Bible Study: December 28, 2007
Hello My Friend/Guest,
"For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me." (Psalm 108:4-6)
It is Friday December 28, 2007 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Revelations. Please read, Revelation 12 -- 13 In Today's Reading we will learn about the sun-clad woman; the dragon; a Man-Child; the blood of the Lamb; and the beasts.
The following verses are in refrence to the birth and ascension of Jesus Christ. "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." (Revelation 12:1-5). The trial of the remnant of God occurs in the wilderness to illustrate the desert-like moral condition of this world ruled by the great red dragon (Satan). "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." (12:6). There is a precious peace in this desert that comes by leaving the results in the hands of our Creator.
The great dragon called the devil, and satan, deceives the whole world and is always in opposition to the faithful people of God. However our Salvation will strengthen us and save us from the devil's clutches. "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (12:9-10).
Satan is given four designations here: the dragon portrays his monstrous character as the enemy of God and His servants; the serpent points out the deceptive character he demonstrated in the Garden of Eden; the Devil reminds us that he is a slanderer and a liar; and Satan means adversary. Your adversary, the Devil walks about seeking all whom he can devour. (See I Peter 5:8). But praise God that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. A Christian is able to have peace even in difficult situations because peace comes from the Holy Spirit within. It is not that danger is welcomed, but if I am where I know I should be, I can truthfully say: "I feel blessed and privileged to be here." The time and the pathway may be tragic in every sense of the word and yet the reality of blessedness still holds true.
It can be said that Christians in every generation overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony as His Word has become a way of life. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." (Revelation 12:11-12). No matter what we face we are blessed knowing that Jesus will get us through any situation that the devil faces us with.
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this wonderful day, however challenging or not, for I know that the more challenging it is the closer I am to you. We love you so much. Thank you for your hand in our lives. We want to be so faithful and obedient, Jesus. Forgive us for being willful in the past. Continue to mold our hearts into your heart's image. Holy Spirit, help us to control our thought life. When we're faced with difficult people, let us respond in loving kindness, not by pushing back with our flesh. We love you, Lord. Let even our enemies see you when they look at us. In Jesus' name, we pray.....Amen.
Have a wonderful day/night and weekend.
Happy New Year!
God Bless,
Christina
