This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

The Great Mystery

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Mark Shields

As we read in Revelation 10, there is some question as to the identity of the seventh angel. Is it Jesus Christ? Even though not fully sure of the identity to some, the angel’s purpose is clear; to pronounce the final judgment on earth. The angel holds a scroll which is the great mystery of God.

What is in the scroll is not revealed at this time. Could it be the great mystery is revealed to us in Romans 11:25-26? To me, this gives a hint that the great mystery of God is the return of Jesus Christ. What is the purpose for the delay? No one knows when that time will come. It is a mystery.

The tribulation period is a time of great desolations on earth and we should not want anyone to have to go through this. We have this opportunity to pray for those that we would like to see come to Christ. Perhaps there has been a delay of the return of Jesus Christ to gain more followers. Perhaps the delay of the second coming of Christ is to allow time for more to be saved and not have to go through the agony.

The Bible gives us great advice and it tells us that there is victory assured through Jesus Christ. This day with God, we should want victory for those we know. Here’s an idea you may want to try: make a list of ten people that you would like to see come to Christ. Make this list available so you can review it each day. Before you pray, review the list and lift these ten people up in prayer. Ask God to make you available to them and use the scripture below as inspiration.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Image Source

Posted in Revelation | Tagged Bible, Final Judgment, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Mystery of God, Prayer, Return of Christ, Scripture, Seventh Angel, Tribulation, victory | Leave a comment

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!

Image Source

Posted in Week in Review | Tagged Christians, Earth, God, Origins of Life, Rapture, revelation, Study, Theory of Evolution, Three Woes, Tribulation, Vision | 2 Comments

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

Posted in Focus, Revelation | Tagged Focus, God’s Power, Happy Days, Lord, Three Woes, Woes | Leave a comment

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.

Image Source

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.

Posted in Focus, Revelation | Tagged Angels, Christians, Focus, God, John, Seal of God, Tribulation, Woes | Leave a comment

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