FBC Daily Devotions

by Mako Kato

Read Revelation 11:18

Revelation 11:18 starts off by saying the nations “raged” (ESV), but God’s wrath came.  This reminds me of Psalm 2:1 where it asks, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” (ESV).  Well, thousands of years later the nations are still upset with God and after giving the world time to repent, God is ready to judge.

Not only will the dead be judged, but God’s servants, the prophets and the saints will be rewarded.  We as Christians will be rewarded for our faith, for worshiping and serving Him as the ruler of our lives.  This is something to be excited for, but at the same time a good reminder for us to make use of our time here on this earth to honor God.  We aren’t going to live forever.  We are going to die and are going to be judged and the time will come when those who follow Christ will be rewarded and those who do not will be destroyed.

Like it talks about in Matthew 25:34-35:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by to my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

Then those on his right reply and ask when they did those things, and the King says, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40 ESV).  The passage goes on to address those on the left of the King who did not do those things and will be eternally punished.

At first glance this sounds like salvation by works, but we know that we are saved by God’s grace.  But works do matter.  James 2:18 says, “Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works.” (ESV)

Our faith is displayed in what we do.  The little acts of kindness.  Giving someone who needs it a drink or a meal.  Welcoming a stranger and making them feel comfortable.  Clothing those who do not have clothes and visiting those in the hospital and in prison.  This is what the Christian life is about.  When we are judged after we die (or are taken up if Christ comes before then) will we be people who have cared for the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner?  Can we give something without expecting something in return?  It’s not easy, but by God’s grace I hope we can all do a better job of reaching out to the weak in a world that idolizes the strong.

By Mike Kurtz

Read Revelation 11:16-17.

At the sound of the seventh and final trumpet, the full transformation of the world into God’s kingdom is proceeding full ahead. The elders are overcome by the event and worship God on their faces. What unworthiness man is before our awesome God who is bringing about all things under the reign of Christ! What praise comes from His people when they begin to see Him reign.

I realize this passage refers to a coming day of judgment and the end of time as we know it, but consider the reason for their praise. They praise Him because they are beginning to see Him reign. And isn’t it true that as we begin to see Christ reign in areas of our own life that we are given cause to praise and thank Him? When we see the power of God working to gain control in areas where we once struggled, when we see Him take over our attitudes and influence our decisions, does that not give us reason to praise?

Perhaps there are areas in your life that are not fully under the reign of Christ. That is no doubt true of everyone. We all have areas that are not fully given over to Christ. Sometimes in our stubbornness we simply refuse to give it over. In other cases, we just can’t seem to get a grip on the struggle; we feel defeated. For those in this latter area, have you ever considered falling on your face before God whenever there has been even a small victory in your area of struggle? Let me suggest that you do as the twenty-four elders do when they see the beginnings of Christ’s reign over the world – fall on your face in praise and thanksgiving. Sometimes I think we continue the struggle because when we see only a little progress, we are inclined to think that it is not enough, and we kick ourselves for not doing better. Do yourself a favor and stop berating yourself, and turn to the One who is beginning to reign in your life. Give Him some serious praise and thanks whenever you see His great power at work in you. Even as we see in the book of Revelation, the full transformation of this present kingdom of darkness will not happen all at once. And if it takes time to transform a kingdom, I imagine it will take time to transform us, too.

By Mike Kurtz

Read Revelation 11:15.

Satan’s work in this world has many under his control. Paul makes note of this in his letter to the Ephesians where he writes,

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”  

The world today is not the kingdom of God where God reigns over every heart. But according to our passage there will come a day when this world will become God’s kingdom and Christ’s where He will reign forever. And when that day comes, the passage says there will be loud voices in heaven proclaiming that wonderful event. As I ponder that picture of the voices of heaven, I imagine not voices in unison, but voices that have waited a very long time for this day, and perhaps the voices of those who suffered terribly on earth during Satan’s powerful influence; and people are shouting out among the gathering of masses who cannot contain themselves on this incredible day of transfer.

Have you ever waited a long time for a very special day? Maybe as a child you couldn’t wait for Christmas day (I know my sister couldn’t because she would carefully unwrap her presents when no one was around and then rewrap them to hide her impatience!); maybe as a teenager you couldn’t wait for that first car that was yours; or as an adult the wedding day or moving into your first home or a special vacation planned for many years. When the day arrives, there is that a feeling of “wow, it’s finally here!” That is, I think, only a hint of the joy we will experience when the Day of Christ comes. As great as those feelings are (and they are indeed great), the Day of our Lord will be so much more.

You see it is one thing to feel the joy of a waiting child at Christmas or a waiting adult for a beautiful vacation, but an entirely other thing to be waiting for Christ’s reign when we see the work of evil in this world. The injustices, the pain, the emptiness of worldly pursuits, the loneliness of broken hearts, the tragedy of poor decisions, broken marriages, broken families… why will people be shouting on the Day of the Lord? It will be in part because at long last, there will be relief.

If you are going through a hard time in your life, or when you do, this passage is a good reminder that our situations are temporary. God’s kingdom will reign one day, and unlike our temporary condition, God’s kingdom will reign… forever and ever. That is a very long time compared to our time in this world. Yes, it may be difficult now, but when relief comes (and it will remain forever, praise God), there will be such praise that the Apostle John will record it. Imagine that… you might be a part of those voices that John has recorded in this Revelation. So hang in there, and never lose sight of the wonderful day that is coming because when it arrives, you will find eternal relief like never before.

By Mike Kurtz

Read Revelation 11:11-14.

Talk about a short-lived celebration! Only three and half days after the tormenting witnesses are killed are they brought back to life again by God. As the enemies of God look on in fear, the witnesses are transported to heaven before their very eyes. In the end, God gets the victory.

It is easy to be drawn into what appears to be a good thing – celebration, the threat and severity of suffering gone, the world seemingly at peace. That was perhaps the feeling during the days following the death of the two witnesses. It would be difficult not to be caught up in the elation of the day. But as with all sin and deceit, any pleasure that results from them is ultimately short lived. Righteousness always ultimately wins out.

Today, let me encourage you to consider how the world draws you in to its pleasures and into a state of complacency. Unlike the death of the two witnesses whose impact will be sudden and lifting, today’s draw is subtle, slowly lulling us into its dangers. As you attempt to overcome those threats and temptations, keep in mind that their pleasures are temporal and that righteousness is everlasting. Living the hard road of righteousness is not easy, but it is eternal, and it brings into our souls an eternal peace that long outlives the pleasures of this world.

By Mike Kurtz

Read Revelation 11:7-10.

This is the first appearance of a beast in the book of Revelation. In all, there are 37 references to a beast in the book. This first reference is to none other than Satan. Other references are to a beast is one out of the sea (13:1) referring to a world dictator, and a beast out of the land (13:11) referring to a false religious leader. In today’s the beast out of the Abyss is Satan, and his power over the two witnesses is fierce and overpowering. That is not to say that Satan can overpower God, who is at work in the two witnesses, however. As one commentator has noted regarding great prophets of God, “when their ministry is finished, God permits their enemies to overcome them.”[1]

Such may be the case with God’s children. As Craig is going to note in his message this week, God has a purpose for our lives, and when that purpose has been fulfilled, our time for heaven will come. It is equally true then that while we are still on this earth, God is not finished with us – our work is not done. We may feel useless and of no benefit at times in our lives, but in reality, God is preparing us to be used of Him. Let me state that again: God is not through with you.

I am aware of some who are depressed over an apparent lack of purpose in their lives. Every day that goes by seems to be a constant reminder of that fact. But listen, God is preparing you for something. I don’t know what it is; you may not either, but He is not finished with you.

When reading about the death of the two witnesses, the people of the earth are elated that the torment of the witnesses is over (13:10). They are unwilling to hear and believe the message of the two witnesses. Their death is like the removal of a thorn from their side. Believe me, Satan is cheering with them, and he, too, is elated over their death. And Satan is elated when God’s children are giving in to the lie that God is finished with them. It is not true. Our presence in this life means God wants to continue to use us as a testimony for Him. Don’t give Satan a reason to cheer. God is not finished with you.

Have you ever felt useless and finished? Know that God is always at work in us, and in His time He will work through us. In the meantime, spend time at His feet worshipping Him in prayer and praise. That may seem difficult in these times, but God can transform our minds and attitudes when we will envelope our thoughts on Him.