First of Many

First of Many

Revelation 14: Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with him were 144,000 people who have his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a voice from heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing their harps. ³ The 144,000 people stood before the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders; they were singing a new song, which only they could learn. Of the whole human race they are the only ones who have been redeemed. ⁴ They are the men who have kept themselves pure by not having sexual relations with women; they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the human race and are the first ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb. ⁵ They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless.

 

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Standing on the playground, I waited to be picked. I expected to be picked last because the jocks would win and I was not very coordinated. To my surprise, I was picked early. I had the best game of my kickball career! I not only kicked the ball and got on base, but I caught one during the game!

 

• I was one of the first chosen.
• There was nothing special about me, but I was chosen.
• Out of the whole playground, I was chosen early, but many followed.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw JESUS somewhere else, standing on Mount Zion. He also saw those who had received a special seal when the sixth seal was opened. They were not the only ones saved, rather the first in a point in time, who kept themselves pure and followed CHRIST without following the world.

 

My Observations:

• The special woman gave birth to a special child through a chosen people.
• The chosen people are called the bride of JESUS.
• Being the first of many required 12,000 from each tribe, chosen by GOD.

 

Numbers and gender can trip people up after reading this passage. I mean, only 144,000 men being redeemed, can seem like everyone else in the world is useless. BUT GOD is revealing something different.

 

HE is the one who gave the words to a writer “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Our cursed mind and eyes can question GOD’s sequence of events, missing out on the purity and not lying. I am glad JESUS redeemed all who believe in HIM.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer try to show how the group was “with” JESUS?
• Does any part of this passage trip you up?
• Will you look at GOD’s salvation of all humans differently and seek a great relationship with HIM today by believing in JESUS as the Savior?

Something Precious

Something Precious

Hebrews 9: ¹⁶ In the case of a will it is necessary to prove that the person who made it has died, ¹⁷ for a will means nothing while the person who made it is alive; it goes into effect only after his death. ¹⁸ That is why even the first covenant went into effect only with the use of blood. ¹⁹ First, Moses proclaimed to the people all the commandments as set forth in the Law. Then he took the blood of bulls and goats, mixed it with water, and sprinkled it on the book of the Law and all the people, using a sprig of hyssop and some red wool. ²⁰ He said, “This is the blood which seals the covenant that God has commanded you to obey.” ²¹ In the same way Moses also sprinkled the blood on the Sacred Tent and over all the things used in worship. ²² Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out.

 

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After wearing some clothes for a while, I found them dated and out of style. It was easy for me to donate the dated clothes because I did not “want” to wear them anyway. But when I ran out of money, each garment became more and more precious.

 

• I gave when it was easy to give.
• I did not feel that anything was precious when I had plenty.
• I understood, on a small scale, when something was precious and highly valued.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, explains a very complicated subject, namely death. He begins by explaining that a will does not go into effect until a person dies. He then explained that Moses placed extreme importance on bloodshed as a symbol of redemption.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS was the most precious being to GOD, yet HE accepted HIS SON’s request to die for the world.
• A tremendous loss had to happen to gain all humans back.
• My belief in what JESUS did is precious to GOD.

 

My life is precious to GOD. I mean, JESUS want through all the trouble of dying just for me. HE was raised from the dead and placed over everything, just because HE was obedient to HIS own word. JESUS was precious and HIS bloodshed paid for the atonement of my sins.

 

Satan, who wants to be GOD, tried to stop JESUS from choosing to die for humanity. He tempted HIM and tried to scare HIM on numerous occasions. JESUS was relentless. I am glad JESUS followed through with HIS own sacrifice. I owe HIM everything!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the sacrificial ceremonies in the Law as the example?
• What would happen if you lost what is precious to you?
• Will you try to understand GOD, knowing HE lost something extremely precious and can empathize with you enough to provide eternal life through JESUS, who was raised from the dead?

Longing to Redeem

Hosea 6: ¹³ Woe to them,
    because they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them,
    because they have rebelled against me!
I long to redeem them
    but they speak about me falsely.
¹⁴ They do not cry out to me from their hearts
    but wail on their beds.
They slash themselves, appealing to their gods
    for grain and new wine,
    but they turn away from me.

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“GOD won’t mind” was my thought as I knowingly did what I did. I mean it’s not like I’m killing anyone. “GOD helps those who help themselves” was my thought as I sought “self-help” leadership training. I had aspirations to climb the ladder. “The Devil made me do it” was my thought, immediately passing my blame.

• There were some false thoughts I had about GOD.
• There have been times when I thought GOD was over there and I was on my own.
• There were some false beliefs I had about GOD that made HIM look like the problem.

When I thought as a child, I believed GOD could not rescue me because the Devil was too strong or the situation was too messed up or I sinned once too many times. I would then spread fear about GOD saying “You better stop sinning before you come to GOD.” This was a travesty because it diminished HIS wonderful gift.

• GOD wants me to speak about HIM in a redemptive way.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as the MOST HIGH with all supremacy to solve any situation.
• GOD wants me to hear HIS message of salvation through HIS one and only SON, JESUS.

Making up beliefs about GOD is quite dangerous. I went down some paths that led me to be suspicious about HIM or angry at HIM for being who HE is. “Why can’t I have my way” I would pout instead of praising HIM for what HE is doing in my life.

Crying out from my heart is important to GOD. HE wants me to desire HIM from a much deeper place than on the surface. HE wants me to turn my face to HIM daily, leaving yesterday’s sin in the past. JESUS is my redeemer, the FATHER has forgiven me and the HOLY SPIRIT now lives inside me guiding me daily.

• What false thoughts do you have about GOD?
• Do you think HE is trying to destroy you or cannot help you out of “this” situation?
• Will you stop believing the lies you are thinking about GOD and turn your face back to HIM?

Getting out of the Trap

Psalm 129: ¹ “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
    let Israel say;
² “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
³ Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
⁴ But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

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“Will I ever get out of here?” I sat and thought. Bullies on the left and poverty on the right, was a thought I had in eighth grade. “Will I ever get out of here?” I sat and thought. This time, difficult teachers and no help or direction prompted my thinking in high school. “Will I ever get out of here?” I sat and thought. This time I had a very boring job in a town I despised and I had no contacts.

• There are some places in life that seemed like I would remain forever.
• There are some places in life that seemed like I would never leave.
• There are some places in life that seemed as if I was stuck with no way out.

Looking forward during those difficult times, the road seemed endless. I mean who can do four whole years of high school, my young mind could not conceive. Looking back at that trial is only laughable compared to the trials of an adult. GOD had a plan for me.

• GOD is always there for me when I question the road HE has me on.
• GOD is always there for me when the road seems bleak and I have nothing inside of “me” to resolve the current situation.
• GOD is always there for me when things seem impossible to me.

When I look at my power and assess my skills I quickly get nervous. I compare what I know with what’s ahead of me and immediately feel like giving up, BUT GOD has shown to be ever faithful. HE says “When you are weakest, MY strength is made perfect.” GOD is my salvation, whom shall I fear?

• Are you nervous?
• Are you feeling frightened by your surroundings?
• Can you be still for a moment today and listen to GOD?
• Will you accept the peace HE has for you this day?