Sunday 9-6-15 (Home in Modesto)
Scripture reading: Eze.
29-32 Rev. 11
S=Scripture O=Observation A=Application P=Prayer SOAP for
the soul.
S. Rev 11:15-17 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were
loud voices shouting in heaven: "The whole world has now become the
Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and
ever." And the twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell
on their faces and worshiped him. And they said, "We give thanks to you,
Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed
your great power and have begun to reign. NLT
O. The Apostle John has been
arrested, judged and condemned to a sentence of isolation, imprisoned on the
island of Patmos for the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has
witnessed the unjust powers of a world controlled by mere men. Now in his
vision windows open into future events when God, the Father will subdue these
powers and the whole world will become the
Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and
ever. God is saying to His servant John. “Fear
not! Hang in there! We win!”
A. I enjoy watching America
football with my friends. How many times we have watched and cheered
until... until our team, that was doing so well, has now fallen behind.
Now we have grown silent and hesitant. But then in the final last few
seconds, when the enemy team and its fans are already celebrating their win,
our quarterback risks a long pass into the end zone... Touch-down! The
final whistle blows and... we win! Nobody has to lift us from our couch
or deep chair. Even the most feeble among us join us as we leap up... and
shout the victory.
So “Hey,
Brother John... yeah, you over there on the island of Patmos... It looks
like your team is losing right now. But don’t worry. Hang in
there! It’s not over until the seventh and final trumpet blows. And
we win!”
P. Lord, the last book in Your
Bible is full of images that I cannot always interpret with clarity. But,
amid Your description of terrifying wars, and black clouds of smoke that blot
out the sun and moon, hail, lightning and thunder and much more... Your main
message comes through loud and clear: “We win!” You, Lord...
the same Jesus that was beaten, crucified and buried. You rose from the
dead... And You will triumph! I am glad that I am not just in the
stands cheering... I am privileged to be a player on the winning team!
Praise God! Amen.
Ralph
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