Banquet With The King

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Do You Like Mysteries?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I fall at Your feet daily—in my heart as I pray to You. Reveal to me the mysteries of the Book of Revelation…and show me how to apply these to my life and our relationship.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. "Write down what you have seen—both the things that now happening and the things that will happen. This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:17-20

Meditate. Consider mysteries that are revealed.

Do you like mysteries? Who is your favorite mystery author? Perhaps Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, James Patterson, J.A. Jance, Sue Grafton, Louise Penny, Dean Kootz, or G. K. Chesterton? John gives us a clue to the mysteries in the Bible—and the greatest author of all time who is none other than Jesus Himself. Mysteries in the Bible are something that is hidden in times past, but now is revealed. Revealed in the New Testament.

Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. Romans 16:25-26

Write it down.
Torah scrolls in Safed, Israel.
John would have written on a similar scroll.

John describes how Jesus treats him with respect—putting His right hand on John. Again, the right hand is special—denoting honor or authority. Jesus declares Himself to be the First and the Last, the living one—who was dead—but is now living and will live forever. He even controls death since He has the keys. He encourages John to write down what he sees. That is wise. It is so easy to either forget what you’ve seen, if you wait until later to write it down…or to not remember the details clearly. John was privileged to get to see prophesy—to see things that will happen. Can you imagine how overwhelmed John must have felt as he listened to the angel, saw the visions, and even saw his precious Lord and Savior again? John had the mysteries revealed to him—and was given the honor along with Paul to write them down.

Verse of Salvation ~ Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Monday, June 12, 2023

Behold The Lamb

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You appeared as an ordinary man when You were here on earth—living in the Promised Land. We don’t know just what you looked like—but that isn’t important. There is no description of You in scripture that says You were handsome, beautiful, glowing or unusual. I don’t need to see a pretty face to know that You hold the reality of the future. Show me Your truths—in spirit. Please continue to work in and through me that others would “believe” without “seeing” You face to face.

When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. Revelation 1:12-16

Meditate. What does Jesus look like to you?

No one today knows what Jesus really looked like—no photography in the first century AD. John gives us a brilliant description of what he saw in his vision on Patmos. It is certainly not like anyone we know now, although you may know someone with hair as white as snow, but are their eyes like flames of fire?

Jesus is described in Isaiah 52 as He was to be seen on the cross.

But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. Isaiah 52:14

Mary Magdalene didn’t recognize Jesus when she first saw Him after His resurrection. She had seen Him on the cross—beaten, bruised, bloody with a crown of thorns shoved down on His head. But that was not how He appeared outside the tomb.

She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him. John 20:14

The disciple Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them in the Upper Room after His resurrection. Thomas had to see Jesus face to face to believe. Like Jesus said, Blessed are those who didn’t see and believed anyway (John 20:29). That is you and me…or at least me. I haven’t seen Jesus, but I know where I stand with Him. I believe that He is the Risen Savior—the Lamb of God who has taken away my sin—and the sins of the world.

Several years ago the lady who was organizing our advent celebration at church asked me if I could paint a picture of Jesus. I said sure—no one knows exactly what Jesus looked like so I felt pretty safe—no photos or videos back then. So, my painting of Jesus could be right—or just my artistic interpretation. Then she explained that she wanted it to be on a six-foot tall canvas—painted with my hands…not a brush. Well—I said I’d give it a try and I started practicing out in my garage. She provided the canvas which I painted black. The idea was that I would print the names of Jesus in white chalk on the canvas as drama readers recited the names. King of Kings, Savior, Son of God, Jehovah, Alpha, Omega, Promise, Gift, Way, Truth, Life, God, Redeemer, Rose of Sharon, Messiah, Christ. Then a choir of men would sing a Christmas carol while I painted Jesus’ face. I had sketched the face lightly on the canvas with purple chalk so I would have a starting point—I only had 5-7 minutes to do the painting. Well, as I started to paint, I realized that there was a purple light shining on the canvas and therefore I could not see my purple chalk line…I prayed, Lord—you’ve got to paint this through me because I’ve nothing to go by. The men sang and I painted. It was an interesting process—the black of the canvas providing the “negative” space for the portrait. Jesus did an amazing job in just a few minutes—and although I’ll never know until I get to Heaven just what He looks like—at least it was a somewhat believable interpretation of my Savior—with a crown of thorns on His head. I believe… and I didn’t even see Him, yet. He is still the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Verse of Salvation ~ And they were shouting with a great roar, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:10

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Sunday, June 11, 2023

Seven Lampstands. Seven Stars.

Prayer – Lord, seven is perfect—perfection. John was given an answer to the mystery. Open my eyes to the ambiguity of all the hidden ideas, the mysteries in Revelation.

Meditate. Count to seven. Twice.

Seven. Seven gold lampstands—not silver, but gold. Then John saw seven stars. Those stars were in the right hand of the Son of Man. The right hand is special—a place of honor or authority. Remember that Jesus, the Son of Man, is seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.

The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet." Psalm 110:1

Jesus replied, "You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:64

In the future…Jesus Himself was prophesying. In the future. He knew where He’d go after His death and resurrection. The seven stars are explained later in this chapter.

This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20

Stars like fireworks send a message.

John specifically explains what the seven stars and the seven gold lampstands mean. Angels, or messengers to the seven churches, which are represented by seven lampstands. No mystery left. So many people just think that Revelation is such a difficult book to understand. In this passage the mystery is explained.

Tomorrow we’ll look at this passage again…and the description of the “Son of Man.” What do you think of his appearance? Is it a mystery?

Verse of Salvation ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:3-6 (Underlined for emphasis.)

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Saturday, June 10, 2023

Back to Revelation

Prayer – Lord, please give me wisdom and understanding as I delve into Your word and look at end times Bible prophesy.

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God's Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord's Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, "Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." Revelation 1:9-11

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Do you ever have a deja vu moment? John told us that there were seven churches. Now he is listing those churches for us. Three of the churches are specifically listed as cities where Paul established churches during his missionary journeys. Ephesus. Thyatira. Laodicea. The other cities were close to those mentioned since they were all in a circle within Asia—now in Turkey, so it is likely that Paul visited those cities, although they were not specifically listed in Acts or other Pauline epistles.

Wake up and smell the coffee.
It's time to worship the Lord.
In Spirit and in Truth.

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Presumably John was in a state of mind that he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Worshipful. Focusing on God—not on himself. That is a wonderful thing—and it can happen any day, not just on the Lord’s Day. Personally, I find that worship happens intentionally just as with John…in a state of mind…when focusing on God and God alone. I’ve not ever heard a loud voice like a trumpet blast—like John heard. That voice told him to write. I hear a voice often, too, that tells me, “Time to write your blog today” or “Did you write your blog today?” Oh, that second one may just be my husband reminding me…not God, prodding me to get my work done! This blog is my work, my service for the Lord. A service of joy. Definitely a learning experience as I dig into God’s word. I hope you’ll continue to come along with me in the coming weeks as I explore the prophesy provided for us in the book of Revelation. Write me a comment or two and give me your insights into God’s word—either from Revelation or some other scripture passage that you are reading. Blessings on your day.

Happy Birthday, Mary Lee.

God’s blessings on you and your family today.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, June 9, 2023

Getting Old Ain’t for Sissies

Prayer – Lord, thank you for another good year. Please continue to bless me, my wonderful family, dear friends and the great neighbors whom You have provided for me. I’m sorry, Lord, for my selfish feelings. Life—even on my birthday—is not all about me. It is about You.

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11

Meditate. Consider your relationship with God and with friends.

I have been so blessed during this past year with new friendships and have managed to maintain relationships with old friends and family. Earlier this week I was bemoaning that today would be my birthday and I’m not getting together with any friends—poor me. Oh my! I am surrounded by almost all my family--even some from almost 3,000 miles away. We live in such a privileged nation and God has so richly provided my husband and me with a comfortable home, everything we need…and want, including such a variety of foods. We certainly are not going hungry! But sometimes we crave spiritual food—and well as just our next meal. Having a good relationship with God is the key to our spiritual health. I’d learned years ago that a good relationship with the Lord begins not only with daily prayer time, but with an intentional time of scripture study and putting God’s teachings into practice. I like what John wrote in his second epistle.

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:5-9

This was a good reminder to me…to love others. That’s one of the biggies that Jesus taught. Love God. Love others.

The Tree of Life
Another year older...experience Christ's love.
Let your roots grow down into God's love.
Be strong - understand His love.

Another year older. It happens every year to all of us. Getting old is not for the weak hearted—it isn’t even an easy thing for those who are strong. We all are going to die sometime…and our bodies do to wear out—so enjoy life to the fullest. God has blessed us—seek to build your relationship with Him.

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Comments?

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Anyone in your family allergic to eggs, milk or gluten? For a special occasion—like a birthday or end of school year celebration—try this Wacky Cake. Yum! It was good for all of the food intolerances in our family. One cake for all! And an eight-year old made it! Way to go Julia!

Wacky Cake

3 cups gluten free flour

1½ to 2 cups cane sugar (I used 1½ because I just ran out! and it was sweet enough)

2 tsp baking soda

½ cup cocoa powder

1 tsp salt

¾ cup vegetable oil (I mixed olive and avocado oils)

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 cups cold water

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x13 ungreased glass cake pan, mix dry ingredients well. Make three wells or depressions in the dry mixture. Into one well, pour the oil; the second well, pour the vinegar, and the third well, the vanilla. Pour the cold water over all and mix well using a rubber spatula, scraping the sides of the cake pan.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 30-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Frost or top as desired with whipped cream, cool whip, fresh ground peanut butter, freshly sliced strawberries, or ice cream. Enjoy! Repeat recipe as necessary to satisfy your family’s craving for a moist chocolate cake.

Happy Birthday Blessings to this Old Lady who sits pecking away at her keyboard.

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Thursday, June 8, 2023

Beginning and End

Prayer – Lord, You are the “I Am…that I Am” and have always been. That’s a hard concept for us humans to comprehend…always and always. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. Psalm 52:9

"I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One." Revelation 1:8

Meditate. Think about the beginning and the end.

The Bird of Paradise in Israel
Heaven is Paradise
Will I see you there?

Alpha, the beginning of the Greek alphabet. Omega, the end of the Greek alphabet. People could understand the beginning and the end of something as specific as the alphabet. We have beginnings and ends of stories. We can look back in history and think about someone who “was” and even are still living, so they are “one who is.” Except for Jesus, there is no one “was,” and because of His resurrection, He is “the one who is,” and “is still to come.” Our Savior lives—even though He was put to death over 2,000 years ago. He, along with the Heavenly Father, is eternal—The Almighty One. He will never die again. That gives us hope. Hope for a future in Heaven with Him.

God declares Himself to be the Almighty One in this scripture from Revelation and as El-Shaddai— God Almighty to Abraham and to Moses.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai—God Almighty. Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life." Genesis 17:1

And God said to Moses, "I am Yahweh—'the LORD.' I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—'God Almighty'—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. Exodus 6:2-3

He is God Almighty—all powerful, loving, and comforting. Angels in Heaven also declare that He is the Almighty One.

Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come." Revelation 4:8

Do you declare that God is the Almighty One…the Alpha and the Omega? What difference will this make in your relationship with the Lord? Do you feel in the least intimidated by talking to…praying to the Almighty God—our eternal God? Do you think you could worship Him in Heaven just as the angels do? Are you living in the shelter of the Most High and finding rest in His shadow?

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:1-2

He is my God…and I trust Him.

Verse of Salvation ~ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 2 Timothy 2:10

Happy Birthday, Valerie!

May God Bless you as you seek and serve Him!

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Behold the Clouds

Prayer – Lord, it is a hot sunny day, today. No clouds in the sky. Does that mean that this is not the day of your return? Almost every day I look for clouds—anticipating your return. No clouds—this is not the day. But I know that there has to be more that clouds forming in the sky before You return, like great battles, persecution and strife. Open my eyes and heart to understanding the unfolding mystery of prophesy. I’m waiting patiently, searching the sky and scripture in anticipation of that great day.

Clouds above Jerusalem

Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! Revelation 1:7

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Can you tell what the weather will be?

One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, "You know the saying, 'Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.' You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don't know how to interpret the signs of the times! Matthew 16:1-3

Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, 'Today will be a scorcher.' And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don't know how to interpret the present times. Luke 12:54-56

Another instance of clouds that we can easily recall is when Jesus ascended into Heaven, after His resurrection.

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!" Acts 1:9-11

So, just as the angels said…Jesus will return the same way as He left the earth. Riding on a cloud. Friends discussing this recently brought to mind the image of Jesus Christ returning with tremendous power—the sky filled with colorful clouds and blazing lightning! Every eye will see Him, just as John wrote. With technology today that is easily achievable—but with God all things are possible. He doesn’t need fancy equipment. Since He could move faster than the speed of light, instantly, Jesus could be seen by everyone all around the world, as Matthew described, with power and glory. KaZoom! KaBoom!

Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:29-30

What could you imagine about that vision of Jesus coming in the clouds?

Who are those who have pierced Him? Not only the Jews, and the Romans or Gentiles, who crucified Him, but everyone who has rejected Him and continues to sin. Zechariah wrote about this in an Old Testament prophesy concerning the Jews and Jerusalem during the end times. Not just the Jews will mourn, but everyone around the world—all nations.

Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died. Zechariah 12:10

Will you be mourning or rejoicing at the return of Jesus Christ? The choice is yours. Repent and be saved—let the rejoicing begin today!

Verses of Salvation ~ In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven's Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" Isaiah 25:6-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Happy Birthday Blessings, Claudia!

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories