November 29 Open Book

Revelation 2:10-11 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.”
 
WHEN the Lord gave to Daniel several visions of the future, he told Danial at one point, “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
(Daniel 12:4) God gave to the prophets of old many visions to point to Jesus and his eternal kingdom. But he did not reveal all.
    Then Jesus came in the flesh to more fully demonstrate God’s character: John 14:9b (Jesus said) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”  Then God’s Spirit came to begin the church and prepare the world for God’s complete salvation plan.
    Now John is told, “Do  not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” The Old Covenant is complete. The New has begun to lead to a new heaven and earth. It is time for John, the church and the world to know God’s plan. Earth’s calendar is moving more closely to God’s “Kingdom come, his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) We praise God the scrolls are no longer to be sealed. He has given us the Bible to be his Open Book. We see throughout its pages the power, purpose and provision our Father in heaven has for his children and for those who are not.
    Yes, it is essential to know mankind is not one family under God. John defines God’s children in his gospel: John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
    This is a definite difference! Some people are vile, and some are holy. “Vile” is a harsh word, isn’t it? It means “dreadful”, “awful” and “revolting”. Sin is dreadful before God. He knows how it separates mankind from him. He despises evil because it has ignited a fire of discontent among his people. God’s created order revolts against him as we refuse to trust in the name of Jesus.
    But God’s children are holy – blessed and divine – when we receive Jesus as Lord and believe in his name. Our Spirit-empowered faith makes us clean before God. Jesus’ blood washes away the vile sin and dresses us in his holy robes of redemption.
    The Lord is not approving of sin here. He is affirming some will remain vile in his sight and some will be holy. When he comes, there will be no time for change. One’s relationship with God, either vile or holy at that moment, will be forever.
    Where are you today? Are you vile before God’s eyes? Or are you holy in Jesus’ atoning blood?
 
Prayer: Lord God, you have revealed to mankind all we need to know to be holy before you. I pray for many who are your enemies to become your children today. Amen.