Week Twenty-six
The Final Chapters
We began reading the New Testament on January 1, 2025 and this is the last five days of reading. Our intention was first and foremost to learn to abide in the Spirit of the Living God at a deeper level than when we began. In an effort to help with that, in week three I began to encourage you to keep two lists, one about the character of God and one about who you are in Christ. The final book of Revelation is a great place to dust those lists off and see what you can add. There is much said about who God is and who we are in this incredible book.
Being a disciple that makes disciples has been the second emphasis during these past six months. As we abide deeper in Christ the affect of that is discipleship. We follow Him and He leads us to lead others onto the same path. We are not compelled by law or religion to do that, rather we are compelled to make disciples because of a realization of our great need and the depth of His love to meet that need.
That brings us to the book of Revelation where the pressure to make disciples now has a tremendous sense of urgency. In reality, Jesus began talking about it in Matthew 24 & 25. From the gospels through each letter leading up to Revelation there was increasing intensity about false prophets, lies of the world, and the importance of knowing our identity in Christ. The message, no matter when we live in history, is that tribulation and great difficulties occur. World forces of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness have been fighting for souls of humanity in every generation. That will only end in the end.
No matter your take on what the events in Revelation mean or if you are a pre, mid, or post tribber, the message for the first Christians and for us is clear:
“This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 13:10, 14:12
Patient endurance and faithfulness is not necessary if we keep our faith to ourselves. It is only needed when we pursue what Jesus asked us to do in making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching all that Jesus has taught us, Matthew 28:19-20.
I don’t know how many of you read the Psalms during the past six months. I did. I find it fitting that the last five Psalms to be read this week match so closely with the bigger picture of the New Testament; really the whole Bible and especially Revelation. We can have patient endurance and faithfulness when we are worshipping God alone and making disciples. Psalm 145 puts it really well.
“I will extol You, my God, O King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. . . Psalm 145:1-8
How do we stand firm against the powers of darkness in the world? By making sure the one we worship is the One True Living God, YHWH. By telling every generation of the wonderful things that Jesus and the power of His Spirit are doing. By continually having the memory of His goodness on our lips.
“Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:3-4
It is my prayer that your faith has grown over the past six months and that you have accepted the challenge to make disciples that make disciples. I will be around if you want to chat or if you need some ideas on how to get started. I would love to hear from you anytime.
You can write a comment below, or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.
Below are the readings for week 26:
