Day 245/260: Read Revelation 7

Who is blessed? According to the Master Teacher, “the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), “those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4), “the meek” (Matthew 5:5), “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6), “those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matthew 5:10).

He told his disciples, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).

Peter says, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).

Suffering in this life for Jesus leads to eternal blessings in heaven. It is written of the martyrs that John saw in his vision: “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Revelation 4:11. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Pray

Pray for perseverance, remembering eternal blessings out-weigh any suffering we may have to endure in this life.

Day 244/260: Read Revelation 6

Revelation 6 begins the opening of the seven seals. Keep in mind the symbolic nature of the language; this is not describing the events of the end of the world. The things described here have already come to pass; they were “at hand” at the time of John’s writing.

The fifth seal depicts the cries of the martyrs, “the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” They were crying for justice, and comforted “that they should rest a little while longer.”

Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. Sometimes, justice is delayed. God tells us to persevere. The impenitent will be punished in the end.

“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Revelation 4:11. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive ____________ and honor and ____________; for You ____________ all things, and by Your will they exist and were ____________.”

Pray

Pray for patience in the face of persecution, and for the strength to be kind to those who are unkind toward you.

Day 243/260: Read Revelation 5

Jesus is worthy. Jesus is deserving. Jesus should be praised and worshiped. All the heavenly host declared that Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, was worthy to receive the following:

• Power
• Riches
• Wisdom
• Strength
• Honor
• Glory
• Blessing

Count it up. There are seven things they proclaim He is worthy to receive. It is no accident that He is declared worthy to receive seven things; seven is the symbolic number of completeness!

How often should I forgive my brother? Jesus says, “Seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). In other words, our forgiveness of each other should be so complete, we lose count!

Jesus is worthy to receive complete praise. Complete worship. Complete honor. Don’t ever forget that He is worthy!

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Revelation 4:11. “You are ____________, O Lord, to receive glory and ____________ and power; for You created ________ things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Pray

Pray a prayer of praise for the Lamb who laid down His life for your eternal salvation.

Day 242/260: Read Revelation 4

We are told at the very beginning of the book of Revelation that the language is symbolic. “And he sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” (Revelation 1:1). It is important to remember this important fact as we read the book.

This is the great throne scene depicting God on the throne, the Almighty being worshiped by His creation. The twenty-four elders around the throne represent the twelve tribes of the old covenant and the twelve apostles of the new covenant.

The text says in verse 4 that the elders “had crowns of gold on their heads,” and in verse 10 that they “cast their crowns before the throne.” This act of casting their crowns shows humility, a recognition of the fact that any power they may claim to comes from God.

Their words of praise in verse 11 should forever be on the lips of God’s people:

“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”

May we never forget that God alone is worthy of our worship!

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Revelation 4:11. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Pray

Pray a prayer of praise for God, the Almighty Creator!

Day 241/260: Read Revelation 3

What kind of letter would Jesus write to the congregation where you worship? Look at some of the things said to these first century congregations. Do any of them describe today’s church?

• “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
• “You have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
• “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot…I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Do any of these descriptions fit the congregation where you worship? Can you identify with the church that has a good reputation, and that’s about it? Or does the church where you worship actually keep the Word and stand for the truth? Is there apathy or zeal among the body?

Everyone has room for improvement. Are you doing your part to encourage and enhance the work of the church?

One thing is sure: Jesus knows your works. Don’t deceive yourself; take an honest inventory of your own spiritual life and the strength of the congregation, then do what needs to be done to make yourself and your brethren stronger.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Revelation 4:11. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Pray

Pray for the elders, deacons, preachers, and other members in your congregation.

Day 240/260: Read Revelation 2

Compromise is often condemned in God’s Word. We can live together in unity and disagree in matters of opinion, but when it comes to revealed truth, there can be no compromise.

The church at Ephesus had fallen by leaving their first love. Jesus commands them to repent and return to “the first works.” Get back to doing the work of the Lord!

The church at Pergamos had some who held to doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, doctrines that Christ said He hated. They were stumbling blocks, preventing those disciples from living lives of purity.

The church at Thyatira also allowed the infiltration of false doctrine to lead some astray into sexual immorality and idolatry. They wanted to be Christians, but didn’t want to give up worldly pleasures.

What happens when we stand fast? Look no further than what Jesus told His people in Smyrna. “Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.” We are taught from the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry that faithful Christians will be persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-19).

Remember, the reward in eternity will far exceed any trouble we face in this life.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Pray

Pray for strength in the face of tribulation and persecution.

Day 239/260: Read Revelation 1

How would you describe Jesus Christ? Here are some of the words and phrases used in the first chapter of Revelation:

• “The faithful witness”
• “The firstborn from the dead”
• “The ruler over the kings of the earth”
• “The Alpha and the Omega”
• “The Beginning and the End”
• “Who is and who was and who is to come”
• “The Almighty”

The integrity, authority, and eternal nature of Jesus is revealed in these descriptions. That’s not all this chapter tells us, though.

At the end of verse 5, we are told Jesus “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13), and that’s exactly what He did on the cross. He allowed His blood to be shed so that our sins could be covered (1 John 1:7).

To return to the question, how would you describe Jesus Christ? He is Truth, He is the King, He is eternal, and He is the Savior!

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God ____________ the world. And this is the ____________ that has ____________ the world—our faith.

Pray

Pray that all may accept the grace of God and the authority of His Son, beginning with you.