“The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son” (Revelation 21:7).

There is a lot of theology wrapped up in such a small statement.  What does it mean to overcome?  It cannot be not sinning.  If you did not sin, there would be nothing to overcome.  This book has made clear that there are those who will come to the Lord and those who will not.  The overcoming must be here.  Those who overcome the rebellion by repenting, believing, and  turning to the Lord, are the ones for whom this applies,

Lord, all my life I have heard the simple statement that I need You to save me.  I must be rescued.  But that is only the beginning.  The old Adam, the sinner in rebellion is still alive and kicks against the new life constantly.  I need to be led from where I am to where I need to be.  I need to overcome the old life to live into the new one.  There is an inheritance for those who overcome.  They receive the promise of eternity with the Lord.

Lord Jesus, I do need to be saved.  Each day has difficulties of its own.  I struggle with the obstacles that always seem to be before me.  Guide me today so that I may face what is before me and live toward the day when I shall have truly overcome all the obstacles life throws in front of me.  Lead me into the grace and mercy I need so that I may be with You forever.  Amen.

“Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost” (Revelation 21:6).

The One who was, is, and shall be, has spoken.  He invented time and sees all moments as “now.”  He knows the end from the beginning.  He has given His promise that all who come to Him will inherit eternal life.  He will give the living water and those who drink will no longer thirst.  “Blessed are you who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for You shall be satisfied.”  The Lord has spoken the truth for our benefit.

Lord, help my unbelief.  In the struggles of this age, I do not always see the truth of what You have spoken.  With all the noise of this age, it is often hard to hear the word of truth.  Lead me through the fog and noise of the world to humbly believe that You are the Lord and Savior of all who believe. You have either created all things and sustain them, or You have not.  Help my unbelief so that I have hope in You, the One who has always been.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister to my weakness.  Come, Lord Jesus, and help me carry my cross in this age.  Father in heaven, empower me in the salvation You have provided so that I may live into the life and purpose for which I have been created.  Guide me now and always in the faith You give.  You know all the days before me.  Help me to have a heart of gratitude for all Your provision.  Amen.

“And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true” (Revelation 21:5).

All things will be made new.  Made new and those things will not wear out as do the things of this world.  Such thoughts may be beyond our ability to comprehend but do believe them.  The whole world is in a tizzy about saving the planet.  Good stewardship is good stewardship, but Jesus is going to make a new heaven and earth.  Why do we believe another lie of the devil that we are going to change this world and do what needs to be done.

Lord, regardless of what one may believe about this planet, or even our lives, help us understand that at the very core of all things, either You are speaking truth or else those who say these things are telling the truth.  Both may be lies, but both cannot be true.  Help us to trust Your Word of truth above all other words.  You have spoken the words of eternal life and the wicked one will do whatever He can to distract us from hearing the truth.

Gracious and merciful Lord, I need forgiveness for so easily dismissing You in light of what the world says.  It does not matter who is right in the debate of this age.  When it confronts what You have spoken and rejects Your word, it is a lie and when I believe it, I need forgiveness.  Create in me a clean heart and renew my spirit in the truth of Your eternal word.  Guide me to trust You above all things, be a good steward, and live the life You have given me.  Amen.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

We understand the concept of “going to church.”  We may think of a building where people gather to worship the Lord.  Sometimes, we might be there and wonder where He is.  Of course, the Lord is always present, but we do not see Him face to face.  The day is coming when we shall see Him face to face.  He does abide with us now and the day is coming when we shall see these things and know that all along the Lord has been with us every step of the way.

Jesus, when You spoke the words, telling us to abide in You, You meant it.  In this world of so much noise, I am often so distracted.  I hear the words, but I do not act as though I believe they are true.  I long for the day when faith shall give way to sight.  Meanwhile, I live by faith.  Strengthen my faith to abide in You always that I may continue the journey You have placed before me.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister to me so that between now and then I may live in the faith You have given me.  You dwell with me whether I feel Your presence or not.  Guide me this day to walk the path of faith.  Help me through all the noise of this world to humbly do what is right and live the life You have given me.  Thank You for ministering to me through all the pain and heartache of this world.  Amen.

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).

The name Jerusalem means, “The city of peace.”  Throughout its history in this age, it has been everything but a city of peace.  It is even divided into three religious sections and at odds with itself.  Is the Lord saying that sometimes we just need to start over?  Take the residual of the intent and start over?  We began our journey of faithfulness with repentance.  Even at the end, He teaches us all that needs to happen.

Lord, although I may meditate upon these things, help me to learn the lessons that You are teaching.  You are preparing a perfect heaven that will remain forever.  You are going to create a new earth and Your holy city in which the faithful may dwell.  Although my heart is often far off, help me to come always closer to You and the way of living that You have prepared for the faithful.

Guide me Savior so that I may be prepared to be a citizen of the New Jerusalem.  Lead my heart to conform to Yours so that I may know how to live with the saints.  Lord, You know what is needed and You are the One who must lead me on this journey of faith.  Guide me now and always so that I may be one who is after Your own heart.  Prepare me for the wedding feast, robed in Your righteousness, and grant that I may be with You always.  Amen.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea” (Revelation 21:1).

We are all called to be good stewards.  That includes being a good steward of this earth.  But some talk as if we need to act to save this planet.  It will not be saved.  Sin has ravaged it so much that the Lord is saying that there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  Keep this dichotomy in your heart so that you remain temperate, that is, moderate, in your actions.  Be a good steward but place your hope in the Lord.

Lord, I hear this world telling us that we need to save the planet.  Yet, the people who tell me this flitter around in big jets and use more resources in one year than I will in a lifetime.  Help me to steward those things You have entrusted to me.  Help me to be balanced and caring.  Guide me in the Gospel way so that I may stand before You having lived as faithfully as I am able to live.

Lord Jesus, without Your mercy, grace and guidance, this goal would be impossible.  In my heart, I am jealous of the rich who flitter around, and want what they have.  But not really.  I am in conflict.  Resolve the conflict in me by putting to death that which is in the way of Your goodness.  Lead me, Lord, in the way I need to be led so that I may grow into the life of faith that You have given me.  Amen.

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

The Lord knows your days.  Do not suppose that you do not have freedom in every moment, for just like this moment, you do.  But He knows what you will do.  Those who will turn to Him and be conformed to His image are known by Him.  Those who will turn away from Him and remain in rebellion are known too.  He loves us all and desires that all would be saved, but there is the separation of those who are being conformed to Christ from those who remain curved in on themselves.

Lord, it seems to boil down to this simple reality.  I am either growing closer to You, Your likeness, and the eternal way of goodness, or else I am growing away from You and into myself.  Those who are Yours are known by You.  I believe I am one of Yours.  Teach me to act as one of Your children.  Guide me, even when I do not feel like it, to be conformed in the image of Christ my Savior.

Lord Jesus, You have said that we are to come to You.  You told us that it was both hard and easy.  Whatever it is, let my deeds be written in Your book so that they demonstrate a heart that is like Yours.  Guide me now and always in the Gospel way so that I may be led by Your goodness and mercy all the days of the life You give me in this age.  Shine Your light on and through me and let others see its reflection, dear Lord.  Amen.

Dear Friend in the Savior-King:

For me one of the most inspiring, encouraging, and strength-giving passages of Scripture is John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 7: 9-17, which was the First Reading for All Saints Sunday. There are five elements in John’s depiction of the Church as having survived – as having “come out of the great ordeal” (verse 14). In the words of the beloved hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” these elements give “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”

1. A gathered throng
John writes in verse 9, “After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” They are “robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.” We all are concerned about aging and diminishing congregations. We are all alarmed over the pastoral shortage crisis. But here John describes the church not just as having survived, but as celebrating.

2. An occupied throne
Verse 9 – That multi-racial, multi-ethnic church is “standing before the throne.” They have not been deserted. They are not spiritually orphaned. Rather the God who is with them at the end has also been with them all the way through.

3. A slain lamb
Also in verse 9 – The church is “standing before the Lamb.” The contemporary Christian group Casting Crowns has a song entitled “Scars in Heaven.” It is about a loved one who has died after going through many painful experiences in life. Some of the words are as follows –
“I know you’re in a place where all your wounds have been erased,
And knowing yours are healed is healing mine. . . .
The only scars in heaven are on the hands that hold you now.”
The church is standing before the Lamb, who bore all our pain, died for our sins, is with us through all our suffering, and who overcame what frightens and threatens us the most.

4. Worshipping angels
Verse 11 – “And all the angels stood around the throne . . . they fell on their faces . . . and worshiped God.” The angels have seen it all – the rebellion of Satan, the fall of the human race, the rejection of the prophets, the death of Jesus, the suffering of the church. They have seen it all, and now they see how it will end. So, in the words of verse 15, “They are before the throne of God and worship him day and night.”

5. Springs of living water
Verses 16-17 – “They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” We all need relief from the things that strike us down. We all need the refreshment of living water and someone to wipe away our tears.

Yes, knowing how it will end – knowing the outcome – gives us strength and courage in the meantime.

But for me it is so sad when I see, hear, and read of so many pastors and congregations who do not give God’s people “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” Rather they merely lay on the people the heavy burdens of what they need to do – whether it be more and more deeds of compassion or relentless demands to become more involved in the latest issues of social justice activism.

Everything is at stake. We will continue to keep you posted on the work of the ELCA’s Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. As we have written in previous communications, because we know the makeup of the Commission, we can be certain of the outcome of their work – social justice activism as the prime purpose and mission of the church, LGBTQ+ ideology, and diversity, equity, and inclusion as the primary value system of the new church. On the day I am writing this letter I saw the first posting regarding follow up to another action taken by the ELCA’s 2022 Churchwide Assembly – reviewing the 2009 human sexuality social statement. The ELCA is now in the process of forming the task force that will reconsider the whole issue of bound conscience – which is ELCA language for eliminating the provision by which traditional views have a place of dignity and respect within the church. Again we will keep you posted on what will certainly lead to a massive breach of trust and the ELCA’s saying to those with traditional Biblical views, “You are not welcome here.” We will also keep you posted when the list of keynote speakers for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering becomes available.

During 2024 we will continue our work of providing such things as –

• Warnings regarding ways in which the historic Christian faith is being rejected by and within the Church
• Resources such as suggested prayers of the church, daily devotionals, and weekly lectionary based Bible studies
• A support group for young adults, including seminarians
• Support for the NEXUS program at Grand View University (Bible study, theological reflection, and vocational discernment for high schoolers); cross-generational, inter-denominational mission trips; and our Spanish-language/bi-lingual ministries Encuentro
• Video reviews of books of interest and importance and videos on topics related to Biblical studies, Lutheran theology, ministry, and the Christian life

Please select a button below to designate a year-end gift towards our regular operating expenses as we work to be a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans. Please also let us know how we can be praying for you. Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel, especially at this critical time when everything is at stake.

In Christ,

Dennis D. Nelson
Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14).

Do not fear the first death, for we shall all pass from death to life.  Even the Lord did not exempt Himself when He died on the cross.  But do fear the second death.  Although death, as we know it, shall pass away, the place of separation from God is also death.  Do not focus upon the fear as this world does, but upon the hope that because You are in Christ, you will be with Him forever.

Lord, I do not understand all these things, but I do know that the first death is before me.  My life here is short, but You have written eternity into my heart.  Keep before me the question, “What kind of person am I becoming?”  Lead me on the narrow way to follow the path You have determined so that I may grow in this life as I prepare to go through the little death, a strange but necessary contrast; but please put my heart at peace.

Lord Jesus, You have promised to give us Your Holy Spirit and the peace that surpasses all understanding.  There are so many things I do not know, but I do know that You have given me hope in Your promises.  Guide me this day to live as You would have me live and help me to focus on walking this path toward the life You give.  Lift me up so that I may never go down into the pit prepared for the second death.  Amen.