The Reward is Christ

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Mark Shields

The angel explains the revelation to John face to face with word pictures that stimulate the senses of sight, taste, feeling, smell, and sound. The revelation is given to God’s servants and the churches. As explained in Revelation 22:6-15, the reward is being with Christ; the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (v. 13).

Those written in the Book of Life will be able to enter the city gates; living forever with rights to the tree of life that has healing leaves and bears twelve crops of fruit. They will receive the Lord’s help; being sheltered with His presence and never going hungry. They will never be in darkness and every tear will be wiped away from their eyes.

This day, pray that the Lord Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega for many more people; that the Lord is the ONE to worship and is most important in more people’s life and throughout the world.

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A Grand Future to Look Forward To

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Mark Shields

After the devotional Picture of How Life Will Be, we should be ready to praise God with song and give thanks in all circumstances. Described to us is a glimpse of heaven; the temperature is perfect, there is plenty of food, everyone is healthy, and there are golden streets, and houses. There is a continuous light from the glory of God similar to this song: God of Brilliant Lights – Aaron Shust.

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Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. – John 14:1-3

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Picture of How Life Will Be

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Mark Shields

The surroundings as described in Revelation 21:22-22:5 are amazing as there is no need for the sun because there is continuous light from the glory of God. The gates are always open because nothing impure can ever enter the city so no one who does shameful or deceitful acts or who is not written in the Lamb’s book of life can enter (v. 27).

What impresses me the most is the river of life that flows through the center because the river makes possible the abundance of all the food and medicines needed for those who are in the Book of Life. The river is crystal clear and on each side of the river is the tree of life; bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (v. 2).

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So we are given a picture of how life is meant to be; the Garden of Eden is restored so there is not any hunger or thirst again and the weather is perfect. The sun does not beat upon them causing scorching heat (Rev. 7:16).

Also, there is no separation of God and man because the city is the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations gather in it to honor the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts (Jer 3:17). Nations and kings see the light and come to the city to bring their wealth.

John is given this vision of how eternity will be for those in the Book of Life. It keeps us optimistic even under the down times of life. This day with God, share with others about how wonderful God is and how it will be amazing in the future.

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Our Hope All Day Long

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Mark Shields

In the post A Vision of the Holy City, we get a glimpse of heaven. The Holy City receives its glory from God as it shines day and night. There are streets and homes made of gold. The gates to the city are made from pearls and the walls that protect the city are made from other precious stone.

This is a different city beyond any modern city we could even imagine today; a place where those of honor and integrity reside because of accepting the Savior. What a wonderful way to begin our day with God as we look forward to one day spending eternity in this wonderful place … and to keep giving us hope, here’s a video to inspire all day: My Hope is in You – Aaron Shust.

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Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23

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A Vision of the Holy City

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Mark Shields

As recorded in Revelation 21:9-21, an angel invites John to view the beautiful Holy City from way up high on a mountain top. Throughout the Bible, we find a relationship between the church and Christ and it is similar to the marriage between a husband and wife.

The subject of this vision is the church of God or Holy City which is the residence of all those written in the Lamb’s book of life. The community of faith is in a perfect victorious state which is sparkling and glorious in relation to Christ; which shows the happiness of the people with God in their permanent home.

There is a difference in this heavenly city when contrasted with our modern cities of today. The Holy city is made of precious stone with gold streets, gold buildings, and gates made of pearls. It is huge so to take in a large number of inhabitants. There is no fear because the power of God protects them from all evils and enemies. Everything is free because Christ has already paid the price.

In this vision, John gets a glimpse of heaven. The city derives its character directly from God. There is no sun because the light shines from God and outward even beyond the city (V. 23-24). What an amazing place as God’s light shines to illuminate the world.

This day with God, examine your hopes and dreams and let Him take them to a new level. On our own, we might spend our whole life trying to accumulate things of value but they are not near the worth of what God has in store for those who believe in His Son. Let us then, put our time into introducing people to our Savior so together, we can spend eternity in this beautiful place described in today’s passage.

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