October 18, 2013 by conrade

Catch-up Day (Oct 18th, 2013)

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Catch-up Day (October 18th, 2013) (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 18 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
(Revelation 22:17-21)

Take the day to catch up on your missed readings. It is also a great moment to remember the great day of rest and peace. Feel free to read ahead. We continue with Isaiah 1 tomorrow.

Blessings,

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Time for Reflection: “Thus the gulf between the Creator and the finite creature has been bridged by revelation, and the absolute mystery of that transcendent source from which we come has been illumined to our spirits and made partially intelligible to our minds. To Christians, therefore, the transcendence of God implies and requires the revelatory acts of God. And for this reason, Christian theology rightly feels that all that it can validly say about the transcendent God must be based upon and guided by God’s revelation of Himself.” (Langdon Gilkey)

conrade

This “Read Through the New Testament” project and commentary is sent to you from Theology@Work, a ministry that helps apply theology in our daily lives, and seeks to inculcate, faith, hope and love in our heads, hearts and hands. If you find this meditation helpful, forward it to friends or encourage them to subscribe here. You can contact me (conrade) at yapdates@aim.com.

October 17, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 22

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 22 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 17 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

6The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

7“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

8I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

10Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

12“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
(Revelation 21:1-20)

We have come to the final chapter of the New Testament. I want to take some time to examine how the whole ending looks like. Let me make five observations and two final conclusions.

First, the vision of the river of life shows how vibrant and life sustaining is the outflow of grace and blessings. Note how the clear water of life gushes forth from one source to the other regions. This is about the spread of life.

Second, fruits come forth fully, all twelve crops referring to all the tribes of God’s chosen people. They will be continually fruitful for God.

Third, the light that is present will be omnipresent and ever present. There is no lack of light. There will be no more darkness. There will be light.

Fourth, the Word of God will be fulfilled completely and perfectly. Things written in the Book of Life will be fully revealed.

Fifth, even in the midst of the glory, there is the temptation to bow down and worship the beauty of the vision, just like John who was warned not to bow down before the angel bringing the blessings.

The first conclusion is that there will be judgment. Only those whose names are written in the book of life will be saved. Those who have will have more.

The second conclusion is this. How ready are we to receive the coming of the Lord Jesus? The Spirit has already said, “Come.” God is coming. God will come again.

Come Lord Jesus!

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Time for Reflection: “The promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us, that any of us … shall please God… to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son – it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is.” (C. S. Lewis)

conrade

October 16, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 21

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 21 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 16 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. 18The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.f 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

22I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
(Revelation 21:1-27)

Eternal glory. Full of light. Full of grace. Full of glory. The magnificent image of heaven coming down to earth is simply breathtaking. It reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer that many have continued to pray today. God’s will be done in heaven as well as on earth. In the new heavens and new earth, we get a glimpse once again of the coming of the Kingdom of God in all its glory. Like the first coming of Christ, God dwells once again among His people in this kingdom. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more death, no more suffering, and no more falsehood and evil. For only God’s light remains.

Note in verse 22 where there is no need for artificial lighting or external sources of light to shine on the city. For the city itself will be full of light. The use of light is widespread and tells us it is independent, it dispels all darkness, and it is self-sustaining. That is because God is the One sustaining it. God is the One who is able to give light, present light, and to sustain light for all. The perfect kingdom will come. When that happens, we better be ready to celebrate.

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Time for Reflection: “The deepest passion of the heart of Jesus was not the saving of men, but the glory of God; and then the saving of men, because that is for the glory of God.” (G. Campbell Morgan)

conrade

October 15, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 20

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 20 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 15 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. Theya had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

The Judgment of Satan

7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The Judgment of the Dead

11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
(Revelation 20:1-15)

This chapter has spawned several different interpretations of the thousand years. Is it literal or symbolic? Are we already living in the thousand years (Midtribulation)? Many such as Charles Feinberg, John Walvoord, Harry Ironside, and Charles Ryrie say it has yet to happen (Premillennialism). Others like Charles Hodge and BB Warfield say it has already happened (Postmillennialism). Then there are those who claim that we are already living in the realized millenialism. This position is held by people such as Abraham Kuyper, Leon Morris, Anthony Hoekma, the Roman Catholic Church, as well as many Reformed theologians.

Personally, I believe there is not much benefit to hold dogmatically to any one position. We may profess an orientation toward one or more of them. We may even argue strongly for the strengths of one over another. Yet, we need to be humble enough to acknowledge that only time will tell, only God can reveal all we need to know. Whatever it is, be open to the reality of the thousand years, the realism of the need for faith regardless of the literal or nonliteral interpretations, be open to the revelation of God that has come and is to come. This is the way to read Revelation. With open hands for the Lord to place the interpretation. One thing we know. At the end, whoever whose name is not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire.

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Time for Reflection: “The men of strong faith blamed their weaker brethren for being superstitious and, by their superstition,
bringing a yoke of bondage upon themselves. “No,” replied the weaker sort, “we are not superstitious! We are conscientious, while you go much too far in your liberty and cause us to stumble.” Thus while the strong looked down upon the weak, almost doubting whether they could have come into the liberty of Christ at all, the weak condemned the strong, almost charging them with turning their liberty into licentiousness!

They were both wrong, for they were judging one another. Paul, who was, himself, most strongly opposed to the Judaizing party and in every respect came out clear and straight upon the bold lines of Christian liberty, was, nevertheless, so actuated by the spirit of his Master that he was ready to be all things to all men—and seeing grave peril of dissension where all should be love—he rushed into the breach and he said, “Do not judge one another: what have you to do with judging? There is a judgment yet to come.” (Charles Spurgeon)

conrade

October 14, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 19

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 19 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 14 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

4The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”

5Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both great and small!”

6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”a He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

17And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”

19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
(Revelation 19:1-21)

This beautiful chapter begins with a mighty worship. The shouts from heaven say: “Hallelujah!” In fact, three times the hallelujahs ring out loud and clear. No one can miss it. The angel says to John: “Write this.” That is an author’s dream, to be motivated by the divine angel to pen down the vision. Awed by it all, John starts to bow down before the angel. Quickly, the angel stops him. That is the mark of a servant of God. True servants of God will refuse homage paid to them, but will direct all glory and honour back to God. Only God deserves all of our worship. The victorious scenes continue.

The warriors from heaven then go forth. The coming of the white horse is a powerful vision. It reminds me of the great scene where Gandalf appears amid a major battle that the good guys appear to be losing. Christ is our Gandalf, our Hero, our God. Note how comprehensive is the victory. Apart from the armies of heaven that follows the white horse, there is the sharp sword coming out of the mouth of the horse, the treading of the winepress, the overwhelming strength and power of the celestial forces. The resistance quickly rises against heaven, only to be quickly doused.

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Time for Reflection: “But have we Holy Spirit power – power that restricts the devil’s power, pulls down strongholds and obtains promises? Daring delinquents will be damned if they are not delivered from the devil’s dominion. What has hell to fear other than a God-anointed, prayer-powered church?” (Leonard Ravenhill)

conrade

October 13, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 18

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 18 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 13 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2With a mighty voice he shouted:

“ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
3For all the nations have drunk
the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

4Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“ ‘Come out of her, my people,’
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
5for her sins are piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.
6Give back to her as she has given;
pay her back double for what she has done.
Pour her a double portion from her own cup.
7Give her as much torment and grief
as the glory and luxury she gave herself.

In her heart she boasts,

‘I sit enthroned as queen.
I am not a widow;
I will never mourn.’

8Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:
death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire,
for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

9“When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

“ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
you mighty city of Babylon!
In one hour your doom has come!’

11“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

14“They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16and cry out:

“ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

“ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
where all who had ships on the sea
became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

20“Rejoice over her, you heavens!
Rejoice, you people of God!
Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
with the judgment she imposed on you.”

21Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:

“With such violence
the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,
never to be found again.
22The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade
will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone
will never be heard in you again.
23The light of a lamp
will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride
will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world’s important people.
By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
24In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,
of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”
(Revelation 18:1-24)

A lament for Babylon? After all the terrible signs and destruction that Babylon has wrought over all the entire world, they all end with a puff of smoke like a rifle that has emptied all of its bullets. All the might that she had is no more. All the threats that she brought is no more. All the destruction and deceptions she had posed is no more. All that remains is the judgment by the King of kings and the Lord of lords. With Babylon’s sins piled up high and the blood of the saints in her, the voice of heaven calls out to the faithful one to come out from inside Babylon. Remember how the saints were persecuted and consumed? Now is the time where God recognizes all their faithfulness and to bring them back to God. Those who are repentant will be saved.

Following this call are the three woes pronounced on Babylon. I am reminded of the mercy of God in the midst of the Great Judgment. Unlike some of the powers of the world that seems bent toward total destruction and annihilation, God’s judgment is one of mercy and grace. While destruction can be total, grace is also total. There is no human institutions that are able to do both. Just take the bird flu epidemic that has hit several countries in the recent years. When a few chickens were found infected by the deadly flu strain, the entire flock had to be culled. That includes those chickens that are perfectly fine. The problem is that people do not have the means or manpower to test and verify every single bird. After all, some may have the virus but may not respond to the tests at that time. The Judgment of God is different. When God tests, we know that it is perfect and just. We know that nothing escapes the eye of God. At the same time, we know nothing escapes the mercy of God. What a great God He is! Praise him. Bring all of ourselves to God in prayer.

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Time for Reflection: “Furnish thyself with arguments from the promises to enforce thy prayers, and make them prevalent with God. The promises are the ground of faith, and faith, when strengthened, will make thee fervent, and such fervency ever speeds and returns with victory out of the field of prayer. The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be in prayer.” (William Gurnall)

conrade

October 12, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 17

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 17 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 12 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”

3Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

Babylon the great
the mother of prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.

6I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

9“This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

12“The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

15Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
(Revelation 17:1-18)

John calls the sight of the presence of the woman a “mystery.” The details are both horrific and graphic. Not only is the “great prostitute” described as the adulterer of adulteress, she is also drunk with the blood of the faithful people of God. It is a terrible scene and one can easily wonder where justice has gone. Why are God’s people being consumed by evil people? Why is the whole thing seen “great” and named a “mystery?” The angel asks the same question to John: “Why are you astonished?”

Mercifully, the angel explains the vision to John. After all the description of the temporal power and might of the great harlot, the unity of the evil forces, there is that great war against the Lamb. For all the description of the power and might of the combined evil flotilla, they cannot overcome the Person in the Lamb. For the Lamb is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. That is why we have more reason to hope and sing. For every presence of evil, believers can be assured that their power is grossly limited. No evil can ever exceed the wisdom of God. No evil can overcome the Lamb of God. God is good. God is great. God is also powerful and wise. Contrast this to those who are powerful but foolish. Surely, God’s wisdom and might will triumph completely and forever.

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Time for Reflection: “On the head of Christ are many crowns. He wears the crown of victory; He wears the crown of sovereignty; He wears the crown of creation; He wears the crown of providence; He wears the crown of grace; He wears the crown of glory – for every one of His glorified people owes his honor, happiness and blessedness to Him.” (James H. Aughey)

conrade

October 11, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 16

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 16 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 11 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”

2The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

3The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.

4The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:

“You are just in these judgments, O Holy One,
you who are and who were;
6for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”

7And I heard the altar respond:

“Yes, Lord God Almighty,
true and just are your judgments.”

8The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

10The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony 11and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

12The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

15“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

16Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

17The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
(Revelation 16:1-21)

Today’s reading reminds me of the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Old Testament. On and on, we read of the pouring of the seven bowls, each resulting in a breathtaking effect that is of monumental proportions. After the pouring of the sixth bowl, there is one verse that catches my eye. It is the word from the Lord.

15“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

It reminds me of 2 Peter 3:10 that warns us to be ready and be vigilant for the coming of the Lord. Being prepared is expected of all disciples. Like the military that practice drills on a regular basis in order to be battle ready, we all need to be battle ready on the spiritual front. There is no such thing as peacetime in spiritual warfare. The devil is constantly on a prowl looking for weak and vulnerable souls to tempt. Rev 16:15 shows us a better motivation to be ready. Those who are awake and readily clothed will be blessed and protected when the Lord comes. How are we protected? Through the wearing of the armour of God. Through the fruits of ministry of faithfulness. Through putting the Word of God in practice. Rather than to be trapped into paralysis whenever we read Revelation, we ought to be energized and encouraged to be ready and be prepared. Always.

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Time for Reflection: “The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to, and the last duty done.” (George MacDonald)

conrade

October 10, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 15

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 15 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 10 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,

4Who will not fear you, Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

5After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
(Revelation 15:1-8)

The chapter continues the magnificent visions of heaven and the Final Judgment Day. We see the continued use of the number of perfection, 7, symbolizing the full extent of the judgment. The seven angels represent the divine. The seven plagues represent the terrible judgment. Perfect judgment meted out by God above.

What captures my attention is the detail given to the preparation for worship. There is the use of the instruments given by God (the harps). Songs are plentiful, even going all the way back to the Old Testament. It is a proclamation of the fulfillment of the prophecy way back in the early days of Israel. The view of heaven from below is also a magnificent image. There is the holy Tabernacle. Out of the temple comes the angels of the Lord. The Presence and Authority of God is clear and overwhelming. The only response one can have is worship.

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Time for Reflection: “Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the disuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods, we can have the best possible liturgy, but we have not worshipped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit.” (Richard J. Foster)

conrade

October 9, 2013 by conrade

Revelation 14

“READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT + ISAIAH” (RTNTI) PROJECT
Today’s Reading: Revelation 14 (NIV) | (NLT) [click version to read]
[You can read/download the reading plan here.]
Date: 9 October 2013
Written By: Dr Conrade Yap

1Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

6Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

8A second angel followed and said, “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

13Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

14I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

17Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” 19The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
(Revelation 14:1-20)

If you have been following this brief meditations on Revelation so far, you may have been troubled by the many terrible wars and persecutions happening so far. Consistently, each time something bad happens, there is redemption and salvation at the end, especially for the faithful. Today’s passage is like the appearance of a knight in shining armour. We are almost two-thirds to the end of Revelation. We see three beautiful signs in this chapter.

First, we see the vision of the Lamb with all his faithful chosen people. Standing on Mount Zion in itself is significant, for it is at Mount Zion which symbolizes Jerusalem, the capital established during the reign of David. Being chosen comes with certain privileges. They can stand next to the Lamb. They can learn the song of the redeemed. They can follow the Lamb. They can offer their firstfruits to God.

Second, we see three angels. The first angel proclaims the gospel far and wide. The second angel pronounces the fall of Babylon. The third angel prophesies out that the ones who worship the beast will suffer judgement. Only those who worship the Lord will be blessed.

Third, we see the fruit of the earth, the great harvest and the final judgment, where justice will be made whole. God’s wrath will be upon the unrighteous and the full force of justice will be manifested.

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Time for Reflection: Story of a Boy Called Renton, always prepared: “I know Renton never felt like that because whenever we had a test, as soon as the questions were put down on the board, he would get his paper and dash through them. He was through the first two or three subjects before I’d even gotten the thing read. He and another fellow used to say, “Oh boy, exams!” They knew they’d be first and second in the class when the grades came out, and so they were excited about taking the test. Final exams didn’t scare them. These boys were always at the top. They were not afraid of the Day of Judgment. They were not afraid – because they were prepared for it.” (Leonard Ravenhill)

conrade

Theology @ Work (Beta)

Reflections on Faith, Works Through the 3L's: Living, Learning & Loving

New Testament

Catch-up Day (Oct 18th, 2013)

Revelation 22

Revelation 21

Revelation 20

Revelation 19

Revelation 18

Revelation 17

Revelation 16

Revelation 15

Revelation 14