Daily Bible Reading and Prayer, KJV, May 10-Nov 9, 2018, Acts to Hebrews

Oct 18, Rev 6-8:5

So I just got back from Bible study, we studied Revelations 6:1-8:5. Two things  really stood out to me.

One, God's mercy and righteous judgement. God chose to save us, to give us His mercy, when He easily could have given us what we deserve, Hell. God didn't choose to save everyone, and if He did, then His mercy would not be as great. On the surface that thought doesn't make sense, if He saved everyone, wouldn't His mercy be greater? No, it would be to common. On the other hand, if He didn't save anyone, we wouldn't see any of His mercy. He in His infinite wisdom decided to only save some so that we would see His mercy and His judgement best.

Some say that it is unfair he only saves some, He should just choose to save everyone. You should not be asking, "Why has He not saved everyone?" You should ask, "Why did He chose to save me?"

2. These chapters were about the opening of the 7 seals, and if you read them, it doesn't sound good. Especially the four horses. War, famine, death, martyrdom, the signs of the end times. A few things to note here.
Matthew 24:6-14 KJV says;
[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

There will be wars and rumours of wars, famine, disease, persecution and martyrdom from when Christ left, till when He returns. You can't say, "World War 3 is starting! It's the end of the world! This or that island was destroyed by an earthquake, it's the end of the World! Christ is coming back tomorrow!" There will be tribulations until Christ returns, but we can be comforted and have hope because the Lamb is on the throne.

Speaking if the Lamb, it's interesting that the Lamb will judge, and not the Lion.

One more thing, the world doesn't look like it is going to a good place. It's seems to just keep getting worse. There are two main views concerning the end times, one says that the world will just keep on getting worse and worse till Christ comes, and one says that Christians will slowly take over the world and it will keep getting better until Christ returns. We talked about those views a bit, and decided we believe both. At first you might think they contradict, but let me explain. Christ's kingdom is not of this world, for it to take over the world would make no sense. Satan's kingdom is of the world though, and since Christ's kingdom is growing by leaps and bounds, he want to do everything he can to hinder its growth, so he is making the world a worse place for Christians to live in. So even though Christ's kingdom is growing, and will continue to grow till He returns, at the same time Satan is advancing his kingdom on the earth. Does that make sense?

One more thing, when the question is asked, "Who shall be able to stand?" It is only those that God has chosen as His special people, from every tribe, tongue and nation, and His angels that can stand. No one can stand that He has not chosen.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much that we can take comfort knowing You are on the throne, and You have all things under Your control. Thank You for choosing to show us Your mercy, You didn't have to. Thank You. Thank you also for the comfort we have knowing that Your Kingdom is expanding and Satan's kingdom is absolutely no match for it. Father please be with everyone in my prayer journal, please bless and keep each and everyone of them, in the name of the Lamb, Amen.