Scripture text for Thursday, May 20th, 2010: Revelation 19:1-20-15
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““Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” Revelation 20: 11 & 12
Wow—what a Day this will be! It is exciting, overwhelming, fearful and wonderful all at the same time. Only because of Jesus is it not horribly dreadful for us as believers.
Revelation reveals much about the future. Although we can gain greater understanding and insight as we continually re-read and study the revelation of Jesus Christ, we will never fully wrap our minds around it on this side of its occurrence. One thing is for certain: Jesus’ return, “the wedding of the Lamb” (19:7), and the great white throne judgment is nearer now than ever before. The question is though, “How does this affect our daily living?” God wants us to know it, so it should make a difference in how we live each day and manage what He has entrusted to us.
I think of Colossians 3: 1 & 2: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Having our hearts and minds set on things above is not some ethereal dream or waiting idly by for Christ’s return. Rather, it is investing in what is eternal: people and the Word of God. When we come to the end of our lives or when we see Christ “coming with the clouds” (Rev. 1:7), we will likely wish we had spent more time with the Lord and sharing His love with other people. Although I need MUCH improvement, my goal and prayer is to live with no regrets on the day I meet my Lord and Savior; since I don’t know when that will be, that’s my goal and prayer for each day. My lifelong goals help keep me on track: to know Him more, to love Him more, and to be transformed into His image more and more each day.
Here are a few checks we can make to see how we’re doing in living for what is eternal.
1.Bank account and/or credit card statement: are we giving more money for God’s kingdom work or to meet mere desires in our lives?
2.Calendar or day planner: How do we spend our time outside of work? How do we use our time at work? Do we prioritize what is pressing and urgent, or what is most important?
3.Thought and verbal life: What are our immediate responses to stressful situations? What concerns us most—the various needs of hurting people in our community to around the world or meeting own desires and plans? Are we praising God and praying to Him throughout our days? Are we full of complaints or praise and thanksgiving? To what do we allow our minds to wander?
O Lord, help us to live for what is eternal. Come, Lord Jesus!
Devotion prepared by Diane Kelley