For Reading and Meditation:      Isaiah 40:1-11What do we mean when we say that the Bible is "inspired"? There are various views. One is natural inspiration - that the Bible is inspired in the same way that any work of genius is, like Pilgrim's Progress for example. Another view is of partial inspiration, which claims that the Bible is not a scientific textbook and therefore cannot be trusted in scientific matters, such as the origin of the species. It is, however, to be trusted in matters that relate to salvation. The third view can be described as dictational inspiration - that God dictated the Bible to its writers verbatim, as a businessman would dictate a letter to a secretary. The fourth view is of verbal inspiration, which holds that every word in the Bible came from the mouth of God. The fifth and final view is of supervisal inspiration - that nothing is included in the Bible which God did not want there and nothing is omitted which was meant to have a place in the sacred book. I hold to the last view - supervisal inspiration. I rule out natural inspiration and partial inspiration, but not necessarily dictational inspiration, at least in part. Large sections of the Bible were personally dictated to men by God, the Ten Commandments being just one example. The writers of the Bible were, I believe, divinely indemnified against errors of observation, lapses of memory, and unintentional misrepresentation of facts. Their writings were honest, accurate, and supervised by the Holy Spirit before being compiled into this wonderful book we call the Bible. No wonder it is often referred to as the "book of books." O God, I know Your Word is inspired, for it inspires me. Help me to have Your Word hidden in my heart so deeply that it becomes the hidden spring of action, determining my conduct and my character. In Jesus' Name. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Jeremiah 36:1-7</li><li>Revelation 1:1-20</li><li>Revelation 2:1</li><li>12,18</li><li>7,14, 22</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Jeremiah's experience?</li><li>What was John's experience?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (v. 8) 

Jesus once died in our stead; He now liveth at the right hand of God. He is the fountain of life. Because he lives, His people shall live also. He lives in heaven to see of the travail of His soul, in the regeneration, sanctification, preservation, and glorification of His beloved family.He lives to intercede for them, to sympathize with them, and to pour down blessings upon them. He lives to watch over them, to counsel and direct them, and to save them for evermore. He lives to execute the purposes of the Father, to manage all the concerns of His church, and to glorify us with Himself for evermore.Gracious Saviour! earthly friends may die, but Thou livest; temporal comforts may be lost, but have we still a place in Thy heart; Thou art our Friend before Thy Father's throne!May we ever remember, Jesus liveth who was dead; and He is alive for evermore, and has the keys of hell and of death. O to live for Him on earth, who lives for us in heaven! O to live like Him, that as He is, so we may be in this world - representatives of God and holiness! O to live by faith on Him, in sweet and holy fellowship with Him.His saints He loves, and never leaves The chief of sinners He receives; Cheer up, my heart! with this revive, The sinner's Friend is yet alive.

Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.

The Believer's Daily Remembrancer

I am He that liveth. - Revelation 1:18

Yes Lord, the fact of thy death is an inextinguishable fact. Nothing is more impossible, more inconceivable, than that the prints of the nails should be effaced from thy hand, the memory of thy agony from thy heart or from thy Father's heart, the chants of angels and redeemed ones die out and leave no echo in heaven. The story of the cross has indeed in-woven itself with all existences; the whole universe has bathed in it and got a richer life. Thy death is the expression of divine love to me; and I have consequently a most profound interest, in the memorials of that death. Thy cross does not merely tell of God, but of me; of God's love to me; and when thou sayest, " I am alive for evermore," that is the same as saying, God's love for me liveth for evermore. God and I live together in thee. The story of the cross is the story of me; it is my name and my magnificent destinies that are in-woven with all existences, mentioned in all chants of heaven. There is not an angel of heaven that would venture to remain ignorant of me. For, Christ tasted death for me.

A daily devotional written by a Baptist Missionary to India, Reverend George Bowen (1816-1888) over 150 years ago.

Bowen's Daily Meditations

" I am he that liveth and was dead." - Revelation 1:18. 

Revelation 1:9-20Jesus appears here to John in his banishment and reveals to him many things which John was to write and send to the churches. The writer identifies himself with the Christians to whom he sends the messages, "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus." It is remarkable that in all the Gospel of John, the writer's name is not once mentioned. He hides himself away and exalts and honors only the one Name. Here, however, he writes in his own name. The reason for this difference may be that now John is speaking as the prophet of Christ and delivering the messages which have been entrusted to him. It was proper, therefore, that he should declare who he was, that the witness might be received with the more confidence by his friends.The words "brother" and "companion" show John's love for his fellow Christians. He was one of them. He was their companion in the tribulation of persecution - this drew him and them close together. The phrase "patient endurance" has in it the thought of suffering which is endured sweetly and victoriously.John refers to his own sufferings, not to plead for pity or sympathy for himself - but to honor Christ. It was "for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus" that he had been banished to the Isle of Patmos. It is an honor to be a sufferer in a worthy cause. Paul spoke of the scars and other traces of trials endured as a Christian, as "marks of Jesus."In the narrative of his vision, John begins by saying that he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day." Here we have one of the proofs that very early, the first believers began to observe the first day of the week, the day of Christ's resurrection, rather than the Jewish Sabbath. Though far away from the worshiping assemblies of his fellow Christians, John was in the Spirit on that sacred day. We should all seek to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. During the week our hands are full of work that must be done."My prayer is not that you take them out of the world - but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it!" John 17:15-16. Unless we are watchful, the world is apt then to get into our heart - and we are apt to become secularized in spirit, made worldly-minded, losing interest in spiritual realities. The trouble is not that we are in the world - but that the world too often gets into us! It is a proper enough thing for a ship to be in the sea - but when the sea gets into the ship, there is an end to sailing. Christ wants us to be in the world - but He does not want the world to get into us!On the Lord's Day, therefore, we should run our bark just as completely as possible out of the world's troubled waters into the peaceful bay of spiritual rest and enjoyment. A well-spent Lord's day, will keep up the spiritual tone of the life, amid the most intense pressure of week-day care.The revelation of John came in a VISION. He saw a cluster of lamps. "I saw seven golden candlesticks." Christian churches should be like candlesticks. A candle stick itself gives no light - but it holds the candle from which the light pours forth. Christ Himself is the light - but the light can shine in this world - only in the lives of His followers. Every Christian should be a light shining before men. If we live worthily - we make the world a little brighter. If we live carelessly or inconsistently, we disappoint Christ. We must notice that the light which shines in these churches - all comes from Christ, who is "the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." We can only shine - by letting Christ's light pour through us.John describes also the vision of Christ as He appeared that day in the midst of the golden candlesticks. "His head and his hair were white as white wool,. .. his eyes were as a flame of fire!" The words describe the glorified Christ. When He was on the earth, there was no brightness in His face as men saw Him. Once only, when He was transfigured, did the glory appear for a short time. Now, however, in heaven, all the brightness shines out unrestricted. The vision of John, gives us a glimpse of Christ as we shall see Him when He comes with clouds !One part of this vision of Christ represented His power. "He had in his right hand seven stars ." The seven stars represent the ministers of Christ on the earth. "The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches." As Christ held the stars in His hand, so He keeps in His hand the ministers who on the earth witness for Him and serve Him. He keeps them in His care, under His protection.Another thing in this vision, suggests the power of the living Word of Christ. "Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword!" The picture seems strange at first - a sword proceeding out of Christ's mouth. The teaching is, that Christ's weapon in the conquest of the world - is His Word, "the sword of the Spirit." He sets up no kingdoms like the kingdom of this world, with pomp and pageant, with armies and navies. He rules men's lives, and the sword He wields is His Word. The sword is sharp and two-edged. It cuts deep. It reveals sin and all lust in the heart. We should learn to use the Word of God with confidence in all our conflicts with sin, and in all our efforts to advance Christ's kingdom.The effect of this vision upon John was overwhelming. He fell at the feet of Christ as a dead man! With infinite gentleness, Jesus came then and touched him with His right hand, bidding him "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever!" Here we see Jesus a way beyond death, and His life has not been harmed by dying. None of His glory was quenched by death's floods. He still lives - and has all the grace, gentleness and love that He had before. Neither does death injure our friends who die in Christ. It robs the believer of no beauty. Indeed, in this world, life at the best - is only like an opening bud; in dying, the bud opens into the full-blown rose!Not only is Christ Himself beyond death and its power - but He is the "Living one!" That is, the only one who really lives, having life in Himself. He is the great fountain and source of all life. Besides, He has power over all the realm of death. "I have the keys of death and of Hades." Keys are the symbols of authority. Christ can open the doors of earth's prison-houses when He will - and bring out His people who are under death's power! He Himself lay in the grave and then arose and came forth. In like manner, in His own time He will call up all who sleep in Him. "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also who are fallen asleep in Jesus - will God bring with him."Another thought suggested by Christ with the keys of death in His hand is, that He is the Guide of His people now in this lonely walk through the valley of death. He knows the way by experience, and thus is prepared to conduct us over it.

A unique type of devotional from the writings of James Russell Miller, published between 1908 and 1913.

Devotional Hours Within the Bible

Revelation 1:9-20

Jesus Appears to John

The Man Christ Jesus. § [Jesus came] in the likeness of men. [He was] found in appearance as a man. § Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. § Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. § What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? § He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. § In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 On the likeness of the throne was a likeness with  the appearance of a man high above it. 

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you. § Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world… At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. § When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. § I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. § I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. § My peace I give to you.

 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” § I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. “Woe is me, for I am undone! . . . My eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.” § I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Evening Daily Light

 It is I; do not be afraid. 

Do not be afraid; … I am He who lives. § Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am. We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. § He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. § You are complete in Him, who is the head. Inasmuch . . . as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

 [God] raised us up together . . . in Christ Jesus. 

For the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest. The priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan. We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. § When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

 How will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? 

18 <woj>I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. </woj>

<woj>I am the Living One; I was dead,<cr>1</cr> and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!<cr>2</cr> And I hold the keys of death and Hades.<cr>3</cr> </woj>

Revelation 1:18

 18 I am the Living One; I was dead,   and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!   And I hold the keys of death and Hades.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 I am the Living One; I was dead,  and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!  And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 

<woj>I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. </woj>

 I am the Living One; I was dead,   and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!   And I hold the keys of death and Hades.  

Bible Verse of the Day

June 21, 2022

Revelation 1:18 NIV

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