Revelation 21:12 (KJV) Angels at the Gates

Revelation 21:12 (KJV)

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

As I read this verse, it appears that one angel is posted at each of the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. The text does not tell us exactly what their function is, but it does cause me to think of other places in Scripture where angels were connected with guarding holy things.

I am reminded of the cherubim God placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned. Genesis 3:24 tells us that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life. Fallen mankind was not permitted to enter.

I am also reminded of the cherubim associated with the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. There again we find angels connected with the holiness and presence of God.

Then I notice another statement concerning the New Jerusalem:

Revelation 21:27 (KJV)

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Could the angels be posted at the gates to ensure that this truth is maintained? The passage does not directly say so, and we should not go beyond what Scripture reveals. Yet it seems reasonable to see a relationship between the two. Throughout the Bible, angels are often associated with God's holiness, God's presence, and God's protection of sacred things.

At the same time, there is something else to consider. By the time we arrive at Revelation 21, the final judgment has already taken place. The lost have been cast into the lake of fire. Sin has been judged. There are no rebels left attempting to enter the city. The angels are not standing watch because there is any danger outside the gates. Revelation 21:25 tells us that the gates are never shut. Ancient cities closed their gates because of threats from outside. The New Jerusalem has no such threat.

Perhaps the twelve angels stand as eternal reminders that this city belongs to God, that it is perfectly holy, and that entrance into it is possible only through God's grace. They are visible witnesses that God's holiness has not been diminished and that only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life have a place there.

Whatever their exact function may be, their presence at the gates declares that this is no ordinary city. It is the eternal dwelling place of God with His redeemed people.

#Revelation21 #NewJerusalem #BibleProphecy #LambsBookOfLife #KJVBibleStudy

Angels at the Gates: What Are the Angels Guarding?

What do you think? Why do you believe God placed twelve angels at the gates of the New Jerusalem? Do you see a connection between the cherubim of Eden, the cherubim of the mercy seat, and the angels of Revelation 21? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

For more Bible studies, devotionals, videos, books, and teaching resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org. I'd be honored to have you stop by and explore the growing collection of materials designed to help you know God's Word and grow in your walk with Him.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

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Revelation 21:12 (KJV) Angels at the Gates

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx-Oj9BzTyFWF8BU3ODGio5AtiYS8EvJ_L?si=VfCY-4b0EcXW8Meu

Revelation 20:5 (KJV) A Most Sobering Phrase

Revelation 20:5 (KJV)

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

The rest of the dead.

What an ominous term.

John Gill writes of it:

“Meaning not the dead saints, for they will be all raised together, but the wicked dead; and not them as morally or spiritually, but as corporeally dead.”

The Bible speaks of a death worse than death.

Death can be defined as separation.

There is physical death (Gill termed it corporeal). 

It occurs when the body and the spirit are separated.

There is spiritual death (the Bible calls it being dead in trespasses and sins). 

This is the state of all who are unsaved. Their spirit is separated from fellowship with God. They are physically alive, but they are dead in relationship to God.

This was the case with Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit. Their bodies were still alive and functioning, but they were driven from the garden and no longer had communion with God.

There is the second death. 

When those who are spiritually dead die physically, they are removed from the presence of God and cast into hell and ultimately into the lake of fire and brimstone. They are not annihilated, nor do they cease to exist. In fact, they will be resurrected to suffer in both soul and body eternally in the lake of fire.

This is the fate of what our passage calls “the rest of the dead.”

And this is the ultimate point of salvation. It is not about having your best life now, having a happy family, or adopting a particular worldview. Salvation is a rescue.

Salvation separates the saved from “the rest of the dead.”

To present salvation as anything less is to reduce it to merely a preference.

#Revelation205 #TheRestOfTheDead #FirstResurrection #BibleProphecy #SalvationInChrist

A Most Sobering Phrase: The Rest of the Dead

Have you ever thought about what the Bible means by “the rest of the dead”? Do you agree that salvation is far more than a preference—it is a rescue from the second death?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear how you understand Revelation 20:5 and the first resurrection.

For more Bible studies, devotionals, videos, and resources, visit MarvinMcKenzie.org. Join me as we study God's Word verse by verse and learn what the Bible says about eternity, salvation, and the hope found in Jesus Christ.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Revelation 20:5 (KJV) A Most Sobering Phrase

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx_Rd7TMKdCn8fuf5epRi49B6xM2D6iWf8?si=6Swfcw1ufN81V9KB

Revelation 19:9 (KJV) “The Pastor Thinks He’s Right”!

Revelation 19:9 (KJV)

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

I recently heard from a man whose family left the church. Really, they left the faith. He was angry at the pastor and blamed him, claiming that his family had left the church because the pastor believed he was right.

That is not the first time I have heard that accusation.

Very early in my ministry, a family started attending our church. The husband came from a strong Baptist background, while his wife had been raised Methodist. When they married, they joined a large Independent Baptist church in Portland. They liked the church, but they told me that her parents hated attending services there because, as they put it, “That pastor thinks he’s right.”

I always thought that was funny.

“What? Would you rather he think he’s wrong?”

Here’s the thing: we believe the Bible to be “the true sayings of God.” We understand that others interpret the Bible differently than we do. We even know that some people who claim to be Christians do not believe the Bible is absolutely true.

We also realize that we are not perfect and have probably made mistakes in our interpretations and applications of Scripture. But we study carefully, we absolutely believe the message of the Bible, and—of course—we believe the messages we preach are right. When we learn otherwise, we make corrections. We give others the liberty to study the Word of God for themselves.

People do not get upset because the pastor thinks he is right (though they may say that). They get upset because they think he is wrong.

One explanation places the blame on the pastor.

The other places the responsibility on the listener.

Of course we believe our message is right.

To believe anything else would be hypocrisy.

And that would be worse.

#Revelation19 #MarriageSupperOfTheLamb #TrueSayingsOfGod #BiblicalConviction #FaithfulPreaching

“The Pastor Thinks He’s Right”! The Surprising Reason Some People Get Angry at Biblical Preaching

What do you think?

Have you ever heard someone say, “The pastor thinks he’s right”? Do you think that is a fair criticism, or should a pastor preach with conviction if he believes he is faithfully teaching God’s Word?

Leave a comment below and join the conversation. I would enjoy hearing your perspective.

For more Bible studies, articles, books, and resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org. New content is added regularly to help believers grow in their understanding of God's Word and strengthen their faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Revelation 19:9 (KJV) “The Pastor Thinks He’s Right”!

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/UgkxYFJfij65E_5raR89s3ntBkt5bOUnrz8G?si=NbzQqokjfRmY2yx2

Revelation 18:7 (KJV) Babylon Said, “I Shall See No Sorrow”

Revelation 18:7 (KJV)

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Babylon represents a one-world system involving religion, commerce, and government. It is a city. It is a storehouse. It is a religion (for the sake of alliteration, a sanctuary).

It is a three-stranded cord, and as such, it thinks it cannot be broken. It sees itself as its own god—the Antichrist's ideal. Men flock to her, believing she has the power to secure their wealth and happiness.

But it has two fundamental flaws.

The first is that it is constructed by the hands, minds, and philosophies of corrupt men. Men are equally corrupt, but their corruption generally manifests itself in different ways. Thus, corrupt men tend to disagree, bite, and devour one another. This three-stranded cord is made up of unequal strands; each strand attacks the others.

The second, and more important flaw, is that it cannot compare to the power of Almighty God.

As much as she "saith in her heart" that she "shall see no sorrow," God says:

Revelation 18:8 (KJV)

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

May I simply say by way of application: everything in this world sees sorrow. The balm, the healing ointment for that sorrow, is the saving grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life with Him.

#HopeBeyondSorrow #ProphecyAndPromise #TheLordJudgeth #SalvationInChrist #EternalLifeThroughJesus

Babylon Said, “I Shall See No Sorrow”—Then God Answered

Have you ever seen a government, religion, business, or even a person who thought they were too powerful to fail? What do you think is the greatest lesson of Revelation 18:7-8? Share your thoughts in the comments—I would enjoy hearing from you.

For more Bible studies, prophecy lessons, books, and resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org and join me as we study God's Word together.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Revelation 18:7 (KJV) Babylon Said, “I Shall See No Sorrow”

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/Ugkxk31Yb12H6ktYBvjkZNvw_QUyhRH3xFkF?si=e4GxncZqg9eQ5_dr

Philippians 2:26-27 (KJV) From Vertigo to Gratitude

Philippians 2:26-27 (KJV)

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Today is my birthday, but I woke up very sick. My temperature was unusually low. I had a sinus headache, vertigo, and overwhelming fatigue. I actually slept from 9:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. the next day. After that I could not sleep, but I remained in bed most of the day. I had little appetite, drank very little, and spent much of the time under a heating pad trying to stay warm.

I meditated upon these verses and was reminded that God's servants are not immune to sickness. Epaphroditus was a faithful man, yet Paul said he was "sick nigh unto death." Sometimes we imagine that spiritual strength means physical strength, but the two are not always the same. Even dedicated believers become weak, weary, and ill.

What stands out to me is Paul's statement that God had mercy on Epaphroditus and on Paul as well. The mercy was not only in healing the sick man, but also in sparing others the sorrow that would have followed his death. God's mercy often reaches far beyond the immediate situation. He sees not only the sufferer but also the family, friends, and fellow believers who are affected.

Lying in bed today, I was reminded that every healthy day is a gift from God. We make plans, schedule events, and expect tomorrow to be much like today. Yet in a matter of hours our strength can disappear. Our dependence upon the Lord becomes very real when our bodies remind us of their frailty.

I am thankful that God knows our limitations. He understands our weakness better than we do. Whether He grants immediate recovery or simply gives grace to endure, His mercy is always present. Today was not the birthday I expected, but it was another reminder that my life, health, and future are all safely in His hands.

From Vertigo to Gratitude: I Spent My Birthday Sick in Bed

Have you ever had God teach you something important through sickness or a difficult season? Share your experience in the comments—I would love to hear how the Lord has worked in your life.

If this devotional encouraged you, please like, share, and follow for more Bible-based content. For additional articles, Bible studies, books, and resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org and join me as we continue growing together in God's Word.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Philippians 2:26-27 (KJV) From Vertigo to Gratitude

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/UgkxcpSw1AbWYFW_X2xZo2B3zFtsniFNkw9O?si=T8qs5a0aLzhWg_NZ