JOY TO THE WORLD/UNSPEAKABLE JOY, FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN/OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART LORD, O COME LET US SING, KING OF KINGS, WORTHY OF IT ALL

Looking back at 2024, did you have days you can describe as “the best of times and the worst of times” all wrapped up together? Please explain.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and ^[a]communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, ² who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. ³ Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and ^[b]heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who ^[c]is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins ^[d]by His blood— ⁶ and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to ^[e]His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ⁷ Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who ^[f]is to come, the Almighty.”

… ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” ⁵ And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

Revelation begins by saying that it’s a revelation of Jesus Christ and things that will take place, as revealed by His angel to John (vv. 1-3). The purpose is for people to read, hear, and heed (obey) what is revealed because “the time is near.”  Our goal is to be heavenly-minded but earthly-useful: we are to live in such a way that we are always ready to meet Jesus. We must plan for the long term in case He comes later than expected. We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). Glory speaks of weightiness and grandeur, the opposite of shame, disaster, and despair. Our future is glorious because Jesus is coming again. When Jesus comes, He comes as King of kings and Lord of lords, and He promised to restore and renew everything and bring with Himself rewards for those who are faithful and are in Christ.

1) Jesus will REIGN as King of kings

The book of Revelation tells us about what we have seen (past), the things that are (present), and the things to come (future) (Revelation 1:19), while Romans 8:18 shows the reality of life in the present – how it doesn’t compare to the glory that awaits. Written in the past tense to emphasize certainty, Romans 8:30-31 says that those who are saved, whose sins are forgiven, will be glorified and given a wonderful promise – “if God is for us, who is against us.” A major portion of Revelation is about TRIBULATIONS: the Seven Seals and Trumpets (Revelation 6:1-17, and 8:1-5) – declare the horrors that are about to come. The Seven Bowls will bring painful hardships, earthquakes, and unprecedented destruction (Revelation 16:1-21). Then the end comes, and for some, it will be glorious, for others, it will not be pleasing.

Jesus is RULER, LOVER, SAVIOR (Revelation 1:5-6). Upon His return, people will mourn for not recognizing Him before (vv. 7–8). Later, Jesus comforts the apostle John, telling him not to be afraid and that He is the first and the last, living forevermore and possessing full authority (Revelation 1:17-18.) A great company of angels and elders declare praises and glory to the Lamb (Jesus) (Revelation 5:11-14). Heaven is “filled with worship unto God and the Lamb,” – and John was amazed by the sight (Revelation 7:9-12). A great company of people came out of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14-15). This is a reminder for us to be ready for Christ’s return even as we face tribulation! Jesus is the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS, and we know how the story is going to end — the devil will be locked up forever and ever (Revelation 19:14-16, 20:10)!

Furthermore, “books” will be opened – there will be a final judgment to grant to those who are in the Book of Life the glorious, promised future, and for those who are not found in it, to suffer eternally in hell (Revelation 20:11-15). Our job today is not to judge and focus on the sins of others (1 Corinthians 4:5). God is the judge; we are to leave the judgment to God. Instead, our job is to preach the word to people, to get ready for Jesus’ return (2 Timothy 4:1-2). We are to stimulate one another towards love and good deeds, walk with others, and continue to encourage one another as the day of Christ’s return draws near (Hebrews 10:24-25).

2) Jesus will RENEW all things

All things will be made new, and no eye has seen the wonders of this glorious renewal of things (1 Corinthians 2:9). God is preparing a wonderful place for us beyond our imagination (a new heaven and a new earth) (Revelation 21:1-2)! The presence of God is what makes heaven so beautiful; we will finally be with God (Revelation 21:3)! He will wipe away tears, no more death, no more pain or crying; HE IS MAKING ALL THINGS NEW (vv. 4-5) The beauty of God’s plan is beyond description; the glory of God’s presence is enough to give light forever; there’s great intimacy with God, serving Him and reigning forever with Him (Revelation 21:19-23, 22:3-5).

We will all be changed, so we must all be steadfast and continue to abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 57-58) and increase in love for one another (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). Be the best in all the things we do for the Lord.

3) Jesus will REWARD the faithful

At the end of it all, Jesus rewards those whose faith is real. Those who believe in Christ and have been transformed, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, have something to look forward to. It is impossible to please God without faith; He is a rewarder for those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). People who OVERCOME contrast with those who live in sin; doom awaits them, but great inheritance for those who belong to Jesus (Revelation 21:7-8). True believers are overcomers! Christ renders to every man according to what he has done (Revelation 22:12-13). There are great promises for those who can overcome (Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:21). The key to overcoming is FAITH in Jesus, allowing Him to change us from the inside out (1 John 5:4).  We have a better possession, and thus we must have confidence and endurance as we do the will of God and receive what was promised (Hebrews 10:34-36). A true follower of Jesus finds joy in the Lord – He is the greatest reward!

Let us not shrink away from Him in shame when He returns (1 John 2:28). Set our mind on things above (Colossians 3:2, 4). Are we truly in Jesus Christ?  The last sentence in Revelation is “I AM COMING QUICKLY,” and may our response be like John’s – “COME LORD JESUS”! May we, like the Apostle Paul, fight the good fight of faith and look forward to the reward (2 Timothy 4:7-8).  We must not mess up; we are destined for glory!

Pray for those who may be afraid to face the “end times” or may be going through very tough times and don’t have the hope that Jesus gives.

Share the gospel of Christ, our Savior and Lord, and who is coming again as Righteous Judge.

Share the good promises of God for those who put their trust in Him.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; tension in the West Philippine Sea to be peacefully resolved.

• Continue to pray for the rest of Israeli hostages to be restored back to their families safely. Pray for Israel and the war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the civil war in Syria to end peacefully, protection for Christians and other minorities; that there will be freedom from oppression for Syrians. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout the country.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”