one shy of a qtr century (that would be 24 haha)

First of all... yes I'm still blogging about what I'm reading about and yes I'm about 6 days behind. I'll catch up soon I promise ^^ (that is catch up on the writting, I'm only a little bit behind on reading : T)

Anyway, as of sunday I'm 24 years old. I finally got a disneyland season pass that I've wanted since my sophomore year..... 4-5 years ago. I honestly love disneyland fireworks. Going there with a few of my favorite brothers and sisters reminded me that I'm not that old! Haha at least in my mind and somewhat in my heart. I honestly know how the fantasmic show and the fireworks mechanically and electronically work but it still feels magical in my heart. Maybe I'm just not there yet, but I still love hanging out and playing games and playing sports and watching movies (especially kid movies), eating sweets, and staying up late. Not much has changed huh? Haha.

My childlike tendencies got me thinking about Matt 18:3-4. How I must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven. I believe the major point that Christ is trying to convey here is found in vs. 4, key word "humbles." A child is totally dependent on their parents. So too we need to be dependent on our Father in heaven. Literally, we must be dependent to enter the kingdom.

Though, I was thinking of other reasons to be "childlike." Granted, in 1 Cor 13:11 we are told to not be like children (mostly referring to maturity). But I think, just in this stage of life, I struggle to not be an adult in the sense that I worry. It's so characteristic of adults that I want to be childlike and care free. Not irresponsible for sure, but I can be responsible and not worry about tomorrow. I know that God provides so why worry about getting paid more, why worry about owning a home or a car, why worry about well... anything? It's all in God's hands. This year has helped me realize God's sovereignty and the beauty of it. I'm not in control of everything. And like a child, I don't care (that much, I still got some work to do)

Age is just a number, I still like to play ^^

Rev 22:6-21

EPIC FAIL. Okay seriously time to catch up. I need to at least close out Revelation. So here we go

Rev 22:6-21 Jesus is coming

I read this so long ago that I had to reread which this blog was meant for me to remember what i've read aish anyway.

Now the angel reassures John that everything he's seen and heard is true because the angel is a messenger from God. Next is a promise that Jesus is coming soon. Here, the inherency of word is absolute. Verse six says "These words are trustworthy and true..." Again and again after this the angel stresses the importance of the "words of this book." I find this reassuring because it is the prophetic books that I find the most difficulty to not believe but understand. There is a bit of faith and trust that must come in to play when understanding these books and thank God that these are His words written in His book that I can know that what I read is truth. No debate about that, the bible is simply truth. I digress from the passage, continuing on.

I don't know what so overwhelmed John to start worshiping the angel who was telling him about what would happen. But he quickly got rebuked by the angel and points him back to God as the only one deserving praise. This so struck me, not that i didn't already know this, but i forget that i don't deserve praise. It doesn't matter how hard you work or what you accomplish, still, God is the only one worthy of praise. Worship is for the creator not the created. Do not worship the angels, brothers and sisters, even when they come with plagues and mighty acts of destruction, to worship them would only warrant more of that destruction on yourself.

The next verse (10) warns John to not seal up the words of the prophecy. This seems to be an exhortation to write down what he's seen and heard. "For the time is near" makes me think that there are some really important things (obviously everything in the bible is important) in this book that we should know! and soon! It sounds like we ought to get ready. How? by not sealing up the words of the prophecy. Thats what I'm getting from this verse. Once through is not enough, I'm hope I come back to this book soon.

Verse 11 sounded like curse and blessing for actions but after reading notes it seems that it is referring to the finality of the end. The evildoer will do evil and the filthy will be filthy, there will be no redemption for them. Yet the righteous and holy will not lose their characteristics. It is a reminder that it's not too late to accept Christ, to pursue righteousness, but! one day it will be too late.

Christ is coming soon, He is God, it will be crazy. We are to wash our robes with the blood of Christ, this is the only prescribed method in this passage to attain access to the tree of life that will be in God's city. Those who do not wash their robes will be outside the city. Jesus reiterates again that He has sent this angel, that this is His message to His followers. In the closing of this passage is a prayer to Christ for him to "come." This is the prayer that we ought to have. The sooner he comes the sooner we can take from the water of life, by his grace.

the passage closes with a warning about taking or adding to the scripture, repeating the prayer for Christ to come, acknowledging the imminence of His return.

Goodness that is a long passage but i can finally move on. I will catch up soon. Sorry for the delay but work has been kurhazy.

Thank God for revelation, that we may know the signs and be prepared for the one thing we ought to look forward to.

Rev 22:1-5 The River of Life

freak I'm not doing very well in catching up am I.

Well here's a short one for today.

Rev 22:1-5 The River of Life

The angel now takes John to the river of life which flows from the throne and through the city, which is now a temple as it houses God's presence. Also, by the river of life is the tree of life with 12 kinds of fruit and leaves that heal the nations. Now the word says that there will be no more cursed things, that we will worship God, that we will see His face, His name will be on our foreheads, and there will be no more night because God will be our light.

Well thats basically it for the first five verses of the last chapter. The river and tree I think represents or encapsulates in a sense, God providing for us. This reminds me of Eden when Adam did not have to toil to survive but instead was sustained by God. Food and water is all we really need to survive, so whether we do need a calorie intake or if God is just symbolizing His sufficiency, we won't have to worry about surviving. We will be taken care of.

To further the idea that the new Jerusalem represents a state much like Eden is the lack of cursed things. Before the fall, there was no such thing as a cursed person. Yet because of that first sin we are all cursed and a part of this curse. This is not how creation was intended to be, but when God fulfills His plan, things will be the way they were meant to, and like Eden, there will be no more curse.

The other notable thing about this passage is the promise to see God's face. I don't know how, and I dont' know what He will look like, or if I will even see with the concept of vision I have now, but I'm so excited that I can see and not die. Funny, that song. "I want to see your face, I want to know you more." I remember thats one of the first songs that intrigued me to get involved at a more um.... legit church? Well long story, but a relationship with God was not something I had considered before then. I dunno. Aren't you excited? It's like.... hm..... I talk to Josiah and David and CK and Sarah Chun but I never get to see them anymore. If I knew I was going to meet up with them soon I would be super excited! As much as I love those guys, much more do I love God, have I been talking with Him, have I admired Him,..... when I finally see Him in ALL 100% of His glory then..... I dunno how I'll feel. I think it will be something like taking away all the worries and troubles of this world. Not momentarily but like really taking away everything that burdens and holds me back. I'm getting pretty far into speculation. After all the word just says that I'll see His face.

EXCITING!

hmmm..... anyway..... I'll try to really catch up this weekend, crazy weekend, I dont really know what I'll be doing. I'm supposed to go home but i don't know when *shrug*

The New Jerusalem

Rev 21:9-27 The New Jerusalem

An angel appears, one who had one of the bowls of wrath, and shows John the bride who is the wife of the Lamb. Keeping in mind that the bride is the church. The angel takes John, in the Spirit, where he sees the city descengin from heaven. The city has the glory of God and radiates, which its crazy that I would be blogging about this passage today because we learned today in Hebrews that Jesus radiates God. Hebrews 1:3 "He is the radiance of the glory of God." We know that we are supposed immitate Christ and as such radiate God's glory. Luckily, or um... blessedly? one day we will as promised in this passage.

Now the city had twelve angels and twelve walls and twelve foundations and such, and on these things were the names of the tribes and the apostles of the Lamb. Now the angels show the protection of the city, no evil will enter it. The apostles and tribes represent the unity of those adopted both in the OT and NT. The city is measured out and measurements are all divisible by 12, which may lead one to believe that these measurements are symbolic. It is noticed that there is no temple, probably because the entire city is the temple, which is God's presence. Interesting fact, the measurement of the city is cubic, which is the same shape as the Holy of Holies in the OT. And then as if to throw the prostitutes adornings in her sinful face, the city is described with 12 jewels, representing the invaluable beauty of this city that is graced with God's presence. These 12 jewels correspond to those on the OT priest's ephod.

Lastly, the city has no sun or moon because it's light come from God. The gates are never closed because there is no night, and there are no enemies to attack. Only those whose names are written in the book of life will enter.

Things I realize: I remember when I read this... um.... almost a week ago that I was very interested in what heaven would be like. I've wondered for a long time for sure, but since understanding the gospel, I stopped caring. I just trust that it's somewhere I want to be. Despite the trust, I don't know if thats really the best way to look at heaven, but maybe it's good to know that I will be in God's presence and He will literally be the light of my world and I will never worry about terrorists or dictators or missles or stepping in gum or killing spiders or car accidents or anything. This passage promises protection, and as strong and safe and secure as I think I am, there is nothing close to 100% protection in this world and thats something I'll have to deal with until I enter that new jerusalem. Exciting huh! ^^

good night

Catch up wrap up

Aish, if I were to be completely honest, reading every day has not really been a strength of mine, so blogging about what I read every day, while helping me significantly, has been a bit difficult in itself. I have read every day since I started this but blogging every day, hmmmm something I gotta work on a bit more.

Anyway, tis the end. Or well, the end of the end? ............... the end of Revelation. I feel like I need to do a review though. So despite what I said earlier, I didn't necessarily read any passages the last two days but rather read up on various notes and commentaries in an attempt to permanently log Revelation to memory. And then I start Jude today. I'm hoping to maybe cover the last three revelation passages today, the review tomorrow, and then 2 or 3 jude passages until i catch up.

Aish it's been a busy yet blessed week/weekend so far.

Rev 21: 1-8 the new kingdom

I think it's interesting that we look for a king and ruler to bring about His kingdom and reign. Yet this is the exact misunderstanding that the Jews had(have). They thought that the messiah was going to save them from the oppressive nations and establish a rich and powerful nation. Well.... Christ actually came to not save us from oppressive nations but to save us from ourselves. But you know that. I just thought it was a bit ironic that the huge misunderstanding, the misunderstanding that made Christ weep when riding into Jerusalem, is a similar hope that we have. Granted I don't expect salvation from nations, or riches, or even power, I look forward to a kingdom where Christ will reign and receive the glory thats due, and that I can serve Him face to face. In fact, thats the awesomeness of this passage, it promises fellowship with God.

So lets jump into it (haha sounds like what pastors say. Is that what PPK says? "lets jump into the Word" hmm anyway)

Rev 21: 1-8 The New Heave and The New Earth

John sees a new heaven and a new earth and the sea has gone away. Out of heaven, the holy city descends and God dwells with His people. THIS IS THE BEST PART!

verse 3-4

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.

He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,

and God himself will be with them as their God.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,

and death shall be no more,

neither shall there be mourning, nor crying,

nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

What more could you want than to have you Holy and perfect father and creator be there for you always and to sheild you from all bad things. I love my parents and my friends and my disciplers, brothers and sister, many many people in my life. But (I'm sorry if you thought otherwise) none of them are perfect, none of them can fellowship with me like God can. When we fellowship which God as the center of our relationship, we push each other closer to Him, encouraging and challenging one anther. By doing so we can hopefully see Christ reflected in that brother or sister. But the reflection is just that, it's not the full thing. Would you watch a movie in a mirror if you could just turn around and watch it for real?

After we are told about the fellowship we have with God, the passage says that "it is done!" And God is described as the Alpha and the Omega, that is, the first and last letter of the greek alphabet, beggining and end. He will satisfy the thirst of those who are thirsty and not require a payment. BUT! "the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for muderers, the sexually immoral, sorcereres, idolaters, and all liars," will be burned in the lake of fire. (side note: the lake of fire causes a second death. I don't really know what this means but its what the word says. Perhaps this is the utter destruction of a person and their soul?) It is apparent that this is going to be an exclusive city.

It burdens me to see that in America, especially in California, our society has made righteousness and faith a subjective matter. There are no rights or wrongs. But unfortunately for those who hold that view, there will be a day when they are judged one way OR the other. There is no "what's true for me is true for me and what's true for you is true for you." To steal from a christian rap artist, this just isn't logical. What if my truth says your's is a lie, then whats true for you can't be true because my truth is true for me and saying that what's true for you is true can't be true because of what's true for me. Sorry if you got lost in that but the point is, there is only one answer, only one truth. 1+1=2 and thats it. There is nothing else 1+1 can equal.

What I realize: is that I don't know exactly what heaven will entail, what it will look like, what it will smell or feel like, or if I'll even have the ability to see or smell, but I do know that I will be able to fellowship with God. God himself. And it will be personal. It won't be a concert with God on stage and me in the stands. It will be God and me. He will wipe my tears Himself. And I don't cry! cause I'm so manly..... (I actually cry pretty easily, usually in a sad movie or a really happy moment.... granted I don't bawl or anything but I'll at least be honest and tear up.) Point being, heaven is going to be crazy sweat and awesome and I can't wait! Bummer about those thrown in the lake of fire though. Apart from Christ I deserve to be there. That serves to strengthen the conviction to share with others.

goodness its late again! good night.

Rev 20:11-15

It's late and I wasn't going to post until tomorrow but then my hair is wet so I can't sleep yet. I don't mean to do this, I mean to be intentional with my blog and definitely intentional in my study. But I need to sleep because I have work in the morn, so unfortunately heres a short post on Rev 20:11-15

Rev 20:11-15 Judgement Before the Great White Throne

So John sees the great white throne and "him who was seated on it." John also sees the earth and sky retreat from Him, who is Christ. In verse 13, it also says the sea gives up those who are in it. So with the land, sea, and sky giving up all who are in them, where can anyone hide? everyone will be judged. The passage continues to mention the book of life and that all whose names are not in it will be thrown into the lake of fire. The passage says that the dead are judged, "by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." In these books are written all the deeds on non-Christians and they will be dealt with justly. Christians however, will be rewarded by their deeds yet their sins are reconciled by Christ's blood and that is how their names are written in the book of life.

What I realize: Luckily, as a Christian, my name is written in the book of life and I won't be held accountable for my countless sins. Even if I didn't do anything really really bad, which I won't really ellaborate on..... but any sin before a perfect God is inifinitely horrible. The way I look at is, life is a pass or fail class, the requirement for pass is 100%, no less. Thank you Jesus for dying for me, I should be judged for so much, but I won't.

goodness I'm tired, I would otherwise continue. Tomorrow I start ch 21

Rev 20: 7-10

The Defeat of Satan

Rev 20: 7-10

so at the end of the thousand years, satan is released and deceives nations all over the earth. he will gaver armies as numers as the sand of the sea. This huge army surrounds the saints and the holy city but as soon as they do, they are consumed with fire. then the devil was thrown into the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet where they suffer forever.

Another short passage. Satan is released at the end of Christ's reign on Earth and in one last effort to rebel, he gathers all non-Christians from around the world. This is confusing because this appears to be after Christ has come back, so does He come back and not destroy all who oppose Him? After all, satan gathers somebody. So does that mean that while we reign with Christ that there will also be nonbeleivers around? Well from what I can gather is that Christ comes back, gathers His people into the holy city where He reigns for a thousand years, yet there are those who do not follow Christ outside the holy city. These are the people satan gathers. Now the reason I don't think satan's army is the tribulation is because the Word states that the beast and false prophet were already in the lake of fire.

What I realize: God's justice is swift. Satan's gonna lose, and quick. I realize that it's important to study revelation and the signs of Christ's return because the beast will rise in power and authority and reign just like Christ will, yet only one is the true Lord of Lords.

Serving up Humility with a side of Anger and Sorrow

Honestly, God, through Dr. Snider, punched me in my spiritual face this weekend.

Dr. Snider spoke at Berean's summer retreat, giving us 5 sermons on holy affections. I wasn't really sure what that meant going into retreat but it seemed to be holy emotions, affections just sounds cooler haha. In order, Dr. Snider talked to us about Humility, Anger, Love, Sorrow, and Joy, drawing from God's example of these affections in scripture.

Well humility isn't really an affection but the mode in which we ought to control our emotions. Thats right control our emotions. While our emotions are often circumstancial, the way in which we think about and reflect on those circumstances defines how we react emotionally. Not that I understand the workings of emotions but this was suggested by Dr. Snider and seems to be true. I'd like to also add that we are responsible for how we react to our emotions. I think it's understandable that circumstances can be overwhelmingly emotions, such as in a tragedy, but that does not excuse our response. How we handle our emotions is where Dr. Snider really rebuked me.

Why was I rebuked? Because I'm emotional? Haha well yes kind of, whether you thought so or not. The thing is, I'm very easily brought down or lifted up, my anger and irritation is bottled up, my love is not big enough, my joy is too conditional, and my sorrow is indulged with pity. Yet most of this is all internalized or burdening one very unlucky close friend. The problem is that I excused unedifying emotion because my emotions were internalized. As if anger was okay just because I don't yell or chew people out. Dr. Snider gave the example of road rage, how maybe you don't actually take revenge by swerving through traffic after someone cuts you off, but you might do it in your mind, and you always win. And I do always win in my mind. This is the depraved condition of my heart, expressing unedifying anger in my heart and mind, and really, what does God care about more? cutting someone off? or the selfish and unloving anger i my heart?

Tying in humility, what owns me is why do I get mad? Do I get mad because someone sins against me or because they have sinned against God? In fact, I need to be sorrowful that the person sinned and not angry that I've been inconvenienced or even hurt. Granted there is righteous and holy anger.

Yes anyway, It's late. I want to blog about more than what I read but its a little difficult.

Good night world!

Rev 20:1-6 The Millenium

I'm going to try and seperate this post because hmmm.... Well it's just difficult to give my opinion on such a debated topic.

So a summary of what the word says first.

Rev 20:1-6 The Millenium

John sees an angel with a key to the bottomless pit and a chain, with which he takes satan and binds him for a thousand years. During this time, satan is unable to deceive the nations until he is released. At the end of the thousand years, satan will be released for a short time.

After this, John sees thrones where "those to whom the authority to judge was committed," and the martyrs and those who did not worship the beast or its image will come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until after the thousand years is over. The ones who are raised are considered blessed and will be priests and reign with Christ.

So what do i think? I really do not know. I feel like this passage can be used to argue pre or post-millenialism. Well for sure I'm not amillenialist. Maybe this is bad because I know Berean leaders encourage us to study and take a stance one way or another, but at the moment I don't really care. I'm very excited that christ will come and reign! Whether the tribulation comes first or after, I don't really care much. After reading this passage it seems to me that, in light of yesterdays passage, the millenium will come after the tribulation. Verses like 4, talking about those who did not worship the beast and bear his mark makes me believe that the tribulation will have already occured at this point.

Either way, this passage makes me excited for Christ's return. I feel like a minority, and, well... as a Christian, I am. But when Christ comes back, His kingdom will be the one kingdom! the one nation! and we will reign with him! We are subjects and servants but not just subjects and servants we reign too! He promises that we will reign with Him.

Well I'm super tired so thats all the blogging I'll devote to this passage. Good night ^^

The Ultimate Knight in Shining.... Self (He's actually wearing linen)

Honestly, I'm a bit emotional for a guy I think. Not that I can't be tough or anthing, but I am easily burdened or easilty encouraged and everything in between (but never defeated). Study Revelation was a bit scary and um... well not fun to study what satan's reign was going to be like, but huzzah, this book is far from being about defeat but rather victory! So here is another passage about Christ coming to earth.

Rev 19: 11-21

Here John sees a rider on a white horse. The rider is described in several ways:

1. He is called Faithful and True. Well the only one (who is or was human or has human form at least) is Christ. This is clearly Christ.

2. "His eyes are like a flame of fire." I don't know know what this means exactly but it seems to be a reference to Christ's omniscence. His ability to see the heart and its intentions. See Rev 1:14.

3. He has many diadems on His head, which I think is simply a symbol of Christs authority to reign over all the earth.

4. "He has a name written that no one knows but himself." I have no idea about this one but the ESV study bible says that Christ can never be fully known, that His being is a divine mystery. Though I don't think God withold any mystery regarding Himself from us when we are in His presence in the end.

5. His robe is dipped in blood. A reference to his sacrifice on the cross.

6. He is called "The Word of God." This is also a clarification of the rider being Christ. Recall John 1:1, speaking of the Word being with God and being God, then in John 1:14 the Word becomes flesh, and that is Christ.

So thats who the rider is, Christ. Now what is He going to do?. Well He is in a robe, which isn't armor by any means, yet He came to wage war! At least He brought an army right? But this army is clothed in linen, granted the linen is white and pure, but certainly now warrior material. But thats the thing, unlike our cultural white flag, back then white was a color for victory. The battle was already won by Christ's presence. What he brought was teh sharp sword that came from His mouth and the iron rod with which he would rule. I'm inclined to believe that this sword is the same that Christ used against the pharisees, from His mouth comes the word of God! And we know that the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword (Heb 4:12). The rod is what Christ uses to strike down nations, and indeed they are all His. One other thing He will do is walk on the winepress of the fury and wrath of God. Remember the winepress? where the non-Christians will be crushed until the blood flows as high as a horses bridle? Ya, Christ is gonna be the one stomping on those grapes! A final identifier is the name written on the riders robe and thigh, "King of kings and Lord of lords." This is a title that no one else has or will ever have.

So now the enemy. An angel calls all the local birds to eat up the flesh of the defeated beast and kings and all who fought against Christ. The beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, captured but not killed. They are thrown in alive. I don't know the practical ramifications of this but lets just imagine, dying and then having your body burned as oppossed to just skipping the dying step and burning alive. Ya being killed first would probably be easier. The rest were killed and the birds ate them up.

What I realize: Thank goodness I'm on Christ's side. There was no battle. In verse 19 it says the beast and his army gathered to make war. Then in verse 20, the very next sentence, the beast and prophet are captured and thrown in the lake and everyone else is killed. Dang, I don't think i could beat up a kid that fast you know? Not that I would beat up a kid..... bad example..... Okay, I have a harder time killing some bugs than Christ had conquering His enemies. Better? Goodness I'm delerious haha.

I stinkin love retreat!!!!! Need to sleep now and be awake for tomorrow's session on joy. I'll try to blog a bit about affections and the greatness of the rebuke that I've received this weekend. I love it! ^^

Marriage Supper!!!!

How exciting! I love weddings, and being a Berean member, I get to go to so many.

Rev 19: 6-10 The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

So then, upon Christs return, there is a multitude of praise. I don't really know if this is people on earth or in heaven or on the new earth in the millenium but regardless of when exactly, everyone will praise God. And the way people praise God will sound like "the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out."

When Christ comes, he will be coming for His bride who will be clothed in pure white linen. This is in contrast to the prostitute who was clothed in luxurious purples and adorned with jewelry. But Christ's bride will be even more beautiful because she is clothed with the righteousness and purity given to Her by the Father. Btw, we, the church, are the bride, and her garments are from us kinda... well the verse says it so no use in restating it in my own words, "for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."

Lastly, an angel commands John to write down how blessed those who belong to the bride are, for being invited to the banquet. But John bows down and worships the angel! Perhaps in his excitement or maybe he was actually awstruck by the angel and was compelled to worship it. But John is quickly rebuked and the angel reminds him that he too is a servant and that they must worship God alone.

What I realize: I love weddings. The ceremony is one of the most public ways that I get to see two people express their love for each other. And being at Berean, each wedding and relationship is devoted to God. I think that is so cool. That is the kind of relationship that Christ relates His relationship with the church to. I really need to work on belonging to a bride that would be suitable for such a groom as Christ. Thats really weird to say because, as a guy, I've never ever focused on being a good bride but rather a good husband but I have to be both haha. A good husband and father for a family if I were to ever be blessed with one, yet a submissive member of the bride that is the church. If Christ's return is the banquet, then we are in the ceremony. You know how the groom says his vows first? I feel like he's still waiting for us to make our vows and actually commit to Him. Well maybe we're not even that far. Perhaps Christ has proposed to the church and we are preparing for that day when everything is supposed to be perfect, yet we aren't perfect yet. Or maybe I'm going wayyyy to far in this analogy haha. Either way, as much as I would want my wife to be working on her character to be the most Christlike she can be, much more I need to strive to be as Christlike as possible for the sake of Christ's bride.

I suck.... haha..... RUNNING HARDER!!!!!!!! RAWR!!!!!!

I'm not suitable for you, Christ, yet you still accept me. Help me strive after you and be the kind of man you've called me to be.

百

BAM 100 POSTS!!!!!!!

At Berean Community Church Summer Retreat!!!! oh ya!!!!

Honestly so excited, so happy to be here!!

Yay!

Anyway

Rev 18

Fallen is Babylon the great. It is described as being a place where all kind of bad things dwell, specifically; unclean spirit, unclean birds, and unclean and detestable beasts. It is a place of sexual and economic immorality.

Then a voice from heaven continued with the analogy of the prostitute. She does not consider herself a widow, which I think may refer to non-Christians denying God and Christ as Lord over their lives. Instead they depend on themselves and will be judge accordingly. She will be payed back double for her iniquities. She lived in luxury and glorified herself but she will have plagues fall on her ina single day, "death and mourning and famine and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her." Actually I forgot and have too much to type to go back so the first thing the voice says is to not ally ourselves with the prostitute. That means for us, to reject the world. It is a very difficult thing and I'm sure that when I have to choose sides, I will pick God's side despite family and friends remaining in the iniquity of the prostitute.

The kings and merchants who had acquired such status and wealth from Babylon will stand apart from the city and mourn its destruction, but! I do not believe they will escape the same judgement. These merchants lament over the loss of what defined and made their lives valuable. The destruction of Babylon is the removal of everythign non-Christians find important, yet not being of this world, a part of this Babylon, Christians will rejoice because what we long for, live for, defines us, is God's everlasting presence that can not be destroyed or taken away by fire.

The scene moves to heaven where the merchants lengthy lament is met with rejoicing by the saints who are vindicated by God's justice. Mimicing Jeremiah 51:63-64, an angel throws a millstone into the sea to represent the destruction and loss of babylon. Honestly, throw a stone into one of the oceans and try to find it again. It won't be found, it is forever gone, and it certainly will not rise. There is reasurance that anything resembling worldly lifestyle will be lost; violence, musicians, crafts, labor, lamps, marriages, etc....

What I realize: The treasures of this world can be blessings but only if they are offered to God. I don't think God just blesses us to make us happy. He blesses us so that we can bless others. And honestly, all things of this world will one day be destroyed, sent to the bottom of the sea, and then what worth will it have? One that struck me is that there will be no more marriages in vs 23. Before I was a Christian and even now I struggled with schooling and miscellaneous jobs so that I could provide for my family (if I'm ever to be trusted with one). Really, before Christ, thats what my life revolved around, my eventual wife and kids. And thats not a bad thing.... but it can be if not handled the way that God designed. If I am ever blessed with a family, they will not have been given to me for my own fulfillment but rather they will be my responsibility, whom I will shepherd, to ultimately give glory to God. If I can't do that, then I don't deserve a family because a family in itself, without God in the picture, is just a worldly "activity" that will pass when we die. What good is anything if it's not used to serve God?

Anyways, next is friday's reading

Rev 19:1-5 Rejoicing in Heaven

So basically the saints in heaven are rejoicing over the ruin of the Babylon. Which again, this is a good while after Babylon had conquered Judah. Finally the prostitute that is synonymous with Babylon is destroyed and the saints are avenged as God righteously judges the wicked. They cry out "Hallelujah!" which is the only time the word is used in the new testament. It literally means praise Yahweh.

"The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." Fire damge is an interesting thing because there is no repairing something thats been damaged by fire. Things that have melted from a fire can not be taped back together... like a photo. Buildings can not be patched because 1. usually a fire will consume the whole building or 2. the fire affects the very structure of the building, permanently damaging it. When a person is burned, scars remain forever, if there is any skin left, which may only be repaired with skin grafting (a crazy skin transplant procedure). Point being, when babylon falls and is consumed in fire, it goes up with the smoke never to return, it will be gone, erased from existance. Hooray!!!!

By this the elders and beasts bow down to God offering Him praise. A voice actually commands it (as if anyone was able to help their amazement anyway) that all who fear the Lord, small and great, should praise God.

What I realize: Well more what I struggle with, is a proper fear of God. I know what He can do but perhaps the knowledge has not yet been taken into understanding in my heart. I suppose I have respect for God but I don't know about fear. I think I've been so saturated with growing in understanding of God's more pleasant attributes that a proper fear of Him has been neglected. Perhaps if I feared Him more, I would be moved to work harder for Him. I am certainly (and ceaselessly for the rest of my life) growing.

Double header

Is that how you spell double header? Doesn't seem right to me haha.

Anyway, both yesterday's reading and today's was a full chapter.... SO I think I'm gonna be relatively short again.

Rev 17 The Great Prostitute and the Beast

Here, one of the angels that carried a bowl of wrath takes John in the Spirit, meaning a vision or transcendence probably. He is taken to a wilderness type place, which has been a place of sanctuary for God's people, especially in this book (remember the pregnant woman who was protected from the dragon in the wilderness?). Anyway, perhaps from the Spirit influenced perspective that Paul has at this moment, he sees a prostitute on a beast. The beast is much like the beast mentioned earlier, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman is well adorned with beautiful colors and jewelry, so apparently attractive, but John sees that her cup is "full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality." and her forehead had written on it, "Babylon the great, mother of pprostitutes and of earth's abominations." She is drunk with the blood of saints. Now this is scary to me because this image is how I see non-christians, or at least my bc (before Christ) days, because I was wretched and sinful but covered myself with a good gpa, "fellowship," fake service, and generally nice guy (or I tried to be). But those were just adornments, white washed tombs. And yet this image is what delights, in drunkeness, not realizing what they do, in the death of Christians.

Even John when he first saw the woman "marveled greatly." But then the angel slapped him upside the head (not literally, I'm just in a bit of a playful mood) and was like, I'll tell you whats up. So the angel explains that the beast is the one that will rise from the bottomless pit and will be destroyed, along with the unsaved who worship it. I guess I was wrong awhile back when I said the heads weren't likely kings because here the angel explains that 5 of the heads were, that one is, and one more is a king to come. The ten horns are kings who have not come to power. These are "of one mind" and give their authority to the beast. They will fight against the Lamb and lose.

Interestingly at the end of the chapter, the angel reveals that he is talking about everyone, all nations. But the ironic thing here is that the ten horns and the beast will destroy the prostitute, even though she is evil too!. And the angel assures John that this is God's intent and His sovereign plan.

What I realize: Well first of all, evil is deceiving, adorned with nice things, but carrying wicked things. I know this already but I feel we are all still prone to crave what our earthly eyes see. Second, I think it's interesting that the enemy would be of one mind. Perhaps God asks us to do the same to fight against the enemy. If they're going to be united then we need to be also. (Yes I'm still memorizing Philippians, and what came to mind is ch 2:2 "complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." and Phil 2:5 "Have this mind among you, which is yours in Christ Jesus.") Last, sin and evil is self-destructive. Obviously. God didn't send fire or legions or Sata to destroy the prostitute, though under His command they all certainly would have done the job, but rather God will allow sin to destroy evil. Awesome. God will finish up what sin fails to do though when He judges all.

And honestly its late again, I will catch up!!!!! eventually.....

tomorrow blog Ch 18 read 19:1-4

Blog fail

Tomorrow I promise..... dude what a waste of a post. Sorry for wasting your time haha.