There is a great story in Ezekiel 16. God compares His rescue of Israel to the rescue of abandoned newborns. He saves them, nurtures them, feeds, clothes, and adorns them with jewelry. He makes them beautiful, redeems their broken lives and makes them amazing. And what happens? They become proud of their beauty and makeContinue reading “We Cannot Save Ourselves. Ezekiel 16:63.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
MAN’S GREATEST WORKS ARE A TOWER OF BABEL. Revelation 20:11-21:1,5.
A.I. image. It is easy to be swept up in humanity’s little dramas. The Olympics is a stunning spectacle—193 nations and a dozen non-nations competing in events that have their own storied history (consider ancient events like archery, marathon running, and wrestling). Athletes carry a flame, light a torch, and promote peace. It is allContinue reading “MAN’S GREATEST WORKS ARE A TOWER OF BABEL. Revelation 20:11-21:1,5.”
JESUS IS LOVE AND WRATH. Revelation 19:11-20:12.
This picture generated with A.I. The Old Testament predicts the New. God promised Abram his people would return from Egypt to the Promised Land after 400 years, “because the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure” Genesis 15:16. The pagans were not evil enough to warrant destruction—but would be in time.Continue reading “JESUS IS LOVE AND WRATH. Revelation 19:11-20:12.”
The End Times Will Reveal the Hearts of Men. Revelation 14:14-16.
In the book of Revelation Jesus reveals the future (the noun form of ‘reveal’ is ‘revelation’). But the End Times will also reveal the hearts of man. Those who love God will grow to love Him more, and those who hate God will hate Him even more, as they “fill up the full measure ofContinue reading “The End Times Will Reveal the Hearts of Men. Revelation 14:14-16.”
God Does Not Judge the Repentant. God Judges Those Who Refuse to Repent. 2 Peter 3:9.
Many struggle to understand the judgment of God. Some look at Noah’s flood and feel sorry for those who drowned. Or they read about Sodom and Gomorrah and feel sympathetic toward the people of these two cities who were slain. Others look at the battles David fought and wonder how God could ask Israel toContinue reading “God Does Not Judge the Repentant. God Judges Those Who Refuse to Repent. 2 Peter 3:9.”
Drunk on Blood. Revelation 17:6.
Yesterday I ran across a video compilation of people who were drunk. They fell down stairs. They tried to fight, but their efforts were ridiculous. A man fell out of a moving boat. A woman in a dress climbed up on the hood of a car and sat there even after the driver began toContinue reading “Drunk on Blood. Revelation 17:6.”
WHAT IS THE DEVIL SO MAD ABOUT? Revelation 12:2-17.
Revelation 12 chronicles the activities of the devil. Because it is prophecy, it is filled with symbolism and a sort of dream logic. Israel is pictured as a woman, and Satan is a dragon: “She was pregnant and cried out in labor… And the dragon stood in front of the woman to devour the child.Continue reading “WHAT IS THE DEVIL SO MAD ABOUT? Revelation 12:2-17.”
The Christmas Story from a Parallel Universe. Revelation 12: 1-9
The twelfth chapter of Revelation tells a sort of Christmas story. The woman in this story is Israel. Israel (crowned by 12 stars symbolizing the 12 tribes) gives birth to Jesus, a child who will rule the nations. Notice the war coming from the devil, pictured as a dragon in John’s vision. This is aContinue reading “The Christmas Story from a Parallel Universe. Revelation 12: 1-9”
GLOAT. Revelation 11:10.
Do you ever gloat? Merriam-Webster defines “gloat” as “to observe or think about something with triumphant or often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight. To gloat over an enemy’s misfortune.” Gloating is a bit like winning a contest, then rubbing your opponent’s face in his loss. Batters sometimes gloat over a home run. Football players gloatContinue reading “GLOAT. Revelation 11:10.”
JUSTICE. Revelation 8:3-6.
We crave justice. The gentlest among us is stirred to anger hearing about abuse of children and all the human monsters who torture the defenseless. Who has not heard a news story and hoped bad things would happen to the criminal? Yet, we read Revelation and feel sorry for those who suffer. The book tellsContinue reading “JUSTICE. Revelation 8:3-6.”
Household Words: 