“And I saw another angel flying in midheaven with an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and sea and springs of waters” (Revelation 14:5-7).

How long will God have mercy?  He truly loves us and desires that none would perish.  Right up to the end, He offers the Gospel of grace.  Remember the thief who repented and is with the Lord in paradise.  Who knows but that the whole of this age is simply about the opportunity to turn to the Lord in repentance and live?  But will you wait until you hear an angel proclaiming from the heavens, or will you begin today and look to the Lord of life and live?

Lord, in this crazy mixed-up world I become disoriented and do not know which way to turn.  But that’s not true.  I do know which way to turn.  I need to repent and turn to You.  But I do not really want to do that because I am not honest with myself.  Lord, save me and turn my heart toward You.  You have come to do just that.  Help me to not waste time, but to turn to You and live eternally.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the gift of life that You give to those who see the light.  It is so hard, and it is so simple.  Guide me, dear Lord, so that I may humbly walk with You forever.  If it be Your will, let me be a messenger to another who has not yet truly heard the word of truth.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and help me to walk humbly with You, my God and Savior.  Amen.

“And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless” (Revelation 14:5).

The person with whom we have the greatest difficulty being honest is ourselves.  When we become like Christ, there is no longer any deceit.  Think about everything Jesus said and then think about how often you do not live the words He spoke and how they conflict with what you are truly like right now and where you go astray.  As to being blameless?  Christ has taken all blame upon Himself and on the cross it died with Him.  We are called to be reconciled to God.

Lord, I find these thoughts almost impossible to begin to comprehend.  In my mind it is just You and me right now and You know how I twist and turn things all the time.  I long for the day when I too shall speak only truth.  To live in a place where everyone is blameless and truthful.  It must begin with me and that is an amazing thought.  Lead me, O Lord, to do what is right even if others do not like what is right and true.

Lord Jesus, You have taken all my sins upon Yourself and on the cross the blame died with You.  I understand that.  I do not understand the evil that is within me that causes me to think, say, and do things that are not right or true.  Help me to become honest, first with myself, and then in a gracious way, truthful with others.  Guide me into the life where I will become what You intend.  Amen.

“These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from mankind as first fruits to God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).

We each have a call from the Lord.  A vocation, that which the Lord has created us to do.  These are things the Lord gives.  Do not be surprised.  Look at creation and you see the great diversity that the Lord has created.  The Lord has given you a vocation.  Not a job, but a heart’s desire to fulfill.  Are you walking with the Lord and living out what He has given you to do?  Live for the Lord, for He has redeemed you.

Lord, sometimes I do not know why I am living.  I go through the motions, but I often do not understand what is happening around me.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may humbly walk in that way You have created me to walk with You.  Guide me in Your goodness to know both that I have the life You have created and its purpose You are awakening me day by day.

Lord Jesus, You redeemed me with Your own blood.  With Your life, You freed me from the penalty on my head because of sin.  Help me to not just go on living, but to live with the purpose You have implanted in me from the beginning.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone, the Author of life, and my faith, is all that I need.  Help me each day to seek You and Your righteousness.  Amen.

“And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth” (Revelation 14:3).

There are things of faith which only those who have faith understand.  It is not a secret, but the wisdom that comes when the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the blind.  Imagine describing sight to one born blind.  The faithful know their hope is a real assurance.  They sing about it.  As many as believe are the ones who are saved.  Do not look at these numbers in absolute and modern terms but see that  the numbers include those from every tribe, folk, tongue, and nation.

Lord from the twelve tribes, the twelve apostles, from all times and places, there are those whom you have called and awakened to the reality of eternity.  That is Your business.  You have privileged me to be a part of what You are doing.  You have redeemed us by Your own shed blood.  Bring us together so that we no longer see the distinctions of tribe, folk, or nation, but understand that we are all one in You.

Lord Jesus, there is a much that needs to happen in my heart.  I understand enough to hear these things and believe them.  Then, I go about my daily life, and I do not live according to what I have heard.  You know the difference.  Help me to join with You in what You are doing so that I can move further along this path that You have set before me.  Abiding in Your goodness, may I become more like You with each day You give me.  Amen.

“And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps” (Revelation 14:2).

How does one describe what they do not understand?  Is that not true of many of the things we experience in faith when trying to tell an unbeliever?  But press on anyway and tell the story of our God and Savior.  The day will come when the voices who know the Lord will gather and sing of His goodness. grace, and mercy.  Why do you worry about what you sound like.  Sing the tune and lyrics the Lord gives you.

Lord, there are many things I do not understand.  The longer I live, the greater the list of things I do not understand.  Help me to seek not so much to understand all things as to live life as You have created it to be lived.  Help me to be thankful for what You have given me and to tell others of the Good News of great joy.  Lead me from where I am to join those who are with You.

Lord Jesus, between the confession and the encouragement to go and tell others is the reality of inaction in me.  You know what it will take to move me from where I am to where You are taking me.  Lord, You lead this.  I’ve been trying too hard and seeking to lead too long.  Be the leader who is directing me in thought, word, and deed.  Guide me according to, well, You.   Guide me and teach me how to follow humbly.  Amen.

“Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1).

There are those who retain the mark of promise, the seal of the Holy Spirit.  From every tribe, tongue, folk, and nation they come.  As with many places in Scripture, it boils down to the simple fact that either you will go with the Lord, or else remain in the rebellion of this age.  To whom will you turn?  The Lord has the words of eternal life and in Him you have hope and His promise.

Lord, I do not understand why I am so conflicted.  You have given me promises and a hope that I will become like You.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I do not get swallowed up by this world and its crazy ways.  Marks, leaders, constant lies, and deception have always been around.  If I am in You, nothing can snatch me out of Your hands.  You are the Savior, and You are the author and finisher of my faith.

Lord, do not let me be caught up in all of the emotional hoopla of this age.  I am in You and nothing can take me out of Your hand.  I can reject you, Lord forbid, but I cannot be taken from You.  Guide me now in the way of true faith so that I remain in the faith, living by faith, and growing in Your likeness.  Help me, dear Lord, to see past the temptations that will come my way so that I may remain faithful always.  Amen.

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six” (Revelation 13:18).

What is the mark of rebellion?  Why does a tyrant want worship?  Why do the wicked lie and then want you to accept the lie as truth?  Do not focus upon these questions.  They are a distraction.  Turn to the Lord and seek Him while He may be found.  He is truth.  The many beasts who have come into the world want to be worshiped.  The Lord has made clear that He alone is God and He alone is to be worshiped.

Lord, I do fall into the trap of seeking answers to questions that really do not matter.  So, I know some things.  So what?  The difference in my life that matters is Your Spirit in me.  Being conformed to the image of Christ, becoming like Him, is the hope sanctification gives.  Turn my eyes from the distractions and marks of this world to live in the hope the mark of my baptism gives me.

Lord Jesus, You died to free us to walk with You in faith.  Guide me, dear Lord, to live according to Your goodness and mercy.  Keep me from taking the mark of any of the fakers in this world so that I may live in the faithfulness You give me.  No matter the cost, keep my faith in the forefront and lead me according to the Father’s will.  Help me always to abide in You alone, maturing in this faith You have given me.  Amen.

“And he causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, and he decrees that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).

In your baptism, you were marked with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit as Christ’s own forever.  The devil always mocks the Lord.  Of course, he wants his own mark.  When the devil has your hand and mind, he’s got you.  The Lord wants all of you, heart, soul, mind, and all that you do, knowing that whatever you do, is done as though serving the Lord.  But the day will come when the tyrant is allowed to rule.

Lord, it has happened before and it seems that each new batch of tyrants gets worse.  Tyrants, dictators, and those who deem themselves superior tell others how to live and what to do.  Guide me away from this nonsense so that I live according to the goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Lead me, Lord, amidst all the tyrannies of this world to be faithful.

Lord Jesus, You had Rome, Herod, and the corrupt leaders of Judea to contend with.  You understand the sinful leadership that lives in lavish ways while the petty people work hard just to stay alive.  No matter my complaints, turn my eyes to You and Your example, Lord, so that I may humbly walk in the way of faith.  I have been marked by You as a sign of the truth of the salvation I have in You.  Keep me in You always.  Amen.

“And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15).

It was given to him.  He did not have it, but it was given.  Do you think the Lord is given anything when you give Him what was already His?  Of course not.  The tricks of the devil are to take your eyes off the Lord and live the lie that you do not need the Lord.  Kill you?  No, only hasten your journey to be with the Lord forever.  The devil can kill the body, but if you are Christ’s own forever the Lord has promised you salvation if you endure to the end.

Lord, the emotional tugs of this world cause me to be afraid.  Help me, dear Lord, to live in the true hope You give so that even if I am killed, I will not try to save my own skin.  I will die and You have promised that even though I die, yet shall I live.  Keep Your promises close to my heart so that I am led by You and not by the insanity of this crazy world.  Rulers will rise who demand that we worship them, but there are no other gods besides You, the Lord of all.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, even You were crucified when You would not do as the earthly rulers wanted.  Help me to understand this clearly.  We face persecution because this world is in rebellion, but You have come to save those who look to You.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and lead me according to Your promises to live into the eternal life You give by  grace through faith.  Amen.

“And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life” (Revelation 13:14).

They have not believed that Christ has risen from the dead; but they will believe that the devil can raise the dead.  That is why it is called deception.  It is not new but has been around since the Garden of Eden.  If you read the Old Testament, you see this happening over and over again.  Tantalize, get them off-track, and lead them astray.  Worship an image!  We have celebrities and social media influencers, but we do not worship them.  Or do we?

This has been happening since Eve partook of the forbidden fruit.  We fall for the immediate while ignoring the eternal.  We worship the creature rather than the Creator.  We fall for parlor tricks and emotional false hopes rather than come to You, the Author of creation.  You have come to free the captives, open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, and lead those who follow You to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, You are the One we are to imitate.  Whether it is the wicked one perverting the truth of who You are, or the faithful seeking to be like You, You are the standard to which we are to be transformed.  Help me clearly see the nonsense of the wicked one and focus my attention upon the task of becoming like You.  Guide me in the way You have established that I may walk boldly with clarity and purpose so that each day I can become more like You.  Amen.