enormous power. The power of good however always has and always will prevail over the powers of darkness. The good news of Revelation is that battle is already won, won by the power of God to save.

Two witnesses

7/13/2013

3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth (Revelation 11:3-4).

There is a future time when two witnesses will prophesy on earth. They will prophesy concerning the end times. These witnesses will be powerful and will display mighty works. The identity of these witnesses has long been debated but regardless of their identity, they will be very powerful and loyal servants of God. As servants of God they will do His will.

Mystery finished

7/12/2013

7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets (Revelation 10:7).

All of scripture is the story of redemption and renewal of the Creation. God knows the beginning from the end and since the beginning God has interacted in human history. At times that interaction is overt and other times it may seem subtler. But God’s plan is one unified plan; complete and perfect.

Created Through Him