Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Revelation 21:1-4

Dear God, why are you telling us this? Why did you describe things in Revelation through John in such ambiguous ways? There are times when—well, I just haven’t had a lot of use for Revelation in my walk with you. I know it’s out there. I know it gives warnings for your people (and me). I know it describes some scary things as well as some hopeful and exciting things. But it can be so metaphorical that it’s hard to know what to take from it so I just kind of ignore it.

I guess one question to ask myself is what difference it would make if Revelation weren’t here and the Bible ended with Jude. what would it be like to not have any vision for hope? What would it be like to not have the warnings? What would it be like of you just told us in plain terms what you were trying to communicate in Revelation. Why the allegory? Well, when I consider my life and what it would be like without these descriptions, it feels like an emptier life. Even a promise of heaven seems smaller without the vague, incomprehensible descriptions John gives us. The warnings for the different churches are important too. They are warnings for me about not losing my first love, pursuing idols, etc.

Father, you have worked all of this together for my good—even in ways I cannot comprehend. I don’t always understand the ramifications of what you’ve done or what you are doing, but I know you are doing it. My faith is in you. Thank you for everything.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

Revelation 21:22-23

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.
Revelation 21:22-23

Dear God, I can only imagine. “Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?”

I saw that the New Testament reading for the Catholic Church today was in Revelation. I don’t normally read Revelation. In fact, I find myself avoiding it because I just don’t know how to get my head around it. It’s a little like physics or even a circuit board for electronics. It’s like trying to understand how “time” works. I know those things are out there. I know I need them and they are important. But it’s hard to see the value in understanding everything about them. It’s enough to know it’s there. It’s enough to know you have this figured out. My job is to love you and love others. The rest will take care of itself.

Father, I might have the wrong attitude about this. Perhaps I should care more about the content and imagery in Revelation. If I should, please put it on my heart, and then give me a pathway into understanding the messages you want me to take from it.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

Revelation

Dear God, I was speaking to a young man in my office yesterday who is heavily influenced by pastors that focus on the rapture and tribulation. He gave me a website to check out and a DVD to view. I watched a little of the DVD and looked at the cover of the website. I’m thinking about writing the young man today with my thoughts.

My first thought is that any time anyone around Jesus was afraid he told them to fear not. Jesus didn’t sell his message using fear. He offered mercy. If I believe what I say I believe and if I share that with others then the rapture and the tribulation will take care of themselves. My job isn’t to scare anyone into Heaven. That isn’t much of a sales pitch anyway.

While we were in my office, he referenced the fruits of the Spirit and said that the first one is love. I agreed with him, but then we listed through the others and I tried to point out peace to him. I’ve told you this many times before, but peace is the one thing that I can’t fake. I can pretty much put up a facade and fake the other fruits. To other people, I can make myself look loving, joyful, kind, gentle, etc., but I am unable to fake peace. When I am truly in you is when I am at peace, and if I am not following you then I have no peace.

Father, I could go on and on, but I guess the thing I really want to say is that I am grateful that you take away all my fear. Your love drives out all my fear. (1 John 4:18). I don’t have to fear the rapture, the tribulation, a one world government or the anti-Christ because you are my God. You have this. I am in you and you are in me. You gave me a great bridge to reach you through coming to earth through the part of your essence that is your son, Jesus, and showed me not only how much you love me, but also how to love and live. Thank you for all of this. I need you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:1-4

Dear God, there must be something about heaven and the state that we will be in when we get there that makes it okay not to struggle. I guess when I am surrounded by your glory in person I won’t be able to think about myself or my selfish desires. I won’t worship myself and my own agenda. Because here on earth, when there is no struggle and things are too good I start to find that I’d much rather be into me and my desires.

I say all of this because of John’s description in verse four. No more death, crying, or pain? I admit that it would not be good for me now. It wouldn’t be good for any of us. But I guess there is something that makes heaven different.

Father, I submit to whatever path you have for me—both here on earth and in heaven to come. If you need me to struggle, then I will hold your hand in the struggle. If you grant me a smooth path for a while, the I will worship you on that path. You are my God and I love you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Revelation 3:14-20

Revelation 3:14-20 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Dear God, last night’s meeting with our group from church was probably one of our best from a standpoint of really getting into what people believe about specific theological issues. While everyone there attends the same church, and most grew up in that church (or at least that denomination) I think some of the people around the circle articulated for the first time what they believe about submission to you, repentance, and salvation. There were some misunderstandings of what other denominations believe. There was some self-realization that people had about their own misgivings about what they believed. 

As for me, my own feeling is that I have me theology, philosophy, and even feelings about all of that, but at the end of the day I’m not sure enough about topics like infant baptism and confirmation vs baby dedications and person decisions. What I know is that you want me to repent of my sin, accept Jesus’ Lordship over my life, and submit to and worship you. 

Father, I give you that. First, I am sorry. Our church repeats a penitent prayer every week. It is good and I confess my sin now. I am grateful that Jesus did what he did and continues to do what he does. I accept your Lordship and example over my life. I give you my worship as my Redeemer and my God, and I accept the yoke you have for me in exchange for the yoke I actually deserve. 

In Jesus’ name I worshipfully pray,

Amen