Rest From Their Labors

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;..." (Rev 14.20)

Among the many things that are taking place in the book of the Revelation, this is perhaps one of the sweetest. Rest, blessed rest. Then, we are reminded of the OT words in Daniel 7.25, "he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High,..."

This blogger has been a child of the Kingdom for thirty-eight years.  There have been peaks and valleys, encouragement and discouragement.  There have been happy times and sad times.  There is no complaint because it is understood that my Heavenly Father has bestowed everlasting love and much grace on this believer.  The truth remains, however, that the "spirit is willing and the flesh is weak." (Mt 26.41)

Thus, let us examine "Rest."  Blessed Rest. 

Rest, as defined in Webster's 1818 dictionary is:

1. Cessation of motion or action of any kind, and applicable to any body or being; as rest from labor; rest from mental exertion; rest of body or mind. A body is at rest when it ceases to move; the mind is at rest when it ceases to be disturbed or agitated; 

2. Quiet; repose; a state free from motion or disturbance; a state of reconciliation to God.

Rest in the Hebrew is explained as "quiet or settled."  In the Greek, rest is described as "calming" like when tumultuous winds die down.

Daniel prophetically informs us that in the last times it will be the sole purpose of the evil one to "weary the saints."  Weariness in the physical, financial, emotional or spiritual realm.  The first three characteristics affect the spiritual. Thus the reminder to be "not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Gal 6.9)  This blogger must admit a weariness beyond comprehension at times. 

That is probably the reason "rest" in the scriptures is so appealing.  Without launching into much discussion, just note that "rest" is our end.  No more hurt, sorrow, pain, suffering...tears.  Blessed thought!

All is still...

 Much could be said between chapter 4-6 but current thoughts are in chapter 7.

All is still. (7.1)  We know this because "four angels... (are at) four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth,...sea...(or) any tree."

What was it that should now be shown? No more harm, anywhere (7.3).

144,000 are first noted which are the twelve tribes of Israel. Twelve times 12,000 equals "144,000."  Take the deeper doctrinal meanings of Sovereignty and election but the truth is clear. This is God's chosen earthly peoples and they are numbered, specifically. (7.4-8)

THEN, the most blessed, victorious, wonderful scene, "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Throne AND before the Lambe, clothed with white robes, AND palms in their hands." (7.9) 

VICTORY!!! - the final blow to the wicked one?

 "...God shall wipe away ALL tears from their eyes."  (7.17)

Before continuing the script of the seven seals, it is told that "Victory is won!"  As believers, we knew it would be but to read it and know its so is encouraging enough to "keep on keeping on" and know that "It is worth every mile of the trip."  

So, dear believer, be still and soak up the victory that is yours and the sweet truth that no more tears will be ours one day.

What did John see?

Lord willing, this blogger will move through the book of Revelation in daily study until done.  One more point of interest; when ended it will be at least a third time this blogger has read through the scriptures.  Also, at the end of the year should complete a fourth reading in this lifetime of such a task.  It's difficult to move swiftly through scripture because of the depth of wisdom, encouragement and understanding one finds.  I would challenge each reader of this blog to attempt the same.  There will NEVER be regret in studying God's Word.

To gain a bit of perspective, let's set the scene for the senses.  We will examine what he heard first.  Revelation 4.1 says, "...I looked, and, behold, a door opened in heaven: and the first voice...as it were of a trumpet TALKING with me;"  

The study of the word trumpet reveals, (H7782) horn, ram's horn, clear and sharp sound. Root word (H8231) means goodly, pleasing, beautiful, fair, comely, bright, glisten.  The Greeks translated the word this way (G4536); the idea of quavering or reverberation. Webster's says that means "shaking the voice or the act of repelling sound, reflecting light and heat, or 'echoes.'  Trumpets are know for being the center of many important fanfares and pieces. This instrument is not for the timid. Trumpets, historically, have been used as signaling devices in battle or hunting dating back to 1500 BC.

Quite simply, it is a commanding sound.  So it is with all scripture.  None of the Holy Writ is a suggestion but "commands," to be obediently received and obeyed.  

THEN, John saw one on the throne that looked "like a jasper and a sardine stone..." (4.3)  

The study of "jasper" reveals it is a stone so dense it cannot be seen with a microscope.  It has many colors but is commonly red.  The sardine stone is flesh or sand colored.  No other defining information was found for this stone.

Let's apply, spiritually, as much as possible, what John saw.  

1. The voice heard was so commanding he had to stop all else and pay attention.  That voice was clear, sharp but pleasant to listen to.  So we should heed the Word.  Stop all else and focus on the words and then the Holy Spirit will burn into the believers heart was is necessary for the moment, time or particular circumstance.
2. The vision had color and clarity. It also illustrates that the Lord was very God (red color denoting a consuming fire, (Heb 12.29) and very man as noted by the Sand or flesh color (Jn 1.14).

Whatever the reader believes about the Words in the KJV1611, John makes a compelling case to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN!

As the Lord leads, more to come on what John saw and heard.

Moving beyond the Pandemic

This morning's reading was found in Psalm 7.11-13 where the writer said, "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors."  Also consider Psalm 9 and verse 17, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

It is totally repulsive to the flesh to even think about a thrice Holy God destroying the wicked, with whom He is "angry...every day."  The very idea that the Lord God has "prepared...instruments of death, (and ordained) His arrows against...persecutors" is abhorrent in the strongest sense to the carnal mind.  Yes, yes, this is the Psalmist speaking from his frame of reference but if you believe that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," (2 Pet. 1.21) then you must accept the Words of God at face value.

Tuning back in on 7/26:
What are my thoughts today?  Well, this blogger has moved beyond the above as far as the thought process and am simply "muddled" by life.  The brain and body is weary beyond words of daily interaction with wicked forces.  If this blogger is honest, all has not been done that could be done in daily devotional life.  That is, praying, meditating and studying God's Word.  Because it is written, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:" (Isa 26.3, 4)

Tuning back in..."COVID 19"

It's been awhile since this blogger last posted anything.  However, so that the reader would not be distressed on the matter, I have been "listening" "thru the bible" since the year began.  The daily reading program is in I Samuel and Luke.
This morning, I Samuel 17 and 18 tells the story of David and Goliath.  It is important to note that this correlates with one of the most unusual events in my lifetime, "COVID19," also known as "the Coronavirus."  A few weeks before and since the birth of my beautiful granddaughter on March 23, we have been "self-quarantined."  I never went anywhere much anyway but I now have a "travel letter" in case I'm stopped  going to and from work and there is a "shelter in place" nationwide to stay at home to stop the spread of this plague! 
Many deaths, nationwide, almost 17,000, have resulted from this pestilence. But the greatest tragedy, in my mind, is separation of family's and loved ones.  Fortunately, because He said, "nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do," (Gen 11.6) we have technology that allows for face to face viewing as well as, of course, the telephone.
To add a bit of wisdom for this horrific time, the story of David and Goliath seems right on target.  This pestilence could indeed be described as "Goliath."  It has all but stopped our economy in its tracks. Fear has gripped the hearts of unbelievers and in some cases, believers.  We cannot see an end but know it is there.
When David came upon the scene in the book of I Samuel 17, there was a "Giant" who "defied the armies of Israel." (I Sam 17.10)
Because this humble, sincere, honest shepherd boy had learned of things of the Lord at his father's feet and spent time with the Lord while tending the sheep, he had wisdom beyond his years for the "giant" he saw. He had also killed a lion and a bear on behalf of the sheep. He was mocked of his brothers, King Saul and the Giant Goliath.  But the youngest son and brother had learned a thing or two while tending the sheep that the seasoned warriors had not; he said, "...thou (the giant) comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord...whom thou hast defied."  In other words, though young, "this wasn't his first 'rodeo.'"
So, this blogger/believer would note that as fearful and scary as our current "giant/COVID19" is, we march on in the "name of the Lord."  We will pick up "five smooth stones," (I Sam 17.40) and demonstrate the Lord's "grace" (the symbolic/spiritual meaning of the number five) during this time.  However, we only need "one stone" (I Sam 17.49) to slay this "COVID 19."  One, in the bible symbolizes God, the Bible and pure power, The number one is also associated with the connection of God and His Son, Jesus, with His one-of-a-kind sacrifice and kindness.  It's HIS power, the One and Only Sovereign Lord that fights our battles, that goes before, stands with and comes behind us in these fearful times. (Col 1.16, I Chr 29.11, Exo 14.14, Ps 28.7, Eph 1.19, 21 and so many more...)
So, dear believer, in the words of the Lord's servant, Moses, at a frightening, anxious time,

 "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." 

(Exo 14.13)

Oh really?

This blogger has not had any consistent studies to date.  However, this believer is reading the scripture daily.  With that foundation being stated, below is an interesting exchange from work yesterday:

I work in a furniture store and have to turn TV's on and off everyday.  Yesterday, I noted to a coworker, "The TV didn't turn off  yesterday it's still on." My coworker said, "maybe it's a ghost."  I stated,"there isn't any such  thing."  Because He knows I am a believer he quipped, "then, it's the Holy Ghost."  To which I replied, "He is a real person, you know.  The Lord Jesus told us that when He went back to the Father, 'He would send another.'"  My coworker said nothing else but at least the Lord, I believe, channeled His witness thru this believer.

The exchange above came to mind as I read this morning's devotion; "...try the spirits...every spirit that confesseth not the Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God...(but of) antichrist..."  We are over-comers to this because we also understand that "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."  (I Jn 4.1-4)

This same coworker claims to be an atheist, though he had a "wacky" mom who took him to church regularly growing up.  He has said this is the reason he left his home many years before - to "get away from the religion that is shoved down his throat here in the south."  Life circumstances brought him back to the state of his birth and he is now in my view as we work together.  Thus, the exchange was in my heart at his comments about "ghosts."

It is no accident in God's economy that this my job is my "mission field."  I pray over my words or even if certain comments need a reply, thereby avoiding the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of another.  This man, though kind in his behavior towards me, I'm sure mocks me in his mind.  No matter, let's examine the devotional a bit further.

Carnal people will attempt to engage a believer to argumentative actions, if nothing more than for their own amusement.  They really don't care if you or they are right, they just like to see a strong reaction.  John, the beloved, instructs believers to "try the spirits whether they are of God."  If it's the Lord's purpose to open a dialogue with such an one, the believer must know this is the Lord's will and not just to be validated and proven right.

Never use the bible like one would "wildly" swing a sword not knowing how to use such a destructive weapon or even where to hit the target with the most lethal effect.  A wise military strategist would say sometimes to "retreat" is the better option, regardless of the reason.  The reasoning is that one would "live to fight another day."  Make no mistake we are in a spiritual battle.  This is a spiritual fight.

The truth is when this believer prayed that day, one prayer request was to "make me a witness" and this was the first encounter at work.  Nothing else was necessary as a "witness" that day except to "live what I preach."  It's been said an unbeliever is more affected by "seeing" a believer than "hearing" one.

There is a song that says "Make me a blessing to someone today."  That is my heart regarding things of the Lord.  I hope it's yours.  Validation or being credited with a good word or deed are unimportant when measured side by side with His will and for His glory.  Ps 57.7

7's and 2's

My heart was impressed to begin reading thru the Bible this year.  Because this blogger has been saved almost 38 years, studied and heard much preaching over the years, it is difficult to "read thru" without stopping to wonder at the meaning of words, phrases, passages...
Thus, a look at Genesis 7.2.  While boarding the Ark with the animals that were to spared for the coming destruction, a distinction was made between "clean" and "unclean."

• "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female."

The first reaction to this distinction is that by calling "2" unclean, it seems a direct point is being made that because of "2" (Adam and Even, of course), the world fell into the darkness of sin.  

The second thought is that by using the number "7," concerning the animals - they were innocents in the destruction that was coming.  While both numbers "2 and 7" are referring to animals particularly, it does seem clear that "2" could be representative of the first "2" humans to inhabit the earth,

Scripture represents Seven as the number of completeness and achievement. It obtains much of its meaning from relation to God's creation of all things. The word 'created' is used 7 times teaching God's creative work. There are 7 days in a week and God's Sabbath is on the 7th day.

The Bible was originally divided into 7 major divisions. The Divisions were 1) the Law; 2) the Prophets; 3) the Writings or Psalms; 4) the Gospels and Acts; 5) the General Epistles; 6) the Epistles of Paul, and 7) the book of Revelation. Initially, the total number of books in the Bible was forty-nine, which is 7 x 7, further illustrating the integration of seven into the Word of God.

Focusing on these thoughts concerning the numbers presented, lets view a few more truth's that would further interpret the number "7."

• The number 7 occurs 463 times in 391 verses
• Everywhere one study's this number, it emphasizes "God's perfect, finished work," as in Creation He "rested on the seventh day." (Gen 2.2)

When thinking on the number "2," the words "two-edged sword" come to mind.  Scripture gives three places one can see these words:

1. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4.12)
2. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; (Ps 149.6)
3. But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. (Pro 5.4)

A "two-edged sword" is the worst kind.  It can quite literally "cut both or two ways."  This is so of sin from "two" of the first human beings that plunged the world into darkness.  There are no "if only" scenarios when it comes to sin.  Because the "wages of sin is death..." (Rom 6.23)  However, the remainder of the verse ends this way, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  

The lesson of "7's and 2's"  simply stated, is that 7 is MORE than 2.  It took MORE grace than we could ever imagine to make free from sin or to "clean up the unclean."  Noah also built the first altar of sacrifice. (Gen 8.20)  After total destruction of all mankind except those that were in the Ark, an altar was erected to the Lord for sparing those IN the Ark.  

The picture, at least in this bloggers mind of the rule of "7's and 2's," is GRACE.  MORE clean than unclean animals in the ARK.  MORE grace was necessary to the saving of the "two."

The altar erected, as the first act out of the Ark, I believe, is a picture pointing forward in time to the coming of the Lord Jesus.  Every word, chapter and story in scripture point to Him.  If you can't see Him, you need dig a little deeper and pray a little longer.

Conclusion: 7 and 2 is a lesson in Grace needed for the "unclean" or lost.

Are you one of the 7?

If His grace has not found a lodging place in your heart, you can be "one of them."  We would love to tell you more about it and invite you to visit, Grace Baptist Church, Cornelia, GA or another bible believing church in the area, Fairfield Baptist Church, Demorest, GA