Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Wipe Away Tears (3/19/26)

Sarah came home in tears last night from horseback riding. Her favorite horse has a disease that appears incurable after several different treatments. He has been declining, and she was told that he will be put down soon. She hasn’t been able to ride him in quite some time.

Death is inevitable on this earth. However, God is preparing a new heaven and new earth, free from death and suffering. After the millennium and after Satan and his followers are thrown into the lake of fire (as we’ve studied recently in Revelation), Jesus’ followers will join God in the new and perfect creation.

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

What painful struggles are you experiencing right now? How are you encouraged knowing there will be a day when that won’t be the case anymore, ever again? How does the promise of a future free from suffering bring you comfort and hope?

It is beyond imagination how glorious the new heaven and new earth will be! No death, no hurt, no fear, no pain, no conflict, no stress, no disappointment. The most elated feeling we have ever experienced won’t compare to the joy in God’s presence on that day and for all eternity!

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Judge the Dead (3/12/26)

A couple of days ago we enjoyed an unseasonably warm March day here in Michigan! In fact, we had our first outdoor dinner on our patio this year. As we were enjoying the sunshine, one kid pointed out the beautiful sun rays gleaming through the clouds. We talked about how much more magnificent it will be when Jesus returns to take us to heaven.

As the conversation continued, another kid started talking about the end times and persecution of Christians. We discussed that we may have to die for our faith, but life with Jesus for all eternity will be far better than anything we may give up in this life. The alternative, as described below, is unimaginable torture in the lake of fire forever.  

Revelation 20:11-15 ¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² 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. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Death in this life is not the end. As Christians, we know that is true (although sometimes we don’t live like we know that is true). For non-Christ followers, death in this life is also not the end. They will face Judge Jesus and then be thrown into the lake of fire experiencing their second death. As we saw last week, Satan, the beast and the false prophet are the first to be thrown into the lake of fire. The torment isn’t temporary, but continuous.    

Jesus’s records are perfectly accurate, and He is worthy to judge all people. None of us could ever measure up to His standard on our own. By His grace, He has paid for our sin on the cross and offered us life through faith in Him. Then, we are judged based on His merit, and He writes our names in the book of life.

Let’s praise Him for His grace! Let’s also prayerfully recognize and take opportunities to share His grace with others so they may enjoy life with Him now and for all eternity!

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Outwit Satan (3/5/26)

I have often been surprised when a child tries to get away with something they have already attempted before, only to face severe consequences over and over. For instance, one kid snuck candy several times and faced steep consequences afterwards. Somehow it wasn’t enough to deter him from sneaking candy again or he thought the next time he might get away with it.

Similarly, I’m surprised Satan continues to try to thwart God’s plans and people, despite knowing he will ultimately lose. All of God’s promises and plans have come to fruition. Satan didn’t defeat Jesus on the cross and certainly won’t defeat Jesus at the end of time.

Revelation 20:7-10 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. ⁹ They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Last week we read about Satan being bound for the millennium. This week, we see his final judgment where he’ll face continual burning torment. Satan will deceive nations worldwide to fight against God’s people, but they will be consumed by fire. Satan’s reign will come to an end, but Jesus will reign eternally. How does this truth encourage you, especially considering current events?

In our recent Bible study on the book of Zechariah, which also contains numerous end-times prophecies, our memory verse from the final chapter stood out: Zechariah 14:9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day, there will be one LORD and His name the only name. I’m so thankful to know the end of the story. It’s comforting to know Jesus triumphs over Satan!

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reign with His Followers (2/26/26)

After the war Jesus justly and rightly wages against all opposing nations and individuals, He has Satan bound. He then reigns for a thousand years with His faithful martyred followers. This is what some believe is the “millennium” on this earth before the new heaven and new earth come.  

Revelation 20:1-6 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. ³ He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

⁴ I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

It seems only those martyred during the tribulation come to life for this millennium reign with Jesus. This is great encouragement, though. Those who face and endure the worst persecution will be the first to be rewarded. All other followers of Jesus will still experience the New Heaven and New Earth for all eternity, which we will cover in future weeks.

With all the evil in the world, I’m encouraged knowing Satan will one day be bound. Then, as we will see next week, he will eventually be thrown into the burning lake of sulfur, never to deceive anyone again. How else are you encouraged by the promises in these verses?

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Wage War (2/19/26)

Recently, my kids were discussing war and wondered if they would have to fight if World War III were to start. I was able to reassure them that, as children, they wouldn’t be recruited to fight.

This conversation got me thinking - from my human perspective, war often seems evil. Can there be a righteous war? Let’s look at the war to take place at the end.

Revelation 19:11-21 ¹¹ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. ¹² His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³ He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.

¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, ¹⁸ so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. ²¹ The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

This Bible passage reveals that Jesus (the rider on the white horse) is the only one that can wage war rightly. His war is righteous because He judges with perfect justice. He knows all truth and accurately administers judgment.

In this passage, it doesn’t sound like there will be much of a battle. It appears one-sided. Jesus will single-handedly strike down nations, the beast, the false prophet and their followers. At that time, it seems the armies of heaven following Jesus will witness the victory without having to participate in the actual battle. Jesus, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Faithful, True, and Just Judge, righteously wages and wins the war for Himself and all His followers!

As we begin the Lent season, we can expand our focus beyond just anticipating Jesus’ resurrection. We can also look forward to Jesus’ ultimate victory over all sin and evil in the world. With the start of Lent yesterday, where will your focus be, considering all we’ve studied in Revelation this past year?  

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Feasting! (2/12/26)

I attended a family friend’s wedding several years ago that had numerous festivities over several days. In fact, there were specific types of clothing we (my parents, siblings and spouses) were to wear, depending on the day’s event. It was a memorable experience!

What’s the best banquet, wedding or celebration you have ever attended?

The best wedding celebration still awaits us – the wedding feast of the Lamb!

Revelation 19:6-10 ⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
⁷ Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
⁸ Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

⁹ Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

¹⁰ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

As a bride prepares herself for her wedding day, we are called to prepare for Jesus’s return and His wedding feast. This preparation isn’t about “doing good and trying harder,” but by receiving the clean clothes (verse 8) Jesus offers us (Revelation 7:14). Our “righteous acts” start with faith in Jesus and what He’s done to save us. We can’t do anything pleasing to God without being first covered in Jesus’s robes of righteousness. His blood covers our sin, and His Holy Spirit enables us to serve Him. It’s His work in and through us.

You’ve received an invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb. What an undeserved blessing! How have you responded to this invitation? Jesus is worthy of this eternal celebration feast, and we get to join the endless party!    

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of Hallelujahs! (2/5/26)

Last night, we played a game with my parents, and 9-year-old Edmund’s competitive spirit shone through. He rejoiced every time someone was sent back to start. Although he did not win, he handled it much better than he used to, congratulating the winner without sulking.

We all want to be on the winning team. As followers of Jesus, we are on the winning team! After God’s judgment on “Babylon the Great,” His followers rightly rejoice. They rejoice in God’s timely justice, vengeance, salvation and reign.

Revelation 19:1-5    After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
²     for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

³ And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

⁴ The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”

⁵ Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
you who fear him,
    both great and small!”

The word “Hallelujah” means “Praise ye Yah” (short for Yahweh) or “Praise the Lord.” God is worthy of praise for His sovereign power and control of all times, places and people.

Are you on God’s winning team? Would He call you His servant, someone who fears Him? When the end comes, will you be rejoicing in Heaven next to His throne with the multitude of His followers?

We can begin our Hallelujahs now, knowing God is already victorious and will have the final say! Which attribute from the above passage is especially meaningful to you today? Let’s take a moment to praise God for it.

Alice

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reveal Future Justice (1/29/26)

My kids know that if another kid hurts them or breaks something that belongs to them, there will be a consequence, and the other kid will need to make restitution. Most of us want to know the same will happen to our enemies. We want to know evil will be rightly judged.

Before Judah fell into Babylonian captivity, Jeremiah prophesied Babylon’s destruction. Here in Revelation, Jesus revealed to John, through an angel, that all evil nations will be completely destroyed.

Revelation 18:21-24  Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:

“With such violence
    the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,
    never to be found again.
²² The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
    will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade
    will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone
    will never be heard in you again.
²³ The light of a lamp
    will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride
    will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world’s important people.
    By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
²⁴ In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,
    of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”

The millstone reference is like the prophesy in Jeremiah 51:63-64:

⁶³ When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates. 

⁶⁴ Then say, ‘So will Babylon sink to rise no more because of the disaster I will bring on her. And her people will fall.’

This revelation of future justice and judgment was meant to be a great encouragement to the suffering believers of John’s day and for all of us today. Evil will not continue forever. Jesus wants us to be assured of that.

What encouragement does this bring to you today? How does it also challenge you and me to not be led astray by the temptations and lures of “Babylon” that have no eternal value? 

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Rejoicing over Justice (1/22/26)

Often it seems evil prevails and justice is far off. Yet, God will bring about complete justice in His time and we are to rejoice in it. He is gracious to give people plenty of opportunities to repent for their evil ways and turn to Him before He brings His final judgment.

As the destruction of Babylon the Great continues, various groups lament her downfall. Merchants and sea captains weep over the loss of their wealth, which was gained through her. Last week, we discussed the opportunity the onlookers had to repent of their own evil ways before destruction came to them. However, they continue to wallow in their distress instead of repenting.

Revelation 18:15-20 ¹⁵ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn ¹⁶ and cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,
    and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
¹⁷ In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. ¹⁸ When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ ¹⁹ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,
    where all who had ships on the sea
    became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

²⁰ “Rejoice over her, you heavens!
    Rejoice, you people of God!
    Rejoice, apostles and prophets!
For God has judged her
    with the judgment she imposed on you.”

In response to Babylon’s destruction, I think there are only two correct reactions: repentance or rejoicing. The onlookers need to repent while the people of God are commanded to rejoice at the destruction of Babylon the Great.

God is patient. God is loving. God is gracious. God is also just. He will right all wrongs one day and we can rejoice in His perfect, holy, and righteous judgment. He is the only One who can administer correct vengeance and accurately avenge. We aren’t to take revenge, as Paul says in Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.        

Reflecting on our lives, when have you and I taken vengeance into our own hands rather than leaving it to God? What were the consequences? What injustice do you and I need to surrender to God and wait on His timing to bring about justice? In heaven, we will be able to rejoice in Jesus’s victory and His perfect judgment!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy of our Repentant Return (1/15/26)

Over the advent season, I took a break from writing devotionals from Revelation. As we start a new year and get back into Revelation (with only a few chapters left!) you might remember that we finished the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Then, one of the seven angels showed John the punishment of “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes.” She delighted in the destruction of God’s people and lured the rest of the world into abominable acts. She represents centuries of evil powers in the world.

As we continue to see the destruction of “Babylon the Great,” it’s worth noting that those who benefited from her lament her destruction. They are distraught because of the misfortune it also brings to them. They could repent and turn to the true and eternally lavish King of kings. Instead, they wallow in their earthly losses.

Revelation 18:9-14 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,

    you mighty city of Babylon!

In one hour your doom has come!’

11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’

The earthly successes of the world can change in an instant. Jesus’s eternal victory lasts forever. His kingdom is everlasting. Those watching the flaming Babylon had an opportunity to repent of their self-focus and turn to Jesus who offers true satisfaction.

John 10:9-10 ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

As we look back on 2025 and look ahead in 2026, what priorities do you and I want to leave behind and which ones do we want to continue? Knowing Jesus is the only One who offers life to full, how does that change your and my goals for this year?