And Gather His Elect (Mark 13:24-31 Devotion)

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near–at the doors! 30 “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

– Mark 13:24-31 (NKJV)

Don’t miss the forest for the trees on this passage. Some pretty huge things, cataclysmic events even are unfolding here. The Sun, the moon, the stars will fall… but the important part is that Jesus saves his own! He hasn’t abandoned his elect (to use the term in this passage). He is faithful. He has come back for you!

Though the sky falls, though the sun fails to shine, though the stars disappear, all is not lost, for Jesus remains and he is coming for you! Are you ready? Don’t be so grounded in this moment that you forget we were made for eternity.

There are things that will let you down in this life, but Jesus isn’t one of them. He will send his angels for you. His word rings true when everything else has fallen away. There will be a generation who sees it all come to pass from beginning to end in their lifetime. It might happen today. Don’t lose heart. Don’t be discouraged. Be ready. Be prepared. Be bold in your witness. When the days get dark, he has not forgotten you.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are encouraged by your word. Though everything else falls away, your word remains. We place our trust in you. You didn’t tell us that you were a way, or a truth, or know about life. You are the way, the truth, and the life and so we are all in on you. We trust you with all that we are so that we might be prepared and ready for that day. Even now we pray, “your kingdom come.” Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

God is Still on the Throne (Revelation 10-12)

Revelation 10:5-7 ESV And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven (6) and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, (7) but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

There is a lot of symbolism in these chapters. You can look back at last years post to see how I understand some of the images that are described in this section of scripture. It’s important that we don’t miss the forest for the trees in the descriptions in the book of Revelation. God is sovereign over His creation! The point of the book of Revelation is to note that He is Almighty Sovereign God and He reigns over everything. There is nothing that take Him by surprise. Events unfold at his prerogative and at their appointed times.

This is important because there will be moments where it looks like He is losing. His faithful servants will be persecuted. There is an evil enemy that seeks to devour them. Yet, even when it looks like the faithful are perishing, God is in control…. As we round the corner going into the Passion week before Easter, we are reminded that it must have looked like evil was winning when Jesus was crucified, yet it was through His death and resurrection that we are saved!

My big takeaway from todays reading is to remember that all of history is headed to a particular destination and will reach that destination at the exact right time. I’m reminded that God is in control. Somehow as I fret with small things that cause us stress (family, bills, work, etc.), I am comforted to place these things in the hands of the Lord and pray for His kingdom to come. There is great personal peace to be found by seeking first the kingdom of God.

Father, thank you for these chapters in the book of Revelation today that reminds me that you are in control. I admit I am often consumed with the minor details of life that I can’t control. How refreshing it is to know that you are in control of all things. I pray for your kingdom to come and your will to be done. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

RESOURCES:

2020 Post on Revelation 10-12

Join us in reading though the New Testament in 90 Days! You can find the plan and previous posts here.