Month: December 2022

“Why are you so amazed?”

Revelation 17

Friday, December 2, 2022

I once heard a preacher ask the audience, “Does anyone enjoy sinning?” As one who enjoys asking questions like this from the pulpit, my interest was piqued. You are faced with an internal dilemma – be honest and vulnerable or give the church answer that you think is the right answer. (I am always looking for the honest answer.) He followed up that question by telling  everyone, “Of course you do. Why else would you do it?” Temptation would not be tempting if it was not desirable. 

Sin has it’s appeal. It is tempting. Abstaining can be difficult at times.

In chapter 17, John is carried away by the spirit with an angel. He is taken into the wilderness where he sees the great prostitute. This prostitute has stolen the attention of all the people of the world. As he describes her, we see all the things that the people of this world crave after: power, prestige, wealth and attention. 

John stared at this with complete amazement. The angel asked in vs 7 – “Why are you so amazed?” 

All that this prostitute offers is temporary and ultimately leads to destruction – yet like John, we can stare in amazement. 

We need to heed one of John’s other writings. 

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NLT

Do not get caught up in the pursuit and temptations of this world. For the prostitute, the beast and all those that fall into their temptation will be destroyed and eternally separated from God.

-John Wincapaw

Reflection Questions

  1. What are you amazed by when you read Revelation 17? What questions do you have? What is the greatest “take-away” or lesson from Revelation 17?
  2. How would you describe the woman on the beast and what she represents?
  3. How often do you consider the eternal consequences of your choices? Would it be easier making wise choices if you thought of it more often?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Revelation 16

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Chapter 16 picks up with the angels and their bowls of plagues that describe some horrible and disastrous things that are happening to the earth.

In the middle of it all we get a message:

““Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.””

Revelation 16:15 NLT

Like Matthew 24 – the thief comes when those in the house will be least likely expecting it. 

As a kid, I remember playing hide and go seek with my dad. I figured out a way to actually not be found. I found a way to sneak in between the walls. No one could find me and it was great. Until it was not. After not being found for 10-15 minutes, I would get bored, get out of my hiding spot and make my way to do something else. And every time my dad would look at me and say, “Found ya. I win!”

I think that happens with us too. We get distracted or bored while waiting. That is when we move away from our calling.  We let our guard down and while we least expect it – ready or not, here he comes. 

Again we see another reminder to remain faithful and vigilant. We all will be found. Will you be found faithful and ready? Or ashamed and not? 

-John Wincapaw

Reflection Questions

  1. Say a prayer to God about how you want to be found.
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload
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