Seek First – Kingdom Focused Devotionals

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea” (Rev. 21:1). 

                The scene described in Revelation 21 is virtually beyond description or comprehension as John attempts to give us a glimpse of heavenly glory.  The key reality of heaven is the dwelling of God among men.  Those who know Christ, whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (21:27) will dwell and enjoy God’s personal presence for all eternity. 

                Let’s just let John describe it.  “And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away’” (2-5). 

                “He who overcomes will inherit these thing, and I will be his God and he will be My son” (21:7).  Are you His son or daughter?  Do you know Him personally?  If not, you can invite Him into your life right now by simply agreeing with Him about your sin, asking Him to forgive your sin, and inviting Him to be the Lord of your life.  If you know Him, thank Him for His amazing grace.

Prayer:  Father, thank You for saving me from my sin and for Your kingdom.  Amen.

“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom of priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth” Rev. 5:9-10.

                We have already seen that the word “new” is a constant refrain of the book of Revelation.  Here the word for “new” speaks more of quality than date.  This particular song is prompted by the opening of the seals as both the context and the first line indicate.  The redemptive work of the Lamb has created a new situation and thus elicits this outbreak of praise. 

                The term “worthy” ascribes unparalleled excellence to the Lamb.  Note that His worthiness is directly related to His death on the cross.  The purchase price for sinners was the precious blood of the Lamb.  Notice too that we were purchased for God (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  We shouldn’t overlook the universal scope of the redemption—“men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”  Remember that the resurrection Lord commissioned His disciples “to disciple the nations” (Matt. 28:19-20) and here we celebrate the completion of that task.  Isn’t it good to know that the church will complete the task of world evangelization?

 Are you participating in that mission?  You were redeemed for that very purpose.  That is the point on the phrase—“You have made them to be a kingdom of priests to our God.”  We sometimes underline the dignity of what it means to reign on the earth without paying attention to our task as “priests.”  Compare this text with Ex. 19:5-6.  Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests and thus to join God in the reclaiming of the earth.  They failed to live up to their high calling to be a missionary people.  Will you join God today and function in your priestly role of bringing men and women of every nation into His presence?

Prayer:  Forgive me when I focus on the privileges of redemption and ignore the calling.  Amen

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name” (Rev. 3:12).

                We have already noticed the emphasis on the one “who overcomes” as those who remain true to Christ.  John tells us that they will be made “pillars” in the temple of My God.  This is symbolic language which assures admission into the consummated kingdom of God.  There is no contradiction in this reference and to the emphasis that there is not temple, since God is the temple (21:22).  The temple is no longer a physical building, but the presence of God and His redeemed people.  Notice that those who overcome “will not go out from it anymore.”  Will you be a pillar in the temple? 

                Notice that three names will be written on the “overcomers”—God’s name, the name of the city of God and Christ’s new name.  You may recall that in Numbers 6:27 we are told that the name of God was put on the people of Israel.  According to Revelation 13:17 the followers of the beast will bear his name.  The followers of the one true God will bear His Name.  The name of the city assures entry and permanent residence in the city. 

                Finally the resurrected Lord tells us that we will receive His new name.  When Christ comes as the triumphant Lord, He has a name inscribed which no one knows but Himself (Rev. 19:12).  The “new name” refers to the glory and majesty of Christ at His revelation which will be shared by His followers.  This truth is too wonderful for us to fully comprehend but too significant for us to neglect.  We will be changed from glory into glory into His image.  Amen!

Prayer:  Father thank you for engraving Your name on me.  Amen

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it” (Rev. 2:17). 

                The concept of “overcoming” or “conquering” is a main theme of Revelation.  Those who refuse to fall prey to false teaching and who remain true to Christ will find themselves at home in the messianic banquet, feasting on the heavenly manna.  According to Rabbinic legend some of the manna given in the wilderness had been preserved in a golden jar in the Holy of holies and would reappear from heaven at the coming of the messianic age.  John is using the concept of manna in a metaphorical way to indicate admission to the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9). 

                There is considerable debate over the meaning of the white stone with the new name written on it.  Some suggests that the white stone refers to the legal practice where a white stone was used by a juror to indicate acquittal.  Others suggest that white stones were used as tickets of admission to public festivals.  In either case, it is clear that the white stone reflects the Conqueror’s victory which is his real title to a place at the banquet. 

                Scholars debate whether “new name” refers to the new name of Christ (cf. 3:12) or the bearer of the stone.  Since this new name remains “secret” it is more likely that it refers to the new name of the person who is granted admission by possession of the stone.  In antiquity the name was widely held to represent the character of a man.  Here the new name represents the new character of man redeemed by God.  It is this transformation that provides for entrance into the banquet.

                Do you have a new name?

Prayer:  Father, thank You for giving me a new name in Christ.  Amen

“Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another” (2 John 5).

                We have already paid attention to John’s emphasis on “love” as the authenticator of the Christian life. In his second letter he addresses the issue of the commandment to love once again.  Again, he indicates that the essence of this commandment is not new, since it has reflected the heart of God from the very beginning. 

                Have you ever wished someone would define “love” in simple terms?  Well, I have good news for you; John makes it quite clear what he means by “love.”  If you took the time to read the first letter of John you will know that he defined love as the willingness to lay down one’s life for another (1 Jn. 3:16).  He goes on to explain that this requires that we use our worldly possession to meet the needs of those less fortunate.  In other words, love requires concrete action. 

                But if we turn our attention back to the second letter, John adds to the definition of the commandment to love.  “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.  This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it” (2 Jn. 6).  The context suggests that John is referring not only to the commandments contained in the Old Covenant but the commandments contained in the teaching of Christ.  “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (9). 

                Are you abiding in the teaching of Christ?  Do you spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word?  You can’t abide in commandments you don’t know. 

Father: Help me to hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.  Amen

“On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining” (1 Jn. 2:8).

                When John first indicates in verse 7 that he is not writing a new commandment, he means that what he is writing is not a novel ethical ideal divorced from the heritage of what it means to be God’s people.  It is apparent that John’s opponents had minimized the importance of ethical behavior.  Thus, John wants to assure them that what he now commands is not more restrictive than those that are placed on anyone who believes.  The teaching that one must love was actually a part of the old commandments which they had known from the beginning.  You may be reminded that Jesus summarized all the commandments into the command to love God and love one’s neighbor.

                Now, in verse 8, John argues that he is giving a new commandment.  It is only an “apparent” contradiction.  The command “to love” is new in the sense that it is seen in Jesus and established by Him through His death and resurrection.  It is new in that it has now been given a new depth (Jn. 13:34b-35).  It is new in that the resurrected Lord has sent the Holy Spirit to love through the believer.   The call “to love” is so essential to true faith that the claim to faith devoid of love is a hollow claim. 

                Do you sometimes struggle with loving others?  Then tell the Father about your struggles and ask Him to empower you by His Spirit to love those who are sometimes unlovely. 

Prayer:  Father, I confess my need to be more loving and ask You to love through me.  Amen.

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

                Peter allows us a brief glimpse at the end of the present earth and the coming of the new heavens and the new earth.  In verse 10 he mentions the return of the Lord which will come like a thief.  Paul uses the same imagery to speak of the second coming.  Both are warning us that it will be both sudden and unexpected. 

                I find it interesting that both authors use the suddenness of the coming of the Lord to motivate believers to holy living and consistent service.  Listen!  “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (3:11).  If you knew the time and date of the coming, what would change about your present lifestyle?  Would your witnessing accelerate?  Would your spending and giving habits change?

                Since we are looking for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, how should we live today?  Peter actually answers that question.  Verse 14 begins with the connecter “therefore.”  “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (3:14). 

                Are you living today in light of the Lord’s return?  Ask God to show you what you should do this New Year to live in light of the new earth. 

Prayer:  Father, help me to live today in light of your coming.  Amen

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil…let us draw near….” (Heb. 10:19-25).

                In this case, I must insist that you open your Bible and read verses 19-25.  The privilege of entering into the holy place by the blood of Jesus is too great to miss the beauty of this wonderful text. 

                Yesterday we talked about the costly sacrifice that inaugurated the new covenant.  Now the author calls us to an appropriate response to the new way of access provided by Christ.  You might note that there are three “let us” phrases.  The first is a call to “draw near” with a sincere heart and full assurance.  This may be referring to the incredible privilege of personal dialogue with the Father that we call prayer.  We now have intimate access to the Father and we ought to “draw near.”  We must ask ourselves why we spend so little time in prayer!

                The second “let us” clause calls us to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (23).  Do you sometimes find your faith and your hope flagging?  Remember that “He who promised is faithful” (23).  It is not based on your strength but on His faithfulness!

                The third “let us” requires that we stimulate one another to love and good deeds.  This, of course, depends on our commitment to gather with other believers so that we can receive and give mutual encouragement (24-25).  Do you need to renew your commitment to regular church and Bible study attendance? 

Prayer:   “Thank you for the privilege of drawing near to you in a new and living way.”  Amen

“For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of eternal life” (Heb. 9:15).

                Throughout chapters eight and nine the writer of Hebrews compares and contrasts the old covenant with the new.  In chapter 8 he cites numerous Old Testament texts to show that the prophets were looking forward to a new covenant.  Under the old covenant a priest had to continually enter into the tabernacle to perform divine worship.  Once a year on the day of redemption, the high priest had to offer sacrifice for his own sins and the sins of the people. 

                When Christ appeared, everything changed.  He did not enter an earthly tabernacle made with hands but the heavenly tabernacle (9:11).  He did not offer the blood of animals, but His own blood (9:12 and cf. 12:24).  Since He was without sin, this was the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice. 

                Since Christ entered into a heavenly tabernacle with an eternally sufficient sacrifice, those who in Christ will receive eternal life.  Since the covenant is eternal, so the redemption it offers is likewise eternal.   “Those who have been called” has already been defined in Hebrews 5:9 as “those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”  Have you entered into the new covenant?  If so, have you thanked Him lately for the gift of eternal life? 

Prayer: “Father, I thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son and the gift of eternal life.” Amen

“And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:24).

                A lot of reality TV shows deal with the idea of a “makeover.”  We’ve seen the makeover of cars, houses, and people.  How would you like to have a “new self?”  The “new self” we are given is no temporary TV makeover; it is a radical transformation that is part and parcel of our new life in Christ.

                Once again it is important to pay attention to the context.  In verse 22 Paul indicates that those who know Christ have laid aside the old self which was corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit.  The natural man unaided by the presence of the Holy Spirit is driven by the lusts of the flesh and deceit.  The world never delivers what it promises to deliver.  

                The Christian, however, has been renewed in the spirit of the mind (23).  This should remind you of Romans 12:1-2 where Paul warns believers to no longer be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.  Transformation occurs as we take the word of God into our mind and allow it to transform our behavior.  Remember the new self you have put on through regeneration has been created in righteousness and holiness.  Now the issue is that we allow the word to bring transformation.  Act upon God’s promises and not your feelings.  Every day we should get up and put on this new self. 

Prayer:  Father, I put on the new self today as if I were putting on a new garment.  Conform my behavior to this new self.   Amen.