Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16

In this, our last week of the year, we have included eight days of ready-to-finish our bible. We will come to many glorious finishes that, thanks be to God, we can start again into the same journey next year. The scriptures, although they contain much information, historical accounts, and a record of the Lord’s workings, all scripture is about Jesus and when read aloud or listened to, will open doors of encounters with Jesus and His salvation. It’s God who will write a book of remembrance concerning us, who fear the Lord and meditate on His name.

Acts brings Paul through the storm at sea, to Rome. He is carried there by a promise given to him in Jerusalem, that must testify of Jesus in Rome. Oh, the power of a promise to carry us through life’s storms. Revelation fifteen begins with glorious worship as the prelude to the bowls of wrath being poured out on the earth. Babylon is judged, the marriage supper of the Lamb celebrated, and the earth enters the millennial reign of Christ. We finish with a new heaven and new earth and the new Jerusalem.

Nehemiah finishes with strong words of rebuke to the remnant after they had broken every promise they made during the revival. Law only empowers sin. Malachi is the corresponding and last prophet in the Old Testament. Some call his writing the fifth gospel or liken it to James’ Epistle.

Esther is our last history book, and promise to all Jews and believers in Jesus Christ, that God will always be present and a million steps ahead of wicked devices.

 

New Testament

Acts 24 – 28

Paul is kept in Caesarea for two-plus years while the Jews seek to find a way to get him back to Jerusalem to kill him. Paul testifies to King Agrippa his testimony and ministry before he is sent to Rome. On his way to Rome, a storm tries to drown him, but His promises keep him and the ship afloat. He had to pray, and not get into fear, or anger that they had not listened to his warnings, but He prayed, and the Lord sent His angel with these words, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.” Acts 27:24

Revelations 15 -22

Again, before the next move on the earth with the bowls of the wrath of God, worship is seen in heaven with greater revelation of Lord God Almighty! Seven bowls poured out, that leave the earth shaken. Hail the size of boulders coming down from heaven, with men blaspheming God because of the plague of hail. Babylon is judged and the marriage supper of the Lamb is celebrated with Babylon smoke, as a backdrop and for the honeymoon, it’s Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, returning on His white horse with the armies of heaven. Chapter twenty is the millennial reign of Christ and Chapter twenty-one is the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem. Chapter twenty-two ends in the Throne Room, where the words of the prophecy were first given. There, we have the epilog of the revelation charged to be kept, neither adding to nor taking from these words. (22:8-21)

 

Old Testament

Nehemiah 10-13

Promises are made after their confession of sin in Chapter nine. Now in ten, a covenant is made to observe the Lord and His ways that are currently being assailed from the culture they are surrounded by. People moved into Jerusalem to build occupy and plant themselves. Priests and Levites are set apart and promised care from Israel as they minister in the house of the Lord. In Chapter twelve, the wall is dedicated with great joy and promise. But in Chapter thirteen, after Nehemiah had been absent for some time attending to his other job as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Shushan Persia, he returns to find that Israel has broken every specific promise they made in covenant to the Lord and promise to the priesthood, and like the Holy Spirit, Nehemiah must clean house.

Esther 1 – 10

Like a beam of sunshine in a dark day, like Spring coming forth after a long winter, Esther is a book of God and His sovereignty to care. Though His name is not mentioned in the entire book, His handwriting is everywhere. Exiled inside of the kingdom, the Persians and Medes that stretched from Ethiopia to India, ruled by King Ahasuerus, a young Jewish girl named Esther becomes Queen. Her uncle Mordecai has raised her and has her conceal her Jewish identity. Meanwhile, Hamman is so upset at Mordecai’s lack of respect toward him that he devises a plan to exterminate all the Jews who dwelt in all twenty-seven providences.

Mordecai hears of this and sends Esther to intervene. After back-and-forth messaging, Esther asks for a fast to be declared and then moves in her knowledge of the ways of the king to win his heart’s approval and trap Haman in his wicked scheme. Chapter six is something of the movies, a sleepless night for the king, an anxious Haman who cannot rest until Mordecai is hung, and the turn of events that lead to Haman’s humiliation and finally his hanging.

Purim is the feast that is celebrated every year since!

Malachi 1 – 4

Malachi must address a priesthood that has again become corrupt. They have become again like before the exile. They despise the offerings and call the table of the Lord contemptible, giving the Lord the lame and sick animals in sacrifice and rather than the best, fulfilling vows with what is blemished. In other words, they give the Lord the leftovers and not the first. This continues in treacherously dealing with their wives, while wearying the Lord with their words in prayer.

Malichi is led to ask questions after questions and help them see that they are unaware of their sins. A messenger is coming, the Lord! But who can endure the day of His coming? Call to not rob God and not speak with harsh words against the Lord. Every question brings the answer the Lord is seeking so there can be no mistaking His intent. Finally, a book of remembrance is written for the Lord for those who fear the Lord. He writes for those who fear Him and meditates on His name.

 

Christmas

Luke 2

The birth of Jesus, circumcision, dedication with Simeon’s prophecy with Anna’s witness start the life of Jesus. Then at twelve, Jesus goes to Jerusalem and there becomes engaged in His Father’s house and stays without His parents’ knowledge. Fear leads to questions about how He could do this. Then back to Nazareth for the next eighteen years in submission to them as He increases in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.

Matthew 2

We witness the Wise Men coming to Jerusalem two years after the birth of Jesus. After finding Him, they worship giving their gifts. Then they leave without telling Herod, and Joseph is instructed to take the young child and His mother to Egypt.