From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Day 357, 23 December 2025

1)Revelation 19,20 ,21, 22

Revelation 19 - 22

Revelation 19

1 (Rev 11:15; 19:6; 12:10) After these things I heard a great sound
of many people in heaven, shouting:
"Alleluia!
Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
2 (Dt 32:43; Rev 6:10) For true and righteous are His judgments,
because He has judged the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality;
and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.-
3 (Isa 34:10; Rev 14:11) Again they said:
"Alleluia!
Her smoke rises forever and ever."
4 (Rev 5:14; Ps 106:48) The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who sat on the throne, saying:
"Amen! Alleluia!"

[1] And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
[2] For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged
the blood of his servants at her hand.
[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
[4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and
worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

5 (Ps 134:1; 135:1) Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God,
all you His servants
and those who fear Him,
both small and great!"
6 (Rev 14:2; Ps 97:1) Then I heard something like the sound like a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying:
"Alleluia!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
7 (Mt 22:2; Eph 5:32) Let us be glad and rejoice
and give Him glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His wife has made herself ready.
8 (Ps 45:13-14; 132:9) It was granted her to be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white."
Fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 (Rev 21:5; 22:6) Then he said to me, "Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me,
"These are the true sayings of God."
10 (Rev 12:17; 22:8-9) I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you not do that. I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers
who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus
is the spirit of prophecy."

[5] And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
[6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia:
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of
the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
[8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean
and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
[9] And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true
sayings of God.
[10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do
it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony
of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Rider on the White Horse

11 (Rev 3:14; 6:2) I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse.
He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness
He judges and wages war.
12 (Rev 1:14; 6:2) His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head
are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself.
13 (Jn 1:1) He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name
is called The Word of God.
14 (Rev 19:8; 7:9 ) The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen,
white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 (Isa 11:4; 2Th 2:8) Out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword,
with which He may strike the nations.
"He shall rule them with an iron scepter."(Ps 2:9.)
He treads the winepress of the fury and wrath of God the Almighty.
16 (Rev 17:14) On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written:
KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 (Rev 19:21; Jer 12:9) And I saw an angel standing in the sun,
and he cried with a loud voice to all the birds flying in the midst
of heaven, "Come and gather for the supper of the great God,
18 (Eze 39:18-20; Rev 6:15) to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh
of commanders, the flesh of strong men, the flesh of horses
and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave,
both small and great!"
19 (Rev 16:16; 16:14) Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth
with their armies gathered to wage war against Him who sat on the horse
and against His army.
20 (Rev 20:10; 21:8; 14:10) But the beast was captured and with him
the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which
he deceived those who received the mark of the beast
and those who worshipped his image. These two were thrown alive
into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone.
21 The remnant were slain with the sword which proceeded
out of the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.
And all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh .

[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and
make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and
he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is
called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite
the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF
KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
[17] And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
[18] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them,
and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
[20] And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark
of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
[21] And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the
horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

(Collaborators of Anti-Christ and False Prophet will meet a dreadful end)

Revelation 20

The Thousand Years

1 (Rev 1:18; 10:1) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,
having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 (2Pe 2:4; Rev 12:9) He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent,
who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
3 (Da 6:17; Mt 27:66) He cast him into the bottomless pit,
and shut him up, and set a seal on him, that he should deceive
the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended.
After that he must be set free for a little while.
4 (Da 7:9; 7:18) I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and the authority
to judge was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded for their witness of Jesus and for the word of God.
They had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received
his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They came to life
and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years
were ended. This is the first resurrection.
6 (Rev 1:6; 2:11; 5:10) Blessed and holy is he who takes part
in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with
Him a thousand years.

[1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the
bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,
and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal
upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand
years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of
Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast,
neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

( PLease note on Lucifer aka Satan is in jail, but not the rest of the demons)

The Defeat of Satan

7 (Rev 20:2) When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be set free from
his prison
8 (Rev 16:14; 20:3) and will go out to deceive the nations which are
in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea.
9 (Eze 38:9; 38:16) They traveled the breadth of the earth and surrounded
the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from God
out of heaven and devoured them.
10 (Rev 19:20; 20:2-3; 20:14-15) The devil, who deceived them, was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet were. They will be tormented day
and night forever and ever.

[7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of
his prison,
[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters
of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number
of whom is as the sand of the sea.
[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of
the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

(Satan will not accue anyone once tossed into the Lake of Fire)

The Great White Throne Judgment

11 (Da 2:35; Rev 12:8) Then I saw a great white throne
and Him who was seated on it. From His face the earth
and the heavens fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 (Da 7:10; Mt 16:27) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God. Books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book
of Life. The dead were judged according to their works as recorded
in the books.
13 (Rev 6:8; 20:12) The sea gave up the dead who were in it,
and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.
And they were judged, each one by his works.
14 (1Co 15:26; Rev 20:6) Then Death and Hades were cast into
the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 (Mt 25:41; Mk 9:43-48) Anyone whose name was not found written
in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

[11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works.
[13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into
the lake of fire.

Revelation 21

The New Heaven and the New Earth

1 (Isa 66:22; 2Pe 3:13) Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth."(Isa 65:17.) For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no
more sea.
2 (Heb 11:10; Rev 3:12) I, John, saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned
for her husband.
3 (2Co 6:16; Rev 7:15) And I heard a loud voice from heaven, saying,
"Look! The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.
They shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them
and be their God.
4 (Isa 25:8; 35:10; 1Co 15:26) 'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. There shall be no more death.'(Isa 25:8.) Neither shall there be any more sorrow nor crying nor pain, for the former things have passed away."
5 (Rev 4:9; 20:11) He who was seated on the throne said,
"Look! I am making all things new." Then He said to me,
"Write, for these words are faithful and true."
6 (Rev 1:8; 22:13; Jn 4:10) He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha
and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the spring
of the water of life to him who thirsts.
7 (Rev 21:3; Mt 25:34) He who overcomes shall inherit all things,
and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (2Sa 7:14; Ps 89:26.)
8 (Rev 19:20; Gal 5:19-21) But the cowardly, the unbelieving,
the abominable, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers,
the idolaters, and all liars shall have their portion
in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. This is the second death."

[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
[2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle
of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his
people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more
pain: for the former things are passed away.
[5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And
he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
[6] And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water
of life freely.
[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and
he shall be my son.
[8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The New Jerusalem

9 (Rev 19:7; 21:2) One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full
of the seven last plagues came to me and said to me,
"Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
10 (Rev 17:3; 1:10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great
and high mountain, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, descending
out of heaven from God,
11 (Rev 4:6; 22:5) having the glory of God, her light like a most
precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
12 (Eze 48:31-34; Rev 21:25) It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates,
and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve
tribes of the sons of Israel were written:
13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates
on the south, and three gates on the west.
14 (Heb 11:10; Mt 16:18) The wall of the city had twelve foundations,
and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 He who talked with me had a golden rod to measure the city
and its gates and wall. 16The city lies as a square,
its length as long as its width. He measured the city with the rod:
one thousand four hundred miles.(Gk. 12,000 stadia, or 2,200 kilometers.)
Its length and breadth and height are equal.
17 He then measured its wall: two hundred feet(144 cubits, or 65 meters.)
by the measurement of a man, that is, of an angel.
18 (Rev 21:11; 21:21) The wall was built of jasper and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
19 (Isa 54:11-12) The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished
with all kinds of precious jewels. The first foundation was jasper;
the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase;
the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.
21 (Rev 21:18; 17:4; 22:2) The twelve gates were twelve pearls,
each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city
was pure gold, transparent as glass.
22 (Jn 4:23; Rev 1:8) I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
23 (Rev 21:11; Isa 60:19-20; Rev 22:5) The city has no need of sun
or moon to shine in it, for the glory of God is its light,
and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 (Rev 22:2) And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour into it.
25 (Isa 60:11; Zec 14:7) Its gates shall never be shut by day, for there
shall be no night there. 26They shall bring into it the glory and the honor
of the nations.
27 (Isa 52:1; Joel 3:17) No unclean thing shall ever enter it, nor shall anyone who commits abomination or falsehood, but only those whose names are written
in the Lamb's Book of Life.

[9] And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I
will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
[10] And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
[11] Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
[12] And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
[13] On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
[14] And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
[15] And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and
the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
[16] And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the
breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs.
The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
[17] And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
[18] And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
[19] And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all
manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
[20] The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh,
a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
[21] And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent
glass.
[22] And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
[23] And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in
it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. [24] And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:
and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
[25] And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be
no night there.
[26] And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
[27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth,
neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 22

1 (Zec 14:8; Rev 7:17) Then he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 (Rev 2:7; Ge 2:9) in the middle of its street. On each side of the river
was the tree of life, which bore twelve kinds of fruit,
yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were
for the healing of the nations.
3 (Zec 14:11; Ps 17:15) There shall be no more curse. The throne of God
and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
4 (Mt 5:8; Rev 14:1) They shall see His face, and His name shall
be on their foreheads.
5 (Da 7:27; 7:18) Night shall be no more. They need no lamp
nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.
And they shall reign forever and ever.

[1] And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
[2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
[3] And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
[4] And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
[5] And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither
light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign
for ever and ever.

The Coming of Christ

6 (Rev 1:1; 21:5; 19:9) The angel said to me, "These words are faithful
and true. The Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show
to His servants the things which must soon take place."
7 (Rev 1:3; 3:11; 22:12) "Look, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps
the words of the prophecy of this book."
8 (Rev 19:10; 1:1) I, John, am he who saw and heard these things.
When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel
who showed me these things.
9 (Rev 19:10) But he said to me, "See that you not do that.
For I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets,
and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"
10 (Rev 10:4; Da 8:26) Then he said to me, "Do not seal the words
of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11 (Eze 3:27; Da 12:10) He who is unjust, let him be unjust still.
He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous,
let him be righteous still. He who is holy, let him be holy still."
12 (Isa 40:10; Rev 22:7) "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me
to give to each one according to his work.
13 (Rev 1:8; 21:6; 1:17) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning
and the End, the First and the Last."
14 (Rev 21:27; 22:2) Blessed are those who do His commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter
through the gates into the city.
15 (Rev 21:8; Gal 5:19-21; Php 3:2) Outside are dogs and sorcerers
and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters
and everyone who loves and practices a lie.
16 (Rev 1:1; 5:5; Mt 2:2) "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to you
with this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring
of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
(The Bright and Morning Star, esp The Morning Star is not fallen)
17 (Rev 21:6; Isa 2:5) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."
Let him who hears say, "Come." Let him who is thirsty come.
Let him who desires take the water of life freely.
18 (Dt 4:2; Pr 30:6) I testify to everyone who hears the words
of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things,
God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book.
19 (Rev 22:2; 13:8) And if anyone takes away from the words
of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part
out of the Book of Life and out of the Holy City
and out of the things which are written in this book.
20 (Rev 22:7; 1Co 16:22) He who testifies to these things says,
"Surely I am coming soon."
Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
21 (Ro 16:20) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

[6] And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord
God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
[7] Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
[8] And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and
seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me
these things.
[9] Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant,
and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
[10] And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this
book: for the time is at hand.
[11] He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still:
and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
[12] And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every
man according as his work shall be.
[13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the
last.
[14] Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to
the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
[15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers,
and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
[16] I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and
morning star.
[17] And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him
the plagues that are written in this book:
[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of
the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

2) Our Daily Bread for 23 December 2025 Titled
<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category /no-favoritism"> No Favoritism </a> by Mike Wittmer

James 2:1-4, 8-13

Warning Against Partiality

1 (1Co 2:8; Lev 19:15) My brothers, have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, without partiality.
2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your assembly, and also a poor man in ragged clothing comes in,
3 and you have respect for him who wears the fine clothing and say to him,
"Sit here in a good place," and say to the poor, "Stand there,"
or "Sit here under my footstool,"
4 (Jn 7:24) have you not then become partial among yourselves
and become judges with evil thoughts?

8 (Lev 19:18) If you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"(Lev 19:18.) you are doing well.
9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted
by the law as sinners.
10 (Gal 3:10) For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend
in one point is guilty of breaking the whole law.
11 (Ex 20:13-14; Dt 5:17-18) For He who said,
"Do not commit adultery,"(Ex 20:14; Dt 5:18.)
also said, "Do not kill."(Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17.)
Now if you do not commit adultery, yet you kill,
you have become a lawbreaker.
12 (Jas 1:25) So speak and so do as those who will be judged
by the law of liberty.
13 (Pr 21:13; Mt 5:7) For he who has shown no mercy will
have judgment without mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgment.

[1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
[2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
[3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto
him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there,
or sit here under my footstool:
[4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

[8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
[9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of
the law as transgressors.
[10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he
is guilty of all.
[11] For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now
if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor
of the law.
[12] So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
[13] For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant was stopped for recklessly driving his carriage through Washington DC. One published account says that the officer, an African American named William West, warned Grant, "Your fast driving,
sir . . . is endangering the lives of the people who have
to cross the street." Grant apologised, but the next night he was racing carriages again. West stopped Grant's horses. "I am very sorry, Mr. President, to have to do it, for you are the chief of the nation and I am nothing
but a policeman, but duty is duty." West arrested the president.

I admire this brave man for doing his duty. So did Grant. He praised West
and made sure he kept his job. God also was pleased, for He hates
the injustice of favoritism. James wrote,
"Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism"
(James 2:1). That includes not giving special favors to the rich and powerful, leaving only leftovers for the poor (vv. 2-4). Instead, we're called to love our neighbour as ourselves (v. 8). If we play favourites, serving our platinum club neighbours rather than the less privileged,
we "sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers" (v. 9).

God didn't play favorites with us. He loved us when we had nothing to offer, when we were "without hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). With His help, we can love all people equally.

Reflect & Pray

Why is favoritism such a harmful thing? How might you avoid playing favorites?

I praise You, Father, that no human is above or beneath me.

<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/reading-plans /hearing-god-through-the-christmas-story /introduction-hearing-god-through-the-christmas-story">
Discover more through Hearing God Through the Christmas Story reading plan.


3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 3 - All I need

Phil 4:19

19 But my God shall supply your every need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

"But Mom, I really need these!" The strident voice of a teenage girl
rose above the hum of voices in the department store. The item in question
was a pair of $80 blue Jeans, faded, bleached, and torn in the right knee. Style . Fashion. Self-Image. The girl may not have needed the jeans to
enhance her wardrobe, but she obviously felt she needed then to
enhance her acceptability among her peers.
Phillippains 4:19 promises that God "shall supply your every need according
to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." But just what needs does this
promise cover? My need for a bigger house? A better job?
An $80 pair of Calvin Kleins?
Certainly God knows and cares about the physical, superficial need of our lives, and he provides what we need to sustain life. But God's priority
goes much deeper than the kind of radial tires we buy or the brand name on
our back pockets. God is interested in eternal values, in spiritual needs, and he knows what we need in our lives to draw us closer to him.
"Out of his glorious riches in Christ Jesus," God will enrich us spiritually. The application of Phil 4:19 involves trusting God to know and care about our real needs, the deep needs of our souls, and allowing him the freedom to
order our circumstances so that those needs are met. When we are bold
enough to pray, "Lord, do whatever is necessary to make me more like
Jesus Christ," our Father delights to answer that prayer and supply our needs.

Application

a) What is the difference between my "Needs" and my "wants"?

b) What spiritual needs can I identify in my life?

c) How can this verse help me keep my own priorities
in line with God's value system?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Hebr 11:6

6 (1Ch 28:9; Jer 29:13-14) And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him.

5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:

When you are Burdened by Doubt

Matt 7:7-11

Ask, Seek, Knock

Lk 11:9-13

7(Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
9 "What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread,
will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake?
11 (Ge 6:5; 8:21) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give
good things to those who ask Him!

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you:
8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread,
will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,
how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things
to them that ask him?

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)

The Northern Territories of Canada

Yukon

Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69

In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Northwest Territories (NWT)

NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473

The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year. To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million Islamic Centre.

Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Nunavut (NU)

NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86

The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory. Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."

Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and, of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other, "What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."

Peter's Speech at Pentecost

14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

Day 23 of the Month

a) Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.

b) Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.

(

John 13:34-35

34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,
even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another."

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another;
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.

Rom 12:10

10 Be devoted to one another with brotherly love; prefer one another in honour

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;

Heb 10:24

24 And let us consider how to spur one another to love and to good works.

24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

1 Peter 3:8

8 Finally, be all of one mind, be loving toward one another, be gracious,
and be kind.

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 John 3:23

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name
of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

)

From <a href="https://oneagleswings.ca/"> On Eagle's Wings</a>

Holy Ground

Exodus 3:5b

"Remove your sandals from off your feet,
for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

put off thy shoes from off thy feet,
for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

rCLI'm ticklish!rCY squealed a girl in Baker Lake one Sunday morning
during Sunday school.
We had all taken off our boots and socks, carefully tracing each
other's feet onto colouring paper. Later, we filled our footsteps
with bright colours - even a bit of glitter.
That day's lesson was about holy ground. We discovered that
holiness isn't only found in a church building, but everywhere GodrCOs
presence dwells - in our Sunday school room, our homes, the land
around us, even the ice rink.
Why? Because God is in all of us. He is with us, in us, and around us.
He is revealed in nature, in the people we meet, and in every corner
of creation.
Jesus came eating and drinking, loved the birds and the flowers,
blessed little children, and sat at the table with tax collectors,
sinners, and the poor - as well as the rich. With Jesus, we rejoice in
this world, its beauty, and all living creatures, for he called nothing
common or unclean.
As a joyful reminder, our colourful footsteps were taped above the
doorway, right under the sign that read, "You are standing on holy
ground."

Isabelle Solberg
Community Partner & Caring for the Wounded Heart Facilitator

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to endure in Faith.

Pray to the Lord: "I praise You, Father,
that no human is above or beneath me."

Pray to the Lord and pray to know He is the provider of needs.

Pray to the Lord and pray to persisently seek Him in Faith.

Pray to seek him consistently and persisently.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together, and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

Pray for the genuine conversion and successful rehabilitation of those
who have committed crimes.

Pray for spiritual and functional unity in the Body of Christ
across Canada.

Dear Lord, Creator of all, you are revealed in the bold aurora above
us, the ground below us, and the Spirit within us. As we walk this
earth, help us remember that every step we take is upon holy
ground. Amen.

Pray for discipleship efforts that are fostering
spiritual maturity among Kuwaiti believers.

Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
Merry Christmas 2025 and Happy New Year 2026
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2