Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Today’s Scripture:

“…Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:7).

Resource:

For a detailed study to compliment our last several devotional thoughts on this subject, please visit: http://www.itiswritten.com/search-for-certainty-lesson-9-the-bibles-longest-and-most-amazing-prophecy

Introduction:

This is the final day we will discuss what you now know is called the pre-advent judgment. If you have not been following, you can go back to October 3rd’s devotional thought and move forward, to catch up.

Since we have already discussed God’s love, goals, our plight (one way or the other), the details, and the purpose of this judgment in the grand scheme of last day events, today, we will simply learn when this phase began.

Today’s Observation:

You will notice in our theme text that Jesus revealed to John that this phase of judgment, which began with the house of God, “is come.” I must be careful to say that it had begun according to the prophetic timeline, not at the moment Jesus was speaking.

On October 4th we referenced the fact that while Daniel was grappling with understanding some key elements in Bible prophecy, God sent the angel Gabriel to give the distraught prophet skill and understanding. Among many things, God revealed the ministry of Jesus Christ, the plight of Israel in reference to their treatment of God’s grace, and this phase of judgment. Go back for a refresher if you need to. We said that the 70 weeks prophecy and the 2300 days prophecy both had their starting points “from the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem,” Daniel 9:25. This command, which included not only the rebuilding of the temple, but the city as well, with the return of power to the Jews to rule according to their own laws, occurred in 457 B.C. by Artexerxes (Ezra 4:7-23; Ezra 7:12-26). And 2300 years later puts us at the year 1844 on the prophetic calendar. In the year 1844, Jesus our eternal High Priest moved into ministry to effect the cleansing of all who are willing to remain covered in His righteousness, as we have already described. Those who are unwilling must suffer the consequences of that choice.

Conclusion:

Today’s thought is simple. Since the next big event following the conclusion of this phase of judgment is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, what should our attitudes be? It is true that several rapid-fire events will happen in the intervening time following its conclusion, yet that which matters to those who love God, and is critical to everyone’s salvation are happening while each of our cases are being considered.

While the Old Testament high priest was in the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement each year, those who professed to worship God submitted themselves solemnly to Him. They confessed their sins, turned in heart from them, and recommitted to full faith in God’s plans for their lives. As we continue to survey the Revelation, let this close consideration of God’s judgment motivate us to give our all to our King. He is doing so much to save us into His eternal kingdom. It is our privilege to simply cooperate with Him by faith to the saving of our souls. But each of us must decide continually whether or not we want to be saved.

A Prayer for Your Hearts:

Lord, please help us to give our lives to you continually. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)