Week in Review

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Mark Shields

This week, I wrote a post titled Brighter Tomorrows after the study of Revelation 18. The thought for me is how the Bible gives us a set of rules to follow and by following these rules we receive peace of mind and eternal rewards. Not following these rules brings stress, chaos, and destruction.

Revelation 19 starts the part of the vision of John when Christ returns. The emphasis of this study so far is written about in the post Focus on How Wonderful it Will Be which is about meeting Christ; being surrounded by His glory, praising, and worshipping. He has demonstrated power in the past and is in control of our future.

Be sure to stop by throughout next week as the study continues and as I share some thoughts. Until then, have a great weekend my friends!

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Focus on How Wonderful it Will Be

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Mark Shields

The post Focus on Heaven and Rejoice is about praising and worshipping God. He has demonstrated His power and is in control of our future. Many things can get us down in life but the amazing thing is that He has a way of getting our attention in order to give us a lift. It may be walking in the neighborhood remembering great things in the past, it may be looking up at a beautiful sunset or it may be bathing us in the warm sunshine.

As we go through life, things can get messy but we can just imagine the day when we get to heaven. Here is a link to a video to help give a lift this day with God as we think about how wonderful it will be: I Can Only Imagine – Mercy Me.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8

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Focus on Heaven and Rejoice

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Mark Shields

The mood in Revelation 19:1-8 is happy rather than somber in the previous chapter because the attention is now on heaven. The Great Tribulation is now coming to an end.

Marriage is often used to describe the relationship of Christ to the church. In this vision of John, the wedding of the Lamb has come and the bride has made herself ready for the bridegroom (v. 7).

This is a great time of jubilation for Christians because the moment has come to be with the Savior forever. We all have a part to play in getting the bride ready. First, the church will be purified from errors, divisions, and corruptions by accepting the marriage offer of the Lamb. Second, there will be a desire to be properly clothed for the wedding in fine linen, clean and white; in the robes of Christ’s righteousness. Third, there will be a willingness to receive what is given for this joyous event.

There are a lot of things to be down about in present times but there is much to look forward to. This day with God, look forward to how wonderful it will be in heaven when we all are rejoicing with the Lord.

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Brighter Tomorrows

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Mark Shields

The Bible lays out a path to follow which brings peace of mind and eternal rewards. Sometimes one can get worn out trying to explain the dire consequences of not following this path.

Not following brings on stress, chaos, and destruction. Here’s a link to a song that highlights this worn out mood we can sometimes feel but it also offers hope for brighter tomorrows: Worn – Tenth Avenue North.

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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

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The Fall of Babylon

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Mark Shields

The mood in Revelation 18 is somber because of the announcement of the fall of Babylon from an angel of heaven. Once, a great city of trade that created wealth for many is suddenly brought to ruin.

Babylon has been symbolized as a harlot in previous chapters. In Revelation 17:16 the angel told John that the beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute and bring her to ruin; leaving her naked, her flesh eaten, and her body burned with fire.

Now another angel who many say is Christ himself coming to destroy His enemies announces the fall of commercial Babylon. Wickedness was prominent throughout the city as it was a godless place. The people worshiped idols, sought luxury, were greedy, and desired pleasure.

Can you imagine a great city of today that suddenly had a catastrophic demise? It would probably have tremendous ramifications throughout the world. The stock market would crash, security around the world would be ramped up, and politicians would create new laws thinking they could “play God” to control the situation.

It wears on the mind as we live in a world were evil exist but God’s Word provides food for the mind and His Son creates light for understanding. This day with God, let us take warning to what destroys and what builds up. The work we do for Christ will last forever so pray for each day and look forward to growing, sharing, and building up the kingdom together. Wealth and other things of this world can soon vanish but a future with Christ is forever.

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