Good morning,

Yesterday, I referenced the Shofar and asked the question, “What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)?” The answer is it signals the Rapture of the Church. Verse 16 references the ”…trump of God…”

Paul explains the Rapture to the Church at Thessalonica.

Comfort in light of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) This is the most extended and most important description of the Rapture in all of Scripture.

The Hope of the Rapture (13)

¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

The Confidence of the Rapture (14)

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

The Order of the Rapture (15)

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 The Person of the Rapture (16a)

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

The Resurrection of the Rapture (16b)

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

The Catching up of the Rapture (17a)

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

The Intimacy of the Rapture (17b)

 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The Encouragement of the Rapture (18)

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Ultimately the Rapture is a comfort to a needy people. We are to serve God till He returns. We are to watch expectantly and persistently.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last night began the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d’s sovereignty.

This would be a great time to wish all our Jewish friends a hearty Happy New Year. It would also be a good time to reflect on our own lives. Are we keeping short accounts with God? When He reveals sin in our lives, do we confess it (1 John 1:9) and move on serving God? What does the blowing of the trumpet mean to believers in Yeshua (Jesus)? (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) What does it mean that God is sovereign?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning.

Revelation 22 describes life. There are 12 pictures to help us identify life. There is the river of life, the tree of life, the faces of life, the light of life, the faithful sayings of life, we are to worship the God of life, the prophecy of life, the Alpha and Omega of life, the commandments of life, we are to come to life, and the Lord Jesus is life.

These pictures describe our eternal home. God gives the readers one last chance to get saved. He warns not to add or take away from the “…prophecy of this book…”

The book of life (22:18-19)

¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

We are not to alter the word of God. Many church’s, denomination, and cults, change the God’s word so it agrees with their doctrinal principles. God says that He will judge them.

Lord Jesus Christ is life (22:20-21)

²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Jesus is coming soon. The rapture of the church could happen at any time.

The question is, are you ready? Have you been obedient to God’s word in the matter of salvation? If not, are you prepared for total isolation, in a lake of fire, with no relief, ever. You do not have to go there.

Conclusion

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning.

Revelation 22 describes life. There are 12 pictures to help us identify life. There is the river of life, the tree of life, the faces of life, the light of life, the faithful sayings of life, we are to worship the God of life, the prophecy of life, the Alpha and Omega of life, the commandments of life, we are to come to life, and the Lord Jesus is life.

These pictures describe our eternal home. God gives the readers one last chance to get saved. He warns not to add or take away from the “…prophecy of this book…”

The Alpha and Omega of life (22:12-13)

¹² And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Jesus is coming to judge mankind and reward them for their work. Unbelievers will be judged and rewarded by being cast into the lake of fire. Believers will be rewarded with being in God’s presence for all eternity.

The commandments of life (22:14-15)

¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Another reference to obedience to God’s word. When we obey God’s word, we will trust Christ by grace through faith for salvation. We will obey God’s word out of love, not compulsion. Obedience equals life.

Come to life (22:16-17)

¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

One last opportunity to come to salvation through Jesus payment for our sin debt. The Spirit of God and the bride, the church age believers, say come. It is open to all that hear and are thirsty. Then it is open to everyone.

Have you chosen to follow Jesus? If not, why not?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning.

Revelation 22 describes life. There are 12 pictures to help us identify life. There is the river of life, the tree of life, the faces of life, the light of life, the faithful sayings of life, we are to worship the God of life, the prophecy of life, the Alpha and Omega of life, the commandments of life, we are to come to life, and the Lord Jesus is life.

These pictures describe our eternal home. God gives the readers one last chance to get saved. He warns not to add or take away from the “…prophecy of this book…”

Revelation 22

“…I come quickly…”

“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:6-7)

Introduction

River of life (22:1)

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Zechariah 14:4-8)

Tree of life (22:2)

² In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

The faces of life (22:3-4)

³ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:⁴ And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

The light of life (22:5)

⁵ And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Faithful sayings of life (22:6-7)

⁶ And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Worship the God of life (22:8-9)

⁸ And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

The prophecy of life (22:10-11)

¹⁰ And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.¹¹ He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

The Alpha and Omega of life (22:12-13)

¹² And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

The commandments of life (22:14-15)

¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Come to life (22:16-17)

¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The book of life (22:18-19)

¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Lord Jesus Christ is life (22:20-21)

²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Conclusion

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Good morning.

Revelation 22 describes life. There are 12 pictures to help us identify life. There is the river of life, the tree of life, the faces of life, the light of life, the faithful sayings of life, we are to worship the God of life, the prophecy of life, the Alpha and Omega of life, the commandments of life, we are to come to life, and the Lord Jesus is life.

These pictures describe our eternal home. God gives the readers one last chance to get saved. He warns not to add or take away from the “…prophecy of this book…”

Faithful sayings of life (22:6-7)

⁶ And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Three things to glean from these verses. First, God’s word is truth. It is sure and will never fail. Second, God sent his angel to proclaim what is to come. He has been doing that from the very beginning of Scripture. Third, we are to obey the word of God. The theme from Genesis to Revelation is to obey what God tells us to do.

Doing these three things brings life.

Worship the God of life (22:8-9)

⁸ And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

The mistake of mankind throughout the ages is that they worshipped anything but God. Idols of stone and wood. Gods of the sun, moon, and stars. The things of this world.

Worship God and have life.

The prophecy of life (22:10-11)

¹⁰ And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.¹¹ He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

We have had the word of God, the Bible, available to us all our lives. But it can only bring life when it is opened, read, obeyed, and applied to our lives. The Bible tells us about sin, tells us the wages of sin is death, and that God provided a solution to the problem of man’s sin through Jesus paying our sin debt on the cross at Calvary. Jesus gives us eternal life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning.

Revelation 22 describes life. There are 12 pictures to help us identify life. There is the river of life, the tree of life, the faces of life, the light of life, the faithful sayings of life, we are to worship the God of life, the prophecy of life, the Alpha and Omega of life, the commandments of life, we are to come to life, and the Lord Jesus is life.

These pictures describe our eternal home. God gives the readers one last chance to get saved. He warns not to add or take away from the “…prophecy of this book…”

River of life (22:1)

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Zechariah 14:4-8)

The rivers we have today are polluted. There are chemicals and waste that is discharged into them. But this river brings life. It is pure and has no contaminates.

Tree of life (22:2)

² In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

Genesis 3:22-24 reveals that man was driven out of the garden of Eden so that he would not take of the tree of life. Now man is permitted to eat and enjoy the fruit from the tree of life.

The faces of life (22:3-4)

³ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:⁴ And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

There are many references in the Bible about men not being able to see the face of God. It was prohibited. Now we will be able to look into the face of our Lord Jesus Christ without fear.

The light of life (22:5)

⁵ And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Jesus said “…I am the light of the world…” Now He is the light of heaven.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.” This chorus was popular as I was growing in my walk with the Lord.

What will the new heaven and earth be like? God describes it to us in Revelation 21 and 22. This week we will look at Revelation 21. We will see the coming of heaven, the tabernacle of heaven, what God does for us in heaven, the look of heaven, the size of heaven, the construction of heaven, the temple of heaven, the light of heaven, and the purity of heaven.

The purity of heaven (21:27)

²⁷ 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.

Conclusion

Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace, I want to see my Savior’s face, heaven is a wonderful place, I want to go there!

Heaven is a glorious place!

But not everyone who wants in, gets in. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

So how do I get my name written in the Lamb’s book of life?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

Those who repent of their sins, believe on Jesus Christ by faith, will have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be in heaven.

This week’s devotions have given us a picture of what we will experience in heaven.

Please choose to make Jesus your Lord and Savior.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.” This chorus was popular as I was growing in my walk with the Lord.

What will the new heaven and earth be like? God describes it to us in Revelation 21 and 22. This week we will look at Revelation 21. We will see the coming of heaven, the tabernacle of heaven, what God does for us in heaven, the look of heaven, the size of heaven, the construction of heaven, the temple of heaven, the light of heaven, and the purity of heaven.

The temple of heaven (21:22)

²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

The light of heaven (21:23-26)

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. ²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. ²⁶  And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

God the Father and God the Son are the temple in heaven. Jesus is the light of heaven.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I want to see my Savior’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.” This chorus was popular as I was growing in my walk with the Lord.

What will the new heaven and earth be like? God describes it to us in Revelation 21 and 22. This week we will look at Revelation 21. We will see the coming of heaven, the tabernacle of heaven, what God does for us in heaven, the look of heaven, the size of heaven, the construction of heaven, the temple of heaven, the light of heaven, and the purity of heaven.

New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:1-2)

Introduction

What happens to the old heaven and earth?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, ¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:10-12)

Coming of heaven (21:1-2)

The tabernacle of heaven (21:3)

³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

What God does for us in heaven (21:4-8)

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The look of heaven (21:9-14)

⁹ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;¹² 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:¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The size of heaven (21:15-17)

¹⁵ And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

The construction of heaven (21:18-21)

¹⁸ And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

The temple of heaven (21:22)

²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

The light of heaven (21:23-26)

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. ²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

The purity of heaven (21:27)

²⁷ 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.

Conclusion

Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace, I want to see my Savior’s face, heaven is a wonderful place, I want to go there!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001