The book of Revelation contains some of the most frightening scenes in all of Scripture.

Earthquakes.

Judgment.

The heavens shaken.

People so terrified that they cry out to the mountains and rocks:

“Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!”

But could there be something else going on even in the midst of that terrifying judgment?

Could the Tribulation reveal not only the wrath of God—but also the astonishing persistence of His grace?

After all, God does not bring judgment without warning.

Again and again, He reveals what is coming and calls people to turn to Him.

And yet Revelation shows something sobering about the human heart: even when God’s reality becomes impossible to ignore, many will still refuse to repent.

So what does Revelation teach us about God’s judgment, His mercy, and the urgency of the gospel?

And did you know that Revelation begins with a special blessing for those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy?

Today we’re beginning one of the Bible’s most fascinating books—not merely a revelation of future events, but “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day.” Why not make the coming year the best ever when it comes to your understanding and enjoyment of Scripture by signing up for these daily devotionals or subscribing to the YouTube version? (If you are already signed up, you will automatically continue receiving them.)

And now on to the Word …

Today’s Readings:

Hosea 13 & 14
Psalm 140.1-5
Proverbs 29.23
Revelation 1.1-20

Could God’s Wrath in the Tribulation Also Reveal His Grace?

Revelation 1.1-20:

The Time is Short

The more complete and accurate title for this book is contained in verse 1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Jesus, “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (verse 8), appeared to the aging apostle as he was in exile on the Isle of Patmos. The seven churches representing the church as a whole were about to come under intense persecution. John’s vision of future events was intended to serve as an encouragement to them during that difficult time.

Even though the book of Revelation contains horrific images, it is still a book filled with God’s grace!

The book describes the future events surrounding the tribulation and the second coming of Christ. The tribulation will be a seven-year period of time when God will complete His discipline of Israel and bring final judgment on the unbelieving world.

The Conquering King

At His first coming, Jesus came as a helpless baby. He lived and died as the Suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah 53. At His second coming, He will come back as the conquering King along with the armies of heaven.

During the Tribulation, God will pour out His wrath in a last-ditch attempt to say, “Repent… the end is near”! So, those who repent and turn to Him, while they might suffer here on earth, will spend eternity with Him. But sadly, many will not repent and will spend eternity separated from Him and burning in a “fire that shall never be quenched” (Mk. 9.43). Though every mountain and island will be shaken and the sky itself will be rolled up like a scroll, some will still reject Him. Revelation 6.14-16:

14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! …’

The time is short. Let’s not get too busy or preoccupied to share the truth this Christmas season.

Today’s Other Readings:

Hosea 13 & 14:

A Stone of Stumbling

The book of Hosea ends with these words:

For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

1 Peter 2.7-8 says:

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

In today’s world, you can talk about God as long as you leave it open-ended—“god as you understand him,” some say. But when you talk about Jesus as “the Way and the only Way” (Jn. 14.6), you’ll be labeled narrow-minded and accused of trying to impose your religion on everyone else. He is “precious” to those who believe and a “rock of offense” to those who reject Him.

Psalm 140.1-5:

Sticks & Stones

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips (v. 3).

That childhood saying, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you,” is a lie. Words hurt and can continue to hurt for a lifetime unless we nail them to the cross and allow them to stay there. We do that by meditating on God’s forgiveness toward us and, with God’s help, choosing to extend that forgiveness to those who hurt us. Then we must replace those hurtful words in our hearts and minds with God’s truth.

Proverbs 29.23:

Pride & Humility

A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

God resists the proud, but gives His grace to the humble (Jas. 4.6) is Scripture’s constant refrain.

Coming Up

In the next few days, we’ll talk about grace, unfair treatment, being a Christian single, the responsibility involved in being a true friend, what to do when you’ve lost that loving feeling toward your spouse, and discuss the question, “Are you a lukewarm Christian?” I hope you’ll join us.

Get Ready for the Coming Year with a Plan for Your Bible Reading

The holidays are just around the corner, and the new year will be upon us before we know it. What will you do to make Bible reading an ongoing habit in the coming year? I want to encourage you to set a goal to read through the Bible again or for the first time.

Sign up here for my daily email or subscribe on YouTube for the video version. Following along with me can help you stay on track. And I believe you’ll benefit from the additional information I share and grow as you learn to apply God’s Word to your own life.

If this post spoke to you, I hope you’ll share it on your favorite social media platform.

Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥

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Here’s today’s YouTube video:

Note about this post:

I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years.

A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”

I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)