Author: David Worcester

Lead Pastor of Compass Church http://CompassChurchSD.com #Jesus, #Family #ChurchPlanting #CollegeMinistry. #Missions http://GospelAppointments.com @collegiatecoll

Why I Believe Christians Will Go Through The Tribulation – Revelation 13

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A running theme throughout the book of Revelation is that Christians need to preserver.

“This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.” Rev 13:10

Patiently enduring implies that Christians will not be removed before the suffering starts. Instead I believe we will have to remain faithful in the middle of the trials.

This endurance will allow more people to come to Christ and those who suffer on this earth greater reward in heaven.

I wonder why God would give us so many instructions about enduring through the end times if Christians are not going to go through them?

There are certain things that God will protect His people from, but it seems to me that the context of Revelation indicates that we will endure hardship until Jesus returns.

We can take comfort that no matter how hard our trials are today followers of Jesus will eventually be taken to a place where there is no pain, crying, or death!

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 13 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

3 Ways To Win Spiritual Battles – Revelation 12

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God has given us the tools to win the spiritual battles we face.

Satan, the “accuser” is constantly looking for ways to bring God’s people down. In Revelations 12 it describes people who won the fight against Satan. Here is how they did it and we would be wise to follow their example.

“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.” Rev 12:11

1. The Blood of the Lamb

“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb…”

The power for the spiritual battles we face comes from Jesus.  His blood covered our sins and He gives us the power to say no to sin and yes to His will for our lives.

2. The Power of Their Testimony

“…and by their testimony…”

Knowing what God has done in your life can give you confidence in the battle. Our testimonies can help strengthen our own faith and the faith of others. Sharing what God has done in your life is a great way to defeat Satan.

3. Courage in the Face of Death

“And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.”

When you have confidence in how much better Heaven is going to be, you won’t as afraid to lose this life. It is inspiring when Christians face persecution and even death with courage. We have a living hope that goes beyond this life. This should inspire bravery to live for Jesus no matter the cost.

Which of these ways of fighting spiritual battles do you want to work on in  your life?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 12 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

What are the 7 trumpets? Part 3, the 7th trumpet. (Rev 11)

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 The 7th trumpet is the start of the third terror and ultimately marks the beginning of Christ’s return.

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

After the 7th trumpet, the kingdom of the world will eventually become the Kingdom of God.

The 24 elders celebrate God with a song of worship. They praise God for his might, eternal nature, power, the blessing of his people, his great name, and his judgment (see Rev 11:16-18).

This trumpet marks the start of another round of judgments that will ultimately lead to Christ’s return.

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 11 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Digesting The Word of God – Revelation 10

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John was told to eat the scroll.

“So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. “Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.” Rev 10:9-10

This scroll tasted sweet and then tasted sour.

Sometimes God’s Word make us feel good, but other times it is hard to swallow. It does not matter how we feel, what matters is if we obey it. Some of God’s commands don’t make us feel good in the moment but are best for us in the long run. Jeremiah was given a similar instruction to swallow a scroll.

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16

Ultimately we will benefit if we get God’s word into our lives.

How are you planning in getting God’s Word in your life this Christmas season?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 10 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

What are the 7 Trumpets of Revelation? Part 2 (Rev 9)

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This is my interpretation of what the 5th and 6th trumpets represent.

5. Satan and his army of demons will be unleashed to torment the unrepentant, but Christians will be protected.

“Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen to earth from the sky, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit… Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” Revelation 9:1, 3–4

6. Four fallen angels and their huge army are released to kill 1/3 of the earth.

“And the voice said to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River.” Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth. I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops.” Revelation 9:14–16

In spite of all this, people still did no repent and turn to God. They continued their idol worship, murder, witchcraft, sexual immorality and theft. God will judge the world.

How does the reality of God’s judgement open our eyes to the seriousness of sin?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 9 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

What are the 7 trumpets of Revelation? – Part 1 (Rev 8)

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A trumpet is a significant instrument in the Old Testament.

According to one commentator, trumpets had three important uses:

  1. They called the people together (Num. 10:1–8);
  2. They announced war (Num. 10:9);
  3. They announced special times (Num. 10:10). For example, when the Law was given (Ex. 19:16–19), when the king was anointed and enthroned (1 Kings 1:34, 39) and at the conquest of Jericho (Josh. 6:13–16) (Warren Wiersbe).

The seven trumpets announce 7 judgements on the earth. The first four are primarily natural judgements.

Here’s what my interpretation of what the first 4 trumpets are.

1. Devastation of plant life and food supply.

“The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned.”  Rev 8:7

2. Devastation of sea life.

“Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed.” Rev 8:8-9

3. Devastation of the fresh water supply.

“Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star was Bitterness. It made one-third of the water bitter, and many people died from drinking the bitter water.” Rev 8:10-11

4. Devastation of the heavens.

“Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night.” Rev 8:12

The last three trumpets are even more devastating than the first four!

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 8 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

All Nations, Tribes, People and Languages Will Party In Heaven Together! Revelation 7

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Heaven will be a huge multicultural worship service.

The beauty and diversity of humanity will be displayed in all it’s brilliance as all types of people will worship the one true God.

“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” Rev 7:9-10

Salvation for the nations only comes through Jesus.

Part of our role as Christians is to go to the people groups that are not yet reached and recruit for this day. Evangelism is worship recruitment.

Part of our mission in life is helping reach people of every nation, tribe, people and language.

What role are you playing in reaching the nations?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 7 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

What Do The 6 Seals Of Revelation 6 Represent?

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There is a lot of symbolism in Revelation and usually it is easy to skim through.  I do believe it is worth diving in to and trying to see what it means. These are my personal interpretations of what these seals represent based on commentaries and context.

1. A world conquering leader or government.

“I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.” Rev 6:2

2. Widespread war.

“Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.” Rev 6:4

3.  Widespread famine.

“I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.” Rev 6:5-6

4. Widespread disease and death.

“I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.” Rev 6:8

5. Many martyrs.

“I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters —their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.” Rev 6:9-11

6. A massive earthquake and accompanying natural disasters.

“and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.” Rev 6:12-14

These seals are different ways that God will judge the world before he returns.

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 6 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Jesus Died For People From Every Tribe, Language and Nation – Revelation 5

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We should be passionate about missions because there are people who Jesus died for in every tribe on earth.

There is no people group on earth that Jesus didn’t die for. This is the song that was sang to the Lamb (Jesus) in heaven,

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” Rev 5:9-10

Though his blood Jesus paid the penalty for everyone’s sins.

God is a global God so if we are to follow him we should care about what he cares about… THE WHOLE WORLD.

God will have priests from every people group on the planet. We will all get to reign with King Jesus in the new earth.  God gives us a role to play in seeking and saving those who have yet to hear about Him.

Are you a part of God’s global rescue mission?

Will you give, go, or send people to reach the unreached of this world?

Here is an inspiring video I put together of two men who gave their all for the sake of the unreached.

What are you willing to sacrifice so that the Lamb that was slain will receive the reward for His suffering?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 5 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

7 Ways To Worship Like It is Done in Heaven. Revelation 4

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This is a description of how God is worshipped in Heaven, these are not commands, but I believe they are good examples for us to follow in how to worship God.

1. Worship God constantly.

“Day after day and night after night they keep on saying…” Rev 4:8

They worshiped God day and night. On earth we should do everything as an act of worship. We are to be constantly worshiping God.

2. Worship God for his holiness.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty…” Rev 4:8

Using the word holy three times emphasizes the absolute holiness that only God possesses. When we consider His holiness we are humbled and led to deeper worship.

3. Worship God for his greatness.

    “…the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Rev 4:8

God is the only uncreated one.  His greatness is unparalleled, and that should inspire our worship.

4.  Worship God with humility.

“Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever).” Rev 4:9-10a

Humility is the prerequisite for true worship. The elders fall down in a outward symbol of their submission and humility. When we come to God in worship we should have humble hearts as well.

5. Worship God with your victories.

“And they lay their crowns before the throne and say…” Rev 4:10b

Our successes, victories, and crowns can be offered to God as worship. What a privilege it is to lay our crowns had Jesus’ feet.

6. Worship God for his worthiness.

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. Rev 4:11a

God is the only one truly worthy of our worship. Anything else does not measure up.

7. Worship God for the splendor of creation.

“For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” Rev 4:11b

God’s creation is a great source of inspiration for worship. When we consider what he has made gives us a glimpse of his power and creativity.

Which of these ways of worshiping do you need to start practicing today?

Share on Facebook or Twitter or post a comment. Get daily updates by subscribing by email. From my reading in Revelation 4 in the One Year Bible New Testament.