Mid River Christian Church

03/19/2026

03/19/2026

Bible Reading For Thursday: Judges 6:37-7:8

03/19/2026

Today In The Word
Come, Lord Jesus

The Heavenly Temple - The Book Of Revelation

When have you had an especially strong feeling of God’s presence? Perhaps it was when you were out hiking, communing with the Creator. Or perhaps it was at your church, as you raised your voice with others in joyful song. These are the times that spring most quickly to my own mind.

In Revelation 15, the feeling of God’s presence is especially strong as the final round of judgments is about to begin (vv. 1, 8).

Those who have been martyred by the beast (and by the entire false trinity) sing a song of victory (vv. 2–4). Drawn from the Psalms and other Old Testament passages, it is described as “the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb.” This suggests that the song sung in Exodus (Ex. 15:1–21) thematically foreshadowed and is completed in Christ’s redemption. In the song, God is praised for His justice and righteousness. He is the sovereign King, and all nations will come to worship Him.

Next, out of the heavenly temple come seven angels (vv. 5–8). They wear clean linen, symbolizing Christ’s righteousness, and golden sashes, symbolizing His glory. There is no doubt that they are God’s representatives! One of the four living creatures gives each of them a golden bowl. The temple is then filled with the presence and glory of God, so that no one can enter. The same had happened when Moses set up the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34–35) and when Solomon dedicated the Temple (1 Kings 8:10–11). It signified the momentousness of the occasion as well as giving the audience a bit larger glimpse of the glory of God. The stage is set. The end is near. This round of judgments will be the last.

Pray With Us
Heavenly Father, Your judgments are righteous. We thank You for Your presence today as we await a future when we are united with You! Today, open our eyes to see how You are with us.

03/18/2026

Bible Reading For Wednesday: Judges 6:25-35

03/18/2026

Today In The Word
Come, Lord Jesus

Final Harvest - The Book Of Revelation

Julia Ward Howe penned “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” during the American Civil War: “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah!”

These images are drawn from Revelation 14, which skips ahead in time to give us three “victory scenes.” The first is Christ the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 (vv. 1–5; Rev. 7:1–8). This is His Second Coming and the start of the Millennium (Revelation 20). The 144,000 sing a “new song” that only they know. These dedicated believers are “virgins,” likely symbolic of their spiritual purity in contrast to the spiritual prostitution of those worshiping the beasts and dragon. They are “offered as firstfruits” of the Tribulation believers.

The second scene features three angels making announcements (vv. 6–12). The first proclaims the “eternal gospel” and calls the earth to worship. The second declares the defeat of Babylon (Revelation 17–19). The third pronounces judgment on those worshiping the beasts and dragon. As previously (Rev. 13:10), followers of Christ are to respond with “patient endurance and faithfulness” (v. 12). The blessing in verse 13 was especially comforting for John’s suffering readers: Christians who die are not lost or defeated, but resting from their labors.

The final scene pictures “the harvest of the earth” (vv. 14–20). First, the Son of Man sorts and harvests true believers. Then, angels throw the rest into the “great winepress of God’s wrath.” This image of a final harvest, sorting, and judgment echoes Old Testament language (as Isa. 63:2–3) and Christ’s own words (see Matt. 13:24–30).

Pray With Us
God, we have hope in You as the resurrected King with whom we will dwell for eternity. As we await Your judgment, help us live in obedience to You and rest in You as our security.

03/17/2026

Bible Reading For Tuesday: Judges 6:1-24

03/17/2026

Today In The Word
Come, Lord Jesus

Call For Wisdom - The Book Of Revelation

What is the “mark of the beast” (vv. 16–17)? There have been many colorful speculations. Credit cards and Social Security numbers have been suggested. As science has advanced, more sophisticated technologies have been put forward as candidates, including bar codes, implanted microchips, smartphones, bitcoin, and more recently, artificial intelligence.

Whatever it turns out to be, the “mark of the beast” is the work of a second beast “from the earth” who functions as a false prophet or religious leader in tandem with yesterday’s beast, who is more of a political leader. Both are satanically empowered and oppose God. The two beasts and the dragon form an unholy false trinity.

This beast is a deceiver (vv. 11–15; compare the “Man of Lawlessness” in 2 Thess. 2:9–11). It looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. It performs signs such as fire from heaven that lead people to worship the first beast and the dragon. It sets up an idolatrous image for this purpose and makes it appear that the image can speak.

This beast also implements the “mark” system for buying and selling (vv. 16–18). This seems to be a counterfeit contrast to God’s sealing of the 144,000 in Revelation 7. Its placement on people’s right hands and foreheads is also the opposite of Deuteronomy 6:8, which calls for God’s people to place His Word on their right hands and foreheads. In either direction, this is a symbol of faith and commitment. Anyone who does not have the beast’s mark is excluded from economic activity and would thus struggle to meet basic needs such as food and housing. The “number of the beast” is 666, that is, “humanity’s number” (NIV note), likely symbolizing imperfection or failure. The proper Christian response is wisdom or discernment (v. 18).

Pray With Us
Our Father, the uncertainty of the future can lead us to fear. Help us to instead discern how to live for You here and now. Grant us wisdom for our choices. Our lives belong to You.

03/16/2026

Bible Reading For Monday: Hebrews 11:1-16