A Predicted End

Here is some reading to start your day. "When a society has entered on this downward progress (e.g. a ruinous load of taxation laid on the rich for the purpose of supporting the poor in idleness) either civilization or liberty must perish. Either some Caesar or Napoleon will seize the reins of government with a strong hand; or your Republic will be as fearfully plundered and laid waste by barbarians in the twentieth century as the Roman Empire was in the fifth; with this difference, that the Huns and Vandals, who ravaged the Roman Empire, came from without, and that your Huns and Vandals will have been engendered within your country by your own institutions." - Lord Macaulay on American Institutions and Prospects, May 23, 1857

You may read the entire article HERE.

God's Perspective

Revelation 3:17 says, Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

Notice what they say of themselves as compared to what God says about them. They felt that they were rich, increased with goods and had need of nothing. And yet God says of them that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. That's quite a disconnect? They had apparently lost their focus on God because they were too concerned with themselves.

I believe that just like the church of Laodicea, the church of our day has lost its focus as well. Most are content to see who can build the tallest steeples in town, have the biggest sanctuaries and the the prettiest parlors; while the world at their doorsteps is sadly going to Hell. 

It’s amazing how God’s perspective can be so different than ours. You see, God sees the motivations and the intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). He sees the hypocrisy behind the big steeples and the padded pews and knows when we're just playing church or when we're not.

We're Not Home Yet!

Revelation 3:11 says, Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

I believe this verse is speaking of the rapture of the church and as such, we need to hold fast to what we have until that time. We are encouraged to diligently and faithfully occupy until the Lord returns for us to take us home to be with Him.

I'm reminded of a story that has been told about two missionaries who had spent their entire lives on the mission field and they were finally coming home. They just happened to be on the same boat as the Queen of England. Upon arrival the Queen was greeted by thousands, with music, and applauds and the husband said, "You know we’ve spent our entire lives serving the Lord, and come home to nothing.  This lady has done nothing, but was born into it."  The wife said, "But, we’re not home yet!"

We need to remember that as well.

Nothing Else Can Satisfy

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Our Lord here says that he is the Alpha and the Omega. That means that He is A to Z! (cf. Revelation 1:8; 1:17; 2:8; 21:6; and 22:13).

It’s also interesting that God also says He is the Alpha and the Omega over and over in the book of Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 41:4; 4:6; and 48:12). What better verses to prove to the cults that Jesus is indeed God.

Notice also that our Lord says I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Jesus said the same thing to the woman at the well in John 4:13-14. He also said the same thing in the temple in John 7:37-38.

People are thirsty for things today that cannot satisfy them: money, possessions, and relationships, but there is a thirst that all men have that cannot be satisfied by anything or anyone, but Jesus Christ.

The Two-Edged Sword

Revelation 1:15-16 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  (16)  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

We know that the sword is the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews said For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Also, Ephesians 6:17 encourages us to take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

If you study the history of the two-edged sword, you will find that it was developed and mastered by the Romans. As a matter of fact, it is credited with the rapid rise of the Roman Empire. While other nations were still using a single-edged sword that could only cut one way, the Romans had mastered the double edged sword that could cut two ways. This gave them a huge advantage on the battle field. It made the Roman Centurion lethal. It would be the equivalent of a single-shot firearm as compared to an automatic. The later will do much more damage, much more quickly.

The two edges can also represent the Truth and the Severity of the Word of God. If it is allowed to cut one way, Truth can be like a surgical scalpel that the Master Physician uses to repair, heal, remove, and restore our lives. However, if it is allowed to cut the other way, Severity can be an instrument of judgment against those who choose to not repent after having been exposed to the Truth.