12/31/2021 DAB Transcript

Malachi 3:1-4:6, Revelations 22:1-21, Psalm 150:1-6, Proverbs 31:25-31

Today is the 31st day of December, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and as it has been 364 other times this year, it is great to be here with you around the Global Campfire and this will be the last time that we gather around this Global Campfire this year. Hopefully not our last time. Hopefully we gather around the Global Campfire again tomorrow and start a new journey but this is certainly the last time that we will gather around the Global Campfire this year. And I don’t know for some reason every December 31st I come to this microphone with a pit in my stomach. Like, it’s a joyous thing, we have accomplished, we are about to read the last, the last chapters and verses of the Bible. We will have read every single bit of it. That’s a joy but that we’re bringing things to a close for this year, that’s melancholy, but as it turns out there’s only one way to go right, and that is forward, the next step forward together, which is what we have been doing all year and it has brought us to this place. So, well done. And here we go our last reading from the Old Testament leads us back into the book of Malachi, today chapters 3 and 4.

Conclusion:

And this concludes the Proverbs. And friends, this concludes the Bible. Oh friends, well done, well done. We made it. We started our journey January 1st of this year and we have reached the last day of this year and every day in between we have taken the next step forward together that has led us through the entire Bible. Well done. And I’m just sitting here like I end up every time that we reach the end of the journey with this kind of empty feeling inside a little bit optimistic about tomorrow, but a little bit of a emptiness inside that we’re done. We accomplished what we set out to do, and this marks 16 complete years, seven days a week and we haven’t missed a single day since the Daily Audio Bible began. And if my calculator is right, that’s 5843 consecutive days that we’ve been at this. I think there’s been three leap years, I might have that wrong, it could be 5844 days, but I think we’ve only had three leap years, I don’t, maybe, I don’t know. A lot of days. A lot of life. A lot of change. A lot of good, a lot of hard. A lot can happen in a year but 16 years that’s life-changing for anyone. And so, I look back at myself 16 years ago, and it would’ve been 16 years ago today I guess, that would have been the very, very first recording of the Daily Audio Bible, a journey that I didn’t know if I could complete but thought that I probably could complete a year and read all the way through it in a year out loud, not really knowing what I was doing, but knowing plenty about audio engineering and planning about technology so, like I technically knew how to do it but didn’t know what I was doing. I’m not sure that I still do but I thought if I read it out loud and there’s a handful people that they go through it together, I’ll probably stick to it. I’ll get through that year and then that’ll be that I’ll get that time back in my life to fill in with other things and then I don’t know that I can listen myself read myself the Bible or whatever. I had no idea that it was like going to change everything. Everything about life as I knew it in that moment, now 16 full years later I look back and I’m like, I’ve done this long enough to grow up to be born and grow up and get a driver’s license. Children have been born in my home. Some of my children have grown and found spouses of their own and got married and had children of their own. Two of them arrived this year. This 16th year. Think about how things change in 16 years in your life and there are those of you who are here who weren’t born yet which, which is crazy to me. God has been faithful and all of the time I scratch my head and wonder how is it that I got behind this microphone. How did that happen but it did and I am grateful. After 16 years, like I don’t know what to do without the Bible as a part of my everyday life. I kinda started this thinking if I can really, really pay close attention and read the entire Bible one time through, I will have fulfilled my duty as a believer. That’s what we should do everybody should read their Bibles and yeah I can continue to study it but I’ll kind of have a lay of the land. I had no idea there isn’t a time that I read through the Bible right. I mean, some of you have been here for years. Every time we move through the Scriptures it’s speaking to us in a different sort of way, hitting us right where we live. So, that the 16 revolutions around the sun for change, for the next step forward. So, I sit here going, we’ve come a long, long way, but I also sit here, eager, knowing that we have a ways to go. There is so much more for us and for how to live that can be gleaned from the Scriptures as we continue to do what we do every day, one step in front of the other day-by-day, step-by-step, the next step forward together. So, thank you, thank you for taking the journey, it would’ve been a very, very lonely journey all alone, but being able to walk into the Global Campfire every day and find a place and move forward together, that makes all the difference. If this is your first time through the entire Bible, congratulations. When we read it all the way through, we realize there’s a lot more to this. There’s a whole lot more to this than I thought. And all of the people that we got to meet along the way, all of the different stories that we got to encounter, all the opportunities that we had to allow the Scriptures to become a mirror and that we’re looking at ourselves in the Scriptures. What a gift and what a, what a joy it is to share that gift together. So, this is it. I always want to procrastinate just gonna keep riffing and talking about whatever because I don’t want it to come to a close, because I’ll have to push stop and that will be it, there will be no more left in this year. So, for those of you that plan to show up tomorrow and board a brand-new voyage, I’m looking forward to that. I am, I am very, very much looking forward to that. For those of you who may be moving in another direction, now that you’ve gone all the way through the Bible, I hope you won’t forget your journey and I hope you will remember that there is a Global Campfire burning and it never goes out, we’re always here and that is the intention. At least that is my intention is to continue bringing the spoken word of God read fresh every day as long as I have breath. So don’t be a stranger, we’ve all been through a lot together over the last year and I think, I think that is about it, right. That’s, that’s it for today and that is it for this year.

Prayer:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift his countenance upon you and give you peace. May the strength of God go with you. May the wisdom of God instruct you. May the hand of God protect you. May the word of God direct you. May you be sealed in Christ this day and forever more. Amen.

I’m Brian, I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here next year.

Song

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday December 31, 2021 (NIV)

Malachi 3-4

(A)“Behold, I send (B)my messenger, and (C)he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord (D)whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and (E)the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But (F)who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For (G)he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit (H)as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring (I)offerings in righteousness to the Lord.[a] (J)Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be (K)a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those (L)who oppress the hired worker in his wages, (M)the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

Robbing God

“For (N)I the Lord do not change; (O)therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. (P)From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. (Q)Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. (R)But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. (S)But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ (T)In your tithes and contributions. (U)You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 (V)Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby (W)put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open (X)the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke (Y)the devourer[b] for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then (Z)all nations will call you blessed, for you will be (AA)a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

13 (AB)“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. (AC)But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, (AD)‘It is vain to serve God. (AE)What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call (AF)the arrogant blessed. (AG)Evildoers not only prosper but (AH)they put God to the test and they escape.’”

The Book of Remembrance

16 Then those who feared the Lord (AI)spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and (AJ)a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, (AK)in the day when I make up (AL)my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall (AM)see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

The Great Day of the Lord

[c] “For behold, (AN)the day is coming, (AO)burning like an oven, when (AP)all the arrogant and (AQ)all evildoers (AR)will be stubble. The day that is coming (AS)shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you (AT)who fear my name, (AU)the sun (AV)of righteousness shall rise (AW)with healing in its wings. You shall go out (AX)leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, (AY)on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

(AZ)“Remember (BA)the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules[d] that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

(BB)“Behold, I will send you (BC)Elijah the prophet (BD)before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will (BE)turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and (BF)strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”[e]

Footnotes:

  1. Malachi 3:3 Or and they will belong to the Lord, bringers of an offering in righteousness
  2. Malachi 3:11 Probably a name for some crop-destroying pest or pests
  3. Malachi 4:1 Ch 4:1–6 is ch 3:19–24 in Hebrew
  4. Malachi 4:4 Or and just decrees
  5. Malachi 4:6 The Hebrew term rendered decree of utter destruction refers to things devoted (or set apart) to the Lord (or by the Lord) for destruction

Cross references:

  1. Malachi 3:1 : Cited Matt. 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27; [ch. 4:5; Luke 1:76]
  2. Malachi 3:1 : See ch. 2:7
  3. Malachi 3:1 : See Isa. 40:3
  4. Malachi 3:1 : [ch. 2:17]
  5. Malachi 3:1 : [ch. 4:5]
  6. Malachi 3:2 : Joel 2:11
  7. Malachi 3:2 : Isa. 4:4
  8. Malachi 3:3 : Isa. 1:25; Zech. 13:9
  9. Malachi 3:3 : [ch. 1:7]
  10. Malachi 3:4 : Ezek. 20:40
  11. Malachi 3:5 : ch. 2:14; Jer. 29:23
  12. Malachi 3:5 : See Lev. 19:13
  13. Malachi 3:5 : See Deut. 24:17
  14. Malachi 3:6 : Ps. 102:27; See Num. 23:19
  15. Malachi 3:6 : Lam. 3:22
  16. Malachi 3:7 : Acts 7:51
  17. Malachi 3:7 : See Zech. 1:3
  18. Malachi 3:7 : [ch. 1:2]
  19. Malachi 3:8 : [See ver. 7 above]; [ch. 1:2]
  20. Malachi 3:8 : [Neh. 13:10]
  21. Malachi 3:9 : [ch. 2:2]
  22. Malachi 3:10 : [Prov. 3:9, 10]
  23. Malachi 3:10 : See 2 Cor. 9:6-8
  24. Malachi 3:10 : See Gen. 7:11
  25. Malachi 3:11 : [Joel 1:4]
  26. Malachi 3:12 : Zeph. 3:19
  27. Malachi 3:12 : [Isa. 62:4]
  28. Malachi 3:13 : [ch. 2:17]
  29. Malachi 3:13 : [ch. 1:2]
  30. Malachi 3:14 : [Zeph. 1:12]
  31. Malachi 3:14 : [Job 21:15]
  32. Malachi 3:15 : [ch. 4:1]
  33. Malachi 3:15 : [ch. 4:1]
  34. Malachi 3:15 : [Ps. 95:9]
  35. Malachi 3:16 : [Deut. 6:6, 7]
  36. Malachi 3:16 : See Ex. 32:32
  37. Malachi 3:17 : [ch. 4:3; Acts 17:31]
  38. Malachi 3:17 : Ex. 19:5; 1 Pet. 2:9
  39. Malachi 3:18 : [ch. 4:1]
  40. Malachi 4:1 : [ver. 5; ch. 3:2]
  41. Malachi 4:1 : [2 Thess. 1:7, 8]
  42. Malachi 4:1 : ch. 3:15
  43. Malachi 4:1 : ch. 3:15
  44. Malachi 4:1 : Isa. 47:14; [Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17]
  45. Malachi 4:1 : Isa. 47:14; [Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17]
  46. Malachi 4:2 : ch. 3:16
  47. Malachi 4:2 : Ps. 84:11; Luke 1:78; John 1:4; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46
  48. Malachi 4:2 : [Jer. 23:6]
  49. Malachi 4:2 : Isa. 53:5
  50. Malachi 4:2 : [Jer. 50:11]
  51. Malachi 4:3 : See ch. 3:17
  52. Malachi 4:4 : [Deut. 4:9, 10]
  53. Malachi 4:4 : See Ex. 20:3-17; Deut. 4:10
  54. Malachi 4:5 : [ch. 3:1]
  55. Malachi 4:5 : [Matt. 11:14; Mark 9:11; Luke 1:17]
  56. Malachi 4:5 : Joel 2:31
  57. Malachi 4:6 : [Luke 1:17]
  58. Malachi 4:6 : Isa. 11:4; [Zech. 5:3]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Revelation 22

The River of Life

22 Then the angel[a] showed me (A)the river of (B)the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of (C)the street of the city; (D)also, on either side of the river, (E)the tree of life[b] with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were (F)for the healing of the nations. (G)No longer will there be anything accursed, but (H)the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and (I)his servants will worship him. (J)They will see his face, and (K)his name will be on their foreheads. And (L)night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp (M)or sun, for (N)the Lord God will be their light, and (O)they will reign forever and ever.

Jesus Is Coming

And he said to me, (P)“These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of (Q)the spirits of the prophets, (R)has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

“And behold, (S)I am coming soon. (T)Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

I, (U)John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, (V)I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, (W)but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those (X)who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

10 And he said to me, (Y)“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 (Z)Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

12 “Behold, (AA)I am coming soon, (AB)bringing my recompense with me, (AC)to repay each one for what he has done. 13 (AD)I am the Alpha and the Omega, (AE)the first and the last, (AF)the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who (AG)wash their robes,[c] so that they may have the right to (AH)the tree of life and that (AI)they may enter the city by the gates. 15 (AJ)Outside are (AK)the dogs (AL)and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 (AM)“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things (AN)for the churches. I am (AO)the root and (AP)the descendant of David, (AQ)the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and (AR)the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And (AS)let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the (AT)water of life without price.

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: (AU)if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in (AV)the tree of life and in (AW)the holy city, which are described in this book.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely (AX)I am coming soon.” Amen. (AY)Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.[d] Amen.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 22:1 Greek he
  2. Revelation 22:2 Or the Lamb. In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life
  3. Revelation 22:14 Some manuscripts do his commandments
  4. Revelation 22:21 Some manuscripts all the saints

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 22:1 : Ezek. 47:1; Zech. 14:8; [Ps. 46:4]
  2. Revelation 22:1 : See ch. 21:6
  3. Revelation 22:2 : ch. 21:21
  4. Revelation 22:2 : Ezek. 47:12
  5. Revelation 22:2 : ver. 14, 19; ch. 2:7; Gen. 2:9
  6. Revelation 22:2 : [ch. 21:24]
  7. Revelation 22:3 : Zech. 14:11; [Gen. 3:17]
  8. Revelation 22:3 : ch. 21:3, 23; Ezek. 48:35
  9. Revelation 22:3 : ch. 7:15
  10. Revelation 22:4 : Matt. 5:8; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2
  11. Revelation 22:4 : ch. 3:12; 7:3; 14:1
  12. Revelation 22:5 : ch. 21:25
  13. Revelation 22:5 : See ch. 21:23
  14. Revelation 22:5 : Ps. 36:9; See ch. 21:11
  15. Revelation 22:5 : Dan. 7:18, 27; Rom. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; See ch. 20:4
  16. Revelation 22:6 : See ch. 21:5
  17. Revelation 22:6 : 1 Cor. 14:32
  18. Revelation 22:6 : ch. 1:1
  19. Revelation 22:7 : ver. 12, 20; ch. 3:11
  20. Revelation 22:7 : ch. 1:3
  21. Revelation 22:8 : ch. 1:1, 4, 9
  22. Revelation 22:8 : ch. 19:10
  23. Revelation 22:9 : [See ver. 8 above]; ch. 19:10
  24. Revelation 22:9 : [See ver. 6 above]; See ch. 21:5
  25. Revelation 22:10 : [ch. 10:4]
  26. Revelation 22:11 : Ezek. 3:27; [Dan. 12:10; 2 Tim. 3:13]
  27. Revelation 22:12 : ver. 7, 20
  28. Revelation 22:12 : Isa. 40:10; 62:11
  29. Revelation 22:12 : See Matt. 16:27
  30. Revelation 22:13 : See ch. 1:8
  31. Revelation 22:13 : See ch. 1:17
  32. Revelation 22:13 : ch. 21:6
  33. Revelation 22:14 : See ch. 7:14
  34. Revelation 22:14 : ver. 2, 19
  35. Revelation 22:14 : Ps. 118:20; See ch. 21:27
  36. Revelation 22:15 : [Gal. 5:19-21]; See Matt. 8:12
  37. Revelation 22:15 : See Phil. 3:2
  38. Revelation 22:15 : See ch. 21:8
  39. Revelation 22:16 : ch. 1:1
  40. Revelation 22:16 : ch. 1:4
  41. Revelation 22:16 : See ch. 5:5
  42. Revelation 22:16 : See Matt. 1:1
  43. Revelation 22:16 : [ch. 2:28; Num. 24:17; Isa. 60:3; Matt. 2:2]
  44. Revelation 22:17 : ch. 21:2, 9
  45. Revelation 22:17 : ch. 21:6; Isa. 55:1; John 7:37
  46. Revelation 22:17 : See ch. 21:6
  47. Revelation 22:18 : Deut. 4:2; 12:32; [Prov. 30:6]
  48. Revelation 22:19 : ver. 2, 14
  49. Revelation 22:19 : See ch. 21:2
  50. Revelation 22:20 : ver. 7, 12
  51. Revelation 22:20 : [2 Tim. 4:8]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 150

Let Everything Praise the Lord

150 (A)Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his (B)sanctuary;
praise him in (C)his mighty heavens![a]
Praise him for his (D)mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent (E)greatness!

Praise him with (F)trumpet sound;
praise him with (G)lute and (H)harp!
Praise him with (I)tambourine and (J)dance;
praise him with (K)strings and (L)pipe!
Praise him with sounding (M)cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let (N)everything that has breath praise the Lord!
(O)Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 150:1 Hebrew expanse (compare Genesis 1:6–8)
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 31:25-31

25 (A)Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many (B)women have done (C)excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 (D)Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

12/30/2021 DAB Transcript

Malachi 1:1-2:17, Revelation 21:1-27, Psalms 149:1-9, Proverbs 31:10-24

Today is the 30th day of December welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian. New Year’s Eve Eve, right? It was like a week ago and it was Christmas Eve Eve. Seems like a bit more than a week ago but here we are. And as we take the next step forward, which there’s only two steps left in this voyage but today we will begin the final book that we will encounter. We have involved ourselves in every other book of the Bible up to this point. Today we will begin the book of Malachi, which we will obviously conclude tomorrow.

Introduction to the book of Malachi:

Malachi’s the last book of the Old Testament. It’s the last book in the grouping known as the minor prophets. So, it’s the 12th of the 12 Minor Prophets. So, it’s pretty clear where we are in our journey through the Bible. Malachi, the word, means my messenger, which is why scholars have debated about this book. It’s title, is this somebody’s name or does this book mean my messenger? It…it’s referring to the contents of the book. A traditional assumption an assumption that we’ll work on is that Malachi was a prophet of God. It's…it’s likely that Malachi was contemporary with Ezra and Nehemiah, but there’s nothing known about Malachi outside of the book of Malachi. Based on the subject matter, Malachi lived probably about a century after the Persians defeated the Babylonians and then started allowing the exiles, the Babylonian exiles to return to their homeland. And we have covered that territory in Ezra and Nehemiah. And it had been about 50 years since the temple was rebuilt. And we remember Haggai and the last book that we read Zacharia speaking to the rebuilding of the temple, and all of these promises that once that happens, then the treasures of the world will begin flowing into Jerusalem and into the temple. And, so, the temple has been rebuilt. It’s been rebuilt for like 50 years. The people are indeed in their ancestral ancient homeland, but none of this kind of prominence and elevation, this treasure flowing, like this hasn’t happened. And, so, people are becoming discouraged about it. They’re not being restored to their former glory. They’re just a tiny little province in the Persian Empire. And because of this, the people were losing their passion for God and His law, and we’ve witnessed many times on our journey through the Scriptures what happens when that happens, right? It’s a downward spiral that just keeps going down until all is lost. And, so, there is moral decline and there is spiritual decline. Some of the things noted in Malachi, are that, you know, sacrifices were supposed to be perfect, perfect unblemished animals but the priests were…were offering blind and blemished sacrifices and the Mosaic law was becoming less and less of the north star for the people. So, it’s into that kind of environment and scenario that…that Malachi comes. And Malachi is probably the last prophet of the Old Testament age. And like other prophets it’s a call to return to God. Interestingly, after Malachi, there isn’t a prophet like for 400 years. There is no prophet of God speaking on behalf of God to the people until a voice crying out in the wilderness comes and prepares the way of the Lord and this person was known as John the Baptist. And in the coming days because we’ll be moving into a new year, we’ll…we’ll get introduced to John the Baptist as we begin the Gospels again. And generally, with the coming of John the Baptist we…we see sort of a change, a new era beginning what we would call the New Testament era. And this is how the Bible is laid out. You might wonder what happened in those 400 years. I have definitely wondered like what happened in those 400 years. And the history of those 400 years is easily available. There are writings that come from within that 400-year period. We…well some of those writings we know as the apocryphal books. And depending on the Christian tradition that you are involved in those books may be included in…in the Scriptures that you have. They are certainly included in a lot of Bibles and referred to in a lot of traditions while in other traditions they’re…they’re basically ignored, maybe even held suspect, like there some kind of inappropriate books. I don't…I don’t think that’s true. A number of the books in the apocryphal are available in the Daily Audio Bible Shop. I read them several years ago. A lot of them are in narrative form like much of the…the rest of the Bible where we’re reading kind of a story of events and people and where their journey led them, which is historically interesting if you’re into that sort of thing. Now listen, I’m not suggesting you read the Apocrypha. That is entirely up to you. I’m just saying if you’re kind of curious what happens between the Old and the New Testament, there are writings from that period of time. They have generally not been included in the canon of Scripture. So, many people do not see them as Scripture, but that doesn’t mean they’re not valuable and from the time period that’s biblical and from the people that we’ve been traveling with through the entire Bible. And, so, I guess that's…that’s that. Take it or leave it. What we will not leave behind is our next step forward in the Scriptures. And, so, we’re reading from the English Standard Version this week. Malachi chapters 1 and 2.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word. We thank You for all of the days of this year. Each and every day we have come here around this Global Campfire to hear from Your word and to allow it to speak to us and direct and guide us and we thank You for that. And we thank You for bringing us here into the book of Malachi, the last book that we will encounter this year. We will conclude all of the books tomorrow. And, so, this is a moment of reflection right here, one more step to go. Thank You. We thank You and we worship You, thank You for Your faithfulness to us this year. Thank You for bringing us through so much. Thank You for teaching us so much. And we begin to look with anticipation for all that You have yet to speak to us as we continue our journey into the new year. But right now, with one step left to go we are thankful, we are grateful, and we honor and worship You in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it’s the website, it’s where you find out what’s going on around here, it’s home of the Global Campfire and so is the app of course, the Daily Audio Bible app. You just press the Drawer icon in the upper left-hand corner and that opens a drawer and you can navigate to different places and get connected in any way that you want to.

But I guess the immediate thing that is going on around here, this is New Year’s Eve Eve. I just can’t believe how fast it all went. We’re going to complete the Bible tomorrow for this year. Our journey is pretty close to the end. Of course, it’s a journey that just begins again the next day, but it really is a line of demarcation, right? It is a momentous thing to navigate through a year of life, and it is a wondrous thing to navigate through the Bible in a year and allow that to be incorporated into how we navigate life in a year. And we have…well…we’ve done our navigating. We’re about to come in for landing. And, so, I’m thinking a lot about that. We’ve been talking about finishing strong and finishing well and just acknowledging that to begin strong, to begin well, means that we finish what we were doing before properly and well and with excellence. And, so, here we are together one more day and we’ll conclude the Bible together. What a beautiful thing. What a joy this has been.

So, if you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible in this year then we’re fairly…fairly close to being…well…we’ve got one day left of this year and then we’ll be into a new year, but I thank you with all humility and really with awe…with awe that all of these years, seven days a week, all of these years we’ve been here together taking this journey and I’m grateful. So, there is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner, or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or there are a number of numbers that you can use depending on where you are in the world. In the Americas 877-942-4253 is the number to dial. If you are in the UK or Europe 44-20-3608-8078. And if you are in Australia or that part of the world 61-3-8820-5459 is the number to call.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you not be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Good morning Daily Audio Bible family this is Tyler from Oklahoma I just wanted to call and say thank you for doing what you do that’s stepping into prayer and give a praise report. I recently called about a friend of mine who cuts my hair and her husband contracted COVID and he was put in the hospital and placed on a ventilator and…and literally nearly died. And until just…like just recently he is out of the hospital, he is in a rehabilitation center and he’s walking and talking and should…should probably return to work within the next few weeks I would imagine. The word says we conquer by the blood of the lamb and the word of His…and the word of our testimony. And this is testimony. So, thank you everyone for your prayer. That family really appreciates it. Have a great…

Good morning DAB family I just want to pray for Josie. I heard her message this morning and regarding her husband that he’s facing a health crisis in the hospital. And I just want to lift them up Lord and…and…and let your arms surround them as they go through this crisis together. And I just want to encourage couples. I know a couple years ago I invited my husband to start listening to the DAB so we could do it together and have this same message, same Bible study together. And it’s just been a blessing in our life Lord, and I just want to thank you for that. Thank… And I just want to encourage other couples. If your spouse is…is not listening to the DAB with you, just encourage that…that you guys start that together. And I just want to give that to Josie to Lord, while they’re even in the hospital room that…that maybe she’ll play the DAB with him and that that will give them comfort together as they face this crisis and this health crisis Lord. We just want to lift up all those things to you because we know that you’re the ultimate healer and it can be a body healer and it can be a spirit healer. I just want to give that to…to Josie and just bless her and give her the strength to get through this health crisis in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Hi DAB this is Gigi from g-ville. I wanted to let you all know that Alisa is growing well. She’s head down. We’ve got six more weeks to go and it’s very exciting. I was calling in for some prayer because I hurt my pelvis somehow and we’re trying to paint a house and it’s pretty difficult with limping and not being able to walk and not being able to sleep. I went to a chiropractor and not much difference so I’m going to physical therapy this week and my prayer is that it would be really led by God and that the physical therapist would have real insight into what’s causing all the pain in…in the pelvis area. And I will be going back to school very soon. So, I need to be able to walk. So…so, yeah that’s my prayer. If you guys could agree with me that this…this…I know…I don’t know if the physical therapy will be the answer but I know that God knows what the answer is. So, I am praying that I will we see that understanding and his healing in Jesus’ name. Amen. Thank you, guys. Bye.

Hello, my Daily Audio Bible family I would just like to express my love for this family and all that it had in store for me since listening beginning in 2011 and taking me 12 seasons to understand how blessed I am. I knew I was blessed, or I wouldn’t have stayed with it, but I mean just ecstatically blessed I am to have this to listen to. And it’s become a really good habit. If I can’t download it or if I have a glitch in my system I just have a little bit of a meltdown of not being able to listen to it when I want to listen to it, which is first thing in the morning while I’m getting ready to work. And double DABbing for two years and just loving it, loving it, loving it. And I just so appreciate every single person that has anything to do with this production because it is a production. It’s not just a podcast. It is a production. And I love you…I love you Jill, I love you Brian, I love China, I love Max, I love Ezekiel, I love every aspect of this family and I’m sorry I can’t remember the other boy’s names. And I’m just…love the Hardin’s, period. Amen. Happy new year. We will all be together in 2022. I love you.

Good afternoon family this is Incognito but not to God. I just completed listening to community prayer I believe the 26th…24th. I’m sorry it’s the 26th. Anyway, just really want to reach out to my family to pray for my daughter Genesis. She’s only 12 years old and she’s really struggling. Her world is rapidly becoming dark. She’s becoming withdrawn. She’s been bullied for a very long time and the sad part is that she’s been bullied at church, she’s been bullied at school, she’s been bullied in my family. So, she is just done. And I really, I'm…I’m hurting for my child. She’s becoming more aggressive, and angry towards those that hurt her. And I…it’s just…just spiraling like, you know, out of control and I need help and prayer for my child. Eyes of a Dove, I believe that’s your name, I’ve been praying for Brayden and fasting with you. If you don’t mind adding my…my Genesis to your list and praying that you will p[ray for my Genesis too as I pray for you because she’s struggling with all those things, identity as well. She just…she’s just…oh…so upset and depressed that life has been so hard on her. So, I just want to pray for everyone for all the prayers that are going up, I…

Hello everybody we’re sending you a very merry blessed Christmas. This is God’s Smile here and Peter and Tom. Hello Tom. Welcome to…he’s home for Christmas. Yeah. Welcome to DAB. Let’s sing. [singing starts] Thank you for saving me. What can I say? You are my everything and I will sing your praise. You shared your love for me. What can I say? You took my sin and shame a sinner called by name. Great is the Lord. Great is the Lord. For we know your truth has set us free. You set your hope in me [singing stops]. We’re so thankful today for the gift of life, for the gift of life in Jesus. And times ticking away again. Say goodbye Peter. Bye-bye Peter. Say goodbye Tom. See you later. And kiss kiss from me…

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday December 30, 2021 (NIV)

Malachi 1-2

The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.[a]

The Lord's Love for Israel

(A)“I have loved you,” says the Lord. (B)But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau (C)Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet (D)I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. (E)I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’” (F)Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”

The Priests' Polluted Offerings

(G)“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am (H)a father, where is my honor? And if I am (I)a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. (J)But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ (K)By offering polluted food upon my altar. (L)But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that (M)the Lord's table may be despised. (N)When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. And now (O)entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, (P)will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 (Q)Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, (R)and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name (S)will be[b] great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name (T)will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that (U)the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, (V)‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. (W)You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has (X)a male in his flock, and (Y)vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For (Z)I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name (AA)will be feared among the nations.

The Lord Rebukes the Priests

“And now, (AB)O priests, (AC)this command is for you. (AD)If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send (AE)the curse upon you and I will curse (AF)your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, (AG)I will rebuke your offspring,[c] and (AH)spread dung on your faces, the (AI)dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.[d] So shall you know that I have sent (AJ)this command to you, that (AK)my covenant with Levi may stand, says the Lord of hosts. My covenant with him was one of life and (AL)peace, and I gave them to him. (AM)It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. (AN)True instruction[e] was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he (AO)turned many from iniquity. For (AP)the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people[f] should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. (AQ)You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted (AR)the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so (AS)I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but (AT)show partiality in your instruction.”

Judah Profaned the Covenant

10 Have we not all (AU)one Father? Has not (AV)one God created us? Why then are we (AW)faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has been (AX)faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For (AY)Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant[g] of the man who does this, who (AZ)brings an offering to the Lord of hosts!

13 And this second thing you do. (BA)You cover the Lord's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 (BB)But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord (BC)was witness between you and the wife of your youth, (BD)to whom (BE)you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 (BF)Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?[h] And what was the one God[i] seeking?[j] (BG)Godly offspring. So guard yourselves[k] in your spirit, and let none of you be (BH)faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For (BI)the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,[l] says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers[m] his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and (BJ)do not be faithless.”

The Messenger of the Lord

17 (BK)You have wearied the Lord with your words. (BL)But you say, “How have we wearied him?” (BM)By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, (BN)“Where is the God of justice?”

Footnotes:

  1. Malachi 1:1 Malachi means my messenger
  2. Malachi 1:11 Or is (three times in verse 11; also verse 14)
  3. Malachi 2:3 Hebrew seed
  4. Malachi 2:3 Or to it
  5. Malachi 2:6 Or law; also verses 7, 8, 9
  6. Malachi 2:7 Hebrew they
  7. Malachi 2:12 Hebrew any who wakes and answers
  8. Malachi 2:15 Hebrew in it
  9. Malachi 2:15 Hebrew the one
  10. Malachi 2:15 Or And not one has done this who has a portion of the Spirit. And what was that one seeking?
  11. Malachi 2:15 Or So take care; also verse 16
  12. Malachi 2:16 Hebrew who hates and divorces
  13. Malachi 2:16 Probable meaning (compare Septuagint and Deuteronomy 24:1–4); or “The Lord, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce, and him who covers

Cross references:

  1. Malachi 1:2 : Deut. 7:8; Jer. 31:3
  2. Malachi 1:2 : [ch. 2:14, 17; 3:7, 8, 13]
  3. Malachi 1:2 : [Amos 1:11; Obad. 10]
  4. Malachi 1:2 : Cited Rom. 9:13
  5. Malachi 1:3 : Isa. 34:13; Jer. 49:10, 18; Ezek. 35:3, 4; Joel 3:19
  6. Malachi 1:5 : Ps. 91:8
  7. Malachi 1:6 : See Ex. 20:12
  8. Malachi 1:6 : Ex. 4:22; Hos. 11:1
  9. Malachi 1:6 : [Luke 6:46]
  10. Malachi 1:6 : [See ver. 2 above]; [ch. 2:14, 17; 3:7, 8, 13]
  11. Malachi 1:7 : [ver. 8; ch. 2:12; 3:3]
  12. Malachi 1:7 : [See ver. 2 above]; [ch. 2:14, 17; 3:7, 8, 13]
  13. Malachi 1:7 : [ver. 12]
  14. Malachi 1:8 : [ver. 13]; See Lev. 22:22
  15. Malachi 1:9 : See Zech. 7:2
  16. Malachi 1:9 : See Deut. 10:17
  17. Malachi 1:10 : [Isa. 1:13]
  18. Malachi 1:10 : [Isa. 1:11; Jer. 6:20; Amos 5:21]
  19. Malachi 1:11 : [Isa. 2:2; 56:7; 60:3; 66:19]
  20. Malachi 1:11 : [Isa. 2:2; 56:7; 60:3; 66:19]
  21. Malachi 1:12 : [ver. 7]
  22. Malachi 1:13 : Isa. 43:23; [ch. 3:14; Mic. 6:3]
  23. Malachi 1:13 : [ver. 8; Lev. 22:20]
  24. Malachi 1:14 : See Ex. 12:5
  25. Malachi 1:14 : [Lev. 22:21]
  26. Malachi 1:14 : See Zech. 14:9
  27. Malachi 1:14 : Ps. 47:2; 76:12
  28. Malachi 2:1 : ch. 1:6
  29. Malachi 2:1 : ver. 4
  30. Malachi 2:2 : Lev. 26:14; See Deut. 28:15
  31. Malachi 2:2 : [ch. 3:9]
  32. Malachi 2:2 : [Ps. 69:22]
  33. Malachi 2:3 : [Joel 1:17; Hag. 2:17]
  34. Malachi 2:3 : Nah. 3:6
  35. Malachi 2:3 : [Ex. 29:14]
  36. Malachi 2:4 : ver. 1
  37. Malachi 2:4 : ver. 8; Num. 25:12, 13; Neh. 13:29; [Num. 3:45]
  38. Malachi 2:5 : See Isa. 54:10
  39. Malachi 2:5 : [Lev. 16:2]
  40. Malachi 2:6 : [Deut. 33:10]
  41. Malachi 2:6 : [Dan. 12:3; James 5:20]
  42. Malachi 2:7 : Deut. 17:9; See Lev. 10:11
  43. Malachi 2:8 : [1 Sam. 2:17; Jer. 18:15; Ezek. 22:26]
  44. Malachi 2:8 : See ver. 4
  45. Malachi 2:9 : [1 Sam. 2:30]
  46. Malachi 2:9 : Deut. 1:17; 16:19
  47. Malachi 2:10 : 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6
  48. Malachi 2:10 : Acts 17:26
  49. Malachi 2:10 : [Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1]
  50. Malachi 2:11 : [See ver. 10 above]; [Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1]
  51. Malachi 2:11 : See Ezra 9:2
  52. Malachi 2:12 : [ch. 1:7]
  53. Malachi 2:13 : [Zech. 7:3]
  54. Malachi 2:14 : [ch. 1:2]
  55. Malachi 2:14 : ch. 3:5
  56. Malachi 2:14 : [ver. 11; Isa. 54:6]
  57. Malachi 2:14 : [See ver. 10 above]; [Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1]
  58. Malachi 2:15 : Matt. 19:4, 5; See Gen. 2:24
  59. Malachi 2:15 : [Ezra 9:2]
  60. Malachi 2:15 : [See ver. 10 above]; [Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1]
  61. Malachi 2:16 : Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:9, 11; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10
  62. Malachi 2:16 : [See ver. 10 above]; [Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1]
  63. Malachi 2:17 : Isa. 43:24
  64. Malachi 2:17 : [See ver. 14 above]; [ch. 1:2]
  65. Malachi 2:17 : [ch. 3:15; Isa. 5:20]
  66. Malachi 2:17 : [ch. 3:1; 2 Pet. 3:4]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Revelation 21

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw (A)a new heaven and a new earth, for (B)the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw (C)the holy city, (D)new Jerusalem, (E)coming down out of heaven from God, (F)prepared (G)as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, (H)the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will (I)dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] (J)He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and (K)death shall be no more, (L)neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And (M)he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I (N)am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for (O)these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, (P)“It is done! (Q)I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. (R)To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. (S)The one who conquers will have this heritage, and (T)I will be his God and (U)he will be my son. (V)But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, (W)their portion will be in (X)the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is (Y)the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

Then came (Z)one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of (AA)the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you (AB)the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And (AC)he carried me away in the Spirit to (AD)a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 (AE)having the glory of God, (AF)its radiance (AG)like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, (AH)with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve (AI)foundations, and (AJ)on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And the one who spoke with me (AK)had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia.[d] Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits[e] by (AL)human measurement, which is also (AM)an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of (AN)jasper, while the city was pure gold, like (AO)clear glass. 19 (AP)The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and (AQ)the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 And (AR)I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city (AS)has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for (AT)the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light (AU)will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth (AV)will bring their glory into it, 25 and (AW)its gates will never be shut by day—and (AX)there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But (AY)nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's (AZ)book of life.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 21:3 Or tabernacle
  2. Revelation 21:3 Some manuscripts peoples
  3. Revelation 21:3 Some manuscripts omit as their God
  4. Revelation 21:16 About 1,380 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
  5. Revelation 21:17 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 21:1 : Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13
  2. Revelation 21:1 : ch. 20:11
  3. Revelation 21:2 : ch. 11:2; 22:19; Isa. 52:1
  4. Revelation 21:2 : See ch. 3:12
  5. Revelation 21:2 : [Heb. 11:10]
  6. Revelation 21:2 : ch. 19:7; [John 14:3]
  7. Revelation 21:2 : Isa. 61:10
  8. Revelation 21:3 : See Lev. 26:11, 12
  9. Revelation 21:3 : [ch. 7:15]
  10. Revelation 21:4 : See ch. 7:17
  11. Revelation 21:4 : [ch. 20:14; 1 Cor. 15:26]
  12. Revelation 21:4 : Isa. 35:10; 51:11; 65:19
  13. Revelation 21:5 : ch. 4:2, 9; 5:1; 20:11
  14. Revelation 21:5 : See 2 Cor. 5:17
  15. Revelation 21:5 : ch. 22:6; [ch. 3:14; 19:11; 1 Tim. 1:15]
  16. Revelation 21:6 : See ch. 10:6
  17. Revelation 21:6 : ch. 1:8; 22:13
  18. Revelation 21:6 : ch. 22:17; See John 4:10; 7:37
  19. Revelation 21:7 : ch. 2:7
  20. Revelation 21:7 : ver. 3
  21. Revelation 21:7 : See 2 Cor. 6:18
  22. Revelation 21:8 : ch. 22:15; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:14
  23. Revelation 21:8 : Luke 12:46
  24. Revelation 21:8 : ch. 19:20
  25. Revelation 21:8 : ch. 2:11; 20:6, 14
  26. Revelation 21:9 : ch. 17:1
  27. Revelation 21:9 : ch. 15:1
  28. Revelation 21:9 : ver. 2
  29. Revelation 21:10 : ch. 17:3; [Ezek. 43:5]
  30. Revelation 21:10 : Ps. 87:1; Ezek. 40:2
  31. Revelation 21:11 : ver. 23; [ch. 22:5; Ps. 84:11; Ezek. 43:2, 4]
  32. Revelation 21:11 : [Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15]
  33. Revelation 21:11 : ch. 4:3, 6
  34. Revelation 21:12 : Ezek. 48:31-34
  35. Revelation 21:14 : Heb. 11:10; [1 Cor. 3:11]
  36. Revelation 21:14 : Matt. 16:18; Eph. 2:20
  37. Revelation 21:15 : See ch. 11:1
  38. Revelation 21:17 : Deut. 3:11; [ch. 13:18]
  39. Revelation 21:17 : ver. 9
  40. Revelation 21:18 : ver. 11
  41. Revelation 21:18 : ver. 11
  42. Revelation 21:19 : [Isa. 54:11, 12]
  43. Revelation 21:21 : ch. 22:2
  44. Revelation 21:22 : [John 4:23]
  45. Revelation 21:23 : ch. 22:5; Isa. 60:19, 20; [ver. 25]
  46. Revelation 21:23 : ver. 11
  47. Revelation 21:24 : Isa. 60:3; [ch. 22:2]
  48. Revelation 21:24 : ver. 26; [Isa. 60:5, 16]
  49. Revelation 21:25 : Isa. 60:11
  50. Revelation 21:25 : See ver. 23
  51. Revelation 21:27 : [ch. 22:14, 15; Isa. 35:8; 52:1; Ezek. 44:9; Joel 3:17; Zech. 14:21]
  52. Revelation 21:27 : See ch. 3:5
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 149

Sing to the Lord a New Song

149 (A)Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord (B)a new song,
his praise in (C)the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel (D)be glad in (E)his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their (F)King!
Let them praise his name with (G)dancing,
making melody to him with (H)tambourine and (I)lyre!
For the Lord (J)takes pleasure in his people;
he (K)adorns the humble with salvation.
Let the godly exult in glory;
let them (L)sing for joy on their (M)beds.
Let (N)the high praises of God be in their throats
and (O)two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
to bind their kings with (P)chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
to execute on them the judgment (Q)written!
(R)This is honor for all his godly ones.
(S)Praise the Lord!

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 31:10-24

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 [a] (A)An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than (B)jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She (C)seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She (D)rises while it is yet night
and (E)provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She (F)dresses herself[b] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She (G)opens her hand to (H)the poor
and reaches out her hands to (I)the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in (J)scarlet.[c]
22 She makes (K)bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is (L)fine linen and (M)purple.
23 Her husband is known in (N)the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes (O)linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
  2. Proverbs 31:17 Hebrew She girds her loins
  3. Proverbs 31:21 Or in double thickness
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

12/29/2021 DAB Transcript

Zechariah 14:1-21, Revelation 20:1-15, Psalm 148:1-14, Proverbs 31:8-9

Today is the 29th day of December, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it is a great to be here with you around the Global Campfire for these last couple of days of this year as we move to the end of our journey and…and the launch of a brand-new one. And we have been reading our way through the book of Zechariah, I guess for the last week or so. Today we will conclude the book of Zechariah, which means that tomorrow we will enter the last book that we are going to encounter this year. The book of Malachi. And we’ll talk about that then but we’re here now and we have one more step to take in the book of Zechariah, we’re reading from the English Standard Version this week, Zechariah chapter 14.

Commentary:

Okay, so during this in between week, between Christmas and New Year’s, as we’ve been talking about for the last several days, this is the time when we think about where we’re going and in every sort of way it sort of touches us, whether that be where we’re going spiritually or where we’re going in relationship or where we’re going in our vocation, we start thinking about these things and we’ve just spent the last couple of days kind of looking at the Proverbs, looking from the Psalms yesterday, just looking for advice in this in between week from the Scriptures that can inform the choices, that can give us advice for where we should go. And even as we’re talking about this yesterday, we just kind of noticed that a lot of…a lot of those New Year’s resolutions are aimed at improving ourselves and that’s fine and that’s good. We should do that. But if that’s all were doing then we’re pretty self-absorbed and pretty self-focused, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions because you’re thinking about how to be better, how to be a better person, how to be a better disciple of Jesus, how to walk this faith out in a better way. But if we’re really thinking in those terms than it won’t take long before we realize some of the things that we desire to do, that need to be resolutions, need to be outward focused toward others and not just inward focused toward our own comfort or pleasure or achievements. Proverbs today gives us such advice once again. And before you get to that though, I want to mention the Proverbs again. Yes, when we’re doing the Daily Audio Bible we’re moving through the book of Proverbs, a little bit at a time. And there’s plenty for us in those morsel, kind of, bite sized portions because the Proverbs is so densely packed with wisdom that that works but there is the Daily Audio Proverb and that is a chapter of Proverbs a day, moving through the entire book of Proverbs each month, pouring this wisdom that is so densely packed into our souls on a daily basis, over and over and over and it makes a difference because about the time that we’re faced with something where we need wisdom, well than it pays off because we have wisdom, it’s in our heart, it’s in our soul. So, if we’re gonna get off this…this ship in a couple of days and end our year together, but if you’re gonna board the new journey, into the new year and set sail once again and cross through another year together in community, Daily Audio Proverb is something really valuable to incorporate. It adds like two minutes, two minutes a day-ish to your listening experience and it is a good couple of minutes to invest in wisdom in the new year. So, speaking of wisdom and speaking of New Year’s resolutions let’s look at the Proverb that we read today. Open your mouth for the mute for the rights of all who are destitute, open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. It’s interesting how…how those words can so easily be run through some sort of political filter because of such divisiveness that exists in the world. It’s so easy to read that and go, uh, this is a political statement, I’m just waiting for it. When…when the Proverbs, when this, what we just read was written before any of the climate that were in now by thousands of years. It wasn’t written thousands of years ago to cause political drama now. Injustice has been a part of the story all along and we can read the Proverb at face value and most of us would agree, yeah, the rights of the destitute should be protected. Yes, there should be justice and righteous judges and the rights of the poor and the needy should be defended, we would agree with those things, they would indeed mimic the posture of Jesus our Savior. So, we can agree with them unless we run them through this political filter. But even if we don’t, we can agree with them and go, there, I agree with what the Scripture says yes, and feel as if we’re absolved because we agree, when what the Proverb is instructing isn’t like passive agreement, it’s actually active wisdom. Open your mouth right, that’s in action. Open your mouth for the mute right, for the people who can’t speak up for themselves. Open your mouth for the people who can’t speak for themselves. Open your mouth for the rights of all who are destitute. Let’s just notice there’s not like, this isn’t about how you vote or who you put into office. It doesn’t absolve you, we’re not absolved just because were like, yeah my candidate won, this person is running things and they’re gonna, they’re gonna do God’s work in and speak up for the unfortunate and my vote is my participation. That stuff’s not in here in the Proverbs it’s an instruction to individuals. This is the posture of your life. This is how you think about things. You speak up and defend those who can’t speak and defend themselves, my goodness, we can find so many examples but let’s just think of Jesus with the woman caught in the act of adultery, he defended her. He spoke up for her when she could not speak up for herself when she was going to be sentenced to death. He opened his mouth even as he wrote in the sand. The Proverb goes on, open your mouth, judge righteously defend the rights of the poor and needy. So, that would mean a lot of things to each one of us in our own nations, in our own cultures and in our own contexts. So, for some that might mean getting involved in politics in some sort of way, for others it means paying attention to what is going on around you. Our culture is trying to move so fast that we can’t pay attention to anything but ourselves. And the marketing machines are telling us all the stuff we need to make our lives better so that we can just be insulated and people are falling through the cracks spiritually and physically. Proverbs says we should open our mouth about that, that we shouldn’t be passive about that. So, we have another piece of ancient wisdom dealing with issues that have been part of the human condition for thousands of years. If this weren’t going on there’s no purpose for this Proverb. It’s not wisdom, it’s not speaking to something that’s happening, but it is happening and it’s has always been happening. Therefore, the ancient wisdom of thousands of years ago is still relevant today. It’s almost as if the Proverb just leaves it lingering there because the question after reading this is what are you going to do about it. Where will wisdom take you because we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Like, we are, we are days from ending this journey. And if we look back, we’ve been told some pretty monumental things about who we are. We’ve been told that we’ve been rescued by God. We’ve been told that there is no separation between us and God anymore. We’ve been told that the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is living within us. We’ve been told that we’ve been given a Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us and to rebuke and correct us. We’ve been told that every single part of this body is necessary and no one can say to any other one, I don’t need you because that is not true. We are all needed in this work, and part of this work, I mean James tells us that true religion is to care for the orphans and the widows, does that not equate to the poor and the needy and the destitute and their rights and their voicelessness. So, part of this work of being the body is to try to put in end to any form of injustice. But let’s just zoom out, our role is to replace darkness with light, not to add to the darkness. And sometimes that means we have to open our mouth and be involved. And again, when we talked about if were not absolved based on the vote that we cast, we are not absolved on the meme that we post to social media either. This is about getting involved in the kinds of things that Jesus involved himself in and so, as we spend these last days making our resolutions and considering what the new year might look like this is a good thing to consider.

Prayer:

So, Holy Spirit, we ask that You help us to be considerate and to consider these things and to consider what You might be saying and how You might be leading and how we need to be paying attention in this new year so that at any point we can be Your hands and feet in any way that You make available to us. So, come Spirit of Truth, come Holy Spirit of God, and lead us into all truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudioible.com that is home base, that is the website. If you’re using the app you can access pretty much everything that’s on the website, there’s little drawer icon in the upper left-hand corner of the app screen and out pops open a drawer and so you get to things like the Community section or the Daily Audio Bible Shop. And so, check that out.

Here we are, middle of the last week of the year. Stepping forward because there is no backward like we can’t turn around and go through the year in reverse, there is only forward and so let’s continue as we’re contemplating all of the things that we believe the Lord might be inviting us into or the things that we really actually need to get a handle on or things that we need to change. Let’s just remember the Bible touches all of those things and we have all kinds of opportunities for change. If we look back over the year, we’ve changed so much and yeah, we got a ways to go, don’t we all. We just keep moving forward in this process of sanctification, moving forward day-by-day, step-by-step catching ourselves finding that we can make wise decisions if we just slow down enough. That we can have the heart of God for people if we slow down enough and consider them less of a nuisance and something in our way and more fellow brothers and sisters, human beings created in the image of God and the Bible certainly teaches us all about that and the heart of God for us. So, even as we look back over the year, even as we consider what the new year might look like, let’s remember and we can walk hand-in-hand with the father, with our Creator, with the lover of our soul, with the most high God. And what a difference it makes. So, let’s stay here around the Global Campfire and finish well and begin well.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, if what’s happening here the mission to bring the spoken word of God read fresh every day and offered freely to anyone who will listen to it anywhere on this planet, any time of day or night and to build community around that rhythm so that we’re not alone, not alone in our journey through the Scriptures and not alone in life, we have each other that has been meaningful and life-giving to you than thank you for your partnership here in the final days of the year. There is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you are using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.

And as always if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, that is the little red button up at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that’s all for today, I’m Brian, I love you and I will be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Good morning, DAB family. I’m Leading, calling from Manchester, United Kingdom. It’s my first time calling, I’ve been a listener for the past two years. I sat into participate and pray for prayer request that are sent through after each reading. Today, my heart is heavy. I just want you to pray for me. I’m struggling to cope with the news. My sister, who lives in Malow, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. It’s a blow to our family. I don’t know how to cope, especially being far away from everyone and also being six months pregnant. Please pray for my sister. Pray for her that God would be with her and touch her in her pain that she’s going through right now. And to pray that as she goes through treatment of course, it go well. It’s may prayer that I will be able to see my sister when I’m around to travel. Thank you for listening.

Hey everyone, it’s Margo in Liberia. I just wanted to ring in with a little testimony, well heartwarming story. Even though we’ve been in Liberia a few years we actually haven’t had a Christmas year cause the last couple of years our home assignment has actually coincided with Christmas, which has been lovely. And this year, I’m looking forward to Christmas with our team here. But also, there’s certain bitter sweetness that comes with it because of course we really miss our family and our children at Christmas. But something so lovely happened that reminded me of the Lord’s goodness. As part of what I do here, I do fundraising for various small projects. And we recently helped a man named Harris who broke his leg a few years ago and it never healed properly. He’s essentially semi-disabled. And his job requires him to walk many kilometers every day. And he needs to keep going because he has a wife and four children he’s trying to support. So, we did a project where we just raised a few hundred dollars for him so that he could get a more appropriate job for a disabled man. He could start a little business maybe where he could sit selling things or something where customers could come to him. And the funded, the project was funded and we phoned him this morning and said come and see us and we’ll give you the money and we’ll do a little thank you video. And when he came in, he was so grateful. There always grateful but he was just extra grateful. And he said that yesterday his good leg started really hurting and he felt so discouraged and so down. And last night he sat with his wife and they prayed Lord, please help us, please help us. And this morning he got the phone call from us to say we have some money so you can start a better business. And I just found that just such a reminder of the Lord’s goodness. Nobody is forgotten on this planet. So, it’s Christmas Eve so that’s my little Christmas miracle. Bye.

Hello family, this is Demetri calling from Portland. I just wanted to call and thank everybody for this amazing opportunity. Thank Brian for his time for his faith in hearing God’s word that the this is something that he has to do and obviously and blessed myself and so many more people. So, so thank you Brian for…for hearing God’s voice and staying strong and having faith that the He’s good. So, thank you for that Brian and just want to also encourage everybody who’s listening to this and might be thinking about just giving up are not continuing this year. I encourage, even though you completed your one year and you might think that that’s enough I suggest that you continue listening to this that’s how I started, just to listen to one year in and check…check that off that I’ve read through the Bible, but as I continue listening year-over-year it’s been an incredible experience and life-changing so I do encourage everybody to continue listening to this, but I also wanted to share you know, it’s been a hard year for myself as well, as it’s been almost a year now. It’s been over a year now since my separation with my wife and the divorce and as I continue to pray and believe that God believe, God has room for restoration, I pray for next year that, that’s the same spirit that I go in and if it’s God’s will for our family to be restored and our marriage to be put back together that that happens. So, but thank you very much everybody. I pray for all of you and I listen every day and I hope everybody has an amazing end of the year. Amazing next year. And I will do my best to call more often next year, that’s one of my plans for next year but anyway, thank everybody, thank you Brian. God Bless. And I’ll see you guys all on next year, 2022.

Dear God, I lift up Emanual. I pray that You will be with him as is his name is God with us and I thank You for his life. I thank You for his walk. I thank You for his mom. I thank You for his family, Lord. And I am just lifting him up through this season as I hear his name spoken. I just pray that You will give him strength and wisdom and direction and hope and that You will bless him and his life. In Jesus’ name. It’s Radiant Rachel, have a great day guys.

Dear DAB family, this is your sister Ashley from California and I just want to say a belated Merry Christmas and have a soon to be Happy New Year. And I want to say thank You Lord for Christmas 2021 with the craziness of this year we got to celebrate our first Christmas in a new home and also my dad is here and he is recovering and it was a blessed time with our family. And I also want to come on here and praise God for my friend Abbie and thank you all for your prayers. She is growing a hunger for the Lord. Her brokenness is leading her to a place of humility where she sees she needs him. She’s even recognizing that God has provided people in her life that are showing her his love and his character, hallelujah. Thank you Lord for that. But I wanna come on here DAB family and ask for prayer for me and for all the others out there who have a desire to finish this year strong. I am behind on reading due to the shuffle of the holidays but I want to finish the race of this year strong. I also know that I can be a perfectionist and so I can beat myself up but I don’t want to live in that spirit of fear and anxiety so if ya’ll could pray for me to be able to finish this and finish strong but also to give myself grace and that would be wonderful. So, family, I praise our Lord for you and I covet your prayers. So, if you’re like me everybody, let’s do this, let’s finish this year strong. I love you DAB family.

Good morning Daily Audio Bible community. This is Diane Olive Brown from Newberg, Indiana. I am an encourager one of very very many. And I’m responding to the prayer of encouragement and for Dec 25th and it is now December 26th at 1140 in the morning. Shalom, shalom everybody, nothing is missing and nothing is broken. Ozzy Bear, I’m praying for your son and all the children of our Daily Audio Bible community, all of our children, no matter how young, no matter how old. As the prodigal son came back to his father, as Proverbs 10:21 says, the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. As Eyes of a Dove has said that they be until they be in the arms of the Father and His eyes be upon them in deliverance. I pray for them to be sealed in the Holy Spirit, with the Holy Spirit by the blood of Jesus, in the name of Jesus. I pray for our children no matter how old, no matter how young. Father, You send Your angel armies, Jesus, you are the King of the angel armies and I send them forth from the North, from the South and the East and the West.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday December 29, 2021 (NIV)

Zechariah 14

The Coming Day of the Lord

14 Behold, (A)a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For (B)I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and (C)the city shall be taken (D)and the houses plundered (E)and the women raped. (F)Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (G)Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. (H)On that day his feet shall stand (I)on (J)the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and (K)the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by (L)a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from (M)the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.[a]

(N)On that day (O)there shall be (P)no light, cold, or frost.[b] (Q)And there shall be a unique[c] day, (R)which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but (S)at evening time there shall be light.

(T)On that day (U)living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to (V)the eastern sea[d] and half of them to (W)the western sea.[e] (X)It shall continue in summer as in winter.

And (Y)the Lord will be king over all the earth. (Z)On that day the Lord will be (AA)one and (AB)his name one.

10 (AC)The whole land shall be turned into a plain from (AD)Geba to (AE)Rimmon south of Jerusalem. But (AF)Jerusalem shall remain aloft (AG)on its site from (AH)the Gate of Benjamin to the place of the former gate, to (AI)the Corner Gate, and from (AJ)the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. 11 And it shall be inhabited, for (AK)there shall never again be a decree of utter destruction.[f] (AL)Jerusalem shall dwell in security.

12 And this shall be (AM)the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.

13 And (AN)on that day a great panic from the Lord shall fall on them, so that (AO)each will seize the hand of another, and the hand of the one will be raised against the hand of the other. 14 Even (AP)Judah will fight at Jerusalem.[g] And (AQ)the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be collected, gold, silver, and garments in great abundance. 15 And (AR)a plague like this plague shall fall on the horses, the mules, the camels, the donkeys, and whatever beasts may be in those camps.

16 Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem (AS)shall go up year after year to worship (AT)the King, the Lord of hosts, and (AU)to keep (AV)the Feast of Booths. 17 And if (AW)any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship (AX)the King, the Lord of hosts, (AY)there will be no rain on them. 18 And if the family of Egypt does not go up and present themselves, then on them there shall be no rain;[h] there shall be (AZ)the plague with which the Lord afflicts the nations that do not go up (BA)to keep the Feast of Booths. 19 This shall be the punishment to Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up (BB)to keep the Feast of Booths.

20 And (BC)on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, (BD)“Holy to the Lord.” And the pots in the house of the Lord shall be as the bowls before the altar. 21 And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be (BE)holy to the Lord of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. And (BF)there shall no longer be (BG)a trader[i] in the house of the Lord of hosts (BH)on that day.

Footnotes:

  1. Zechariah 14:5 Other Hebrew manuscripts you
  2. Zechariah 14:6 Compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, Targum; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  3. Zechariah 14:7 Hebrew one
  4. Zechariah 14:8 That is, the Dead Sea
  5. Zechariah 14:8 That is, the Mediterranean Sea
  6. Zechariah 14:11 The Hebrew term rendered decree of utter destruction refers to things devoted (or set apart) to the Lord (or by the Lord) for destruction
  7. Zechariah 14:14 Or against Jerusalem
  8. Zechariah 14:18 Hebrew lacks rain
  9. Zechariah 14:21 Or Canaanite

Cross references:

  1. Zechariah 14:1 : See Joel 1:15
  2. Zechariah 14:2 : Joel 3:2
  3. Zechariah 14:2 : [Luke 21:24]
  4. Zechariah 14:2 : Isa. 13:16
  5. Zechariah 14:2 : Lam. 5:11
  6. Zechariah 14:2 : ch. 13:8; [Matt. 24:40, 41]
  7. Zechariah 14:3 : [ch. 12:9]
  8. Zechariah 14:4 : [ver. 1]; See ch. 12:3
  9. Zechariah 14:4 : [Ezek. 11:23]
  10. Zechariah 14:4 : 2 Sam. 15:30
  11. Zechariah 14:4 : 2 Sam. 15:30
  12. Zechariah 14:4 : [ver. 10]
  13. Zechariah 14:5 : Amos 1:1
  14. Zechariah 14:6 : [See ver. 4 above]; [ver. 1]; See ch. 12:3
  15. Zechariah 14:6 : [Isa. 60:19; Rev. 21:23]
  16. Zechariah 14:6 : [Isa. 60:19; Rev. 21:23]
  17. Zechariah 14:7 : Rev. 21:25
  18. Zechariah 14:7 : Matt. 24:36
  19. Zechariah 14:7 : [Isa. 30:26]
  20. Zechariah 14:8 : [See ver. 4 above]; [ver. 1]; See ch. 12:3
  21. Zechariah 14:8 : John 4:10; Rev. 22:1; [Isa. 33:21; Ezek. 47:1; Joel 3:18]
  22. Zechariah 14:8 : Joel 2:20
  23. Zechariah 14:8 : Joel 2:20
  24. Zechariah 14:8 : [Isa. 33:16]
  25. Zechariah 14:9 : Ps. 47:7; [ver. 16, 17; Mal. 1:14]
  26. Zechariah 14:9 : [ver. 1]; See ch. 12:3
  27. Zechariah 14:9 : Eph. 4:5, 6
  28. Zechariah 14:9 : [ch. 13:2]
  29. Zechariah 14:10 : [ver. 4; Isa. 40:4]
  30. Zechariah 14:10 : Josh. 18:24
  31. Zechariah 14:10 : Josh. 15:32
  32. Zechariah 14:10 : Isa. 2:2
  33. Zechariah 14:10 : ch. 12:6; [ch. 2:4]
  34. Zechariah 14:10 : See Jer. 37:13
  35. Zechariah 14:10 : Jer. 31:38
  36. Zechariah 14:10 : Neh. 3:1; Jer. 31:38
  37. Zechariah 14:11 : Rev. 22:3
  38. Zechariah 14:11 : [Jer. 23:6]
  39. Zechariah 14:12 : [ver. 15, 18]
  40. Zechariah 14:13 : See ch. 12:3
  41. Zechariah 14:13 : Hag. 2:22; [1 Sam. 14:20]
  42. Zechariah 14:14 : [ch. 12:2]
  43. Zechariah 14:14 : [Ezek. 39:10]
  44. Zechariah 14:15 : [ver. 12]
  45. Zechariah 14:16 : See ch. 8:21
  46. Zechariah 14:16 : [ver. 9]
  47. Zechariah 14:16 : [Nah. 1:15]; See Lev. 23:34
  48. Zechariah 14:16 : See Lev. 23:39-43
  49. Zechariah 14:17 : Isa. 60:12
  50. Zechariah 14:17 : [See ver. 16 above]; [ver. 9]
  51. Zechariah 14:17 : See 1 Kgs. 17:1
  52. Zechariah 14:18 : [See ver. 15 above]; [ver. 12]
  53. Zechariah 14:18 : [See ver. 16 above]; [Nah. 1:15]; See Lev. 23:34
  54. Zechariah 14:19 : [See ver. 16 above]; [Nah. 1:15]; See Lev. 23:34
  55. Zechariah 14:20 : See ch. 12:3
  56. Zechariah 14:20 : Ex. 28:36; Isa. 23:18; Mic. 4:13
  57. Zechariah 14:21 : [See ver. 20 above]; Ex. 28:36; Isa. 23:18; Mic. 4:13
  58. Zechariah 14:21 : Ezek. 44:9; See Joel 3:17
  59. Zechariah 14:21 : [Deut. 7:1, 2]
  60. Zechariah 14:21 : [See ver. 20 above]; See ch. 12:3
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Revelation 20

The Thousand Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, (A)holding in his hand the key to (B)the bottomless pit[a] and a great chain. And he seized (C)the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and (D)bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into (E)the pit, and shut it and (F)sealed it over him, so that (G)he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Then I saw (H)thrones, and (I)seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw (J)the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those (K)who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. (L)They came to life and (M)reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. (N)Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such (O)the second death has no power, but they will be (P)priests of God and of Christ, and they (Q)will reign with him for a thousand years.

The Defeat of Satan

And when the thousand years are ended, (R)Satan will be released from his prison and will come out (S)to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, (T)Gog and Magog, (U)to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And (V)they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded (W)the camp of the saints and (X)the beloved city, but (Y)fire came down from heaven[b] and consumed them, 10 and the devil (Z)who had deceived them was (AA)thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where (AB)the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence (AC)earth and sky fled away, and (AD)no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and (AE)books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is (AF)the book of life. And (AG)the dead were judged by what was written in the books, (AH)according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, (AI)Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, (AJ)according to what they had done. 14 Then (AK)Death and Hades (AL)were thrown into the lake of fire. This is (AM)the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, (AN)he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 20:1 Greek the abyss; also verse 3
  2. Revelation 20:9 Some manuscripts from God, out of heaven, or out of heaven from God

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 20:1 : See ch. 1:18
  2. Revelation 20:1 : See ch. 9:1
  3. Revelation 20:2 : See ch. 12:9
  4. Revelation 20:2 : [2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6]
  5. Revelation 20:3 : [See ver. 1 above]; See ch. 9:1
  6. Revelation 20:3 : Dan. 6:17; [Matt. 27:66]
  7. Revelation 20:3 : ver. 8, 10
  8. Revelation 20:4 : Dan. 7:9; Matt. 19:28
  9. Revelation 20:4 : ch. 3:21; Dan. 7:22
  10. Revelation 20:4 : ch. 6:9
  11. Revelation 20:4 : ch. 13:12, 14-16
  12. Revelation 20:4 : [John 14:19; 2 Tim. 2:11]
  13. Revelation 20:4 : ver. 6; ch. 5:10; 22:5; Dan. 7:18; Matt. 20:21, 27; 2 Tim. 2:12; [Ps. 45:16]
  14. Revelation 20:6 : ch. 14:13
  15. Revelation 20:6 : ver. 14; ch. 2:11; 21:8
  16. Revelation 20:6 : See ch. 1:6
  17. Revelation 20:6 : ver. 4
  18. Revelation 20:7 : ver. 2
  19. Revelation 20:8 : ver. 3, 10
  20. Revelation 20:8 : Ezek. 38:2; 39:1
  21. Revelation 20:8 : See ch. 16:14
  22. Revelation 20:9 : [Isa. 8:8; Ezek. 38:9, 16; Hab. 1:6]
  23. Revelation 20:9 : Heb. 13:11, 13
  24. Revelation 20:9 : [Ps. 132:13]
  25. Revelation 20:9 : See ch. 13:13
  26. Revelation 20:10 : ver. 3, 8
  27. Revelation 20:10 : See ch. 19:20
  28. Revelation 20:10 : See ch. 16:13
  29. Revelation 20:11 : See Ps. 102:26
  30. Revelation 20:11 : ch. 12:8; Dan. 2:35
  31. Revelation 20:12 : Dan. 7:10
  32. Revelation 20:12 : See ch. 3:5
  33. Revelation 20:12 : Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; See ch. 11:18
  34. Revelation 20:12 : See Matt. 16:27
  35. Revelation 20:13 : ch. 6:8
  36. Revelation 20:13 : [See ver. 12 above]; See Matt. 16:27
  37. Revelation 20:14 : [See ver. 13 above]; ch. 6:8
  38. Revelation 20:14 : [ch. 21:4; Luke 20:36; 1 Cor. 15:26]
  39. Revelation 20:14 : ver. 6
  40. Revelation 20:15 : Matt. 13:42, 50
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 148

Praise the Name of the Lord

148 (A)Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord (B)from the heavens;
praise him (C)in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his (D)hosts!

Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you (E)highest heavens,
and you (F)waters above the heavens!

(G)Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For (H)he commanded and they were created.
And he (I)established them forever and ever;
he gave (J)a decree, and it shall not (K)pass away.[a]

Praise the Lord (L)from the earth,
you (M)great sea creatures and all deeps,
(N)fire and hail, (O)snow and mist,
(P)stormy wind (Q)fulfilling his word!

(R)Mountains and all hills,
(S)fruit trees and all (T)cedars!
10 (U)Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and (V)flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and (W)all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!

13 (X)Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for (Y)his name alone is exalted;
(Z)his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 He has (AA)raised up a horn for his people,
(AB)praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are (AC)near to him.
(AD)Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 148:6 Or it shall not be transgressed
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 31:8-9

(A)Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.[a]
Open your mouth, (B)judge righteously,
(C)defend the rights of (D)the poor and needy.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

12/28/2021 DAB Transcript

Zechariah 12:1-13:9, Revelation 19:1-21, Psalms 147:1-20, Proverbs 31:1-7

Today is the 28th day of December welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian it is wonderful to be here with you today as we continue our journey through the final week of the year and the final days together on this journey through the Scriptures. I’m starting to feel it now. There’s always just a little lump that starts to bubble up inside my heart like we’re reaching the end of another journey. And it's…we’re…I mean there isn’t a day off…like once it’s January 1st we…just starts again, the journey. It doesn’t end but I’m, starting to feel…feel that, right? It…it as goes with this week in between Christmas and New Year’s when we start thinking about what the next year’s gonna look like and how to finish this one well. And, so, I’m thinking about those things as you probably are too. But we do have several steps in front of us before we reach the conclusion and a new beginning. And, so, let’s dive in. We are reading from the English Standard Version this week. Zechariah chapters 12 and 13 today.

Commentary:

Okay. So, there are a couple of verses in the Psalms in our reading from Psalms today that every time I come to them for one reason or another, they stop me, especially this time of the year. So, let me just quote from Psalms. “His delight”, speaking of God, “His delight is not in the strength of the horse nor His pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, and those who hope in His steadfast love.” And, so, what we see here is that God isn’t so impressed with your strength, It’s not what you’re capable of. It’s not in what you’re capable…capable of dominating. What is your strength compared to the Lord of Heaven’s armies, the Creator of all? What strength or activity could we do that would be impressive to Him? And yet in a way that’s answered. “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, and those who hope in His steadfast love.” So, it’s those who actually find themselves utterly dependent upon God, fully engaged and trusting in Him. The Lord takes pleasure in people who hope in His steadfast love, His unwavering, immovable, unchangeable love. Those who hope in that bring pleasure to the Lord. The reason that stops me is I want to be that guy. And in my own strength, which is just like everybody else, we have our old worn habits and we may know better, but there’s often times that we’re like, I don’t care that I know better I’m gonna say this, I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna act this way. But it becomes stark when you realize this brings no pleasure to the Lord. There’s nothing good that can come from this. Now let’s think about the resolutions we’re beginning to form. Maybe we’ve written a couple down now. Maybe we’ve made a few phone calls. Maybe we’ve renewed some things. Maybe…maybe we’re on our way or maybe we’re just starting to think about it, but most everybody, not everybody, but most everybody comes to certain conclusions as they go into a new year about things they would like to not repeat and things that they would like to improve. And some people get very very serious and meticulous about it and actually achieve those goals, and other people just kinda walk into the new year with the idea of making some changes. But no matter what those changes might be normally they are about making our existence a better thing, right, our experience of life a better thing, which is not a bad thing. But if our resolutions are purely and entirely self-focused, even if one of our resolutions is to read the Bible or one of our resolutions is to walk more closely with God, so often that feels like if we would do that our life would be better. So, it’s not typical that we think of how we’re going to improve someone else’s life as a resolution and we rarely think how we would bring the Lord pleasure in the new year as a goal, as a resolution. And, so, that immediately lets us look okay, maybe I am a little self-focused here. Maybe the things that I’m thinking about in this in between week are more comprehensive than just more ease for my existence. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him and those who hope in His steadfast love. And, so, that is going on my list again. I will fear the Lord and hope in His steadfast love because I want to please my Father in heaven. I want to bring pleasure to the Lord. The Lord, if I’m speaking personally, has sustained me through an awful lot in my life and every single one of us would have to declare and confess the same thing. Each of us have our own stories and our own ups and downs but the Lord has carried me through things in my life that I didn’t know how to navigate, or even if I could. The Lord has sustained me. I don’t want to take that and say thank you and move back into my self-absorbed existence. Everything good that has happened to me has come from the hands of the Lord, right? Wouldn’t you say the same thing? Whether God is using other people or whether He is just involved. The Lord is responsible for the good of my life. I can’t ignore that. We can’t ignore that. And here in psalms we’re told, well…here’s a simple thing, “fear the Lord and hope in His steadfast love and you will bring pleasure to the Lord.” I’m resolving to move in that direction in the same way that I am resolving from the Proverbs yesterday to not stir up anger so that there isn’t an increased strife and divisiveness in my life and that I’m not adding to the divisiveness that is pervasive in the world. The Bible speaks to us if we’re listening. And may we listen because we were given something today that is pretty huge, a way to bring pleasure to the God of the universe, the God of all things, the Creator of all things. We actually have a way, and that way is to fear Him, and hope in His steadfast love. May be easier said than done because it is really throwing our allegiance and all of our hope completely on Him. But this is the direction we should head in.

Prayer:

Father we thank You for this. On some level it’s like You shouldn’t have to tell us this, we should know You by now, and in many ways that…in many ways we do, but we need constant reminders. We are constantly pressed in by our culture. We find ourselves just behaving the same way that the communities we’re involved in behave and often we find ourselves out in a field somewhere. We’ve lost the path, we’ve lost the plot and we’re just thrashing around in our lives with words that shouldn’t be said and actions that shouldn’t be taken, and we cause mayhem and destruction for ourselves and those around us when we can bring You pleasure if we walk in fear and awe and wonder and hope in Your steadfast love. And like everything else, who are we to accomplish this in our own strength? But You sort of already spoke to that in the Psalms. That doesn’t impress You. Our own strength isn’t the thing that You’re after. What is our strength compared to You? And, so, we set aside our own self-absorption and our own strength and fall utterly and helplessly into Your steadfast love, which we discover truly is the only safe place to be. And, so, Holy Spirit may this be a theme, may this be something that sticks, may this be something that we walk into and are purposeful about. And we pray this, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it is the website, it’s where you find out what’s goin on around here.

We’re right at the cusp, like we are so close to closing this year down that we can see the shore very clearly. It’s like right in front of as. We’ve sailed across a year together. And, so, one of the things that we’re doing is preparing. That’s what happens in this week between the holidays, preparing for the new year. We will disembark from this year and board the next ship sailing across the new year every day together the rhythm of life in the Bible and what a difference it makes. So, I’m in a week that’s kind of like the melancholy week for me. It’s the coming to a close of the year and all of the flood of thoughts of all of the different seasons of the year and all of the things that happen in the year reflecting back and being grateful, but looking forward with great anticipation for all that is yet to come. And I’m sure not the only one involved with thoughts like that. But one thing that I know is that the Bible can guide us through whatever is coming our way and can really be there with counsel and wisdom when we need it. And, so, I’m looking forward to continuing our journey.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible in these waning days of the year with just a handful of them left than you profoundly, profoundly for your partnership. We would not be here if we were not in this together and that has always been true. And, so, thank you for your partnership. There is a link on the homepage, dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi DAB fam James the teacher on my sixth try trying to get the story into two minutes. I just had a divine appointment right now. Fellow needed a tow. I basically had to insist that he stopped because he was about to destroy the rims on his wheel. Well, we got to talking. I find out his daughters getting straight A’s at a local school here that’s tough and I encourage him like make sure you tell your daughter that you’re proud of her, you know. If I had been more in encouraging with my family maybe I wouldn’t be going through a divorce right now. And he stopped me, and he said you know what? Before of my separation I didn’t believe in God and it’s to the point where I was drinking, sleeping in my car. Long story but someone came and sat down and opened the Bible with him. He hadn’t been…he hadn’t believed in God. Someone opened the Bible with him and helped him to see, yeah, he could be mad his wife and all that but, you know, he needed to focus on what was going on inside of his heart and what needed to change and how could he repent and love Jesus. And I don’t have any guarantee that God is going to do that specific thing in my life, but, you know, I was so encouraged that, you know, sharing the gospel bares fruit. You never know who and when that trusting Jesus bears fruit. You never know how or when, but it does. You guys, God is so good. God is so good. Please don’t forget that this time of year. OK. I love you guys. Have a wonderful Christmas. Amen.

Hey DAB family it’s Beloved in Texas and…and I just wanted to let you all know that I have a praise report and I wanted to thank you for all of your prayers. That job that I was interviewing for, and I had to do a presentation for I got offered that position and I start on Monday the 27th. And not only is this an amazingly awesome opportunity and I think I’m really going to love this job. This is a big financial blessing to our family. So, thank you for so much for all of your prayers and support.

Hello DAB family I am a first-time caller. I am calling for prayer for my 13-year-old daughter. As I heard the words today from King David, “do not allow my deepest desires to lead me into darkness.” In hearing the words “let those who love righteousness strike me down in kindness, let them correct me in love.” I’m asking that this would be her state, her hearts state. Right now, she is loving the darkness. Her father and I are praying for her, confronting her as she does not see the error in her ways, and she is not willing to humble herself. And, so, I’m asking you family to come and join me in prayer for her battle over her soul and her mind. If you would just pray for us as well, encourage…that the Lord would encourage us and guide us as we lovingly bring her up in the Lord. She also has five younger siblings that this is affecting. So, I just would covet your prayers in that. Thank you so much. You guys bless me. I just cannot say enough about this community. I don’t know where I would be without you guys. Thank you. Have a great day.

Hello my DAB and DABC family. This is __ calling from the UK. By the time this plays this will probably pass on Christmas Day so let me start by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and the grace and peace of God in the coming year. Brothers and sisters, I’m calling too Sikh prayers for the parish person to my local church Father Phillip. He's…he had surgery on his foot a while ago and right now he’s in so much pain. He’s in so much pain. He…he can barely make it around the altar. He can barely walk up the stairs of the altar. And he…he keeps a brave face but when you when you look at him you know that he’s in so much pain. And my heart breaks. And all I ask is that you please lift him up in prayers and ask the good Lord to heal that foot. That foot has been a thorn in his flesh for so long. We ask the Lord to please heal that foot, the balm of Gilead. Please Lord I beg you, I ask you to please heal Father Phillip and if it is you’re not you will to heal that foot then give him the grace to carry on regardless. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with each and every one of us both now and forever. Thank you for your prayers because I know that we have prayer warriors standing by.

[singing starts] build yourselves in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourself in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life [singing stops]. This is Candace from Oregon encouraging you to soak long, listen, and just be with the Lord, be in His word. Memorize some of it and let Him lead you in all things. Thank you, God for Daily Audio Bible. Thank you for your word, your Holy Spirit. Thank you so much for the Hardin family. In Jesus’ name. Candace from Oregon.

Hi good morning Daily Audio Bible listeners my name is Cheryl of New Beginnings I’m a first-time caller and this is the first time I’ve gone through the Bible in a year with Brian. And thank you so much Brian and Jill for what you do. I’m just…I’m thinking today is December 23rd it’s my husband’s birthday. He…we gather together as a family at Christmas time to celebrate his birthday and I was just thinking this morning about where he is. And the fact is that he is with Jesus. And, so, we have a lot to celebrate, and I just want to pray for those who have lost loved ones in the past year. God has given us eternal life and the life is in the Son. As a father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the son gives life to whom He will. Jesus, you said you are the resurrection and the life. He who believes in you though he dies yet he shall live and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Oh, Jesus, I thank You so much for coming into the world and making a way that our loved ones can be with You for eternity and we can join them there one day. Oh God, we praise You and thank You. Joey to the world the Lord has come let earth receiver king. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing. God bless you friends who have lost loved ones. May you be encouraged today in Jesus. We praise your Lord. Amen.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday December 28, 2021 (NIV)

Zechariah 12-13

The Lord Will Give Salvation

12 (A)The oracle of the word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus declares the Lord, (B)who stretched out the heavens and (C)founded the earth and (D)formed the spirit of man within him: “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem (E)a cup of staggering to (F)all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem (G)will also be against Judah. (H)On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. (I)All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And (J)all the nations of the earth will gather against it. (K)On that day, declares the Lord, (L)I will strike every horse (M)with panic, and its rider (N)with madness. But for the sake of the house of Judah I will keep my eyes open, when I strike every horse of the peoples (O)with blindness. Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the Lord of hosts, their God.’

(P)“On that day I will make the clans of Judah (Q)like a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves. And (R)they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while (S)Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem.

“And the Lord will give salvation to the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not surpass that of Judah. (T)On that day (U)the Lord will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that (V)the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, (W)like the angel of the Lord, going before them. (X)And on that day (Y)I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

Him Whom They Have Pierced

10 “And (Z)I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and (AA)pleas for mercy, so that, (AB)when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, (AC)they shall mourn for him, (AD)as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. 11 (AE)On that day (AF)the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great (AG)as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 The land shall mourn, (AH)each family[a] by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of (AI)Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of (AJ)the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.

13 (AK)“On that day there shall be (AL)a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.

Idolatry Cut Off

“And (AM)on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, (AN)I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that (AO)they shall be remembered no more. And also (AP)I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness. And if anyone again prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, (AQ)‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the Lord.’ And his father and mother who bore him shall pierce him through when he prophesies.

“On that day (AR)every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive, but he will say, (AS)‘I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.’[b] And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’[c] he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

The Shepherd Struck

“Awake, O sword, against (AT)my shepherd,
against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.

(AU)“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
I will turn my hand against the little ones.
In the whole land, declares the Lord,
two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
(AV)and one third shall be left alive.
And (AW)I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
(AX)They will call upon my name,
and (AY)I will answer them.
(AZ)I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

Footnotes:

  1. Zechariah 12:12 Or clan; throughout verses 12–14
  2. Zechariah 13:5 Or for the land has been my possession since my youth
  3. Zechariah 13:6 Or on your chest; Hebrew wounds between your hands

Cross references:

  1. Zechariah 12:1 : See Nah. 1:1
  2. Zechariah 12:1 : See Isa. 42:5
  3. Zechariah 12:1 : Isa. 48:13
  4. Zechariah 12:1 : See Isa. 42:5
  5. Zechariah 12:2 : Isa. 51:17, 22, 23
  6. Zechariah 12:2 : [ch. 14:2]
  7. Zechariah 12:2 : [ch. 14:14]
  8. Zechariah 12:3 : ch. 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8; Isa. 2:11
  9. Zechariah 12:3 : [Matt. 21:44; Luke 20:18]
  10. Zechariah 12:3 : [See ver. 2 above]; [ch. 14:2]
  11. Zechariah 12:4 : [See ver. 3 above]; ch. 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8; Isa. 2:11
  12. Zechariah 12:4 : [Ps. 76:6]
  13. Zechariah 12:4 : [Deut. 28:28]
  14. Zechariah 12:4 : [Deut. 28:28]
  15. Zechariah 12:4 : [Deut. 28:28]
  16. Zechariah 12:6 : [See ver. 3 above]; ch. 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8; Isa. 2:11
  17. Zechariah 12:6 : [Jer. 5:14; Obad. 18]
  18. Zechariah 12:6 : ch. 9:15
  19. Zechariah 12:6 : ch. 2:4; 14:10, 11
  20. Zechariah 12:8 : [See ver. 3 above]; ch. 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8; Isa. 2:11
  21. Zechariah 12:8 : ch. 9:15
  22. Zechariah 12:8 : [Isa. 60:22]
  23. Zechariah 12:8 : [1 Sam. 29:9; 2 Sam. 14:17, 20; 19:27]
  24. Zechariah 12:9 : [See ver. 3 above]; ch. 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8; Isa. 2:11
  25. Zechariah 12:9 : [ch. 14:3]
  26. Zechariah 12:10 : [Jer. 31:9]
  27. Zechariah 12:10 : [Jer. 31:9]
  28. Zechariah 12:10 : Cited John 19:37; [Rev. 1:7]
  29. Zechariah 12:10 : Jer. 50:4
  30. Zechariah 12:10 : Jer. 6:26; Amos 8:10
  31. Zechariah 12:11 : [See ver. 3 above]; ch. 13:1, 2, 4; 14:4, 6, 8; Isa. 2:11
  32. Zechariah 12:11 : [Acts 2:37]
  33. Zechariah 12:11 : [2 Chr. 35:24]
  34. Zechariah 12:12 : [ch. 7:3]
  35. Zechariah 12:12 : 2 Sam. 5:14; Luke 3:31
  36. Zechariah 12:13 : Num. 3:18
  37. Zechariah 13:1 : See ch. 12:3
  38. Zechariah 13:1 : [Ezek. 36:25]
  39. Zechariah 13:2 : [See ver. 1 above]; See ch. 12:3
  40. Zechariah 13:2 : Mic. 5:13; [Jer. 10:11; Ezek. 30:13]
  41. Zechariah 13:2 : Ex. 23:13
  42. Zechariah 13:2 : [ch. 10:2]
  43. Zechariah 13:3 : See Deut. 13:1-11
  44. Zechariah 13:4 : [Mic. 3:7]
  45. Zechariah 13:5 : Amos 7:14
  46. Zechariah 13:7 : [Isa. 40:11; Heb. 13:20]
  47. Zechariah 13:7 : [Matt. 26:31; Mark 14:27]
  48. Zechariah 13:8 : [ch. 14:2]
  49. Zechariah 13:9 : Ps. 66:10, 12; Isa. 48:10; Mal. 3:2, 3; 1 Pet. 1:7
  50. Zechariah 13:9 : [Ps. 50:15]
  51. Zechariah 13:9 : ch. 10:6
  52. Zechariah 13:9 : ch. 8:8; See Ezek. 11:20
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Revelation 19

Rejoicing in Heaven

19 After this I heard (A)what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
(B)Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
for (C)his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged (D)the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and (E)has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Once more they cried out,

“Hallelujah!
(F)The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

And (G)the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying,

(H)“Praise our God,
all you his servants,
(I)you who fear him,
small and great.”

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Then I heard what seemed to be (J)the voice of a great multitude, like (K)the roar of many waters and (L)like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty (M)reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for (N)the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and (O)his Bride has made herself ready;
(P)it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is (Q)the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: (R)Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, (S)“These are the true words of God.” 10 Then (T)I fell down at his feet to worship him, (U)but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to (V)the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw (W)heaven opened, and behold, (X)a white horse! The one sitting on it is called (Y)Faithful and True, and (Z)in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 (AA)His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are (AB)many diadems, and he has (AC)a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in (AD)a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is (AE)The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, (AF)arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, (AG)were following him on white horses. 15 (AH)From his mouth comes a sharp sword (AI)with which to strike down the nations, and (AJ)he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. (AK)He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh (AL)he has a name written, (AM)King of kings and Lord of lords.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to (AN)all the birds that fly directly overhead, (AO)“Come, gather for (AP)the great supper of God, 18 (AQ)to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave,[d] both small and great.” 19 And I saw (AR)the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies (AS)gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it (AT)the false prophet (AU)who in its presence[e] had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who (AV)worshiped its image. These two were (AW)thrown alive into the lake of (AX)fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword (AY)that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and (AZ)all the birds were gorged with their flesh.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 19:9 Greek he said
  2. Revelation 19:13 Some manuscripts sprinkled with
  3. Revelation 19:15 Greek shepherd
  4. Revelation 19:18 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  5. Revelation 19:20 Or on its behalf

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 19:1 : See ch. 11:15
  2. Revelation 19:1 : ch. 4:11; 7:10; 12:10
  3. Revelation 19:2 : ch. 15:3; 16:7
  4. Revelation 19:2 : See ch. 17:1
  5. Revelation 19:2 : Deut. 32:43; 2 Kgs. 9:7; [ch. 16:6]; See ch. 6:10
  6. Revelation 19:3 : ch. 18:9, 18; Isa. 34:10; [ch. 14:11]
  7. Revelation 19:4 : ch. 4:4, 6, 10; 5:14
  8. Revelation 19:5 : Ps. 22:23; 113:1; 134:1; 135:1
  9. Revelation 19:5 : ch. 11:18
  10. Revelation 19:6 : Dan. 10:6; [ver. 1]
  11. Revelation 19:6 : See ch. 1:15
  12. Revelation 19:6 : ch. 6:1; 14:2
  13. Revelation 19:6 : ch. 11:15, 17; Ps. 97:1
  14. Revelation 19:7 : Matt. 22:2; 25:10; Luke 12:36; 14:8; John 2:1; [Eph. 5:22-32]
  15. Revelation 19:7 : ch. 21:2, 9; [Isa. 54:5; Hos. 2:19, 20]
  16. Revelation 19:8 : [Ps. 45:13-15; Ezek. 16:10]
  17. Revelation 19:8 : [Ps. 132:9; Isa. 61:10]
  18. Revelation 19:9 : Luke 14:15; See ver. 7
  19. Revelation 19:9 : [ch. 21:5; 22:6]
  20. Revelation 19:10 : ch. 22:8
  21. Revelation 19:10 : ch. 22:9; See Acts 10:26
  22. Revelation 19:10 : ch. 1:2; 6:9; 12:17
  23. Revelation 19:11 : See Ezek. 1:1
  24. Revelation 19:11 : See ch. 6:2
  25. Revelation 19:11 : See ch. 3:7, 14
  26. Revelation 19:11 : [Ps. 96:13; Isa. 11:4]
  27. Revelation 19:12 : ch. 1:14; 2:18
  28. Revelation 19:12 : [ch. 12:3]
  29. Revelation 19:12 : ver. 16; ch. 2:17; [Prov. 30:4]
  30. Revelation 19:13 : Isa. 63:2, 3
  31. Revelation 19:13 : See John 1:1
  32. Revelation 19:14 : ch. 3:4; 7:9
  33. Revelation 19:14 : [ch. 14:20]
  34. Revelation 19:15 : ver. 21; See ch. 1:16
  35. Revelation 19:15 : [Isa. 11:4; 2 Thess. 2:8]
  36. Revelation 19:15 : ch. 2:27; 12:5
  37. Revelation 19:15 : ch. 14:20; Isa. 63:3
  38. Revelation 19:16 : ver. 12
  39. Revelation 19:16 : See ch. 17:14
  40. Revelation 19:17 : ver. 21
  41. Revelation 19:17 : Jer. 12:9; Ezek. 39:17
  42. Revelation 19:17 : [Isa. 34:6; Jer. 46:10; Ezek. 39:19]
  43. Revelation 19:18 : Ezek. 39:18, 20
  44. Revelation 19:19 : ch. 11:7; 13:1
  45. Revelation 19:19 : ch. 16:16
  46. Revelation 19:20 : ch. 16:13; 20:10
  47. Revelation 19:20 : ch. 13:11-14
  48. Revelation 19:20 : See ch. 13:15
  49. Revelation 19:20 : ch. 20:10, 14, 15; [Dan. 7:11]
  50. Revelation 19:20 : ch. 14:10; 21:8; See 2 Thess. 1:8
  51. Revelation 19:21 : ver. 15
  52. Revelation 19:21 : ver. 17
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 147

He Heals the Brokenhearted

147 (A)Praise the Lord!
For (B)it is good to sing praises to our God;
for (C)it is pleasant,[a] and (D)a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord (E)builds up Jerusalem;
he (F)gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals (G)the brokenhearted
and (H)binds up their wounds.
He (I)determines the number of the stars;
he (J)gives to all of them their names.
(K)Great is our Lord, and (L)abundant in power;
(M)his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord (N)lifts up the humble;[b]
he casts the wicked to the ground.

(O)Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on (P)the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares (Q)rain for the earth;
he makes (R)grass grow on the hills.
He (S)gives to the beasts their food,
and to (T)the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in (U)the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the Lord (V)takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who (W)hope in his steadfast love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens (X)the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
14 He (Y)makes peace in your borders;
he (Z)fills you with the (AA)finest of the wheat.
15 He (AB)sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives (AC)snow like wool;
he scatters (AD)frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of (AE)ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his (AF)cold?
18 He (AG)sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob,
his (AH)statutes and rules[c] to Israel.
20 He (AI)has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.[d]
(AJ)Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 147:1 Or for he is beautiful
  2. Psalm 147:6 Or afflicted
  3. Psalm 147:19 Or and just decrees
  4. Psalm 147:20 Or his just decrees
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 31:1-7

The Words of King Lemuel

31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

What are you doing, my son?[a] What are you doing, (A)son of my womb?
What are you doing, (B)son of my vows?
Do (C)not give your strength to women,
your ways to those (D)who destroy kings.
(E)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings (F)to drink wine,
or for rulers to take (G)strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and (H)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who (I)is perishing,
and wine to (J)those in bitter distress;[b]
(K)let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 31:2 Hebrew What, my son?
  2. Proverbs 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

12/27/2021 DAB Transcript

Zechariah 10:1-11:17, Revelation 18:1-24, Psalm 146:1-10, Proverbs 30:33

Today is the 27th day of December, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian, it is wonderful to be here with you today, this week that is in between, this week that yeah, we’re probably starting to maybe go back to work or maybe we have this week off. It is this interesting week of the year, the last week of the year, where we get reflective and it is a wonderful year, especially considering the journey that we’ve been on. I mean, think about a year ago today, right. And we’re moving through between Christmas and New Year’s and then we start this journey, we’ve been on this journey all year long and now we’re reaching the shore and we’re paying attention to the fact that we’re gonna transition into a brand-new year, and so we’re thinking about our lives and there is no better time than to incorporate the Scriptures and all that we’ve been through together in the last year into that decision-making process. And so it is a joy and an honor to be here with you today in that process and doing what we’ve done every single day, taking another step forward together and that next step forward will lead us back into the book of Zechariah, we’re reading from the English Standard Version this week, Zechariah chapters 10 and 11.

Commentary:

Okay, so we we’re talking about at the beginning, how we’re in this in between week, the week between Christmas and New Year’s and it’s a unique week really, even if we go back to work and we’re just kind of back into the flow things and by now, a couple days after Christmas, now that we’re in a week, like we’re starting to move toward normalcy again. But the week in between, this is really the time where our hearts, for whatever reason because the season sort of changes the atmosphere and then we’ll have this week in between, a new beginning, and we know that new beginning is coming, a brand-new year, and so there’s something inside of us, that’s like okay, we’re almost there, it’s a brand-new fresh start and it’s then that we start thinking what do I want that fresh start to look like. What things do I not want to repeat next year that I endured and went through this year? What mistakes have I learned my lesson on? What things do I need to press deeper into that I made a good beginning, but fell off along the way? We start thinking about our health right, how many of you have renewed your gym membership already, getting ready for the new year or that you plan to kind do that before this week is out so, that you can hit the ground running in this brand-new year? Right, and we’ve got our diet books and we’re thinking about it, but we got this week in between and so we’re probably just like living it up and feasting and going yeah, once this week is over everything is gonna change, everything is going to be different, I’m gonna press into this in a different way. And we start thinking about our spiritual lives, I want to walk with God more intimately or we want to understand what the Bible says more truly and deeply, or even at all. We think about our relationships, our relationship with our spouse. Maybe we’ve taken some hits this year, maybe we’d like to not repeat. Maybe we wanna grow closer in our intimacy with one another and walk with one another more truly. Or maybe it’s relationship with our children, maybe there’s some work to be done there or we need to pay more attention. Or whatever, it might be. Maybe it’s relationships at work or maybe it’s vocational goals, we want to get a raise this year and so, we’re gonna position ourselves in a certain sort of way to accomplish a certain amount of things. Or we have this great idea, that before the years out we would like to launch that idea and maybe that could change our lives. Maybe we could amend something, maybe we could do something, maybe we are very skilled at something that we think we should be doing for other people and not just for a corporation, maybe we should strike out on our own. There’s any number, I mean millions of possibilities in all of our stories and it seems like even though those things are contemplated along the way, we kind of get to this point in the year and we start, like those ideas, start becoming serious concepts, serious ideas that we want to actually start moving toward. One of the interesting things about our New Year’s resolutions are that a generous percentage, if not, the overwhelming majority of the goals that we might set for ourselves, they are external things, like I would look so much better and feel so much better and be more healthy if I lost that 25 pounds. I would be so much more happy and fulfilled and actually be able to not be struggling so much if I could achieve that raise, that promotion and none of that is bad or wrong. Those are all worthy, any of the things that we would like to do that would improve us, improve ourselves, make us better people sure. But if we ignore that what we’ve learned from the Bible is that things change from within. That’s actually where the beginning of the change occurs within you. So, yes, our body may be more healthy if we drop those pounds but dropping those pounds does not ensure our happiness other than temporarily and so, along with the goals that we might set we need to understand how are these categorized, like is my interior life, is my heart and the things that it has been through, is that a part of what I want to focus on because any of the changes that we want to make, if we actually want them to be fulfilling and actual changes that you know like, we’re not gonna jump on the treadmill lose 10 pounds by Valentine’s Day be done with the whole thing and then end up right where we are one year from today. If we want things to stick than we actually have to be transformed, we actually have to change and that change always begins within if it’s going to last. And I want to suggest in this week in between that we pay particular attention to the Proverbs, there’s all kinds of stuff that we’re moving through in Revelation: Zechariah and the Psalms. We certainly need to pay attention to those stories, but in terms of how we’re planning to move into the New Year and what we’re planning to do when we get there, Proverbs is indispensable. And so, I just suggest, it’s what I do in this week in between is pay attention to what the Proverbs are saying. And it reminds me also of the Daily Audio Proverb. And if that has not been incorporated into the rhythm of your life yet going into the new year, this is, I mean it’s a couple of minutes a day of unfiltered wisdom poured into our lives over and over and over and it speaks in simple sentences volumes about our lives. For example, today pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, I mean let’s just stop there, if you press milker or beat milk or whip milk, you’re gonna get cream or curds or cheese right. If you press enough, like if you get punched in the nose blood is going to probably flow and we might not even think that that’s earth-shattering wisdom. It’s more like common sense, this is how things work and so we could dismiss the Proverb but we haven’t finished the Proverb, pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, pressing anger produces strife. So, we got these two statements in Proverbs that we could be like that’s just common sense everybody knows that’s how it works and then the last line hits us. Oh, that’s how it works, pressing anger produces strife. If we’re going to stir up anger were going to get fights and quarrels and strife. That’s how it works after the same fashion as if you get punched in the nose, you’re gonna have a bloody nose. Stirring up anger is an intentional thing in the same way that making cream or making curds is an intentional thing, or striking a nose is going to produce a bloody nose. So, we have really wisdom being given to us on both sides, either decision that we make. If our goal is actually how much strife and anger and bitterness can I produce inside of the space of one year, how much resentment can I create for myself to carry for the next decade in the space of one year, how many people, how many arguments, how much division and strife can I make in one year. If that’s the goal, then we have the recipe, stir up anger, stir it and stir it, press into anger, if that’s what you’re going for. I don’t think there’s anybody probably that that’s what they’re actually going for, probably the vast majority, if not all of us, would like to see the exact opposite of that in our lives and so we have the wisdom before us, don’t press in to anger, don’t stir it up, don’t whip it up, which doesn’t mean the we’re gonna have zero conflict in our lives, there won’t be any kind of disagreement or argument or there won’t be any kind of confrontation that we have to press into in the next year. That’s life. Sometimes those things those things happen, but if we’re going to go into those situations and press into anger, then we know what the result is because Proverbs has just revealed to us what we already know. This is how it works and things like this from the Proverbs incorporated into our thoughts and prayers and intentions about the future, about what’s coming in this new year, will help us to understand that the goals and desires that we want they have to be treated and paid attention to from within as well as without. And so, let’s pay attention to, Proverbs, while we’re paying attention to our own lives and where we want to steer them in the coming year.

Prayer:

And so, Father, we thank You for Your word and we thank You for the counsel of Proverbs today. Simple, true something that we know, but so, sparkly put that it’s right before us and we cannot ignore it, we thank You for that because…because we don’t want more strife and division and anger in the new year. We’ve seen so much of what that looks like in the last few years, around the world, among Christian people, You name it, we’ve seen what divisiveness and division looks like, and we confess that big and small ways we participated in one way or another and that’s why it feels so tense and now we’re looking toward peace, we’re looking toward shalom, we’re looking for guidance on how to live from the Scriptures, which means that the Scriptures are going to invite us to make some changes. So, Holy Spirit, we invite You, we open ourselves to You, we become aware of You, we seek Your counsel, Your comfort, Your guidance, even Your discipline, even your correction as we move toward a new beginning, that we might finish what we started this journey, that we might finish strong and well so that we move into the new year strong and prepared. Holy Spirit come into this we pray, in the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, that is the website, it’s where you find out what’s going on around here and as I so often say you can find out what’s going on around here if you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app as well. You can navigate using the drawer icon in the upper left-hand corner, so check it out, stay tuned, stay connected as we move through this final week, before this week is up we’re in a new year. We are on the literal homestretch and what a journey it has been and we have done this together.

So, if you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, here in the last days of the year thank you, thank you, humbly if we hadn’t been in this together, we wouldn’t be here at all. So, thank the Lord for another, almost another year but there’s a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.

And if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, which is the little red button up at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hello Daily Audio Bible, this is your girl Stephanie Hickman and I’m calling in to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I love you so much DAB family and friends. Hope you’re doing well. Continually praying for you. Happy Holiday’s everyone.

Hi, this is Josie calling from Texas, this is my first time calling and I am asking for prayers for my husband and myself. He is in the hospital. He had a hemorrhage and now dealing with withdrawals. And I am asking for prayers for not only physical healing but spiritual healing, that he feel the presence of God. And just asking for prayers for me for trust and peace and that I feel God’s presence and His work in all of this. God Bless, thanks.

Hey family, my name is Navi from Canada. I’m just calling regarding the lady who called in today’s December 21st, so, she called in, I heard the phone call today, her message today. So, she’s requesting prayer for her marriage, she’s been newlywed a year and a half, I guess, I think. I am praying for her; I am praying for you. I’m praying for your marriage and for the restoration of the communication in your marriage. And I pray that the Lord will show Himself strong in the midst of you two. In the name of Jesus. I am also praying for the lady who, who is buying, who bought alcohol just because she couldn’t handle the weight of being alone in the holidays. And I am also praying for her. I’m praying that she will experience the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of her pain and her loneliness. Thank you, family. I really feel blessed by all your prayers and encouragement. Thank you, Brian, so much. Thank you, bye.

Hello DABers, this is Emily, of Emily and Jim. And I want to share with you a DAB Christmas story. See Jim, is in Texas right now. He went back to get the spouse visa but now we need a lawyer and I’m here in Wales and it’s really hard. We don’t know where God wants us to be in Wales, housing prices are crazy. I have a great job but we want to ministry and we really miss each other. This is our first Christmas apart in the 12 years we’ve been together. I miss him. So, when Brian announced the Christmas’s boxes this year, I thought, you know, I’m gonna send Jim a Christmas box. And I sent it to Jim LOML – love of my life – Mecelle. I got the address messed up and Sarah Jane was amazing a fixed the address but she’s really sneaky because she didn’t tell me that there was a box that was coming to me Emily LOML – love of my life – Mecelle from Jim. And so, when I opened the box, it was just like we were together. And we decided we we’re gonna play the CDs together, I’m getting emotional. And I just love this community. And I thank you Brian and Jill and Sarah Jane for helping us to feel more together this Christmas. And I just bless this community for the way you’ve supported us through thick and thin and continue to support us, through your prayers. And I just bless you and thank you and wish you a very Merry DAB Christmas.

Good morning, everybody. Hey, this is Annette Allison, I haven’t called in a while. The COVID got me down and just really messed up my voice. I guess I kind of got kind of embarrassed. But anyways, I love you guys. I hope everyone has a most Merry and Joyful Christmas and know that if you don’t think anybody loves you, you know that I sure do. Because you guys are the best part of my whole family and I love you, thank you Brian and Jill and all of your wonderful family. I love you guys all so very much. And, I hope everybody has a great New Year and make Jesus your number 1, right. Love you, all. Bye Bye.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday December 27, 2021 (NIV)

Zechariah 10-11

The Restoration for Judah and Israel

10 Ask rain (A)from the Lord
in the season of (B)the spring rain,
from the Lord (C)who makes the storm clouds,
and (D)he will give them showers of rain,
to everyone the vegetation in the field.
For (E)the household gods (F)utter nonsense,
and the diviners see lies;
(G)they tell false dreams
and give empty consolation.
Therefore (H)the people wander like sheep;
they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.

(I)“My anger is hot against the shepherds,
and (J)I will punish the leaders;[a]
for (K)the Lord of hosts cares for his flock, the house of Judah,
and will make them like his majestic steed in battle.
From him shall come (L)the cornerstone,
from him (M)the tent peg,
from him the battle bow,
from him every ruler—(N)all of them together.
They shall be like mighty men in battle,
(O)trampling the foe in the mud of the streets;
they shall fight because the Lord is with them,
and they shall put to shame (P)the riders on horses.

(Q)“I will strengthen the house of Judah,
and (R)I will save the house of Joseph.
(S)I will bring them back (T)because I have compassion on them,
and they shall be as though I had not rejected them,
for (U)I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior,
and (V)their hearts shall be glad as with wine.
Their children shall see it and be glad;
their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

(W)“I will whistle for them and (X)gather them in,
for I have redeemed them,
and (Y)they shall be as many as they were before.
(Z)Though I scattered them among the nations,
yet in far countries (AA)they shall remember me,
and with their children they shall live and return.
10 (AB)I will bring them home from the land of Egypt,
and gather them from Assyria,
and (AC)I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon,
(AD)till there is no room for them.
11 (AE)He shall pass through the sea of troubles
and strike down the waves of the sea,
(AF)and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up.
The pride of Assyria shall be laid low,
and (AG)the scepter of Egypt shall depart.
12 (AH)I will make them strong in the Lord,
and (AI)they shall walk in his name,”
declares the Lord.

The Flock Doomed to Slaughter

11 Open your doors, (AJ)O Lebanon,
that the fire may devour your cedars!
Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen,
for the glorious trees are ruined!
Wail, (AK)oaks of Bashan,
for the thick forest has been felled!
The sound of (AL)the wail of (AM)the shepherds,
for their glory is ruined!
The sound of the roar of (AN)the lions,
(AO)for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Thus said the Lord my God: (AP)“Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. (AQ)Those who buy them slaughter them and go unpunished, and those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the Lord, (AR)I have become rich,’ and their own shepherds have no pity on them. For (AS)I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of this land, declares the Lord. Behold, I will cause each of them to fall into the hand of his neighbor, and each into the hand of his king, and they shall crush the land, and I will deliver none from their hand.”

(AT)So I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders. And I took two staffs, one I named (AU)Favor, the other I named (AV)Union. (AW)And I tended the sheep. In one month (AX)I destroyed the three shepherds. But I became impatient with them, and they also detested me. So I said, “I will not be your shepherd. (AY)What is to die, let it die. What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. And let those who are left devour the flesh of one another.” 10 And I took (AZ)my staff Favor, and I broke it, annulling the covenant that I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was annulled on that day, and the sheep traders, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. 12 Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages (BA)thirty pieces of silver. 13 Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—(BB)the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the (BC)thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter. 14 Then I broke (BD)my second staff Union, annulling the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

15 Then the Lord said to me, “Take once more the equipment of (BE)a foolish shepherd. 16 For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd (BF)who does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but (BG)devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

17 (BH)“Woe to my worthless shepherd,
(BI)who deserts the flock!
May the sword strike his arm
and (BJ)his right eye!
Let his arm be wholly withered,
his right eye utterly blinded!”

Footnotes:

  1. Zechariah 10:3 Hebrew the male goats

Cross references:

  1. Zechariah 10:1 : Jer. 14:22
  2. Zechariah 10:1 : See Deut. 11:14
  3. Zechariah 10:1 : Ps. 135:7
  4. Zechariah 10:1 : Ezek. 34:26
  5. Zechariah 10:2 : See Gen. 31:19
  6. Zechariah 10:2 : Hab. 2:18
  7. Zechariah 10:2 : Jer. 23:25
  8. Zechariah 10:2 : Ezek. 34:5, 6
  9. Zechariah 10:3 : [Ezek. 34:10]
  10. Zechariah 10:3 : [Ezek. 34:17]
  11. Zechariah 10:3 : Zeph. 2:7
  12. Zechariah 10:4 : [Ps. 118:22]
  13. Zechariah 10:4 : Isa. 22:23
  14. Zechariah 10:4 : [ch. 9:8]
  15. Zechariah 10:5 : [ch. 9:15]
  16. Zechariah 10:5 : [Ps. 20:7]
  17. Zechariah 10:6 : [ver. 12]
  18. Zechariah 10:6 : ch. 8:7, 13
  19. Zechariah 10:6 : [Jer. 3:18]
  20. Zechariah 10:6 : Isa. 14:1
  21. Zechariah 10:6 : ch. 13:9
  22. Zechariah 10:7 : ch. 9:15
  23. Zechariah 10:8 : Isa. 5:26
  24. Zechariah 10:8 : Jer. 31:10, 11; See Hos. 1:11
  25. Zechariah 10:8 : Ezek. 36:10, 11, 37
  26. Zechariah 10:9 : [Hos. 2:23]
  27. Zechariah 10:9 : Ezek. 6:9; See Deut. 30:1-3
  28. Zechariah 10:10 : Isa. 11:11; 27:13; Hos. 11:11
  29. Zechariah 10:10 : [Mic. 7:14]
  30. Zechariah 10:10 : Isa. 49:20
  31. Zechariah 10:11 : Isa. 11:15
  32. Zechariah 10:11 : [Amos 8:8]
  33. Zechariah 10:11 : Ezek. 30:13
  34. Zechariah 10:12 : [ver. 6]
  35. Zechariah 10:12 : Mic. 4:5
  36. Zechariah 11:1 : [Isa. 2:12, 13]
  37. Zechariah 11:2 : [See ver. 1 above]; [Isa. 2:12, 13]
  38. Zechariah 11:3 : Jer. 25:34
  39. Zechariah 11:3 : Jer. 25:34
  40. Zechariah 11:3 : See Ezek. 19:1-3
  41. Zechariah 11:3 : [Jer. 12:5]
  42. Zechariah 11:4 : [ver. 7]
  43. Zechariah 11:5 : Ezek. 34:3
  44. Zechariah 11:5 : Hos. 12:8
  45. Zechariah 11:6 : Jer. 13:14
  46. Zechariah 11:7 : [ver. 4]
  47. Zechariah 11:7 : ver. 10
  48. Zechariah 11:7 : ver. 14
  49. Zechariah 11:7 : [ver. 4]
  50. Zechariah 11:8 : [ver. 3, 16; ch. 10:3; Jer. 22:11, 18, 24]
  51. Zechariah 11:9 : Jer. 15:2
  52. Zechariah 11:10 : ver. 7
  53. Zechariah 11:12 : [Ex. 21:32; Matt. 26:15]
  54. Zechariah 11:13 : [Matt. 27:9, 10]
  55. Zechariah 11:13 : [See ver. 12 above]; [Ex. 21:32; Matt. 26:15]
  56. Zechariah 11:14 : ver. 7
  57. Zechariah 11:15 : See 2 Kgs. 24:18-20
  58. Zechariah 11:16 : [Ezek. 34:4; John 10:13]
  59. Zechariah 11:16 : Ezek. 34:3
  60. Zechariah 11:17 : Jer. 23:1
  61. Zechariah 11:17 : John 10:12
  62. Zechariah 11:17 : [2 Kgs. 25:7]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Revelation 18

The Fall of Babylon

18 After this I saw (A)another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and (B)the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice,

(C)“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
She has become (D)a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt (E)for every unclean spirit,
a haunt (F)for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
For all nations have drunk[a]
(G)the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and (H)the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
and (I)the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

(J)“Come out of her, my people,
lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
for (K)her sins are heaped high as heaven,
and (L)God has remembered her iniquities.
(M)Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,
and repay her (N)double for her deeds;
mix a double portion for her (O)in the cup she mixed.
(P)As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,
so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
since in her heart she says,
(Q)‘I sit as a queen,
I am no widow,
and mourning I shall never see.’
For this reason her plagues will come (R)in a single day,
death and mourning and famine,
and (S)she will be burned up with fire;
for (T)mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”

And (U)the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, (V)will weep and wail over her (W)when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 (X)They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! (Y)You great city,
you mighty city, Babylon!
For (Z)in a single hour your judgment has come.”

11 And (AA)the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.[b]

14 “The fruit for which your soul longed
has gone from you,
and all your delicacies and your splendors
are lost to you,
never to be found again!”

15 (AB)The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, (AC)will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

16 “Alas, alas, for the great city
(AD)that was clothed in fine linen,
in purple and scarlet,
adorned with gold,
with jewels, and with pearls!
17 For (AE)in a single hour all this wealth (AF)has been laid waste.”

And (AG)all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off 18 and (AH)cried out (AI)as they saw the smoke of her burning,

(AJ)“What city was like the great city?”

19 And they threw (AK)dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out,

“Alas, alas, for the great city
(AL)where all who had ships at sea
grew rich by her wealth!
For (AM)in a single hour she has been laid waste.
20 (AN)Rejoice over her, O heaven,
and you saints and (AO)apostles and prophets,
for (AP)God has given judgment for you against her!”

21 Then (AQ)a mighty angel (AR)took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,

“So will Babylon (AS)the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more;
22 and (AT)the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,
will be heard in you no more,
and a craftsman of any craft
will be found in you no more,
and (AU)the sound of the mill
will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp
will shine in you no more,
and (AV)the voice of bridegroom and bride
will be heard in you no more,
for (AW)your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
and all nations were deceived (AX)by your sorcery.
24 And (AY)in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
and of (AZ)all who have been slain on earth.”

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 18:3 Some manuscripts fallen by
  2. Revelation 18:13 Or and slaves, and human lives

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 18:1 : ch. 17:1, 7
  2. Revelation 18:1 : Ezek. 43:2
  3. Revelation 18:2 : See ch. 14:8
  4. Revelation 18:2 : Isa. 13:21; 34:14; Jer. 50:39; 51:37; [Zeph. 2:14, 15]
  5. Revelation 18:2 : ch. 16:13
  6. Revelation 18:2 : Isa. 14:23; 34:11
  7. Revelation 18:3 : ch. 14:8
  8. Revelation 18:3 : ver. 9; ch. 17:2
  9. Revelation 18:3 : ver. 11, 15; Ezek. 27:33
  10. Revelation 18:4 : [2 Cor. 6:17]; See Isa. 48:20
  11. Revelation 18:5 : Jer. 51:9; [Gen. 18:20, 21; Ezra 9:6; Jonah 1:2]
  12. Revelation 18:5 : ch. 16:19
  13. Revelation 18:6 : Ps. 137:8; Jer. 50:15, 29; 51:24, 49
  14. Revelation 18:6 : Jer. 16:18
  15. Revelation 18:6 : [ch. 14:10; 16:19; 17:4]
  16. Revelation 18:7 : [Ezek. 28:2-8]
  17. Revelation 18:7 : Isa. 47:7, 8; Zeph. 2:15; [ch. 3:17]
  18. Revelation 18:8 : Isa. 47:9; [ver. 10]
  19. Revelation 18:8 : ch. 17:16
  20. Revelation 18:8 : Jer. 50:34
  21. Revelation 18:9 : ver. 3; ch. 17:2; [Ezek. 26:16, 17]
  22. Revelation 18:9 : [Jer. 50:46]
  23. Revelation 18:9 : ver. 18; ch. 19:3
  24. Revelation 18:10 : ver. 15, 17
  25. Revelation 18:10 : See ch. 14:8
  26. Revelation 18:10 : ver. 17, 19; [ver. 8]
  27. Revelation 18:11 : ver. 3, 15; [Ezek. 27:36]
  28. Revelation 18:15 : ver. 3, 11
  29. Revelation 18:15 : ver. 10
  30. Revelation 18:16 : ch. 17:4
  31. Revelation 18:17 : ver. 10, 19
  32. Revelation 18:17 : ch. 17:16
  33. Revelation 18:17 : Ezek. 27:28, 29
  34. Revelation 18:18 : Ezek. 27:30
  35. Revelation 18:18 : ver. 9
  36. Revelation 18:18 : Ezek. 27:32; [ch. 13:4]
  37. Revelation 18:19 : See Josh. 7:6; Job 2:12
  38. Revelation 18:19 : ver. 3, 15
  39. Revelation 18:19 : ver. 10, 17
  40. Revelation 18:20 : Deut. 32:43; Jer. 51:48; See ch. 12:12
  41. Revelation 18:20 : Luke 11:49, 50
  42. Revelation 18:20 : ch. 19:2
  43. Revelation 18:21 : ch. 5:2; 10:1
  44. Revelation 18:21 : [Jer. 51:63, 64]
  45. Revelation 18:21 : ver. 10
  46. Revelation 18:22 : Isa. 14:11; 24:8; Ezek. 26:13
  47. Revelation 18:22 : Eccles. 12:4; Jer. 25:10
  48. Revelation 18:23 : Jer. 7:34; 16:9; 33:11
  49. Revelation 18:23 : Isa. 23:8
  50. Revelation 18:23 : Nah. 3:4
  51. Revelation 18:24 : ch. 17:6; [Matt. 23:35, 36]
  52. Revelation 18:24 : [Jer. 51:49]
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 146

Put Not Your Trust in Princes

146 (A)Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord (B)as long as I live;
(C)I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

(D)Put not your trust in princes,
(E)in a son of man, in whom there is (F)no salvation.
When (G)his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.

(H)Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose (I)hope is in the Lord his God,
(J)who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
(K)who keeps faith forever;
(L)who executes justice for the oppressed,
(M)who gives food to the hungry.

(N)The Lord sets the prisoners free;
(O)the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
(P)The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
(Q)the Lord loves the righteous.
(R)The Lord watches over the sojourners;
(S)he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but (T)the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 (U)The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
(V)Praise the Lord!

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Proverbs 30:33

33 For pressing milk produces curds,
pressing the nose produces blood,
and pressing anger produces strife.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.