THURSDAY,
NOVEMBER 24, 2022
TEXT:
Revelation 1:9-20
9.
I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the
kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of
the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
10.
I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like
a trumpet
11.
saying, “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to
Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and
to Laodicea.”
12.
Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw
seven golden lampstands,
13.
and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with
a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest.
14.
His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were
like a flame of fire,
15.
his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was
like the sound of many waters.
16.
In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp,
two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.
17.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet at though dead. But he placed his right hand
on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,”
18.
and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I
have the keys of Death and of Hades.
19.
Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this.
20.
As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the
seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches,
and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
(New
Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
GOD SPEAK IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION
Today, Christians are
facing persecution, attacks from terrorists and bandits, etc, which is making
them ask whether God is aware of their predicaments. But God is very aware of
our suffering.
Today’s text tells us
that persecution is not new and that we are not the only ones going through
persecution (v. 9). Therefore, do not lose hope because God is with you in the
face of these challenges.
Apostle John reminded
the Church that, no matter the persecution, God’s all-encompassing love and
reassuring power is available for her. So, there is no reason to be afraid and
complain because God is the owner of life, holds the keys of death Hades (vs.
10-17) and has the power to bring judgment on our persecutors with the sword in
His mouth (v. 16).
But the Church must
first turn away from sin and unto God in faith and listen as He speaks to us,
even in the face of persecution.
QUESTION:
Are you attentively waiting to hear God speak to you even in the face of your
challenges and persecution?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to be attentive in order to hear Your words of strength and
comfort to me, in Christ’s name, Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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