-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)
There are a lot of cross reference prophecies in today’s readings between Isaiah and Revelations, and it’s generally of the type of thing that most of us would very optimistically describe as “concerning”. The devotions leading up to this one from a few days earlier remind us of a few things that I’d urge everyone to keep in mind as we read today’s scripture: Firstly, God loves His creation, even when “bad things happen” it’s usually an opportunity for correction and restoration. Secondly, God loves us so much that He’s told us in advance what’s going to happen, so we don’t get too scared or discouraged. It’s just that sometimes demolition has to take place before reconstruction. Keep that thought foremost today.
“1Behold, Yahweh empties the earth to destruction, eviscerates it, distorts its surface, and scatters its inhabitants.2And the people will be like the priest, the male slave like his master, the female slave like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.3The earth will be completely emptied to destruction and completely plundered, for Yahweh has spoken this word.4The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and withers; the exalted of the people of the earth languish. 5The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they trespassed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who inhabit it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men remain. ” Isaiah 24:1-6, LSB. Well, that doesn’t seem to leave a lot of room for interpretation, does it? In my Bible I’ve got a note written: “See 2 Peter 3:7” right next to verse 6 above.
The rest of Isaiah 24 goes on to prophesy a few more things, particularly comparisons to making man scarce upon the earth, in verses 7-13, and in verse 13 in particular it compares the remainder of man to “the shaking of an olive tree” (olive trees were harvested by shaking them vigorously and picking up the ones that fell, but usually a few would be left) and “the gleanings when the grape harvest is over”. This is going to be, in other words, a pretty climactic event for humanity. If you haven’t read any of the earlier devotions leading up to this one, at the very least I’d urge you strongly to go back to the September 10th devotion and slowly read “Point 2” there, about 2/3 of the way down. Seriously, it helps a lot with perspective.
Why will all of this happen though? Well, there’s no mystery here, moving on down to Isa 24:20, it tells us the earth is being punished because “…its transgression is heavy upon it...” LSB. There is an interesting verse down below this as well, “21So it will be in that day, That Yahweh will punish the host of heights on high, And the kings of the earth on earth.” LSB. I’ve got a note written beside that verse in my Bible that says “Angels? The Rich?“, and I’m honestly not sure, but if we flip over to our Revelation reading today it does mention a war in heaven, and that the dragon and his angels were not strong enough, and cast down (Rev 12:7-9). I have my own opinions on the interpretation of this, but I will tremble and not blaspheme against glorious ones with my own fallible and human speculations (2 Peter 2: 4-11). I’m just a human.
Another VERY interesting thing to note here and ponder upon in your heart is the number “1260”. This pops up in our reading today in Rev 12:6. Quick eyes will skim right past it, but a discerning eye will recall that it also appeared in yesterday’s reading, in Rev 11:3. In fact, the number 1,260 appears in the Bible nine times across the books of Daniel and Revelation. Specifically, it is mentioned twice in the Old Testament (Daniel 7:25 and 12:7) and seven times in the New Testament (Revelation 11:2, 11:3, 12:6, 12:14, 13:5, and two additional references in Revelation 11:9 and 13:5 depending on textual grouping. This period is consistently equated to 42 months or three and a half years (using a 30-day prophetic month, also written as “a time, times, and half a time”).
So is 1260 important, as a prophetic number? I’m going to offer a resounding “Yes” to that, based on the frequency with which it comes up in books of known and proven prophecy. Do I know what it means? Like Mary, I will ponder these things in my heart, but I will tremble and be silent. Again, these are matters that are above my station, since I’m just a human. Please note though: since it’s something that God has revealed to us in scripture, I do think it’s important, and very healthy and wise to research these things and come to our own conclusions.
I’m a simple guy, and I work with the littles in school, so I’m really good at kindergarten math and confident in my assertion that 1+1+1=3 (and not =1), no matter which way you slice it but beyond that I have a very healthy understanding about my lack of understanding in complex mathematical equations. Even if God had revealed what the frequency of 1260 occuring repeatedly in prophecy meant to me (He hasn’t), I probably wouldn’t share it unless I was told to at the time. There is just too much margin for human error when calculating these things, too much uncertainty.
What I am certain of is that God never lies. These things have been told to us in advance for a reason, so that we can attempt to refine and purify ourselves, and live in a manner that is pleasing to our God. God loves us so much that He wants us to be aware that these things are coming, so that we can prepare for them.
My wife and I love to watch the show about people who go to great lengths (sometimes a little overboard) to prepare for apocolyptic times, aptly named “Doomsday Preppers” (an American reality tv series). If you’ve never seen it, you should give it a watch sometime. In it, folks typically go to extreme lengths to “get ready”, using various and occasionally insane techniques and methodology to “prep” for an apocolyptic event of one type or another. Instead of a series of reflection questions, today lets provide a helpful list of how to actually prepare yourself for some of these things. Reflect on these, and it may save your life:
PREPPERS LIST
- Love God. Acknowledge Him as your creator and give Him full authority in your life. It’s the most important commandment: LOVE GOD. It’s hard to be mad at someone who’s loving up on you.
- Love Your Neighbor, as much as you do yourself. When you honor God’s creation, you honor God. It’s the second most important commandment, and a way to show God we’re listening to what He says.
- Seek First the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. What you go after shows what your focus is, if that’s anything besides being a citizen of the kingdom of God, I humbly suggest you redirect.
- Purify yourself. God will not hear the prayers of the unrighteous, commit yourself to being obedient to Him and living a life that is holy, humble, and free from sin.
- Do Good Deeds. Help the widows, help the orphans, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those imprisoned, offer a ride, bless others in the same manner that God has blessed you. Do you want God to save you, to grant you mercy, to protect you from a bad situation even though you may not deserve it? You can start by doing the same for others, what you do for the least of these, you do for our king. Listen! This is important. Not because it will make you righteous (it won’t), but because it will show your obedience.
PRAYER
Father God, our guardian and our creator, we bless Your holy name. Please forgive us when we stumble, teach us to be servants who please you, and lead us into Your kingdom. Your will be done, Father. Thank you, in Jesus name, Amen.
