# 12 2022 Dev. Rev. 17:17. God in Control! Read all of Rev. 17 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Rev.17:17 “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.”

Intro. These visions that John sees are not actual events but will come to pass at one time or another from the time of John’s writing and will be repeated in increasing intensity until the end. The vision is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

Rev.17 carries on from Rev. 16. “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me,” Vs. 1-2 “come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute,” she was mentioned in Ch. 14:8 and Ch.16:19 and we are about to see her downfall. 

Vs.3-8 “The angel carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast,” The woman is not the woman of Ch.12 who fled into the wilderness but the beast is the beast of Ch.13, it represents the corrupt state. The state is established for our good, Rom.13, Satan has turned the state into an instrument of rebellion to all that is good in God’s world, exploitation, conflict, anti God, anti church and anti justice. We see it in the actions of Russia today, they are committing war crimes. But we have it in our own country, the rejection of all that is normal in a country said to be under God, the government is anti Christian, the church has no influence, no wonder, many leaders pretend to be church goers and Jesus followers in name only, no action. The Woman is dressed to the nines, she holds “a golden cup in her hand filled with abominable things…” Her name: “Babylon The Great the Mother of Prostitutes and of The Abominations of the Earth.” She is secure, arrogant, all powerful, but she falls in a day. Who or what is she?

Vs.9-11 John “was greatly astonished.” The angel explains the vision: “The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.” The seven hills indicate the city of Rome at the time of John, persecuting the followers of Jesus. But “They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has yet to come;” that is the eighth king. “He belongs to the seven…” Rome is not the only city meant here, it includes Babylon of old, Nineveh, Egypt, but it could include Moscow, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, you name the city bogged down in corruption, crime and injustice.

Vs.12-14 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings…” Their reign is short and their purpose is to “give their power and authority to the beast.” They make war ‘against the Lamb,” the Lamb wins, “he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Praise the Lord!

 Vs. 15-18 “The prostitute who sits by many waters,” these waters are the people of the world, “multitudes, nations and languages.” Who are involved with her. The beast and the ten horns turn on the woman, and destroy her. “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose…” Praise the Lord, God is in control, even in the Russian and Ukraine war.” Help us the rely on you Lord Jesus as we cannot see good right now, Amen and Amen.

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# 11 2022 Dev. Psalm 134:2. Praise! Read all of Psalm 134 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 134:2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 134 is the last song of ascents in this series. It is a Praise exchange between the worshipers and the Levites who stayed at the temple at night. Levites were assigned to the temple day and night 1Ch.9:33.

V.1 “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord”.  All of us who follow Jesus are God’s servants, but there are those chosen by God and by their peers to lead in our churches, schools, and church organizations. Those of us not in leadership positions are responsible to encourage them, to pray for them, and support our institutions financially.

V.2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Those leaders need to take the lead in prayer and in praise, lifting up our hands in prayer and in praise Ps 64:4. In times of joy and in plenty and in times of hardship. We pray for the leaders in Ukraine, and for the people of the churches and for all the people subjected to unprovoked, violence and destruction.  Lord Jesus, put an end to the violence and bring forth peace!  

V.3 The leaders respond to the the encouragement of the worshipers; “May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” A blessing from Almighty God, the Creator, as all leaders of God’s people must do daily! We extend that blessing to all oppressed people and to all people working hard to help them, Yes! Bless them Lord Jesus and give them peace, in your name, Amen!

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# 10 2022 Dev. Rev. 16:1. God’s Wrath! Read all of Rev. 16 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Rev.16:7 “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Intro. This vision that John sees are not actual events but will come to pass at one time or another from the time of John’s writing and will be repeated in increasing intensity until the end. The vision is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

Rev.16:1 “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth’”, continuing the scene from Ch.15.  Take note that these plagues are meant to punish the people who have the mark of the beast.

V.2 “The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out…” This harks back the the 6^th plague on Egypt.

V.3 “The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea” this harks back to the 1^st plague on Egypt, the sea turns to blood, every living thing in it dies.  Take note that the oceans today are polluted with plastic and many other items. Also, the punishment of the bowls is complete while the trumpets only effected a third.

V.4 The third angel polluted the springs and rivers. Not only the oceans, of today, but many rivers and streams are polluted as well.

Vs.5-7 Another angel speaks, he is “in charge of the waters.” There is an intermission to praise God for His actions, so to speak, he says: ‘You are just in these judgments, O Holy One’. This is retribution, ‘for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets.’” This was going on at the time of John’s writing and it is still going on today. Look at Russia; the head of the Orthodox Church is in league with Putin, there are many sincere Orthodox Christians in Russia, but the religious leaders and the political leaders are the beast we are reading about in Revelation. Are we reading the religious leaders in the West correctly?  “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” Bring your judgment to bear on the “beasts” of today!

Vs.8-9 “The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun…” people were scorched but they refused to repent and glorify God. Global warming may be a preview.

Vs.10-11 “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.” That was the ninth plague of the Exodus. It was so dark that it could be felt. Still no repentance, only cursing God, it is the way of the world.

Vs.12-14 “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up…” The river is considered the boundary between the people of God and the world. Three frogs (frogs are mostly harmless, not these frogs) appear from the beast, the dragon, and the false prophet. “They are demonic spirits”, to influence the world to war. Is that what we are looking at right now? Yes, most wars are between good and evil, certainly this one in Europe is. It is a preview of what is coming.

V.15 Here there is a quick pause of assurance. “Look, I come like a thief!” Paul said that to the Thessalonians, talking about the “day of the Lord”. I believe Jesus is speaking here, telling us to always be prepared spiritually, that day will come when everyone is saying peace and safety, Paul tells us, that day comes when we least expect it.

V.16 They gathered the kings at Armageddon, the frogs. A place where Israel has had many a battle in history.

V.17-20 “The seventh angel poured out his bowl onto the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’” God said that as He finished Creation, Jesus said it from the Cross, and God says it here, at the end of judgment. He will say it only one more time. The scene described here is devastating, all of creation is destroyed. But we wait in the assurance of the promised land, the New Heaven and the New Earth. That is what the people in Ukraine are looking for, better days ahead. The end of the world may not be upon us yet. May God bring comfort to His and to all the people. Pray for peace!

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# 09 2022 Dev. Psalm 133:1. Unity! Read all of Psalm 133 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant is it when God’s people live together in unity.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 133 is a three verse song of ascents. For the most part David is considered the author. It is suggested that this was written at a time when the nation came together, perhaps under a king, or at a time of war and victory. We are starting to see the importance of unity in our church and in our county.

V.1. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

Given the woke culture of today unity is impossible when even a small disagreement on issues facing us make the other person the enemy. Today there is no attempt to continue fellowship by agreeing to disagree. At first it seemed that the world was divided over Ukraine, but how sweet it is to see people to come together and the unity that has now developed. 

V.2 describes unity in an emblematic way: unity “is like precious oil poured on the head…” The oil is precious, it is aromatic, filling the room with fragrance, it reflects well being, there was a lot of it, “running down Aaron’s beard, down the collar of his robe.”  It is reserved mostly for ordination of kings and priests.  James 5:13-15 recommends that those who are ill be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord and prayed over in faith, the oil being medicinal, promoting wellbeing and healing. James ends this prayer with: “If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”  

V.3. Unity, “It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.” The dew on Mount Hermon is a marine layer coming off the Mediterranean Sea. We experience them here in California, it is a thick mist, wetting everything down. On Mount Hermon it comes at the hottest times of the year, and it runs in rivulets off the mountain watering the valley below. Like the blessings of Mt. Zion, God’s residence, now in our hearts, “For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Let us pray in faith for unity in our churches, in our country, and in our world, Amen! It is a matter of life and death. 

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#08 2022Dev. Rev. 15:2. Victory! Read all of Rev.15 first. We invite you into God’s space, to read and think about His Word, to interact with it. This is God’s Story. How will His Story shape your own? All passages are taken the NIV.
Rev 15:2 “And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious…”

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

Rev.14 ends with a harvest and God’s judgments on the earth, it seems the end has come. But no, Rev.15 enters into another time of judgment, the end is not yet. Verse one defines the the sign John sees.

V.1 “I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with seven last plagues-last, because with them God’s wrath is complete.” Somehow John was aware of the plagues, these are plagues of judgment and we are reminded of the plagues God brought to Egypt when Pharaoh would not let His people go.

V.2-4 Before we move on to the rest of the vision there is an intermission of sorts; “those who had been victorious over the beast and over the number of his name.” They are standing besides the sea of glass, before the throne of God chapter 4, now “glowing with fire.” They are holding harps “given them by God”, they sing “the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb.” Why Moses? Moses is a type of Christ interceding for the people. The song takes phrases from Deut., Jer., and the Psalms, see footnotes. Those standing at the sea are those who persevered, the persecutions, those canceled, those maligned and killed for their faith. Think about the opposition to Christianity in our country and around the world, now increasing for those Christians who refuse to call lifestyles that Jesus does not approve of, acceptable as the world demands. Here in this vision of the plagues, followers of Jesus seem to be removed form what is coming, they are praising God and watching what is about to take place.

V.5-8 “After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple, the tabernacle of the covenant law-and it was opened.” Out of the temple came the seven angels, one of the four living creatures gave them seven bowls “filled with the wrath of God.” God filled the temple with his glory and his power, it filled with smoke and no one could go in. The opportunity to repent is past, the end is moving closer. We thank God that His people are safe, it appears that like in Egypt God’s people were exempt form the plagues of God’s wrath, Praise him!

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# 07 2022 Dev. Psalm 132: 13. A Place Rest! Read all of Psalm 132 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 132:13 “For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling,”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 132 is a prayer for the David’s son and for the establishment of the Kingdom. There are two requests, v.1 and v.10. yet the prayer is also about a place of rest for God and “the ark of your might.” When David announced that he would build God a house, God responded: I have traveled with my people from place to place in a tent and have never asked for a house of cedar.  God adds: “I declare to you the Lord will build a house for you…” (Chr.17:5-10) Later, God said to David: “Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever…” (Chr.28:6-7). This Psalm may have been used for the dedication of the Temple.

V.1 “Lord, remember…” We identify when we find ourselves in a bad place, Lord, remember me, I belong to Jesus, remember my desire to serve you, remember my perseverance throughout my life, remember my faith, remember Jesus’ grace for me.

Vs. 2-5 David’s oath is remembered, his desire to “find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Vs. 6-9 “Let us go to his dwelling place, Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place.” The Temple was a place to worship, to bring gifts, to sacrifice, sacrifices that foreshadowed Christ on the cross. That is what we seek in our churches, a place to rest, a place to be revived, a place to worship, to give thanks and to “sing for joy.” Jesus does not dwell in our churches he dwells in our hearts, but “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

V.10 “do not reject your anointed one.” Lord do not reject the one sealed with your baptism!

V.11-12 “If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.” This is a reference to Jesus Christ, David’s throne as imperfect it was, is the foreshadowing of Jesus’ heavenly throne.

V. 13-18 “The Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.”  And all the blessings mentioned, go along with God’s presence. That is how it was then, but today the implications of this Psalm is that God dwells with His people, wherever they are found and His blessings follow us. Zion represents you and me, and all who call on Jesus Christ. Jesus dwells with us and we dwell with Him, He is our Place of Rest. Praise be to God!
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# 06 2022 Dev. Rev.14:3. A new Song! Read all of Rev.14 first. We invite you into God’s space, to read and think about His Word, to interact with it. This is God’s Story. How will His Story shape your own? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Rev 14:3 “And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” 

Intro. This vision that John sees is put into the words of men so that those who believe will understand by the power of the Holy Spirit. What is being described here is from eternity to eternity. God, who is outside of time, operates in the eternal present, represents to us what is about to happen in time, as long as time lasts.

Rev.14 introduces another interlude, the Lamb on Mount Zion, “and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” This is the same group we see in chapter 7, all those sealed from before the creation of the earth. 144,000 is the perfect number, they are the multitude from every nation, tribe, language and people that no one is able to number.

They are pure and have not defiled themselves, they remain virgins. Human sexual relations between a man and his wife is not meant here, that is ordained by God, Gen 2: 23-24 before the fall. What is meant here is spiritual adultery, what God’s people continued to do and what the prophets continually warned them about and continually warn us about; the lust of the world, pride, goods, prestige, illicit sex, all of it is too much with us because of the beast. No, “they are blameless,” by the power and grace of Jesus.

The vision continues; “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth- to every nation, tribe language and people.” The eternal gospel that starts with God calling Adam and Eve after the fall; Where are you? God’s call continues through all generations and on into eternity. Where are you today? Where am I? Do we fear God, glorify him, worship him, the maker of heaven and earth?

“A second angel followed and said, “’Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’” she is the great deceiver, the harlot, the spiritual adulterers that represents all who rebel against God.

“A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: whoever worships the beast or receive his mark, will drink the wine of God’s fury.” There will be suffering “and the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever.” God is with his people, the angel says: “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.”   

“Than I heard a voice from heaven, “’Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” This is the voice of God, and the voice of the Spirit of God. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Salvation does not depend on our deeds, by God’s grace alone are we saved!  But all that we do in the name of Jesus while on this earth, “Love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” follow us to heaven and become the building blocks for the New Heaven and the New Earth. 

“I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, seated on the cloud was one like the Son of Man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” An angel came out of the temple and said: “take your sickle and reap.” The one seated on the cloud harvested the earth. He is Jesus gathering in the sheaves, His people, faithful and true, the people of God.

“Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.” He also is told to reap “the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” The grapes are gathered, he “threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city.” Jesus was crucified outside the city. There is no wine but blood, a lot of blood indicating God’s judgment and punishment for those who reject Jesus for the beast. But before God’s judgment Jesus gathers His people to himself in heaven, thanks be to God.

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# 05 2022 Dev. Psalm 131:2. Comfort! Read all of Psalm 131 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 131:2 “I have calmed and quieted myself,”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 131 is a three verse “song of ascents. Of David.” There is a question about David as the author, the Psalm is “David like” some have assumed. We tend to take it like we read it, but this is also the inspired Word of God, as is every word in the Scriptures. It follows well after Ps.130 that answers a cry for mercy, honors God for His unfailing love, for God’s redemption and His forgiveness. Both Psalms are seeking comfort.

V. 1 “My heart is not proud, Lord,” Followers of Jesus identify with David, we understand that Jesus pulled us back from the brink of the pit. “my (our) eyes are not haughty.” Even the most accomplished among us have no grounds for false pride, for haughty eyes, looking down on someone. But this often happens and we are not even aware of it.

“I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” Humanity has made great progress; we could say wonderful things, things too wonderful for us. But we are only scratching the surface of the possibilities God has for man. When God is not given credit for what His creation holds for us, we make ourselves gods.

V2. After rejecting what the world seeks after with a vengeance, he moves to what every human longs after- peace, only after he/she rejects all that the World has to offer; pride, selfish ambition, unrealistic dreams of greatness, he turns to the real meaning of life. He choses: “But I have calmed and quieted myself,” Peace is our own choice, it comes from inside by the power of the Spirit of God and is not about what goes on around us. “I am like a weaned child with it’s mother;” Some will say, well that is childish, but no, it is child like as Jesus told us in Mat. 18:2-4. It means to have faith like a child, complete trust in God as a child trusts mom. Trusting Jesus for all our needs and not trusting in ourselves, “like a weaned child I am content.” Contentment: spiritual peace and physical peace. Will you pray that for yourself today?

V.3. “Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” People of God: followers of Jesus, trust Him, look to Him, have faith in Him, accept His love and salvation. You will sleep like a baby!

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 05 2022 Dev. Psalm 131:2. Comfort! Read all of Psalm 131 first. We invite you into God’s space, to read and think about His Word, to interact with it. This is God’s Story. How will His Story shape your own? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 131:2 “I have calmed and quieted myself,”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 131 is a three verse “song of ascents. Of David.” There is a question about David as the author, the Psalm is “David like” some have assumed. We tend to take it like we read it, but this is also the inspired Word of God, as is every word in the Scriptures. It follows well after Ps.130 that answers a cry for mercy, honors God for His unfailing love, for God’s redemption and His forgiveness. Both Psalms are seeking comfort.

V. 1 “My heart is not proud, Lord,” Followers of Jesus identify with David, we understand that Jesus pulled us back from the brink of the pit. “my (our) eyes are not haughty.” Even the most accomplished among us have no grounds for false pride, for haughty eyes, looking down on someone. But this often happens and we are not even aware of it.

“I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” Humanity has made great progress; we could say wonderful things, things too wonderful for us. But we are only scratching the surface of the possibilities God has for man. When God is not given credit for what His creation holds for us, we make ourselves gods.

V2. After rejecting what the world seeks after with a vengeance, he moves to what every human longs after- peace, only after he/she rejects all that the World has to offer; pride, selfish ambition, unrealistic dreams of greatness, he turns to the real meaning of life. He choses: “But I have calmed and quieted myself,” Peace is our own choice, it comes from inside by the power of the Spirit of God and is not about what goes on around us. “I am like a weaned child with its mother;” Some will say, well that is childish, but no, it is child like as Jesus told us in Mat. 18:3. It means to have faith like a child, complete trust in God as a child trusts mom. Trusting Jesus for all our needs and not trusting in ourselves, “like a weaned child I am content.” Contentment: spiritual peace and physical peace. Will you pray that for yourself today?

V.3. “Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” People of God: followers of Jesus, trust Him, look to Him, have faith in Him, accept His love and salvation. You will sleep like a baby!

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved