The #1 Best Advice for Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Kings

Today’s reading is Psalm 2.

I’m not a very political fellow. In fact, though I vote and have opinions, I pretty much think God doesn’t intend us to make a Christian America via politics. Rather, He expects us to make disciples of our neighbors by spreading the gospel. That being said, however, I do have advice for all presidents, prime ministers, and kings. “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” The fastest way to destroy a nation is to disrespect Jesus and His kingdom. The best way to preserve a nation is to take refuge in Jesus. Of course, the victorious message for we who surrender to Him is that no matter what our nation does, in the end Jesus will judge and He will win. Hang on to Him. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 8.

The Day is Coming

Today’s reading is Revelation 22.

If Revelation has taught us anything it is that things may be tough now, but a glorious day is coming. A day of victory is on its way. In every age and at every time, whenever Christ’s church has been embattled, it can look to victory. Christ always wins. And in the ultimate end, He will also be victorious. The day is coming when, if we hang on to Jesus, we will bathe in the River of Life and stretch out on its shore while we picnic on the fruit from the Tree of Life. We will have no sun, because the Son will be our light. Praise the Lord, I can hardly wait!

Monday’s reading is Psalm 1.

The White Rider Returns

Today’s reading is Revelation 19.

The rider on the white horse who went forth conquering and to conquer at the beginning of the book finally fulfills His destiny. But not only that, He brings along behind Him all those who seemed to have been defeated. The white clothed martyrs make up His army. Keep in mind that we are in a battle, but death in this battle doesn’t mean defeat. Even though we die in this battle, we are part of Christ’s victorious army. In the end, He wins, and if we hang with Him even unto death, we win. Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 20.

Our Great and Amazing God

Today’s reading is Revelation 15.

Really, what more is there to say than this:

“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 16.

The Vision Repeats

Today’s reading is Revelation 12.

As happens in dreams and visions, we see another sequence of images that really mean the same thing as an earlier part of the vision. We earlier saw Jesus going forth conquering and to conquer, but instead of seeing that victory immediately, we saw a lot of suffering for Christians. Similarly, we see the birth of Jesus in a cosmic sense with Satan attacking. Jesus survives and ascends to the Father, that is He sits on His throne as the conquering king. But instead of an immediate and apparent victory for His people who have conquered by His blood, we see His people embattled by the dragon. Don’t worry, victory is coming in this vision. But again we simply have to realize that though Jesus has won, sometimes it looks like the enemy is winning. Don’t buy it. Jesus won. We will win.

Monday’s reading is Revelation 13

The Four Horsemen

Today’s reading is Revelation 6.

Don’t be confused by the imagery of Revelation 6. This visual theophany (along with chapter 7) is a complete picture all on its own, showing the victory of Jesus despite the seeming success of the enemy. The White Horseman goes out conquering and to conquer, and we will see His ultimate victory in Revelation 19. However, the victory doesn’t manifest immediately. Three other horsemen, Persecution, Famine, and Death follow Him, attacking His people, so much so that when the fifth seal is broken those who died at the hands of the three latter horsemen beg for God to let them know how long this would go on. Then, when the sixth seal is opened, the enemies of God’s people are judged, leading into the next chapter which will show the victorious saints around God’s throne. I think it is awesome that Jesus gave a complete picture of the war and victory here, but also opened up imagery that would be fully understood at the end of the book. The White Rider, Jesus, goes forth conquering and to conquer, and despite the efforts of those who look like they are defeating Him, He ultimately wins. Whose side are you on?

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 7.

Worthy!

Today’s reading is Revelation 5.

Worthy! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, Jesus the Christ is worthy. He is worthy to open the scroll. He is worthy of power, wealth, wisdom, and might. He is worthy of glory, honor, and blessing. Why? Because He was slain. Because He was ransomed. Because He has made us a royal priesthood. Therefore, He is worthy of all the excellencies we can proclaim about Him. Are you proclaiming His excellencies?

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 6.

In the Presence of Jesus

Today’s reading is Revelation 1.

Sometimes I fear we are so familiar with Jesus that we lose sight of who He really is. I think we fantasize that we will come into Jesus’s presence, skipping and dancing, high-fiving and hugging. But notice John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who spent years with Jesus coming into the presence of Jesus in His heavenly glory. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” May we never forget the awe-inspiring, terrible, glorious grandeur that is our Savior. Yes, He loves us, and we can be thankful He allows us into His presence. But let us never forget who He is and who we are. Victory only comes from remembering.

Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 2.

He Who Is In You

Today’s reading is 1 John 4.

I don’t have much to say about today’s text. I simply hope you will remember: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater that he who is in the world.”

Monday’s reading is 1 John 5.

We Have an Advocate

Today’s reading is 1 John 2.

Jesus is not our permission to sin. However, we do sin and have sinned. To say otherwise is to lie, even for those walking in the light (remember yesterday’s reading?). What then is the difference between those in Christ and those outside of Him? Those in Christ have an advocate, a propitiation offered for our sins. Jesus went to the cross to wipe our sins away. He has offered that to all. Have you submitted your life to Him and let Him become your advocate before the Father? If so, praise the Lord. If not, may we help?

Tomorrow’s reading is 1 John 3.