FBC Daily Devotions

By Mike Kurtz

Read Revelation 11:2-6.

In this set of verses, there are two events that take place. One is the trampling of the city of Jerusalem for 42 months. The second is two witnesses given power to prophesy and power over the elements as needed to continue their prophetic activity for 1,260 days. Note that both durations are equal to 3-1/2 years – half of the 7 year tribulation period or Daniel’s 70^th week. I mention these because the timing of these two events is debatable. Do they occur simultaneously or sequentially?

Perhaps some background information is in order. We know from Daniel’s prophecy (Dan. 9:27) that a final seven years (Daniel’s 70^th week) will usher in the judgment. Daniel’s prophecy indicates that in the middle of that week, the Antichrist will break a covenant with the people of Israel resulting ultimately in the “trampling of the holy city” (Rev. 11:2). This event occurs in the last half of the 7 year period, or in other words, the last 3-1/2 years of the tribulation period. (Are you still with me?)

I would tend to agree with commentators who see these two events (the trampling of the city and the prophetic activity of the two witnesses) as both beginning at the second half of the tribulation period. That said, in order for these events to take place at this time, one must see chapter 10 as not occurring within the sixth trumpet judgment – a judgment that was executed long after the midpoint of the tribulation period. (I know this may be a little confusing, and this is part of the criticism with this view.)

Looking at the two witnesses now, they are described as two olive trees and two lampstands. This surely coincides with Zechariah 4 where a lampstand and two olive trees are mentioned. In Zechariah’s prophecy, in answer to what these were, the answer given Zerubbabel was: “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.'” (Zech. 4:6) In other words, these two witnesses would be fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work described in the forthcoming verses. We could spend a great deal of time speculating on the identities of these two witnesses, but more important than who they are is Who they represent and from Whom they gain their power.

Last Sunday we had a time of open sharing during the worship service. Sheilah Tsuji shared about her continued bout with cancer. While we may have looked upon this godly woman with compassion and sympathy for her condition, her story was not about her, but about God. She shared how God orchestrated extraordinary circumstances to lead a woman to Christ. I came away from her story not only with a deep respect for her, but even more with a greater sense of the awesome power of God. Hers was a story that no matter how weak or strong one may feel, that is of no consequence. What is of the utmost consequence is the power of God in our lives. Our story is to be His story. And you know, He doesn’t just work in our lives once in a great while. He is always at work.

So what’s His story in your life today? What can you tell others of the awesome power of God even in the small things? Let’s not spend time talking about ourselves, but instead let’s talk about God. After all, what do we really bring to the table?

by Mike Kurtz

Read Revelation 11:1-2.

It seems as if this is said over and over again, but this chapter of Revelation is perhaps one of the most difficult-to-place passages in the end times scenario described in this book. The two witnesses – who are they? What purpose do they serve? When do they appear within the timeline of the tribulation period? These are difficult to answer. But before addressing these questions, let’s look at the first instructions given to John in verses 1-2. The apostle is given a measuring rod, actually a long reed. He is told to measure the temple and the altar. In verse two John is told NOT to measure the outer courts. Why would this be the case?

One must keep in mind measuring was often a sign of ownership or a designation of a people or area for God’s special use (see for example, Zech. 2, Ezek. 40; Rev. 21). The fact that the outer courts were not to be measured but instead would designate an area for the Gentiles who would destroy the city would lend support to this idea. The people of God are represented as worshipers in the temple and altar areas where God symbolically resided. Interesting symbolism, but I think what stands out above these details is the detail that John is to measure the worshipers themselves. The NIV translation states that John was to “count” the number of worshipers, but literally the text says to measure the temple and the worshipers (as in the NAS). While this could (and perhaps likely) mean the number of worshipers, it could also mean the quality of the worshiper as in how one “measures up” in their worship of God. As we know from Scripture and personal experience, one can never measure up to the standard of the temple and the altar. Is God trying to point out the stark contrast between the one who worships and the One who is worshipped? I don’t know for certain… but I do know that none stands worthy of God. And that is as it should be.

Before God, no man can stand. And yet because of God and His grace, we can come boldly before Him. Do you measure up to God’s standard? Yes, you do because God accepted Christ as worthy for our sake. We measure up through Christ who is worthy and who makes us worthy before God. Have you come to realization that you are His child, that He has marked you as His? Has the truth of your unworthiness and filth before a pure and holy God given you a heart of praise for the work of Christ on your behalf? Take a moment and ponder that thought. The Bible says that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12). It seems our transgressions were once very close to us – in fact, a part of us. What kind of God would count us worthy to sit before Him?

Thinking back over Sunday’s message, what things did God impress on you? How can it make a difference in your life this week?

by Mako Kato

Revelation 10:8-11

In this passage, John eats the scroll.  I know it sounds kind of weird… eating a scroll, but it isn’t the only scroll that’s been eaten in the Bible.  In Ezekiel 2:8-3:3 we read about Ezekiel being given a scroll to eat.  It is interesting that both of the scrolls have a sweet taste in the mouth.  When John eats it, it tastes like honey to his lips even if it is bitter in his stomach.  For Ezekiel, the scroll had words of “lamentation and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2:10 ESV) but it was as sweet as honey.

In the scroll for John and for Ezekiel, is a message.  I am trying to figure out the symbolism of the sweet taste but the bitterness in the stomach.  Perhaps it has to do with the good and the bad of the message of the scroll.  Written in the scroll are the words of God.  In Psalm 119:103 , the psalmist writes, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (ESV).  God’s Word is like sweet honey, but there is also bitterness.

What is this bitterness?  I think we can get a hint from verse 11, which states, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”  John has to prophesy about these people just as Ezekiel and other prophets prophesied about Israel, but now it is on a worldwide scale.  John has to prophesy not just against the sins of Israel, but also against the sins of people around the world.

It leaves a bitter feeling to think of all the people who reject God.  In Revelation 9:20-21 we read that those who were permitted to live after the first two woes still would not repent of their wrongdoings.  Instead they will continue to reject God.

But there are good examples too: the examples of Ezekiel and John, servants of God who prophesied and ate the scrolls – no questions asked.  God told Ezekiel in Ezekiel 2:8: “But you son of man, hear what I say to you.  Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.”  That is what both Ezekiel and John did.  They ate what God gave them.  They listened to God and in obeyed Him.

We can try to be like John and Ezekiel.  Doing what God has commanded us to do in the Bible: Loving God and loving others.  We can eat what he gives us and not rebel against His commands, for His words are sweet like honey.

by Mako Kato

Revelation 10:5-7

Yesterday we talked about what God has not revealed to us.  Today we can talk about what God has revealed to us.  In the days of the trumpet call, “the mystery of God” would be fulfilled.  This mystery was announced to his servants, the prophets.

Prophecy in the Bible has revealed much to us.  We can see many prophesies that have already been fulfilled and see God’s plan in history.  We can also see the prophecies in Revelation that have not yet been fulfilled.  Through prophecy, we see the plan of God.  In reading Ephesians, we learn about the centrality of Christ and his will.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.                                                                    Ephesians 1:7-10 (ESV)

God has a plan and a purpose fulfilled in Christ’s death, resurrection and future return.  This is what God has revealed to us.  The mystery is going to be fulfilled.

And we are reminded in this passage of who it is that made the mystery.  The God who is the provider of a plan for the world.  He is the one “who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it.”  And God’s power over all of creation is not only displayed in the angels words, but in where the angel is standing.  The angel has one foot on the sea and one foot on the land (Revelation 10:2) and he raises his right hand toward heaven.

Heaven, earth, and sea.  God created it and reigns supreme over it all.  He is the one whose plan is culminating in the return of Jesus Christ.  And yet despite the power displayed in God’s creation, he chose us.  Going back to those verses in Ephesians, he redeemed us.  He lavished his grace on us.  He poured his grace down on us.  We are part of his plan and have been part of his plan since the beginning.  When God made his covenants with Abraham and David, we were part of the plan.  When God spoke through the prophets of the coming Messiah, we were part of the plan.  When Christ died on the cross, we were part of the plan; we were the reason Christ had to die, to fulfill God’s plan in the fullness of time.

I feel like singing the doxology now… Praise God from whom all blessings flow…