For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Rev. 9
The seven trumpets represent God’s judgment. How do people respond to the judgment? How would you respond? These seven trumpets, which were contained in the seventh seal of the scroll, unleash a series of plagues reminiscent of the plagues God wrought on Egypt. And, just as Pharaoh and many of his people refused to acknowledge God in the midst of those plagues, so also much of mankind did not repent in the midst of these plagues. Hearts hardened with pride!!
I don’t know what all of these plagues represent. I do think that what happened in Egypt and what John envisioned in this Revelation likely represent the same thing. Maybe it’s an event, maybe a time period, or perhaps primarily a concept. I don’t know. I suppose there is a reason that prophecies are so cryptic. What I do know, however, is that these people who refused to repent were as blind, deaf, dumb, and immobile as the idols they worshiped. There was no life in any of them because life is in God alone and they opposed God. I don’t want to do that.
Neh. 1-2
What is Nehemiah’s response to Jerusalem’s distress? Reflect on his prayer and let it influence yours today. Analyze Nehemiah’s interaction with the king. What can you take away from it? I see the same general attitude in Nehemiah that I saw in Ezra. Both, when confronted with a problem, turned immediately to God in humble prayer. Both approached God with praise, repentance, and faith in God’s goodness and promises. Like Ezra, Nehemiah acknowledged his own guilt before God. Both men knew that God does not respond to our prayers because of our righteousness, but because of His mercy and lovingkindness. And both were willing to be part of the solution, not by their own doing, but by the will and graciousness of God.