The End

I praise God for the written, holy Word. I am grateful for God's grace, leading me through this year of biblical reading and reflection. If you read through the Bible chronologically this year and if you looked at this blog from time to time, then I hope and pray that the blog helped you in some way.

May the peace of God surround us always.

Revelation 19:1-22:21

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

John, the author of the Bible's book of revelation, sees everything from heaven to earth being renewed. He hears the news that God lives among the people and that the processes of their becoming God's people and God's becoming God to the people is underway. Whenever I see tears dried, mourning turned into joy, crying replaced with songs, or pains alleviated, I think of this promise.

I thank God that the old order of things is passing away. We need a new earth.

Revelation 15:1-18:24

Beginning with the Bible's book of Revelation, chapter 15, John's vision of seven angels bearing seven bowls of plagues begins. The plagues are to be emptied on earth, so that more and more people suffer. 

Again and again, God's people are encouraged. Take, for example, Revelation 16:15, "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” 

I am clothed in Christ. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (Romans 13:14) I hope to grow more and more awake to to God's presence with me and to dress myself more and more in the grace of Jesus, so that whenever I encounter temptations, challenges, pain, or troubles, I can own the Bible's encouraging words.

Revelation 11:1-14:20

St. Savin - Woman, Child, and Dragon (Detail), from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=33281 [retrieved December 29, 2015]. Original source: Images donated by Anne Richardson Womack, Vanderbilt University, and James T. Womack, Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville, TN.

Revelation 6:1-10:11

The Bible's book of Revelation, chapter 5, discloses John's vision of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb who was slain, poised and ready to open a scroll sealed with seven seals.

Beginning with Revelation, chapter 6, the Resurrected Christ--for that is who is symbolized by the Lion-Root-Lamb--breaks six seals one by one. When each seal is broken a horse and rider appears, spreading first one calamity then another throughout the world. Chapter 6 ends with the breaking of the sixth seal.

Revelation, chapter 7, discloses a somewhat peaceful interlude in John's vision before the breaking of the seventh seal. During this interlude, destruction is forestalled until a number of God's servants can be sealed--12,000 servants from each of Israel's 12 tribes. Immediately afterward, John sees countless martyrs before the throne of God; and the martyrs are worshiping God with shouts of praise. The chapter ends with some of the most comforting words to be found in scripture: Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'" (Revelation 7:15-17)

Revelation, chapter 8, begins with John's vision of the Resurrected Christ's breaking the seventh seal. The seal is broken. Silence ensues. Then seven angels, each bearing a trumpet, appear. As the prayers of God's people mingle together with incense burning before the throne of God, the angels begin to sound their trumpets one by one. As each trumpet sounds a calamity strikes the earth--hail and fire scorching the earth, the poisoning of seas, lakes, rivers, springs, and wells, darkness, etc. John's vision of the woes heralded by the sounding of six of the angels' seven trumpets continues through Revelation, chapter 9.  There is an element of judgment to these woes, as John observes. Those who survive this second round of calamities do not stop worshiping idols and demons. (Revelation 9:20) They do not repent of murders, magic, sexual immorality, nor thefts. (Revelation 9:21)

Revelation, chapter 10, begins another interlude in John's vision. The seventh angel will sound the fateful seventh trumpet, but the angel waits for the time being. One outcome of the interlude is that John is commissioned with prophecy once more: Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)

At times I feel the world threatened almost as much as is described here in John's apocalypse. So I hope to be faithful in my witness to Jesus Christ. 

Revelation 2:1-5:14

John is instructed to write messages to seven churches. Those messages are recorded in the Bible's book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. The messages provide critiques of churches' shortcomings. They commend faithfulness found in the churches. The messages warn churches of imminent dangers. They give churches reasons to hope.

Toward the end of each message this statement is repeated: "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Lord, let me hear.

1 John 4:1-5:21; 2 John 1:1-13; 3 John 1:1-14; Revelation 1:1-20

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. (1 John 4:16b-18a)

I believe; I trust God's love for humanity. If I become fearful, then it is time to allow more God, more love to wash over me. Letting go of anxiety and fright, I am free to live in love. I am free to live in God and God in me.

Hebrews 13:1-25; 1 John 1:1-3:24

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)

Christmas is the season of Light and lights. Jesus, the Light of the World, was born an infant human more than 2,000 years ago. Both God and human, Jesus harbored no darkness within; and His Light illuminated the darkness of the world. I walk by faith in His light. Darkness, be gone!

Hebrews 10:19-12:29

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

I have often thought of faith as both belief and trust. I believe in Jesus Christ, who is God's Son, my Lord, and my Savior. And I trust Jesus Christ, also. I have confidence that Jesus Christ forgives me, and I feel assured of God's never-ending love, binding us together.

Hebrews 7:1-10:18

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

I am waiting for Christ.

Hebrews 2:1-6:20

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

I learned a deeper meaning from this passage of scripture by way of M. Robert Mulholland, Junior's  book, "Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation." Today, I was saddened to learn of Dr. Mulholland's death last Sunday. I praise God for Mulholland's life and work. Thank You, Lord, for Your servant, Bob.

2 Timothy 2:1-4:22; Hebrews 1:1-14

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:1-5a)

Today?

Jude 1:17-25; 2 Peter 1:1-3:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

God acts in power, glory, and goodness to give us both basic knowledge of God and precious promises of God. Through all of these--promises, knowledge, goodness, glory, and power--humanity may take part in God's very nature. Theosis! I want to live in full partnership with the living God. 

1 Peter 2:13-5:14; Jude 1:1-16

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13)

Today, in my part of the world folks don't go for suffering. Many barely tolerate discomfort, much less choose anything that might involve personal pain. And many of those who do suffer, whether by choice or by chance, complain about it.

Peter's advice stands in contrast with the experiences of many of my contemporaries. He says to rejoice while suffering for the sake of Christ, or to be more precise, to celebrate participating in Christ's suffering. Here Peter writes from the truth that Christ-followers participate in the ongoing life of Christ. Some of the time following Christ makes for miracles. Some of the time it makes for sorrows. But the Christ-follower can rejoice in the participation. In a sense we are not living our own lives. We are living the Christ-life. And that is reason enough to rejoice!

Titus 1:1-3:15; 1 Peter 1:1-2:12

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14)

This teaching is difficult. Although I submit to human authority often, I question human authority, too. "Why is the speed limit 35 miles per hour on this stretch of road? It could be raised safely to 45 miles per hour."  

Peter has even more justification for questioning authority than I. The Roman Empire had enslaved as much as 75% of its population; and that appears to be a gross misuse of power. The Roman Empire's authorities went along with the illegal arrest, unjust trial, and cruel execution of Jesus, too.

That he witnessed Jesus' passion and death underscores Peter's commitment to humble submission. Jesus submitted. Why shouldn't Peter?

Why shouldn't I?

1 Timothy 3:1-6:21

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:8-10)

Let's restate the wisdom of these three verses of scripture in the imperative mood: Get some physical exercise, because it's good for you! But train your soul in godliness, because it's good forever! Work, struggle, hope, and believe, friends. God lives and saves!

Philippians 3:1-4:23; 1 Timothy 1:1-2:15

Writing in 1 Timothy 1:9-11, Paul the Apostle condemns various sinners by just application of God's Law. But he claims relief for sinners and gives the example of his own experience in 1 Timothy 1:15-16. If Paul is the worst sinner of all (1 Timothy 1:15), then by his experience of receiving God's mercy and forgiveness all persons may anticipate relief from sin.

Thank God for that!

Philemon 1:1-25; Philippians 1:1-2:30

When Paul the Apostle writes to Philippian Christians to "work out salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12b) he is advising them to do what he is doing. What is Paul doing? He is thinking through his own life and the possibility of his imminent death (Philippians 1:21-26). 

He prefers to die in order to go to be with the Lord. But he views living as "more necessary" (Philippians 1:24) for the benefit of the Christians at Philippi.

What is the most necessary thing of my life...and yours?

Colossians 1:1-4:18

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Colossians 4:18)

As he writes to the Christians at Colossae, Paul the Apostle is captive somewhere. In this particular chronological arrangement the editors agree with the assumption that Paul is in Rome. What Paul writes lends credence to this assumption. He writes from the perspective of a mature faith. He writes about universal, cosmic topics, and he writes to give practical advice to the Christian community at Colossae. 

Then, too, Paul is in chains. At the close of the Bible's book of Acts, Paul is in Rome, waiting for his trial to come before Caesar. But he is preaching the good news to anyone and everyone who will listen. He is chained in the Roman system of justice, and he is chained to the cause of Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-6:24

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Acts 28:11-31; Ephesians 1:1-3:21

For he himself is our peace... (Ephesians 2:14a)

He Is our Peace - The Song

                                                                                            ...enjoy!

Acts 25:23-28:10

Once upon a time not long ago "Where's Waldo?" was a visual pastime. The map below traces the movements of Paul the Apostle as recorded in the Bible's book of Acts. So if any readers wonder, "Where's Paul?" they can look at the map and get some sense of his location in the Mediterranean Basin.

By JWooldridge (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Acts 23:12-25:22

Here two schemes of jurisprudence overlap and compete with one another. One is the Sanhedrin, a council of seventy-one Jewish sages who constituted the supreme court and legislative body in Judea during the Roman period. Another is the Roman Empire's system of laws, courts, and justice. Both are corrupt. Evidence of their corruption can be seen in the ways that Paul the Apostle is treated.

God, when will justice "roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream?" (Amos 5:24)

Acts 21:1-23:11

Acts 21 begins with a first person plural account of certain disciples' journey to Jerusalem. Paul the Apostle is the leader of this band of Jesus-followers. Two purposes for making the journey seem evident to me. One is to deliver to Jerusalem's poor an offering gathered from the Gentile churches. Another is leave-taking. Paul is saying, "Goodbye," to fellow Christians. He believes he may never see them again. But Paul has traveling companions, persons with whom to share his travels. Some (one?) are (is?) able to record these events firsthand.

After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. (Acts 21:1)

Thank You, God, for traveling companions in my spirit-journey.

Romans 15:1-16:27; Acts 20:7-38

Paul the Apostle is traveling from his initial fields of missionary service, Asia Minor and Greece, toward Jerusalem. He hopes to deliver the offering he has collected from the churches he has established to the "mother" church in Jerusalem. After delivering the offering he hopes to travel through Rome on his way to Spain, where he may be able to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard it before. As he draws nearer to Jerusalem he takes leave of the churches that he had founded previously. Many tears are shed with each good-bye.

Of whom am I taking leave today? Who are the folks I may never see again? What gift, what encouragement, and what hope may I offer?

Romans 11:11-14:23

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

Murder, terrorism, theft, oppression, abuse, violence, extortion, robbery, gossip, and the like are widespread and, thanks to media nowadays, well-known: All the more reason to consider, "How shall I overcome? With which kinds of good may this present evil be defeated?"

Romans 8:18-11:10

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

It's that simple...

Romans 5:1-8:17

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

God loves us humans. God displays that love by sending Christ Jesus, who lives, dies, rises from death, and ascends for our forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

Receiving the love God displays in Christ Jesus, we humans are freed for life under the Holy Spirit's rule.

Romans 2:1-4:25

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.(Romans 3:20-24)

All are justified by God's grace. All are declared righteous in God's sight through Christ's redeeming life, death, and resurrection. All receive righteousness who by faith believe in Jesus Christ.

I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief.

2 Corinthians 11:16-13:14; Romans 1:1-32

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)

In writing to the Christians at Rome, Paul the Apostle uses an argument from "nature" or from "creation itself" to proclaim God's existence. "Look at the created order of things," he writes, in effect, "and you will see God's eternal power and divine nature." God's self-revelation through scripture plays no part in this argument. If Paul had made his proclamation from the foundation of scripture, then those who have no knowledge of scripture would have an excuse for their wicked and godless ways. Paul proclaims the truth from scripture elsewhere, but not here. In this way he logically erases every excuse for wicked and godless behavior.

On the one hand I am not so sure that everyone will agree that God's invisible qualities have been seen clearly from the beginning of creation. On the other hand I am very sure that I have seen those qualities--God's eternal power and divine nature--in almost every one of my experiences in the natural world. The technicolor beauty of a sunrise, the majesty of the ocean's breakers on a rocky seashore, the sound and fury of an August thunderstorm--all these and more bear witness in my soul that God was, is, and will be. How can I deny this truth written in my heart?

2 Corinthians 7:1-11:15

And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)

Dear Reader: Have you met some of these: false apostles, deceitful workers, or someone wearing the mask of an apostle of Christ? Have you met Satan himself, pretending to be an angel of light?

Paul the Apostle has, and here he commits himself to cut the ground from under them. 

This calls for careful discernment between true angels of light and imposters, between true apostles of Jesus Christ and counterfeit apostles.

2 Corinthians 2:5-6:18

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

What does it mean to contemplate the Lord's glory with unveiled faces? To me it means that I drop all pretensions as much as possible. I remove and release any "masks" that I wear. It means that I open myself to God's glory as I am, not as I hope to be, nor as I ought to be, nor as I may pretend to be. 

Authentic transformation may be impossible for me if I insist on viewing the Lord's glory through the lens of my choice.  But let the scales fall from my eyes, and the Spirit of God may have a free hand in my soul. 

The Scriptures I Hope to Read in December

December 1 - 2 Corinthians 2:5-6:18

December 2 - 2 Corinthians 7:1-11:15

December 3 - 2 Corinthians 11:16-13:14; Romans 1:1-32

December 4 - Romans 2:1-4:25

December 5 - Romans 5:1-8:17

December 6 - Romans 8:18-11:10

December 7 - Romans 11:11-14:23

December 8 - Romans 15:1-16:27; Acts 20:7-38

December 9 - Acts 21:1-23:11

December 10 - Acts 23:12-25:22

December 11 - Acts 25:23-28:10

December 12 - Acts 28:11-31; Ephesians 1:1-3:21

December 13 - Ephesians 4:1-6:24

December 14 - Colossians 1:1-4:18

December 15 - Philemon 1:1-25; Philippians 1:1-2:30

December 16 - Philippians 3:1-4:23; 1 Timothy 1:1-2:15

December 17 - 1 Timothy 3:1-6:21

December 18 - Titus 1:1-3:15; 1 Peter 1:1-2:12

December 19 - 1 Peter 2:13-5:14; Jude 1:1-16

December 20 - Jude 1:17-25; 2 Peter 1:1-3:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

December 21 - 2 Timothy 2:1-4:22; Hebrews 1:1-14

December 22 - Hebrews 2:1-6:20

December 23 - Hebrews 7:1-10:18

December 24 - Hebrews 10:19-12:29

December 25 - Hebrews 13:1-25; 1 John 1:1-3:24

December 26 - 1 John 4:1-5:21; 2 John 1:1-13; 3 John 1:1-14; Revelation 1:1-20

December 27 - Revelation 2:1-5:14

December 28 - Revelation 6:1-10:11

December 29 - Revelation 11:1-14:20

December 30 - Revelation 15:1-18:24

December 31 - Revelation 19:1-22:21