Bible League: Living His Word "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."— Revelation 12:12 NKJV Our verse for today, spoken by a loud voice in heaven, says that all those who dwell in heaven should rejoice. Why? They rejoice because Satan has been cast out of heaven. What happened? Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended to the throne of God in heaven. One would think that Jesus sitting on the throne of God in heaven would be good news for the earth and heaven. After all, it means that Jesus rules and reigns over heaven and earth. It means that His Kingdom has come to the earth and is spreading all over the globe. Indeed, it is a cause for rejoicing. The loud voice said, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down" (Revelation 12:10). Despite the cause for rejoicing, the loud voice of our verse also pronounces woe to the inhabitants of earth. Why? It's because Satan and his henchmen were not just cast out of heaven; they were cast down to earth. It's a big problem for the people on earth. Satan is really angry. He's angry not only because he has lost his place in heaven (Revelation 12:8), but also because he now knows that his time is short. All he has left is the time before the second coming of Jesus to do as much damage as he can. Now you know why things are the way they are on earth. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NIV). Nevertheless, take heart in the battle! Take heart from the fact that Satan's time is short and we are on the side of the One who has already won the war! Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingDaniel 11, 12 Daniel 11 -- Prophesy of the Overthrow of Persia, Conflicts between the Kings of the South and of the North; Roman Invasion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Daniel 12 -- Michael Shall Deliver Israel from Their Troubles NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 3 John 3 John 1 -- Walk according to God's commandments and Imitate What Is Good NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Insight This verse includes two significant results of Christ's death and resurrection. God works in us to make us the kind of people that would please him, and he equips us to do the kind of work that would please him. Challenge Let God change you from within and then use you to help others. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Revelation 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.We may understand this to refer to justification. "They shall walk in white;" that is, they shall enjoy a constant sense of their own justification by faith; they shall understand that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them, that they have all been washed and made whiter than the newly-fallen snow. Again, it refers to joy and gladness: for white robes were holiday dresses among the Jews. They who have not defiled their garments shall have their faces always bright; they shall understand what Solomon meant when he said "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart. Let thy garments be always white, for God hath accepted thy works." He who is accepted of God shall wear white garments of joy and gladness, while he walks in sweet communion with the Lord Jesus. Whence so many doubts, so much misery, and mourning? It is because so many believers defile their garments with sin and error, and hence they lose the joy of their salvation, and the comfortable fellowship of the Lord Jesus, they do not here below walk in white. The promise also refers to walking in white before the throne of God. Those who have not defiled their garments here shall most certainly walk in white up yonder, where the white-robed hosts sing perpetual hallelujahs to the Most High. They shall possess joys inconceivable, happiness beyond a dream, bliss which imagination knoweth not, blessedness which even the stretch of desire hath not reached. The "undefiled in the way" shall have all this--not of merit, nor of works, but of grace. They shall walk with Christ in white, for he has made them "worthy." In his sweet company they shall drink of the living fountains of waters. Daily Light on the Daily Path Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.Galatians 6:1,2 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. • Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. James 5:19,20 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, • let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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