OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for February 2020
March 1, 2020
Revelation 3:21, 22 – To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
Thought: The Lord always rewards His people who are faithful. To sit upon the Lord’s throne is to be exalted to a position of prominence and power. Our feeble minds cannot truly grasp the significance of such exaltation. It ought to fill us with an earnest desire to be overcomers. The letter again exhorts Christians who have ears to hear. This does not merely involve listening. It involves a diligent application of the things that are heard.
Matthew 25:21
March 2, 2020
Revelation 4:1 – After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Thought: John was given the privilege of entering into heaven. One with the voice like unto a trumpet invited him in, saying: “Come up hither.” We, too, can enter that place and get a glimpse therein because John records for us the things that he saw. He is reminded of what he will see, “things which must be hereafter.” It is this that makes the Revelation a prophecy. Remember in Chapter One, John was told that these things “must shortly come to pass.”
John 16:13
March 3, 2020
Revelation 4:2 – And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Thought: There are three interesting things in this verse. First, John knew when he was being given a message by the Holy Spirit. In other words, he knew he was inspired. He says: “I was in the Spirit.” Second, John saw a throne. Thrones belong to monarchs. Thrones are elaborate seats. They impress those who see them. Third, he saw the one who sat on the throne. His eyes were probably overwhelmed with this vision. Had he not been inspired, it would have been hard to take it all in.
Isaiah 6:1-3
March 4, 2020
Revelation 4:3 – And he that sat was to look upon like jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
Thought: How does a person describe God when he sees him? John likened Him unto precious stones, a jasper and a sardine. Most commentators tell us that the sardine was red, like unto the color worn by princes. The jasper has many colors. Vincent says the best jasper was purple, indicating the royalty of the one on the throne. An emerald rainbow encircled the throne. Emeralds, too, were precious and of a beautiful green color. Valuable. Brilliant. Royal. Desired. How can one describe God?
Ezekiel 1:26-28
March 5, 2020
Revelation 4:4 – And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Thought: The word “seats” means thrones. These are positions of authority. They encircle the throne of God. On those thrones sit twenty-four elders. These could indicate the twelve sons of Israel and the twelve apostles. Thus, they would be representatives of the redeemed under both the old covenant and the new covenant. They are holy indicated by their white raiment. Too, they are victorious, having crowns of gold on their heads. Under both covenants, God worked through humans to do His will.
Genesis 35:22
March 6, 2020
Revelation 4:5 – And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Thought: The lightnings and thunderings manifest the majesty and power of the Almighty God who sat upon the throne. These things can strike terror into the hearts of men. The seven lamps are expressive of illumination. Lamps are needed to see. These lamps involve spiritual illumination for they are the seven Spirits of God. Seven is a perfect number. The seven Spirits are the Holy Spirit. He is an illuminator of mankind. This illumination was provided for man through the Word of God.
Psalm 119:105
March 7, 2020
Revelation 4:6 – And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Thought: The throne scene which John experiences also involves “a sea of glass like unto crystal” before the throne. Some often refer to John’s experiencing God’s throne room. It, however, is vast like a sea. The floor thereof gleams like crystal. It reaches out before God’s throne with a great calm. He also saw four beasts, or, living creatures in the midst of the throne. They are all-seeing, or, full of eyes.
Revelation 7:11
March 8, 2020
Revelation 4:7 – And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Thought: These four “beasts” are now described. It is believed that they symbolize aspects of God’s divine government. The lion is the “king of the beasts.” He would represent authority and boldness. The calf is strong and built low to the ground. He would represent stability, strength, and endurance. The beast with the face of a man symbolizes intelligence. Although a part of God’s creation, man was different because he was made in God’s image. The eagle symbolizes majesty and grace and swiftness.
Proverbs 28:1
March 9, 2020
Revelation 4:8 – And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Thought: In this verse we are reminded of several things regarding deity. First, God is omnipotent, “full of eyes within.” Second, God is tireless. He rests not both day and night. Third, God is absolutely holy. The use of the three words, “holy, holy, holy,” is designed to recognize the perfection of God’s holiness. Fourth, God is Almighty. Fifth, He is eternal. He was, is, and is to come. What a God! All of his attributes flow into the totality of His government and His agents who execute it.
Exodus 15:11
March 10, 2020
Revelation 4:9,10 – And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying.
Thought: Man praises God on earth. However, our praise is often void of much emotion. We have difficulty experiencing God in our midst. Those around the throne of God in heaven experience Him in His fullness. Their reaction is praise. They give Him glory and honor and thanks. They fall before His throne and worship Him. They cast their crowns before Him recognizing His power and manifesting their submission to Him. Can you imagine standing in the presence of God as He sits on His throne?
Revelation 15:4
March 11, 2020
Revelation 4:11 – Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Thought: The twenty four elders and the four beasts praise the one on the throne because they know He is worthy. The word “worthy” come from the word “worth.” The one who sits on the throne has great worth and value. He is worthy of glory, honor, and power. One reason He is worthy is because he is the Creator of all things. The created should always bow before the Creator. The Creator is the reason there is a creation. The Creator is the reason we are living beings.
I Chronicles 16:28-29
March 12, 2020
Revelation 5:1 – And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals.
Thought: In this verse, we find God holding a book. This book represents revelation from the mind of God. At the time, however, the book was sealed. The contents of the book, the divine message, had not been revealed to man. At one time, this was true of all revelation. It was housed in the mind of God. We are fortunate that God was willing to break the seal of His holy Word and reveal its contents to us. To know what God has done for us and expects of us is vital to our eternal well-being.
Isaiah 29:10-12
March 13, 2020
Revelation 5:2, 3 – And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Thought: Man is not able to know and understand the mind of God. He is incapable of setting forth divine revelation without assistance from God. When John saw that no man could open the book, it was a sad occasion. The book was sealed. Unless it was opened, the revelation would be hidden for ever and ever. Man could not hear, understand, and obey the will God. Man without divine revelation is a helpless case.
Isaiah 41:22-23
March 14, 2020
Revelation 5:4 – And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Thought: John felt the heartache of God’s revelation being hidden from men. He expressed his regret with much weeping. Man just is not able to express the truth that mankind needs to save him. He is not wise enough. He is not pure enough. He is not infinite enough. Revelation can only come from deity. Revelation can only come from a being who is all-wise. Revelation can only spring from a being who is completely free of sin and iniquity. No, man is not worthy.
Proverbs 29:18
March 15, 2020
Revelation 5:5 – And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Thought: Fortunately, all hope was not lost. There was one, one, who was worthy to open the book. Thus, John was exhorted by one of the elders to “weep not.” Who is this being? The Lion of the Tribe of Juda and the Root of David. His lineage as the Messiah is correct being from the tribe of Judah and of the offspring of David. He was bold and courageous like a lion. He could open the book. He could loose the seven seals thereof. Now the revelation would be made known to mankind.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
March 16, 2020
Revelation 5:6 – And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Thought: When John turned, he did not see a lion. Instead he saw a Lamb. It was not just any Lamb. It was a Lamb as it had been slain. He saw the crucified Christ. He was in His rightful place “in the midst of the throne.” He had seven horns. Horns represent power and might. Seven horns proclaim absolute power. He also had seven eyes. There is nothing He does not see. He is omnipresent. All of these descriptions of Jesus manifest that He is truly worthy to open the book.
John 1:29
March 17, 2020
Revelation 5:7, 8 – And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints.
Thought: There are special events that deserve time for praise and thanksgiving. This was one of them. When the four beasts and twenty-four elders saw the Lamb of God take the book to open it, it was time for praise and thanksgiving. Praise would be represented by their harps. Vials full of odours are described as the prayers of the saints. Any time God works on man’s behalf, he should lift up his voice in adoration of God and bow his head and express gratitude to his heavenly Father.
Psalm 141:2
March 18, 2020
Revelation 5:9 – And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Thought: As time passes and as events unfold, new songs are often needed. When the Lamb of God took the book from the hand of God, a new song was sung. It could have been titled: “Thou Art Worthy.” He was worthy because of who He is and what He has done. He was slain for the sins of all men. He provides the ability for those would of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation to be redeemed. Yes, Jesus paid the price for the sins of lost humanity. Yes, He is worthy!
Psalm 98:1
March 19, 2020
Revelation 5:10 – And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Thought: Our God has established a spiritual kingdom that is on the earth today. In that kingdom, Christians are kings. God has also established a spiritual temple on the earth. In that temple, Christians are priests of God. These are positions of prominence and importance. In these positions, God children reign upon the earth. God expects His children to carry out their responsibilities in these positions. He will hold us accountable as to how we have functioned in these offices.
Revelation 1:6
March 20, 2020
Revelation 5:11 – And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.
Thought: God created the hosts of heaven. These angelic beings are spirits. They are God’s messengers. They are God’s ministers. They carry out the will of God who created them. The hosts of heaven are innumerable. John says their number is “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” These supernatural creatures also gather around the throne of God. They, too, praise Him and the Lamb because they are worthy.
Hebrews 12:22
March 21, 2020
Revelation 5:12 – Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Thought: The hosts of heaven recognize the extreme value of the Lamb of God. His character and His work entitle him to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. These beings who recognize the greatness of the Lamb are superior to man. They are often referred to as supernatural beings. It is sad that man who is a little lower than the angels often fails to see the worth of the Lamb that was slain.
Philippians 2:9-11
March 22, 2020
Revelation 5:13 – And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Thought: Not only do the creatures of heaven praise the Lamb, but so do all of the creatures “on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea.” They realize the divinity, the power, and the holiness of God the Father and God the Son. They have no problem giving them blessing and honor and praise. Why, then, does man who is created in the image of God find it so difficult? Could it be that he has not truly come to understand God and what He has done for us?
Psalm 148:2-13
March 23, 2020
Revelation 5:14 – And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Thought: The word, “Amen,” means “so be it.” It is said as an affirmation of truth that is expressed by others. All the creatures of the earth gave praise to God and to the Lamb in the previous verse. The four beasts now affirm that truth with an “Amen.” In addition, the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped God and the Lamb. They recognized the fact that God’s eternal nature. It is He who liveth for ever and ever.
Deuteronomy 33:27
March 24, 2020
Revelation 6:1 – And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts, saying, Come and see.
Thought: In this chapter, the Lamb begins to open the seals of the book that had been held by God. The revelation that had been kept shut was now going to be revealed to mankind. John was there as God’s divine agent to receive the revelation. He was invited by one of the four beasts to “Come and see.” This was a heavenly vision given to John. It was one of the means by which God communicated His message to man. John would write down what he saw giving man a permanent record of truth.
Acts 4:19-20
March 25, 2020
Revelation 6:2 – And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Thought: This is the first indication that a war is being fought. John’s readers are first introduced to one who sat upon a white horse. This was the commander of the troops. This is confirmed by the fact he had a crown that was given to him. In his hand, he carried a bow. This was a weapon of war. His mission was to go forth and conquer, and conquer he did. He was a victorious warrior. This first seal would have been of great encouragement to these Christians.
Revelation 19:11
March 26, 2020
Revelation 6:3 – And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Thought: The Lamb had only opened the first seal. There were six more to be opened. Having taken in the first, John is now admonished by the second beast to “Come and see.” We must never focus solely on one aspect of God’s divine truth. All truth is necessary. All Scripture is profitable. Once we understand one segment of truth, let’s move on to another. There is so much God longs to teach us.
II Timothy 3:16-17
March 27, 2020
Revelation 6:4 – And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Thought: The second horse that John sees is a red horse. This is the horse of persecution. Red is symbolic of the blood that would be shed by the rider of this horse. He who sat upon this horse would take peace from the earth. His mission was to kill the people of God. The “great sword” is an instrument of death. Spiritual warfare involves two sides. One of these is the enemy who is intent on ridding the earth of God’s people. There can be times when he appears to be winning, too.
Ezekiel 30:24-25
March 28, 2020
Revelation 6:5 – And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Thought: The third seal is opened indicating that God’s divine revelation is continuing to be made known. Another horse comes forth. This time is it a black horse. Black was often the symbol of great dearth and famine in the earth. The rider of this horse holds “a pair of balances in his hand.” The famine will be severe. The measures of food will be weighed out and distributed to those in need. Times of persecution usually bring other disasters to God’s people. Famine is one of them.
Lamentations 5:9-10
March 29, 2020
Revelation 6:6 – And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and wine.
Thought: The rider on the black horse creates famine. When a famine hits, the price of food escalates. Here the price is about eight times higher than normal for both wheat and barley. Wheat was a better grain than barley, thus, it came with a higher price. The rider on the black horse was limited in his ability. He was forbidden to touch the oil and wine. The olives and grapes would still be productive.
Job 1:12
March 30, 2020
Revelation 6:7 – And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Thought: The revelation of God just continues to be poured out. John has already seen three horses when the first three seals were opened. What would this seal reveal? It is difficult for us to imagine the mind of the inspired penmen as they were being given divine revelation. Their minds must have been filled with questions. What does this mean? What is God trying to communicate? Can these things actually be true? We are thankful that they wrote with great precision. We have what they revealed.
I Peter 1:10-12
March 31, 2020
Revelation 6:8 – And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Thought: When severe persecution arises against the church, there will be death. John saw death riding on a pale horse. Death was going to come in many ways: “with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” In many of these instances, death would cut people lives extremely short. Death is never pleasant. It is an enemy. It brings loss and sorrow and a host of other negative emotions. Fortunately, God limited the devastation to a fourth part of the earth.
I Corinthians 15:26
Read devotionals for April 2020
