Signs of the end

The great suffering such as has not been For he was cut off from the land of the living, Stricken for the transgression of my people. Isaiah 53:8   Read Matthew 24:15—24 Tonight I’m looking at Jerusalem through Jesus’ eyes. He has come to it. And he sees its end. I think he sees Jerusalem…

The conqueror of death

The cherished bride How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Song of Solomon 4:1   Read Revelation 21:1—7 I know this all has to be pictured for me. If I try to explain it as though I could move behind the pictures and think I was…

The conqueror of death

What faith does Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in his ways. Psalm 128:1   Read Hebrews 11:23—31 Faith, the way I have had it, what has been its character? What has been its effect? Faith as I read it here has led the faithful to strenuous actions posited on the truth…

The conqueror of death

Away and at home My soul longs, indeed it faints For the courts of the Lord. Psalm 84:2   Read 2 Corinthians 5:1—10 Somehow I get the feeling, and this is not the only place, that in Christ I can never ever lose out. I’m in a tent now: I’ll get a building, an eternal…

The conqueror of death

Sown perishable, raised in glory The valleys deck themselves with grain; They shout and sing together for joy. Psalm 65:13   Read 1 Corinthians 15:35—43 This is a fair question for me to consider as I come to the end of the day. I may soon be down to sleep. All my life I have…

The conqueror of death

Whoever believes in him You overcame the sting of death, And opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Te Deum   Read John 3:16—21 Why? Why this belief? This belief that I must hold to? Why should this belief be the lucky winner? The belief in Jesus? Out of all the beliefs on offer,…

The conqueror of death

The heavenly city Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all that fills it. Psalm 96:11   Read Hebrews 11:8—16 Abraham was promised a land. Beyond that, he was promised a city. Abraham got to see the land, to walk on it, have his sheep graze on…

The conqueror of death

The touch of life Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3   Read Matthew 9:18—26 I’m sneaking along behind Jesus, about as secretive as I can be. Because I’m as weak as ever I can be. Some poor soul has died, and that’s that. I’m useless myself. I’m sick in…

Citizens of heaven

More fool you Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my thoughts. Psalm 139:23   Read 1 Corinthians 3:16—23 The last thing I want to be called is a fool — well, just about. I have a reputation. I like to preserve it. I like it when I am honoured.…

Citizens of heaven

Built to last Unless the Lord guards the city, The guard keeps watch in vain. Psalm 127:1   Read 1 Corinthians 3:11—15 I am assured by Jesus that it is the unseen kingdom that is going to last. The things that seem so solid, that I can calculate, bank on and bargain for, are all…