OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for November 2020
December 1, 2020
Revelation 21:26 – And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
Thought: This verse takes us back to the thought expressed in verse 24. The apostles were ordered to take the gospel to every nation. This included the nations of the Gentiles. It includes all the nations of the world. The Holy City will contain people from all languages, tongues, tribes, and people. There will hardly be a nation that is not represented therein. This was part of the mystery of God. He would unite all people in one body, the church. This group would occupy the Holy City of God.
Ephesians 3:3-6
December 2, 2020
Revelation 21:27 – And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Thought: The world we live in is full of sin, wickedness, violence, and corruption. Every day we hear stories about destruction, decay, and death. Sometimes, we become the victims of the depravity of this world. In the New Jerusalem, nothing like this is found. Nothing that can defile, nothing that works abomination, and nothing associated with falsehood is there. What is there are those who are in the Lamb’s book of life. These are they who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.
II Peter 3:13
December 3, 2020
Revelation 22:1 – And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Thought: Water is essential to life. There are many different kinds of water. Some water is stagnant and warm. Some water flows freely and is cool to drink. Our home in the hereafter is like unto a Paradise, a park. In the midst of it is “a pure river of water of life.” It is pure, that is, without pollutants. It is a river, that is, water that flows. It is clear. Its source is “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” This river is a holy spring provided by deity that allows the redeemed to live forever and ever.
Psalm 46:4
December 4, 2020
Revelation 22:2 – In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Thought: The tree of life was originally in the Garden of Eden. This tree would have granted eternal life to the first couple. When they sinned, God refused access to this tree. Now this tree is restored to the paradise of God. It produces many kinds of fruit, twelve in number. Its production is not seasonal. It yields her fruit every month. Too, it is an extremely beneficial tree. “The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” What was taken from fallen man is given back to the redeemed.
Genesis 3:24
December 5, 2020
Revelation 22:3 – And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.
Thought: The sin of Adam and Eve brought a curse upon the ground by God. Man would have to labor diligently to make the ground produce. It brought forth thorns and thistles which multiplied wounds and pain. In the new heavens and new earth the curse is removed. The focus of those who reside there is now upon the throne of God and of the Lamb. The redeemed, the saints of God, will give themselves fully to serving their God and His holy Son.
Genesis 3:17-18
December 6, 2020
Revelation 22:4 – And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Thought: No man who has ever lived has seen God at any time. This will all change when man is united with the heavenly Father in heaven. “And they shall see his face.” Can you imagine looking upon the face of God? We can only faintly imagine what we will experience as we gaze into His eyes. The reason we will be blessed to see Him is because His name shall be in our foreheads. We can see Him because we belong to Him. The blood of the Lamb made us His own.
John 1:18
December 7, 2020
Revelation 22:5 – And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Thought: Nights are not something most people enjoy. Nights increase loneliness. Nights seem to increase pain. Nights often cause individuals to fear. In the hereafter, there is no night there. There, God giveth them light. In fact, He is the light. No loneliness. No pain. No fear. What a blessing to be in the light of God’s presence and reign with Him for ever and ever.
Isaiah 60:19-20
December 8, 2020
Revelation 22:6 – And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Thought: The angel assures John again that all the things that have been revealed to him “are faithful and true.” The words are factual and all that has been spoken will come to pass. He also reveals to him again that the Lord is showing his servants “things which must shortly be done.” Remember, Revelation was not written yesterday. It was written two thousand years ago. The words, “shortly be done,” do not apply to this generation. They applied to the first century generation.
Revelation 1:1
December 9, 2020
Revelation 22:7 – Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Thought: The Lord promises His reader that He is coming “quickly.” The word “quickly” means “shortly, soon, and without delay.” The word also involves an element of surprise. This coming is not the Second Coming. It is the coming of the Lord in judgment against the adversaries of His people that has been revealed in the Apocalypse. Those who kept the sayings of the prophecy of this book had nothing to fear. They were the called, the chosen, and the faithful who will overcome.
Zephaniah 1:14-15
December 10, 2020
Revelation 22:8 – And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Thought: John was overwhelmed by the things that he saw and by the person who presented these things to him. Therefore, he “fell down to worship before the feet of the angel” which showed him those things. John felt little in his presence. John felt a sense of awe and respect for this being. He felt this being was worthy of praise and honor. Most would praise John’s reaction. How could a sincere gesture of respect be condemned?
Acts 10:25
December 11, 2020
Revelation 22:9 – Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
Thought: In the previous verse, John had bowed before the angel that appeared to him in worship. Although John was sincere, his actions were wrong. The angel charged him, saying: “See thou do it not.” Angels are created beings. Angels are just a little higher than man. Angels are servants of God as men are. Angels are charged with keeping the Lord’s will. They are not creatures, therefore, who are worthy of worship. The angel points John to the one worthy of worship. He says: “Worship God.”
Matthew 4:8-10
December 12, 2020
Revelation 22:10 – And he saith unto me, Seal not the saying of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Thought: If a prophet were commanded to seal up his prophecy, that prophecy was not scheduled to come to pass in the near future. On the other hand, if the prophet were told: “Seal not the saying of the prophecy of this book,” the fulfillment would be soon. In fact, this is exactly what the angel told John: “..for the time is at hand.” Many want to believe the book of Revelation is still yet to be fulfilled. Numerous times, however, the book declares it would be fulfilled near to the time it was written.
Daniel 12:9
December 13, 2020
Revelation 22:11 – He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Thought: When this prophecy was written, the fulfillment of it was so close that further attempts to change individuals was futile. The judgment of God would come upon individuals in the very state they were in when John wrote the Revelation. There comes a time when God’s pleadings come to an end. He has given individuals chance after chance to repent. When it comes time to pour out His wrath, His pleadings cease. He that is unjust will remain unjust. He that is holy will remain holy.
Psalm 81:11-13
December 14, 2020
Revelation 22:12 – And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Thought: Again, we are told that the things that have been recorded in this book will happen very soon. This is the meaning of the words: “And, behold, I come quickly.” We also learn that man plays a very important part in his relationship with God. God has bestowed grace, mercy and forgiveness to man. Man, however, must appropriate these things in his life. When the Lord judges man, therefore, he gives to “every man according as his work shall be.” Yes, man can save himself in a sense.
Acts 2:40
December 15, 2020
Revelation 22:13 – I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Thought: Eternal. The concept involved in this word is impossible for men to comprehend. Man cannot grasp having no beginning and no end. Yet, this is one of the qualities of the three members of the Godhead. God is the uncaused first cause. He can see the past, the present, and the future at the same time. He has the ability to predict to the most minute detail the people, the places, and the events of human history hundreds of years before they occur. He is Alpha and Omega.
Deuteronomy 33:27
December 16, 2020
Revelation 22:14 – Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Thought: Obedience is not a pleasant word to many. They do not want to be told what to do through man’s law, or by God’s Word. However, the ones who will submit will be blessed. “Blessed are they that do his commandments.” John mentions two of the blessings that will be given to those who obey God’s commandments. They will have right to the tree of life. Too, they will enter in through the gates into the city. An eternal abode in heaven should be motivation enough for one to submit to God.
Matthew 7:21
December 17, 2020
Revelation 22:15 – For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Thought: In the previous verse, John said the obedient will be inside of the holy city. There is a reason why one wants to be inside. Outside is everything that is evil, corrupt, vile, harmful, deadly, carnal, sensual, false, and deceptive. John described them as dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and liars. These offer nothing of worth. Dear readers, labor to be on the inside of the city.
Ephesians 5:3-5
December 18, 2020
Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Thought: It is hard for man to appreciate the fact that deity has sent a divine message to the world. Jesus affirms this point to John. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you of these things…” Jesus sent the message. The second member of the Godhead sent the message. Jesus reminded John that He is the root and offspring of David, that is, the promised Messiah. He also acknowledged that He is the bright and morning star. Jesus’ titles reflect His important and His magnificence.
Revelation 1:1
December 19, 2020
Revelation 22:17 – And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Thought: The Spirit is the Holy Spirit who calls men through the inspired Word. The bride is the church who has been commissioned to preach the Word to the world. Both are calling sinful men to come to Jesus. Those who hear should come. Those whose souls are thirsty should come. If they will come, they will receive “the water of life.” This water can provide eternal life to all, “…and whosoever will, let him take the water of life.” My friend, this water is free. It costs nothing to come and drink.
Matthew 11:28-20
December 20, 2020
Revelation 22:18 – For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
Thought: God has revealed the truth to man in completeness and in perfection. Man cannot make divine revelation any better. Man’s responsibility is to accept the things God has revealed. Some, however, do not appreciate God’s Word as it is given. They feel that God has not provided all that is needed in His Word. Therefore, they add things to God’s Word. Those who do this should beware. The plagues recorded in the Revelation will be heaped upon them if they add to the Word of God.
Proverbs 30:6
December 21, 2020
Revelation 22:19 – And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Thought: Some dislike what God has spoken. Thus, they reject them. They figuratively cut them out of God’s Word. There are severe consequences given to those who take away from God’s Word. “God shall take away his part out of the book of life.” This leaves only the lake of fire. God shall take away his part “out of the holy city.” This only leaves that place called hell. And, they shall not receive any of “the things which are written in the book.” There will no victory. They will experience only defeat.
Deuteronomy 4:2
December 22, 2020
Revelation 22:20 – He which testified these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Thought: The Lord again assures His readers that what is written in this book will happen in the near future. Listen to His words again: “Surely I come quickly.” This does not refer to the Second Coming. This refers to the Lord coming in judgment upon the enemies of the church of the first century. How comforting it was to the readers of the Apocalypse to know that God would respond to their tribulation very, very soon. They, like John, would say: “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Revelation 22:7
December 23, 2020
Revelation 22:21 – The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Thought: John closes the Apocalypse with a very simple desire. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” Grace is often defined as “divine favor.” This writer likes to define grace as “divine help.” The churches to which John wrote were in need of divine help. This letter promises this help to them. In the near future, God would overthrow their enemies. In like manner, all of us are in need of the grace of God each day. It is also always with us. It helps us to be overcomers as well.
Ephesians 6:23-24
December 24, 2020
Revelation 1:3 – Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Thought: We finished the book Revelation early. We wanted restudy the seven beatitudes found in this interesting book. The first is found just three verses into the revelation. The blessing is pronounced upon all who read, hear, and keep the things written in the book. For us, this is a powerful proclamation. We have a tendency to shy away from this book because of it difficulty. It seems the Holy Spirit anticipated this reaction. Thus, He immediately pronounced a blessing on the reader.
Luke 11:28
December 25, 2020
Revelation 14:13 – And I heard a voice from heaven saying, unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Thought: There is no greater blessing that one could have than being “in the Lord.” It is that spiritual sphere of the saved. It is in Christ that all spiritual blessings are found (Eph. 1:3). Those who die in the Lord are greatly blessed. First, they rest from their labors. The toils and struggles of life come to an end and the one who dies in Christ finds comfort. Too, his works will follow him into the judgment. These works will bring him great reward on that great day of accountability.
Revelation 20:12
December 26, 2020
Revelation 16:15 – Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Thought: The comings of our Lord come with warning, but their exact timing is never known. Will He come today? tonight? Will He come a week from now? a month from now? next year? The timing is never known. The one who will be blessed is the person who watches and keeps his garments. He trusts in the promise of God. He knows the day of the Lord’s coming will happen. Therefore, he makes the necessary spiritual preparations. He will not be found naked. He will not be ashamed.
Matthew 25:13
December 27, 2020
Revelation 19:9 – And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Thought: Those who are invited to a wedding share an intimate relationship with the bride and groom. They are known by one another. Those who know Jesus and are known by Him will be called to His marriage supper. What a feast that will be! The bounty that will be there cannot be imagined by the mind of man. Everyone should long to be there. Fortunately, everyone can be there if they will come to know Jesus Christ.
I John 2:3-5
December 28, 2020
Revelation 20:6 – Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Thought: In order to have the blessings promised in this verse, one must have part in the first resurrection. How does one do this? In order to be resurrected, one must first die. The old man of sin must die. He is then buried in the waters of baptism. When the individual comes forth from the grave of baptism, he is resurrected for the first time. He is a new creature in Christ Jesus. John reveals this promise to those who experience the first resurrection: “…on such the second death hath no power.”
Romans 6:3-5
December 29, 2020
Revelation 22:7 – Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Thought: God gave His revelation to man for a reason. He gave man instructions that would benefit him now and in the hereafter. His message, however, is only beneficial if man will keep His sayings. This should be common sense, and man should simply comply with the Word of God. But, man does not. Therefore, God constantly exhorts man to keep the sayings of His book. God longs for man’s best interest. He has done all He can do to insure it. All he can do now is encourage man to obey.
Revelation 22:9
December 30, 2020
Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Thought: Sometimes man does not fully comprehend the beneficial nature of the promises that God makes to him. In this verse, two promises are given to the obedient. They will have right to the tree of life. Too, they will enter through the gates into the holy city of God. It is easy to read the words. It is much harder to appreciate their true value. Man needs to contemplate eternal life. He also needs to give diligent thought to his heavenly abode. When he understands them, he will be motivated to obey.
Genesis 3:22
December 31, 2020
Revelation 17:14 – These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is the Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Thought: This is not a beatitude of the book. In this writer’s mind, it is the key verse of Revelation. Throughout the Apocalypse, John reveals the judgments to come up the enemies of God. He is also very plain that “the Lamb shall overcome them.” He wants His saints to be victorious as well. They have been called and chosen by Him. If they will remain faithful to Him, they will be overcomers. What a thought! We can be overcomers. We can be victorious if we are on the Lord’s side.
I Corinthians 15:57
Read devotionals for January 2021
