The Dragon
Let It Snow!
Revelation 13
The Dragon
What is Satan doing during the tribulation? Here in this dark chapter we read of the dragon, Satan, being allowed by God to exercise authority with a greater degree on earth. It is, in a sense, his climatic moment. This is the chapter in revelation that discusses the well-known beast (anti-christ) who rises up in the second half of the tribulation. The dragon is the source of his power and authority. He gains much attention because he rises from the dead. Verse 3 says "...his fatal wound was healed. And the whole world was amazed and followed after the beast." Also, "he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God." Read more
Let's Keep Score!
Question: What is Nate's favorite food? Hint: He refined his palate for fish eggs and octopus while living in Japan for two years. Another interesting fact about Nate: He had lived in three countries by the time he turned 5 years old. Born in Reston, VA, then two years in Barbados and two years in Japan. He is now 8 years old.
Revelation 12
Let’s Keep Score
I covered Revelation 12 briefly yesterday but went back to it this morning. This chapter gives an aerial view of Satan during the tribulation. A good story teller will weave character development into the progression of the story in order to build the drama toward the culmination of final chapter. The writer of Revelation does this well. Read more
The Hero and the Villain
This is great pic of my grandsons in Great Falls, VA
Revelation 12
The Hero and the Villain
We are in a break between the 6th and 7th trumpet. These chapters of 11-15 give context to the sequence of the seals, trumpets and bowls of wrath. During these chapters we see how Satan and the antichrist fit into the picture. Chapter 12 tells the story of the tribulation from the perspective of the great cosmic battle between Christ and Satan. Every person and culture from prehistoric times until now tell their stories from the perspective of the protagonist and the antagonist. The concept is deep within us because God has placed it within us. Every good movie or novel we read has an antagonist to add drama to the story. We are built to expect it from our stories and we are built to believe the protagonist will ultimately prevail. Read more
Taking it back!
Pictured here is Rachel. She was adopted from China with a failing heart. Without a heart transplant, she would die. Once adopted and brought to the United States by our friends the McCary's, it took several years before Rachel could get to the top of the list and the right heart was finally available. Pictured here also is her surgeon who performed a successful heart surgery several years ago. This pic was taken after Rachel danced and performed in the Nutcracker in December 2017. Her surgeon drove several hours to watch her perform. WOW!Read more
The Two Prophets
This pic is from our first holiday season in Texas, 2002.
Revelation 11:1-14
The seven seals have been opened with the seventh seal unleashing the seven trumpets. We have seen the increasing terror of each trumpet. We are now at a pause after the sixth trumpet to provide some "behind the scenes" information and background. The sequential flow of this section of Revelation describing the tribulation are the seals, trumpets and bowls of judgement. Periodically, such as here in 10.1 - 11.14, John provides context and other information. I refer to it as a ‘parenthesis’ in the middle of the storyline.Read more
Revelation 10
I've purchased of wide variety of books over the years. While scanning my book cases recently, I noticed these two different books and the interesting contrast in titles.
Revelation 10
Here in chapter 10 we take a break from the unleashing of wrath between the sixth and seventh trumpet. We are reading about the progressive intensity of wrath upon the earth through 1) the breaking of seals, 2) the sound of trumpets, 3) the pouring of bowls of wrath. Chapter 10 is a parenthetical break from this progression. Read more
It's Going To Get Ugly
45 years ago, Lite Brite was a pretty cool Christmas gift. We thought our grandkids might still like it 2017.
Revelation 9
It’s going to get ugly
We are the midst of the unleashing of God's wrath upon earth during the great tribulation. Daily devotions are supposed to be heartwarming and encouraging. This is not. There's an apparent biblical contradiction I'm grappling with that I'll reflect on shortly.Read more
Revelation 8
This is a recent pic with my daughter Brooke! Christmas 2017 in Texas!
What in the world is happening?
There are seven seals that the Lamb breaks that unleashes progressive acts of wrath upon the earth during the tribulation. Six seals have been broken open. The seventh seal unleashes the 7 trumpets and the seventh trumpet unleashes the 7 bowls. Each one releases an increasing intensity of wrath. This stuff is not for the faint of heart.Read more
Who Is Able?
During Nate (8 yrs) and Ryker's (5 yrs) Christmas vacation with us (Pop and GG) in the Texas Hill Country this year, they both had horseback riding lessons. Nate had his first golf lesson as well.
This post is a little longer than normal but an important one. Don't miss it!
Revelation 7
This chapter serves as a parenthesis between the chronology of the opening of the seals. Specifically, it is inserted here between the opening of the sixth seal (in chapter 6) and the opening of the seventh seal (in chapter 8).Read more