2019 Feb 01 Proverbs 1, Psalms, Revelation 1
2019 Feb 01 Proverbs 1, Psalms, Revelation 1
Welcome to a new month, wishing you a fine day! Let's pick up in Proverbs 1, this time verses 23-29:
"23 Respond to my reproof. Then I will pour out my spirit for you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I called out, but you kept refusing, I stretched out my hand, but no one was paying attention, 25 You kept neglecting all my advice And rejecting my reproof, 26 I also will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when what you dread comes, 27 When what you dread comes like a storm, And your disaster arrives like a storm wind, When distress and trouble come upon you. 28 At that time they will keep calling me, but I will not answer; They will eagerly look for me, but they will not find me, 29 Because they hated knowledge, And they did not choose to fear Jehovah."
In rare cases, Jehovah limits the compassion he shows toward certain humans. 2Peter 3:9 says Jehovah "does not desire anyone to be destroyed, but desires all to attain to repentance." Yet Jehovah has a day or time for removing incorrigible evil from planet Earth, for the happiness and benefit of peace-loving, righteously-inclined humans. The more who respond to God's merciful pleas now, the fewer will be called to account at that time. As Isaiah 55:6,7 says, "Search for Jehovah while he may be found. Call to him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked man leave his way And the evil man his thoughts; Let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, To our God, for he will forgive in a large way." Still, these words of Proverbs 1:24-33 stand as a warning, that wrongdoers should realize there is no true benefit to practicing evil.
Prove 1:23 Far more beneficial is repenting over any wrong past, and appreciating God's willingness to forgive such ones and help them turn to doing good, even providing his powerful holy spirit to assist them.
Prove 1:24-29 Jehovah 'calls out' and 'stretches out his hand' toward all, including wrongdoers, to spare them from the harmful consequences of badness. Yet the ones receiving the judgements of verses 26-28 are those who refuse to finally listen to God's pleas. They "kept neglecting" God's advice, and kept rejecting God's reproof, or strong counsel and loving correction. Who wouldn't benefit from the Creator's intervention, from listening to the One who made man, who knows us like no one else? May we ever appreciate God's loving advice and counsel! Because of refusing God's loving appeals, again we see an example of limited compassion on God's part. He usually sets an example in compassion, and encourages humans to show it toward all. (2Chro 36:15; Colos 3:12). We're encouraged to "return evil for evil to no one," to look to God to repay, He saying "Vengeance is mine--I shall repay," says Jehovah. (Romans 12:17-21). Wrongdoers should not think of waiting to the last possible minute to consider turning around from their evil. In these verses, we see they will begin to suffer the consequences of their mistakes, including "distress and trouble," but God will not then listen to their cries for help. It will be too late. This is because they "hated knowledge," particularly divine knowledge, and they "did not choose to fear Jehovah." Clearly, these have the freedom, or free will, to choose their path. They are not fated to be evil and lose out on eternal life. They need to listen to God, and follow the ensuing counsel of Proverbs 2:1-6 to come to learn the fear of Jehovah and find "the knowledge of God."
Psalm 90 (Book 4, 1st psalm) called "a prayer of Moses." In it, we find outstanding truths about life, to humble us before our God. God's view of time is shown to be far beyond ours, with "a thousand years" being in God's eyes "just as yesterday when it is past." Verse 12 pleads to God, "teach us how to count our days so that we may acquire a heart of wisdom." And verse 14 asks "Satisfy us with your loyal love in the morning, so that we may shout joyfully and rejoice during all our days." May we look to our loving God and Father, Jehovah, for a life of endless happiness!
Revelation 1 Let's look a little further into Revelation chapters 1-3 over the next few days. For an initial consideration, you may search "Nov 01".
Revelation 1:10 shows that the apostle John was transported into "the Lord's day" as the visions of Revelation begin. This indicates that they would have a primary fulfillment during "the last days" of the ungodly "system of things" around us, the time of Jesus' presence as foretold, for instance, in Matthew 24-25. Jesus is described in verses 13-16 as "like a son of man," having wise snow-white hair and great spiritual sight, with eyes "like a fiery flame." His feet were as "fine copper," with copper scripturally having reference to earthly things, as in contrast to the gold of heavenly things. A sharp long sword protrudes from his mouth, as he wields the sword of God's word to defend and uphold divine truth and justice, and his face is "like the sun when it shines at its brightest." (Hebre 4:12; Malac 4:2). John is encouraged to "write down the things you saw, and the things that are, and the things that will take place after these." What insight and instruction Revelation offers to humans living in our time, some of it being clear and direct, while other parts are written in "signs" to be unlocked by letting the Scriptures interpret themselves, rather than guessing at the matter ourselves. Much of man's attempts at understanding Revelation are tainted by human, rather than scriptural, interpretation. Therefore, let's appreciate God's inspired word itself as the key to unlocking the secrets of Revelation!


2025 5C/8C (7Hul-8Lsg2) Find Life and See (7-9) Proverbs B (8) CTC Corner and WGA-B (9) Godlove Home




