December 24th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

His World, His Work

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

God of love and Joy, God of Bethlehem’s baby boy, I bow before You today. Thank You for the great “glad tidings” the angels sang.

Read REVELATION 22:1-21

[1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. [3] No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. [6] The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” [7] “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” [8] I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. [9] But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” [10] Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. [11] Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” [12] “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. [13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. [14] “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. [15] Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. [16] “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” [17] The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. [18] I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. [19] And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. [20] He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. [21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through him who with us sideth” (Martin Luther, A Mighty Fortress is our God). Celebrate the greatest of all gifts!

Think Further

“Welcome to the wedding!” is the joyous note sounded in the last two chapters of Scripture. Where will this wedding take place, and where will we spend our “eternal honeymoon”? What a wonderful surprise: we are not going up to heaven to be with God, but he is coming down to earth to be with us! Even as Adam and Eve said their vows in an earthly garden, so groom and bride will say their vows in an earthly garden city.

This is described in the first five verses. What a lovely picture, which should awaken in us the delights of Genesis and the promise of Romans 8:21, where creation’s freedom is tied in with ours. God’s people should be at the forefront of “creation care”! This new world is as certain as God’s reliable Word (6-10). Did you notice all the references to such words as “book,” “words,” “prophecy,” and our invitation to “hear” them and to “keep” them? This is revelation indeed! The next five verses (11-15) talk about the grand sweep of God’s work, in his world and through his Word. The phrases “Alpha and Omega” and “the First and the Last” occur in both the first and last chapters of Revelation. He, himself, is the “Beginning and the End” (13) of all human history.

The last verses focus attention again on the groom (“the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star”) (16), and give a final invitation (17) and warning (18,19). They end with a fervent longing for Jesus’ return (20). May we be those who do not look down with fear or shame, but look up to the humble Baby who will return as glorious King!

Apply

On this Christmas Eve day, prepare yourself for the coming, joyful celebration. What does Emmanuel, “God with us,” mean to you?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, may my Christmas celebrating Your first coming create in me a longing for Your Second Coming, too. Thank You that You came and are coming again.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store