Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

Rev 21:1-8;  Is 65-66; Col 1:19-20; Eph 3:10; 2 Pet 3:12-13;  Heb 11:10, 16; 12:22: 13:14 The last two chapters of the book of Revelation bring us to the eschatological mystery, showing us, so far as we are able to see it, our great hope. They concern heaven and earth, the past giving way toContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 36: New Heaven and New Earth”

Rev. 20:1-15; Psalm 85:10-11; Isaiah 66:24 Revelation 20 leads us not only into the vivid climax of the Apocalypse, but into two heated debates among those who name Christ. The chapter describes the subduing, the final hurrah, and the total demise of Satan (with those who adhere to him), the living rule of the saints,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 35: The Thousand Years and “Unto Ages of Ages””

Rev 19:11-21, Psalm 72/71:2, Psalm 44/5:3-5, Isaiah 63:1-3 Our passage for today, Rev. 19:11-21, begins with great drama.  So far, as we have beheld wonders through the eyes of John, we have seen a door open in heaven, the tabernacle of witness opened, and the temple opened.  Now we hear that heaven itself is opened,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 34: Open Heaven, the White Rider with Many Names, and the Lake of Fire”

Rev 19:1-10,  Isaiah 61:10, Genesis 3:21, Matthew 16:27, 1 Peter 5:5 After two chapters focussed upon the sordid state of Babylon and her condemnation, we move on in Revelation 19 to joy.  The passage includes three “hallelujah choruses,” a description of the glorious Bride of Christ to come, and an invitation to the blessed whoContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 33: Hallelujah Choruses, the Bride Who Clothes Herself, and the Invitation”

Revelation 18:9-24; Amos 3:15-4:2 In the beginning of chapter 18, we witnessed God’s judgment upon Babylon.  Now, in verse 9 and through the rest of chapter 18,  we hear the response of those who colluded with her, and the response of those who are loyal to the LORD. Much of this chapter presents itself toContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 32: Babylon, Three Woes and a Funeral”

Revelation 18: 1-8,  Is 13:21-22, 47:7-9, Hosea 2, Malachi 3  Many of the disturbing scenes viewed in the Apocalypse give the sense that this is “just the way the world is:” godly people, as well as faithless people, can expect suffering.  The devil has “come down,” after all, in wrath, with the intent to destroyContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 31: Three Speeches About Babylon”

Rev 17; Jeremiah 51:6-10 Most of the mysteries unveiled in the Apocalypse have to do with God’s glory, worship in heaven, the Lion-Lamb, and the Church who is the Bride of Christ.  However, the curtain is also drawn back so that we can see something we might prefer to ignore: the dark “mystery” of Babylon,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 30: Dark Mystery, the Dirty Deal, and Double-Dealing”

(Rev 16; Ex 7-12; Hag 2:6-7; Mat 24:42-44;  2 Peter 3:10) The sixteenth chapter of Revelation contains a sequence that is difficult to read, a word of the LORD that is enshrined within it, and the assurance that God remembers what He has planned to do for the sake of righteousness.  This passage echoes theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 29: The Seven Bowls, the Word of the LORD, and Remembering Babylon”

(Revelation 15; Ex. 40:35; 2 Chronicles/Kingdoms. 7:2-3; Is. 6:4; Ezek 1:22;10:4; 44:4) Chapter fifteen of the Apocalypse leads us into the final sequence of judgment, in which Babylon is ultimately overthrown.  All the players in this short chapter are righteous—God, the Lamb, the angels, the four cherubim, and the redeemed worshippers.  Any who think thatContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 28: The Sign of the Seven Angels, the Song, the Sea, and the Smoke”

Rev 14:14-20; Psalm 1; Joel 3:11-16, 18;  Isaiah 63:1-6 I begin with apologies to those of you who have been looking for this podcast or blog since the middle of March.  I had a book manuscript to complete, with a deadline of just after Pascha, and concentrated upon only that during the past month—it isContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 27: Wheat, Wine, and Judgment”