December 31 — "The Blessing Is In The Keeping"

 

Today's Reading: Revelation 22

The big idea of Revelation 22:7 is simple and searching: blessing flows not merely from knowing God’s Word, but from keeping it.

Jesus’s Revelation to John does not end the Bible with a puzzle—it ends it with a promise: “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of this book.” That blessing is not reserved for scholars or prophecy enthusiasts. It is for ordinary believers who take God at His word and live accordingly.

To “keep” Revelation is to let its truths shape how we worship, endure, repent, discern, and hope. At its core, Revelation calls us to keep Jesus central. This book pulls back the curtain to show Him reigning, victorious, and worthy of all allegiance. We keep Revelation when our lives orbit around Christ—not culture, comfort, selfishness, or fear. It reminds us that faithfulness matters, especially when following Jesus costs something. The early believers who first received this book lived under real pressure, and Revelation urged them to endure, stay loyal, and refuse compromise. That call has not softened with time.

Revelation also teaches us to keep our worship pure. Everyone worships something, and this book exposes the danger of misplaced devotion. To keep its words is to guard our hearts from idols—whether power, success, security, or approval—and to reserve our deepest affection for the Lamb alone.

Closely connected to this is the call to discernment. Revelation warns that deception will be persuasive, seem reasonable, and be widely accepted. Keeping this book means developing spiritual clarity—testing voices, weighing messages, and refusing anything that demands allegiance that belongs only to Christ. This discernment is especially vital when it comes to the "mark of the beast,” which represents total loyalty to a godless system. To keep Revelation is to say, even quietly and at great cost, “I belong to Jesus, not this world.”

There is also a strong call to repentance. Jesus speaks tenderly yet firmly to churches, urging them to return to their first love, awaken from spiritual drift, and correct what has gone off course. Keeping Revelation means staying humble and responsive, allowing the Lord to correct what He loves. This is not condemnation—it is restoration.

Finally, Revelation teaches us to keep hope alive. Evil does not win. Injustice does not last. God will dwell with His people, and all things will be made new. To keep this book is to live with eternity in view—holding earthly things loosely and eternal promises tightly.

May the Lord help you not merely read these words, but keep them. May He sharpen your discernment, strengthen your faithfulness, and anchor your hope in Christ alone. And may your life reflect the blessing promised to those who remain loyal to Jesus until the day He comes.

December 30 — "Home Sweet Home: God’s Promise of Presence"

Today's Reading: Revelation 21

Most of us have become accustomed to life’s background noise—not because it’s the way life is supposed to be, but because separation from God has made it all too familiar. The hum of anxiety, the buzz of distraction, and the low-grade ache of grief are really symptoms of living apart from our Creator.

We weren’t designed to be distant from God, yet we’ve adapted into this gap. We cope, we scroll, we fill the silence, and we normalize restlessness, calling it adulthood. That constant clamor is simply our hearts trying to function without the closeness they were made for. But hold onto your spiritual hats, folks! Revelation 21 doesn’t just suggest we cope with that distance; it declares it’s over! John hears a resounding voice proclaiming what humanity has never fully experienced: God is moving in!

Throughout Biblical history, God has visited, passed by, and interrupted life to reveal Himself—but these encounters were fleeting. Momentary. He showed up just long enough to change a name or redirect a future, then He withdrew. Even when He walked among us, the closeness was limited by time, geography, and mortality. And today, as He resides within us by His Spirit, that nearness is felt by faith rather than sight.

But Revelation 21 heralds an end to those fleeting visits. No more stopping by; God is settling in. It’s not just a friendly visit—He’s pitching His tent among us permanently. Imagine that! This isn’t merely an upgrade to our spiritual experience; it’s a complete redefinition of reality. The ache we’ve felt—the tendency to think God is sometimes distant or simply out of reach—was never meant to last. That distance was just a chapter, not the whole story. Revelation 21 reveals the trajectory of our story: toward nearness, permanence, and unbroken presence.

Living fully in His presence will just feel right. The low-grade tension and that nagging feeling that something is off—even when life seems good—will vanish. Not because we’ve learned to cope, but because the source of the tension has been eradicated. There will be no more need to prove, perform, or pretend. Peace won’t require upkeep. Contentment won’t feel fragile. We’ll live with the quiet confidence of knowing we are exactly where we belong.

Here’s the wonder of it all: God has longed for this more than we have! From Eden to the cross to the new creation, the story has always centered on His desire to dwell with His people. We hear it in His promise from Leviticus 26:11-12: “I will make my dwelling among you… I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” Revelation 21 reveals that the deepest longing fulfilled is not ours but His.

The God who once passed by, walked among us, and now lives within us will one day be with us—openly, permanently, forever. May the Lord steady your heart with the promise that your pain is seen, your tears are counted, and your future is far more solid than your present feels. Today, may you live anchored to the glorious day when God Himself makes all things new!

December 29 — "Born Once, Die Twice: Born Twice, Die Once"

Today's Reading: Revelation 20

The Bible speaks of two 'deaths. The first being the physical death that all humans experience, and the second, the spiritual death that leads to eternal separation from God.

The first death is an inevitable part of our earthly journey. It is the end of our physical existence, a universal experience that bridges all cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that “it is appointed for man to die once,” acknowledging the reality of physical mortality. But this is where the story takes a transformative turn.

The second death, is a more somber and critical concept. It refers to eternal separation from God. This separation is devastating because God is the source of everything that makes life truly life—love, truth, joy, peace, beauty, meaning, and hope. To be separated from Him is not merely to be distant from a Person, but to be cut off from the very wellspring of goodness, life, and vitality itself. It means isolation without healing, desire without fulfillment, regret without repentance, and existence without purpose.

Today’s verse from Revelation 20 brings hope and clarity into this sobering reality by introducing what Scripture calls the first resurrection: “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power.”

In contrast to the two deaths, the Bible also speaks—beautifully—of two kinds of life. The first resurrection is not about escaping physical death, but about being raised from spiritual death to spiritual life through union with Christ. Those who are born again have already crossed the most important threshold: they have moved from death to life as Jesus said in John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

Because we, as born-again believers now share in Christ’s life, the second death—eternal separation from God—has no authority, no claim, and no power over us!. In other words, Revelation’s promise is this: while the first death may still touch your body, the second death can never touch the soul of the one who belongs to Jesus.

Knowing this reshapes how we live now: we live without fear, because while physical death may still come, it cannot steal the life Christ has already given us. We live awake and holy, refusing to return to sin and empty pursuits, because resurrection life has already begun in us. And we live on mission, moved by love and urgency, offering this new life to those who haven’t yet received Christ and embodying a visible, joyful confidence that points others to Christ.

Today, may the Lord anchor your heart in resurrection hope, strengthen you to live awake and unafraid, and fill your days with the quiet confidence of eternal life in Christ—until faith becomes sight and death is finally swallowed up in victory. 

December 28 — "For The Marriage of the Lamb Has Come"

Today's Reading: Revelation 19

Revelation 19 brings us to the crescendo of the entire Biblical story: “For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.” All of Scripture has been moving toward this moment — the great wedding between Jesus and His redeemed people. It’s not a metaphor tacked onto the end of the Bible; it’s the fulfillment of a love story God has been writing since Genesis.

From the beginning, God revealed Himself as a Bridegroom pursuing a people to call His own. He walked with Israel, covenanted with her, rescued her, restored her, and promised, “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2). Jesus carried that same theme when He called Himself the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:14–15) and spoke of going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3)— the language of ancient Jewish betrothal. The entire message of the Bible is all about union. It’s about a God who sets His love on a bride and will not rest until the wedding day arrives.

And now, in Revelation 19, the long‑awaited announcement thunders through heaven: “Let us rejoice and exult… for the marriage of the Lamb has come.” This is the moment creation has been holding its breath for — the moment when every promise, every covenant, every act of redemption reaches its joyful conclusion.

John uses a picture we understand instinctively. Think of a bride preparing for her wedding day. She chooses her dress with care. She pays attention to every detail. She walks toward the altar with joy, anticipation, and a heart full of love. Her preparation isn’t drudgery; it’s delight. She’s getting ready for the one she loves.

Scripture says the Bride of Christ prepares in much the same way. Not with fabric and flowers, but with faithfulness. With purity. With perseverance. With worship. With lives shaped by the Spirit and adorned with the “fine linen” of righteous deeds. Our preparation isn’t about earning Christ’s love — it’s about responding to it. It’s the joyful readiness of a people who know their Bridegroom is coming.

And here’s the wonder: the One we prepare for is the One who prepares us. He clothes us in righteousness. He sustains our faith. He beautifies His bride with His own grace.

One day, the doors of eternity will swing open, the music will rise, multitudes of angels will fill the “pews,” and the Bridegroom will stand waiting. And we — made ready by His love — will walk toward the wedding we were created for.

May your heart live in that anticipation today. 

December 27 — "When God Says, ‘Get Out!’"

Today's Reading: Revelation 18

There are moments when a single sentence feels like it’s spoken straight into your living room, and Revelation 18:4 is absolutely one of them. John hears a voice from heaven declaring, “Come out of her, my people.” Not whispered. Not hinted. Commanded. It’s the kind of line that jolts you upright and makes you ask, What am I standing way too close to?

The big idea of Revelation 18:4–5 is simple yet razor-sharp: God calls His people to step away from a corrupt system before that system seeps into them. Babylon, in Biblical imagery, represents a world order built on pride, greed, indulgence, and self-made independence from God. It’s not just a city—it’s a mindset. A way of living that insists, “I don’t need God as long as I’m comfortable.”

The phrase “come out” carries weight. In Greek, it’s exelthate, meaning “exfiltrate” in English—to remove or withdraw someone or something—often quickly, secretly, or under pressure—from a dangerous or restricted situation. This is not a gentle drift. Not a negotiated exit. God isn’t suggesting a lifestyle tweak; He’s calling for a decisive removal before judgment falls. To exfiltrate is to leave because staying is no longer safe.

Verse 5 says Babylon’s sins are “piled up as high as heaven.” That image is chilling—sins stacked like bricks, layer after layer, unnoticed by those committing them, yet never overlooked by God. Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Babylon always looks impressive—until the bill comes due.

For many of us, this lands uncomfortably close. We live in a culture that celebrates excess, normalizes compromise, and measures value by sparkle and status. In recent years, I’ve watched believers excuse things they once rejected—unhealthy relationships, questionable entertainment, shady business choices—because, well, “everyone does it.” But Babylon doesn’t just influence behavior; it numbs discernment.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong, but knowing the difference between right and almost right.” That’s the Christ-follower’s sweet spot. Staying so tuned to the Holy Spirit that when those “almost right” temptations show up, we instantly respond with a firm “No!”

God’s call here isn’t isolation—it’s distinction. Jesus prayed not that we’d be removed from the world, but protected from the evil one (John 17:15). We carry the Gospel most powerfully when we’re not quietly borrowing Babylon’s values.

May the Lord give you courage to release what He’s already condemned, clarity to spot subtle compromise, and joy as you walk in the freedom that comes from wholehearted obedience to His Word. 

December 26 — "The Unseen Hand Behind History"

Today's Reading: Revelation 17

Ever notice how the world seems to be spinning wildly off its axis—yet somehow landing exactly where God said it would? Headlines scream chaos, power plays, alliances, betrayals. It all feels random. But Revelation 17:17 pulls back the curtain and quietly reminds us—nothing here is accidental.

Here’s the reality: God remains sovereign even over rebellious human schemes, using them—without approving their evil—to accomplish His perfect will. Today’s verse says God “put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose” until His words are fulfilled. The kings imagine they’re in charge. They assume they’re acting freely. And they are—yet God’s unseen hand is steering history toward His ordained conclusion.

The Greek word translated “purpose” is gnōmē, meaning intention, resolve, or settled mind. God is not improvising. This isn’t divine damage control. Scripture consistently reveals a God who works through human choices, not in spite of them. Proverbs 21:1 declares, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will.” Pharaoh hardened his heart, yet God’s redemptive plan advanced. Judas betrayed Jesus, and Peter later said it happened “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).

That truth is both humbling and comforting—especially for those of us who’ve endured economic collapses, cultural whiplash, and leadership failures. We’ve watched institutions tremble. We’ve learned not to anchor our hope in politics, platforms, or personalities. Revelation 17 explains why: God never told us to.

Prophecy isn’t meant to frighten believers but to steady them. When you know where the road ends, the bumps don’t rattle you as much. That’s the heartbeat of this verse. The beastly systems of the world will rise—and fall—right on schedule. God permits evil to run its course, but He also sets its expiration date.

So what does this mean for everyday life? It means you don’t need to panic when culture drifts or leaders disappoint. You don’t need to bend truth to stay relevant. Your calling isn’t to control outcomes—it’s to remain faithful to the Gospel. Romans 8:28 still stands—God is still working all things together for good for those who love Him.

The Bible doesn’t promise an easy world, but it does promise a victorious Christ. And Biblical confidence grows when we trust the Author of history, not the actors on the stage.

May the Lord anchor your heart in His sovereignty, steady your faith in uncertain times, and fill you with quiet confidence as you walk in His will—knowing His Word will be fulfilled, right on time. 

December 25 — "The King Who Came Quietly Will Finish Loudly"

Today's Reading: Revelation 16

Revelation 16 doesn’t exactly sound like a Christmas passage. There’s no manger scene, no angelic choir, no shepherds stumbling awake in the dark. Instead, we hear a thunderous voice from heaven declaring, “It is done!” followed by lightning, roaring thunder, and the greatest earthquake the world will ever experience. Not exactly “silent night.” And yet, strangely enough, it may be one of the most honest Christmas readings we could choose.

Because Christmas was never only about a baby. It was about a world moving from humanity’s devastating fall in Eden to that holy night in Bethlehem and onward from there toward the grand fulfillment of God’s work on the earth.

When the seventh bowl is poured out, the voice comes from the throne itself—not from the outskirts of heaven, not whispered, not up for debate. It’s clear. Final. “It is done.” Those words echo something Jesus spoke centuries earlier, hanging on a cross outside Jerusalem: “It is finished.” Christmas and judgment are tied together by that same unbreakable thread. The cradle points to the cross, and the cross points to the throne.

The earthquake in Revelation isn’t meaningless destruction. It’s creation responding to its Creator. Every false structure, every imitation kingdom, every lie we’ve trusted finally crumbles. What cannot be shaken stands firm. That’s unsettling—unless you remember Who first arrived wrapped in weakness instead of power. The King who will one day shake the nations once allowed Himself to be held by human hands.

That’s the tension of Christmas for grown‑ups. We love the gentleness, the nostalgia, the warm glow. But Revelation reminds us that the Child in the manger is also the One steering history toward its conclusion. The same God who entered the world quietly will one day loudly declare that every account is settled.

And here’s the twist: that’s not bad news.

If Christmas proclaims that God came near, Revelation proclaims that He will set all things right. The shaking isn’t directed at those who belong to Him; it’s aimed at everything that destroys, deceives, and enslaves. The final word of history isn’t chaos—it’s completion.

So on Christmas Day, when the lights glow warmly and the world feels briefly more kind, remember this: the baby in Bethlehem didn’t come to make life sentimental. He came to make it new. And one day, He will finish what He began.

May the Lord give you unshakable hope this Christmas—anchored not in circumstances, but in Christ—so that when the world trembles, your heart rests steady in Him.