Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 11, 2013

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.”

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 4:9-11.
 
“And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
                                 
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power;  for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”  Revelation 4:9-11.
                               
———————–
 
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1
 
“God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind;  and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:21
 
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him;  male and female He created them.”  Genesis 1:27
 
“18 This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.
19 For He looked down from His holy height;
From heaven the Lord gazed upon the earth,
20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To set free those who were doomed to death,
21 That men may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion
And His praise in Jerusalem,
22 When the peoples are gathered together,
And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.”  Psalm 102:18-22.
 
“1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all stars of light!
4 Praise Him, highest heavens,
And the waters that are above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.”  Psalm 148:1-6.
 
“5 Thus says God the Lord,

Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread out the earth and its offspring,
Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those who walk in it,
6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
8 “I am the Lord, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.
9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass,
Now I declare new things;
Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”

10 Sing to the Lord a new song,
Sing His praise from the end of the earth!
You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it.
You islands, and those who dwell on them.
11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voices,
The settlements where Kedar inhabits.
Let the inhabitants of Sela sing aloud,
Let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord
And declare His praise in the coastlands.
13 The Lord will go forth like a warrior,
He will arouse His zeal like a man of war.
He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry.
He will prevail against His enemies.”  Isaiah 42:5-13.

“5  “Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.
6 “I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring My sons from afar
And My daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”  Isaiah 43:5-7.
 
“17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
18 “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
19 “I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.”  Isaiah 65:17-19.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 10, 2013

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY”

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 4:5-8.
“5 Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder.  And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;  6 and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal;  and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind.  7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.  8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, who was and who is and who is to come.”

————————–

THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY is “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”.  God is not holy just in some particular moments.  He is holy all the time.  God does not need to hide any flaws or imperfections.  He is perfectly holy.  Today’s Scripture states that four living creatures “are full of eyes around and within”, they would know if there were any lapses or flaws in God’s holiness, but “day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY is “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”.  In today’s Scripture, we also hear “flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder”.  We are reminded of Mount Sinai where “…  there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.  Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire;  and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.  When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.”  Exodus 19:16-19.

THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY is “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”.  In today’s Scripture, we also see “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God”.  We are reminded of Deuteronomy 4:24:  “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”.  But, we are also reminded of the time when God appeared “… in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush;  and he (Moses) looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.  So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.”  When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”  Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”  He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”  Exodus 3:2-5.

THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY is “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”.  In today’s Scripture, we also see a “sea of glass, like crystal”.  God surrounds Himself with holiness, perfection, and glory symbolized by the “sea of glass, like crystal”.  “O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord?  Your faithfulness also surrounds You.”  Psalm 89:8  “As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. …”  Ezekiel 1:28

THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY is “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”.  Putting it together, today’s Scripture reminds us of Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel Chapter 1.  Let us not take God lightly or in vain, but rather let us properly fear (respect with awe) God.  When Ezekiel had his vision, Ezekiel fell on his face.  When Isaiah had his vision of God, “Then I (Isaiah) said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined!  Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips;  For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:5

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 9, 2013

Why is the beauty of the reign of Christ and His elders important?

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 4:1-4.
 
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”  Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.  And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance;  and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.  Around the throne were twenty-four thrones;  and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”  Revelation 4:1-4.
 
—————————
 
Today’s Scripture reveals the beauty of the reign of Christ and the elders.  
 
“And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance;  and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.”  Revelation 4:3
 
“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones;  and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”  Revelation 4:4
 
“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.”  Psalm 27:4
 
“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone forth.”  Psalm 50:2
 
“Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”  Psalm 96:6
 
 
Why is the beauty of the reign of Christ and His elders important?  Why should we meditate on the beauty of it?
 
The beauty causes us to understand more the perfection of their reign.  The beauty causes us to desire more their reign.
 
“The Rock!  His work is perfect, For all His ways are just;  A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”  Deuteronomy 32:4
 
“7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true;  they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.’  Psalm 19:7-10.
                                
“11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12 Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13 Before the Lord, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.”  Psalm 96:11-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 9, 2013

The Belief and the Blessings of “He who overcomes”

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 3:21-22.
 
 
“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  Revelation 3:21-22.
 
 
———————–
 
We reach the end of Christ’s messages to the churches, and we reach the end of the ages, so to speak.  We may feel scared, threatened, and worried by both our shortcomings inside and by the ominous comings of the world outside.  How can we overcome?!
 
But, there is hope! 
 
Christ said:  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33.
 
We should take courage.  Christ has overcome the world.  “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39.
 
And, “… this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”  1 John 4:5.
 
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;  and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”  1 John 4:5.
 
Today’s Scripture contains the blessing that “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne …”.  Verse 21.  In other words, “He who overcomes” will reign with Christ.  “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:17.  “If we endure, we will also reign with Him;  …”  2 Timothy 2:12  “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”  Revelation 22:5
 
And, let us remember the rest of the many blessings that we recently read in Christ’s messages to the churches.
 
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’”  Revelation 2:7.
 
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’”  Revelation 2:11.
 
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’”  Revelation 2:17.
 
“He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;  and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father;  and I will give him the morning star.”  Revelation 2:26-27.
 
“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments;  and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”  Revelation 3:5.
 
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”  Revelation 3:12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 7, 2013

This is the Second Coming of the Lord Almighty! “My sheep hear My voice”

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 3:20.
 
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock;  if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”  Revelation 3:20.
 
———————-
 
We need to clear our head of that picture of an impotent jesus meekly standing outside a door, wringing his hands and hoping that the door would be opened by “the Man” inside.  That is not the true Jesus.  
 
This is the Second Coming of the Lord Almighty!  This is not a neighborhood visit.  Behold, “the Judge is standing right at the door.” 
 
“You too be patient;  strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.  Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged;  behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.”  James 5:8-9.
 
The knocking is a “Wake-up!” action.  This is not a plea. 
 
Remember the message to the churches is “Wake up!”  For example, we read:  “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die;  for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.”  Revelation 3:2.  
 
““I was asleep but my heart was awake.  A voice!  My beloved was knocking:  ‘Open to me, my sister, my darling, My dove, my perfect one!  For my head is drenched with dew, My locks with the damp of the night.’”  Song of Solomon 5:2
 
Those who open the door are the elect.  They are not just a random group who happen to have the best hearing or most tender hearts.   
 
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10:27-28.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 5, 2013

Luke-warm People, Cold People, and Hot People

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 3:14-19.
 
“14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
 
The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
 
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot;  I wish that you were cold or hot.  16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.  17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;  and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;  therefore be zealous and repent.”  Revelation 3:14-19.                                   
 
————————-
                          

Luke-warm people are content to be in the middle of the pack.  They take comfort that they are better than others.  They are not drunk, drug users, nor abusive to others.  They support themselves.  They rest in the fact that they are moral, law-abiding citizens.  But, they don’t really look out for others or seek to be more.  They are like spit:  luke-warm, tolerable in their own mouths, but repulsive to everyone else.  They are self-righteous.   

Cold people admit that they have problems.  They don’t take care of themselves as they should.  They know that they are weak.  They make a lot of mistakes.  They are like frozen ice;  they really don’t get anything done, and others should be careful when they encounter them so as to not slip on them.  But, they are looking for a savior (small “s”).  They are sad sinners. 

Hot people are busy helping others.  They are always running around “doing”.  They are like boiling water;  they may be doing many things but not the “one thing” that they should be doing.  But, they are looking for solutions.  They are sincere searchers.   

Cold people and hot people are closer to salvation than luke-warm people, because they are at least looking for a savior (small “s”) or solutions.  They are more likely than luke-warm people to repent.  Verse 19.  They are more likely to buy that “gold refined by fire”, “white garments” and that “eye salve”.  Verse 18. 

There is hope for the cold people.  There is hope for the hot people.  “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;  therefore be zealous and repent.”  Verse 19.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 4, 2013

“as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.”

Today’s devotion again includes Revelation 3:12-13.  I will just quote these two verses rather than the whole section. 
 
“12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;  and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.  13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  Revelation 3:12-13.
 
——————–
 
We belong to God the Father.  “I will write on him the name of My God“.  
 
We belong to Jesus Christ, God the Son.  “I will write on him … My new name”.
 
We are citizens of heaven (Zion).  “I will write on him … the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven”.  “Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.”  Psalm 87:3.  “Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, “All my springs of joy are in you.”  Psalm 87:7. 
 
 
“1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,
Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
And all kings your glory;
And you will be called by a new name
Which the mouth of the Lord will designate.
3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,”
Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;
But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”
And your land, “Married”;
For the Lord delights in you,
And to Him your land will be married.
5 For as a young man marries a virgin,
So your sons will marry you;
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So your God will rejoice over you.”  Isaiah 62:1-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 3, 2013

Pillars in the Temple of our God

Today’s devotion again includes Revelation 3:12-13.  I will just quote these two verses rather than the whole section.
 
“12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;  and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.  13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  Revelation 3:12-13.
 
——————–
 
We start with a blessing for our daughters.  Let “… our daughters (be) as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;”.  Psalm 144:12.
 
Today’s Scripture contains the glorious promise:  “… I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore …”.  Verse 12.
 
God gives us insight into the importance of this blessing to our daughters and the importance of this promise to all of God’s people in Verse 12.  We see the importance of pillars in God’s glorious presence in the pillar of cloud, in God’s meticulous instructions that He gave for the construction of pillars in the tabernacle, and in Solomon’s construction of the pillars in the temple.  Click here: BibleGateway.com – Keyword Search: pillar
 
Even “Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;”  Proverbs 9:1
 
“… James and Cephas and John … were reputed to be pillars (of the church) …”  Galatians 2:9
 
“… the church of the living God, (is) the pillar and support of the truth.”  1 Timothy 3:15
 
All of these uses of pillars helps us believe that as pillars, we are an important part of the temple of God and that we “will not go out from it anymore”.  Verse 12.  
 
Finally, regarding the blessing of dwelling in God’s courts (a/k/a house a/k/a temple), the following verses from the book of Psalms form a good concluding thanks and praise for such a blessing.
 
“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts.  We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.”  Psalm 65:4.

 
“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.  I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”  Psalm 84:10.
 
“O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house And the place where Your glory dwells.”  Psalm 26:8.
 
“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.”  Psalm 27:4.
 
“How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!  They are ever praising You.  Selah.”  Psalm 84:4.
 
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Psalm 23:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 2, 2013

The Promise of the Crown

Today’s devotion repeats Revelation 3:7-13 but covers the next promise, the promise of the crown. 
 
“7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
                                   
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:
                                               
8 ‘I know your deeds.  Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.  10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  11 I am coming quickly;  hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;  and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.  13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  Revelation 3:7-13.
                                          
——————–
 
In today’s devotion, we cover the next promise, the promise of the crown.  “I am coming quickly;  hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”  Verse 11.
                                  
First, the crown represents the Lord Himself.  “In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people;”  Isaiah 28:5 

Second, the crown represents righteousness:  “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day;  and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:8
 
Third, the crown represents eternal life.  “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;  for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  James 1:12
 
Fourth, the crown represents glory.  “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”  1 Peter 5:4
 
In conclusion, despite all this, Christ attracts us more than the crown:  “And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
                              

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power;  for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”  Revelation 4:9-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 1, 2013

First Three Promises

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 3:7-13.
 
“7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
 
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:
                                      

8 ‘I know your deeds.  Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.  10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  11 I am coming quickly;  hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore;  and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.  13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  Revelation 3:7-13.

———————

Today’s Scripture contains promises of Christ which can comfort us and motivate us.  They were made to the church in Philadelphia but are also applicable to chosen others (the elect).

In today’s devotion, we will cover the first three promises.  

First, we see the “open door which no one can shut”.  Verse 8.  In Acts 14:27, we read of an open door of faith.  “When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”  We read about Lydia in Acts 16:14 and how the Lord opened her heart.  “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening;  and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”  

Here is what is stated in part about this first promise in part by the Canons of Dordt, THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God; but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens; from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable; actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.

Second, Christ “will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.”  Verse 9. 

Here is what is stated about this second promise in part by the Belgic Confession, Article 37:  Of the Last Judgment.

“…Their innocence shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance which God shall execute on the wicked, who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed and tormented them in this world;  and who shall be convicted by the testimony of their own consciences, and being immortal, shall be tormented in that everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. But on the contrary, the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor;  and the Son of God will confess their names before God his Father, and his elect angels; all tears shall be wiped from their eyes; and their cause which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates, as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God. And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory, as never entered into the heart of man to conceive. Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  AMEN.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation. 22:20.”

Third, Christ “will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”  Verse 10.  Christians will experience troubles, testing, and tribulations, but not in the nature nor to the extent that the wicked experience. 

“20 Come, my people, enter into your rooms
And close your doors behind you;
Hide for a little while
Until indignation runs its course.
21 For behold, the Lord is about to come out from His place
To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;
And the earth will reveal her bloodshed
And will no longer cover her slain.”  Isaiah 26:20-21.

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