Tag Archives: Revelation

1 Samuel 13, Isaiah 56-57, Revelation 21-21

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Contrast between Saul’s sacrifices, and those who hold fast God’s covenant.  Saul’s offerings were not performed in accordance with the command of God, and so the kingdom of Israel would belong to another king.

But to those who keep the Sabbath, who do not profane it but hold fast to God’s covenant, God says he will “bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar“.

Our lives in this present age do not compare to the promise of what is to come, the new heaven and new earth, dwelling with God amongst us, as His people.  Our lives today will determine whether we are found written in the Lamb’s book of life, able to enter the city lit by the glory of God.  Let’s thirst after the water of life without price, so that we can share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in Revelation.

1 Samuel 9, Isaiah 53, Revelation 15-16

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Today we read of the personal cost involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Despised and rejected by men, pierced and crushed, oppressed and afflicted, no majesty or beauty apparent in his form, chastised in order to bring us peace.  Yet as a result many are accounted righteous.

Jesus “bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Such a contrast from the king that Israel chose, fruitlessly searching for his father’s donkeys. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the first-fruits of those who have “conquered the beast and its image”.

Jesus led the way, it’s up to us now to follow his example, so that we too can sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty… your righteous acts have been revealed”.

 

Isaiah 50, Revelation 10-11

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Isaiah 50 is one of the “servant prophecies” that refers to Jesus. It describes Jesus’ constant communication with God, submission to those that tortured him, trust in God, and reliance on God’s protection.  It provides an insight into the difficulty of Jesus’ life, as he endured so that we could have hope of salvation.

By contrast, Revelation 11 gives us a glimpse of the future kingdom, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”. This is part of our hope, our motivation, for taking up our cross and following Jesus, looking for that city whose builder and maker is God.

 

Isaiah 49, Revelation 7-9

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Isaiah was told “the Lord, who is faithful…has chosen you.”  We too have been chosen by God, predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s son.  God constantly helped His people Israel, even when they turned their back on Him. Through Isaiah, God promised them “I will not forget you…I am the Lord your Saviour, and your redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob.“

In Revelation we read of those who have responded to God’s calling, who have accepted God’s help. “They are before the throne of God…shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore…God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” We have the chance to be part of the “great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”.

Let’s keep this vision of the future in our minds as we commence another week of battling against sin, and “stand firm in the faith“