Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Revelation 7: 9-14 - Exploring Revelation
Jul 11th, 2020
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations , and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;" Rev. 7:9.

Through this verse we have a tremendous insight into the tribulation period. Insight into what Satan is doing and insight into what God is doing. When the tribulation period begins there are no believers on the earth, the church has been raptured leaving no saved people on earth. Though we do not have much information about the details of what God is doing, as Satan works to corrupt men, and to destroy and enslave, God is also at work, the gospel is preached and multiplied millions are saved. That is a revelation about the tribulation period that we seem to forget. Perhaps more people are saved than in all of the past ages of history. Here in verse 9-12, we see them around the throne in heaven, during the tribulation period, worshipping God and praising Him.

These verses give us a rare glimpse into heaven, these verses are some of the most revealing in all of scripture concerning heaven.

Verses 13,14 confirm who these are, emphsis is on the salvation of these saints. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" verse 14. The question in verse 13 is answered, "whence came they?"

As we study through the book of Revelation and are overwhelmed by the awful rebellion of man and the catastrophic judgment of God, we need to have superimposed upon our minds Rev.7:9-14. Remember, there are two scenarios in the book, that which Satan is doing and that which God is doing. The plan of Satan comes to a climax and the plan of God comes to fruition.

The tribulation martyrs seem to be on the losing side, perhaps you sometimes feel you are on the losing side, read and reread these verses.

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ`s suffering`s; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Pet.4:13

My Bow in the Cloud - Genesis 9:13
Jul 11th, 2020
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Inspirational;Book Study

A covenant is a promise or undertaking, resting on certain conditions, with a sign or token attached to it. The rainbow on the raincloud, the Lord's Supper, the wedding-ring, are signs and seals of the respective covenants to which they belong. Whenever we see them we should bethink ourselves of the covenant. Whenever you see a rainbow, recall the covenant into which God has entered with thee; for as He has sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so His kindness shall not depart from thee, nor the covenant of His peace be removed. Three things are needed to make a rainbow.

A cloud. - When man's sin overshadowed Paradise, the bow of promise shone; and when the thunderclouds gathered about the Saviour's path, the Divine voice assured Him that as He had glorified the Divine Name by His life, He should glorify it much more by His death. When the black clouds of conviction, bereavement, soul-anguish beset thee, look out for the bow: it is always there, though sufferers do not always perceive it.

Rain. - There are no rainbows unless there be falling drops to catch and unravel the sunbeams. It may be that all evil is worse in its anticipation than in its endurance; but this is certain, that the big drops of sorrow have to patter on our souls before we can realize all that God is prepared to be to us.

Sunshine. - It is only when God comes into our grief that we can' see the treasures of Love and Grace which are stored for us in Him. We never know how great a blessing sorrow may be till we carry it into the light of the King's face. It is the dark canvas on which the artist produces his most marvellous effects.

Grace
Jul 11th, 2020
Looking into the WordArt Sadlier
Categories: Bible Salvation

 “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth” (Genesis 6:12-13).

In a day when men had corrupted themselves before God we read this arresting statement in verse 8; “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

The great question comes to us, why did one man find grace or help from the Lord? The answer to that question is, perhaps of all things, the most important thing we need to know.

The scripture teaches us that all have sinned and are under the judgment of God for our sins. Noah was as much a sinner as any other man on earth. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Noah in his very nature was as much a sinner as every other man on earth. The first grace he needed was, grace or help for the forgiveness and cleansing of his sin. Evidently Noah was the only man on earth at that time who obtained that grace.

Why did Noah find that grace? The answer is found in Ephesians 2:8-9; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Noah had in his heart that thing called faith; he had a heart for God. He moved in obedience toward God. That was the factor that separated Noah from all the other men on the face of the earth. That is the factor that has always separated men and still does today. Just a brief look at the record proves that. Compare Abel with Cain; compare Jacob with Esau. Some men move toward God and some men move away from God. That does not alter the fact that all men are equally sinners and need salvation.

God chose and called Abram because he foreknew that Abram would obey the Lord. "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (1 Peter 1:2). We see this revealed in Genesis 18:19; “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

We see this all throughout scripture; we see it in lives of David and Daniel and Paul as well as countless others, both in scripture and in history. To be sure, the Spirit of God must enlighten and convict and draw these men to God, but that doesn’t alter the fact that there is a response in their hearts that is not found in the hearts of others.

May I ask you a question; do you have heart for God? Do you respond when He calls you? Do you obey when He commands? Look at Noah; it says of him, Noah was a just man, Noah walked with God, and Noah did according to all that God commanded him. Are these marks found in my life and in your life?

The first and most important obedience is obedience to the gospel.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:14-16).

“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” (John 3:36).

Peter warned of judgment for those “That obey not the gospel.” If you have not obeyed the gospel you will not find grace in the eyes of the Lord.