Month: August 2026

As the Scorpions

One of Jehovah’s judgments during the Great Tribulation involves a nightmarish species of locust that stings like a scorpion. (Re 9:2-3) These locusts are given power to torture humans day and night for five full months (4), everyone except 144,000 witnesses chosen and sealed by God beforehand. (5) The suffering is so intense everyone tries to commit suicide, but no one is allowed to die. (6)

The immediate context of this brutal horror is most all of humanity engaging in active rebellion against our heavenly King, resolutely refusing to submit to Him and honor Him. (Re 6:15-17) Consequently, after ample warning (Re 8:13), God brings upon the wicked unimaginably dreadful plagues, yet not a single soul ever repents of their wickedness. (Re 9:20-21) What does this judgment tell us about human nature, and also about the heart of Jehovah? (Ps 9:16)

What is perhaps most obvious is that obedience is not optional in God’s kingdom: He hates willful sin. He becomes very angry when we deliberately violate His laws (Ro 1:18) and it grieves Him. (Ge 6:5-6) His wrath falls on us when we defy Him (He 10:28-31), when we commit to disobeying Him as a manner of life. (1Jn 3:8)

Similarly, it should be obvious that Man is incredibly, even insanely committed to sin. (Je 17:9) Evidently, it doesn’t matter what God does to people or how long He waits (Ps 81:15), no one seeks God and submits to Him of their own accord (Ro 3:10-11), unless He intervenes and gives them grace (both the inclination and willingness) to do so. (Ep 2:8) Defying almighty God on purpose only makes sense to those who are deceived (Re 20:10) into believing they will not suffer immeasurably as a consequence (Is 28:18), and this is apparently the condition of nearly all of us; (Mt 7:14); we just can’t see the full extent of it very clearly yet because, for the time being anyway, God is significantly restraining human depravity. (2Th 2:7)

The patience and longsuffering of God is also apparent in this particular judgment; He could easily destroy all His enemies in an instant and plunge them all into the Lake of Fire, where we all deserve to go. (Is 64:6) So, though torturing everyone with stinging locusts may strike us as cruel, it’s actually indicative of His mercy and forbearance. He is showing us all that He has no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked (Ez 18:32), encouraging repentance by giving everyone a mild foretaste of the ultimate consequences of their rebellion. (2Pe 3:9)

Finally, we can see the wisdom of God in exposing the nature of His enemies: evidently, apart from God intervening and changing their inward nature so they are willing to repent, there is absolutely no conceivable way to rescue them. This is not God’s fault; the root cause lies with humanity: one cannot reconcile with enmity itself. (Ro 8:7) And if God were to short-circuit this process it would not be so obvious what the alternatives are: God must either destroy His enemies or suffer their insolence eternally.

One might argue that God should just graciously give repentance to everyone (2Ti 2:25); in other words, challenge the very gift of free will itself. Sure, God could indeed save everyone, but that would miss the whole point: God’s pleasure in revealing Himself. (Ro 9:22-23) Apart from exposing the extreme nature of human rebellion, we would know very little of God’s power, love and wisdom, and nothing at all of His longsuffering, wrath and justice. But now we see the power of God‘s grace in action, His supreme miracle in transforming the elect. God’s manner of revealing Himself in this way, and the opportunity to know Him for eternity as a result, trumps all innocent suffering.

And since God Himself will have suffered more than any other sentient being, right up until He finally judges humanity, it is unreasonable to claim He’s been self-serving in His agenda. (Ro 3:4)

And what would it continue to say about Jehovah God, if in His infinite mercy (Ps 103:11) He were to keep His door wide open for anyone who is ever willing to repent and turn to Him, even from the fires of Hell? (Ps 136:1)

And what would it say about fallen humanity if no one ever does, throughout all the ages?

This would tell us nothing more than what the 5th trumpet has already revealed: God could leave His door of mercy wide open forever, but the damned would never be willing to walk through it. This would be an ongoing, profoundly vivid demonstration of the intrinsic nature of both God and Man. (Is 66:24) Whether this would glorify God or not He will certainly judge. I can definitely see how it would.

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Fishers of Men

Christ says if we follow Him, He will make us fishers of men. (Mt 4:19) So, if we are following Him, He has indeed been doing this in us. What does it look like?

The fisherman’s mindset is focused on how to catch something that’s elusive; he’s always strategizing how to lure fish, more innovative ways to catch them. He wants to know what interests fish, studies their habits and anticipates their behavior, finding out how, when and where to maximize results. It’s an art as well as a science.

Fishing for souls is similar, yet significantly different. It feels like a stirring, a concern for the eternal health and safety of every soul we encounter. Christ is our supreme example, always mindful of the spiritual needs about Him (Jn 4:11), so we should study what He does; after all, He’s 100% successful. (Jn 6:39)

Christ’s ultimate goal is to glorify His Father by justifying, purifying and sanctifying His elect (Ro 8:29-30), and He is pleased to allow us to collaborate with Him in carrying out His redemptive plan. (2Co 6:1) Our mindset must be aligned with His purpose (1Co 2:16), making true disciples rather than filling pews. (Mt 28:19-20)

Wisdom says our general strategy should focus on seeking those who are pursuing truth and spiritual things, or who are at least open to them; in other words, we should be looking for those who are looking for God. For example, when Paul entered a new area, he typically began in the synagogue, where he expected to find those in the region who were earnestly seeking God (Ac 17:1-2); he would also go where people were praying (Ac 16:13) or engaging in spiritual or philosophical discussions. (Ac 17:17) He didn’t start out in taverns, brothels or places of amusement; he sought out those who were already pursuing eternity. (Jn 9:35)

How we approach evangelism should also be informed by our understanding of our expected audience. If we’re in the Third World where people have very limited access to information and have never heard of the Resurrection, presume ignorance and focus on the basics of the Gospel. But if we’re engaging a culture with churches on every corner, Bibles in every hotel room, where Easter is a national holiday, where anyone with a cell phone may conveniently download Bible apps and advanced study tools as they please, with unprecedented access to the Internet and AI … where anyone with a working brain can easily search for God, this suggests a much different strategy. (1Co 9:19-22)

This is where the heart of evangelism finds its loving nuance; we cannot see other people’s hearts, and we might at times find ourselves in very worldly, or otherwise unspiritual places. Wherever we are, every soul is an opportunity; and we should always be on the lookout for openings to steer conversations toward eternal things. (Ja 5:19-20) We might lead with, “Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual person?” Regardless how they answer, we can ask them why, and invite them to tell us their story, about their interests and values. A listening ear might be all that’s needed to soften a hardened or wounded heart. (2Ti 2:24-26)

Once we are engaged in spiritual discussion, we can look for places of common ground and build on them (Ac 17:28-29), or ask questions which might start them thinking (Jn 5:6), or point out an inconsistency or an insight to help them. (Mt 22:41-42) We should cast our net far and wide, as we have opportunity. (Ga 6:10)

And as we’re pondering about how to engage others in seeking Christ and His kingdom, we must be careful to not misrepresent Him, or appeal to interests which are contrary to or inconsistent with His nature (Ju 23); we should not dilute His message or compromise His heart. (2Co 2:12) We should never use the proverbial bait-and-switch; lay it out as it truly is, and God’s elect will eventually inquire further.

If a person has no interest in spiritual things and doesn’t want to talk about it, we should not be forcing the discussion, casting our pearls before swine (Mt 6:6); Jesus doesn’t push himself on people who aren’t listening: He doesn’t chase them down; He lets them go their way. (Mt 19:21-23) Our job is to let God’s light shine through us (Php 2:15), giving sight to the blind is His. (Jn 9:39)

And we should keep in mind that Jesus is not primarily interested in making people comfortable or happy. He healed, cast out demons and miraculously fed multitudes to help those who are seeking God find Him (Mt 7:7-8), to identify Him and understand who He is, not primarily to please them. (Ga 1:10)

People do need Jesus, no doubt about it, but telling people God loves them and that He has a wonderful plan for their life, implying He wants to make them happy and successful, is not the biblical message. (Jn 12:25) He did not come to send peace on Earth, but a sword (Mt 10:34-36); He did not come to call rich, pleasure-seeking worldlings to their best life now. (Php 3:18-19) He came to call all of us sinners to repentance (Lk 5:32), to radical transformation (Ga 6:15), to turn from our rebellion and willful Torah-violation (Mt 1:21), to forsake all (Lk 14:33), take up our cross and follow Him. (Lk 14:27)

Let’s follow His steps in reaching the lost (1Pe 2:21), prepared with a sound grasp of the Gospel and how to present it (Ep 6:15), ready always to give an informed answer to those who are asking (1Pe 3:15), and leave the results to God. (1Co 3:7)

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Unto Perfection

Be perfect is the plain command of God to us all. (Mt 5:48) But who can be perfect? Is God setting us up for failure?

The only alternative is an arbitrarily imperfect standard, in other words, an acceptable amount of bondage to uncleanness and filth. (2Co 7:1) Besides the obvious difficulty inherent in clearly defining and effectively communicating such a standard, we’d expect it to encourage complacency in our struggle toward freedom. (2Ti 2:25-26)

If we’re concerned that God’s setting us up for failure, perhaps we’re deriving our self-worth and security from our performance. As if we’re hearing, “Be perfect … or I’ll reject you.” In other words, this command will only be a problem if we’re being legalistic, trying to earn God’s love.

God’s love is unconditional; He loves everyone, and His love is what desires our perfection. (2Co 13:9) God wants the best for us, and there’s a big difference between being loved and being accepted and approved. (2Co 5:9) We don’t want to be ashamed before Him when He comes (1Jn 2:28); there’s no amount of sin we’ll be glad to still be hindered by when we stand before Him; we’ll want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt 25:23)

So, knowing we’re already accepted in Christ as God’s beloved children (Ep 1:6), we can focus on improving (Php 3:13), drawing ever closer to God, asking Him to show us where we’re still not meeting the mark (Ps 139:23-24), as God calls us to be completely free of the bondage of sin. (Jn 8:34-36)

And when He shows us a next step in holiness that seems impossible from here, the fact that He’s calling us forward gives us hope that He will accomplish this in us and enable us to get there. (Php 1:6) Then as we strive toward the mark (Php 3:14), He actually does do in us what we could never do on our own. (Co 1:29)

Ultimately, this wisdom of God motivates and empowers us to realize higher levels of holiness, well beyond what we can realistically envision (Ep 3:20-21), which is much better for us and more glorifying to God. (1Pe 1:7) He is able and willing to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Ju 24), we shouldn’t settle for less. (Ep 4:13)

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Worthy Is the Lamb!

If there’s a climax in the Bible, it might be the moment Jesus Christ looks Father God in the eyes and takes the seven-sealed book out of His hand. (Re 5:6-7) This may be the moment when the glory of divine redemption in Christ, and the ultimate glory of Christ Himself, is finally put on full display in chronological time.

Just before this revelation, there was an intensive, exhaustive search for someone, anyone worthy to open the book in God’s hand (Re 5:2), and no one was able to do so. (3);  perhaps some dared to approach the holiness of God on their own merit, but all were turned away.

And this is no small thing to casually overlook; the Apostle John himself is so dismayed by the outcome he weeps uncontrollably, as if God’s eternal plan has failed, such that He will be unable to judge the world in righteousness by that one Person in Whom He invested everything in: Christ Jesus. (Ac 17:31) John should have known better, but he is evidently convinced of absolute, ultimate disaster, and he is undone, inconsolable. Perhaps he was not alone, and all of Heaven was weeping as well.

At this instant, when all seemed lost just moment before, all of Heaven erupts in ecstatic praise to Jesus Christ, beginning with the four beasts and twenty-four elders (8-10), followed by one-hundred million plus angels joining in exuberant praise, as if Christ were God Himself (11-12), and finally every creature in the universe joins in (13) – we all explode in triumphant praise.

The four beasts, who to our knowledge have never worshipped anyone but Father God, lead us in unreservedly worshipping the Lamb. We are all so taken with Christ at this moment, so overwhelmed with His majesty and supreme excellency and worthiness, we can do nothing but praise Him.

We can be sure, in that great day, no one else in Heaven will be saying, “Look at me!”

So, why not worship Jesus Christ in this manner even now, before He takes the book? We might reason the eternal redemption plan is not quite complete; He has not actually overcome and taken the book yet; He does not have it in hand, not quite. But knowing by faith that He will do so, as God has revealed it to us, we can call those things which be not as though they were (Ro 4:17), and rejoice in Christ Jesus. (Php 3:3)

What is the alternative to glorifying Christ in this spectacular way? As we fail to honor the Son, we fail to honor the Father; honor them both in the same way or miss Him altogether. (Jn 5:23)

Perhaps this is what makes the appearance of the victorious Lamb so satisfying: God did not cheat. There was no Plan B. If Jesus Christ is not absolutely, flawlessly perfect in every detail, every motive, every thought word and deed, for His entire eternal and earthly existence, there is no victory in the end … and Satan wins!

But Jesus Christ is PERFECT!!

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (12) Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (13b)

Let us be moved to worship the Lamb, to the glory of God the Father, even now as we will then, with all intensity and abandon, casting down every high thing that exalts itself against knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ! (2Co 10:5)

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Behold, a Throne

When we think about Heaven, we may find comfort in being reunited with departed loved ones, freedom from pain and sorrow, mansions overlooking streets of gold, pearly white gates, etc. Though we do have some hints from scripture (Jn 14:2), we don’t have many reliable testimonies of those who have actually visited Heaven and returned to tell us all about it, so we tend to use our imagination to fill in the blanks.

Yet we do have one very reliable first-hand account of what Heaven is like: the Apostle John was actually invited up into Heaven by Christ Himself and instructed to record for us what he saw. (Re 1:19) This is evidently our most reliable witness of what to expect in eternity.

The first thing John sees is God Himself seated on His throne. (Re 4:1-3) Thrones are where kings give royal decrees and execute judgment; upon entering Heaven John immediately finds himself in the presence of the King of Kings, and this is very likely no coincidence.

John then notices twenty-four kings seated round about God’s throne (4), and four mysterious looking winged beasts, full of eyes inside and out, hovering around God, continuously praising and worshipping Him, with no breaks, no rest. (8) And the worship pouring forth from these beasts is repeatedly moving the twenty-four kings to fall down before God, casting their crowns before Him and exclaiming how absolutely amazing and worthy God is. (9-11)

Evidently, this is Heaven in steady state: everyone beholding God; like the four beasts, all eyes are trained on Him, so fully and totally occupied with Him that everything else is a blur, out of focus, not even on the radar.

Suppose for a moment that this is indeed the essence of Heaven: seen through the eyes of the four beasts beholding and worshipping God, nothing more and nothing less, as if we’re unaware of anything else, as if we’re alone with Him. If we find this a bit anti-climactic, if we’ve been expecting Heaven to be more about us and less about God, what does this tell us? If we’re having difficulty focusing on and delighting in God now, if we find Him boring or unsatisfying without some entertaining music, if in this life we don’t enjoy simply beholding Him as He is, what makes us think we’ll feel at home in Heaven?

Even now, the heavenly heart longs above all else to dwell and abide in the house of God, beholding the beauty of God all the days of our earthly existence (Ps 27:4); we’re constantly orienting ourselves so we’re always focusing on God (Ps 16:8), continually aware of His presence. (He 13:5)

But hearts that focus on the comforts, pleasures and concerns of this life are going to continue focusing on themselves in eternity, and Heaven is simply not the place for that. Self-absorbed, self-interested, self-centered souls are headed for destruction. (Php 3:18-19) There isn’t anything about dying that magically changes our hearts. (Re 22:11)

The primary way we identify the real condition of our heart is by observing our love for Torah (Ps 119:97), by how we are cherishing and obeying the laws of God’s Kingdom. (Mt 5:19) No one will be comfortable before the throne of Heaven who is neglecting God’s laws. (Ro 8:7)

We may also observe how we generally spend our time and energy, and find out in real time where our true priorities and affections lie. Where are we turning when we have free time? What is most readily capturing our attention and interest? (Php 3:20)

If we find ourselves lacking in heavenly affections, preoccupied our own agenda and with the affairs of this life (2Ti 2:4), what can we do about it?

We can start by admitting our carnality (Ro 7:24) and deliberately begin seeking after heavenly things. (Co 3:1-2)

We can ask God to incline our heart unto His testimonies (Ps 119:36), and for a vision of a more godly, holy, heavenly-minded version of ourselves that God is calling us toward. (2Pe 1:3) We can confess our need for sanctification to others who are pursing holiness so they can pray for us (Ja 5:16), we can memorize and meditate on the promises of God to sanctify us and make us more like Himself. (4) Then we can begin meditating on and pursuing this heavenly vision (He 12:14) step by precious step. (2Pe 1:5-8)

We evidently tend to become what we focus on (2Co 3:18), so we should begin putting on Christ (Co 3:12), emulating Him and pretending to be like Him. (Ro 13:14) He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us. (Ep 3:20)

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