December 29th One Year Bible Readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Zechariah 14:1-21 ~ Revelation 20:1-15
Psalm 148:1-14 ~ Proverbs 31:8-9

Old Testament - Today we finish the book of the prophet Zechariah!  Only one more book in the Bible to go with Malachi, which we'll read over the two remaining days of this year.  In Zechariah chapter 14 today we read about the Lord's reign on earth - this reading fits in very nicely with the Revelation readings we have been going through recently.  Verses 6 through 8 gave my imagination a great workout today: "On that day the sources of light will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the LORD knows how this could happen! There will be no normal day and night, for at evening time it will still be light. On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously both in summer and in winter."  How does this sound to you?  Not bad, eh.  The light and the life-giving waters sound wonderful to me!  When it comes to the continuous Light mentioned in these verses, where do you suppose the continuous Light will be coming from?  Or - rather than from where - perhaps I should ask from Whom do you suppose the continuous Light will be coming from...

Verse 16 is interesting: "In the end, the enemies of Jerusalem who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters."  Tyndale's phenomenal One Year Bible Companion book has a great Question of "Why will there still be an Old Testament Feast during the Messiah's Kingdom?"  And an answer that basically says the Feast of the Tabernacles (also called Shelters or Booths or simply Sukkot) will still be appropriate because it is a festival of thanksgiving, celebrating those who love God with all their soul.  The other feasts of the Old Testament won't be celebrated as they were all fulfilled - The Passover in Jesus' death - Day of Atonement in Jesus' Salvation - Feast of Firstfruits in Jesus' resurrection - and Pentecost with the gift of the Holy Spirit.  More great info on the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, from a Jewish website is at this link.  For a Christian website's perspective on this Feast go here.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Zechariah titled "Oracle Concerning Israel" is at this link.

New Testament - In Revelation chapter 20 today we read about the Millennial Reign of Christ! There are 3 basic beliefs in the 1,000 years described in this chapter: 1.  Amillennialism (means we're in a figurative 1,000 years now) describes the present reign of Jesus in heaven, along with deceased believers and currently living believers - all of which will be followed by Jesus' second coming, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and Jesus' reign over the new earth eternally.   2. Premillennialism (means Jesus will come before a literal 1,000 years) also believes in the present reign of Jesus in heaven that is moving toward a time when Jesus returns again, the first resurrection occurs, and there will be a reign of Jesus on the current earth as we know it for 1,000 years. Then will come the final general resurrection, the final judgment, and then the eternal kingdom on the new earth.  3.  Postmillennialism (means Jesus will come after a literal 1,000 years) believes that the entire world as we currently know it will be converted to Christianity and this will bring a millennium of peace - then to be followed by Jesus' second coming, the general resurrection, final judgment, and the eternal kingdom.   Hopefully this makes some sort of sense on these three views? :)  I read a commentary that said the key to remember with all 3 of these views is that they are simply timing differences.  In all 3 views, Jesus returns again.  Jesus reigns.  Forever.

Verses 11-12 get into Judgment, which is obviously quite a topic to attempt to cover in a daily blog... :)  "And I saw a great white throne, and I saw the one who was sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done."  So...  I am going to defer to someone much smarter than me on this one, and HIGHLY encourage you to read Lehman Strauss's article entitled "The Future Judgment of the Believer" at bible.org at this link.  I encourage you to check this link out if you'd like a glimpse toward what happens after we pass on from this life - including a very interesting look at 5 crowns that can be given / received!  Actually, if you are really interested in learning more about what happens after we die, Mr. Strauss at bible.org has a great 10 part series called "Death and Afterward" at this link.  (which "The Future Judgment of the Believer" link above is #6 in the 10 part series.)  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith's "The Great White Throne of Judgment" and "The Books Are Opened and The Book of Life" based on Revelation chapter 20 verses 11-12 today (which are at the top of this paragraph):

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 20 titled "Pay Day Someday" is at this link. 

Psalms - Psalm 148 is a call for all creation to praise God!  I love it.  As I was reading this Psalm I was reminded of a song that we sometimes sing in church that goes something like - "Let everything that.  Let everything that.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"  I love how the Psalms can stir up worship songs in our minds!

We read this in verse 5 - "Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being."  Do you agree with this verse?  That you came into being because the Lord commanded it?  Do you give thanks to God frequently?  And joyfully?  Even in the midst of some challenging times in your life, can you still give praise to your Creator?

Proverbs - Proverbs 31:8-9 today teaches us this powerful lesson: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."  Do you believe that God calling you to speak up in some way for the poor and helpless?  Maybe it's somewhere in your city or neighborhood or home that this call is leading you to speak up...  Will you speak up?  Will we speak up?  Tangent alert - It's been a while since I've posted up about World Vision, so I hope you don't mind me going down a bit of a tangential path here that I do think is related to this Proverb.  Please know that I don't work for World Vision - I simply love their ministry and know they are efficient and effective in their work.  I've been sponsoring children through World Vision for the past 6 years.  Below are a couple of paragraphs I sent out in an email to my friends and family recently about World Vision:

"The reason for this portion of the email is to encourage you to do your shopping throughout the year at World Vision’s Gifts website - http://www.WorldVisionGifts.org/  On this website you can purchase a goat for a family in need in our world!  Yes, instead of buying your father another tie he won’t wear, buy him a World Vision goat this Christmas!  (or for his birthday or Father’s Day)  Everyone loves a goat! And the good news about this goat is that it won’t come to live with your gift recipient. :) It will go to a family who really needs the goat’s milk - a family who perhaps can start breeding goats and start a small business.  And World Vision will mail a wonderful gift card to your recipient to let them know about the goat you bought in their honor!  In addition to goats, you can buy wells for clean water, fruit trees, and food."

"Last, but not least, for just $1 a day you can change a child’s life through World Vision’s Child Sponsorship.  World Vision works in villages where people are making less than $1 a day.  You might be surprised to know that there are 1.2 billion people on our planet that are making less than $1 a day.  This is abject poverty.  And you and I can do something about it by investing 1 of our dollars from our wallets or purses each day into World Vision’s Child Sponsorship program. This upcoming year, in 2007, will you join me in sponsoring a child?  It will change that child’s life – and yours.  Please take five minutes to learn more about Child Sponsorship online here: http://www.worldvision.org/ "

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[msCOOT]

IN my life, many instances light up my soul, but helping cause more illunination than most. Im most cases, I am tempted by the "DARK ONE" to stop being a flunky trying to get people to like you. But just as sure as it is delivered i nmy mine, my sprig water is drawn and I speak saying, "all good things comes from GOD." If a person does not have a dream, they are dreamless...simply put but I do not know how one lives without that DREAM or that VISION. My cup runneth over with dreams, visions and a deep sincere desire to HELP. In your Proverb reflection today, the words EFFICIENT and EFFECTIVE caught my attention. THis is my desire on my daily walk. EVERY ASPECT of my life. even moping my floors, I teach my children if you must, it must be performed properly the first time.
I appreciate your teaching.
msCOOT in "seeksunshine"

[Jenny]

I checked out "The Future Judgment of the Believer"...very interesting. i didnt know nations would collectively be judged and also nations judged on how they treated Israel. I knew we would get rewards or loss of rewards but deep down I kinda have that notion I'll be punished for my wrongdoings still. I know Christ took it, I guess our minds cant wrap around that...I mean, I deserve judgment. I know Christ took my punishment, a mercy which I dont deserve, its hard to understand, ya know? But I just have faith because He said so. One day I'll understand! =).

The abyss is rather interesting...my dad drew some pics to illustrate for me once. I dont know if i can describe it correctly and certainly we dont know how it is literally, but its like a vertical tunnel into the earth and gravitational pull comes from top and bottom so there's a point in the middle of this where there is just suspension. satan will be suspended there for 1000 yrs. It sounds pretty torturous to me. and no one more deserving to go into the lake of fire!...I want everyone to get saved! :(( One day I will understand it all. Even saddam huessain, I have pity for...it makes me sick. I really hoped he'd repent, but his final words indictated he didnt. It makes me sad, though his punishment was justice for sure...I dont know, i dont feel happy when ppl die unsaved, no matter who.
I love Psalms...yes I know that song, and i was singing it too! =)

Proverbs is great too. What I got from it was remembering I was sooo shy as a child and young teen, I didnt have a voice, got picked on and very few stood up for me. I never fit in and was the weird quiet girl (i'm still weird, haha...but I'm not the quiet girl so much now). There is so much God did in me to change me...He gave me a voice that I didnt have for years. Anyhow, so I have a heart for ppl that cant speak for themselves, the 'oddballs', the shy, the rejected...b'cos i was one. so i usually seek out those ppl, not really realizing I do. I want to speak up and out for ppl who cant speak for themselves and go out of my way to draw them out and befriend them, cause i understand. God gave me a heart for the unnoticed, the invisible.

Thats a great idea, buy a family a goat! haha, but I love goats...i'm afraid i would want to keep it for myself, they are so cute ;).

I also believe we who are blessed with finances (i dont mean even being rich, i'm sure not monetarily rich, but i have enough to supply my physical needs) but to give to a child is a blessing! I go through Christian Children's Fund...but World Vision is great! My parents gave to them as long as I can remember...the story of the man who started that is incredible and beautiful! my dad just told me recently.

Oh...and I have pics of the Mt of olives, very cool!!! When I saw it and remembered God would put his foot there and it'd split open. I owe you some pics, i didnt forget, though one can look up pics online, i just wanted to share what my eyes saw cause I feel soooo blessed to have gone to Israel. i just have to get out the old scanner. I'll do that soon.

[Mae]

What stood out for me was Psalm 148:13 / Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for His name alone is exalted;
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
I always love verses to praise the Lord!!! His splendor is above the earth and the heavens!!! That sounds awesome!!! I kept thinking about it the whole time after I did the readings. Even now it's echoing in my head "His splendor is above the earth and the heavens". That's how it's suppose to be and I wish there were more people who praise him like this! If everybody just knew how their lives can change ... just by finding Jesus!!! I was thinking the other day, how empty my life was without finding Jesus. My life means so much more since I'm saved!!! I truly praise the name of the Lord!!!!!!!!!!

[Brandie]

I give thanks everyday for my little boy. At my church they talk about World Vision and pass our flyers and brouchers (sp) about supporting World Vision. My church is all about Missions and helping other people. How awesome it is!! So I am familair a little bit about World Vision.