Today’s Reading, Revelation 9-11
Focal Scripture: Revelation 11:10 “Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.”
It is hard to imagine people being happy over someone dying. However, in our culture recently we saw people gloating and describing how happy they were over a death. Why? Because he ran a health insurance company. People actually stated they felt no remorse or empathy over this man being gunned down because of his job. Life mattering to others came to vocation not a care for humanity.
In today’s reading the world is facing much judgement in the future. People are suffering and people are experiencing pain. John was given notice that two witnesses will be given authority on earth for 3 1/2 years. They will control the weather and even control the moon, sun and the stars. When their time is up the beast (anti christ) will kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street for three days. People will be so excited over their death gifts will be given to one another. However, God will resurrect them publicly. He will call them to heaven publicly.
You may be asking what is the purpose of today’s focal verse. It is that God continually gives people an opportunity to respond and some will not believe. He sends prophets in the future to do miraculous work and point people to Jesus. Still denial. They are killed publicly and then resurrected. Still not a dance. God will demonstrate his mercy, glory and justice in the end and others will reject the truth. They would rather celebrate the death of two individuals than repent of their sin.
So what does this mean for us? It means that we are responsible for sharing the message. We are responsible for being obedient. However, we are not responsible for how others respond. Even in the midst of extraordinary circumstances people will still deny Jesus as King.
My encouragement today for you from the reading is to be faithful to the truth no matter happens. Some will respond, some will not. We tell the story and point people to Jesus. It is their responsibility to accept or reject the truth.
If they reject Jesus, if they reject the testimony of the two witnesses, they may very well reject us. Be faithful and stay true to the gospel.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Revelation 12-15
