Revelation (Written)

Thursday, 24 December 2020

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Revelation 8:4

A literal rendering of the Greek is, “And went up the smoke [of] the incense, the prayers of the saints, out of [the] hand [of] the angel, before the God.”

The word “with” is inserted but not necessary. Verse 5:8 says that the incense is the prayer of the saints. There is no reason to deviate from that here. The Douay-Rheims captured the correct sense, saying –

“And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.”

With this understanding, but still using the NKJV as a reference, taking the previous verse together with this one will provide the context –

“Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. ⁴ And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:3, 4

This was immediately after the silence in heaven of verse 1 and the giving out of the seven trumpets to the seven angels who stand before God. In saying “the prayers of the saints,” it is most certainly referring to what was said in Chapter 6 –

“And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ ¹¹ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” Revelation 6:10, 11

There is a cry for the avenging of the blood of these tribulation saints. The white robe indicates they are saints, purified through their faith in Christ. This verse now begins with, “And the smoke of the incense.”

The incense was first described in Exodus 30 as that being used in the tabernacle. As noted, each ingredient pointed to Christ. It was typical of His life as an offering before God. The incense of His perfect life is now completely mingled together as “the prayers of the saints.”

In other words, the two are as one. What happens to the saints is as if it happened to the Lord. This is explicitly revealed in Acts 9 –

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
⁵ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’
Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” Acts 9:4, 5

Jesus asked, “Why are you persecuting Me?” And yet, Saul had been persecuting the believers in Him. The persecution of Christ Jesus’ people is a direct attack again Him. Likewise, the prayers of Christ to God includes the prayers of His people. This is why the Bible uses the term “in Christ” again and again. There is no separation between the two. In fact, this unity is so strong that Paul says this of believers –

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:16, 17

Believers in Christ are so united to the Lord Jesus that they actually become joint heirs with Him as children of God. Understanding this, the result of the prayers for avenging their blood can be nothing less than a sure and decisive response. The outcome is assured as the smoke and prayers “ascended before God from the angel’s hand.”

As noted in the previous verse, the angel (Greek: messenger) is Christ Jesus. He is the Messenger of the Covenant, He is the High Priest, He is found in the censer and in the incense, He is the Avenger of the blood of His people. He is all of these things and so much more. He is the God/Man; the point between the finite and the infinite. This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

The fact that this ascends from the hand (the humanity of Christ) to God (His deity) means that action will be taken. The Lord will respond and avenge, and His judgment will be decisive.

Life application: Our prayers are made acceptable to God, not because they are prayers of any given human beings, but because they are prayers made by believers in the work of Jesus Christ. It is He who makes our prayers acceptable to God. Ephesians gives us this insight when speaking of His fulfillment of the burnt offering sacrifices of the Old Covenant –

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:2

Jesus’ life and work became an “offering and a sacrifice to God.” When we call on Him, we receive life and justification because of what He did. Paul then gives an insight into the prayers being offered by the angel in this verse –

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

We, including our prayers, are “the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” As will be seen in the verses ahead, the prayers to God for His kingdom to come, and the requests for His justice to be served, will be responded to. This is because God in Christ is faithful to His people. He will not turn away from giving them justice. He is our near Kinsman, He is our Avenger of blood, and He is the Lord God Almighty. He is JESUS!

It is so wonderfully beautiful to see how Your word fully supports itself in every way. What came from the hand of the prophets and apostles is that which speaks to the work of Jesus Christ. And it is astonishingly fulfilled in every detail in Him. Thank You for Your wonderful, beautifully crafted, and trustworthy word, O God. Thank You and Amen.

Wednesday, 23 December 2020

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. Revelation 8:3

The previous verse spoke of “the seven angels who stand before God.” One of the options (the preferable one to this commentary) is that they are the same as “the seven Spirits who are before His throne” in Revelation 1:4. The Greek word “angels” simply means “messengers.” The coming Christ is called an angel in the Old Testament, demonstrating that the term is acceptable to be applied to Him. As the seven Spirits are seven aspects of the Lord (see Revelation 1:4 commentary), there is nothing doctrinally wrong with this view. Now, in this verse, it says, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.”

The Greek reads, “over the altar,” or “upon the altar.” It is the same Greek word, epi, or upon, that is used again in this same verse. The altar speaks of the golden altar of incense first described in Exodus 30:1-10 – every single detail of which pointed to Jesus Christ. The incense altar was originally placed outside of the veil in the Holy Place. As it says in Exodus 30:5, it was to be “before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony.”

This “angel” or “messenger” is also another unveiling of Christ Jesus, as will be noted as the commentary progresses. Other than on the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place once a year, nothing except the twice-daily wafting of this incense ever entered the Most Holy Place. The veil stood between the two demonstrating that access to God was restricted until the time set by Him.

However, the altar in heaven is in the very throne room of God, not outside a veil. The tabernacle was made by Moses to be a type, or picture, of the true throne of God. But until Christ died, access to God was restricted. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn in two at that same moment signifying that full and free access to God had been restored through His torn body. He is now that point of access for the redeemed of the Lord.

In heaven, there is no separation between where the incense altar is and where the throne is, because there is no need to separate redeemed man from the presence of God. All who are received into heaven have come through the sacrifice of Jesus. That this angel stands “over” or “upon” the altar is important. As noted above, the altar of the tabernacle prefigured Christ in every detail. No created angel would be allowed to stand “over” or “upon” Christ in this capacity.

It is true that the angels of God are said to be ascending and descending upon (epi) the Son of Man in John 1:51, but that is a different context with a different purpose. Here, the altar is a representation of Christ. The angel (the Lord) stands upon the altar and, as it next says, “He was given much incense.”

The incense at the tabernacle was first described in Exodus 30:34-38. Again, every single detail of that incense prefigured the Person of Jesus Christ. The studies on these things should be reviewed to understand all of these magnificent details. There, standing upon the altar, and with the incense, it says that this Messenger “should offer it with the prayers of all the saints.”

Under the Mosaic covenant, it said, “Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it.” This was the duty of the high priest (or his designated representative who performed the function in his stead). It was a mediatorial role on behalf of the people. As has been seen in a previous commentary, and as will be stated explicitly in Revelation 8, the incense reflects the medium in which the prayers of the people are transmitted to God.

It says in 1 Timothy 2:5, 6, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” As the altar, the incense, and the one who offers the incense all were typical of Christ under the Old Covenant, and as there is now one Mediator between God and men, this Angel, or Messenger, is the Lord Jesus. It is another revelation, or unveiling, of His many duties before God.

Of this particular duty, He offers the incense “upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” The throne of God in the Mosaic Covenant was represented by the Ark of the Covenant. It is the place where the glory of the Lord was fixed. The way the ark was situated for the poles to carry it reflected a throne. And, again, every detail of the construction of this ark, the things placed inside of it, and so on, all of these minutely pictured the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

In this verse is seen a marvelous demonstration of the mediatorial and intercessory role of Jesus in His humanity then transmitting the prayers of the saints to the throne of God (where He sits in all rule and authority) in His deity. He is the point between the finite and the infinite. He is the incarnate Word of God. He is the Mediator between God and man.

Life application: The prayers in this verse are being offered directly to God with much incense. They are the many prayers of all of God’s people in anticipation of the coming of His judgments which then lead into the coming of His kingdom.

God’s wrath at sin, and His judgment upon the world, must come first in order to cleanse the world. After this happens, then there can be the establishment of this kingdom. The prayers of the saints are coming now, and they precipitate the great trumpet and bowl judgments upon the earth. God hears and responds to the prayers of His people. Now that they are being brought before Him in great numbers, it means that the time of wrath is at hand.

But those prayers offered to God are only those from the people who have called out to Jesus. God does not, nor indeed can He, hear the prayers of those who are not Redeemed by Jesus. To say otherwise is to say that God does not need Jesus to mediate the prayers of the people. It is no different than saying that there are more paths to God than through Christ Jesus alone. It is heresy.

The makeup of the incense in the Old Testament said, “Whoever makes any like it, to smell it, he shall be cut off from his people” (Exodus 30:38). The implication is that only this incense (typical of Jesus as noted above) is acceptable to God. Any other incense (meaning prayer apart from Christ) is abominable to Him.

The typology clearly reveals that believers are never to pray to God with people from other religions, or from false cults. To do so is to acknowledge that their prayers are just as acceptable to God as are those of true believers. Such can never be implied. Be sure to never mix the holy with the profane. There is one Mediator, and God only accepts the prayers of those who belong to that Mediator. He alone is the access point between God and man. He alone is our High Priest. He alone is JESUS!

Lord God, it is incredible to imagine that the prayers of ages and ages of saints reach even to Your throne. And yet, because of Jesus, our prayers are brought before You. He is our great High Priest who comes to You with them. Yes, our Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus who brings us near to You in prayer. Amen.

Tuesday, 22 December 2020

And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Revelation 8:2

This verse introduces the next heavenly vision. It cannot be assumed, nor is it likely, that the vision of the trumpets is a result of the opening of the seventh seal mentioned in verse 8:1. Rather, what occurred after that was described in verse 7:17.

Concerning the sounding of the trumpets which are to be described in the verses ahead, some insights should be considered now. Charles Ellicott notes the following –

“The series of visions which is now introduced extend to the close of the eleventh chapter. There are some features which may be noticed here. There is a marked correspondence of arrangement between these and the visions of the seals. As there, so here, there are introduced two subordinate visions towards the end of the series. The sixth seal was followed by the vision of the one hundred and forty-four thousand and the countless multitude: the sixth trumpet is followed by the vision of the little book and the seven thunders and the measurement of the temple of God (Revelation 10 and Revelation 11:1-14).”

Further, Bengel notes –

“The trumpets of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth angel, are closely connected with one another; and so likewise the trumpets of the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh angel, which alone have woe, woe, woe.”

Along with these insights, numerous other commentaries have pulled out various insights and have drawn many conclusions concerning what lies ahead. Some incorrectly view these events as a description of the entire church age. Some insert presuppositions and then twist what is said to fit those presuppositions. The wide variety of views makes a sound interpretation difficult. However, two points must be maintained regardless of any other interpretations –

1) The events are surrounding the revelation, or unveiling, of Jesus Christ. He is the central focus of what is being presented, and
2) These main visions are describing events that occur during the tribulation period, even if some visions are general snapshots of events in redemptive history that are provided for clarity for Israel to understand who Jesus is and what has occurred in His first coming.

What is likely, without being overly dogmatic that it is so, is that the trumpets are similar to the seals in that they present what will occur during the tribulation period without regard to a specific chronology. Rather, they reflect categories of destruction that occur as judgment on an unrepentant world progresses through the tribulation.

With these thoughts in mind, the verse now before us begins with, “And I saw the seven angels who stand before God.” This immediately introduces a problem because of the use of the definite article before “angels.” It seems to highlight them as if they have already been noted somewhere and the reader is expected to thus be familiar with them. Of this, several possibilities are given –

1) They are the angels referred to in the apocryphal book known as Tobit, where it is recorded, “I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.” Tobit 12:15
2) They correspond to “the seven Spirits who are before His throne” of Revelation 1:4.
3). The definite article reflects a state of being where “it would be sufficiently understood, from the common use of language, who would be referred to – as we now might speak of ‘the seven members of the cabinet of the United States,’ or ‘the thirty-one governors of the states of the Union,’ though they had not been particularly mentioned” (Albert Barnes).

The first option is incorrect. Nothing in the true canon of Scripture further supports that notion. Further, angels don’t “present the prayers of the saints.” That is a mediatorial role belonging to Jesus Christ alone. This demonstrates that Tobit is not an inspired book of Scripture.

The second option is quite likely. The Lamb is the one who opened the seven seals, releasing those judgments upon the earth. As the judgments of the trumpets parallel those of the seals, it would make sense that the seven Spirits of God that are possessed by the Lord Jesus (see Revelation 3:1) are His “angels,” meaning “messengers,” of destruction upon the world that has rejected Him. Zechariah confirms that the Lord is the One to blow the trumpet in judgment –

“Then the Lord will be seen over them,
And His arrow will go forth like lightning.
The Lord God will blow the trumpet,
And go with whirlwinds from the south.” Zechariah 9:14

The third option is a possibility if the second option is found to be incorrect. However, as this is the “revelation” or “unveiling” of Jesus Christ, it is assumed here that these are the seven aspects of the Lord previously described in earlier verses. The Lord Jesus (these seven facets of who He is) is who is being portrayed.

Of these seven angels (messengers), it says, “and to them were given seven trumpets.” The word translated as “trumpet” is salpigx. It is a war trumpet. In this, it is used to loudly announce the coming vanquishing of His enemies. Elsewhere, such a trumpet was used to call the people of the Lord to war and to inspire them in the battle.

The trumpets are probably not ram horns (shofar), but rather are hammered metal trumpets – either of silver or gold. Numbers 10 provides an account concerning the use of hammered metal trumpets –

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² ‘Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.’” Numbers 10:1, 2

&

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. ¹⁰ Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God.” Numbers 10:9, 10

An insight from the Pulpit commentary states, “The use of trumpets on seven days at the destruction of Jericho, the type of all that is worldly, may have suggested the form of the vision here, in the announcement of the judgment and destruction of the world.”

The verses ahead will tell of the sounding of these trumpets and of the judgments upon the earth that result from them.

Life application: As you can see, these trumpets were for signaling major events surrounding the people of God, including war. When these seven trumpets begin to blow in Revelation, great and awesome events will follow them on the earth. The cataclysms which come with these trumpets are being shown us in advance so that we can make the right choices now that will save us from the pressures and tribulations they will usher in. Now truly is the time to call on Jesus and be spared from the difficulties ahead.

Let us consider this then. And then, let us do what is right, calling out for pardon from our offenses and for rescue from the troubles that are prophesied to come upon an unbelieving world. Let us call out to JESUS!

Lord Jesus, in Your word You have graciously given us precious insights into the future so that we can make the right choice now. May those who read Your word understand that it is truth, and may they be willing to call on Your name before the terrible times prophesied there arrive! Thank You for Your word and thank You for the sure promises they contain for those who choose You now. Amen.

Monday, 21 December 2020

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1

With the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand and then the heavenly scene of the great white multitude of Chapter 7 complete, Chapter 8 will go from the heavenly realm back to the earth as the seven trumpet judgments follow from the opening of the seventh seal. But the opening of that seal comes first. And so, John begins with, “When He opened the seventh seal.”

This takes the reader back to Chapter 5 where it was noted that the Lamb was found worthy to take the scroll, open its seals, and loose the judgments contained therein.  Chapter 6 showed the opening of the first six seals. That was followed with the redirect to the heavenly scene noted above.

Now, with the Lamb’s opening of the seventh seal, John says, “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” The verb translated as “was” signifies “came to pass,” or “began to be.” It is the opening of the seal that brought it about.

The sequence of events from the previous opening of a seal shows what is probably the intent. As noted, at the end of Chapter 6 came the opening of the sixth seal. Chapter 7 then diverted to the heavenly scene which began with the angels holding back the winds of destruction. This pause of silence is the result of the opening of the seventh seal and appears to correspond to the holding back of the winds. In other words, the pause is reflective of the sealing of the one hundred and forty-four thousand.

The events are not chronological, but categorical. An example of this is that the book of Ruth follows the book of Judges, but its events occur during the time of the Judges. Thus, the main events of Judges are laid out, and then the information of Ruth (that occurred during Judges) is filled in afterwards. Likewise, the event of the sealing is laid out (with its corresponding withholding of the four winds), and then noting the silence in heaven (that corresponds to the withholding of the four winds) is filled in afterwards.

The opening of the seventh seal, then, may actually precede the sealing seen in Chapter 7. The word translated as “about a half an hour” is found only this once in the New Testament. It is a specific division representing a short period of time. One may equate it then to the calm before a storm. Something is coming and everything falls silent in anticipation of it. Because the tribulation period is centered on the people and the land of Israel (the church has already been raptured), we can see a prophetic parallel from the book of Zechariah –

“And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”  Zechariah 2:12, 13

The sealing of those called out from the tribes of Israel separately from the great multitude in Chapter 7 indicates this. However, they are not all that are saved in the tribulation. That is why the great multitude is also mentioned in that heavenly scene.

This silence precedes the next major set of events, that of the trumpet judgments. Before they are sounded, however, there will be the offering of incense. As seen already, and as will be seen, incense represents prayers. At the opening of the fifth seal, the martyrs cried out for the avenging of their blood. They are obviously saved believers, and they then correspond to those in the great multitude of Chapter 7.

Therefore, the silence now recorded is connected to that. Again, taking these events as purely chronological is not a sound way of viewing what is going on. The Bible is giving a sequence of events, but it is one that spans the tribulation period. Concepts that are explained in short verses and paragraphs are revealing spiritual truths in a categorical manner.

Life application: Most of the earth is coming against the nation of Israel and against the purposes of God. The land of Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, is where Jesus is returning to. When He does, He will establish His kingdom and rule from there. Before this occurs, the world is destined to face great trouble – all for having rejected His offer of peace which is found in Jesus Christ.

During that time, there will be many who will be saved, but most of them will die for their faith in Christ. Very few will enter the millennium without having been martyred. How much better to get right with God now by calling out to Him through His Son. He is the offer of peace that will keep you from the horrors that are prophesied to come. He is JESUS!

Thank You Lord for allowing us to see the great and awesome scene portrayed in the book of Revelation. Surely, it will take place at some point in the future. You have given us the information to know what is coming so that we can choose to make the right decisions now. May many humble their hearts and be receptive to the message before it is too late.  Amen.

Sunday, 20 December 2020

for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

In the previous verse, the first half of Isaiah 49:10 was cited. It being where verse 7:16 was derived from. That continues now in verse 17 which finds its parallel in the second half of Isaiah 49:10 –

“For He who has mercy on them will lead them,
Even by the springs of water He will guide them.”

Along with this, comes the fulfillment of another blessing first penned in Isaiah 25:8 –

“He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.”

Understanding the original source of the words, and remembering that the context is speaking of the tribulation saints standing before the throne of God, the elder speaking to John continues his words, saying, “for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne.”

The Lamb, as previously noted, is Christ Jesus in His sacrificial role. It is He who died the necessary substitutionary death for humanity. In His sinless perfection, He could replace Adam as their fallen head, if they simply accept what He has done by faith. These tribulation saints have done so, and they have been redeemed by Him. Further, He has not only redeemed them, but the elder says He “will shepherd them.”

This is a paradoxical statement. It is lambs that need a shepherd. In fact, they are almost completely dependent on being shepherded. Without a shepherd, they are helpless to defend themselves from the many challenges that other animals can often face and prevail over. And yet, this Lamb has prevailed over all such challenges, including the greatest one of all – death. In His victory over death, He is the Lamb that is qualified to shepherd those of His own flock.

So capable is He to do so, that the elder then quotes Isaiah (as noted above), and says, “and lead them to living fountains of waters.” The idea of “living waters” is that of running streams and of springs that come up from the earth, and so on. The water is fresh and cold and invigorating instead of stagnant, salty, or muddied. The symbolism is that of ever-flowing life, and thus everlasting life. This is what Jesus spoke of in John 4 –

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’” John 4:10

It is then added to by the Lord in John 7 –

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39

It is the Spirit that gives life. These people, because of faith in the work of Jesus Christ, have received the Spirit. In them is found the true fountains of living water which is renewed life, eternal fellowship with God, and eternal joy in the presence of the Lamb. In this state, the elder finishes the verse (and the chapter) with, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

In Isaiah 25, this was attributed to the Lord God, Yehovah Elohim. Jesus is the incarnate Yehovah, and He is the Lord God. It is He who will remove all sorrow and wipe away every tear. Of these words, Albert Barnes says –

“Of all the negative descriptions of heaven, there is no one perhaps that would be better adapted to produce consolation than this. This is a world of weeping – a vale of tears. Philosophers have sought a brief definition of man, and have sought in vain. Would there be any better description of him, as representing the reality of his condition here, than to say that he is one who weeps? Who is there of the human family that has not shed a tear? Who that has not wept over the grave of a friend; over his own losses and cares; over his disappointments; over the treatment he has received from others; over his sins; over the follies, vices, and woes of his fellow-men?”

Man walks through this veil of tears, but God offers us to be delivered to a canopy of joy. It is accessible to any and to all who will simply accept what He has done through the giving of His Son.

Life application: The shepherd symbolism was anticipated by David in the 23^rd Psalm, and it was claimed by Jesus in John chapter 10 when He said, “I am the good Shepherd.” Likewise, the living waters also are fulfilled in the Person of Jesus as noted above. Because of Jesus, we will go out and find good and safe pasture in a land of plenty.

The green grass will be vibrant from the abundant waters they receive. In that day, we will be comforted by the pure and perfect love of God, and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. These promises come to us, not because we deserve these things, but because God is gracious and merciful to those who accept the finished work of Jesus Christ, trusting not in their own deeds, but in His work alone. Be sure to not fail the test. The answer to our dilemma, and to being accepted into God’s paradise, is to receive what He has done through JESUS!

O God, how great You are! Who could ever imagine the wondrous promises of Your word while living in this fallen world? We have fears, we have hunger and thirst, and we have pains and sorrows. But You have promised that this order of things will someday be replaced with complete and perfect joy! Thank You for the surety we have of that coming day. Amen.