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December 15

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BEHOLD, A WHITE HORSE!

From: December 15, 2024

“And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2 ESV).

John saw Christ the Lamb open the first of seven seals. The first four seals revealed the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The word “apocalypse” comes from the Greek word meaning, “to unveil” or “to reveal.” Thus, the title of the book, the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The identity of the four horsemen is a matter of much debate. But a careful comparison of Christ’s description of the last days in Matthew 24 with Revelation 6 is helpful. The first rider has a crown, a bow and rides a white horse. This is not Christ, although he does seem to masquerade as such. This rider represents religious deception, those that come claiming to be Christ, “deceiving many” (Matt. 24:5). In the last days, there will be a great religious deception that will “conquer” (“overcome”) many.

Yet, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ will not be overcome. For they are “overcomers” in Jesus’ name. As John wrote in his first epistle, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

PRAYER: Dear Father, the images of the book of Revelation are both mysterious and disturbing. Yet we trust in Your Son and in Him we have overcome the world. Therefore, we will not be afraid. For You are with us. Strengthen us by Your Spirit. And send us out anew to tell others of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who holds the future in His hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

From: December 15, 2023

“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know!” (Proverbs 30:4 NLT).

Proverbs 30 contains the sayings of Agur, son of Jakeh, an otherwise unknown author. Yet, one can see both his humility and his wisdom in the questions he asks. His questions are humble for they point to the vast separation between the transcendent God and His lowly creation. Yet they are at the same time wise for they point to One who might bridge the chasm between God and man.

Agur probably never thought that God would answer his unanswerable questions. His questions were similar to Job’s thoughts, who declared, “God is not a mortal like me. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together” (Job 9:32-33). Both men imagined one who might mediate between God and humanity.

So what was God’s answer? Who goes between heaven and earth? Who calms the winds and the waves? Who created all things? Who is the only mediator between God and man? What’s his name and his son’s name?

He is the LORD and His son’s name is Jesus. Jesus is the answer. For He fulfills all that Job and Agur imagined.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have many questions, but we are satisfied with the answer You have given us in Jesus. For we trust that You have revealed to us the most important wisdom of all, namely, Your Son. For He is our wisdom, our answer to every question and trial we face. Therefore, we pursue Jesus today in all things. In His name we pray. Amen.

“Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord” (Psalms 134:2 NLT).

From: December 15, 2022

BRING YOUR WORSHIP WITH YOU!

Psalm 134 is the last of the 15 “Psalms of Ascent,” which were written to be sung by pilgrims as they climbed up Mount Zion to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. Singing these worship songs made the journey more joyful and encouraged them to begin worshiping before they arrived.

Worship is not only for the sanctuary, but for the journey along the way. “Lift your hands” and praise the Lord as you rise in the morning and as you move throughout the day. Indeed, worship should be the mark of our everyday existence. And when we do gather together in the sanctuary, bring your worship with you!

PRAYER: Dear Father, we lift our hands and hearts to You on this day. As we prepare to gather together in worship every week, we lift our voices to You even as we rise. For we want to bring our worship with us, not waiting until we arrive. May we offer even greater worship as we gather with Your people. For You are worthy of both our individual and our corporate praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And you, watchtower for the flock, fortified hill of Daughter Zion, the former rule will come to you, sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:8 HCSB).

From: December 15, 2021

THE PROPHECY OF CHRIST’S COMING TO SHEPHERDS

Micah prophesied that “sovereignty” would come to a “hill” where stood the “watchtower for the flock.” This prophecy points to the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In Hebrew, the phrase “watchtower for the flock” is “Migdal Edar.” It described both a tower and a place. It would have been a two-story stone watchtower that the shepherds used to keep watch over their flocks. And “Migdal Edar” also described a place near Bethlehem on the road to Jerusalem (Gen.35:19-21). The tower would have been on a “hill” to enlarge the shepherd’s view from the top story. The bottom story was used as a stable for newborn lambs.
 
The shepherds of Bethlehem were known for raising sacrificial lambs to sell to the Temple in Jerusalem. They would wrap the newborn lambs in swaddling clothes to make sure they were kept without blemish. It was to these shepherds at “Migdal Edar” that Micah prophesied that One representing the “former rule,” which was the throne of David, would come. And so He did.
 
Centuries later, an angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12).
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, Christ Jesus has come to us just as Your prophets were inspired to write. We give You praise and worship for Your fulfilled Word. Now strengthen us to live for You as we await Your Son’s soon return. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals” (Revelation 6:1 NKJV).

From: December 15, 2020

THE FIRST SIX SEALS OPENED

 

“Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord” (Psalms 134:2 NLT).

From: December 15, 2019

BRING YOUR WORSHIP WITH YOU THIS SUNDAY!

Psalm 134 is the last of the 15 “Psalms of Ascent,” which were written to be sung by pilgrims as they climbed up Mount Zion to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. Singing these worship songs made the journey more joyful and helped them get their praise on before they arrived.
 
Worship is not only for the sanctuary, but for the journey along the way. “Lift your hands” and praise the Lord as you rise in the morning and as you move throughout the day. Don’t just go to attend a worship service today. Bring your worship with you.
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, we lift our hands and hearts to You on this Lord’s Day. As we prepare to gather together in worship, we lift our voices to You even as we rise. For we want to bring our worship with us, not waiting until we arrive. May we offer even greater worship as we gather with Your people today. For You are worthy of both our individual and our corporate praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2 NKJV).

From: December 16, 2017

John saw Christ the Lamb open the first of seven seals. The first four seals revealed the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The word “apocalypse” comes from the Greek word meaning, “to unveil” or “to reveal.” Thus, the title of the book, the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The identity of the four horsemen is a matter of much debate. But a careful comparison of Christ’s description of the last days in Matthew 24 with Revelation 6 is helpful. The first rider has a crown, a bow and rides a white horse. This is not Christ, although he does seem to masquerade as such. This rider represents religious deception, those that come claiming to be Christ, “deceiving many” (Matt. 24:5). In the last days, there will be a great religious deception that will “conquer” (“overcome”) many.
 
Yet, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ will not be overcome. For they are “overcomers” in Jesus’ name. As John wrote in his first epistle, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

“And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem” (Micah 4:8 ESV)

From: December 15, 2016

Micah prophesied that “kingship” would come to a “hill” where stood the “tower of the flock.” This prophecy points to the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In the Hebrew, the phrase “tower of the flock” is “Migdal Edar.” It described both a tower and a place. It would have been a two-story stone watchtower that the shepherds used to keep watch over their flocks. And “Migdal Edar” also described a place near Bethlehem on the road to Jerusalem (Gen.35:19-21). The tower would have been on a “hill” to enlarge the shepherd’s view from the top story. The bottom story was used as a stable for newborn lambs. The shepherds of Bethlehem were known for raising sacrificial lambs to sell to the Temple in Jerusalem. It was to these shepherds at “Migdal Edar” that Micah prophesied the Messiah, the Lamb of God, would come. And so He did.

“Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 134:1 NKJV)

From: December 15, 2015

One of the psalms of ascent, written to prepare pilgrims as they climbed the steps to the temple. This psalm was addressed to those who served in the temple at night. Certainly, it addressed the Levites assigned to serve as a night watch, that their work should never be considered mundane but always worshipful. It also brings to mind those like the old woman Anna who continually fasted and prayed at the temple (Luke 2:47). Today, it is a reminder to those who serve the Lord to remember to offer praise to Him even in the most mundane moments of service. It also encourages those who are experiencing sleepless nights not to waste the time, but to take the opportunity to lift up hands of worship to God.

“As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” (Revelation 6:1 NLT)

From: December 15, 2014

In Revelation 6, John saw Christ the Lamb open six of the seven seals. The first four seals revealed the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The word “apocalypse” comes from the Greek and literally means, “to unveil, to reveal.” Thus, the title of the book, the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The identity of the four horsemen is a matter of much debate. But understanding that the best way to interpret Scripture is by Scripture, a careful comparison of Christ’s description of the last days in Matthew 24 with Revelation 6 is helpful. The first rider has a crown, a bow and rides a white horse. This represents religious deception, those that come claiming to be Christ, deceiving many (Matt. 24:5). The second rider comes with a sword and riding a red horse. This represents the increase of wars in the earth (Matt. 24:6-7 “wars and rumors of wars”). The third rider comes carrying scales and riding a black horse. This represents famine (Matt. 24:7). And the fourth rider comes on a pale (Greek, “chloros” – pale green) horse and represents disease and pestilence (Matt. 24:7). When will these four horsemen appear? I believe they were released when Christ ascended and have roamed the earth in ever-increasing ways ever since. Yet, we should not be afraid, for Christ the Lamb has revealed this to us, so that we would love His appearing.