Chapter 21:
… 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
…And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!...It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
…I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Chapter 22:
1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything…
[Jesus says:]
12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.”
[Our response:]
20… “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”
20011 gone. In one year I read the words of God recorded for humanity- his story of relationship fractured and mended. I witnessed Adam and Eve partaking in the fruit of the forbidden tree, thus surrendering all rights to the tree of life. I saw them cast out. I saw promises made and broken from a nation who often wanted to serve the Lord their God with all their heart, mind and soul… until they were lured by the culture around them and also worshipped other gods. I heard their destruction foretold, and the Messiah announced. Finally I saw him come into the world of man to heal and to warn and to teach and to die- his life laid down as a ransom for many. He healed the rift than sin had produced. I felt the early Christians mourn his departure- then revel in his rising and ascension. The early church lived in love and spread the gospel of Christ. Persecution could not stop the Holy Spirit from coming with a fiery entrance to live in the heart of each believer. Saul was changed and the one true church grew and was discipled through the inspired letters that speak to us today. We are left with one final mysterious vision in Revelation. Eerie and frightening pictures assault our minds, but God’s last written chapters leave us with beauty and a promise. Jesus will come again. Sin is conquered, but death is not- not fully. And yet, it’s end is near. Once again, we will eat of the tree of life.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the past year bible reading. I would not have made it without you.
I have made one spiritual goal for next year that I would like to share.
Day1 I will choose the verse or group of verses (something meaningful from my reading the past year) Day 2 and 3 I will commit the verse to memory. Day 4 I will meditate using the word emphasis strategy. Day 5 I will write a prayer based on the verse and Day 6 I will pray the verse aloud.
I believe that God’s word will change me so I look forward to the changes the Spirit will produce within me this next year.
Anyone else have any spiritual goals they would like to share?
I love you all.
