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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for May 2020
June 1, 2020
Revelation 11:2 – But the court which is without the temple leave out and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Thought: John measured the temple, but the court without the temple was not to be measured. It would not be brought under the protective care of God. This was the court of the Gentiles. It is interesting that God can clearly make a distinction between humanity. He knows who is to be measured and those who are not to be measured. John is also told that the Gentiles would tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. Does this represent the city of Jerusalem? Or, does this represent the church? Commentators are divided.
II Timothy 2:19
June 2, 2020
Revelation 11:3 – And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Thought: During the forty two months, or one thousand two hundred sixty days, two witnesses would prophesy in sackcloth. Their message would be an inspired message from God. There would be two of them in order to establish the truthfulness of their ministry and to be assets to one another. They would be clothed in sackcloth, the garment of mourning which corresponded to their message. Exactly who these witnesses are is not revealed. Their function in proclaiming God’s Word, however, cannot be underestimated.
Deuteronomy 19:15
June 3, 2020
Revelation 11:4 – These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Thought: This figure is also found in Zechariah 4. However, Zechariah only sees one lampstand instead of two. Candlesticks are a means of producing light. The olive oil from the olive trees fuels the light. The prophecy of the two witnesses would shine forth the light of truth into a dark world during the thousand two hundred and threescore days. This truth proceeds from God as evidence of their standing before the God of the earth. If there is anything desperately needed by man at all times, it is the light of God’s truth.
II Peter 1:19
June 4, 2020
Revelation 11:5 – And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Thought: Those who proclaim the truth of God’s Word will always have those who will oppose them. Some of the opposition will seek to bring harm to them. In the case of God’s witnesses here, the opposition would not be able to stand before them. Fire would proceed out of their mouth and would devour their enemies. Those who sought to hurt them would be killed. God had a purpose for these individuals. No man could harm them while they were fulfilling the mission had called them to accomplish.
II Kings 1:9-13
June 5, 2020
Revelation 11:6 – These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophesy: and have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Thought: Before the Word of God was in written form, God gave power unto His servants to perform wonders that would confirm the truthfulness of their oral message. Three powers were given to the two witnesses. They could keep the heavens from giving rain. They could turn the waters of the earth into blood. They could also smite the earth with plagues. These marvelous signs pointed to the author who was behind their message. Their message was not their own. Their message came from the Almighty God.
Hebrews 2:3-4
June 6, 2020
Revelation 11:7 – And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Thought: The two witnesses had a divine work to accomplish. They were under the protective hand of God until they finished their work. Then, the beast arises out of the bottomless pit. This beast represents an evil power that opposes God and His messengers. He makes war against them. In fact, he kills the two witnesses. The beast is an agent of Satan. He does the devil’s bidding. He does all that he can to keep the kingdom of God from advancing. This beast will be seen again in greater detail later in the Revelation.
Revelation 13:4
June 7, 2020
Revelation 11:8, 9 – And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Thought: After the death of the two witnesses, the vile behavior of the wicked continues. The bodies of the two witnesses are not allowed to be buried. To bury the dead was respectful. To leave the bodies exposed showed deep contempt for these men. The city wherein this happens is likened unto Sodom and Egypt. All Bible students are familiar with the iniquities of these cities. Sadly, the city that treats these dead prophets with such contempt is the one “where also our Lord was crucified.” Kinsmen had turned into enemies.
Psalm 79:1-3
June 8, 2020
Revelation 11:10 – And they that dwell on the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Thought: Evil hates good. The darkness despises the light. When the two prophets of God were slain, the earth rejoiced. They felt as though these individuals had tormented them while they were alive. Their message of righteousness was not something that pleased their carnal minds. They loved their sin, cherished their false doctrines, and refused to repent. To be rid of these messengers was a blessing to them. They made merry and sent gifts to one another. Sadly, they failed to understand that they had truly rejected God.
Judges 16:23-24
June 9, 2020
Revelation 11:11 – And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Thought: There is an old adage that says: “It is hard to keep a good man down.” It is hard to keep a man of God down if God wants him to stand. The two prophets that were slain are filled with the “Spirit of life from God.” This Spirit gives them life, and they are resurrected. This also means that their message was no longer silenced. The reaction of the world involved “great fear.” The men who had tormented them, the men they rejoiced over for being dead, were alive. God dealt the inhabitants of the earth a harsh blow.
Ezekiel 37:14
June 10, 2020
Revelation 11:12 – And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Thought: Not only were the two witnesses resurrected, they also ascended into heaven in a cloud. This was done in the presence of their enemies, “…and their enemies beheld them.” This definitely puts the divine stamp of approval on these men and their message. Too, the enemies of the Lord would not be able to harm them any longer. These events should have brought their enemies to repentance and to their knees.
Acts 1:9
June 11, 2020
Revelation 11:13, 14 – And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
Thought: After the witnesses ascended into heaven, an earthquake shook the evil city that opposed them. The earthquake represents revolutions and upheavals in society. These convulsions hurt the city and a tenth part thereof fell and thousands of men were slain. God often shakes the nations to bring them to their senses. Those in this city were impacted. They were affrighted. Too, they gave glory to God. Men may not always obey God, but He will have His honor from them. This woe is now past, but another is to come.
Luke 5:24-26
June 12, 2020
Revelation 11:15 – And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Thought: Nations and rulers often rise up in rebellion against God. They forget that God is the governor of the nations. He is the supreme ruler. God can bring one nation or all nations under His sovereign power. This is what the Lord does at the sounding of the seventh trumpet in the Revelation. “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ…” Kings and kingdoms would be wise to accept the authority of God over them now rather than rebel and be subject to Him later.
Psalm 22:27-28
June 13, 2020
Revelation 11:16, 17 – And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou has taken to thee great power, and hast reigned.
Thought: When God manifested His power over all the kingdoms of the earth, the twenty-four elders fell upon their faces and worshipped God. They began with these words: “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty.” True worship involves thanksgiving. They were grateful that God had taken great power upon Himself and reigned. We, too, can be thankful that God is ruling and reigning over the earth. He legislates, He provides, He serves, and He protects His people. Yes, we should fall on our faces and worship God.
Psalm 64:9-10
June 14, 2020
Revelation 11:18 – And the nations were angry and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants and prophets, to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Thought: It is interesting how those who rebel against God continue their hatred and anger even when they know their demise draws nigh. Their hearts will not melt in repentance. They refuse to submit to the will of God. It is just such a heart that God will ultimately destroy. On the other hand, He rewards His servants and prophets and saints and those who fear His name. In essence, He rewards the faithful. Into which group will you fall when the judgment of God draws nigh? The answer lies in the state of your heart.
Isaiah 34:1-4
June 15, 2020
Revelation 11:19 – And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Thought: Some commentators connect this verse with Chapter 12. However, in the previous verse, judgment had come upon the enemies of God’s people and the faithful were rewarded. Could John now be seeing the entrance of the church into the temple of God in heaven? What John sees is the Most Holy Place. We know this because he sees “the ark of the testament.” One day, God’s children who have loyally followed Jesus Christ will enter the Holy of Holies and will experience the majesty and power of God.
Hebrews 9:24
June 16, 2020
Revelation 12:1 – And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
Thought: This chapter begins with “a great wonder in heaven” a wonder because this is the reaction of those who see it. The wonder is a woman. Most believe this to be the church, the bride of Christ. She is clothed with the sun. She has been adorned with the Christ, the “Sun of righteousness.” She stands upon the moon in an exalted fashion over the institutions of man. On her head is a crown of twelve stars. Twelve is a number of completeness indicating the whole church is both royal and victorious.
II Corinthians 11:2
June 17, 2020
Revelation 12:2 – And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Thought: The woman who was introduced in the previous verse is said to be “with child,” that is, she is pregnant. Her delivery is one of pain and anguish. The picture is that of the church under persecution. The church proclaims the truth and brings forth children unto God. Their births, however, are not easy. They are difficult because of the many enemies who oppose the woman. We are fortunate to live in a peaceful society. Any woman who has been through childbirth can identify with the church under persecution.
Acts 8:1-4
June 18, 2020
Revelation 12:3 – And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Thought: When the church gave birth to children, Satan did not sit still. John sees “another wonder.” It was “a great red dragon.” The dragon was a symbol of Satan. It was also one of the symbols of Rome. Satan would work through Rome to accomplish his purpose. The seven heads described the completeness of Rome’s power. The ten horns denoted the ten kingdoms over which the emperor ruled. His seven crowns indicate the power, the diabolical power and glory of Rome. Satan and his allies are powerful foes.
Revelation 12:9
June 19, 2020
Revelation 12:4 – And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Thought: In the previous verse, we noted that the dragon was the Roman Empire being used by Satan for his purposes. His purpose is singular in nature, to destroy. This enemy has great power. His tail drew, that is, dragged down a third part of the starts of heaven. The stars often represent those in positions of power and authority. Note, too, that the dragon stood before the woman, the church, “for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” Satan is not a builder. He is a destroyer. He is an adversary who is to be greatly feared.
I Peter 5:8-9
June 20, 2020
Revelation 12:5, 6 – And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Thought: Many believe the writer is referring to Jesus in this text, but he is not. He uses the term “man child” to refer to the converts produced by the church though the preaching of the gospel. Through teaching and living the law of Christ, those of God’s kingdom would rule all nations with a rod of iron. Some of the woman’s children were caught up unto God, that is, martyred for the cause of Christ. The remainder fled from their enemy into a place prepared by God. God’s providential care would protect the remnant.
Revelation 2:26-27
June 21, 2020
Revelation 12:7, 8 – And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Thought: When good and evil fight on earth, there is also fighting raging in heaven. Satan and his angels are the primary foes against the church. Michael and his angels resist these evil forces. Notice, that it is not possible for evil to prevail. “…and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not.” Their utter defeat is contained in the words: “…neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Two points are comforting to the Christian. First, heaven’s forces are always fighting on our behalf. Second, Satan will never win!
Daniel 12:1
June 22, 2020
Revelation 12:9 – And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Thought: A dragon is powerful and fierce. A serpent is extremely subtle. The word “Devil” means accuser. The name “Satan” means adversary. All of these are extremely adequate descriptions of the evil one. Notice, too, that he “deceiveth the whole world.” Satan is a loathsome villain. However, he does not have enough power to triumph over our God. Here, we read: “…he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” In any battle, God will triumph over Satan every time. All should choose the Lord’s side!
John 12:31-32
June 23, 2020
Revelation 12:10 – And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Thought: Victory over evil allows blessings to be bestowed. Satan and his angels were cast down. “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.” Four blessings have been set forth because the accuser of the brethren was cast down. The fact that blessings can flow when evil is done away should cause us to destroy evil in all places, especially in our personal lives, in our homes, and in our churches. When Satan is defeated he cannot destroy. God is then able to pour out His bounty on us.
James 4:7-8
June 24, 2020
Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Thought: Alone, man is not capable of overcoming Satan. He stands in need of divine help. This assistance has been given in the form of the blood of Christ and the precious Word of God. The blood of Christ cleanses us from our sins. The Word of God informs us as to how this is done. Those who appropriate the blood of the Lamb in their lives, will be victorious over Satan. The commitment, however, cannot be half-hearted. Those who come to the Christ must be willing to lay down their lives for him if necessary.
Acts 20:24
June 25, 2020
Revelation 12:12 – Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Thought: Wherever Satan is not, men should rejoice. Wherever Satan is, men should mourn. Here, Satan had been cast down to the earth. The heavens, therefore, were told to rejoice. On the other hand, there was a woe pronounced on the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea. “…for the devil is come down unto you…” Satan is full of wrath. His only mission is to destroy. When Satan entered the Garden of Eden, he destroyed the peace and tranquility therein. He will do the same to our lives. Thus, we must keep him out!
Ephesians 4:27
June 26, 2020
Revelation 12:13 – And when the dragon saw that he was cast upon the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Thought: We have mentioned several times that Satan has one mission, to destroy. Having been cast down to the earth, John sees the dragon persecuting the woman which brought forth the man child. This is the church, the bride of Christ. These individuals have been delivered from the world. Their sins have been forgiven by the blood of the Lamb. Satan wants them back. He entices. He deceives. He persecutes. He does whatever is in his power to cause mankind, including Christians, to lose their souls. He is very evil!
Job 2:2
June 27, 2020
Revelation 12:14 – And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Thought: Satan sought to persecute the church. However, she was given two wings of an eagle so she could fly into the wilderness “where she is nourished.” During afflictions, one of the things we need to endure is nourishment. We might need physical nourishment as Elijah did when he fled from Jezebel. We might need emotional nourishment, like Israel did in the days of Nehemiah. We might also need spiritual nourishment as Jesus did prior to the cross. Aren’t we glad that God can provide the nourishment we need at any time?
Deuteronomy 32:9-12
June 28, 2020
Revelation 12:15, 16 – And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Thought: When the woman fled into the wilderness, the dragon continued to pursue. Satan is relentless in his efforts to destroy the church for which Jesus died. If there is any respite from his attacks, it is only momentarily. Again, however, there was deliverance. “And the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood…” God is true to His promises. He has promised deliverance to His faithful children. His deliverance always comes to pass.
Luke 4:13
June 29, 2020
Revelation 12:17 – And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Thought: Satan is never happy when he loses. His losses, however, do not cause him to give up. No, he intensifies his efforts. When the woman was protected, he “went to make war with the remnant of her seed.” These were faithful children of God. They had kept “the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” If anyone has a need to fear Satan, it is the faithful child of God. It is he against whom Satan focuses his destructive forces. The Christian, however, does not fear. God is on his side.
Matthew 28:20
June 30, 2020
Revelation 13:1 – And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Thought: In chapter twelve, John noted “a great red dragon’ (v. 3). His focus, however, was more upon the woman being persecuted by the dragon. He now turns his attention upon a beast that rises out of the sea. It, too, has “seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns.” Again, this is the power of the Roman Empire. Its opposition to Christianity is seen in the word “blasphemy” which means “to speak against. Governments often oppose Christianity. Leaders with great power do not want to submit to the Christ.
Revelation 13:5-6
Read devotionals for July 2020