Sin Lieth At The Door

Today’s Passage – Genesis 4 – 6 (Click on the reference to listen to the audio. Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 3 – 4; Proverbs 2; Psalms 6 – 10)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Joshua 1:8

Read the “0102 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Walking with God,” “Instead of Abel: God’s Plan B;” “Shining Brightly in a Dark World,” “Respect,” and “Grieving God.”

“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Gen 4:7)

“4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Heb 11:4)

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom 6:14)

In Genesis 4, we read the familiar story of the slaying of Abel by his brother Cain. The events leading up to Cain’s murder of his brother are very interesting. Cain and Abel each brought their individual offerings to the Lord. Cain offers to the Lord from “the fruit of the ground,” presumably something from his garden. Abel, on the other hand, offered an animal sacrifice to the Lord, which caught God’s attention because God “had respect unto … his offering,” which means he gazed upon it and considered it. By the way, the Bible does not say that God was angry with Cain’s offering or that Cain’s offering was somehow sinful in itself; it just says that God did not have “respect” for it, meaning that it did not cause Him to look or gaze upon it in the same way that his brother’s offering did. Cain’s offering represented the work of his own hands from his labor in the garden. Again, it was certainly right for Cain to give back to the Lord a portion of what the Lord had blessed him with, but it seems that Cain was offering this fruit as a means of obtaining God’s favor, and as an atonement for his sins. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that “without shedding of [Christ’s] blood is no remission.” God was very pleased with Abel’s offering because it was a blood sacrifice, which pictured the blood that the Lord Jesus would someday shed on Calvary for the sins of the world.

What does the phrase ‘sin lieth at the door’ mean?

There is a phrase in verse seven that has always intrigued me: “if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” What does this mean? There are some theologians who believe that the word “sin” in that verse means “sin offering.” The Hebrew word for sin in verse seven is chatta’ath, which has been translated into the phrase “sin offering” over 100 times in other Old Testament passages. This theory is very logical in that when people did sin, they could offer a sin offering, which served as a type or picture of Christ’s offering of Himself on the Cross. The sin offering represented a contrite and repentant offering that demonstrated an agreement with God about the seriousness of the sin and a willingness to turn away from it in the future.

However, in my opinion the phrase in Genesis 4:7 is not speaking about a sin offering, but rather it is alluding to a personification of sin that is waiting to pounce on us like a ravenous beast and put us in bondage if we yield to it. The Hebrew verb rāḇaṣ translated here as “lieth” is used one other place in the Old Testament to speak of a lion who “couched” (Gen 49:9). The Scripture speaks of Satan this way:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Pe 5:8)

Cain was angry because God did not respect his offering as He did Abel’s, and that anger inside of Cain was driving him over the edge. Anger in itself is not a sin, but it can cause us to sin, and this is certainly what happened to Cain. His anger turned into wrath and in his wrath he murdered his brother. God was warning Cain that his anger, which was completely unjustified because it was directed against a righteous God, was going to lead him further down the road into sinful actions. Even though Cain’s anger was an emotion that he perhaps could not control, he should still have repented of the way he felt, recognizing that his emotions were not in agreement with God. And he could have asked God to help him deal with his emotions. Instead, however, he allowed his unjustified anger to cause him to go out the door of God’s will where sin pounced on him.

How does this speak to our lives today?

Don’t allow sinful thoughts or even irrational emotions to develop into actions that are in rebellion to the will of God. Think of ways that this could play out in life today. What would you do when a co-worker gets recognized, commended, or promoted for their work and you are not? Do you rejoice with that person (Rom 12:15) who was promoted or do you get jealous, angry, or bitter against either the boss or the person who was rewarded. Those feelings are powerful and could cause you to cross the line and say or do something that you will later regret.

What can you do:
  1. Recognize that your thoughts and emotions may very well be rooted in your sinful flesh and are thus, outside the will of God. Cain’s anger was a result of his jealousy. He was jealous of his brother because God was pleased with Abel’s offering, and “did not have respect” unto his own. He wasn’t thinking right to start with, which eventually lead to more irrational thinking.
  2. Restrain your thoughts, emotions, and actions. The last phrase in verse seven, “and thou shalt rule over him,” literally means that we must rule over our sinful thoughts and emotions – we must control them. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, we can have victory over our sinful thoughts. Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “for sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom 6:14) We can control what we think about (Phil 4:8), and we can “cast down sinful or irrational imaginations. (2 Cor 10:5)
  3. Repent and ask God to help you. Turn away from the sinful direction with which you were heading. Ask God to help you. I think God wants to help you do what pleases Him.

Don’t be like Cain. A sinful progression eventually caused him to murder his only brother. What a shame. It didn’t have to happen to him, and it doesn’t have to happen to us either.

Questions for Reflections

What sin is lying at your door today, and how can you rule over it through the Holy Spirit?

Have you ever allowed your emotions in the past to cause you to cross the line into sin?

What would you do today differently to keep that from happening again?


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Two Becoming One

Today’s Passage – Genesis 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 1 – 2; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Deuteronomy 32:4

Read the “0101 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s reading – “Not Finished Yet;” “In the Beginning;” “He Is Still Creating Me;” “Let There Be Light;” “Just Don’t Do It;” and “Subdue and Replenish“

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. … And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. … And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-24)

A Book of Beginnings

Genesis is a Book about beginnings. In these first three chapters, we discover the beginning of our universe and earth, with all of the living things, including men and women, created by God in those first six days, six thousand years or so, ago. Unfortunately, we also learn about the beginning sin in chapter three, which brought about physical death and a spiritual separation from God.

The Beginning of Marriage

In chapter two, we see the beginning of marriage. God actually created out of Adam’s own body the perfect spouse for him. Had sin not entered into the world, they would have experienced a perfect relationship and a perfect life together.

The Need for Companionship

Let’s notice a few things about this first marriage. First of all, notice that the woman was created to meet a need that God knew that Adam had. He was alone. All of the animals had mates, but Adam had no-one to experience life with. God states that Eve would be “an help meet (or suitable helper).” The word “help” is a noun, meaning helper, and the word “meet” means suitable or appropriate. God made Adam a suitable or qualified helper. She would be able to meet all of Adam’s needs. She would be his companion as well as his helper, and she would bear children for him.

An Unpopular Concept in Contemporary Culture

I fully realize that the description that I just gave is not popular in our culture today, but it is what is taught here in Genesis 2. While Eve was created to meet Adam’s needs, their union shows how husbands and wives are designed to complete and uplift one another equally in God’s plan.

Paul referred to this in his letter to the Corinthians:

“For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” (1 Corinthians 11:8-9)

Now before you ladies get mad at me, let me say that I do not believe that God created Eve to be inferior in any way to Adam. Adam and Eve were designed to complete each other perfectly—meeting one another’s needs in companionship, support, and family. I believe that Adam, though created first, was designed to meet every need that Eve would have as well. Adam and Eve would complete each other. The man and the woman were each uniquely designed by God to fulfill the areas where the other may have lacked.

Intimacy within the Marriage Relationship

The second point that I would like to make regarding this first marriage is that these two individuals were created to become “one flesh.” This means so much more than just the physical relationship, though physical intimacy is an expression and a picture of the married couple’s being “one flesh.” But “one flesh” means so much more. It means that the couple is together in every area. Every decision is to be made together, or at least with consideration to the other’s wishes. True intimacy goes well beyond the physical relationship and includes our innermost thoughts. My wife and I can often finish each other’s sentences because we know each other so well. This “one flesh” relationship should supersede all other earthly relationships. No other relationship should be permitted to come between the husband and wife.  There should be no secrets in a “one flesh” relationship; no separate bank accounts; no prenuptial agreements, just in case things do not work out. Marriage is an “all in” relationship. That is why it should not be entered into lightly. It is the biggest earthly decision that you will make in this life.

Marriage is a Picture of Christ and His Bride – the Church

We should all resolve this year to have a marriage relationship that paints a beautiful picture of Christ and His Bride, the Church.

Consider what Paul stated about marriage in his letter to the Ephesians:

  • Mutual Submission

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

  • The Wife Does Her Part

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

  • The Husband Does His Part

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

  • The Great Mystery Pictured in the Marriage Relationship

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”(Ephesians 5:21-33)

Resolve This Year to Work at Having a Great Marriage

Today is the first day of a new year. Those of us who have been blessed with marriage should spend some time this year reflecting on the relationship that we have with our spouse. Ask yourself if your marriage relationship is a picture of what God intended by “one flesh,” or is it more of what the world would say marriage should be. This year, consider one specific way you can better ‘cleave’ to your spouse—perhaps through regular date nights, shared prayer, or open conversations about finances and dreams. How does your marriage currently reflect the ‘one flesh’ unity God intended? What one area could you both work on in 2026?

Lord, in this new year of 2026, help husbands and wives build ‘one flesh’ unions that reflect Your perfect design and the sacrificial love of Christ for His Church. Draw us closer to our spouses and closer to You. Amen.


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Resolve To Be Transformed in 2026

Romans 12_2

Today’s Passage – Your Favorite Passage

(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “1231 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

As we step into 2026 tomorrow, many are making resolutions—but here’s a better resolve: let God transform you from the inside out.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Problem with Traditional Resolutions

Tomorrow begins the New Year, which is traditionally the time that people make all kinds of resolutions regarding things that they want to see changed in their lives. Some want to lose weight, others want to become more organized, and some want to quit some bad habit; the list is endless. In the past, I would make many resolutions but, unfortunately, was unable to keep many of them. This year, I have resolved not to resolve. You may be asking, “what do you mean by that preacher?” What I mean is that I have resolved to stop trying to fix the myriads of things in my life that need fixing. No, I have not thrown in the towel on trying to live the Christian life. On the contrary, I have discovered a better way to see the necessary changes take place.

God’s Better Way: Transformation from Within

This year, instead of exercising my will power to change things in my life, I have opted to turn the whole process over to God. I have figured out that the closer I get to Him, the more He will chip away at the things in my life that need to go. Let me give you a verse that has been on my mind a lot lately:

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

This verse tells me that God works with our will. Our will is really the problem, isn’t it? Paul said that the inside of him was no good thing, “for to will is present with [him].” Resolutions are about our will, but transformation is about the will of God. We may desire to see things fixed in our lives, but then our will changes and the fixing stops. However, when transformation takes place from the inside, God not only changes our will but also implements the changes that need to take place.

Your Part in God’s Process

You may be thinking: “what do I have to do?” This is too good to be true. I don’t have to do anything? God does all the work? Well, you do have to draw nigh to God. He says that if you do that, He will draw nigh (get close) to you. To get close to Him, you are going to have to spend more time with Him, reading His Word, and praying. You will also have to spend less time with the world. The world also desires to conform you to what it wants you to be. You see, the world will also mess with your will. If you spend enough time pursuing the things of this world, your thinking will also change; your desires will change. The same is also true with God. Get with Him. Saturate yourself in prayer and the Word, and God will begin to chip away at all the rough edges in your life, and you will gradually become a vessel more “meet” (fitted) for the Master’s use.

Things That You Can Do
  • Commit to a daily Bible reading plan
  • Set a goal to read the Bible through – follow the daily plan used on this site, which includes a regal daily reading through the entire Bible and also some “second miler” passages.
  • Set aside dedicated prayer time each morning
  • Keep a prayer list
  • Limit screen time or social media to reduce worldly influences
  • Join a discipleship program
Your Three Choices This New Year

This New Year, you have some choices to make. You can decide to do nothing: throw in the towel and wait out the return of Christ. You can also decide to make a long list of things that you want to see changed, goals that you want to see accomplished, etc., and set out through your will power, your tenacity, to implement those things. You may even be successful in fulfilling some of them. Door number three is the option that I am choosing. I am going to take some tangible steps this year to get as far away from the world and as close to God as I possibly can. Then I am going to sit back and watch what He does in my life. No goals this year, just God.

Questions for Reflection
  • What ‘worldly’ influence could you pull back from this year to make more room for God?
  • What is your plan for reading the Bible through completely this year?

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Out with the Old and In with the New: Reflections on Revelation 21:5

Today’s Passage – Revelation 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “1230 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “The Great White Throne,” and “You’re Invited.“

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” – (Revelation 21:5)

As fireworks light up the sky and calendars flip to a new year, do you long for a truly fresh start—one that lasts forever? Our final Scripture reading for 2025 shows us that God will someday “make all things new.” It will truly be “out with old and in with the new.”

A New Jerusalem

The context of Revelation 21 is the unveiling of the heavenly city, New Jerusalem. This is the beautiful place that God has prepared for his Bride, the Church, to live in for all eternity. We will not get to move in until after the end of the 1000-year Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth, but I assure you, it will be worth the wait. As we read about the description given of this city in the chapter, we see that it is unlike any earthly city. It is a place of exquisite beauty. It also is unique in its dimensions. Apparently, it will be a perfect cube, which means that law of gravity will no longer be the same there. There will be no night there, and the light for the entire city will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. What a place! I can’t wait to get there.

A New You in Christ

As we consider the approaching New Year, the phrase in verse 5 is especially relevant: “Behold, I make all things new.” God is a master at putting away the old and creating something new. The chapter above speaks of the passing away of the old heaven and earth, and the revealing of the new. People who have trusted Christ as Saviour are said to be “new creatures” in Christ (2 Co 5:17; Gal 6:15). God gradually purges out the old unprofitable us and recreates us into His image, and someday, we will have a glorified new body to spend eternity in.

A New Year to Live for Christ

New Year’s is a time when we reflect on the old year and determine to yield to God’s will as He makes the necessary changes in our life that He wants to make. For the Christian, I believe the greatest resolution that we can make is to surrender our stubborn wills to the will of God and to quit resisting His Holy Spirit as He conforms us to the image of Christ. The great goal for all Christians in the New Year should be to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. However, there may be some other secondary goals, or resolutions, that will help us achieve the greater goal. It may be that we will resolve to spend more time in the Bible or in prayer. It may be that we will determine to witness to all of our friends and family. These are all good resolutions because they all point to the greater goal of Christlikeness.

Out with the Old

Did you notice what it said about The New Jerusalem in Rev 21:27

“27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev 21:27)

There are many defiling characteristics about the Jerusalem that we know today, and the same is true for the rest of the world. The New Jerusalem will not have anything about it that is wicked or sinful. As we think about the coming new year, let us strive to purge out of our lives anything that we know is not pleasing to the Lord. 

A New and Deeper Relationship with Christ

As you consider the approaching New Year, make your relationship with Christ your number one priority. As Paul the Apostle said:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” – (Philippians 3:10)

If you’ve never experienced this new life in Christ, today is the day—visit the “Are You Saved?” page to learn how.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for making all things new through Your Son. Help us surrender to Your transforming work in 2026, drawing us closer to Christ until we see the New Jerusalem. Renew us today, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Reflection Questions:
  • How will you pursue knowing Christ more deeply this year?
  • What “old things” in your life is God asking you to let go of this year?
  • How can you better surrender to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in 2026?
  • Who in your life needs to hear about the ultimate “new” God offers through salvation in Christ?

What’s your top resolution for knowing Christ more in 2026? Share below!


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No More At All: Lessons from Babylon’s Fall in Revelation 18

Today’s Passage – Revelation 16 – 19 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 29)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – James 4:10

Read the “1229 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “It Will All Be Gone Someday” and “Supper’s Almost Ready.”

“And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. … And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” (Revelation 18:14, 21-23)

The Context of Revelation 17 and 18

The prophetic context of these chapters in Revelation is the Great Tribulation Period, which is a time yet future when the true Church of Jesus Christ will already have been removed from the earth via the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51 – 52; Revelation 4:1). If you are saved, you will not have to worry about all this crazy stuff that is prophesied here because it will all happen after we are gone. Praise the Lord!

In Revelation 17, the focus is on the fall of religious Babylon, which I believe is a reference to the religious system, an ecumenical and apostate church that will be in place during the first half of the Tribulation Period. This system will be destroyed by Antichrist and replaced by a system of worship headed up by his false prophet (the second beast) and will be centered in the worship of himself (Antichrist). In chapter 18, the focus is on on commercial Babylon.

Is “Babylon” Literal or Figurative?

The question arises as to whether “Babylon” here refers to the actual geographical location on the Euphrates River where the city of Babylon was once located when it was the capitol of the world back in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Or, is Babylon a symbolic reference to the capitol of Antichrist’s kingdom. It is possible that wherever Antichrist’s headquarters is located geographically that it could be given the name, “Babylon.” While the actual location of this capital city may not be precisely known, we do know that it will be the center of both religion and commerce during the Tribulation Period.

Nothing Left!

My focus for this devotion is on the repeated statement in Revelation 18:9 – 19, “no more at all.” In these verses we see that all of the things that people think to be supremely important – the “merchandise” along with the wealth that could purchase it, was all stripped away, until there was nothing left. Everything that they valued was taken from them.

The Supply Chain Glitch During Covid

In recent years, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw grocery stores shelves stripped of their merchandise. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies were all being rationed, and there were shortages of food items as well. Perhaps, that was just a small glimpse of what is coming someday in the Tribulation Period. Possessions and pleasures are so important to people, but God will someday take away all that these people hold so dear.

Beware of Covetousness

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about the love of money and possessions:

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Jesus also taught extensively about covetousness.

“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

What Do You Value Most in Life?

Christian, we know that these Tribulation verses do not apply to us in the Church, but let’s try to make a practical application from the passage. The people in Revelation 18 are mourning because all the things that they lived for – the things that were most important to them – were taken from them. How about you? Do you place an unhealthy value on the things that this world has to offer? Do possessions even matter at all when compared with eternity? We need to be careful that we do not get to the place where our possessions become idols. We need things to live, but the things that matter most are not the tangible trinkets that commercial Babylon produces. The things that are really important in this life will follow us into eternity.

Take a moment today to evaluate your priorities—what “treasures” are you storing up? Share in the comments how this passage speaks to you.


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Before It’s Too Late

jesus-with-a-sharp-sickle-in-his-hand

Today’s Passages – Revelation 11 – 15 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 136 – 140; Proverbs 28)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:6 & 7)

I have always been fascinated with the Book of Revelation. In it, we see the final destruction of the earth, and the judgment of all of those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. However, in the midst of all of the judgment and destruction are many invitations for people to come to Christ. Chapter 14 in particular reveals this truth. The last verse in the chapter is traditionally understood to be about the final battle in the Tribulation Period known as the Battle of Armageddon. Not much of a battle really. Christ is going to return and completely destroy all that oppose Him. Notice, though, that prior to this great battle, even right before the final destruction, God was inviting people to come to Christ. The chapter begins with a discussion about the 144,000 who are evangelists covering the earth with the gospel of Christ. Next, we read about three angels that are flying around the skies warning people about the impending judgment, and inviting them to trust Christ. You see, God is not willing that any should perish. Even at the very end, He is inviting people to turn to Him.

I am no history expert, but I think I remember hearing that before we dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki we warned the people of the coming destruction by dropping leaflets from planes. I may have my facts mixed up a little, but I have heard that our government is known to warn the innocent, so that they can be saved. It kind of reminds me of what God is doing here in these passages. Yes, the judgment is certainly coming, but God is willing to save any and all that will come to Him before that day comes.

How about you? Have you heeded the warning from God regarding the coming judgment? You see, my friend, the wages of our sin is eternal death; but God in His mercy and grace is willing to save anybody who is willing to turn from their sin unto the Saviour. If you haven’t yet trusted Christ, I encourage you to read the “Are You Saved?” page on this blog.

Now to those of you who are saved, don’t ever give up on your unsaved loved ones. Keep praying for them, and preaching to them. As we have seen in this passage, God is going to keep giving them opportunities to repent, even at the very end. We should have the same attitude. Keep trying to win them, keep inviting them, keep reaching out to them, keep loving them, even until the end of our earthly lives.  It may be that last try that convinces them that Christ is their only hope.


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The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl – For His Pleasure

Today’s Passage – Revelation 4 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 27)

Read the “1227 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)

God created all things, and for His pleasure they are and were created. Even the United States of America. For His pleasure. In 2010, the United States sent out 127,000 of an estimated 400,000 missionaries. There were 32,400 missionaries that were sent to the United States from other countries in 2010 also. In 2010, there was an estimated 314,000 Christian churches across the United States. And in 1998 the porn industry was making almost 1 billion dollars per year. Leviticus 18 says…

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness. The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her. And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 18:1-30)

What are your eyes focused on? Does it bring pleasure to the Lord?

Peace.


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The Invitation: An Examination of Revelation 3:20

Today’s Passage – Jude – Revelation 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32

Read the “1226 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Compassion Makes a Difference”

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – (Revelation 3:20)

The context of Revelation 3:20 regards the Church of the Laodiceans, which was a literal and local church that existed in Asia Minor at the end of the first century when God gave His Revelation to John during his imprisonment on the Isle of Patmos.

The Problem in Laodicea

Jesus did not have any positive things to say about this church. The name “Laodicea” means “the peoples rights.” This was a church that belonged to the people, not the Lord, which is perhaps why Jesus was positioned outside the door of the church. This church was an historical church, but it also seems to picture the condition of so many of the Christian churches of our day. Many churches today are no longer concerned whether or not the Lord is pleased with them, as they have directed their attention on pleasing the people. Modern churches are predominantly “seeker sensitive,” meaning they tend to prioritize being culturally appealing over being biblical faithful.

We are certainly living in that “perilous” time that Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Christ’s Personal Invitation

Nevertheless, even though the churches by and large have turned their backs on the Lord, He is still inviting the individuals within those churches to repent and turn to Him. Revelation 3:20 may have been written to a church, but the invitation to “open the door” is written to the individual – “if any man.” I thank the Lord that He invited me to receive His free gift of salvation. If you haven’t yet trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, please turn to Him today. Click here for more information from the Bible regarding salvation.

Is Jesus standing outside the door of your heart today? Can you hear Him knocking? After celebrating His birth yesterday, today He extends the invitation for you to know Him personally.

PS – I do not think that all churches today are “Laodicean churches.” We work hard at Jersey Shore Baptist Church to please the Lord, and though we love people and desire to see them saved, our desire is not to compromise the Truth in order to reach them. We are certainly not a perfect church, and I would be less than honest if I said that this carnal world had no effect on us, but we are trying to hold the line. I believe that a church can stand firmly today on biblical principle and still reach people. I believe that we can still be a separated (not isolated) and holy people while making an impact on the world around us.

Additional Information regarding the seven churches of Asia Minor, which are the subjects of Revelation 2 & 3:

The seven churches in Asia (western Asia Minor – present day Turkey) are named in Revelation 1:11. They are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These churches will be the subjects of the second section of Revelation in chapters 2 & 3. (See Map below courtesy of Logos Bible Software)

These churches were literal geographical churches that existed at the end of the first century. John was particularly familiar with the Church of Ephesus because he spent a lot of time there, but he was also well acquainted with all these churches as they were relatively close to Ephesus. These churches, though literal churches, were representative of all churches that have existed since that time in that we find the same strengths and problems in churches throughout the Church Age and continue in our churches today. For example, today there are solid churches that closely resemble the Church at Philadelphia. Unfortunately, however, there are also “churches” that are as apostate as The Church of the Laodiceans.

It may also be true that, in a general way, these churches are representative of the overall condition of Christianity during different periods of time since the time of Christ. The problem with this theory, however, is that it lumps all churches within a given period into one group, which is not historically accurate. In every century since the first century, there have been doctrinally sound, faithful churches; but unfortunately, there have also been unfaithful and apostate churches. Along with these, there have also been churches that had other similar characteristics and struggles as these churches in Asia Minor.

However, many sound Bible expositors have expressed their support of the theory of each church representing periods of time within the Church Age. Harry Ironside, the pastor of the great Moody Church put forth a fascinating parable, which illustrates this theory:

Before we begin our study of “The Things which are,” let me give you this parable. Sometime ago, rummaging through an old castle, some people came across a very strange-looking old lock which secured a stout door. They shook the door and tried to open it, but to no avail. They tried one way and another to move the lock, but could not turn it. By and by somebody picked up a bunch of old keys from some rubbish on the floor and he said, “Maybe I can unlock it.” He tried one key and it made no impression. He tried another and it gave a little; another and it gave a little more; and so on, but none would open the lock. At last, he came to a peculiar old key. He slipped it into the lock, gave a turn, and the lock was open. They said, “Undoubtedly this key was meant for this lock.”

You will understand my parable if I draw your attention to the fact that, in the 20th verse of the 1st chapter, we are told that there was a mystery connected with the seven lampstands. The seven lampstands are said to symbolize the seven churches of Asia, but there was a mystery connected with them. While some have tried one key and some have tried another (and there have been all kinds of efforts made to interpret this mystery), no solution was found until some devout students of Scripture weighing this portion said, “Might it not be that inasmuch as this section of the book presents ‘the things which are,’ God has been pleased to give us here a prophetic history of the church for the entire dispensation?” But would the key fit the lock? They compared the first part of the church’s history with the letter to Ephesus. Here it fitted perfectly. They went on and compared the letter to Smyrna with the second part of the church’s history, and the agreement was most marked. They went on right down to the end, and when they came to Laodicea, they found that what is written to the church of Laodicea answers exactly to the condition of the professing church in the days in which we live, and they said: “There, the mystery is all clear. The lock has been opened; therefore, we have the right key.”[1]

If Mr. Ironside is right, then this first Church of Ephesus would be representative of the Church in the First Century, and the Church of the Laodiceans represents the generally apostate state of Christianity in the present day.

J. Vernon McGee calls these Letters to the seven churches “contemporary, composite, and chronological” in that they represent seven literal contemporary churches from John’s day, but they also corporately deal with all churches from all ages; and, they give a chronological history of the Church from the first century to the present:

The panoramic history of the church is given in these seven letters, from Pentecost to the Parousia, from the Upper Room to the upper air. There are seven distinct periods of church history. Ephesus represents the apostolic church; Laodicea represents the apostate church. This prophetic picture is largely fulfilled and is now church history, which makes these chapters extremely remarkable. [2]

[1]  Ironside, H. A. (1920). Lectures on the Book of Revelation (pp. 35–36). Neptune, N. J.: Loizeaux Brothers.

[2] McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 5, p. 898). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


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The Saviour of the World

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If you missed the Christmas Eve Candlelight service from last night, you can click here to watch it now.

Today’s Passage – 1 John 3 – 3 John 1 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 121 – 125; Proverbs 25)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32

Read the “1225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14)

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

I submit two thoughts for your consideration this morning from 1 John 4:14:

1  The Exclusiveness of Candidates for Saviour – Notice the definite article “the,” indicating that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, is the only Saviour for the world. There are not many ways to be saved, only one.

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus once and asked Him if He was the one that they were waiting for, or “look we for another” (Luke 7:20). Jesus replied emphatically that He was the One who fulfilled all of the Biblical requirements for being the Messiah, and He also added that we should not be “offended” in Him. Jesus is “the” Saviour, and He is also “the” Lord.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

2  The Inclusiveness of Candidates for Salvation – Notice the word “world” – it is the same word that is used in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

The word, “world” (κόσμος [kosmos]), does not mean just a select few; it means everybody. God wants everybody to receive the gift of the Saviour. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pe 3:9). Unfortunately, not everybody will come to the Saviour for salvation because they reject “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), choosing instead to be the god of their own lives. What a shame.

What a gift God gave us when Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago to redeem us!

“13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Tit 2:13-14)

Thank You, Father for sending us Your Son, the Saviour; and thank You, Jesus, for being willing to come.

 
Cindy and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

 


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The Wonder of Bethlehem: He Already Came!

Today’s Passage – 2 Peter 3 – 1 John 3; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:1 – 4

Read the “1224 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

I was a little anxious as I approached the daily Bible reading and the task of expressing a thought from it for today’s post. Frankly, I wanted to write some thoughts regarding Christmas, but I also want to keep to the format that we typically use, which is sharing thoughts that come directly from the daily reading. I prayed that God would give me something from this passage that I could connect with the celebration of Christmas, and I believe He has answered that prayer.

1 Peter 3 deals with the second coming of Christ which is a two-part event beginning with Christ first returning to the earth to remove His Bride (the Church) from the earth through the Rapture (1 Thes 4:13 – 18; 1 Cor 15:51 – 58). After seven years of Tribulation on the earth, Christ will then return with His saints to set up His earthly kingdom and put down all those who rejected His offer of forgiveness and rebelled against His lordship.

Scoffers and the Promise of His Coming
  • “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3 & 4)

In Peter’s day, scoffers mocked the idea of Christ’s return—and the same doubt echoes today. Some even within the church struggle to believe His coming is imminent. I strongly believe it could happen at any moment and frankly, it concerns me greatly. Don’t misunderstand, I am certainly looking forward to spending eternity with my Lord and with my loved ones who are saved, but my problem is that I have many friends and loved ones who do not yet know Christ.

God’s Longsuffering: A Gift of Salvation

God’s delay isn’t indifference—it’s mercy. He patiently waits, giving more time for people to repent and be saved. God wants my loved ones to be saved more than I do:

  • “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
  • “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;” (2 Peter 3:15)

It is my prayer and hope that the longer He delays His coming, the more people will be saved. I have some folks in my life that I love dearly that I am not sure about. I want to see them trust Christ.

Christian, this Christmas season is a wonderful time to be a witness to our friends and family members.

Tying It to Christmas: He Already Came!

It just may be that this year at Christmas they will see the importance of Christ’s first coming, which was to die for the sins of the world. We talk a lot about the second coming, and we should, but we also need to remember that it is Christ’s first coming to Bethlehem’s manger that brought about the blood atonement and our forgiveness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if somebody you love was to see a manger scene or hear a Christmas song, and somehow get ahold of the true meaning of Christ’s first coming and thereby be prepared for His second.

A Call to Witness This Season

Jesus came first to Bethlehem’s manger, to die for the world’s sins and offer forgiveness through His blood atonement. A manger scene, a carol, or a simple conversation could help someone grasp His first coming—and prepare them for the second. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to speak to our loved ones about the Lord. Why not invite your family and friends to come out to church with you this evening for a Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Questions to Ponder

Who in your life needs to hear about Christ’s first coming this Christmas?

How does God’s patience in delaying encourage you to share the Gospel?

What unsaved friend or family member will you pray for—and reach out to—today?

Leave a comment below: Share your witnessing stories, prayer requests, or thoughts—I’d love to hear them!


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