The Word for Today with Ray: April 2020

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Tears, Death, Sorrow, Crying and Pain No More Revelation 21:4

After all the events of the tribulation period, the millennial reign of Jesus and the “Great White Throne” judgment, John the apostle wrote, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven

and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” John added, “and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God”, and in Revelation chapter twenty-one and verse four John shares how, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” and will abolish “death, sorrow, crying and pain” where we read:

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The verse reads, “ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;” John began with the words, “and God” which means “and the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “shall wipe away” or “will besmear, erase, wipe and blot out” “all tears” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the tears” “from their eyes” or “separated from the people's eyes used for vision and sight”. John watched as “God” “blotted out” every “tear” from the human beings' “eyes”.

The verse continues, “ and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:” John added the words, “and there shall be” which means “and there will exist” “no more death” which means “no longer and any more the separation whether natural or violent of the soul by which the life on earth is ended”, “neither sorrow” or “not any longer mourning and grief”, “nor crying” which refers to “not any outcry, clamor or tumult”, “neither shall there be” or “nor will there exist” “any more pain” which means “no further degree, increase or time of great trouble, intense desire, toil or anguish”. John shared how “death, sorrow, crying and pain” shall be no more.

Finally the verse says, “for the former things are passed away.” John continued with the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account of” “the former things” which refers to “the first, principal and beginning things” “are passed away” or “are departed and behind”. John heard the voice confirm how the “first and principal things” are “departed”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we see how the declaration is that God will remove all “tears, death, sorrow, crying and pain” from among humanity. These tenable traits have been a part of man's existence ever since “sin” entered in among people. God will remove all these horrific things, and they shall exist no more. Those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, God's Son, shall enjoy “everlasting life” without all these horrible daily functions of living, and they shall enjoy the presence of God for ever and evermore.

Next time John shares how, “he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

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The Tabernacle of God with Men Revelation 21:3

After all the events of the tribulation period, the millennial reign of Jesus and the “Great White Throne” judgment, John the apostle wrote, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”John continued, “ And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”, and in Revelation chapter twenty-one and verse three John sees how, “the tabernacle of God is with men” where we read:

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

The verse reads, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, ...” John began with the words, “and I heard” which means “and John was given the faculty for hearing, perceiving, giving audience to attend” “a great voice” or “a massive, loud and abundant tone or sound of uttered words”, “out of heaven” which means “from the region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Behold” or “lo and see”, “the tabernacle” or “the habitation” “of God” which means “belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is with men” or “is with human beings whether male or female”. John heard a “loud voice” from the “heavenly realm” declaring “God” is now dwelling among people.

The verse goes on to say, “... and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” John added the words, “and he will dwell” which means “and God will “tabernacle” or live and abide “with them” which means “alongside the human beings whether male or female”, “and they shall be” or “and the human beings will exist as” “his people” which refers to “God's tribe, nation and all those who are of the same stock and language”, “and God himself” or “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” will “exist and live” alongside the people, “and be their God” or “and will exist as the human beings' Deity”. John shared how “God” will now live among His “people” and be their “God”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we discover this announcement that God will at this time be “living” among people. The “New Jerusalem” will descend from “heaven” and God will abide with His believers. God desires to have an intimate relationship with every person, and when they submit themselves to His Son Jesus Christ, they shall have “everlasting life” with God. Let all who read these words consider what a wonderful privilege this time shall be when people are living together with Almighty God.

Next time John shares how, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying … nor pain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Holy City New Jerusalem Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The verse reads, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, ...” John began with the words, “and I John saw” which means “and John perceived, noticed, discovered and discerned” “the holy city” or “the pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated abode, dwelling place and town”, “new Jerusalem” which means “recently made, fresh, unused and unworn splendid visible city to be let down from heaven after the renovation of the world and the future abode of the blessed” “coming down” or “descending from a higher place to a lower” “from God” or away from the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the son and the Holy Spirit” “out of heaven” or “away from the region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. John watched as the “holy city New Jerusalem” descended from “heaven” where Almighty God is located.

The verse goes on to say, “... prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” John added the word, “prepared” which means “made ready with the necessary preparations” “as a bride adorned which means “similar to a betrothed woman who is to be a wife” “for her husband” or “for the bride's betrothed or future adult man to be married”. John saw “New Jerusalem” beautifully adorned like a “bride” for her “husband” on their wedding day.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we try to imagine this beautiful “city” descending from “heaven”. God, as Creator of the heavens and earth, has “prepared” “New Jerusalem” in a fashion that is without compare. John must have marveled as he watched this wonderful “city” coming down out of the sky which has been prepared by God for His believers through His Son Jesus. Those who read these words should know that God has wonderful plans for all eternity for everyone who puts their “faith and trust” in His Son Jesus, and this beautifully adorned “city” called, “New Jerusalem” shall be one of the wonderful benefits they share.

Next time John, “heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

A New Heaven and a New Earth Revelation 21:1

having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.” John continued, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. John continued, “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” John continued, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” In Revelation chapter twenty-one and verse one John changes subjects as he sees, “a new heaven and a new earth” where we read:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven

and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

The verse reads, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:” John began with the words, “and I saw” which means “and John perceived, noticed, discovered and discerned” “a new heaven” or “a recently made, fresh, unused and unworn region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “and a new earth” which means “and a recently made, fresh, unused and unworn arable land, country, territory and region”. John was able to see a brand new “heaven and earth”.

The verse goes on to say, “for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” John added the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “the first heaven” which means “the chief, principal and former region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “and the first earth” or “and the chief, principal and former arable land, country, territory and region” “were passed away” which means “passed by and perished”; “and there was no more sea” or “there was no longer and any further any large bodies of water like unto the seas”. John shared the reason for the “new heaven and earth” was because “the former heaven, earth and the seas” were passed away.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we see the creation of a “new heaven and earth”, and we are informed how the former “heaven, earth and seas” are gone. God will create these thing anew, and those who have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus shall dwell within them. There is great advantage not only to know about the “new heaven and earth”, but also to know we may be a part of them. Let all who read these words consider God's wonderful plan to create new places for His believers and angels to dwell.

Next time John sees, “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Whosoever Not Found in the Book of Life Revelation 20:15

An “angel” from heaven showed John the apostle many things which will occur in the tribulation time on the earth, and John wrote about commercial Babylon's destruction and the people who were affected by it. John wrote about great worship which occurred in heaven afterward and then shared about the birds being gathered together to eat the flesh of the bodies of the opponents of Jesus. He continued to write, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” In Revelation chapter twenty and verse fifteen John shares what happens to, “whosoever was not found written in the book of life” where we read:

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The verse reads, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life ...” John began with the words, “and whosoever” which means “whatever person whether male or female” “was not found” or “was not by examination, scrutiny, thought, observation, practice and experience” “written” which means “delineated or formed with letters” “in the book” or “within the document, sheet or scroll” “of life” which means “pertaining to a real, genuine, active and vigorous devotion to God which is blessed in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions among them a more perfect body and to last for ever”. John began this statement by referring to person whose “name” is not “written” in God's “book of life”.

The verse continues, “... was cast into the lake of fire.” John added the words, “was cast” which means “was thrown, scattered and thrust” “into the lake” which means “into the large or small body” “of fire” or “of fire like as with fiery lightning”. John saw people who did not have their names “written in the book of life” thrown into the “lake” which burns with lightning like “fire”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see one of the most horrible acts within the Bible. People who have rejected Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” and have pushed aside the opportunity to have a relationship with God shall be “thrown into” this terrible “fiery” “lake”. God knows this fate of unbelievers, and yet, He continues to invite people to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who do not have their names “written in the book of life” shall face an eternity of a “burning hell” like the world has never seen before.

Next time we begin a new chapter where John sees, “a new heaven and a new earth ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.