12/31/2022 DAB Transcript

Malachi 3:1-4:6, Revelation 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 it is a true joy and honor to be here around the Global Campfire with you today, on a day of celebration. This is the 365th day of the year, the final day of the year and we can’t linger here. We can only move forward and so, the hours left in this year are kind of winding down. We made it, almost, I mean we’ve got to do our reading for today, but if we showed up here around the Global Campfire today, then we made it, well done. And we’ll talk about it more at the end but we are at the beginning, and we come here for a very specific purpose and that is to gather together and take the next step forward in the Scriptures. And we need to take that final step and that final step leads us in the Old Testament back into the book of Malachi. And today we will read Malachi chapters 3 and 4.

And this ends the Old Testament.

Revelation 22

And this concludes the New Testament.

Psalm 150

And this concludes the Psalms.

Proverbs 31:25-31

And this concludes the Proverbs. And this concludes the Bible.

Commentary:

Okay friends, well, this year isn’t any different than most years for me. I reach that point, say those words and that concludes the Bible and then I gotta shut things down for a minute. I gotta collect myself. It’s like, I…I know that tomorrow is another day like it’s it never ends. Our relationship with the Bible never ends. We don’t read the Bible go there now, I’m a good spiritual person, I…I read the whole Bible, we realize that in reading the Bible, it’s reading us back and speaking deeply into our lives and to repeat the process over and over is transformational. So, I know tomorrow we get to start a new journey again, but there’s something about finishing, at least for me, like I’ve stood in front of the microphone every single day to get here and then we reach this place and there’s like this overwhelming feeling of melancholy like I don’t want this journey to end, even though it doesn’t, and the year does. And then this concludes seven teen years, seven days a week for 17 years, seven days a week. We’ve been here together taking steps forward; it’s I don’t even know where the time went. I look in the mirror and I can see 17 years but feels like it’s just flown by, and the Bible has become the rhythm, the constant, the thing that my entire family is oriented around and that we are all oriented around, it tells us what God is like, shows us who God is, and then we have to live it. I can’t believe like will start year 18 tomorrow, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I want to stay here and realize we’ve done this, we’ve been doing this a long time, 17 years. And I am so grateful, what floods into my mind and into my heart or just the thousands and thousands of people that we’ve been able to interact with, personally over these years and that hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people that have been able to participate. And I’m just deeply grateful to have been one of the people that have been able to be here, feasting upon the Scriptures each and every day together as we gather around the Global Campfire. What a beautiful, beautiful community we are, and I’m lucky, I’m fortunate to be able to be in it and be a part of it with you, thank you for the journey of this year. This would’ve never worked if we weren’t in it together, but being together, it did work and we were able to move through another year together, well done. I am so grateful to have taken the journey with you. And I…I know I actually mention this most ends of every year, I know that midnight will come, a brand-new year will begin, we will embark on a grand journey again tomorrow and set sail and move together every day, step-by-step through another year. I know that will happen, it just won’t be the same as this, we’ve grown together, we’ve been a community together, we taken the next steps forward together. Tomorrow, they’ll be thousands of brand-new voices, that is exciting, cause it’ll form again, and it’ll be just the next step forward. And who knows what we get to experience, who knows what we get to learn in the coming year. I just also know that for some, this will be a goodbye and I hate them. I cannot even tell you how much I hate them. But my best counsel is that if you’ve established a relationship with the Bible and it has been a part of the rhythm of your life, find a way to keep that going. No matter how you get there, keep that going. It was 365 days ago that I suggested that we take a peek in the mirror and that we look at who we are, and to do it again in 365 days, today. And so, if we look in the mirror today and looked deep into our eyes, we may see another year of wear and tear, but we’re not looking back at the same person that we were a year ago. We’ve had many experiences, and we’ve grown in all kinds of ways, and we’ve taken a journey through the Scriptures and allowed them to do what they do inside of us, in shifting things around and working transformation within us. That needs to never stop. If you found a year in the Bible and going through every chapter, every verse and you found that was transforming in your life, then the one thing to not lose, no matter how you get it, but the one thing to not lose are the Scriptures and the rhythm. And that no matter where life leads, no matter what the paths are, we planned to always be here waiting for you, tomorrow. Do not be a stranger. And for those of us that will get off this ship, the ship of this year and grab our bags and board another ship and set sail again, I am eager, I’m excited. Eighteenth year of the Daily Audio Bible. I mean, when we complete that one year from today, when we complete our 18th year, that’s going to be something. The Daily Audio Bible is now an official adult. We have come of age. So, who knows where that will lead us, it’s exciting to think about and I can’t wait to watch the days unfold and watch that story become real. But for now, we are here, and we have finished. We have concluded another year in the Scriptures together and we should smile in the celebration together, we did it. And that leaves me here just wanted to keep riffing right, just keep on talking about whatever but even if I talk nothing but nonsense for 20 more minutes, we still had to stop at some point. And so, that’s part of just releasing the year with open hands and allowing it to become part of the story of our lives, the history of who we are, knowing that the story continues forward. And so, this is it, well done on a beautiful journey this year. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it and 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 and 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.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday December 31, 2022 (NIV)

Malachi 3-4

“I will send my messenger,(A) who will prepare the way before me.(B) Then suddenly the Lord(C) you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant,(D) whom you desire,(E) will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

But who can endure(F) the day of his coming?(G) Who can stand(H) when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire(I) or a launderer’s soap.(J) He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;(K) he will purify(L) the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.(M) Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,(N) and the offerings(O) of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.(P)

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers,(Q) adulterers(R) and perjurers,(S) against those who defraud laborers of their wages,(T) who oppress the widows(U) and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners(V) among you of justice, but do not fear(W) me,” says the Lord Almighty.

Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes

“I the Lord do not change.(X) So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.(Y) Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away(Z) from my decrees and have not kept them. Return(AA) to me, and I will return to you,”(AB) says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask,(AC) ‘How are we to return?’

“Will a mere mortal rob(AD) God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes(AE) and offerings. You are under a curse(AF)—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe(AG) into the storehouse,(AH) that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates(AI) of heaven and pour out(AJ) so much blessing(AK) that there will not be room enough to store it.(AL) 11 I will prevent pests from devouring(AM) your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,(AN)” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed,(AO) for yours will be a delightful land,”(AP) says the Lord Almighty.(AQ)

Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God

13 “You have spoken arrogantly(AR) against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask,(AS) ‘What have we said against you?’

14 “You have said, ‘It is futile(AT) to serve(AU) God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements(AV) and going about like mourners(AW) before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant(AX) blessed. Certainly evildoers(AY) prosper,(AZ) and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

The Faithful Remnant

16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.(BA) A scroll(BB) of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared(BC) the Lord and honored his name.

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my(BD) treasured possession.(BE) I will spare(BF) them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son(BG) who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous(BH) and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.(BI)

Judgment and Covenant Renewal

[a]“Surely the day is coming;(BJ) it will burn like a furnace.(BK) All the arrogant(BL) and every evildoer will be stubble,(BM) and the day that is coming will set them on fire,(BN)” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch(BO) will be left to them. But for you who revere my name,(BP) the sun of righteousness(BQ) will rise with healing(BR) in its rays. And you will go out and frolic(BS) like well-fed calves. Then you will trample(BT) on the wicked; they will be ashes(BU) under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

“Remember the law(BV) of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb(BW) for all Israel.(BX)

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah(BY) to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.(BZ) He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children,(CA) and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike(CB) the land with total destruction.”(CC)

Footnotes:

  1. Malachi 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-6 is numbered 3:19-24.

Cross references:

  1. Malachi 3:1 : S Nu 27:21; S 2Ch 36:15
  2. Malachi 3:1 : S Isa 40:3; S Mt 3:3; 11:10*; Mk 1:2*; Lk 7:27*
  3. Malachi 3:1 : Mic 5:2
  4. Malachi 3:1 : S Isa 42:6
  5. Malachi 3:1 : S 1Sa 9:20
  6. Malachi 3:2 : S Eze 22:14; Rev 6:17
  7. Malachi 3:2 : S Eze 7:7; S Da 7:13; S Joel 2:31; S Mt 16:27; Jas 5:8; 2Pe 3:4; S Rev 1:7
  8. Malachi 3:2 : S 1Sa 6:20
  9. Malachi 3:2 : S Isa 1:31; S 30:30; S Zec 13:9; Mt 3:10-12
  10. Malachi 3:2 : S Job 9:30
  11. Malachi 3:3 : S Da 12:10; S 1Co 3:13
  12. Malachi 3:3 : S 1Ch 23:28; S Isa 1:25
  13. Malachi 3:3 : S Job 28:1; S Ps 12:6; 1Pe 1:7; Rev 3:18
  14. Malachi 3:3 : S Ps 132:9
  15. Malachi 3:4 : 2Ch 7:12; Ps 51:19; Mal 1:11
  16. Malachi 3:4 : S 2Ch 7:3; S Eze 20:40
  17. Malachi 3:5 : S Ex 7:11; S Isa 47:9
  18. Malachi 3:5 : Ex 20:14; Jas 2:11; 2Pe 2:12-14
  19. Malachi 3:5 : Lev 19:11-12; S Jer 7:9
  20. Malachi 3:5 : S Lev 19:13; Jas 5:4
  21. Malachi 3:5 : S Ex 22:22
  22. Malachi 3:5 : S Ex 22:21; S Dt 24:19; S Eze 22:7
  23. Malachi 3:5 : S Dt 31:12; S Isa 1:2
  24. Malachi 3:6 : S Nu 23:19; S Heb 7:21; Jas 1:17
  25. Malachi 3:6 : S Job 34:15; S Hos 11:9
  26. Malachi 3:7 : S Ex 32:8; S Jer 7:26; Ac 7:51
  27. Malachi 3:7 : S Isa 44:22; S Eze 18:32
  28. Malachi 3:7 : S Zec 1:3; Jas 4:8
  29. Malachi 3:7 : S Mal 1:2
  30. Malachi 3:8 : S Zec 5:3
  31. Malachi 3:8 : S Lev 27:30; Nu 18:21; S Ne 13:10-12; Lk 18:12
  32. Malachi 3:9 : S Dt 11:26; 28:15-68; S Zec 5:3
  33. Malachi 3:10 : S Ex 22:29
  34. Malachi 3:10 : S Ne 13:12
  35. Malachi 3:10 : S 2Ki 7:2
  36. Malachi 3:10 : Isa 44:3
  37. Malachi 3:10 : S Lev 25:21; S Joel 2:14; 2Co 9:8-11
  38. Malachi 3:10 : S Joel 2:24
  39. Malachi 3:11 : S Ex 10:15; S Dt 28:39
  40. Malachi 3:11 : S Ex 23:26
  41. Malachi 3:12 : S Dt 28:3-12; Isa 61:9
  42. Malachi 3:12 : S Isa 62:4; S Eze 20:6
  43. Malachi 3:12 : S 2Ch 31:10
  44. Malachi 3:13 : Mal 2:17
  45. Malachi 3:13 : S Mal 1:2
  46. Malachi 3:14 : Ps 73:13; S Isa 57:10
  47. Malachi 3:14 : Ps 100:2; Jn 12:26; Ro 12:11
  48. Malachi 3:14 : S Jos 22:5; S Isa 1:14
  49. Malachi 3:14 : Isa 58:3
  50. Malachi 3:15 : S Ps 119:21
  51. Malachi 3:15 : Ps 14:1; 36:1-2; Jer 7:10
  52. Malachi 3:15 : S Job 21:7
  53. Malachi 3:16 : S Ps 34:15
  54. Malachi 3:16 : S Ex 32:32; S Ps 56:8; S 87:6; S Lk 10:20
  55. Malachi 3:16 : S Dt 28:58; S 31:12; Ps 33:18; S Pr 1:7; Rev 11:18
  56. Malachi 3:17 : Isa 43:21
  57. Malachi 3:17 : S Ex 8:22; S Dt 7:6; S Ro 8:14; S Tit 2:14
  58. Malachi 3:17 : Ne 13:22; Ps 103:13; Isa 26:20; Lk 15:1-32
  59. Malachi 3:17 : Ro 8:32
  60. Malachi 3:18 : S Ge 18:25
  61. Malachi 3:18 : Dt 32:4; Mt 25:32-33, 41
  62. Malachi 4:1 : S Da 7:13; S Joel 2:31; Mt 11:14; Ac 2:20
  63. Malachi 4:1 : S Isa 31:9
  64. Malachi 4:1 : S Isa 2:12
  65. Malachi 4:1 : S Isa 5:24; S Na 1:10
  66. Malachi 4:1 : S Isa 1:31
  67. Malachi 4:1 : S 2Ki 10:11; S Eze 17:8; S Mt 3:10
  68. Malachi 4:2 : S Dt 28:58; Ps 61:5; 111:9; Rev 14:1
  69. Malachi 4:2 : S Ps 118:27; S Isa 9:2; S 45:8; Lk 1:78; Eph 5:14
  70. Malachi 4:2 : S 2Ch 7:14; S Isa 30:26; S Mt 4:23; Rev 22:2
  71. Malachi 4:2 : S Isa 35:6
  72. Malachi 4:3 : S Job 40:12; Ps 18:40-42
  73. Malachi 4:3 : Eze 28:18
  74. Malachi 4:4 : S Dt 28:61; S Ps 147:19; Mt 5:17; 7:12; Ro 2:13; 4:15; Gal 3:24
  75. Malachi 4:4 : S Ex 3:1
  76. Malachi 4:4 : S Ex 20:1
  77. Malachi 4:5 : S 1Ki 17:1; S Mt 11:14; 16:14
  78. Malachi 4:5 : S Joel 2:31
  79. Malachi 4:6 : Lk 1:17
  80. Malachi 4:6 : S Isa 11:4; Rev 19:15
  81. Malachi 4:6 : S Dt 11:26; S 13:15; S Jos 6:17; S 23:15; S Zec 5:3
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Revelation 22

Eden Restored

22 Then the angel showed me the river(A) of the water of life,(B) as clear as crystal,(C) flowing(D) from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,(E) bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.(F) No longer will there be any curse.(G) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.(H) They will see his face,(I) and his name will be on their foreheads.(J) There will be no more night.(K) They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.(L) And they will reign for ever and ever.(M)

John and the Angel

The angel said to me,(N) “These words are trustworthy and true.(O) The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,(P) sent his angel(Q) to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

“Look, I am coming soon!(R) Blessed(S) is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”(T)

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.(U) And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet(V) of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll.(W) Worship God!”(X)

10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up(Y) the words of the prophecy of this scroll,(Z) because the time is near.(AA) 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”(AB)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

12 “Look, I am coming soon!(AC) My reward is with me,(AD) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.(AE) 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega,(AF) the First and the Last,(AG) the Beginning and the End.(AH)

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes,(AI) that they may have the right to the tree of life(AJ) and may go through the gates(AK) into the city.(AL) 15 Outside(AM) are the dogs,(AN) those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus,(AO) have sent my angel(AP) to give you[a] this testimony for the churches.(AQ) I am the Root(AR) and the Offspring of David,(AS) and the bright Morning Star.”(AT)

17 The Spirit(AU) and the bride(AV) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.(AW)

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:(AX) If anyone adds anything to them,(AY) God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.(AZ) 19 And if anyone takes words away(BA) from this scroll of prophecy,(BB) God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life(BC) and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

20 He who testifies to these things(BD) says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”(BE)

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.(BF)

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.(BG) Amen.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 22:16 The Greek is plural.

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 22:1 : Ps 36:8; 46:4
  2. Revelation 22:1 : ver 17; S Jn 4:10
  3. Revelation 22:1 : Rev 4:6
  4. Revelation 22:1 : Eze 47:1; Zec 14:8
  5. Revelation 22:2 : S Rev 2:7
  6. Revelation 22:2 : Eze 47:12
  7. Revelation 22:3 : Zec 14:11
  8. Revelation 22:3 : Rev 7:15
  9. Revelation 22:4 : S Mt 5:8
  10. Revelation 22:4 : S Rev 7:3
  11. Revelation 22:5 : Rev 21:25; Zec 14:7
  12. Revelation 22:5 : Isa 60:19, 20; Rev 21:23
  13. Revelation 22:5 : Da 7:27; Rev 20:4
  14. Revelation 22:6 : Rev 1:1
  15. Revelation 22:6 : Rev 21:5
  16. Revelation 22:6 : 1Co 14:32; Heb 12:9
  17. Revelation 22:6 : ver 16; Rev 1:1
  18. Revelation 22:7 : ver 12, 20; S Mt 16:27
  19. Revelation 22:7 : Rev 1:3; 16:15
  20. Revelation 22:7 : ver 10, 18, 19
  21. Revelation 22:8 : S Rev 1:1
  22. Revelation 22:8 : Rev 19:10
  23. Revelation 22:9 : ver 10, 18, 19
  24. Revelation 22:9 : Rev 19:10
  25. Revelation 22:10 : Da 8:26; Rev 10:4
  26. Revelation 22:10 : ver 7, 18, 19
  27. Revelation 22:10 : S Ro 13:11
  28. Revelation 22:11 : Eze 3:27; Da 12:10
  29. Revelation 22:12 : ver 7, 20; S Mt 16:27
  30. Revelation 22:12 : Isa 40:10; 62:11
  31. Revelation 22:12 : S Mt 16:27
  32. Revelation 22:13 : Rev 1:8
  33. Revelation 22:13 : S Rev 1:17
  34. Revelation 22:13 : Rev 21:6
  35. Revelation 22:14 : Rev 7:14
  36. Revelation 22:14 : S Rev 2:7
  37. Revelation 22:14 : S Rev 21:12
  38. Revelation 22:14 : S Rev 21:27
  39. Revelation 22:15 : Dt 23:18; 1Co 6:9, 10; Gal 5:19-21; Col 3:5, 6; Rev 21:8
  40. Revelation 22:15 : Php 3:2
  41. Revelation 22:16 : Rev 1:1
  42. Revelation 22:16 : ver 6
  43. Revelation 22:16 : Rev 1:4
  44. Revelation 22:16 : S Rev 5:5
  45. Revelation 22:16 : S Mt 1:1
  46. Revelation 22:16 : 2Pe 1:19; Rev 2:28
  47. Revelation 22:17 : Rev 2:7; 14:13
  48. Revelation 22:17 : S Rev 19:7
  49. Revelation 22:17 : S Jn 4:10
  50. Revelation 22:18 : ver 7, 10, 19
  51. Revelation 22:18 : Dt 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6
  52. Revelation 22:18 : Rev 15:6-16:21
  53. Revelation 22:19 : Dt 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6
  54. Revelation 22:19 : ver 7, 10, 18
  55. Revelation 22:19 : S Rev 2:7
  56. Revelation 22:20 : Rev 1:2
  57. Revelation 22:20 : ver 7, 12; S Mt 16:27
  58. Revelation 22:20 : 1Co 16:22
  59. Revelation 22:21 : S Ro 16:20
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 150

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.[a](A)

Praise God in his sanctuary;(B)
praise him in his mighty heavens.(C)
Praise him for his acts of power;(D)
praise him for his surpassing greatness.(E)
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,(F)
praise him with the harp and lyre,(G)
praise him with timbrel and dancing,(H)
praise him with the strings(I) and pipe,(J)
praise him with the clash of cymbals,(K)
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything(L) that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 150:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 6
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 31:25-31

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.(A)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise(B) at the city gate.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

12/30/2022 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 it is…it is a joy and an honor to be here with you today as we gather around the Global Campfire for the last couple of days of this year. And the Global Campfire’s not going anywhere. January 1st we just start over and go on a new adventure. But we’re down to the last couple of days of the adventure that we are currently on. So, we set sail a long time ago and now land is not only in sight. We can see where we’re gonna dock and the journey of this year is nearly complete. But we do have some territory to cover before we get there. And that leads us to the final book that we’re going to encounter this year, that being the book of Malachi.

Introduction to the book of Malachi:

Malachi is the 12th out of 12 minor prophets. The name Malachi means my messenger. And, so, there have been scholarly debates about whether the title of this book is the name of the author Malachi, or whether it’s a book titled “my messenger”. We’ll assume that the author was a prophet of God, named Malachi. And don’t know almost anything about Malachi. What we do know is in the book of Malachi, he was likely a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. And remember going through Ezra and Nehemiah, the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. And, so, this would be the time period that we’re moving into. Malachi lived about 100 years after the Persian Empire defeated the Babylonian empire who had defeated the kingdom of Judah and carried…well…and destroyed Jerusalem and carried everyone into exile. The Persian Empire began to let Hebrew exiles go back to their homeland, and it had been more than 50 years since the temple construction got underway under the prophetic voices of Haggai and Zechariah. But all the promises in those prophecies, the promises of restoration and the future prominence for the land were not fulfilled. The people were in their homeland, their ancestral homeland, but the…the glory of who they once were had not returned to them. And, so, they just existed as a tiny province of the Persian Empire, distant and discouraged. And because of that discouragement the people’s passion for God was also discouraged, which brought on moral and spiritual decline. Like, one of the things we find in Malachi is that sacrifices that were offered to God, they were supposed to be spotless and without blemish but the priests had begun to use the blind animals and blemished animals for sacrifice and the law was becoming more and more irrelevant as a part of their culture. And, so into this comes the voice of Malachi who was probably the final prophet in the Old Testament age and he came rebuking the doubting faithlessness of the people. And like so many of the other prophets that we’ve heard so many times inviting them to return to the Lord. Malachi will obviously lead us to the end of the year. It is the final book in what we call the Old Testament. And after his words, it would be another four hundred years before a prophetic voice emerged again and that prophetic voice had a name, John, a person that we know of as John the Baptist who we’ll be meeting again in the new year in just a few days. But after Malachi four centuries pass before he emerges and the arrival of Jesus. And, so, with that, we have talked about all the different books of the Bible we’ve kinda flown over them as we prepared to read them. The is last time we get to do that this year. Now, let’s dive into this final book that we get to encounter, Malachi. And today we’ll read chapters 1 and 2.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word and we thank You for 364 days consecutively together around a Global Campfire moving through the Scriptures allowing Your word to wash into our lives opening our hearts to You and allowing You to do the transformative work inside of us that we could never do for ourselves. We thank You for the ways that You have shifted our thinking, the ways that You have challenged our behavior, the ways that You have comforted us, the ways that You have been patient, which are beyond number. We thank You for Your mercy. We are grateful. We ask once again, as we have asked so many times that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, You would plant what we’ve read into the soil of our hearts, that in due season it will yield a crop and that that would be the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, and that it would be bountiful, that we would be giving it away everywhere. Come Holy Spirit, we pray. In the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

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And if you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible here in the last couple of days of the year, thank you profoundly, thank you humbly. We would not be here if we were not in this together. And, so, thank you deeply that we are. We are here around the Global Campfire taking the next step forward each and every day. And, so, if that has been meaningful to you 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.

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

Community Prayer and Praise:

Merry Christmas DAB family it’s Lisa calling from the West Coast. Thank you so much for all your prayers. My back health journey has taken a twist. It turns out I have cancer. So, that was pretty surprising. But to be honest it’s been pretty interesting. I think everything that I’ve learned from God over the last few years has really prepared me to be where I am. I’ve really just had a sense of peace from the beginning of my diagnosis, and I just really feel like God is telling me to really make sure I go out into the world and shine my light and His light. And, so, I wanna make sure that I’m using this time to bring others to God. Yesterday I had my first procedure and I just decided to wear, like a fun festive outfit and to cheer up all the doctors, nurses, and techs and everyone there. I had to be there basically around the holiday, and it was just the best experience. I just met amazing people and we had such a great time and I never would have expected that a scary procedure would be something that would be so positive not just for me but for other people. And it’s also just been amazing. My friends have been already really helpful with…with my back injury, you know, driving me places and helping me get groceries and lift things. And, so, now that it’s cancer it’s just been incredible. My friends have just come together, and I feel like…I just feel so loved. So, I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for anyone else who’s going through any kind of cancer diagnosis or any other health scares, just that God sees you and God helps you just feel a sense of peace in this time. Merry Christmas.

Hi Deb this is God’s Life Speaker I’m going to read from Brian’s epilogue in the daily devotional the God of Your Story. He writes, I don’t believe I have a final word in mind as we end our time together but I do have some final thoughts. We can now see that the Bible has given us a beginning and an end. In the process that has touched every soft spot and every stony place in our hearts. We can look in the mirror and truly understand how profoundly and humbly the Bible has come to guide us in the last year. If you’ve embraced journaling we’ve written quite a story and God has been involved in it more than ever. It is my earnest prayer that the dance you’ve begun with the scriptures continues for the rest of your life. You’ve proven that you can do it and you are not the same person you were a year ago because of it. Imagine what another year in the scriptures will do. Consider joining me along with 10s of thousands of your brothers and sisters around the world for the journey all over again on the Daily Audio Bible. One last thought, benedictions appear throughout the Bible, and this is Brian’s benediction. I’m going to skip down to it. 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 forevermore. Amen. Lord God, You know our hearts, You know each story. You have heard the beautiful Christmas party and Lord we pray that we can begin again together on the 1st of this coming year, so Lord I pray a blessing over each of the DABbers. Thank you, Brian and your entire family, and we just pray that You would be magnified Lord in each of our lives in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Hey family this is One Penny Saved from southwest Missouri, and I was just listening to Sneezing Jesus by Brian Hardin on Audible, and it just dawned on me that I need to encourage everyone to look into that to get Audible and download Sneezing Jesus and reframe. It would be great gifts. But I want to say that I have listened to this for so long at nighttime. And, so, that’s why when Brian made this Sleep album it was just such an incredible miracle to me because listening to Brian’s voice for like 15 years every single day of my life reading God’s word just brought such peace to me. And, so, I wanted to hear that at night, but I couldn’t. You know, Daily audio Bible doesn’t play through without stopping. So, I remembered the…the Audible books and I started listening to them and I just wanted you to know that you should listen to Sneezing Jesus. This time of year would be the greatest time because, as I said, this community has grown, it’s so obvious that we are today’s church. We are the church and Sneezing Jesus just opens your mind up to a new beautiful place and I’ve listened to it so many times and I will never stop listening. And I love you Brian for giving us the Sleep album. I gotta go. Love you guys. Merry Christmas. Happy new year.

Hey DAB family this is Gift of God calling on Christmas morning. Lord I’m calling for prayer Lord for my son Dorian. It’s Christmas and I haven’t been able to sleep. I got a call from Florida. He’s been arrested on Christmas morning hallucinating because he’d gotten a hold of some mushrooms or something that they’re doing now, some stuff. And I pray… Would you all pray with me? Pray for me rather and pray for him that he find salvation. I really do need this prayer. And I do not want my 2023 year to come in with him being locked up. And I knew you guys…you’re my family. I can call on you and I know you will pray for me and pray for him. His name is Dorian. Thank you.

Hi DAB family this is Laura in Colorado and I did not get a chance to call in a Christmas greeting but today is Christmas Day and I’ve been able to hear all of your wonderful voices driving home from a shift at the hospital where I’ll sleep and go back and do it all again. But it’s just so wonderful to hear your voices today on Christmas Day. And as we come to the end of another year, this is my third year finishing. On January 1st I’ll start my 4th year, which I can’t believe and how much I’ve just grown to love this community and the rhythm that that Brian brings to life of walking us through days and weeks and months and eventually years. And now starting to feel the rhythm of just, you know, what part of the year we listen to that part of the book and getting used to hearing Revelations through…through December as Brian was talking about. And this is kind of a bittersweet week. It’s like we’re coming to an end and then we get to start a beginning and it’s very exciting and I look forward to doing that with all of you. I’m also the nurse who’s been trying to adopt the abandoned baby from our NICU and I just wanted to let you know that she’s still with us. She’s with us for Christmas and some…some biological family has surfaced and we’re not really sure what will happen there. If you would just please continue to pray. We call her Anna. I realize I’ve never left a name. But we call her Anna and that God’s will just be done in her life, that if she’s meant to be with us that God will make away. And we know that you are all so faithful to pray. So, Merry Christmas…

Hello, my name is Miranda, and I live in the UK. I’m currently visiting my dear mother in Australia. I’ve been listening to the Daily Audio Bible for a year and it has been very transformational and essential to my everyday life. Thank you so so much all involved including the people who call in with their prayer requests. I’m so encouraged, so much so that I built up the courage to reach out for myself on this occasion. The Lord has called me to do ministry work and he called me during the time where I felt so very close to Him and I wanted to be obedient. __.  I’m struggling with issues with anger that I’ve had to…to deal with all my life. I am…it…it’s an anger that I’ve inherited from my father, and it impacts my marriage greatly and all my relationships and my day-to-day life. And I feel…I…I just feel so vulnerable and unable to…unable to be loving. I know that I can, I have been in the past, but I feel so disabled by this anger that just __ up within me. And I’m so concerned for the relationships around me. The people that I love, the people that I’m closest to seem to bear the brunt of it. So, I’m reaching out for prayer because I hear so many wonderful results from your faithful prayers and I’m trusting that when you lift me up, if you will kindly do so, that the Lord will address this issue. Thank you so very much. God bless.

Deep dive into the book of Revelation:

Part 11

Okay, so it’s no secret that tomorrow is the last day of the year. So, obviously we have come down to the final readings in the Bible, which means we have also come down to the final readings in the book of Revelation that we’ve been diving into this year. And in today’s reading we kind of turn the corner. What began as seven letters to seven churches turned into seven trumpets and seven bowls. And we spent a lot of time with a lot of disruption, and we’ve looked at many views from many angles that eventually led us to the…the great white throne of God and the final judgment and we passed through that yesterday in our reading. Now we get a picture of all things being made new and the imagery is riveting. And as we’ve gone through the book of Revelation we’ve looked figuratively, and we’ve looked literally in an attempt simply to get behind all of the things that have been said about the book of Revelation to try to get insight on what’s being said. So, we have to look at all things being made new from the same perspective as we prepare to end the book of Revelation and the Bible. So, let’s look literally at what we read today while doing what we’ve been doing all along, asking ourselves is this literal, this a literal thing that’s being said or is this a figurative thing that’s being said that represents something bigger that can…that can be said. So, after the great white throne judgment that we read about yesterday, we are greeted with the fact that a new heaven and a new earth have appeared. So, when you stop and think about that literally, a new heaven and a new earth, which would tell us that our ultimate destination is earth. Just apparently not this one. In the new earth there is no sea. The sea was gone. So, clearly that would be a very different earth. What we don’t know is if John is referring to like the Mediterranean Sea will be gone and how would that work. But if we just assume there are no oceans than a very different earth. And on this new earth John sees the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven to earth dressed like a bride ready for her husband. And a loud voice from the throne said, “God lives with humans. God will make His home with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God and He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there won’t be anymore death and there won’t be any more grief or crying or pain, because the first things have disappeared.” So, on this new earth that has no oceans God plans to actually dwell with people. And this is happening, the one sitting on the throne says, “I’m making everything new. I’m the first and the last. I’m the beginning and the end. And I’ll give a drink from the fountain filled with the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. It’s not gonna cost anything. Everyone who wins the victory will inherit these things. I’ll be there God. They’ll be my children.” And then he says, you know, cowardly, unfaithful, detestable…all of the people that have been judged earlier they don't…they don’t get to go into this new rest. And then continuing literally, one of the seven angels that had one of the seven bowls that were poured out on the earth at the end with the seven plagues came to John and said, “come, I’m going to show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And, so, John is carried by the angels power to a high mountain where he sees this new holy city, Jerusalem, coming from God out of heaven. And it’s obviously ornate with gates and jewels and angels and inscriptions. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel are on the 12 gates. There are 12 foundations and each foundation has the name of one of the 12 apostles of the Lamb written on it and it’s coming down from heaven to earth and it gets measured and it’s…it's…it’s a cube, it’s a big cube coming down out of heaven that is at cubed city coming down-to-earth and it’s measured…and its measurements are 12,000 stadia long, wide, and high. And 12,000 stadia equates to about 1600 miles or almost 2600 km. And, so, from literal perspective somehow this will work. The atmosphere of this new earth must be different because on the earth that we currently live on, I mean, if we just get 60 miles up we’re kind of in outer space. So, 1600 miles tall would be way out there in outer space. And the Angel is telling John that this 1600-mile cube coming out of the sky down-to-earth is the bride. And there is no temple in this…this new city because God himself and the Lamb are the temple and the city doesn’t need any exterior light like the sun or the moon because the glory of God illuminates it. And apparently because it has gates you can go in and out of it and…and Revelation says, “the nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. So, you can go in and out of it or at least some people can. And its gates never close. It’s opened all day. They…they don’t close because there isn’t any more night. So, it never gets dark outside. And everyone who would pass through the…the great judgment, their names…their…their names were found in the book of life, the Lamb’s book of life will be able to go into the city. So, that’s kind of a literal…literal look at what we read today. If we’re looking at this figuratively then there are a plethora of nuances. But indeed, a new heaven and a new earth are established. But this doesn’t necessarily mean different planets to the idea of first and second or old and new are used throughout the Bible. So, if you have an old covenant, a new covenant, a first Adam, a second Adam or language like the latter will be greater than the former. This is usually indicating the impermanence of the first and the permanence of the second. So, this second earth, this new earth certainly could be at a different planet, but from a figurative perspective, it would be a restored one, one in which evil does not exist, where pollution is gone, where corrupt political systems of governance do not exist, one in which the presence of God is immediate and tangible. Basically, an existence that is restored to shalom where nothing is broken and nothing is lost, all has been restored to perfection, there are no more goodbyes, one in which death does not exist and God wipes every tear from our eyes, one in which there is no grief or crying or pain, because those things do not exist anymore. This picture comes from the book of Isaiah, where it is said there will be a new heaven and new earth, and they will by no means remember the former. So, looking at that figuratively, the struggle to survive in a dark world while trying to remain true to Jesus unto death, that's…that’s over. That will never happen again. But when we did read about this new earth, literally, we found that it has no sea. So, there are no oceans. From a figurative view scholars just simply look at how this the sea was referenced in the rest of the book. So, it was seen as the origin of cosmic evil. It was referenced as the place of the unbelieving rebellious nations who attack and try to stamp out God’s people. It was referenced as the place of the dead. It was referenced as the seat of the world’s idolatry and evil trade activity. So, figuratively those things aren’t…aren’t a part of this new earth. So, sticking with this figurative view of the sea, then that means that on this new earth there’s no longer a threat from Satan or darkness or evil. Those have been permanently judged. They can never be a part of the new creation. And there won’t be any threat from a political, or corrupt, rebellious nations. They've…they’ve suffered the same fate is the devil. There won’t be any more death. So, there is no reason to have a place of the dead. And even the fear of the ocean itself as kind of a dark, murky, unpredictable place will be over. And this new city has 12 gates, each named after one of the 12 tribes of Israel with the foundation having 12 foundations, each having the names of the apostles, which would figuratively basically represent the completeness of God’s redemptive plan, that all who are within this city are essentially the true Israel, which is not an ethnic thing. And it’s not the structure itself, this 1600 mile cube that is going to somehow…this cube that isn’t alive is going to somehow become a bride. It's…it’s everyone within that sphere, and this is thought to be true because…because God uses marriage as a metaphor for his covenant with His people all throughout the Bible, even in devastatingly heartbreaking ways. So, God is probably not interested in being in a covenant relationship with a…with a literal structure. Rather, He wants union with his people - loyalty, allegiance and perfect intimacy. And God saying that He is the Alpha and Omega, you know, isn’t the Lord saying that He is two letters in an alphabet. It is to say that He is the beginning and the end, right? So, we see that very clearly as a figure of speech, so figuratively. But He’s saying as a way of reassurance, that He called creation into being at the beginning and has remained sovereign so we can be assured that all things will be made new because He is the beginning and end of it all. And those who win the victory or those who overcome or are overcomers will inherit all of this. And as we’ve seen from one of the main themes of this book that we’ve talked about several times over, an overcomer is the one who endures through whatever, until the end. And what we inherit is union and communion with God and all of the essentials that we need for an abundant life in His family are available. And it’s been pointed out that the look of this new Jerusalem, the way that is constructed with all of the precious stones remarkably parallels the description of the great whore of Babylon, right? So, on the one hand, John was told, I will show you the judgment of the great horror. And then he’s told, come, I will show you the bride. So, figuratively throughout this book Babylon was the dark, evil world system consolidated into a city name. So, those who look at this figuratively would say the same thing is happening here. One was an attempt to dominate and demand worship and it was full of the world’s people who went along with that. The other is true and is full of those who remained true. And we talked about that a lot when…when we were talking about the judgment of Babylon. But in terms of looking at this new city, figuratively and not as a structure, the illusions go to other parts of the Scripture that are…that are used figuratively. For example, when Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone that the builders rejected. I don’t think anybody thinks Jesus is a…is a piece of rock, is a stone. That would be figurative language. Or when Peter says in his first letter that we as believers are precious living stones. We can…we can take that figuratively pretty easily because no one thinks that their destiny ultimately is to become a stone. And, so, that’s why these things are seen figuratively in terms of this new city. And there won’t be a temple in this new city. So, if this city isn’t about the structure of the city, but about the people within it, then perhaps there isn’t a third temple to be built. But that is hotly debated. But figuratively the temple always represented the presence of God. Before there was a temple there was a tabernacle that represented the presence of God. So, in this new creation there’s no need for that. The presence of God is everywhere and is not hindered or impeded in any way. And what about the dimensions of this new city. I mean outside, it’s like 1600 hundred miles. It’s like 1500 or 1600 miles, I think 7 million feet tall. So, obviously an amazing structure. But in Revelation it’s described as 12,000 stadia. And the number 12 is symbolic throughout the Bible. So, there’s 12 tribes of Israel. There’s 12 apostles. In this new city there’s 12 angels at 12 gates. Earlier in Revelation there were 12,000 people from 12 tribes of Israel that made up 144,000. There were 12 precious stones in the breastplate of the priest. And we could go on and on. Many scholars affirm that the number 12 is a number signifying authority and completeness. So, when applied figuratively to the new Jerusalem it would represent the entire family of God, as opposed to a cubed city. So, there are a couple of ways of looking at what we’ve read today. And as with everything that we’ve talked about in the book of Revelation this is just the tip of the iceberg. But man, man, no matter whether this is literal or figurative or whatever this is gonna look like this is the unimpeded presence of God with no distractions in a world where evil does not exist and perfect union with God is completely normal. It’s a picture of how things were always supposed to be for us and it’s a promise that all things will be made new. And if there’s one thing that I’m certain of in my life it is that I want to be there. I want to stay true. I want to see all this and I'm…I’m sure in the end it will be completely different than I might imagine, or that any of us might imagine, but what I want more than anything is that first moment of pure ecstasy of the full presence of God, followed by the awareness that it never ends. Don’t you? And we can all be there. We can all overcome. And we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We get there by realizing that the end of what we think we know isn’t the end of anything. It is only the beginning.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for these pictures that describe what is beyond comprehension. We take the book of Revelation for what it is, a promise. And we invite her Holy Spirit to come seal us in Christ, that we might endure whatever comes our way, whatever time we are in. Come Holy Spirit we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday December 30, 2022 (NIV)

Malachi 1-2

A prophecy:(A) The word(B) of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.[a]

Israel Doubts God’s Love

“I have loved(C) you,” says the Lord.

“But you ask,(D) ‘How have you loved us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob,(E) but Esau I have hated,(F) and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland(G) and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.(H)

Edom(I) may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild(J) the ruins.”

But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish.(K) They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord.(L) You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great(M) is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’(N)

Breaking Covenant Through Blemished Sacrifices

“A son honors his father,(O) and a slave his master.(P) If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect(Q) due me?” says the Lord Almighty.(R)

“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.

“But you ask,(S) ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

“By offering defiled food(T) on my altar.

“But you ask,(U) ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table(V) is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals,(W) is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased(X) with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.(Y)

“Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings(Z) from your hands, will he accept(AA) you?”—says the Lord Almighty.

10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors,(AB) so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased(AC) with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept(AD) no offering(AE) from your hands. 11 My name will be great(AF) among the nations,(AG) from where the sun rises to where it sets.(AH) In every place incense(AI) and pure offerings(AJ) will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

12 “But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table(AK) is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food(AL) is contemptible.’ 13 And you say, ‘What a burden!’(AM) and you sniff at it contemptuously,(AN)” says the Lord Almighty.

“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices,(AO) should I accept them from your hands?”(AP) says the Lord. 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal(AQ) to the Lord. For I am a great king,(AR)” says the Lord Almighty,(AS) “and my name is to be feared(AT) among the nations.(AU)

Additional Warning to the Priests

“And now, you priests, this warning is for you.(AV) If you do not listen,(AW) and if you do not resolve to honor(AX) my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse(AY) on you, and I will curse your blessings.(AZ) Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

“Because of you I will rebuke your descendants[b]; I will smear on your faces the dung(BA) from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it.(BB) And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi(BC) may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. “My covenant was with him, a covenant(BD) of life and peace,(BE) and I gave them to him; this called for reverence(BF) and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction(BG) was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked(BH) with me in peace(BI) and uprightness,(BJ) and turned many from sin.(BK)

“For the lips of a priest(BL) ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger(BM) of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.(BN) But you have turned from the way(BO) and by your teaching have caused many to stumble;(BP) you have violated the covenant(BQ) with Levi,”(BR) says the Lord Almighty. “So I have caused you to be despised(BS) and humiliated(BT) before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality(BU) in matters of the law.”(BV)

Breaking Covenant Through Divorce

10 Do we not all have one Father[c]?(BW) Did not one God create us?(BX) Why do we profane the covenant(BY) of our ancestors by being unfaithful(BZ) to one another?

11 Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable(CA) thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves(CB) by marrying(CC) women who worship a foreign god.(CD) 12 As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord remove(CE) him from the tents of Jacob[d](CF)—even though he brings an offering(CG) to the Lord Almighty.

13 Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears.(CH) You weep and wail(CI) because he no longer looks with favor(CJ) on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.(CK) 14 You ask,(CL) “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness(CM) between you and the wife of your youth.(CN) You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.(CO)

15 Has not the one God made you?(CP) You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.[e](CQ) So be on your guard,(CR) and do not be unfaithful(CS) to the wife of your youth.

16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,(CT)” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,”[f](CU) says the Lord Almighty.

So be on your guard,(CV) and do not be unfaithful.

Breaking Covenant Through Injustice

17 You have wearied(CW) the Lord with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.(CX)

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased(CY) with them” or “Where is the God of justice?(CZ)

Footnotes:

  1. Malachi 1:1 Malachi means my messenger.
  2. Malachi 2:3 Or will blight your grain
  3. Malachi 2:10 Or father
  4. Malachi 2:12 Or 12 May the Lord remove from the tents of Jacob anyone who gives testimony in behalf of the man who does this
  5. Malachi 2:15 The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain.
  6. Malachi 2:16 Or “I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “because the man who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,”

Cross references:

  1. Malachi 1:1 : S Na 1:1
  2. Malachi 1:1 : Ac 7:38; Ro 3:1-2; 1Pe 4:11
  3. Malachi 1:2 : S Dt 4:37
  4. Malachi 1:2 : ver 6, 7; Mal 2:14, 17; 3:7, 13
  5. Malachi 1:2 : S Jer 46:27; Ro 9:13*
  6. Malachi 1:3 : Lk 14:26
  7. Malachi 1:3 : S Isa 34:10
  8. Malachi 1:3 : S Isa 13:22
  9. Malachi 1:4 : S Isa 11:14; S 34:11
  10. Malachi 1:4 : Isa 9:10
  11. Malachi 1:4 : S Isa 34:5
  12. Malachi 1:4 : S La 4:22; S Eze 25:12-14; S 26:14
  13. Malachi 1:5 : Ps 35:27; 48:1; Mic 5:4
  14. Malachi 1:5 : Isa 45:22; 52:10; S Am 1:11-12
  15. Malachi 1:6 : S Lev 20:9; Mt 15:4; 23:9
  16. Malachi 1:6 : Lk 6:46
  17. Malachi 1:6 : S Dt 31:12; S Isa 1:2
  18. Malachi 1:6 : Job 5:17
  19. Malachi 1:6 : S ver 2
  20. Malachi 1:7 : ver 12; Lev 21:6
  21. Malachi 1:7 : S ver 2
  22. Malachi 1:7 : S Eze 23:41
  23. Malachi 1:8 : S Lev 1:3; S Dt 15:21
  24. Malachi 1:8 : S Ge 32:20
  25. Malachi 1:8 : S Isa 43:23
  26. Malachi 1:9 : Lev 23:33-44; Ps 51:17; Mic 6:6-8; Ro 12:1; Heb 13:16
  27. Malachi 1:9 : S Jer 6:20
  28. Malachi 1:10 : 2Ch 28:24
  29. Malachi 1:10 : S Hos 5:6
  30. Malachi 1:10 : Lev 22:20
  31. Malachi 1:10 : ver 13; Isa 1:11-14; Jer 14:12; Mal 2:12
  32. Malachi 1:11 : S Isa 24:15; 56:6
  33. Malachi 1:11 : S Isa 6:3; S 12:4
  34. Malachi 1:11 : S Ps 113:3; S Mt 8:11
  35. Malachi 1:11 : Isa 60:6-7; Rev 5:8; 8:3
  36. Malachi 1:11 : S Isa 19:21; Heb 13:15
  37. Malachi 1:12 : S Eze 41:22
  38. Malachi 1:12 : S ver 7
  39. Malachi 1:13 : Isa 43:22-24
  40. Malachi 1:13 : S Nu 14:11
  41. Malachi 1:13 : S ver 10
  42. Malachi 1:13 : S Dt 15:21
  43. Malachi 1:14 : Ex 12:5; S Lev 22:18-21
  44. Malachi 1:14 : Ps 95:3; S Ob 1:21; 1Ti 6:15
  45. Malachi 1:14 : Jer 46:18
  46. Malachi 1:14 : S Dt 28:58
  47. Malachi 1:14 : Ps 72:8-11
  48. Malachi 2:1 : ver 7
  49. Malachi 2:2 : Jer 13:17
  50. Malachi 2:2 : Mt 15:7-9; Jn 5:23; 1Ti 6:16; Rev 5:12-13
  51. Malachi 2:2 : S Dt 11:26; S 28:20
  52. Malachi 2:2 : Nu 6:23-27
  53. Malachi 2:3 : S Ex 29:14; S Lev 4:11; S Job 9:31
  54. Malachi 2:3 : 1Ki 14:10
  55. Malachi 2:4 : S Nu 3:12
  56. Malachi 2:5 : Dt 33:9; Ps 25:10; 103:18; S Mt 26:28; S Lk 22:20; Heb 7:22
  57. Malachi 2:5 : S Nu 25:12
  58. Malachi 2:5 : S Dt 14:23; S 28:58; Ps 119:161; Heb 12:28
  59. Malachi 2:6 : S Dt 33:10
  60. Malachi 2:6 : S Ge 5:22
  61. Malachi 2:6 : Lk 2:14; S Jn 14:27; Gal 5:22
  62. Malachi 2:6 : S Ps 25:21
  63. Malachi 2:6 : S Ro 11:14; Jas 5:19-20
  64. Malachi 2:7 : S Jer 18:18
  65. Malachi 2:7 : S Nu 27:21; S 2Ch 36:15; Mt 11:10; Mk 1:2
  66. Malachi 2:7 : S Lev 10:11; S 2Ch 17:7
  67. Malachi 2:8 : S Ex 32:8; Jer 2:8
  68. Malachi 2:8 : S Jer 18:15
  69. Malachi 2:8 : Jer 33:21; S Eze 22:26
  70. Malachi 2:8 : S Hos 4:6
  71. Malachi 2:9 : S 1Sa 2:30; S Ps 22:6; S Jer 51:37
  72. Malachi 2:9 : S Ps 35:4; Jer 3:25; Ac 8:32-33
  73. Malachi 2:9 : S Ex 18:16; S Lev 19:15; Ac 10:34; Ro 2:11
  74. Malachi 2:9 : S 1Sa 2:17
  75. Malachi 2:10 : S Ex 4:22; Mt 5:16; 6:4, 18; Lk 11:2; 1Co 8:6
  76. Malachi 2:10 : S Job 4:17; Isa 43:1
  77. Malachi 2:10 : Ex 19:5; S 2Ki 17:15; Jer 31:32
  78. Malachi 2:10 : S Zep 3:3-4
  79. Malachi 2:11 : S Isa 1:13; S 48:8
  80. Malachi 2:11 : S Dt 4:37
  81. Malachi 2:11 : S Ne 13:23
  82. Malachi 2:11 : S Ex 34:16; Jer 3:7-9
  83. Malachi 2:12 : S 1Sa 2:30-33; S Eze 24:21
  84. Malachi 2:12 : S Nu 24:5; 2Sa 20:1
  85. Malachi 2:12 : S Mal 1:10
  86. Malachi 2:13 : S Jer 11:11
  87. Malachi 2:13 : Ps 39:12
  88. Malachi 2:13 : Ps 66:18; Jer 14:12
  89. Malachi 2:13 : Isa 58:2
  90. Malachi 2:14 : S Mal 1:2
  91. Malachi 2:14 : S Ge 21:30; S Jos 24:22
  92. Malachi 2:14 : S Pr 5:18
  93. Malachi 2:14 : S Eze 16:8; Heb 13:4
  94. Malachi 2:15 : S Ge 2:24; Mt 19:4-6
  95. Malachi 2:15 : S Dt 14:2; 1Co 7:14
  96. Malachi 2:15 : S Dt 4:15
  97. Malachi 2:15 : S Isa 54:6; 1Co 7:10; Heb 13:4
  98. Malachi 2:16 : S Dt 24:1; Mt 5:31-32; 19:4-9; Mk 10:4-5
  99. Malachi 2:16 : S Ge 6:11; 34:25; S Pr 4:17; S Isa 58:4
  100. Malachi 2:16 : Ps 51:10
  101. Malachi 2:17 : S Isa 1:14
  102. Malachi 2:17 : S Mal 1:2
  103. Malachi 2:17 : Ps 5:4
  104. Malachi 2:17 : S Ge 18:25; S Job 8:3; S Eze 18:25
New International Version (NIV)

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Revelation 21

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a](A) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,(B) and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City,(C) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,(D) prepared as a bride(E) beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.(F) They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.(G) ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.(H) There will be no more death’[b](I) or mourning or crying or pain,(J) for the old order of things has passed away.”(K)

He who was seated on the throne(L) said, “I am making everything new!”(M) Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”(N)

He said to me: “It is done.(O) I am the Alpha and the Omega,(P) the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost(Q) from the spring of the water of life.(R) Those who are victorious(S) will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.(T) But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars(U)—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.(V) This is the second death.”(W)

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues(X) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride,(Y) the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away(Z) in the Spirit(AA) to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.(AB) 11 It shone with the glory of God,(AC) and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,(AD) clear as crystal.(AE) 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates,(AF) and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.(AG) 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations,(AH) and on them were the names of the twelve apostles(AI) of the Lamb.

15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod(AJ) of gold to measure the city, its gates(AK) and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[c] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human(AL) measurement, and it was 144 cubits[d] thick.[e] 18 The wall was made of jasper,(AM) and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.(AN) 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.(AO) The first foundation was jasper,(AP) the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby,(AQ) the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[f] 21 The twelve gates(AR) were twelve pearls,(AS) each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.(AT)

22 I did not see a temple(AU) in the city, because the Lord God Almighty(AV) and the Lamb(AW) are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God(AX) gives it light,(AY) and the Lamb(AZ) is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.(BA) 25 On no day will its gates(BB) ever be shut,(BC) for there will be no night there.(BD) 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.(BE) 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,(BF) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(BG)

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 21:1 Isaiah 65:17
  2. Revelation 21:4 Isaiah 25:8
  3. Revelation 21:16 That is, about 1,400 miles or about 2,200 kilometers
  4. Revelation 21:17 That is, about 200 feet or about 65 meters
  5. Revelation 21:17 Or high
  6. Revelation 21:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 21:1 : S 2Pe 3:13
  2. Revelation 21:1 : S Rev 6:14
  3. Revelation 21:2 : ver 10; Ne 11:18; Isa 52:1; Rev 11:2; 22:19
  4. Revelation 21:2 : ver 10; Heb 11:10; 12:22; Rev 3:12
  5. Revelation 21:2 : S Rev 19:7
  6. Revelation 21:3 : Ex 25:8; 2Ch 6:18; Eze 48:35; Zec 2:10
  7. Revelation 21:3 : S 2Co 6:16
  8. Revelation 21:4 : S Rev 7:17
  9. Revelation 21:4 : Isa 25:8; 1Co 15:26; Rev 20:14
  10. Revelation 21:4 : Isa 35:10; 65:19
  11. Revelation 21:4 : S 2Co 5:17
  12. Revelation 21:5 : Rev 4:9; 20:11
  13. Revelation 21:5 : ver 4
  14. Revelation 21:5 : Rev 19:9; 22:6
  15. Revelation 21:6 : Rev 16:17
  16. Revelation 21:6 : Rev 1:8; 22:13
  17. Revelation 21:6 : Isa 55:1
  18. Revelation 21:6 : S Jn 4:10
  19. Revelation 21:7 : S Jn 16:33
  20. Revelation 21:7 : ver 3; 2Sa 7:14; 2Co 6:16; S Ro 8:14
  21. Revelation 21:8 : ver 27; Ps 5:6; 1Co 6:9; Heb 12:14; Rev 22:15
  22. Revelation 21:8 : S Rev 9:17
  23. Revelation 21:8 : S Rev 2:11
  24. Revelation 21:9 : S Rev 15:1, 6, 7
  25. Revelation 21:9 : S Rev 19:7
  26. Revelation 21:10 : Eze 40:2; Rev 17:3
  27. Revelation 21:10 : S Rev 1:10
  28. Revelation 21:10 : S ver 2
  29. Revelation 21:11 : ver 23; Isa 60:1, 2; Eze 43:2; Rev 15:8; 22:5
  30. Revelation 21:11 : ver 18, 19; Rev 4:3
  31. Revelation 21:11 : Rev 4:6
  32. Revelation 21:12 : ver 15, 21, 25; Rev 22:14
  33. Revelation 21:12 : Eze 48:30-34
  34. Revelation 21:14 : S Eph 2:20; Heb 11:10
  35. Revelation 21:14 : Ac 1:26; Eph 2:20
  36. Revelation 21:15 : Eze 40:3; Rev 11:1
  37. Revelation 21:15 : S ver 12
  38. Revelation 21:17 : Rev 13:18
  39. Revelation 21:18 : S ver 11
  40. Revelation 21:18 : ver 21
  41. Revelation 21:19 : Ex 28:17-20; Isa 54:11, 12; Eze 28:13
  42. Revelation 21:19 : S ver 11
  43. Revelation 21:20 : Rev 4:3
  44. Revelation 21:21 : S ver 12
  45. Revelation 21:21 : Isa 54:12
  46. Revelation 21:21 : ver 18
  47. Revelation 21:22 : Jn 4:21, 23
  48. Revelation 21:22 : S Rev 1:8
  49. Revelation 21:22 : S Rev 5:6
  50. Revelation 21:23 : S ver 11
  51. Revelation 21:23 : Isa 24:23; 60:19, 20; Rev 22:5
  52. Revelation 21:23 : S Rev 5:6
  53. Revelation 21:24 : ver 26; Isa 60:3, 5
  54. Revelation 21:25 : S ver 12
  55. Revelation 21:25 : Isa 60:11
  56. Revelation 21:25 : Zec 14:7; Rev 22:5
  57. Revelation 21:26 : ver 24
  58. Revelation 21:27 : Isa 52:1; Joel 3:17; Rev 22:14, 15
  59. Revelation 21:27 : S Rev 20:12
New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 149

Psalm 149

Praise the Lord.[a](A)

Sing to the Lord a new song,(B)
his praise in the assembly(C) of his faithful people.

Let Israel rejoice(D) in their Maker;(E)
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.(F)
Let them praise his name with dancing(G)
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.(H)
For the Lord takes delight(I) in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.(J)
Let his faithful people rejoice(K) in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.(L)

May the praise of God be in their mouths(M)
and a double-edged(N) sword in their hands,(O)
to inflict vengeance(P) on the nations
and punishment(Q) on the peoples,
to bind their kings with fetters,(R)
their nobles with shackles of iron,(S)
to carry out the sentence written against them—(T)
this is the glory of all his faithful people.(U)

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 149:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 31:10-24

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 [a]A wife of noble character(A) who can find?(B)
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband(C) has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.(D)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.(E)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.(F)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders(G) of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

12/29/2022 DAB Transcript

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

Today is the 29th day of the December, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it is a joy and an honor to be here with you today around the Global Campfire, as we settle into this peaceful oasis that we create for ourselves every day and take the next step forward together, regardless of what time of year it is. It just so happens that there’s only a couple of steps left in the year that we are in. So, we are in that in between week, between Christmas and New Year’s where we contemplate, quite a bit, about what the new year may look like and what we may achieve in it. We’re looking into the Scriptures to be a voice in that process, today and every day. So, let’s dive in and take the next step forward together. Our next step leads us back into the book of Zechariah. Today we will read Zechariah chapter 14.

Commentary:

Okay, so as we continue this journey through this week, the week between the holidays and every day that goes by it’s like, Christmas was just a few days ago but now we’re starting to feel like we’re moving in the direction toward the new year and a fresh start. And we’re thinking about what that starts looks like and what we’re going to do to improve ourselves in the coming year. Things that we’re gonna let go and leave in this year and not carryforward and things that we’re going to develop in the coming year, that weren’t a part of this year. We’re starting to think about all that kind of stuff. So, as we move through this week, we’re just looking into the Scriptures for the Bible to inform us, to speak and aim and direct us. And once again the Proverbs leap off the page, as they are prone to do so. And so, we have two sentences out of the Proverbs today that speak a lot more than two sentences. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy. This of course isn’t a brand-new concept and it’s not only a concept found in these couple of verses, this permeates through the Bible. How we take care of one another is a major theme. And we probably all agree with what the Proverb is saying, it’s just that the Proverb isn’t there to be agreed with and that’s it. Like, yes, I agree with that and now I step away from the Proverb and remain passive completely. The Proverb isn’t making suggestions about how to think about things, it is actually suggesting action. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. So, speak UP for those who cannot speak for themselves. Speak UP for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak UP and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Speaking up and defending aren’t ways to think about things, they’re things to do. And the thing that I hate, is that all I’m doing is reading the Bible and it’s so quickly that we can begin to run all this through the political nature of the day. But can we at least acknowledge like, this Proverb is older than any of those issues. Like the issues of injustice aren’t recent, they didn’t come with in the last century. For this Proverb to be written and to be preserved from thousands and thousands and thousands of years ago, mean that this was going on then, too. And it’s easy for us to absolve ourselves and go well, I voted a certain way and I have a certain set of convictions and that’s what I do and I’m absolved because I go to the polls. The Proverb isn’t speaking into any of the political structures of our day. This is thousands of years old. It’s saying speak up, speak up, defend, defend the poor, defend the needy. So, we have to pay attention to it. There may be any, any number of thousands of ways that we engage in observing what this Proverb is saying. And however, we feel like were being led to address or engage is fine, but it is really important that we don’t sidestep, or that we don’t turn a blind eye. This is really important. Especially maybe even as we think about that the coming new year in a few days, because what we think, like our sense of justice shapes our convictions and shapes who we are. And we have read nearly all of the Bible now, and we have watched prophets come to God’s people over and over and over again, telling them that they are oppressing people, that they were once oppressed, and God came and rescued them and now they are oppressing others. And we have, like I said, just about read the entire Bible. And so, we’ve seen the stories of how the bottom falls out, the erosion in the culture takes place, and eventually a downfall. And so, Proverbs isn’t really just giving us things to think about or a posture of heart to kind of carry around inside of ourselves. Justice is a defining characteristic of the people of God. And so, our sense of it will shape our new year. Whether we’re paying attention or not, but not wrestling with it and ignoring it, is ignoring one of the deepest understandings we have about God. That He is just, that He is good, that His heart is for the downtrodden, that His heart is for the outsider. We could be like, well then maybe you should do something, maybe you should bring justice to the poor. He did do something, He rescued you, He rescued me, so that we can participate in His work in this world and be a light in the darkness, the salt of the earth, the city on a hill, the hands and feet of Jesus, the body of Christ. The bearers of good news and participants in bringing God’s blessings upon the earth. And we have read this. One of the blessings is that no one is marginalized, the voiceless have voice, the poor and helpless are treated with justice. And so, I just, like even saying these things, I know that there’s nothing that I can do that will…will allow this to run through a nonpolitical filter. But it is indeed…indeed time to rise above it. We are the body of Christ, ambassadors of the most-high God. So, it’s not really about trying to win some sort of political victory. It’s about us getting out into the world and writing what is wrong and participating in putting back together what is broken, whatever that looks like, however that looks like, wherever that leads us, wherever God’s Holy Spirit leads us. And so, may we, well, may we get before the Lord and ask Him to begin to show us how we get to be apart, a participant in His ongoing and unstoppable work in this world.

Prayer:

And so, Father, that is our prayer, that You would lead and direct us. We have asked so many times this year that You would lead us into all truth, that is the same prayer today, that is what we seek, that we see clearly the truth and see clearly the path that You are marking for us to walk, that we my walk together with You and find the joy of restoration and participating in restoration, instead of hiding out and trying to duck all the destruction that’s around us. We can get out and be a part of what restores and puts things back together and brings good news. Help us, Holy Spirit to be available to You whenever, however You might lead us along these lines. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible. If this journey around the Global Campfire day-by-day, step-by-step is life-giving and brings good news and hope into your life, then thank you, profoundly, and with all humility for your partnership, here in the last days of the year. 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 P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.

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

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hi, Daily Audio Bible, this message, I believe, you know what, I didn’t get your name, so forgive me, but maybe, I think your son’s name is Mitchell. And you said you live in Huber Heights. Okay, so you will know where this is, I live, right now, right off of Little York Road. So, I think you know exactly where I live, so amazing. So, I’m just here until March, just helping my dad, my other siblings are helping. But I just felt that I needed to call and just pray for your son. You were saying, you know, he hopes he stays in, they make him stay in. Because yeah, the freezing weather, yeah for sure. But I’m just asking for encounter for your son. And I am asking for encounter for you, your wife or ex-wife, I didn’t get you quite, you know, which one. But God can encounter her, God would you do it. We ask for reconciliation for this family. We ask for miracles, and I thank You that the husband is giving it to God, yes. Thank You God. That’s what we should do every day, all of our situations, do we do that, yeah. Yeah, it can be hard, for sure. Yes, God but I just thank You God, we’re asking. This is a season of miracles, God. We ask for miracles for this man, for his son and for his wife/ex-wife, God, that You would reconcile. We just thank You for reconciliation. And sometimes it looks different than what we think. But we thank you God. We commit this situation into Your hand, and we ask You for this wisdom and mercy. Yeah, thank You God, deliverance, for his son. Yeah, in Yeshua’s name. Amen.

Hi DAB family, this is Jonathan from Denver. I’m calling on December 23rd at about 10 o’clock, Christmas eve eve. I hope you’re all having a good holiday season. I wanted to call and just ask for some prayer. I am really struggling. The Lord says that we are being made new and I just do not feel new at all right now. I feel like my old self is just hanging on to me for dear life, hanging onto me like rags, and it’s just stealing my joy, making it hard to function. And I’m just really worried as I go into this Christmas break, not really having anything to do for a few weeks that I’m gonna kinda spiral. So, I just humbly ask for all of your prayers. I’m catching up. I’m on track to be there with you all on December 31st, listening to the December 31st episode, which I’m very happy about. I was about a month and half behind a couple of weeks ago. I also wanted to real quick, pray for People on the Water. I heard his prayer just a few days ago about feeling lost and confused. You know, I’m coming through my senior year of college and I, I understand. Know that I’m praying for you. And know that it’s okay to feel heavy and it’s okay to feel confused. But as you feel heavy, as you feel confused, I hope somewhere in there you can know and find that Jesus see’s you and loves you and forgives you and is there. I’m praying for you bud. Thanks.

Good morning Daily Audio Bible community. This is Diane Olive and Jeff Brown from Newberg, Indiana. Shalom, Shalom, nothing is missing, and nothing is broken. And I want to respond to someone Junk to Treasure prayed for and she prayed that the Lord would help him to bridle his tongue. And I love horses. I have a passion for horses and believing for a 100-acre farm sometime. And the Lord showed me, and I want to give you this picture, because I learn from pictures. Picture one of the most, one of the best dressage horses in the world. And picture how the rider rides that horse. He bridles his tongue. He bridles his tongue. And he communicates with his…his beautiful dressage horse that could be a stallion or any kind of thoroughbred, with his tip of his toes. And maybe a nudge from his knees or his thighs. Or his heal. And he will slightly move and it. Think about Jesus. He wants us to be so in tune with Him that we bridle our tongues. We hear every whisper. We hear every nudge. We listen when he talks to us and we’re quick to hear, slow to ….

Hey, this is Jerry calling from Duluth, Minnesota. Happy New Year almost, we’ve made it another year 2022. And I think back when I first started the Daily Audio Bible in 2008 or nine and how many blessings and how many prayers have been answered as a result of the Daily Audio Bible in my life. When I got laid off in 2012 and started my own social media company and so many prayers for that. And today, I’ve had the best year ever. Not just financially but spiritually, grown so much with the Daily Audio Bible. And I found an incredible church, which I had the opportunity, by the way. I asked the pastor if I could share their video that’s on the website, introducing the Daily Audio Bible and share a brief word of what it’s meant in my life to our church. And he’s gonna let me do it on January 1st, perfect day. In front of hundreds and hundreds of people, it’s quite a large church. And so, would you pray about that. That God would lead many, many to join the family and become a part of the Global Campfire. Daniel Johnson Junior, Slave of Jesus and many more that I remember from many, many years ago, we’ve kind of grown up together spiritual in the Daily Audio Bible family. And just again, thank you for a great year, God and what You’re gonna do in 2023. Amen. God bless.

Hey DABers, it’s Valiant Val in Vegas. I just wanna say I love you. And I just have a need right now on my heart to pray for people that might be feeling lonely right now or might be feeling grief. I want you to know that God is with you, He loves you, He’s right there in the middle of the pain that you might be experiencing. And He cares for you. So, right now, Heavenly Father, please, Lord, go be a healing touch to anyone that might be feeling lonely or sad or having a sense of grief at this time of year, Lord, when so many others are so happy, God. Let them know, God, that they’re not alone. That this is not something to be ashamed of. I ask that right now, Lord, You help them to walk in it and to just be in it, God. And Lord, touch them and hold them and let them know that it won’t always be this way. That joy does come. Thank You, Heavenly Father. God, thank You for holding us up and for loving us, Lord. I love you all so much. And I pray that the God of peace gives you peace that surpasses all understanding. In the name of Jesus. Muah. I love you.

Howdy DAB family, this is Darren from College Station, Texas. I was just wanting to call upon my extending family to pray for understanding and a miracle in my marriage. My wife is…is Vietnamese and was raised Buddhist. We’ve been married for almost 15 years. And I finally reached out to my wife’s mother and asked her to release my wife from the chains that she’s in right now, of serving Buddha. And release her to seek and search for Jesus. So, if ya’ll can pray in agreement with me that the Holy Spirit will take over now that I have requested this of her mother, I appreciate it. Thank you, family.

Revelation Deep Dive - Part 11

Okay, so we have come to a point in the book of Revelation, where Satan meets his end and then there’s a thousand years, we gotta talk about, this millennial reign and then the final judgment. And over, over the course of church history, this section of Revelation has been hotly debated by biblical scholars, which means that it has been viewed and taught differently by different segments of the church, all who support their views by the Scriptures. And the problem of time, of sequence of chronology that…that is apparent throughout the book of Revelation, comes into play, as does the problem of whether to look figuratively or literally, come into play. So, we read from Revelation chapter 20 today, but we were just continuing a longer segment about the final judgment, the fall of Babylon. We talked about all of that and as the world system comes unglued and its foundations shaking, it falls apart. We saw some of the repercussions and implications of that, in light of Jesus judgment of the dark, ungodly forces of the world at the end of time, at the end of history as we know it. So, as we begin today, there’s an angel that comes from heaven, holding the key to the… the pit, the bottomless pit and he’s got a large chain. And he finds and overpowers the serpent, the devil, Satan and so, Satan is thrown into the pit for a thousand years. And this thousand years, is traditionally known as the millennium. There are so many views about the millennium that I’m not sure there’s any way to catalog them all in one place. But most of the thoughts about the millennium boil down to when will the millennium happen and is the millennium literally 1000 years. So, at its core, there are three ways of looking at the millennium, from which all of the other views spring. And they all seek to place the millennium in time, so that the order of events can be understood. So, some take what is known as a premillennial view and this is the view that the millennium begins at the second coming of Christ. Then there are those who take a post-millennial view, that is basically the view that when Jesus came, he inaugurated what we would call the church age. The church sprang up after Christ came and we are now in that age, the church age. And the millennium will be at the end of the church age and Jesus second coming will be at the end of the millennium. And then the third line of scholarship would take an a millennial view, which is basically to say that the millennium began at the moment of Christ’s resurrection and will then conclude at his second Advent, at his final coming. Part of the reason for these differing views, comes from trying to figure out what is to be taken literally and what is symbolic and then applying that discernment to the 1000 years. And this is certainly not the first or second time we’ve encountered this. So, basically you start with the author, John, who was exiled on an island in the Roman empire at a specific time in history. And since he’s living at a certain point in history, that…that’s his influence, it’s what he knows. But all of the things that he is seeing in the book of Revelation, he is seeing by way of vision. So, he’s seeing things that he doesn’t have a reference point for, he’s never seen this kind of thing before, but he has to filter it back through what he does understand. And because we as the readers do understand that what he’s seeing is in a vision, we have to determine what is literal and what is symbolic. So, some interpreters begin with a literal view and then work their way towards the symbolism, while others say most of this book is symbolic and begin with symbolism and work their way toward literal. They don’t always end up in the same place. So, for example, when John talks about 1000 years, he also talks about an angel with a chain, he talks about the abyss, the Dragon, the serpent, the beast. And most commentators would say this is symbolic language, the same kind of symbolic language used throughout the entire book. There have been plenty of other numbers used in the book of Revelation that have been looked at both from a literal and a figurative view. So, you know, John has this vision that we’re talking about right now, when which thousand years is made mention of, along with a bunch of some symbolism. So, it has to be determined is the thousand years a symbol as well and what is it a symbol of, if it is a symbol. So, all kinds of divergent thoughts and problems arise in the midst of all of this. So, the angel captures the devil, throws him into this bottomless pit for thousand years and the Scriptures tell us why, the angel shut and sealed the pit over the serpent to keep it from deceiving the nations anymore, until the thousand years were over. So, the question becomes when, when is Satan bound and thrown into this pit. Some would say that this is not yet happened but is something that will happen in the future. While others would say this happened as a direct result of Christ’s resurrection. So, Jesus death, burial, and resurrection were a decisive defeat of Satan and the dark forces of evil. And Satan’s defeat at the cross is supported all throughout the Scriptures. So, if that is connected to what we’re seeing in Revelation 20, then Satan was restrained in this pit and Jesus triumphal resurrection. So, with that way of thinking then Satan is restrained currently and will be restrained between the first and second coming of Jesus. So, if you’re following that line of reasoning, the question becomes in what way is Satan bound? Revelation says that the angel shut and sealed the pit over the serpent to keep it from deceiving the nations anymore, until the thousand years were over. So, that would mean that its ability to completely deceive has been restrained. And some theologians have defended that, with many Scriptures but Jesus saying in the gospel of Mark, no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man, then indeed he may plunder his house, is one of them. So, if this view is correct and Satan was defeated at the cross and restrained in his ability to deceive. So why is deception still all over the place if that would be the case. This would take us all the way back to the first deception, where Adam and Eve made a choice. They had an uninhibited relationship with God but they believed a lie. So, in that case we could say that this the deceiver, the serpent was victorious and was able to dominate humanity through deception. But then Jesus came and defeated the evil one, restoring humanity and like Eden can only be successful at deception if we allow it. In other words, Satan has no dominion over us that we don’t give him or as Jesus says in Matthew 18, truly I tell you whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. So, following this forward, in the end Satan will be released for a short time from this restraint, right. So, in this pit. This is where you go like, this, is this is allegorical or is this literal, is Satan going to be or is he currently, actually in a bottomless pit that is actually locked with a key or will he no longer be restrained in his deceptions. If it’s the figurative view then this short time that the evil one is released or unrestrained in his deception will have a polarizing effect, the sheep and the goats will be clear because Satan will be doing everything that he possibly can to make life very, very trying for those who are true to Jesus, who are keeping their lampstands burning, who are holding true to their witness. So, that those who are not so deeply in love with Jesus that they’re willing to physically die because they know this isn’t the end of anything, will be clear. While those who have many nominal faith or you know, socially engaged in their faith or whatever, though, be unwilling to endure these difficulties and this is part of Jesus’s sovereign plan. Which could on the one hand look harsh and on the other hand, we’d have to say, Jesus is not asking anyone to do anything He didn’t do first. In other words, God is not asking anything of anyone that He wasn’t willing to do Himself. So, then this whole plan of restoration, of making all things new, starts to become apparent. Satan gained dominion over humanity because of his deception of Adam and Eve and their falling for it. God chose Abraham and raised up a people that were set apart to Him but because of Satan’s deception, they were unable to be a light to the nations. Through deception Israel had an on-again off-again relationship with God, whereby they broke the covenant, which led to spiritual and physical oppression. They were conquered and carried into exile by foreign nations and ruled over by foreign nations. As Satan continued his work of deception in the world and then Jesus came. Satan attacked Jesus and it looked like he was victorious because Jesus was put to death. But then Jesus was resurrected, taking dominion back from Satan. So, from this view then, Jesus is building His church, that began with His ministry. It is being built currently and the gates of hell will not prevail over it, because the keys of the kingdom have been given to the church and the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the deception of the evil one. But at some point, Satan is unrestrained and does everything possible to stamp out God’s people on this earth. And without God’s intervention would be successful, but God intervenes and Satan is thrown into the lake of fire forever. Satan is restrained from deceiving the nations because we’re supposed to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. So, what about the millennium, what about the thousand years? This gets contentious depending on whether it’s a literal view you’re taking or figurative view. If we’re taking a straight up straight, literal view, those who had been beheaded for the cause of Christ will rule with him for a thousand years. The rest of the dead will live after the thousand years are over. So, even those taking a more literal view of this, don’t take it to mean literally only beheaded Christians, rather, they would look more figuratively and say martyrs. This view certainly has its place in church history. During times of open persecution, some longed for martyrdom, but they certainly were all martyred. They would certainly weren’t killed, all by beheading right, so some were stone, some were thrown to the wild beasts, while others were crucified, just to name a few. So, there have been those all along, including today, who would long for martyrdom because of the apparent promise in Revelation, which says this is the first time that people come back to life, blessed and holy are those who are included the first time that people come back to life. The second death has no power over them, they will continue to be priests of God and Christ and they will rule with him for 1000 years. So, the idea is that if you die a martyr’s death, you’ll be the first to rise, will reign with Christ and you have no fear of the second death, nothing can ever touch you again. If you’re taking a more figurative view than the thousand years isn’t a literal, chronological number. And the reason that many theologians and scholars think this, is because they believe that numbers are used figuratively elsewhere in the book of Revelation, the language like the bottomless pit etc., seems to be figurative. So, most of what John is talking about here, seems to be figurative. The book of Revelation itself, seems to be largely figurative. The number 1000 used in the Old Testament is used figuratively and in early Jewish and early Christian writings 1000 years was used as a metaphor for eternal blessing. So, if you take that figurative view and follow it out, in Christ defeated Satan at the cross, Satan was then restrained. Believers experience the first resurrection at the moment they believe, or some would say at the moment of their baptism right, so the person that you were before you knew Christ has died and you have been resurrected into new life with Christ, no longer dominated by the deception of the evil one and you are now reigning with Christ. The thrones then wouldn’t be literal pieces of furniture, but rather the status of believers who are in Christ, and if we’re continuing to look figuratively at the martyrs, then we’re not just talking about only those people who died by being beheaded. And for that matter, we’re not just talking about people who were martyred in any way, we’re talking about those who were obedient, to one of the main themes of this book. Those who endured to the end, no matter what, they will not experience the second death. So, in other words, those who are in Christ have already died to who they were without Jesus and were raised to new life in Him. The second death is eternal separation from God or the fiery lake or outer darkness or however you view that, but believers won’t experience it, because Jesus is the firstborn of this new family of God, and we have followed Him. We are in His kingdom. We are His kingdom. 

Okay, so moving us forward, no matter how you view this, Satan is set free for a short time to deceive as many as possible, which results in an attempt to stamp out God’s people for good, fire falls from heaven, whether literally or figuratively. Satan loses the battle and is thrown into the fiery lake of sulfur forever and ever. And then we find ourselves before the great white throne of God. The first thing that we see is that the earth and the sky fled from his presence, but no place was found for them. So, this is striking imagery and most agree that this is the passing away of the world as we know it, making way for a new heaven and a new earth, all things being made new. This is the final judgment. The books are opened, whether literally or figuratively and the final judgment occurs. So, what we call the book of life is actually the book of life of the Lamb who was slain or the book of life of the Lamb. And those whose names are in that book are those who have been sealed in Christ. Right, they have the seal of God on their forehead. These people go through the judgment but do not suffer what they would otherwise deserve, because Jesus suffered that on their behalf. And that is about the best news I have ever heard. And pulling together all that we’ve read in Revelation, those are the ones who were true. Those are the ones who endured until the end, no matter what happened. Those who are willing or did lose their lives on account of the gospel. Those who kept their witness burning, those who are pure and true to Jesus.

Prayer:

And Jesus, we want this to be a description of who we are. And we are well aware of the deceptions we have fallen for and continue to fall for and yet clearly, it doesn’t have to be that way. You have promised that Your Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth. And so, that’s what we ask for. You would lead us into all truth, every step we take, every thought we have, every word we speak, everything about us, may everything about us, radiate Your glory into this world. May our very lives be a living testimony to who You are and may we be true You no matter what happens, no matter what comes our way, may we endure. Come, Holy Spirit, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday December 29, 2022 (NIV)

Zechariah 14

The Lord Comes and Reigns

14 A day of the Lord(A) is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions(B) will be plundered and divided up within your very walls.

I will gather all the nations(C) to Jerusalem to fight against it;(D) the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped.(E) Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.(F) Then the Lord will go out and fight(G) against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle.(H) On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,(I) east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split(J) in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake[a](K) in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come,(L) and all the holy ones with him.(M)

On that day there will be neither sunlight(N) nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique(O) day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night.(P) When evening comes, there will be light.(Q)

On that day living water(R) will flow(S) out from Jerusalem, half of it east(T) to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.(U)

The Lord will be king(V) over the whole earth.(W) On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.(X)

10 The whole land, from Geba(Y) to Rimmon,(Z) south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up(AA) high from the Benjamin Gate(AB) to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate,(AC) and from the Tower of Hananel(AD) to the royal winepresses, and will remain in its place.(AE) 11 It will be inhabited;(AF) never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.(AG)

12 This is the plague with which the Lord will strike(AH) all the nations that fought 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.(AI) 13 On that day people will be stricken by the Lord with great panic.(AJ) They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another.(AK) 14 Judah(AL) too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected(AM)—great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. 15 A similar plague(AN) will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.

16 Then the survivors(AO) from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship(AP) the King,(AQ) the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.(AR) 17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship(AS) the King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain.(AT) 18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The Lord[b] will bring on them the plague(AU) he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.(AV) 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.(AW)

20 On that day holy to the Lord(AX) will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots(AY) in the Lord’s house will be like the sacred bowls(AZ) in front of the altar. 21 Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy(BA) to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day(BB) there will no longer be a Canaanite[c](BC) in the house(BD) of the Lord Almighty.(BE)

Footnotes:

  1. Zechariah 14:5 Or My mountain valley will be blocked and will extend to Azel. It will be blocked as it was blocked because of the earthquake
  2. Zechariah 14:18 Or part, then the Lord
  3. Zechariah 14:21 Or merchant

Cross references:

  1. Zechariah 14:1 : Isa 13:6; S Joel 1:15; Mal 4:1
  2. Zechariah 14:1 : S Isa 23:18
  3. Zechariah 14:2 : S Isa 2:3; S Zec 12:3
  4. Zechariah 14:2 : S Eze 5:8
  5. Zechariah 14:2 : S Ge 34:29; S La 5:11
  6. Zechariah 14:2 : Isa 13:6; S Zec 13:8
  7. Zechariah 14:3 : Zec 9:14-15
  8. Zechariah 14:3 : S Isa 8:9; S Zec 12:9
  9. Zechariah 14:4 : Eze 11:23
  10. Zechariah 14:4 : S Nu 16:31
  11. Zechariah 14:5 : Am 1:1
  12. Zechariah 14:5 : Isa 29:6; 66:15-16
  13. Zechariah 14:5 : S Dt 33:2; Mt 16:27; 25:31; Jude 14
  14. Zechariah 14:6 : S Isa 13:10; S Jer 4:23
  15. Zechariah 14:7 : Jer 30:7
  16. Zechariah 14:7 : Rev 21:23-25; 22:5
  17. Zechariah 14:7 : S Isa 13:10; S 30:26
  18. Zechariah 14:8 : Eze 47:1-12; Jn 7:38; Rev 22:1-2
  19. Zechariah 14:8 : S Isa 30:25
  20. Zechariah 14:8 : Joel 2:20
  21. Zechariah 14:8 : S Ge 8:22
  22. Zechariah 14:9 : S Ps 22:28; S Ob 1:21
  23. Zechariah 14:9 : S Dt 6:4; Ps 47:7; Isa 45:24; Rev 11:15
  24. Zechariah 14:9 : Hab 2:14; Eph 4:5-6
  25. Zechariah 14:10 : 1Ki 15:22
  26. Zechariah 14:10 : S Jos 15:32
  27. Zechariah 14:10 : Isa 2:2; Jer 30:18; S Am 9:11
  28. Zechariah 14:10 : S Jer 20:2
  29. Zechariah 14:10 : S 2Ki 14:13
  30. Zechariah 14:10 : S Ne 3:1
  31. Zechariah 14:10 : Zec 12:6
  32. Zechariah 14:11 : Zec 2:4
  33. Zechariah 14:11 : S Ps 48:8; S Eze 34:25-28
  34. Zechariah 14:12 : S Isa 11:4
  35. Zechariah 14:12 : ver 18; S Lev 26:16; S Dt 28:22; Job 18:13
  36. Zechariah 14:13 : S Ge 35:5
  37. Zechariah 14:13 : S Jdg 7:22; S Zec 11:6
  38. Zechariah 14:14 : Zec 12:2
  39. Zechariah 14:14 : S Isa 23:18
  40. Zechariah 14:15 : ver 12
  41. Zechariah 14:16 : S 2Ki 19:31
  42. Zechariah 14:16 : S Ps 22:29; S 86:9; S Isa 19:21
  43. Zechariah 14:16 : S Ob 1:21
  44. Zechariah 14:16 : S Ex 23:16; Isa 60:6-9; S Mic 4:2
  45. Zechariah 14:17 : S 2Ch 32:23
  46. Zechariah 14:17 : S Jer 14:4; S Am 4:7
  47. Zechariah 14:18 : S Ge 27:29
  48. Zechariah 14:18 : S ver 12
  49. Zechariah 14:19 : S Ezr 3:4
  50. Zechariah 14:20 : S Ex 39:30
  51. Zechariah 14:20 : S Eze 46:20
  52. Zechariah 14:20 : Zec 9:15
  53. Zechariah 14:21 : S Jer 31:40; Ro 14:6-7; 1Co 10:31
  54. Zechariah 14:21 : Ne 8:10
  55. Zechariah 14:21 : Zec 9:8
  56. Zechariah 14:21 : S Ne 11:1
  57. Zechariah 14:21 : S Eze 44:9
New International Version (NIV)

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Revelation 20

The Thousand Years

20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,(A) having the key(B) to the Abyss(C) and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,(D) and bound him for a thousand years.(E) He threw him into the Abyss,(F) and locked and sealed(G) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations(H) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

I saw thrones(I) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.(J) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded(K) because of their testimony about Jesus(L) and because of the word of God.(M) They[a] had not worshiped the beast(N) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.(O) They came to life and reigned(P) with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.(Q) Blessed(R) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death(S) has no power over them, but they will be priests(T) of God and of Christ and will reign with him(U) for a thousand years.

The Judgment of Satan

When the thousand years are over,(V) Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations(W) in the four corners of the earth(X)—Gog and Magog(Y)—and to gather them for battle.(Z) In number they are like the sand on the seashore.(AA) They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded(AB) the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.(AC) But fire came down from heaven(AD) and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them,(AE) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,(AF) where the beast(AG) and the false prophet(AH) had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.(AI)

The Judgment of the Dead

11 Then I saw a great white throne(AJ) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,(AK) and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small,(AL) standing before the throne, and books were opened.(AM) Another book was opened, which is the book of life.(AN) The dead were judged(AO) according to what they had done(AP) as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades(AQ) gave up the dead(AR) that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.(AS) 14 Then death(AT) and Hades(AU) were thrown into the lake of fire.(AV) The lake of fire is the second death.(AW) 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life(AX) was thrown into the lake of fire.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 20:4 Or God; I also saw those who

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 20:1 : Rev 10:1; 18:1
  2. Revelation 20:1 : Rev 1:18
  3. Revelation 20:1 : S Lk 8:31
  4. Revelation 20:2 : S Mt 4:10
  5. Revelation 20:2 : Isa 24:22; S 2Pe 2:4
  6. Revelation 20:3 : ver 1
  7. Revelation 20:3 : Da 6:17; Mt 27:66
  8. Revelation 20:3 : ver 8, 10; Rev 12:9
  9. Revelation 20:4 : Da 7:9
  10. Revelation 20:4 : Mt 19:28; Rev 3:21
  11. Revelation 20:4 : Rev 6:9
  12. Revelation 20:4 : S Rev 1:2
  13. Revelation 20:4 : S Heb 4:12
  14. Revelation 20:4 : S Rev 13:12
  15. Revelation 20:4 : S Rev 13:16
  16. Revelation 20:4 : ver 6; Rev 22:5
  17. Revelation 20:5 : ver 6; Lk 14:14; Php 3:11; 1Th 4:16
  18. Revelation 20:6 : Rev 14:13
  19. Revelation 20:6 : S Rev 2:11
  20. Revelation 20:6 : S 1Pe 2:5
  21. Revelation 20:6 : ver 4; Rev 22:5
  22. Revelation 20:7 : ver 2
  23. Revelation 20:8 : ver 3, 10; Rev 12:9
  24. Revelation 20:8 : Isa 11:12; Eze 7:2; Rev 7:1
  25. Revelation 20:8 : Eze 38:2; 39:1
  26. Revelation 20:8 : S Rev 16:14
  27. Revelation 20:8 : Eze 38:9, 15; Heb 11:12
  28. Revelation 20:9 : Eze 38:9, 16
  29. Revelation 20:9 : Ps 87:2
  30. Revelation 20:9 : Eze 38:22; 39:6; S Rev 13:13
  31. Revelation 20:10 : ver 3, 8; Rev 12:9; 19:20
  32. Revelation 20:10 : S Rev 9:17
  33. Revelation 20:10 : Rev 16:13
  34. Revelation 20:10 : Rev 16:13
  35. Revelation 20:10 : Rev 14:10, 11
  36. Revelation 20:11 : S Rev 4:2
  37. Revelation 20:11 : S Rev 6:14
  38. Revelation 20:12 : S Rev 19:5
  39. Revelation 20:12 : Da 7:10
  40. Revelation 20:12 : ver 15; Ex 32:32; Dt 29:20; Da 12:1; Mal 3:16; Lk 10:20; Rev 3:5; 21:27
  41. Revelation 20:12 : Rev 11:18
  42. Revelation 20:12 : Jer 17:10; S Mt 16:27
  43. Revelation 20:13 : Rev 1:18; 6:8
  44. Revelation 20:13 : Isa 26:19
  45. Revelation 20:13 : S Mt 16:27
  46. Revelation 20:14 : 1Co 15:26
  47. Revelation 20:14 : ver 13
  48. Revelation 20:14 : S Rev 19:20
  49. Revelation 20:14 : S Rev 2:11
  50. Revelation 20:15 : S ver 12
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 148

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord.[a](A)

Praise the Lord from the heavens;(B)
praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;(C)
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.(D)
Praise him, sun(E) and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens(F)
and you waters above the skies.(G)

Let them praise the name(H) of the Lord,
for at his command(I) they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree(J) that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord(K) from the earth,
you great sea creatures(L) and all ocean depths,(M)
lightning and hail,(N) snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,(O)
you mountains and all hills,(P)
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals(Q) and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings(R) of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,(S)
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor(T) is above the earth and the heavens.(U)
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b](V)
the praise(W) of all his faithful servants,(X)
of Israel, the people close to his heart.(Y)

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 148:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 14
  2. Psalm 148:14 Horn here symbolizes strength.
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 31:8-9

Speak(A) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.(B)

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

12/28/2022 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 and it is fantastic to be here with you today as we enjoy a sort of the final stretch of the year. Mere days, not weeks or months, mere days until we get a fresh start and a brand-new shiny sparkly new year, and we get to do it again. But that is getting out in front of ourselves by at least a few days. We have these few days to work through together. I’m excited we can take these steps toward the end of the year as a community around the Global Campfire. And our next step leads us back into the book of Zechariah. Today we will read chapters 12 and 13.

Commentary:

Okay, so we are continuing our journey through the last week of the year. This strangest of all weeks…maybe not strangest of all weeks…I don’t know…it’s one of the strangest weeks of the year for me to experience, that…that…it’s like a lull before a brand-new start. And even if it’s a busy week, even if it’s got travel in it or whatever’s going on, it’s just different than any other week of the year. It’s almost like inside in our interior lives we can sense that something is coming to a close and that there is a new beginning, which is why we begin to think of what the new beginning is gonna look like, which is why we ultimately end up forming our New Year’s resolutions. I’m not sure we would do that if there weren’t this lull. It’s like Christmas comes and then New Year’s comes and there’s this one week gap, where even if it’s a normal week it still feels a little different than any other week. And I’m starting to see things show up in the news and on social media, like these sort of reflective posts, or like a look back at the year and some of the major events that happened in the year. And then we read through those articles and go, I forgot about that, that was this year or, you know, like people we lost this year in entertainment or sports, like people who are celebrated, are celebrities, people who are known who we’ve lost this year. And, so, as we move through this we also look to the Scriptures, especially since we’re being a little more reflective than normal and setting some goals and making some hopes and dreams for what this brand-new sparkly year that is upon us is going to look like, we look to the Scriptures to speak into that and give us some things to carry forward, which is what the Scriptures have been doing all year and this week is no different. In the book of Psalms today we have something to carry us forward toward the new year. In the Psalms we’re told, “the Lord delights in those who fear Him who put their hope in His unfailing love.” So, hope is the expectancy, the…the longing, the waiting for something that we desire to come to pass. We have all kinds of hopes, and we have desired outcomes attached to those different hopes. Like for example, if we have a career and we have a family and we’re thinking about what the later years of our lives might look like and we’re having those kind of conversations and thoughts, we decide what we need to do is to save money. Like, we need to save money so that we can have some stability and some predictability as we get older. That’s not an uncommon thought. There are all kinds of TV commercials inviting us into that…that scenario and that…that conversation. And, so, we take a little bit of money that we have, and we put it into some kind of fund for our retirement, for our later years, and we add to it and then we wait because those latter years haven’t come yet. And what we’re doing is saving up, putting hope in the expectation that we will have the resources that we need later. The kind of person that Psalms is describing today is a person who has invested their hope. And what they are investing their hope in is the unfailing love of God. And what would the payoff be? That the Lord might delight in them. So, here’s the deal. We might be making resolutions. Most of the resolutions that we make are focused around ourselves or include ourselves, whether…whether it’s a spiritual goal or whether it’s just a goal like to get more healthy or to get a better job. And that’s not inherently selfish. We’re reflecting on how to improve, how to be better people. But if we stop, take two steps back from that list for a second and think, how might my life be changed if my goal were to become the Lord’s delight? How can I invest in that? Put all your help chips in one basket. Put your hope in God and be in awe and fear of the Lord and then wait, wait expectantly in His unfailing love, and the Lord will delight in you. That has got to go on the list, right? And then we realize so many of our goals are outside in, right? If can rearrange things, if I can get a promotion, if I can get more healthy, if I can save more money, then…then how my life feels will be better when actually it’s inside out. A piece of the Lord with in us spills out into every eventuality of our lives. And, so, let’s give it some thought today in these final days of the year, that we invest our hope in God and wait expectantly in his unfailing love, and the Lord will delight in us.

Prayer:

Father, that is our desire that You would delight in us, we Your children, that we would make You proud. And throughout this year and throughout the Scriptures we have learned that we are, whether…whether we recognize it or not, we are utterly dependent upon You. There is nowhere else to put our hope. And, so, our hope is in You, and we wait expectantly in Your unfailing love, that You might delight in us. Come Holy Spirit and lead us into what that looks like for us as we contemplate the changing of the year we pray in the name of Jesus expectantly. Amen.

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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:

Hello DAB family it’s December 22 and this is Craig from southwest Sweden __. I thank the Lord for Brian and DAB. First Corinthians 14:20 reminds me that the Holy Spirit brings out adult thinking, maturity, and innocence regarding evil. And I can hear this in the Hardin family when they read and their comments around what they read in the Bible. We stick around, we grow. I’m praying for my wife to be relieved from work stress. Her idea is to retire to work part time and I’m studying language and I haven’t been able to…to…to find work so far because of needing to finish my course. I’m trying to find something I can do in the meantime in a country where English isn’t the first language. I’m praying for my mother-in-law Ava to stop throwing up all of the food that she eats immediately after eating and for her heart will hold up and that she won’t feel so much pain as she goes through life. So, it’s for work stress of Magita and for my mother-in-law. Thank you. So, I missed family Christmas. So, I just want to say Merry Christmas to everyone on DAB. I’m remembering Victoria Soldier Blind Tony, Sister from Maryland and everyone else I haven’t mentioned you are remembered in prayer. God bless.

Heidi ho siblings or should I say Heidi ho ho ho siblings it’s your little sis, His little Sharie in Canada just days away from Christmas and I am sitting at my Cchapel table this morning. It’s minus 30 degrees Celsius out I don’t know what that is Fahrenheit something like cold, cold times 20. And God has been at work painting his diamond canvas, painting on the canvas of my window a beautiful intricate feathered diamond painting. And I think that our friend From Junk to Treasure requested that next time this happened that I would post a picture. So, I’m gonna try to do that, take a picture of this gorgeous thing and post it on the Friends page so that you guys can see how beautiful it can be when God decides to turn something bitter and harsh into something lovely. I don’t know, I think He does His best artistry in really brutal conditions. So, I just wanted to remind you of that today. If it feels like it’s minus 30…minus 30 in your soul look for how God might be painting a diamond picture on that canvas. I love you guys. Thank you for listening to my little chapel table reports. Merry Christmas.

Hello Daily Audio Bible this is Joy Merrifield from __. I wanna wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. And as we read in psalms it says to come early in the morning.

Hi family this is Purely Pampered of Maine. Today is Thursday December 22nd and on behalf of all I wanted to call and say thank you to Brian for adding in the Revelation commentary at the end of the day’s programs. I’d forgotten how you went through it in detail a few years back and appreciating how you give us a survey of the prevailing scholarly views when trying to understand what is in this letter. Listening to it again is my Christmas present this year. I’ll end with the thought that Brian closed with in the end of today’s broadcast about taking the Longview. And to each of us coping with loss the season maybe the thought he shared bring you peace and contentment right now. He said, “the end of our physicality isn’t the end of anything.” I love you, family. Bye for now.

Hi this is Carol. I just listened to the prayers on December 22nd. And Victorious, I think I’m getting your name right, you prayer really touched me today. It was so selfless, especially praying for first responders and people who are out there in this horrible weather in sometimes tragic circumstances just helping other people while their families are at home celebrating or whatever and to those of you who are alone this holiday season as I am whose family has either rejected you or doesn’t want anything to do with you or, you know, they’re happy and celebrating and you’re sitting at home alone feeling alone. Please don’t think you’re alone. You’re not. Many of us are in that position and I just pray for all of you. I could list a bunch of stuff I need prayer for but I think, you know, my way of celebrating the holidays is just saying I hope you all have a better year and that…that you're…you’re feeling comforted and somehow your prayers are answered and if not you'll…you’ll have the strength to get through whatever your particular needs are this time of year. It’s not joyous for a lot of us. It’s very difficult for a lot of us. And I feel that with you. But Victorious, your prayer especially being so selfless. God bless you for that. And I hope all of you get touched in some wonderful way by the Lord this coming year. It may not be easy but we’re in it together, we’re all human, and we all are in pain in some way even those that may not seem like they are. So, happy holidays everyone. Even if that doesn’t mean always a smile, it might mean a tear but you’re not alone. God bless you all.

Hi this is Amy in Olympia WA and I’ve been following along with the…the Revelation notes at the end and wow Brian I just have to say like it has been so helpful and I feel like the overview has just been so good and your breakdown has been just really understandable. And I had kind of been like…like just put off by Revelation just like for a while because like years ago I did and inductive study with a Bible study and it just was really overwhelming and just too much for me at the time with like 2 little kids. I was already overwhelmed, and I feel like it really put me off and made like revelation really like I don’t know just like kind of scary and I just, you know, I didn’t even want to read it. But I just wanted to say like for anyone that’s been just intimidated by Revelation I feel like you should go back and listen to what Brian has been saying at the end the last few days because I just feel like it’s just made Revelation a lot more approachable for me and just…just it’s been so helpful. I also just wanted to say to the dad that just put his autistic son in the…the…the states…the states care, I just want to say my heart goes out to you and I’ve been praying for you. I have a brother that I’m probably going to be taking care of someday. So, my heart is with you, and I just want you to know that you’re in my prayers. Thanks guys. Bye.

Deep dive into the book of Revelation:

Part 10

Okay. So, clearly, we only have a few days left in this year. So, clearly we are coming to the final days in the book of Revelation as well, which we’ve been kind of diving into this year. And today we…we come to a great banquet but also a great battle in which the dark…the dark forces of the evil one are conquered and the evil one itself is done away with. And the scene begins with “a loud…a huge crowd from heaven saying hallelujah, salvation and glory and power belong to our God. His judgments are true and fair. He has condemned the notorious prostitute who corrupted the world with her sexual sins. He has taken revenge on her for the blood of his servants.” And of course, this is coming on the heels of what we read yesterday and the downfall of Babylon, this world system ruled by evil fractures, implodes, is judged, falls, is done away with. So, we should observe the contrasts that are happening in today’s reading. So, Babylon, these dark forces of evil that have been controlling the world, they fall apart. They’ve been condemned. The notorious prostitute that is this whole system has been condemned because it corrupted the world with her sexual sins. So, we could certainly go like. okay this…this evil empire is very very sexual in nature and so this is definitely speaking about sexuality. But also we should understand this kind of language from an allegorical perspective or a figurative view is about union. I mean at the most basic level, that’s what sex is, union, giving yourself over to someone. So, these dark forces demanded worship, demanded loyalty and allegiance, demanded the union, and the result of that was a war on God’s people, a cosmic attempt to stamp out God’s plan. That is in stark contrast to the second song or poem coming from this large crowd that…that is so big it sounds like raging waters. On the one hand they’re applauding and worshiping God for the judgment, the downfall of evil. But then they have more to say. “Hallelujah, the Lord our God, the Almighty has become king. Let us rejoice and be happy and give Him glory, because it’s time for the marriage of the Lamb. His bride has made herself ready. She has been given the privilege of wearing dazzling pure linen.” So, contrasted with the great prostitute or whore of Babylon this bride was true and faithful and sought union with no one but God and gave her loyalty and devotion to no one but God. And then in the next scene, we see heaven standing open. There’s a white horse with a rider on it named Faithful and True and that he’s going…he’s going to battle. And the armies of heaven are wearing pure white linen, like we just talked about, are following along on white horses of their own. And a sharp sword comes out of his mouth to defeat the nation’s. Some scholars would say these are the Angel armies. This is Jesus with the angel armies going to finish the judgment, finish the final battle, while other scholars would say no, this is…these are God’s people going along with Jesus to finish this final battle so that this banquet can begin. And an angel cries out to the birds, “come gather for the great banquet of God. Eat the flesh of kings, generals, warriors, horses and their riders and all the people and slaves, both important and insignificant people.” And it’s been noted that this is probably a parody. So, on the one hand there is this a great banquet, this great wedding feast where darkness and evil have no place. And not only just have no place, it doesn’t exist, this beautiful banquet, this consummation of all things being made new. And that contrasts with what the angel is saying to the birds. There’s gonna be this great banquet for you because all evil is being extinguished. So, it’s like two sides of the same coin. On the one side there’s judgment. On the other side there is salvation. And, so, the battle commences and the beast and the false prophet who had done miracles for the beast were captured and were subsequently thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. So, the forces that were at work in this dark evil kingdom were cast away and the rider on the horse, on the white horse had a sword coming out of his mouth and finished the battle and a great banquet happen for the birds, even as a great banquet in heaven was getting ready to begin.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for your word. This is the 362nd day of this year and every day we have feasted upon your word and there are just a few days remaining and we invite your Holy Spirit to continue to speak deeply to us, transforming us on so many levels. We are most certainly at the place that we can look in the mirror and see that were not the same as we were when we started this journey on January 1st and we’re thankful for that. We’ve been through plenty. It’s been a challenging year, but you have been faithful, and you have guided us through your word and through the power of your Holy Spirit and we’re grateful. This builds confidence in our faith. You are maturing us. And, so, we welcome this to continue. And even though we will finish this year and we will finish it well we look forward to all that you will speak to us through your word in the coming year. Come Holy Spirit we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday December 28, 2022 (NIV)

Zechariah 12-13

Jerusalem’s Enemies to Be Destroyed

12 A prophecy:(A) The word of the Lord concerning Israel.

The Lord, who stretches out the heavens,(B) who lays the foundation of the earth,(C) and who forms the human spirit within a person,(D) declares: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup(E) that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.(F) Judah(G) will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations(H) of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock(I) for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure(J) themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations.(K) Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong,(L) because the Lord Almighty is their God.’

“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot(M) in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume(N) all the surrounding peoples right and left, but Jerusalem will remain intact(O) in her place.

“The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah.(P) On that day the Lord will shield(Q) those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest(R) among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God,(S) like the angel of the Lord going before(T) them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations(U) that attack Jerusalem.(V)

Mourning for the One They Pierced

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit[a](W) of grace and supplication.(X) They will look on[b] me, the one they have pierced,(Y) and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child,(Z) and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.(AA) 11 On that day the weeping(AB) in Jerusalem will be as great as the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.(AC) 12 The land will mourn,(AD) each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, 13 the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, 14 and all the rest of the clans and their wives.(AE)

Cleansing From Sin

13 “On that day a fountain(AF) will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse(AG) them from sin and impurity.

“On that day, I will banish the names of the idols(AH) from the land, and they will be remembered no more,”(AI) declares the Lord Almighty. “I will remove both the prophets(AJ) and the spirit of impurity from the land. And if anyone still prophesies, their father and mother, to whom they were born, will say to them, ‘You must die, because you have told lies(AK) in the Lord’s name.’ Then their own parents will stab the one who prophesies.(AL)

“On that day every prophet will be ashamed(AM) of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment(AN) of hair(AO) in order to deceive.(AP) Each will say, ‘I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.[c](AQ) If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body[d]?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

“Awake, sword,(AR) against my shepherd,(AS)
against the man who is close to me!”
declares the Lord Almighty.
“Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered,(AT)
and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
“two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.(AU)
This third I will put into the fire;(AV)
I will refine them like silver(AW)
and test them like gold.(AX)
They will call(AY) on my name(AZ)
and I will answer(BA) them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’(BB)
and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.(BC)’”

Footnotes:

  1. Zechariah 12:10 Or the Spirit
  2. Zechariah 12:10 Or to
  3. Zechariah 13:5 Or farmer; a man sold me in my youth
  4. Zechariah 13:6 Or wounds between your hands

Cross references:

  1. Zechariah 12:1 : S Isa 13:1
  2. Zechariah 12:1 : S Ge 1:8; S Ps 104:2; S Jer 51:15
  3. Zechariah 12:1 : Ps 102:25; Heb 1:10
  4. Zechariah 12:1 : S Isa 57:16
  5. Zechariah 12:2 : S Ps 75:8
  6. Zechariah 12:2 : S Ps 60:3; S Isa 51:23
  7. Zechariah 12:2 : Zec 14:14
  8. Zechariah 12:3 : Isa 66:18; Zec 14:2
  9. Zechariah 12:3 : S Isa 28:16; Da 2:34-35
  10. Zechariah 12:3 : S Isa 29:8
  11. Zechariah 12:4 : Ps 76:6; S Zec 10:5
  12. Zechariah 12:5 : S Eze 30:24
  13. Zechariah 12:6 : Isa 10:17-18; S Zec 11:1
  14. Zechariah 12:6 : Ob 1:18
  15. Zechariah 12:6 : Zec 14:10
  16. Zechariah 12:7 : Jer 30:18; S Am 9:11
  17. Zechariah 12:8 : S Ps 91:4; S Joel 3:16; S Zec 9:15
  18. Zechariah 12:8 : Joel 3:10
  19. Zechariah 12:8 : Ps 82:6
  20. Zechariah 12:8 : Mic 7:8
  21. Zechariah 12:9 : S Isa 29:7
  22. Zechariah 12:9 : S Zec 1:21; 14:2-3
  23. Zechariah 12:10 : S Eze 37:9
  24. Zechariah 12:10 : Isa 44:3; S Eze 39:29; Joel 2:28-29
  25. Zechariah 12:10 : S Ps 22:16; Jn 19:34, 37*
  26. Zechariah 12:10 : Jdg 11:34
  27. Zechariah 12:10 : S Ge 21:16; Jer 31:19
  28. Zechariah 12:11 : Jer 50:4
  29. Zechariah 12:11 : 2Ki 23:29
  30. Zechariah 12:12 : Mt 24:30; Rev 1:7
  31. Zechariah 12:14 : Zec 7:3
  32. Zechariah 13:1 : Jer 17:13
  33. Zechariah 13:1 : S Lev 16:30; S Ps 51:2; Heb 9:14
  34. Zechariah 13:2 : S Jer 43:12; S Eze 6:6; S 36:25; S Hos 2:17
  35. Zechariah 13:2 : S Mic 5:13
  36. Zechariah 13:2 : 1Ki 22:22; Jer 23:14-15
  37. Zechariah 13:3 : S Jer 28:16
  38. Zechariah 13:3 : Dt 13:6-11; 18:20; S Ne 6:14; Jer 23:34; S Eze 14:9
  39. Zechariah 13:4 : S Jer 6:15
  40. Zechariah 13:4 : Mt 3:4
  41. Zechariah 13:4 : S 1Ki 18:7; S Isa 20:2
  42. Zechariah 13:4 : S Eze 12:24
  43. Zechariah 13:5 : S Am 7:14
  44. Zechariah 13:7 : S Isa 34:5; Jer 47:6
  45. Zechariah 13:7 : Isa 40:11; S 53:4; Eze 37:24
  46. Zechariah 13:7 : S 2Sa 17:2; Mt 26:31*; Mk 14:27*
  47. Zechariah 13:8 : S Eze 5:2-4, 12; Zec 14:2
  48. Zechariah 13:9 : S Isa 4:4; 33:14; Mal 3:2
  49. Zechariah 13:9 : S Ps 12:6; S Da 11:35; 1Pe 1:6-7
  50. Zechariah 13:9 : S Job 6:29; S Jer 6:27
  51. Zechariah 13:9 : S Ps 50:15
  52. Zechariah 13:9 : Ps 105:1
  53. Zechariah 13:9 : S Ps 86:7; S Isa 30:19; S Zec 10:6
  54. Zechariah 13:9 : S Lev 26:12; S Jer 30:22
  55. Zechariah 13:9 : S Isa 44:5; S Jer 29:12; S Eze 20:38
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Revelation 19

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude(A) in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!(B)
Salvation(C) and glory and power(D) belong to our God,
for true and just are his judgments.(E)
He has condemned the great prostitute(F)
who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”(G)

And again they shouted:

“Hallelujah!(H)
The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”(I)

The twenty-four elders(J) and the four living creatures(K) fell down(L) and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

“Amen, Hallelujah!”(M)

Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God,
all you his servants,(N)
you who fear him,
both great and small!”(O)

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,(P) like the roar of rushing waters(Q) and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!(R)
For our Lord God Almighty(S) reigns.(T)
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!(U)
For the wedding of the Lamb(V) has come,
and his bride(W) has made herself ready.
Fine linen,(X) bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts(Y) of God’s holy people.)

Then the angel said to me,(Z) “Write this:(AA) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”(AB) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”(AC)

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him.(AD) But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!(AE) For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”(AF)

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

11 I saw heaven standing open(AG) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider(AH) is called Faithful and True.(AI) With justice he judges and wages war.(AJ) 12 His eyes are like blazing fire,(AK) and on his head are many crowns.(AL) He has a name written on him(AM) that no one knows but he himself.(AN) 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,(AO) and his name is the Word of God.(AP) 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,(AQ) white(AR) and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword(AS) with which to strike down(AT) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a](AU) He treads the winepress(AV) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:(AW)

king of kings and lord of lords.(AX)

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds(AY) flying in midair,(AZ) “Come,(BA) gather together for the great supper of God,(BB) 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people,(BC) free and slave,(BD) great and small.”(BE)

19 Then I saw the beast(BF) and the kings of the earth(BG) and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse(BH) and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet(BI) who had performed the signs(BJ) on its behalf.(BK) With these signs he had deluded(BL) those who had received the mark of the beast(BM) and worshiped its image.(BN) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake(BO) of burning sulfur.(BP) 21 The rest were killed with the sword(BQ) coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse,(BR) and all the birds(BS) gorged themselves on their flesh.

Footnotes:

  1. Revelation 19:15 Psalm 2:9

Cross references:

  1. Revelation 19:1 : ver 6; Rev 11:15
  2. Revelation 19:1 : ver 3, 4, 6
  3. Revelation 19:1 : Rev 7:10; 12:10
  4. Revelation 19:1 : Rev 4:11; 7:12
  5. Revelation 19:2 : Rev 16:7
  6. Revelation 19:2 : S Rev 17:1
  7. Revelation 19:2 : S Rev 6:10
  8. Revelation 19:3 : ver 1, 4, 6
  9. Revelation 19:3 : Isa 34:10; Rev 14:11
  10. Revelation 19:4 : S Rev 4:4
  11. Revelation 19:4 : S Rev 4:6
  12. Revelation 19:4 : S Rev 4:10
  13. Revelation 19:4 : ver 1, 3, 6
  14. Revelation 19:5 : Ps 134:1
  15. Revelation 19:5 : ver 18; Ps 115:13; Rev 11:18; 13:16; 20:12
  16. Revelation 19:6 : ver 1; Rev 11:15
  17. Revelation 19:6 : S Rev 1:15
  18. Revelation 19:6 : ver 1, 3, 4
  19. Revelation 19:6 : S Rev 1:8
  20. Revelation 19:6 : Rev 11:15
  21. Revelation 19:7 : S Rev 11:13
  22. Revelation 19:7 : ver 9; Mt 22:2; 25:10; Eph 5:32
  23. Revelation 19:7 : Rev 21:2, 9; 22:17
  24. Revelation 19:8 : ver 14; Rev 15:6
  25. Revelation 19:8 : Isa 61:10; Eze 44:17; Zec 3:4; Rev 15:4
  26. Revelation 19:9 : ver 10
  27. Revelation 19:9 : Rev 1:19
  28. Revelation 19:9 : Lk 14:15
  29. Revelation 19:9 : Rev 21:5; 22:6
  30. Revelation 19:10 : Rev 22:8
  31. Revelation 19:10 : Ac 10:25, 26; Rev 22:9
  32. Revelation 19:10 : S Rev 1:2
  33. Revelation 19:11 : S Mt 3:16
  34. Revelation 19:11 : ver 19, 21; Rev 6:2
  35. Revelation 19:11 : Rev 3:14
  36. Revelation 19:11 : Ex 15:3; Ps 96:13; Isa 11:4
  37. Revelation 19:12 : S Rev 1:14
  38. Revelation 19:12 : Rev 6:2; 12:3
  39. Revelation 19:12 : ver 16
  40. Revelation 19:12 : S Rev 2:17
  41. Revelation 19:13 : Isa 63:2, 3
  42. Revelation 19:13 : Jn 1:1
  43. Revelation 19:14 : ver 8
  44. Revelation 19:14 : S Rev 3:4
  45. Revelation 19:15 : ver 21; S Rev 1:16
  46. Revelation 19:15 : Isa 11:4; 2Th 2:8
  47. Revelation 19:15 : Ps 2:9; Rev 2:27; 12:5
  48. Revelation 19:15 : S Rev 14:20
  49. Revelation 19:16 : ver 12
  50. Revelation 19:16 : S 1Ti 6:15
  51. Revelation 19:17 : ver 21
  52. Revelation 19:17 : Rev 8:13; 14:6
  53. Revelation 19:17 : Jer 12:9; Eze 39:17
  54. Revelation 19:17 : Isa 34:6; Jer 46:10
  55. Revelation 19:18 : Eze 39:18-20
  56. Revelation 19:18 : Rev 6:15
  57. Revelation 19:18 : S ver 5
  58. Revelation 19:19 : S Rev 13:1
  59. Revelation 19:19 : Rev 16:14, 16
  60. Revelation 19:19 : ver 11, 21
  61. Revelation 19:20 : Rev 16:13
  62. Revelation 19:20 : S Mt 24:24
  63. Revelation 19:20 : Rev 13:12
  64. Revelation 19:20 : Rev 13:14
  65. Revelation 19:20 : Rev 13:16
  66. Revelation 19:20 : Rev 13:15
  67. Revelation 19:20 : Da 7:11; Rev 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8
  68. Revelation 19:20 : S Rev 9:17
  69. Revelation 19:21 : ver 15; S Rev 1:16
  70. Revelation 19:21 : ver 11, 19
  71. Revelation 19:21 : ver 17
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 147

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord.[a]

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant(A) and fitting to praise him!(B)

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;(C)
he gathers the exiles(D) of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted(E)
and binds up their wounds.(F)
He determines the number of the stars(G)
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord(H) and mighty in power;(I)
his understanding has no limit.(J)
The Lord sustains the humble(K)
but casts the wicked(L) to the ground.

Sing to the Lord(M) with grateful praise;(N)
make music(O) to our God on the harp.(P)

He covers the sky with clouds;(Q)
he supplies the earth with rain(R)
and makes grass grow(S) on the hills.
He provides food(T) for the cattle
and for the young ravens(U) when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in the strength(V) of the horse,(W)
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights(X) in those who fear him,(Y)
who put their hope(Z) in his unfailing love.(AA)

12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;(AB)
praise your God, Zion.

13 He strengthens the bars of your gates(AC)
and blesses your people(AD) within you.
14 He grants peace(AE) to your borders
and satisfies you(AF) with the finest of wheat.(AG)

15 He sends his command(AH) to the earth;
his word runs(AI) swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow(AJ) like wool
and scatters the frost(AK) like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail(AL) like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word(AM) and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes,(AN) and the waters flow.

19 He has revealed his word(AO) to Jacob,(AP)
his laws and decrees(AQ) to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;(AR)
they do not know(AS) his laws.[b]

Praise the Lord.(AT)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 147:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 20
  2. Psalm 147:20 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint nation; / he has not made his laws known to them
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Proverbs 31:1-7

Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings(A) of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!(B)
Do not spend your strength[a] on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.(C)

It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,(D)
not for rulers to crave beer,
lest they drink(E) and forget what has been decreed,(F)
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine(G) for those who are in anguish!
Let them drink(H) and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.

Footnotes:

  1. Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

12/27/2022 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 am Brian. It is fantastic to be here with you today, around the Global Campfire as we navigate through this in between week. Such strange week between Christmas and New Year’s, as we move past December, like move past the holiday season, but immediately prepare our hearts to move into a brand-new, sparkly year. And I can think of no better place to be informed about what’s coming next than in the Scriptures in community around the Global Campfire together. So, it is awesome to be here with you today, and let’s take the next step forward together. Our next step leads us back into the book of Zechariah. We’re reading from the New International Version this week and today, Zechariah chapters 10 and 11.

Commentary:

Okay so, we are navigating through this final week of the year together, and I can feel it, I can feel it today and I know it will just increase. I can feel a fresh start coming like I know that a brand-new year is coming and this week between Christmas and New Year’s, this is the time where we begin to think about what that’s gonna look like. Maybe we just renewed our gym membership today, thinking about what the New Year’s gonna look like. This is the time when we think about that or we’re watching video documentaries or reading books on a more healthy lifestyle or a more organic lifestyle or a simpler lifestyle. Maybe the New Year will get here and we’re gonna throw everything away become minimalist. We start thinking about these kinds of things, what’s coming next. Because we know and New Year’s coming. Maybe this is the year where my spouse and I, we finally, like some of these things that we’ve constantly been tripping over, we can finally get past those things and grow together. Maybe I’m gonna get that…that job promotion this year. Interestingly enough, most of the things that we think about that become our New Year’s resolutions, have a lot to do with us and have a lot to do with our exterior lives. So, I just remind us, the same as when we started this journey at the beginning of the year, there is a book in the Bible. It’s called Proverbs and it is full of the voice of wisdom, wisdom that has stood the test of time, wisdom that is at every crossroads. So, at every decision we have to make, wisdom is there, pointing the way, if we’re even paying attention. But Proverbs is a resource that can speak into the interior life that we live. And Proverbs is very accessible. It’s the wisdom that has stood the test of time. In one sentence, often it can tell us where we are, where that’s going to lead us, what we should do about it. Even if we look at the one sentence Proverb that we just read today, there is a ton for us, “for as churning cream produces butter and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” So, there are three things that get produced in this Proverb: butter, blood and strife. And it’s not all that complicated to process what’s being said here. We know that churning cream produces butter right, probably. If you didn’t know that that’s where butter comes from. And as twisting the nose produces blood, we’ve probably had a bloody nose in our lives. In the same way, stirring up anger produces strife. So, a fantastic reminder, a good piece of wisdom to carry forward with us, but just think about it. If we’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions, at the top of that list may be to lose 20 pounds and we may have a top 10 things we would like to see accomplished this year, but probably what’s not on that list is, I would like to experience significantly more conflict in the New Year. I would like that to begin in my marriage and then hopefully spill into my family, so that by the end of the year, we have caused so much conflict in our neighborhood that nobody will speak to anyone. That is probably on, no one’s New Year’s resolution list. So, if we want to experience less strife and conflict in our lives, then we have to stir up and participate in less anger. Right, because with the Proverb, the opposite is also true, not churning cream does not produce butter. Butter will not be produced without churning cream. A bloody nose will not be produced, if the nose isn’t twisted or punched or knocked in some sort of way to produce the blood. So, strife and conflict will not be produced, if anger isn’t stirred up. And so, maybe stirring up less anger or finding ways to have less anger stirred up within us might, be just as valuable of a New Year’s resolution as losing 20 pounds is. The Proverbs can give us the wisdom that we need to think about, the things that we need to think about and ask the questions that we need to ask of ourselves. So, I just remind us again of things like Daily Audio Proverb, a couple minutes a day moving through the entire book of Proverbs, every single month, pouring that wisdom into our lives, a dozen times in a year, may be something that we should consider, maybe becoming wise is worth putting on the list.

Prayer:

And so, Father, we thank You once again for Your word and the way that it works in our lives. We thank You for the wisdom that is contained in the book of Proverbs. We thank You for what the book of Proverbs brought into our story and in our lives today. And each of us desire wisdom. Wisdom in life and Your wisdom. And we can come about that the hard way, through the school of hard knocks or we can simply decide I need to immerse myself in wisdom, so that I might learn and become wise and put it into practice. This is our desire, Lord. Lead us on the pathways of righteousness, lead us to be wise sons and daughters of Your kingdom, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, it’s the website. It’s where we find out what’s going on around here and so certainly check that out. Check out the Community Section. This is where you find the links to get connected on social media and the different channels that we are participating in. It’s also the home of the Prayer Wall, which is a resource for us, here around the Global Campfire that is always available. We can always reach out for prayer; we can always reach back with encouragement and prayers for our brothers and sisters. So, certainly check that out. You find that in the app or on the web.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, here in the remaining days of our year, the few remaining days we have left, thank you deeply and humbly. 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 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’s 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:

Hey family, this is Malisa calling from Albertville, Alabama. I just finished the Christmas Party and oh my goodness, so many voices I haven’t heard in a long time. Pamela, from Alberta, you didn’t give your name, but I know it’s you. I heard a sister, Unwavering in North Carolina and I’m wondering if you were Jillian’s mom. I remember praying for her some years ago. She had a brain tumor. If you are, I want you to know, I never stopped praying for that baby. And I welcome you back to the DAB. Brian and Jill, thank you so much. This is so beautiful. It’s amazing how we are a family, yet we’ve never met. And I heard that Pelim passed, and I didn’t even know. I had been sick during the week he passed, and I pulled up his obituary and I saw his face for the first time. I knew his voice, but I never seen his face. So ya’ll, let’s continue to love each other, lift each other up, pray for each other. Again, thank you Brian and Jill and family for this beautiful, beautiful ministry that you’re doing for the body of Christ. I love you family. Bye Bye.

Good morning, this message is for God is With Me. I heard your message yesterday afternoon. It hasn’t been, it’s a little over 12 hours, I believe, since I heard the message, maybe 18. Doesn’t even matter, I felt you then and in my prayer time this morning, I feel you again. My heart goes out to your son and the situation. My prayer is that God would as He heals, as He brings peace, as He delivers, as He eases the pain, brings comfort, just allow His presence to be felt. That He would turn the situation completely around. Expose the enemy for his nonsense and foolishness. And that your family would be a ministry that brings healing, deliverance and comfort to others that don’t know the Christ that you know. I love you. I’m sorry and I will continue to pray for you and with you. I love your moniker, God is With Me, God indeed is with you. This is Pray without Ceasing. Have a good day.

Hey DAB family, this is Byron out in Florida. A lot of you have been calling in to pray for and encourage the father who called in about his son having to go into a program, he’s autistic. And I’ve just been listening to these calls, just thinking and praying. Because I too have a young son who’s moderately autistic and I think about that sort of stuff and what the future my hold. Sometimes his behavior is very difficult to control. We had to recently scrap our Thanksgiving plans at the last minute because we were concerned about people’s safety. And we ended up eating Chinese food and that was fine, but this is when he’s 8 years old. What happens when he hits puberty, what happens when he gets taller than me and stronger than me? I just dread the idea of having to do that. But as I listen to you all praying and encourage and share your own experiences, I get reminded that my son is safer in the will of God, outside of my home, than in my home and outside of His will. And so, I trust that, should that time come, this community will be here to pray and encourage, just as you had for this gentleman and that God’s glory will be seeing, no matter what. So, I just wanna say thank you to everyone who’s has called and encouraged because it’s effecting more than you know. Love you.

Precious greetings to my wonderful DAB family. This is Chicago Peg, and this was my first year enjoying the Christmas Party and just this has been more of a blessing then I even expected. And I just keep listening to each day, different parts of the day, I’ll just turn it on again and hear all of our wonderful family and I’m so touched to hear all the familiar voices, whom I love so much, and we pray together. And I appreciate you so very much. So, God bless each of you. The Hardin family and all my wonderful DABers. And Merry Christmas to each of you. And let us remember as you breath in His grace, breath out His praise. God Bless you DABers. And Chicago Peg, signing off. Talk to you soon.

Dear Beloved Daily Audio Bible family. My name is Tony in Sunny Florida. Calling this first time to unfold the story of how much God has touched, loved, drawn me closer to Him through yet another faceted teaching through the continuing journey of studying the Bible every day through this wonderful platform. I have been comforted immensely through this difficult year of losing my father to pancreatic cancer, a precious pet who was with me for 13 years to cancer, and to my own health concerns, which thankfully, prayers have been answered. This community has been instrumental in strengthening my commitment to my faith, discovery my mission in serving others in whatever circumstance I find myself in, and very importantly, listening to the heartfelt, passionate, honest prayers of this family of believers. What an honor, a privilege, a treasured blessing to be woven into the fibers of love and acceptance here. God bless all of you. May you continue to be in love with our heavenly Father with every breath. Merry Christ’s Birthday and Blessed New Year of hope.

Good morning DAB family, I was just listening this morning on the 22nd, to the prayer requests. The first one was from a man whose son is in an institution and he’s apart from his wife and the second one was a young man who’s struggling in his marriage. He admittedly said he has problems with anger and control Lord. It just really touched my heart to hear these men who are coming to you Lord. I too have been through divorce and it’s not a good thing. And it’s not a good thing for our children. So, Lord, I just pray and ask for You to intervene in these men’s lives. I thank You for them, that they are coming to You, Lord. That they are coming to the foot of the cross, these men. They know that You are the answer, Lord. That You are the one that can help. That You can change things, Lord. That You can change us. That You can change our hearts. That You can make us better people. That You can make our husbands or our wives’ better people, Lord, when we put You first. That we put You at the center of our marriages, at the center of our homes, at the head of the home. Lord God, help, help these men. Help them, let their wives, let their wives hear Your voice speaking to them, let their wives not be proud and full of spite, Lord. But let them turn to you, Lord, and forgive and that You bring complete reconciliation and heal this young mans son, who’s in an institution right now, Lord God. Just bring healing there. Father, just really touch my heart and I just really pray for them and ask for You to do something, Lord. Cause You are greater than all these things. You are the great and mighty God. Amen.

Revelation Deep Dive - Part 9

Okay, so, in the book of Revelation, we witnessed the fall and destruction of Babylon, in today’s reading. And again, as I’ve been saying like a broken record, we have to decide how we’re gonna look at this. Mostly why bring that up today has to do with time. When we started the book of Revelation, we talked about time. Like when is this happening, where is this happening, how all of these questions that come up? And you can read the book of Revelation from front to back, as a linear book and go, well, this happens, then this happens, then this, then this, then this, because it’s all in order. While many scholars would point out, this is probably the order that John saw things in but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the order in which they will occur, which is completely valid. And to pour some more vegetables into that stew and stir it around, a very generous portion of the scholarship on the book of Revelation identifies the fact that it’s cyclical and a lot of confusion arises trying to read it linear, because it feels like we’re jumping all over the place and it’s hard to grasp the flow of time. But if you’re reading from a cyclical perspective, you begin to realize that you’re reading the same story from different perspectives, several times. So, we read of the judgment and destruction of Babylon. But Babylon has been a theme that we’ve been kind of traveling with throughout the book of Revelation. And we’ve looked at literal views of it, we’ve looked at historical views of it. We’ve looked allegorical views of it. We’ve looked at futuristic views of it. Presentence views of it and have come to realize that we have to, we have to at least in part be willing to look figuratively. And so, Babylon figuratively represents ancient Rome likely from the perspective of John, the writer in the time that John was writing in, but more broadly it represents an entire world system of evil that is, that is set on total domination and control, so that the evil one can make an attempt at establishing sovereignty of some sort and attempt to battle with God. So, figuratively what we read today is the judgment of the entire system. The façade of this world system is exposed, for the façade that it is, and its underpinnings are exposed. The skeleton is exposed and at the core there is only evil. The serpent, the evil one has been guiding this all along. And in this judgment, it is completely exposed. Then another angel from heaven calls God’s people out, come out of Babylon my people so that you do not participate in her sins and suffer from any of her plagues. This is patterned after Isaiah’s prophecy in the 48th chapter, in the 52nd chapter, but also from Jeremiah, where we’re told in the 51st chapter, come forth from her midst my people. And since we’re talking figuratively, we’re not talking about God’s people fleeing a city, like literally fleeing from a city to try to hide somewhere else. Rather, this is a call to not participate in the sins that brought, like the evil that brought the whole thing down, don’t participate in any of that. Which doesn’t mean don’t go to the grocery store to buy groceries, don’t buy clothes, like don’t participate in the economy, like that’s not what’s being said here. This is a spiritual thing. Do not get involved with the darkness. It is being exposed. It is being judged. It is being done away with. Don’t find yourself in that camp. This understanding goes all the way back to the church fathers. And it’s been pointed out that this is likely a parallel or a reference to clean and unclean, a concept that’s introduced in the Torah and that follows throughout the entire Bible. So, although this is and I’m speaking in reference to physical cleanness and uncleanness by the Torah, this is talking about the same thing, spiritually. Get away from what is unclean, don’t touch it, don’t make yourself unclean, don’t disqualify yourself, stay away from it. Stay away from evil altogether. And then judgment comes and it affects everything. The great and powerful who had participated with Babylon, who had participated in this darkness, who had grown rich because of it, who had found fame and prestige because of it. They’re all standing back watching the whole thing fall apart and they lament because of the implications. It’s gonna affect them so profoundly. And God’s people are invited to rejoice over this, not in an arrogant or insensitive way, but rather this system of udder evil that had dominated and had done everything conceivable to stamp out the gospel and the witness, the lampstands, from the earth. To do away with God’s people completely, has failed. Evil has been judged and those who have given themselves in worship to evil, who have given themselves over to the, to the dark side have no power to come against God’s people any longer. And that’s where we end up today.

Prayer:

So, Father, we thank You for Your word. We thank You for the way that it speaks to us, the way that it unsettles us, the way that it stir things, stirs things up with in us, the way that it comforts us and directs and guides our steps. It's…it touches everything about us, and we thank You for the gift of it. And we invite Your Holy Spirit to plant these words deep in our lives. Help us to hold onto the hope that Babylon will fall, that evil will be eradicated from our…our experience ultimately. And help us to stay true and keep the light burning. And Father, part of that is certainly not stirring up anger that produces a fight for no reason. It is sure to happen, just like churning milk or punching a nose. So, we take that to heart as well as we move forward. Help us to remember the Proverb that tells us a gentle answer turns away wrath. Come, Holy Spirit, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.