Week in Review

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Mark Shields

This week, I have been posting some thoughts after a study of Revelation 8-9. The study made me think about the origins of life and the earth’s future. I also thought about the theory of evolution and the problem this theory has because it cannot address how life originated in the first place.

In Revelation 9, we get the three “woes”. This vision given to John is of the tribulation time in which Christians will escape because of the rapture. During the tribulation, earth will experience the darkest and most trying of times in human history.

This day with God, let’s realize that He’s not distant but near. Let’s keep on guard today because we may witness a moment in which something out of the ordinary catches our attention. It is these moments that make life interesting and keep us focused on His presence. 

Next week, the study will head into Revelation 10-11. Have a great weekend my friends!

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Getting People’s Attention

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, I wrote about my journey through Revelation 9 which records the first two of three “woes”. God is giving mankind a “woe” moment in which something out of the ordinary makes us focus on how much power He does have.

I remember a TV show that aired in the 1970-1980’s called “Happy Days”. One of the main characters was Fonzie and he was cool. The show was about growing up in the 50’s and Fonzie rode a motorcycle and was looked up to because he seemed to have this karma that surrounded him. When he did amazing things like on this video clip: The Fonz Works the JukeBox, he would often say the word “woe”.



As we go through life, things can get messy sometimes but God is there to help us pick up the pieces. Here’s a scripture to keep our focus during these times: 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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The Woes

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Mark Shields

The three “woes” are written about in Revelation 9 as Christians have been raptured out of the world and are in the tribulation time which is the darkest and most trying of times in human history. The fifth angel sounds his trumpet and sends the first “woe”.

In the first woe, there is the unlocking of the Abyss from which smoke and locusts appear to cover the earth. The appearance and activities of the locusts described here are different than the insects we hear today on a hot summer night. The locusts described in today’s passage have a stinging capability like scorpions. The locusts were commanded to sting those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads (v. 4).

The second woe is the release of four angels (demons) to kill a third of mankind (vv. 13-15). About a half of the world’s population would now be killed when taking the first two “woes” together but those left continued to worship their idols and demons.

A blogger I follow asks this question in a post about Revelation 9: Is this vision of John drawing us into the mystery of God. Is this a call to deepen our relationship with God? To read more, take a look at this link: revelation-9-all-hell-breaks-loose-in-woes.


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The Word of God softens our heart to make us more receptive to doing what He says. This day, we can stay focused on God’s presence. He’s not distant but near. He provides “woe” moments that get our attention on a daily basis; a brilliant sunrise that bathes us in warm sunshine or He may shout to us in a thunderstorm or paint a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

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Vision to Make us Think and Deepen our Relationship with God

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Mark Shields

I mentioned in yesterday’s post The Mysteries of God that John is speaking to us about a vision and we are getting into visionary symbolism and must keep this in mind. It is impossible to understand everything John is describing but one thing is for certain; there are mysteries found in the Bible that spark our desire to think and learn. Things like the origins of life and the earth’s future. Does the theory of evolution have a problem because it cannot address how life originated in the first place?

There may be many theories out there about the origins of life and our future but one thing is for certain; many want to deepen their relationship with God and here’s a good song to start that process: Come Let Us Return to the Lord – Matt Redman.


Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. – 1 Corinthians 13:12

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The Mysteries of God

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Mark Shields

The blowing of the first four trumpets in Revelation 8 and the opening of the six seals are similar in that there is an impact on the earth and in the cosmos. We get Images of fire, blood, and stars falling to earth. The sun, moon, and stars turn dark.

John is speaking to us about a vision and we are getting into visionary symbolism and must keep this in mind as we proceed. One question that came to my mind when reading: What is God’s purpose for the happenings here? Here’s a link to a blog I follow by Christopher C. Randolph who has written on the book of Revelation:revelation-8-the-seventh-seal. Is John’s vision drawing us into the mystery of God? Is this a call to deepen our relationship with Him?

Some thoughts that came to me during this reading: To a certain extent, we have had catastrophes in recent times that are similar to what is being portrayed in this reading. They are just not as severe as described in today’s passage. We’ve had meteors disintegrate in the earth’s atmosphere near Russia. There was contamination in ocean waters that killed many sea creatures after the nuclear facility was damaged from the tsunami a few years ago in Japan.

To me, God is giving us a lesson that there is a beginning and an end. There are mysteries that are impossible for us to understand and John is giving us this vision to make us think. John is giving us a big picture of the history of God’s people which I’m just not capable of understanding.

Each day with God is amazing because we have an opportunity to keep investigating the mysteries of God and sharing with others.

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