Day 365: The New Jerusalem
It’s finally here! The last day! The whole entire Bible in a year. This is awesome! I have to say, there were some times when I wanted to quit–but I’m so glad I didn’t! Hallelujah shouts the hosts of heaven over the destruction of Babylon. And they all fall down and worship God. A rider [...]
Day 364: The Seven Bowls of Wrath
The angels are given the order to unleash the contents of the bowls. They aren’t good. The first is festering sores on those who bear the mark of the beast. The second is the sea turned to blood, killing everything in it. With the third bowl, the rivers and lakes follow the sea. That would [...]
Day 363: Beasts of the Sea and the Earth
The dragon finds a great beast in the sea. He gives his power and authority to this beast and all the world–except those belonging to the Lamb–worship the beast. Again, I’ve heard many interpretations of the beast. It’s ten nations, it’s the president, it’s some evangelist that has too many followers. Then a beast comes [...]
Day 362: The Seventh Trumpet and the Little Scroll
John sees an angel come to earth. I love the description. He is clothed in clouds with a rainbow above his head. He is carrying a little scroll that he tells John to eat. He then tells him to continue to prophecy. John sees two witnesses who will prophecy–it sounds like in Jerusalem. They will [...]
Day 361: The Seventh Seal and Destruction
I have heard so many ideas on what 144,000 means. Is it literal, is it only Israel(that’s actually what it says)? I think we read recently that when a prophecy is fulfilled, it’s never what men interpreted. The passage says that 144,000 from the tribes of Israel will be sealed. Next, John sees a great [...]
Day 360: A Scroll is Unsealed
John is taken to a place(sounds like heaven to me) where he sees the Throne of God. He describes an awesome sight both beautiful and terrible. He held out a scroll that none were worthy to unseal–until Christ! Four living creatures(some sort of angels?)surround Him as He prepares to open the seals. Out of the [...]
Day 359: Revelation of John
I would like to preface this reading with this: I am no theologian. I do not promise any interpretation of this book. I will simply read and tell you what I’ve read. For anything deeper, you’ll have to go to other studies (and believe me there are plenty!).John opens with greetings and giving all glory [...]
Day 358: Jude
Every time I read this, the song “Hey Jude” by the Beatles pops into my head. Jude writes to warn of those who have come into the church and use it as an excuse to do whatever they want. Have you ever seen this, someone doing something they know they shouldn’t and saying, “I’ll ask [...]
Day 357: From John to Gaius
This third letter from John is to a man named Gaius. He seems to be known for how he treats those believers traveling through on ministry duties. John encourages him to continue to love them and provide for them. And then he talks about Diotrephes. I don’t think I would like to go to his [...]
Day 356: A Second Letter From John
Today’s reading is especially short! Today and tomorrow are the break we need before finishing up with Revelation. This is the second letter attributed to John. He is writing to a woman. Whether to correct her or warn her it isn’t clear. He seems to be gentler in his approach than Paul. He reminds her [...]
Day 355: Love God and One Another
I have to say, John is my favorite writer in the New Testament. I love his style–it’s really beautiful. The first verse is so wonderful–we are children of God! I love that! If you know Him, you don’t live in sin–you don’t want to! Love one another is a continual theme of John’s. But, that [...]
Day 354: First Letter from John
The authorship of the letters from John are pretty well accepted as the same writer as the gospel of John. In other words, the apostle John. This reminds me of the beginning of the gospel of John. He refers to walking with God as walking in the light. We should stay in the light and [...]
Day 353: Second Peter
This letter begins a little differently than the last letter from Peter. The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter rather than just Peter. Again, I will refer to the writer as Peter and leave it to the Bible scholars to decide if it was the apostle or someone just using the name for authority. He [...]
Day 352: Respect for the Flock
Husbands and wives should treat each other with respect. All should love one another and even repay evil with blessing–not an easy thing to do! He says that even if you suffer for doing what is right–you will be blessed!! And remember, the reward isn’t here. Living for God is not an easy road according [...]
Day 351: A Letter From Peter
For a long time, most believed this letter was written by the apostle Peter, but today, many scholars think it was written after Peter’s death. We’ll just call the writer Peter since that’s what he called himself. The prophets were preparing you for the Messiah. Now that you believe, stay holy for the time when [...]
Day 350: Faithful Prayer
A tongue is a small but dangerous thing. James uses the example of the large ship being controlled by the small rudder or the large forest burned down with one tiny spark. The tongue can be used to praise but can also do more damage than anything else! So, be careful with it! James calls [...]
Day 349: James’ Letter
The authorship of James is not certain, but many believe that James was the half-brother of Jesus. He begins by calling the readers to face trials with joy and don’t doubt. Doubt is like the waves in the ocean–tossing you about. Ha also said not to claim that God is tempting you–God doesn’t do that, [...]
Day 348: Remain Faithful to the End
The writer tells the story of the faith of the elders. He points out the faith of all those from Abel to Sarah. I have no doubt that the writer is speaking to Jewish Christians–and even those who might be curious but not believers yet. He points out that these people never saw the full [...]
Day 347: The True Tabernacle
The reason given here for such specifics in building the original tabernacle is that it is a shadow of the true sanctuary in Heaven. Now He is the high priest of the new covenant. The old priests on earth could only enter the Most Holy Place once a year and that after sacrificing for his [...]
Day 346: Jesus, the High Priest
The writer compares Jesus to the high priests. He is chosen by God, He offered up prayers and petitions on our behalf and sacrificed for our sins. At this point, the writer scolds the people to whom he is speaking. They are not progressing as they should. He says they should be teachers but instead [...]
