Bible Pathway - Dec. 31, 2011

Highlights:

A new heaven and a new earth. . . . all things new (Rev. 21:1-5). End of pain, sorrow, and death (21:4; 22:3). Do you know the Lamb? We will see His face (22:3-4). The Lamb and God are the Temple and the Light (21:22-23,25). Who can enter (21:27; 22:14)? The River of Water of Life; the Tree of Life (22:1-2,14). When Jesus comes, He will come quickly (22:20)!

We have come to the end of another year, and to the end of The Book far above all books. In fact, it is the only book provided by our Creator. It reveals who the True God is, that we are lost sinners, and how God wants us to live in order to prepare for eternal life with Him. After prayerfully reading through the Bible, we will never be the same. And, as believers, one of these days, sooner than we think, we will turn the last page in the book of our own journey through life to delight at seeing our names recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life (Rev. 21:27). The Bible has always been the worldwide best seller, even though the Author wrote only one book using about 40 people over a period of about 1500 years to do so.

But those who die without having trusted Christ as Savior cannot experience that delight. Note the characteristics of the unsaved: The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, (these all) shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (21:8).

How solemn is the warning concerning all liars and those who are morally corrupt — including whoremongers, fornicators, sexual perverts — and those dealing in the various forms of witchcraft, spiritualism, and idolatry! All will be cast into the lake of fire. (Deut. 18:10-12; Eph. 5:3,5; Col. 3:5-6; Heb. 13:4.) As evil as these sins are, God is willing to forgive anyone — even the vilest sinner — who turns from his sins to Christ (II Pet. 3:9; I John 1:9). Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure (I John 3:3).

Christian friend, as you read your Bible each day, think, pray, and believe that the Holy Spirit will mold your life to be like Him whose Name is The Word of God (Rev. 19:13). Let His Word dwell in your thoughts throughout each day, and you will become a living expression of His life.

Our world is becoming a mess. While drinking water, streams, and even the ocean are so polluted with mercury and other filth that it is unsafe to eat the fish, earth's physical pollution cannot compare to sin's spiritual pollution. However, the Christian's future is awesome and thrilling. We have been promised a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea (Rev. 21:1).

Thought for Today:

The Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you (I Pet. 1:25).

Cross References:

For Rev. 21:4: See Is. 25:8. Rev. 21:23: See Is. 60:19. Rev. 21:25: See Is. 60:11. Rev. 21:27: See Is. 52:1. Rev. 22:2: See Ezek. 47:12; Gen. 2:9. Rev. 22:3: See Zech. 14:11. Rev. 22:12: See Is. 40:10. Rev. 22:13: See Is. 44:6; 48:12. Rev. 22:16: See Is. 11:1. Rev. 22:18-19: See Deut. 12:32.

Word Studies:

21:9 the bride, the Lamb's wife, the Church, the Lord Jesus' Church; 21:16 twelve thousand furlongs, 1500 miles; 21:23 lighten it, illuminate it; 22:7 prophecy, foretelling, forth telling, teaching; 22:16 angel to testify, messenger to bear witness.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Jeff Flake (AZ), Rep. Hal D. Rogers (KY), and Rep. Heath Shuler (NC) • Country: Macedonia (2 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Macedonian and Albanian • strongly Orthodox country • 67% Macedonian Orthodox; 23% Muslim; 3% Catholic; 2% Protestant; 5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Do not worry about your material needs (Matt. 6:25-30).

Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:13-4