When I read the book of Revelation it kind of reminds me of a big jigsaw puzzle written by God. At first glance it kind of looks like this. But as I really start reading it and studying it in proper context, a beautiful picture starts to take shape and I say to myself, oh, wow, now I can see what a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us and what He continues to do for His church and what the future holds for His church!

The Incomparable Rock!

James Smith, 1860


"There is no Rock like our God!" 1 Samuel 2:2

As creatures, we all need . . .
an object of trust,
one on whom we can lean,
one in whom we can confide,
one to whom we may look for defense and safety.

As lost sinners, we need more. Every creature has some rock, some object of dependence and trust; for without this, there would be recklessness or despair.

Some make a rock of their wealth,
some of their talents,
some of their station,
some of their friends,
some of their good deeds,
some of their religious observances,
some of their name or fame.

But the Christian's rock is his God, that is — God in Christ. Yes, Jesus is . . .
the foundation of his hopes,
the source of his strength,
the anchor of his safety, and
the fountain that supplies him!

In Christ, his Rock — he finds honey, and this rock pours out rivers of oil for him, "He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag." Deuteronomy 32:13. This rock, Christ — is the rock of his salvation. This rock of ages — is the rock of his strength. Of this rock, he can sing, "The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior!" 2 Samuel 22:2-3

Looking around upon all others he can say, "But their 'rock' is not like our Rock; even our enemies concede." Deuteronomy 32:31.

There is no rock like our rock:
none so great,
none so ancient,
none so durable,
none so suited to meet all a sinner's needs!

On this rock we build for eternity! We have no doubt that our immortal interests are safe. To this rock we run for safety, and smile at the opposition of all our foes. In this rock we hide, and are safe from the sword of divine justice, as well as the rage of infernal hell. In this rock we take shelter, and are uninjured by the windy storm and tempest.

From this rock we look for all our supplies — and we are not, cannot be disappointed. Beneath its shade — we enjoy peace and comfort! In its cleft — we are safe for evermore!

How gracious, how condescending is our God, to compare himself to such a natural object, on purpose to . . .
inspire us with confidence,
arm us with courage, and
fill us with comfort!

How safe, how happy is the believer — having God for his ROCK; for . . .
he builds on a foundation that can never decay,
he trusts in a stronghold that can never be taken,
he hides in a refuge from which he can never be expelled!

How foolish is the lost sinner . . .
to build on the SAND — with a rock so near;
to trust in himself — with such a defense at hand;
to expose himself to his foes — with such a refuge within reach!

Lost sinner! Jesus, in his person, obedience, and blood — is a firm foundation for you to build on! Jesus in his offices, relations, and engagements — is a hiding-place where you may find safety, in life and death, in time and eternity. Come then to Jesus, and build your immortal hopes on him. Believe in Jesus, and be saved perfectly and eternally by him. Hide yourself in Jesus, and then, let what will happen — you can have no cause of fear, no reason to be alarmed — for the eternal God is your strength and your portion forever!

"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!" 2 Samuel 22:47



Great Rock for weary sinners made,
When storms of sin infest the soul;
Here let me rest my weary head,
When lightnings blaze, and thunders roll!

Within the clefts of his dear side,
There all his saints in safety dwell;
And what, from Jesus, shall divide?
Not all the rage of earth or hell!

O sacred Covert from the beams
That on the weary traveler beat,
How welcome are your shade and streams,
How blessed, how sacred, and how sweet!

And when that awful storm takes place,
That hurls destruction far and near,
My soul shall refuge in your grace,
And take her glorious shelter there!

To shake this Rock your saints are in.
Tempest or storm shall ne'er prevail
'Twill stand the blast of hell and sin,
And anchor sure within the veil!

What Makes A Child of God?

A descendent from Abraham, David or any other godly person does not make a man a child of God:

John 1:13: "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

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Who were born, not of blood.

Luke 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Matt. 3:9 "and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

John 8:39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were 

Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.

John 8:40 "But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

Gal 3:6  Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 

Gal 3:7  Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Nor of the will of the flesh. The efforts and exertions of our own human hearts and natures may reform, but cannot regenerate, the life.

Jhn 3:6  "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Nor of the will of man. We are not begotten of God by the acts and deeds of our fellow-men no matter how much they may aid us in leading right lives.

But of God.

1Jo 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1Jo 5:1  Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

The Christian Walk

"As we get nearer to Jesus - we get farther from the world! The world loses its attractions - and old sinful habits lose their power." James Smith

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

Hundreds and hundreds of times I have watched an austere old ewe walk up to a younger one which might have been feeding contentedly or resting quietly in some sheltered spot. She wold arch her neck, tilt her head, dilate her eyes and approach the other with a stiff-legged gait. All of this was saying in unmistakable terms, "Move over! Out of my way! Give ground or else!"

And if the other ewe did not immediately leap to her feet in self-defense she would be butted unmercifully. Or if she did rise to accept the challenge one or two strong thrusts would soon send her scurrying for safety.

This continuous conflict and jealousy within the flock can be a most detrimental thing. The sheep become edgy, tense, discontented and restless. They lose weight and become irritable.

But one point that always interested me very much was that whenever I came into view and my presence attracted their attention, the sheep quicklly forgot their foolish rivalries and stopped their fighting. The shepherd's presence made all the difference in their behavior.

This, to me, has always been a graphic picture of the struggle for status in human society. There is the eternal competition "to keep up with the Joneses" or, as it is now - "to keep up with the Joneses' kids."

In any business firm, any office, any family, any community, any church, any human organization or group, be it large or small, the struggle for self-assertion and recognition goes on. Most of us fight to be "top sheep." We butt and quarrel and compete to "get ahead." And in the process people are hurt.

It is here that much jealousy arises. This is where petty peeves grow into horrible hate. It is where ill-will and contempt come into being, the place where heated rivalry and deep discontent is born. It is here that discontent gradually grows into a covetous way of life, where one has to be forever "standing up" for himself, for his rights, "standing up" just to get ahead of the crowd.

In contrast to this, the picture in the Psalm shows us God's people lying down in quiet contentment.

One of the outstanding marks of a Christian should be a serene sense of gentle contentment.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Paul put it this way, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," and certainly this applies to my status in society.

The endless unrest generated in the individual who is always trying to "get ahead" of the crowd, who is attempting always to be top man or woman on the totem pole, is pretty formidable to observe.

In His own unique way, Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd, in His earthly life pointed out that the last would be first and the first last. In a sense I am sure He meant first in the area of His own intimate affection. For any shepherd has great compassion for the poor, weak sheep that get butted about by the more domineering ones...(Phillip Keller) To be continued...

Have You Ever Been Alone With God?

The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work--so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves!

We don't even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage? (Oswald Chambers)