Revelation 7 depicts an unearthly calming of the “four winds of the earth” (Revelation 7:1 KJV) in order to seal 144,000 “servants of our God in their foreheads” (7:3). These Jewish Tribulation Believers later appear in Heaven towards the latter part of the Tribulation Week (14:1), apparently unscathed and are living testament to the grace of God even in times of “great tribulation” (7:14). These represent a continuation of Jehovah’s harvest of Israel, in keeping with Paul’s desire and prayer. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). The LORD’s reclamation of Israel will climax with the spiritual rebirth of the nation at the Second Coming of Christ. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). LORD, we love Israel, not because of their rejection of You, but because You have chose them with an everlasting love. Redeem the 144,000. Save Israel. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Supernatural Christianity
Heart Opened By God
God opens hearts. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14 KJV). We may not know the intricacies of your particular situation, but God opening a human heart — including our own — is able to transform any situation. We need to give God the opportunity to do what He is capable of doing. When our hearts are in a good place, He can teach us. “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). We may prefer a more dramatic miracle, but a heart opened to the LORD can accomplish all that is needed. We were made to walk with God and obey Him. Father, may Your Spirit fill us and reveal to us Jesus that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Do all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Great Earthquake (Revelation 6:12)
The sixth seal judgment of the Book of Revelation is a “great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood” (Revelation 6:12 KJV). This is an apocalyptic shaking of the entire earth. Here, interpreting the “stars of heaven [that] fell unto the earth” (6:13 KJV) as Fallen Angels (compare Job 38:7) prepares for the Mid-Tribulational worship of Antichrist as God at the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2Thessalonians 2:8). We live what we believe, and what we believe about prophecy affects our decisions today. If apocalyptic shaking of the planet and strange displays in the cosmos are scheduled for the future, then we should be more concerned about our heart’s interaction with God. After all, that alone we control. LORD, may all our understanding of Your judgments cause us to walk righteously before You, and cause us to warn others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
It’s Not Whether You Win or Lose, But How You Play the Game
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 KJV). Grantland Rice (1880-1954), a well known, American sportswriter is famous for the quote, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” Sports is about winning. Life also is about winning. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Corinthians 15:57). If we already have achieved the victory through Christ, then it is only how we conduct ourselves in our daily lives that matters. Faith realizes the preeminence of Christ’s gracious, finished work on the Cross for our salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies the reality of that belief to how we conduct our daily lives. “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10). Perhaps all of this sounds familiar, yet unless it compels us to follow hard after Christ, then we have probably misunderstood or underestimated the role of the Holy Spirit: (1) to make us willing to obey God’s commandments, i.e., “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27), and (2) to reveal Jesus to us to make us more like Him, i.e., “He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew [shō] it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:14-15). Father, we desire to know You better. Take of Your Spirit and show us Jesus. Teach us the delicate balance of “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). Show us how even our faith is a gift from You (Ephesians 2:8). Help us to exercise patience, so we will live out the reality of the Game of Life, which You already have won for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
When I Am Old
David died at the age of 70, but before he died he said, “Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed [shōwed] Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come” (Psalm 71:18 KJV). David retired from his throne possibly as much as four years before his death. Retirement is normally the process of handing down responsibilities to succeeding generations. What are some goals for retirement? First, do not wait until retirement to be happy. Practice happiness now or blessedness today. “Blessed [Greek, makarios, happy] is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Matthew 24:46). Second, do not look at retirement as doing nothing, instead look at it as an opportunity to serve the Lord in ways not possible before. “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). Third, look at retirement as a gift from God that you do not deserve and carries responsibilities unique to your new circumstance. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). Fourth, relish the opportunity to get to know the LORD better, especially through prayer and the Word. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Fifth, use your time to better serve elderly parents and take care of your family circle. “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2Timothy 1:5). Father, may we aspire to retire to be better know and serve You. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Black Horse of the Cost of Living (Revelation 6:6)
The third seal judgment of the Book of Revelation reveals the third horseman of the Apocalypse, which is famine or the insanity of the cost of living. Unlike the Father caring for us like He does the “birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26 KJV), food insecurity under the Antichrist will require more than an ordinary job can provide. “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat [what a laboring man would eat in only one meal] for a penny [a day’s wage], and three measures of barley [a lesser grain that a laboring man would eat in three meals] for a penny [a day’s wage]; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” (Revelation 6:6). No doubt there will be peace enough for building again the Third Jewish Temple, but food insecurity will prevail to fulfill this prophecy. LORD, we appreciate what You have already given us to do Your will. May Your tribulations teach righteousness in the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Fiery Red Horse of Conflict (Revelation 6:4)
The second horseman of the Apocalypse rides a fiery red horse representing warfare, which normally comes after the failed diplomacy of man. Just as our Father desires earth to reflect heaven, Antichrist’s world will reflect hell. No doubt “a great sword” represents a proliferation of weapons, smart weapons, as well as weapons of mass destruction. “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword” (Revelation 6:4 KJV). The unpleasantness of hearing the judgments of God upon the world is motivation to spread the good news of a second chance before it’s too late. LORD, energize and motivate us to share Your Word, Your Gospel, and Your prophecies that You might be magnified, and they might be benefited. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Behold A White Horse (Revelation 6:2)
The first seal judgment of the Book of Revelation opens at the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2 KJV). This first of the four horseman of the Apocalypse most likely represents Antichrist with veiled military power (“a bow”) diplomatically consolidating power worldwide. What has just disrupted the world? Was it a Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church? Could it be the revelation of the first horseman as a supernatural alien/Nephilim (UFO alien)? LORD, You are our teacher of things to come. Give us understanding that we may hasten Your return. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
A scroll with seven seals is opened by the “Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, [He] hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5 KJV). Messiah “shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). The upcoming judgments of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24) are the forewarned response from the angry Messiah (Psalm 2:12), whom neither the Jews nor Gentiles have fully embraced. LORD, may we fear You as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah rather than that roaring lion who seeks to devour us. Grant us the courage to stand before our enemies, knowing You have got our back. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Thou Art Worthy (Revelation 4:11)
Humanism at its zenith is a fascination with self — falling in love with the picture in the mirror. No worse punishment can be pronounced for the humanist than taking the emphasis upon self and gazing upon the Almighty. John shows us a picture of eternity with a scene around the throne of God. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11 KJV). His glory is His pleasure; and, our purpose for existence is for the pleasure of God. For this reason, how could we not be more delighted than to find the attention He lavishes upon us? “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1Corinthians 2:9). How could Heaven be more attractive? LORD, You are worthy of the praise, honor, and glory given You. Satisfy our soul in giving You this worship. Teach us our poverty of Spirit, when we restrain our praise of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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