Category Archives: Righteousness / Serving God

Revelation, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Hear the Invitation, Hold to His Word, and Be Ready (Revelation 22:17–21)

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After everything Revelation has shown us, are we responding to God’s invitation, holding faithfully to what He has said, and living ready for Yeshua’s return?

Key Verse

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.” — Revelation 22:17 (NASB)

Background Context

In Revelation 22:1–5, John saw the river of life, the tree of life, and God’s servants dwelling forever in His presence. In verses 6–11, Yeshua called His people to keep the words of this prophecy and live ready for His return. Then in verses 12–16, He declared that He is coming with His reward and reminded us that our choices and deeds matter.

Now in Revelation 22:17–21, the vision reaches its conclusion. After warnings of judgment and extraordinary promises of restoration, Scripture ends with an open invitation to receive the water of life, a serious warning to preserve God’s Word faithfully, and a final promise from Yeshua that He is coming.

Revelation does not leave us merely wondering what we have seen. It calls us to respond.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 22:17-21

      17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

      18I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

      20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

      21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Reflection on Revelation 22:17–21:

The first word of this final section is remarkably appropriate: “Come.” The Spirit and the bride say it, and everyone who hears is encouraged to join the invitation. Then the invitation becomes personal: “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.”

Throughout Revelation, we have encountered serious warnings about sin, compromise, deception, judgment, and the consequences of rejecting God. Yet the book does not close with God delighting in keeping people out of His kingdom. It closes with an invitation to come.

That invitation is offered “without cost.” This echoes Isaiah 55:1: “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat.” We cannot purchase the life God offers or earn our way into His kingdom. The Lamb has paid the price we could not pay. Those who thirst are invited to come and receive.

But receiving God’s gift does not mean we are free to redefine His truth. Immediately following the invitation comes one of Scripture’s strongest warnings about altering God’s Word. John warns anyone hearing the prophecy not to add to it or take away from it.

The immediate context is specifically “the words of the prophecy of this book,” so we should not ignore that original meaning. Revelation itself must not be altered to suit our preferences. Yet the principle is consistent with God’s earlier warnings concerning His instruction. In Deuteronomy 4:2, Israel was told, “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it.”

Both errors remain tempting. We can add requirements God has not commanded and present our traditions or preferences as though they carry His authority. But we can also take away from what God has said by ignoring, redefining, or creating an assumption of freedom where He has established restrictions. Faithfulness requires humility in both directions.

Our responsibility is not to reshape God’s Word into what we wish He had said. It is to hear what He actually says and respond accordingly.

Then, almost at the very end of Scripture, Yeshua speaks once more: “Yes, I am coming quickly.”

John does not respond with another question about the timing. He does not ask for another vision or a more detailed prophetic chart. His response is simple: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

That response carries greater weight after everything Revelation has shown us. For Yeshua to return means the defeat of His enemies, judgment of rebellion, resurrection of the dead, destruction of death itself, restoration of creation, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell forever among His people.

Peter tells us that looking forward to God’s coming judgment and restoration should affect the way we live now: “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Longing for Yeshua’s return is not merely excitement about future events. It should produce present faithfulness.

Revelation began by calling God’s people to hear and keep what was written. It ends by inviting the thirsty to come, warning us to preserve God’s words faithfully, and reminding us that Yeshua is returning.

The question at the end of Revelation is therefore not simply, “Do you understand the prophecy?”

It is much more personal: Have you come to Yeshua for life? Are you holding faithfully to God’s Word? And are you living in such a way that you can genuinely say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”?

Application

  • If you are thirsty for the life God offers, respond to His invitation rather than assuming there will always be another opportunity to come.
  • Hold faithfully to what God has actually said, neither adding human requirements nor removing His restrictions to create freedom He has not given.
  • Let expectation of Yeshua’s return produce greater holiness, obedience, and faithfulness in how you live today.
  • Ask whether you are living in a way that allows you to sincerely pray, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the invitation to come and receive the water of life that I could never purchase or earn. Help me hold faithfully to Your Word without adding my own requirements or removing what You have commanded. Give me wisdom to recognize compromise and courage to obey even when Your ways conflict with my preferences or the world around me. Help me live ready for Yeshua’s return, faithfully serving You until He comes. May the desire of my heart truly be, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Use Wisdom Before You Act (Ecclesiastes 10:8–15)

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Are you working harder to fix problems that wisdom could have helped you avoid in the first place?

Key Verse

“If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.” — Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NASB)

Background Context

In Ecclesiastes 9:11–18, Solomon reminded us that wisdom and diligent effort cannot guarantee the outcome we desire, because circumstances remain outside our control. Nevertheless, he concluded that wisdom is better than strength.

In Ecclesiastes 10:1–7, Solomon showed how even a relatively small amount of foolishness can damage something that took years of wisdom and honorable living to build.

Now in Ecclesiastes 10:8–15, Solomon gives several examples from ordinary life. Digging a pit, tearing down a wall, quarrying stones, splitting logs, swinging an axe, handling a snake, and even speaking all involve risks. Wisdom does not remove every danger, but it helps us recognize danger, prepare appropriately, and avoid creating unnecessary problems for ourselves.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 10:8-15

      8He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. 9He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. 11If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; 13the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. 14Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him? 15The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 10:8–15:

Solomon begins with several activities that can unexpectedly hurt the person doing them. Someone digging a pit can fall into it. Someone breaking through a wall can be bitten by a snake hiding within it. Quarrying stones and splitting logs can also cause injury. Solomon is not teaching that these particular activities are wrong. His point is that even ordinary work contains risks that wise people learn to recognize.

Wisdom does not mean we can eliminate every danger from life. Ecclesiastes has already made clear that unexpected events happen even to wise and capable people. But there is a significant difference between circumstances we could not reasonably foresee and problems we create because we failed to think before acting.

The picture of the dull axe makes that especially clear. A person can continue swinging harder and harder with an axe that has lost its edge, but increased effort is not necessarily the best solution. Sometimes the wise response is to stop swinging and sharpen the axe.

That principle applies far beyond physical work. We can become so focused on getting something done that we never stop to ask whether there is a wiser way to do it. We may continue pouring more time, effort, or frustration into a problem when better preparation, additional knowledge, improved tools, or wise counsel could make the work much more effective.

Proverbs 21:5 reinforces this principle: “The plans of the diligent certainly lead to advantage, but everyone who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.” Diligence matters, but biblical diligence is not simply frantic activity. Wisdom considers how to proceed before investing enormous effort in the wrong approach.

Solomon then shifts from our actions to our words. “Words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him.” Foolishness does not merely make work harder; it can also destroy us through what we say. Solomon describes the fool’s words beginning in foolishness and ending in “wicked madness.” The fool keeps talking even though he does not know what is coming.

James gives a similar warning about the tongue, comparing it to a small fire capable of setting a great forest ablaze (James 3:5–6). A few careless words can create consequences that require far more effort to repair than it would have taken to exercise restraint in the first place.

The section ends with an almost humorous picture: “The labor of a fool makes him so weary that he does not even know how to go to a city.” The fool is exhausted, but exhaustion is not necessarily evidence of wisdom or productivity. A person can expend tremendous effort while accomplishing very little because he refuses to learn, prepare, listen, or change his approach.

There is an important balance here with what Solomon told us earlier: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). God calls us to work diligently, but diligence and wisdom belong together. Working wholeheartedly does not mean thoughtlessly pushing harder regardless of whether what we are doing makes sense.

Sometimes faithfulness means working harder. Sometimes it means stopping long enough to sharpen the axe.

Application

  • Before beginning an important task or decision, take time to consider the risks, prepare well, and seek wisdom rather than rushing ahead.
  • When greater effort is producing little progress, ask whether you need to change your approach instead of simply working harder.
  • Think before speaking, recognizing that careless words can create damage that takes far longer to repair than they took to say.
  • Do not confuse being busy or exhausted with being effective; seek to use the time and abilities God has given you wisely.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the wisdom You provide through Your Word. Help me not to rush into decisions, work, or conversations without thinking carefully about what I am doing. Give me discernment to recognize when I need greater effort and when I need to stop and sharpen the axe. Guard my words so that I do not create unnecessary harm through careless speech. Teach me to use my time, energy, and abilities wisely and faithfully for the purposes You have given me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Strong in Our Weakness, Thankfulness

Let God Carry What Is Too Heavy for You (Psalm 68:19–27)

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What burdens are you continuing to carry as though everything depends upon you, when God is inviting you to depend upon Him?

Key Verse

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.” — Psalm 68:19 (NASB)

Background Context

In Psalm 68:1–10, David celebrated YHWH going before Israel, scattering His enemies, providing for His people, and defending the vulnerable. In verses 11–18, the focus shifted toward God’s victory and His dwelling among His people.

Now in Psalm 68:19–27, David brings those themes together. The victorious God is not distant from the everyday struggles of His people. He daily bears their burdens, provides deliverance, and continues leading His people in triumph.

David moves between God’s personal care for His people and His power over those who persist in opposing Him. Both reveal the same truth: Israel’s security ultimately rests in YHWH rather than in its own strength.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 68:19–27

 19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation.

Selah.

      20God is to us a God of deliverances;
And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.

      21Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies,
The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.

      22The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan.
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;

      23That your foot may shatter them in blood,
The tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.”

      24They have seen Your procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

      25The singers went on, the musicians after them,
In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.

      26Bless God in the congregations,
Even the LORD, you who are of the fountain of Israel.

      27There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them,
The princes of Judah in their throng,
The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Reflection on Psalm 68:19–27:

David begins with a remarkable statement: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden.” The word daily matters. God’s care is not reserved only for dramatic moments of deliverance. The God who parted the sea and defeated Israel’s enemies was also concerned with the burdens His people carried from one day to the next.

We often find it easier to believe that God can handle a major crisis than to depend upon Him in the accumulation of ordinary pressures. Responsibilities at work, concerns about family, financial decisions, uncertain futures, strained relationships, and countless smaller worries can gradually become heavy. We may pray about them, yet continue carrying them internally as though the final outcome rests entirely upon us.

David does not say God’s people will never have burdens. He says God bears them.

That does not mean we abandon the responsibilities God has given us. Trusting God is not an excuse to stop planning, working, making difficult decisions, or doing what is right. Rather, it means recognizing the difference between faithfully carrying our responsibilities and trying to carry responsibility for outcomes that belong to God.

David expresses the same confidence in Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you.” Peter later gives believers a similar instruction: “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Scripture repeatedly invites us to bring our burdens to God rather than allowing them to dominate our hearts.

David then declares, “God is to us a God of salvation; and to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.” His confidence rests not merely in God’s willingness to help but in God’s ability to save. The following verses describe YHWH defeating those who stubbornly continue in rebellion against Him. The language is severe because God’s victory over evil is real. The God who carries His people is also fully capable of dealing with what opposes His purposes.

That combination should strengthen our trust. We are not handing our burdens to someone who merely sympathizes with us but lacks the power to help. The One who cares for us is also the One who possesses the power to save.

The section closes with a procession of God’s people praising Him—singers, musicians, and representatives from the tribes of Israel. Their response to God’s deliverance is public worship. They remember together what YHWH has done and give Him the honor He deserves.

We need that reminder as well. When God carries us through a difficult season, it is easy to move immediately to the next concern. One burden disappears and our attention shifts to another. David instead stops to say, “Blessed be the Lord.” Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us trust Him with today’s burden.

There will always be responsibilities we must faithfully carry, but there are burdens God never intended us to carry as though we were sovereign over the outcome.

Do what God has placed in your hands today, and trust Him with the weight that belongs in His.

Application

  • Identify burdens you are carrying as though the outcome depends entirely upon you, and deliberately entrust those outcomes to YHWH.
  • Continue faithfully handling your responsibilities while refusing to let worry become an attempt to control what only God can control.
  • Remember specific ways God has carried you through previous difficulties, and allow His past faithfulness to strengthen your present trust.
  • When God brings you through a difficult season, stop and give Him thanks rather than immediately moving on to the next concern.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You that You daily bear the burdens of Your people. Give me wisdom to recognize the responsibilities You have given me and faith to surrender the outcomes that belong to You. When worry makes me feel that everything depends upon me, remind me that You care for me and have power far beyond my own. Help me remember Your past faithfulness, trust You with today’s concerns, and give You praise for the ways You continually sustain me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Traditions / Holidays

Dive Into Scripture to Embrace the Meaning of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)

Imagine a celebration that connects us directly to our biblical heritage, one that Jesus Himself honored amidst great peril. Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, invites us into a vibrant tradition that is as joyful as it is profound.

Today, rather than offering new insights, I encourage you to engage deeply with existing resources that explore the rich layers of Sukkot. This feast isn’t just a historical observance but a lively invitation to understand our roots and the continuity of faith from Moses to Messiah.

 

Sukkot stands out as a testament to God’s provision and faithfulness, commemorating Israel’s wilderness journey and pointing forward to the ultimate gathering when Yeshua returns to dwell among His people. The scriptures and traditions associated with Sukkot offer a tapestry of worship and profound theological insights, reflecting our journey towards redemption.

  • Sukkot Overview: Explore the core elements of Sukkot, from the gathering of branches to the symbolism of the sukkah.
  • Finding Messiah in Sukkot: Delve into how Yeshua fulfills and embodies this festival’s themes.
  • The Traditions of Sukkot: Understand how traditions can enrich your celebration, helping connect scriptural mandates to contemporary practices.

Each of these topics is covered extensively at TheMoedim.com (Sukkot (also Tabernacles or Booths) ) among other resources. While I may not align perfectly with all interpretations presented, the scriptural foundation provided is invaluable for a thorough understanding of the feast.

Study and Reflect:

  • Scriptural Foundations: Leviticus 23 serves as our primary guide, detailed very well at Bible.org (The Lord’s Appointed Times (Leviticus 23))
  • Messiah’s Example: Yeshua’s observance of Sukkot, despite the threats against Him, underscores its importance (John 7). This passage is not just historical; it’s instructional, revealing the depth of commitment to God’s commands.

Multimedia Exploration:

Engage with Sukkot through various formats to enrich your experience:

  • Music and Songs: Search online for Sukkot music that ranges from traditional hymns to modern worship songs celebrating this festival.
  • Video Series: Sites like 119Ministries.com and Hebrew4Christians.com offer detailed video explanations of Sukkot and its significance.

Community Engagement:

  • Join a Fellowship: Consider connecting with communities like
  • JacobsTent.org that observe Sukkot and other Biblical feasts, offering live streams and interactive sessions that bring the celebration to life wherever you are.

Closing:

As you embark on this journey of discovery, remember that the goal is not just knowledge but transformation. Let these studies draw you closer to God, enhancing your faith through the profound legacy of His appointed times.

Prayer:

Father, as I delve into the study of Sukkot, I thank You for the joy and depth it brings to my faith. Help me to embrace Your teachings and celebrate this time with a heart of gratitude and worship. Guide me through Your Scriptures and let the Holy Spirit illuminate the truths that will draw me closer to You and to the community of believers worldwide. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Obeying God, Seeking God

Live Like Your Choices Matter (Revelation 22:12–16)

If Yeshua says He is coming and will reward each person according to what they have done, should that change the way we think about the choices we make today?

Key Verse

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.” — Revelation 22:12 (NASB)

Background Context

In Revelation 21, John saw the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem, where YHWH will dwell forever among His people. In Revelation 22:1–5, he saw the river and tree of life and learned that the curse will finally be removed. Then in Revelation 22:6–11, Yeshua declared, “Behold, I am coming quickly,” and pronounced a blessing on those who keep the words of this prophecy.

Now in Revelation 22:12–16, Yeshua repeats His promise that He is coming quickly, but adds an important statement: He is bringing His reward with Him, “to reward each one as his work deserves.” He then identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega and describes the distinction between those who enter the New Jerusalem and those who remain outside.

As Revelation approaches its final words, it continues emphasizing something we have seen throughout the book: what we believe about Yeshua should be visible in how we live.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 22:12–16

      12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

      14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

      16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Reflection on Revelation 22:12–16:

Yeshua begins this section with a statement that deserves careful attention: “My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.” Revelation does not treat our deeds as insignificant. We saw the same truth at the Great White Throne, where the dead were judged “according to their deeds” (Revelation 20:12). Now Yeshua repeats that principle as part of His final message to the churches.

We should hold this together with the rest of Scripture rather than allowing one truth to erase another. We do not earn redemption by accumulating enough good deeds. Salvation is God’s provision through Yeshua. Yet Scripture also does not teach that because salvation cannot be earned, our actions no longer matter. Yeshua repeatedly called His followers to obedience, perseverance, repentance, and faithfulness. Our deeds reveal something about what we truly believe and whom we have chosen to follow.

Paul expresses the same accountability in 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.” Grace should never become an excuse to live as though our choices are irrelevant. Instead, receiving God’s grace should transform the way we live.

Yeshua then declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” The One who promises to return and recompense according to deeds is not merely another messenger within the vision. He stands over the entire story. Human kingdoms have risen and fallen throughout Revelation, Babylon has collapsed, the beast has been defeated, and Satan has been judged. Yeshua remains.

Verses 14–15 then draw a sharp distinction between those who enter the city and those who remain outside. There is an important textual difference worth recognizing here. The NASB and many modern translations read, “Blessed are those who wash their robes,” while the textual tradition behind the KJV reads, “Blessed are they that do his commandments.” We should be cautious about building a doctrine exclusively upon either wording. Yet neither reading undermines the broader message Revelation has consistently given us. God’s people are cleansed through the Lamb, and those who belong to Him are repeatedly characterized by faithful obedience.

Earlier Revelation described God’s people as “those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Revelation does not ask us to choose between trusting the Lamb and obeying God’s commandments. The redeemed are called to both faith and faithfulness.

Yeshua closes the section by identifying Himself as “the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” He is both the fulfillment of God’s promises concerning David and the One whose coming signals the dawning of God’s kingdom in its fullness. The churches receiving Revelation could therefore remain faithful even when the surrounding world appeared to belong to someone else.

The same challenge comes to us. We live among countless voices telling us that obedience can wait, compromise is harmless, and our private choices do not really matter. Revelation tells us something very different. Yeshua sees how we live, calls His people to overcome, and says He is coming again.

We should not obey because we believe we can earn His salvation. We should obey because we belong to Him, trust Him, and know that the choices we make before Him truly matter.

Application

  • Examine whether your everyday choices reflect the faith in Yeshua that you profess.
  • Do not use grace as a reason to dismiss obedience to God’s commandments; let God’s grace produce greater faithfulness in your life.
  • When compromise seems insignificant, remember that Yeshua repeatedly teaches that our deeds matter to Him.
  • Live with Yeshua’s return in view, choosing today what you will be glad to have chosen when you stand before Him.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the salvation You have provided through Yeshua that I could never earn for myself. Help me never to misuse Your grace as an excuse to ignore Your instruction. Teach me to live as though my choices truly matter because Your Word says they do. Show me where compromise has entered my life, and give me courage to repent and obey You. Help me remain faithful while I wait for Yeshua’s return, so that my life reflects that I truly belong to Him. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Holy / Set Apart, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Purposeful / Intentional, Revelation, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Don’t Just Read Revelation – Live Ready (Revelation 22:6–11)

Has studying Revelation changed the way you live, or has it simply given you more information about what is coming?

Key Verse

“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” — Revelation 22:7 (NASB)

Background Context

In Revelation 21, John saw the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem, where YHWH will dwell among His people. In Revelation 22:1–5, he saw the river of life and tree of life and learned that the curse will finally be gone. God’s servants will see His face, serve Him, and reign forever.

Now in Revelation 22:6–11, the book begins moving toward its final appeal. The angel assures John that these words are “faithful and true,” and Yeshua declares, “I am coming quickly.”

But Revelation does not end by encouraging God’s people merely to understand its visions. Verse 7 pronounces a blessing on the one who “keeps” the words of the prophecy. The message of Revelation calls for a response.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 22:6-11

    6And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

      7“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”

      8I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”

The Final Message

      10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”

Reflection on Revelation 22:6–11:

The angel begins by assuring John, “These words are faithful and true.” That matters after everything John has witnessed. Revelation has shown events almost beyond imagination: beasts and kingdoms, tremendous judgments, Babylon’s fall, Messiah’s return, Satan’s final defeat, the resurrection and judgment, and finally the restoration of all things. God does not ask His people to build their hope upon John’s imagination. He assures them that what He has revealed can be trusted.

Then Yeshua says, “Behold, I am coming quickly.” Nearly two thousand years have passed since those words were recorded, so “quickly” should not be understood as though Yeshua were providing His disciples with a date on a calendar. Scripture repeatedly warns us that God’s perspective on time is different from ours. Peter writes that “with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day,” before explaining that what may appear to us as delay reflects God’s patience and desire for people to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8–9).

The proper response, therefore, is not to calculate a date but to live ready.

Yeshua does not say, “Blessed is the one who successfully figures out every detail of this prophecy.” He says, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation was given to change how God’s people live.

That takes us back to the opening chapter. Revelation 1:3 pronounced a blessing on those who read and hear the words of the prophecy and “heed the things which are written in it.” Now, as the book closes, essentially the same message appears again. The blessing forms a frame around Revelation: hear what God has revealed and respond faithfully.

What have we repeatedly been told to do throughout this book? Worship YHWH rather than the powers of this world. Hold firmly to the testimony of Yeshua. Refuse the compromise represented by Babylon. Resist deception. Keep God’s commandments. Repent when we have wandered. Endure when faithfulness becomes costly. Remain ready for Messiah’s return.

John himself then demonstrates how easily even someone receiving extraordinary revelation can become confused. Overwhelmed by what he has seen and heard, he falls down to worship the angel. The angel immediately stops him: “Do not do that.” He identifies himself as a fellow servant and gives John the proper instruction: “Worship God.”

John had already made essentially the same mistake in Revelation 19:10 and received the same correction. That repetition is instructive. No messenger, teacher, spiritual leader, experience, or created being should receive the devotion that belongs to YHWH. Even when God uses someone powerfully, our attention should ultimately be directed toward Him.

Finally, John is told, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” This contrasts with Daniel, who was told to seal up portions of his prophecy until the time of the end (Daniel 12:4). Revelation is not presented as a message God’s people should hide away until some future generation. Its warnings, encouragement, and calls to faithfulness were meant to be heard.

That remains true for us. We can become so fascinated with identifying symbols, arranging timelines, and debating interpretations that we miss one of Revelation’s clearest purposes. Understanding prophecy matters, but knowledge that does not produce faithfulness has missed something essential.

After everything we have studied in Revelation, the question is becoming increasingly personal: What difference has this book made in how we live?

Yeshua is coming. We may not know when, but we know what He has told us to do while we wait.

Application

  • Study Revelation to understand God’s truth, but continually ask how what you learn should change the way you live.
  • Live ready for Yeshua’s return rather than becoming consumed with trying to determine a date God has not given us.
  • Keep worship directed toward YHWH rather than allowing spiritual leaders, messengers, or experiences to receive devotion that belongs to Him.
  • Identify one recurring instruction from Revelation—repentance, endurance, obedience, rejecting compromise, or faithful witness—that God is calling you to apply more deliberately.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for giving us Revelation not merely to tell us what will happen, but to teach us how to live faithfully while we wait for Yeshua’s return. Help me hear Your Word and keep it rather than being satisfied simply with understanding more about prophecy. Guard me from deception, compromise, and misplaced worship. Show me where the message of Revelation needs to change the way I live today, and help me remain faithful and ready whenever Yeshua returns. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Peace / Rest, Purposeful / Intentional, Revelation, Seeking God

Live Now for the Life God Is Restoring (Revelation 22:1–5)

If God’s plan ends with His people living in His presence, serving Him, and seeing His face, how should that future shape what you pursue today?

Key Verse

“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him.” — Revelation 22:3 (NASB)

Background Context

In Revelation 21:1–8, John saw a new heaven and new earth and heard YHWH declare, “Behold, I am making all things new.” In Revelation 21:9–27, John was shown the New Jerusalem in greater detail. Its greatest treasure was not its gold, pearls, or precious stones, but the presence of God and the Lamb.

Now in Revelation 22:1–5, John sees what flows from God’s throne and what life in His presence will be like. The imagery reaches all the way back to Genesis. The tree of life that appeared in Eden appears again, but now there is no serpent, no separation from God, and “no longer… any curse.”

The story that began with humanity losing access to the tree of life ends with God’s redeemed people dwelling with Him and freely receiving life from Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 22:1-5

The River and the Tree of Life

      1Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Humility, Obeying God, Submitted / Servant

Follow God’s Pattern, Not Your Own (Exodus 25:31–40)

When God has shown us how He wants something done, do we follow His instruction—or assume our own way is just as good?

Key Verse

“See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.” — Exodus 25:40 (NASB)

Background Context

In Exodus 25:1–9, YHWH began giving Moses instructions for the tabernacle because He desired to dwell among His people. In verses 10–22, He described the Ark of the Covenant and mercy seat, where He promised to meet with Moses. In verses 23–30, He described the table that continually held the bread of the Presence.

Now in Exodus 25:31–40, YHWH gives instructions for a lampstand made from pure gold. It would have seven lamps and elaborate branches decorated with cups shaped like almond blossoms.

As with the other parts of the tabernacle, its design did not originate with Moses. God revealed the pattern, and Moses was responsible for following it.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 25:31–40

The Golden Lampstand

      31“Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. 32“Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side. 33“Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower—so for six branches going out from the lampstand; 34and in the lampstand four cups shaped like almond blossoms, its bulbs and its flowers. 35“A bulb shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. 36“Their bulbs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37“Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it. 38“Its snuffers and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39“It shall be made from a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. 40“See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.

Reflection on Exodus 25:31–40:

The lampstand was an extraordinary piece of craftsmanship. It was to be hammered from a single talent of pure gold, with six branches extending from its central shaft. Cups shaped like almond blossoms, bulbs, and flowers were incorporated into the design. At the top were seven lamps positioned to provide light within the sanctuary.

Later passages explain that the priests were responsible for keeping these lamps burning before YHWH (Exodus 27:20–21). In a place without ordinary windows providing natural light, God provided a lampstand for the place where His priests would serve.

There is rich imagery associated with light throughout Scripture, and it is natural for Christians to think of Yeshua’s declaration, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). We should be cautious about assigning symbolic meanings to every flower, branch, or measurement when Scripture does not explain them, but the broader biblical connection between God’s presence, truth, and light is unmistakable.

Yet the final verse may contain one of the most important lessons for this particular passage. After giving Moses all these detailed instructions, YHWH says, “See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.”

Moses was not being asked to improve God’s design.

He might have been able to imagine another arrangement that seemed more attractive, efficient, or practical. Skilled craftsmen might eventually have had their own creative ideas. But when God had specifically revealed what He wanted, their responsibility was not to substitute what seemed better to them. Their responsibility was faithful obedience.

Hebrews later returns to this exact point when discussing the earthly tabernacle. It says that the priests served “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things,” and then quotes God’s instruction to Moses: “See that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain” (Hebrews 8:5). The pattern mattered because the tabernacle was communicating truths greater than Moses could fully see.

That principle should give us humility when approaching God’s Word. There will be times when we understand why God commands something and times when we do not. We may even believe another way would make more sense according to our culture, preferences, or circumstances. But our limited understanding does not make us wiser than the One who gave the instruction.

At the same time, we should distinguish between what God has actually commanded and human traditions we have added ourselves. Following God’s pattern means carefully learning what He has said, not treating every religious custom as though God personally commanded it.

The challenge is therefore not simply to become more rigid. It is to become more attentive to YHWH’s Word. Where He has given freedom, we should not invent unnecessary restrictions. Where He has stated restrictions, we should not create an assumption of freedom to go against His ways. Where He has clearly spoken, we should not replace His instruction with our preferences.

Moses did not need to understand everything the lampstand represented before obeying the pattern God had shown him. Sometimes understanding grows after obedience begins.

When God has clearly spoken, faithfulness means trusting that His pattern is wiser than ours.

Application

  • When Scripture clearly teaches something that conflicts with your preferences, choose God’s instruction rather than reshaping it around what seems better to you.
  • Study God’s Word carefully so that you can distinguish His actual commands from traditions or expectations people have added.
  • Resist assuming that you must fully understand God’s reason for an instruction before you can faithfully obey it.
  • Remember that God’s perspective reaches beyond what you can presently see, giving you reason to trust His wisdom over your own.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for giving me Your Word rather than leaving me to determine Your ways for myself. Help me listen carefully to what You have actually said and distinguish Your instruction from human traditions or my own preferences. When Your ways differ from what seems best to me, give me humility to trust that Your wisdom is greater than mine. Teach me to follow faithfully even when I do not yet understand everything You are doing. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Don’t Let a Little Foolishness Undo a Lot of Good (Ecclesiastes 10:1–7)

How much damage can one foolish decision do to a reputation, relationship, or life that took years to build?

Key Verse

“Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.” — Ecclesiastes 10:1 (NASB)

Background Context

In Ecclesiastes 9:11–18, Solomon reminded us that wisdom and hard work do not guarantee the outcomes we expect. A poor wise man could save an entire city and still be forgotten. Yet Solomon concluded that wisdom remains better than strength, even when people fail to appreciate it.

Now in Ecclesiastes 10, Solomon continues comparing wisdom and foolishness. He begins with a vivid picture: a small number of dead flies can ruin an entire container of valuable perfume. In the same way, a seemingly small act of foolishness can damage something that required years of wisdom and honorable living to build.

Solomon then turns toward leadership, observing the disorder that results when foolish people are elevated while capable people are placed beneath them.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 10

A Little Foolishness

     1Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. 2A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man’s heart directs him toward the left. 3Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. 4If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

      5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler— 6folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. 7I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 10:1–7:

Solomon’s opening illustration is memorable because the imbalance seems so unfair. The perfume may contain many valuable ingredients and require considerable effort to prepare, yet it does not take an equal amount of contamination to ruin it. Just a few dead flies can make the entire mixture offensive. Solomon says foolishness can work the same way.

A good reputation may take years to establish, while one foolish decision can seriously damage it. Trust can be built through hundreds of faithful choices and weakened through one act of dishonesty. A marriage, friendship, ministry, career, or family relationship can suffer lasting consequences because someone decided that one moment of foolishness would not matter very much.

That does not mean one mistake permanently defines a person’s life. Scripture gives us many examples of people who sinned, repented, and were restored by God. But forgiveness does not mean our choices have no consequences. Wisdom recognizes this before the foolish decision rather than only afterward.

Solomon then says, “A wise person’s heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish person’s heart directs him toward the left.” His point is not about modern political categories. In the cultural imagery of Scripture, the right hand commonly represented strength, honor, and the favorable direction. Solomon is contrasting the basic direction of wisdom and foolishness. Eventually, what is happening inside us becomes visible in the direction of our lives.

Yeshua teaches a similar principle when He says, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart” (Luke 6:45). Foolish choices are often not isolated accidents. They can reveal attitudes, desires, or habits that have been developing within us.

The final verses move from personal foolishness to foolish leadership. Solomon observes the frustrating situation in which foolishness is placed in high positions while capable people are given low ones. Servants ride horses while princes walk like servants. Life under the sun does not always place the wisest or most qualified person in authority.

That connects with Solomon’s previous observation that ability does not guarantee recognition. Sometimes foolish people really do receive influence, while wise people are overlooked. Scripture does not promise that every workplace, government, organization, or community will always reward people according to their wisdom.

Our responsibility, however, remains the same. We should not allow someone else’s foolishness to become an excuse for our own. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” We cannot always control who receives authority or recognition, but we can pay attention to the direction of our own hearts and choices.

Wisdom is often built through many ordinary decisions made over a long period of time. Foolishness may ask us to trade all of that for one moment of anger, pleasure, pride, dishonesty, or carelessness.

Before making that trade, Solomon wants us to remember the dead flies.

A little foolishness can undo a great deal of good. Guard what God has helped you build.

Application

  • Before giving in to a seemingly small compromise, consider what years of faithfulness, trust, or good reputation could be damaged by that decision.
  • Pay attention to patterns in your heart that may eventually produce foolish choices rather than waiting until the consequences become visible.
  • When foolish people receive recognition or authority, resist allowing frustration or resentment to pull you into foolish behavior of your own.
  • Build wisdom through consistent daily choices instead of assuming that one careless decision will never matter.

Closing Prayer

Father, give me wisdom to recognize foolishness before I experience its consequences. Help me guard the character, relationships, trust, and opportunities You have allowed me to build. Show me attitudes or desires in my heart that could eventually lead me away from Your ways, and help me address them early. When others act foolishly or receive recognition I believe they do not deserve, keep me from responding with resentment or foolishness of my own. Teach me to walk faithfully and wisely in the choices I make each day. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Sabbath / Rest, Seeking God, Thankfulness, Traditions / Holidays

Embracing Sukkot: Dwelling with God from the Wilderness to the Kingdom

Imagine a celebration that not only reminisces about God’s past miracles but also joyously anticipates the glorious return of Yeshua. Sukkot is just that—a divine festival that combines profound gratitude with holy anticipation.”

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, invites us into a vivid scriptural experience that celebrates God’s past providence and anticipates the future kingdom. This festival is not merely a historical observance but a vibrant, living event that draws us nearer to the heart of God, reminding us of His constant presence and His ultimate plan for humanity.

Historical and Prophetic Significance: Sukkot serves as a dual memorial: first, it commemorates the Israelites’ wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters, and second, it looks forward to the Messianic age, when Yeshua will dwell among us once again. As described in Leviticus 23:37-44, this festival is deeply rooted in both gratitude for harvest and remembrance of dependence on God during the Israelites’ wilderness journey.

Practical Observance: While we may not all construct booths or dwell in tents as ancient Israel did, embracing this festival can take many forms. Starting as simply as camping out in our living rooms to setting up tents in our backyards, each act revives the essence of Sukkot—recognizing our transient journey on earth and God’s continual provision.

Future Fulfillment: Sukkot also points us toward the future kingdom when Yeshua returns to establish His reign. Revelation 20 offers a prophetic glimpse into this era, painting a picture of a time when God will dwell physically among His people, wiping away every tear and ushering in an era of unmatched peace and joy.

Deepening Our Understanding: As we prepare for Sukkot, delving into the Scriptures enriches our understanding and celebration. Reflect on these passages and consider how they speak to both the historical context of Sukkot and its future fulfillment in Christ:

  • Leviticus 23:37-44 – Details the observance of Sukkot as a time of joy and rest, highlighting its significance in the Jewish liturgical year.
  • John 7 – Chronicles Yeshua’s own observance of the Feast of Booths, emphasizing its importance and prophetic fulfillment in His ministry.
  • Several passages in the Book of Revelation describe Jesus’ return to dwell among us, each highlighting different aspects of His Second Coming and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. Here are a few key scriptures:
    1. Revelation 19:11-16 – This passage describes the appearance of Jesus Christ returning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It depicts Him riding a white horse, symbolizing victory and justice, coming to defeat the forces of evil in a final battle.
    2. Revelation 20:1-6 – This section discusses the binding of Satan and the reign of Christ for a thousand years, often referred to as the Millennium. This period is characterized by peace and righteousness, with Jesus ruling directly over the earth.
    3. Revelation 21:1-4 – This passage provides a vision of the new heaven and new earth after the final judgment. Here, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live among them. This portrays a restored relationship between God and His people, with no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.
    4. Revelation 22:1-5 – The final chapter of Revelation describes the river of life and the tree of life in the New Jerusalem. It emphasizes the eternal presence of God and the Lamb among their people, and how His servants will serve Him and reign forever.

    These scriptures collectively paint a picture of Jesus’ return and His eternal reign, providing a foundational hope for Christian eschatology and worship practices related to the anticipation of His coming.

Resources for Further Study:

Conclusion: As you step into the celebration of Sukkot this year, let it be more than just a ritual; let it be a renewal of your heart and mind as you dwell in the temporary shelters of this world, looking forward to the eternal dwelling place prepared by Yeshua.

Call to Action: Begin this Sukkot by setting up a space that reflects both humility and celebration. Engage with the provided resources, share insights with your community, and let every aspect of your observance draw you closer to the heart of God.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we observe Sukkot, we thank You for Your everlasting presence and providence. Inspire us to truly dwell in Your presence, reflecting on our journey with You and anticipating the glorious return of Yeshua. May our celebrations honor You and deepen our faith as we await Your kingdom. In the name of Yeshua, we pray, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.