A Heavenly Sight

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 4:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "Day and night they never stop saying, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'” Revelation 4:8

Have you ever seen an angel? Have you seen Jesus? God? Heaven? Most of us haven’t. But God gave John a peek inside heaven. As we read his description, we get the feeling heaven is so incredibly magnificent, John had a hard time finding words to describe it.

An Angel comes to Mary - Artist unknown

Look in Revelation 4:1-11 and then list:

1. Some of the sounds John heard:

2. Some of the sights he saw:

3. Some of the characters he watched:

But no matter how amazing everything else was, God was the center of heaven’s attention.

4. Where was God and what did he look like?

5. How did those who lived in heaven worship Him?

"God on His Throne" by Mathaeus the Elder Merian, 1625-30

God is heaven’s main attraction. All the glory and splendor and radiance and magnificence; all the cheering of nature, angel beings and people, belongs to Him!

PRAYER: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being. Amen (Revelation 4:11)

John's Vision of Heaven - Artist unknown

MORE: Snapshots of Heaven
Read some more Bible descriptions of heaven in:

Isaiah 6:1-10


Ezekiel 1:1, 25-28

John 14:1-4

Acts 7:55, 56

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Tomorrow's News

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Revelation 1:1-11

TO CHEW ON: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.... On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: 'Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches...'” Revelation 1: 1, 10-11

Where would you go to find out what will happen tomorrow? Today’s newspaper? The six o'clock news? The internet?

Of course we know none of these places will tell us. Only God knows what will happen tomorrow. So when God sent an angel to John (Jesus’ disciple) and told him to write down the things God would show him about the future, we need to pay attention. Most of the Bible book of Revelation is what John heard and saw in a vision about the future.

John on Island of Patmos - Artist unknown

Though Revelation isn’t as easy to understand as a newspaper, you’ll find lots of interesting things in it. It has disaster and intrigue, dragons and mysterious horsemen, heroes and villains. Best of all, you’ll find out how the story ends - the story of the struggle between Satan and God.

"Vision of Death" (Revelation 6:7-8) by Gustave Dore

It ends with Jesus the winner. He takes all who believe in Him to be with Him in heaven.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for this book about the future. Help me to prepare for these things and be ready to meet You when You come back. Amen.


MORE: Prophecy
Much of Revelation is prophecy - a prediction God made through a person. The Bible has a great track record when it comes to prophecies that have come true. Match the reference of the Old Testament prophecy with its coming true in the New.



A. Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. (Matthew 21:1-9)
This was prophesied in: _____________________

B. A virgin got pregnant and called her baby Immanuel. (Matthew 1:18-25)
This was prophesied in: _____________________

C. People cast lots to decide who would get Jesus’s clothes. (John 19:23-24)
This was prophesied in: _____________________

D. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1-7)
This was prophesied in: _____________________

Isaiah 7:14
Micah 5:2
Zechariah 9:9
Psalm 22:18


ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

When God says "Go"

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 9:10-19

TO CHEW ON: "But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go.'” Acts 9:15

Saul had a reputation. Followers of Jesus (Christians) knew him as someone who showed no mercy. Imagine Ananias’s (not the same Ananias as “Ananias and Sapphira”) surprise when God told him, in a vision, to go to Straight Street in Damascus and pray for Saul, his dangerous enemy.

At first Ananias argued, “God, You can’t mean that! Don’t you know who this man is?”

But God’s answer to Ananias was “Go.” For God knew what had happened to Saul three days before. He didn’t tell Ananias that it would be safe. He just asked Annanias to obey. So Annanias went.

"Saul and Ananias"
by Benjamin West (1738-1820)

When he got to the house, Ananias didn’t meet the dangerous persecutor Saul he expected. Instead he met the blind and helpless baby Christian Saul.

Ananias put his hands on Saul’s shoulders. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He could see again! He asked to be baptized, ate some food and began his life as a Christian.

It’s important that, like Ananias, we obey God when He gives us an assignment. We may not understand why God wants us to do something. But we can be sure that He is at work preparing the person or the situation for our words or our help.

PRAYER: Dear God, please give me the courage to obey You, even when what You ask me to do doesn’t make sense. Amen.


MORE: Visions
God spoke to Ananias in a vision.
1. How might a vision be different than a dream?



2. Here are some more vision stories from the Bible:

• A man’s mouth is touched by an angel carrying a hot coal - Isaiah 6:1-8

• A man sees God’s protecting army - 2 Kings 6:15-17

• A man gets a glimpse of heaven - Acts 7:55-56

3. Do you think God still gives people visions today? Why do you think as you do?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Surprise!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 1:1-25


TO CHEW ON: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him ... When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear." Luke 1:11, 12

What do you want the very most in the world - a pet, a skateboard, a brother or sister, a friend?

Zechariah and Elizabeth wanted a baby - a son. But they were old and no son had been born to them. They had given up hope. But God had other ideas.

God was planning to answer their prayer.
1. What surprise did He send to Zechariah in the temple? (Luke 1:11) _________

"The Vision of Zechariah" by James Tissot 1886-1896

2. What did the angel tell Zechariah? (Luke 1:13) ____________

3. Zechariah found out some surprising things about the baby which would be born. Which statements are NOT true? (Luke 1:14-17)
a. They were to name him John
b. He was to drink only wine and fermented drink.
c. He would be sickly.
d. He would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth.
f. He would preach but people wouldn’t listen.
g. He would prepare people for the Lord.

But Zechariah doubted the angel’s words. “How do I know this will happen?” he asked.

Because he doubted, the angel gave him a sign. Zechariah became dumb (unable to talk).

In time the baby was born, just as the angel said. Zechariah and Elizabeth were overjoyed. God’s promise had come true!

"The Birth of John the Baptist" Artist Unknown

PRAYER: God, thank You that You know what I want the most and will answer at just the right time. Amen.

"The Naming of John the Baptist" by Rembrandt

SUPERSIZE IT: Names
After the baby was born, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s family and friends wanted to call him Zechariah. But the angel had said he was to be named John. When Elizabeth insisted the baby must be called John, everyone looked to Zechariah. He took a tablet and to everyone’s surprise wrote ______________________________ (Luke 1:63). And then he could talk again! Read the first words he said in Luke 1:67-79.

In Bible times, the meanings of names were important. What does John mean?

What does your name mean?

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Glory Returns

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ezekiel 43:1-5

TO CHEW ON: "Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple." Ezekiel 43:5

It was September of 592 B.C. when Ezekiel had his first vision of the temple. Everything about that vision was horrible. As God took him to Jerusalem he saw an idol of the goddess Asherah set up right in the temple. He saw priests offering animal sacrifices God had never commanded. Women were mourning the death of the Sumerian idol god Tammuz. Men worshiped the sun. Then he saw God’s glory cloud lift and move out of the temple and away from Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8, 9, 10).

Now it was about twenty years later. Ezekiel was getting old. Maybe he wondered if things would ever change for the Israelites in Babylon. Would they ever go home again? Would they ever experience God’s glory again? One day God gave him hope in another vision of the temple.


Like the first time, Ezekiel felt like he was physically there. The temple was rebuilt. As God showed him around it, Ezekiel measured each room and gateway. Finally he came to the east gate. He looked at the sky and noticed a cloud. It got bigger and brighter and he heard a sound coming from it, like a waterfall. He recognized this was God’s glory cloud. It went into the temple. Again the temple was filled with God’s presence!


Is there something in your life that feels as disappointing as Ezekiel’s glory-forsaken temple? Maybe you can no longer play a favorite sport because of an injury. Maybe someone has abused you so your innocence is gone. Maybe your dad or mom walked out on your family. Whatever your disappointment, bring it to God. He can restore old dreams like he restored the temple in Ezekiel’s vision. He can bring back the glory!

PRAYER: Dear God, please bring Your glory back to the places in my life that are filled with disappointment. Amen.


MORE: Glory Sightings
Other Bible characters also saw God’s glory. Match the people who saw God’s glory with how it looked or felt.

1. Israelites (Exodus 24:17)
2. Priests (1 Kings 8:11)
3. Shepherds (Luke 2:9)
4. Stephen (Acts 7:55)


A. God’s glory shone around angels
B. God’s glory looked like fire on top of a mountain.
C. He saw heaven, God’s glory and Jesus just before he died.
D. God’s glory felt so powerful they couldn’t do their jobs.

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Dem Bones

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ezekiel 37:1-14


TO CHEW ON: "Then he said to me, 'Prophecy to these bones and say to them, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you and you will come to life."’” Ezekiel 37:4,5

"Valley of Dry Bones" © Duncan Long (Used with the artist's permission)

One day Ezekiel had another vision from God. A vision is something like a dream. Put the parts of Ezekiel’s vision in the order they happened (Ezekiel 37:1-14)

____ There was a rattling sound and the bones reconnected to become lifeless bodies.
____ Ezekiel saw a valley of dry bones.
____ God’s Spirit breathed life into the bodies.
____ Ezekiel told the bones God would make them live again.


Ezekiel’s vision had a meaning. The bones in Ezekiel’s vision were a picture of the Jewish people. They were discouraged because they could no longer live in their own land. They had been captured and taken to live in Babylon. In that country they felt as hopeless as if they were dead. God gave Ezekiel this vision to give the Jewish people hope.

What things in your life make you feel discouraged and hopeless? Is someone in your family very ill? Do you find school hard? Is your family split up because of separation or divorce? Whatever it is, God can breathe life and hope into the dead “bones” in your life too.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to trust You to bring life to the things that seem hopeless to me. Amen.


MORE: Human Bones
Find a photograph or drawing of a human skeleton.

1. How many bones are there in an adult’s skeleton?

2. What is the largest bone?

3. What is the smallest?



ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Too Beautiful for Words

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Ezekiel 1:22-28

TO CHEW ON: " I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." Ezekiel 1:27,28

Have you ever seen something so amazing you had trouble describing it? That was probably what Ezekiel felt like when he saw a vision of God.


Like Daniel, Ezekiel was an exile in Babylon. One day, when he was beside the Kebar River in Babylon, he saw a strange sight in the sky. At first he thought the cloud with flashes of lightning coming from it meant a storm was on the way. But as it got closer, he saw creatures. They looked like people but had many faces and wings. Then he saw sparkling wheels that moved.

Finally he heard a voice. Looking up he saw a throne. On it was a man. But what a man! He was glowing and fiery. Around him was brilliant light in the colors of the rainbow. Ezekiel knew that this was God and he fell on his face. Then God told him he was to be a prophet to the people in exile.



Few people have seen a glimpse of God as Ezekiel did. But all the Bible descriptions of God, written by people who have, seem similar. In each one the teller can hardly find words to describe how amazing, bright, awesome and incredible God is. These descriptions of God give us just a small idea of what a beautiful, powerful, and glorious God we serve.


PRAYER: Dear God, You are beautiful and full of power and light. I worship You. Amen.


MORE: God looks like...
People who tried to describe what God and the things in heaven are like often compared them to gem stones and precious metals.

~Ezekiel described the wheels he saw as sparkling like chrysolite. (Ezekiel 1:16). God’s throne looked like sapphire.(Ezekiel 1:26).

~Daniel compared God’s body to chrysolite. His arms and legs were made of bronze. He wore a belt of gold. (Daniel 10:5,6)

~To John, God looked like jasper and carnelian. The rainbow that circled His throne looked like emerald (Revelation 4:3).

Using books and the internet find out what these gems and metals look like -- and get a glimpse of how beautiful God is.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

The Call

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Isaiah 6:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'
And I said, 'Here am I. Send me.'” Isaiah 6:8

God sat on a high throne. The train of his majestic robe was more glorious than any bride’s. It filled the temple. Angels were all around. Some flew back and forth calling “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is filled with his glory.” At the sound, the temple pillars shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

These are things Isaiah saw in a vision. He would never forget what happened next. As he saw God’s glory and heard the angels, Isaiah suddenly felt like he wasn’t good enough to be there. “Woe is me,” he said, “for my mouth is dirty with bad words.”


Then one of the angels came to him. He had a coal from the altar, and touched that coal to Isaiah’s lips. “God has taken away your guilt and sin,” he said.

Then Isaiah heard God’s voice: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Without knowing what God would ask him to do, Isaiah replied, “Here am I, send me.”


God called Isaiah to be a prophet that day. He would spend more than forty years speaking God’s words to the people of Judah.

Has God called you to do something for Him? If He hasn’t yet, someday he may. He may not call you in a vision like He did Isaiah. But however He calls, make sure your answer is the same as Isaiah’s.

PRAYER: Dear God, when You call, I want to answer, “Here am I, send me.” Amen.

MORE: Unique Calls
God calls people in many different ways. Using the books and/or the internet, find out how God called:

William Cameron Townsend - founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators.



Billy Graham - evangelist.


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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.