Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Harvest Grain and Grapes (9/11/25)

The other day, my kids were marveling at the various cloud shapes. One of them blurted out that they wanted to sit on a cloud. I chuckled and said it wouldn’t work very well, as they would fall right through! Well, Jesus will sit on a cloud - without falling through - before He harvests the earth.

Revelation 14:14-20 ¹⁴ I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” ¹⁶ So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

¹⁷ Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. ¹⁸ Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” ¹⁹ The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. ²⁰ They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

This final harvest marks the end of the world and the judgment of all people. Jesus, the son of man on the cloud with the sharp sickle, will harvest the earth and collect His children. He will separate the wheat from the weeds (Matthew 13:24-43). These redeemed children will join Him for eternal life in God’s perfect kingdom, the new Jerusalem.

In contrast, the angel with the sharp sickle will harvest the earth and collect the rebellious for eternal judgment. Grapes represent unbelievers or those who reject God and Jesus. They will be trampled and tormented outside the new Jerusalem. This torment in burning sulfur (Rev 14:10) will continue forever (Rev 14:11), as we read last week (also in Matthew 13:42).   

I’m grateful Jesus sees me as a grain (not a grape) as a redeemed child of His! We are either one or the other. I pray you have accepted Jesus’s redemption and are considered a child of His. If not, will you surrender your life to Jesus today?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Offer Eternal Rest (9/4/25)

Yesterday, Kent discussed how Jesus offers not only physical rest but also spiritual rest. As I read his devotional last night and re-read our next passage in Revelation, I was struck by the final verse, which mentions rest from labor. In the United States, many of us celebrated Labor Day this past Monday and enjoyed a day off from work - a temporary “rest from our labor.”

Jesus promises His followers a far greater blessing: eternal rest from the struggles of this life, including hardship, persecution, rejection for speaking truth, and even death. In contrast, those who reject Jesus and refuse to fear God or give Him glory will experience eternal torment with no rest.

Revelation 14:6-13 ⁶ Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. ⁷ He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

⁸ A second angel followed and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

⁹ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, ¹⁰ they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” ¹² This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

As verse 7 warns, God’s judgment will come on those who do not worship Him as Creator. However, as verse 6 indicates, everyone will have the opportunity to hear the eternal gospel and respond. Those who respond in faith and patiently endure will receive His blessing and eternal rest.

What encouragement do you find in these truths? How does it motivate you to persevere in sharing God’s truths with others so they too can enjoy eternal rest?

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Redeem the 144,000 (8/28/25)

I'm cautious about letting my kids use permanent markers – after all, they're permanent! However, for their swim meets this summer, I made an exception, allowing them to use permanent markers to draw pictures on each other's backs (though not on their faces).

One day, we'll all have permanent writing on our faces, but it won't be from a marker. In contrast to the second beast in last week's passage, which required everyone to receive a mark (the name of the first beast) on their right hand or forehead, Jesus chooses to put His name on the foreheads of the redeemed.

Revelation 14:1-5 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ³ And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

You might recall the 144,000 from Revelation chapter 7, who were sealed by God on their foreheads before the final judgment. Some scholars interpret this number of 144,000 as symbolic, while others believe it's literal. There's debate about whether it refers specifically to Israelites who follow Christ in the last days or represents the broader body of believers across the ages – the Church, including Gentiles. Based on the passage in Revelation 14, it seems to me that the 144,000 might not represent all believers, as they're described as firstfruits. What's clear, however, is that Jesus is worthy of praise for His redemption of both the firstfruits and all who accept His redemption.

As we reflect on this, we're faced with a question: Whose name will you have on your forehead? Will you be claimed by Satan and the beast, or by God the Father and Jesus? The good news is that Jesus's redemption is permanent – His purchase with His shed blood on the cross was a one-time, definitive act for those who receive it.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Offer Protective Wisdom (8/14/25)

I often pray for wisdom, whether it’s for efficiency at work, parenting decisions, writing devotionals, or daily activities. Yesterday, we received a clear answer to NOT do what we were planning to do – going bowling before dinner and a church event. When we arrived, there weren’t any available family lanes. So, we went home with a little more time for dinner. In God’s better plan, Edmund then spontaneously met some grandkids of a neighbor and enjoyed playing basketball with them.

Last week’s passage ended with a call for patient endurance and faithfulness. This week’s passage ends with a call for wisdom. We need perseverance and faithfulness to face Satan’s war against God’s people and his deception through the beast. We also need wisdom to see through the manipulation of the second beast. Notably, Satan (the Dragon), the first beast, and the second beast seem to imitate God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as seen in the rest of Revelation chapter 13.

Revelation 13:11-18 ¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³ And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.¹⁴ Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

¹⁸ This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

So, where do we get this wisdom? Perfect wisdom comes straight from God Himself! Reading His Word, talking with Him in prayer, and listening for His answers will help us gain wisdom.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Knowing God’s prophecy, like this passage in Revelation, will help us be prepared when these events happen. We will then be able to wisely discern the deception of Satan and remain faithful to God.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Protect us from the Dragon’s Deception (8/7/25)

Deception is a serious issue in my book. I don’t tolerate it in my house. Lies, deception, hiding the truth, omission of details, twisting the truth all come with severe consequences. Joe and I regularly remind our kids that it damages relationships by breaking trust. While I detest deception, I know God abhors it the most. He stands in stark contrast to deceitful Satan.

Last week we discussed how we are to expect spiritual warfare from Satan (the dragon) and use the full armor of God to fight against him. This spiritual warfare will intensify as the end of this world nears. The dragon, Satan, will have the power to wage war against God’s people, but he won’t deceive them. Instead, he will deceive the whole rest of the world.

Revelation 13:1-10   The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ² The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. ³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. ⁴ People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

⁵ The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. ⁷ It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.⁸ All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.

¹⁰ “If anyone is to go into captivity,
    into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
    with the sword they will be killed.”

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.

What’s the distinction between Satan, through the beast, conquering and waging war against God’ people versus deceiving them? I think it relates to physical versus spiritual life and death. Satan is permitted to physically harm and even kill God’s people, but he can’t deceive them into worshiping him over worshiping God. If we genuinely belong to God, then we won’t be deceived by Satan and won’t succumb to his deception. We will patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even to the point of death, empowered by the Holy Spirit living in us and confident in the promise of eternal life.

How will you and I prepare to patiently endure and remain faithful to God, even in the face of the dragon’s war against us? As we discussed last week, we are to use all of God’s armor and resources, accompanied by continual prayer.  

Ephesians 6:10-11 and 18   ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes...

 ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.   

As we actively access Jesus's mighty power, we can be protected from Satan's deception.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Help Us Against the Dragon’s War (7/31/25)

The Dragon couldn’t win his war against Jesus or Archangel Michael, as covered two and three weeks ago. He was hurled to the earth and kept fighting. This time he waged war directly with the woman, as seen in the rest of Revelation chapter 12.

Revelation 12:13-17 ¹³ When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴ The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.¹⁵ Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. ¹⁷ Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.

We discussed a few weeks ago that the woman could represent the nation of Israel or people of God. As verse 17 clarifies, we can know for sure that her offspring are those who are followers of Jesus so we are part of the woman’s offspring! Satan couldn’t win against Jesus, Michael, or the woman (since God’s power in and around them was far greater) so he wages war against us.

War is a strong word. It doesn’t say merely “tempt” or “deceive,” but “wage war against.” If you and I hold to the testimony of Jesus and obey God’s commands, Satan wants to make war against us. It is crucial that we’re aware of the reality of this spiritual warfare.

Even amid this war, we have hope and protection in God. As God took care of the woman, He can take care of us. In Ephesians 6, Paul outlines God’s armor available to us for our protection against Satan’s attacks.  

Ephesians 6:10-18   ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

What armor will you and I put on and use today to fight in the Dragon’s war? Will you and I buckle on the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and take up the shield of faith? Let's be intentional about putting on God's armor and standing firm against the devil's attacks.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Triumph over Satan (7/17/25)

Have you ever witnessed someone’s frustration grow as they lost game after game? We experienced this at our house last night during a speed game. James, the oldest, dominated most rounds, leaving Edmund (4 years younger) upset. Meanwhile, the girls and I didn’t fare much better, but we continued to enjoy playing.

On a much larger scale, the dragon (Satan) was furious about not being able to devour the baby (as we discussed last week). It seems he decided to wage war in Heaven. Let’s see how that turned out:

Revelation 12:7-12   ⁷ Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. ⁸ But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹ The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
¹¹ They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.
¹² Therefore rejoice, you heavens
    and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.”

Did Satan win? Not at all! In fact, he was defeated not only by Jesus but also by Michael and his angels. Although Satan is powerful and currently rules this world, it is reassuring to know that not only is Jesus, but a multitude of angels possess greater power.  

As the temporary ruler of this world, Satan seeks to drag people down with him in a fit of anger and defiance against Jesus’s triumph. Have we, like many, been deceived by Satan’s lies and pursued fleeting earthly success and security? Or are we focused on Jesus’s triumph and pursuing a relationship with Him? We can tap into Jesus’s power to overcome Satan’s temptations for He has already triumphed over Satan. He reigns as the true and eternal ruler of Heaven and earth!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to be Victorious Over Tragedy (7/10/25)

Tragedy struck numerous places this past week. From the floods of Texas to drownings in Lake Michigan, the news was devastating. I know many of us have prayed multiple prayers for the families of those lost.

God sees everything and is in ultimate control of all. Jesus has the power to overcome any tragedy and work His purposes in and through them. What He allows to happen can be confusing and difficult to understand. Similarly, watching the seventh trumpet judgment unfold in Revelation 12 is also unnerving and confusing.

Revelation 12:1-6    A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ² She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. ³ Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. ⁴ Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. ⁵ She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.⁶ The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

It’s a terrifying picture. There are enough concerns and pains during childbirth, without having the added worry that someone is waiting to snatch your baby away. The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), the woman probably represents the nation of Israel (inclusive of Mary and maybe more broadly the people of God) and the baby symbolizes Jesus the Messiah. As frightening as this picture is, it’s reassuring to see how God took care of both the baby and the woman! Satan is no match for God.

This encouraged me to remember that no matter how bleak a situation may seem, God will accomplish His purposes. He sees everything and Satan can’t do anything unless God allows it. Satan may have thought he devoured Jesus at the cross, but God snatched Him back up to Heaven (through His resurrection and ascension). Jesus was victorious over death, both physical and spiritual.

God takes care of His own, whether it’s Jesus on the cross, a girl at a Texas camp during a flash flood or a young man drowning. His care often doesn’t come the way we expect. Our times in the “wilderness” may be for our protection (whether physical or spiritual), and our times of pain may be necessary for the times of blessing to follow.

As we face our own challenges or tragedies, let’s remember Jesus is victorious now and for all eternity. We can look for and expect God’s care for His children through all situations.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Reign Forever (7/3/25)

Continuing our journey through Revelation, we come to another pivotal moment. Remember the 7 sealed scroll Jesus was worthy to open back in Revelation 5? He opened the first 6 seals in Revelation 6 and the 7^th seal in Revelation 8. The 7^th seal revealed 7 angels with 7 trumpet judgments. We examined the first 6 angels and 6 trumpet judgments in chapters 8 and 9. Then, chapters 10 and 11 gave an interlude (including details about the two witnesses) before the final 7^th angel and trumpet judgment. As we continue our journey through Revelation, we peak into heaven before the rest of the judgment unfolds.

Revelation 11:15-19 ¹⁵ The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
    the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
    and he will reign for ever and ever.”

¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,¹⁷ saying:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
    and have begun to reign.
¹⁸ The nations were angry,
    and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
    and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
    both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

¹⁹ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

It is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture that Jesus is on His throne when we see evil prevailing. However, this peak into heaven reminds us that Jesus will return, triumph over evil, judge the ungodly, reward believers, and righteously reign for all eternity!

As we reflect on these events, let's remember that our perspective on life is best shaped by the reality of Jesus' reign. How will we let that change our perspective on life today? Let’s trust Jesus’s sovereign reign, even when it seems like evil prevails.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Call Witnesses Home (6/26/25)

As teens, my parents told my sisters and me we could always call home to get out of a sticky situation. They would come and get us (if we didn’t have a car) or tell us we had to come home (if we were driving ourselves). I never had to use the “call home” tactic, but it was reassuring to know we had a safety net, a way out of a bad or uncomfortable situation.

Last week I reflected on a grim scene: two witnesses lying dead in the street for 3 ½ days after powerfully and faithfully witnessing for Jesus for 3 ½ years. They had been given physical protection until their work on earth was done. Then, as we will see in the following passage, miraculous spiritual protection enveloped them while their enemies shook in fear. After that, another remarkable thing happened - Jesus personally called them home!

Revelation 11:11-14         ¹¹ But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. ¹² Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

¹³ At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴ The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

This passage is a powerful reminder that Jesus is the only One to fear, serve and obey. In the end, He will show the world that His followers are the only ones with real security and eternal salvation. What will Jesus say to us at the end of our lives? Will He say “Come home!” or “I never knew you?” As the Creator and sustainer of life, He wants to welcome us home! Let’s pursue Him this week, so His voice is a welcome presence rather than a cause to tremble.