From: December 21, 2017
December 21
Scripture for today: Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 12:1-17; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 30:17
“Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 1:3 ESV)
From: December 21, 2016
The prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. Both of them wrote to encourage the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from their 70 years of Babylonian exile. Zechariah began to prophesy during the reign of Darius, king of Persia (Zech. 1:1), under whose governance the Jews were allowed to return and rebuild Jerusalem. He instructed them not only to return to Jerusalem, but to return to the Lord! This is a word to those who have gone astray. Return! Repent of your sins and return to the Lord of Hosts and He will surely return to you.
“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth” (Revelation 12:1-2 NKJV)
From: December 21, 2015
Here’s a passage that I’ve never seen on a Christmas card. Yet, when John the Revelator was caught up into heaven, he saw the birth of Christ from heaven’s perspective. Who is the woman? It’s not Mary nor the Church, but Israel (See Joseph’s dream in Gen. 37:9. The sun and moon are his parents and the stars, his brothers. This describes Jacob/Israel and his wife and 12 sons). Remember, those that would understand the book of Revelation, must first recognize its Old Testament imagery. Revelation is the last book of the Bible for a reason. We need to read and seek to understand the first 65 books before trying to grasp the last one. John’s revelation reminds us that the first Christmas was a cosmic event, filled with spiritual warfare and drama. His book pulls back the curtain of heaven and lets us see Christmas from God’s perspective.
“But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’” (Zechariah 1:6 NLT)
From: December 21, 2014
This is God’s Word. It is what it claims to be. It can do what it says it can do. The prophet Zechariah had the privilege of speaking to the returning exiles to Jerusalem. Their forefathers had been overthrown and taken captive 70 years before as the old prophets had predicted. Unlike their forefathers, the returning children were repentant and ready to believe. Along with the book of Daniel, this little book is filled with images that aren’t seen again until John takes them up again in his revelation of Jesus. Zechariah is filled with Messianic prophecy that Jesus fulfilled. What God revealed to and through Zechariah, He has done. Yet prophecy in the Scriptures tends to have a threefold fulfillment: Present (or immediate), ongoing and future. Our faith is built up by the fulfillment already seen, and our hearts are filled with hope by taking hold of those promises that we can apply now and look for in the future.
“She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron” (Revelation 12:5)
From: December 21, 2013
John saw a “great sign” appear in heaven. There is much here to consider and a daily devotional thought offers not enough space. Yet consider this as we approach Christmas: Just as Satan through the paranoid earthly king Herod sought to murder the infant Jesus, so he continues to try and devour those born again into the body of Christ. As his time grows short, he becomes more furious in his pursuit because he knows his days are numbered. Therefore rejoice! For just as the Christ overcame, so we who are in Him will overcome.
“Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth” (Revelation 12:1-2)
From: December 21, 2012
John the Revelator saw the birth of Jesus from heaven’s perspective. I believe the woman represents Israel with the 12 stars being the 12 tribes (see Joseph’s dream in Gen. 37:9). John catches a glimpse behind the curtain of pre-history and of the spiritual warfare that preceded the Savior’s birth. Satan tried to stop Christmas, but failed.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11)
From: December 21, 2011
How the evil one is overcome. Stand firm in the salvation which was purchased with Christ’s blood. Remember and proclaim the word of testimony of what the Lord has done for you. Christ has already won the victory. Remind the dragon of this and he will flee from you.