Jim Gallagher

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 45-46 & Revelation 17
Old Testament: Ezekiel 45- Government

Ezekiel 45:17
“Then it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the appointed seasons of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the grain… Read More
Ezekiel 46- Changes

Ezekiel 46:9
“But when the people of the land come before the Lord on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through… Read More

New Testament: Revelation 17- Book Of Life

Revelation 17:8
“…And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world…”

As the angel explains the images John sees, he makes reference to the Book of Life. This book is mentioned again, in Revelation 20:15, as the guest list of heaven. All, whose names… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 43-44 & Revelation 16
Old Testament: Ezekiel 43- Dedication Day

Ezekiel 43:5
“The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”

What a glorious sight this must have been, as Ezekiel watched the glory or radiance of God descend upon and fill the Temple. What had … Read More

Ezekiel 44- Service

Ezekiel 44:21
“No priest shall drink wine when he enters the inner court.”

Ezekiel is given instructions concerning those who will serve the Lord in His Holy Temple. Three of the rules seemed to jump off the page as I read through them this morning.

First, the priests were required to wear linen as they served the Lord. The more common material for garments in Ezekiel’s day was wool, which was much heavier and would cause a person to perspire when working hard. The ministry is something that should never become burdensome. Jesus explained, His yoke was easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:30). When serving the Lord seems like a heavy task, we… Read More

New Testament: Revelation 16- Armageddon

Revelation 16:16
“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.”

Recently, I had the privilege of standing on Tel Megiddo, the ruins of the ancient city of Megiddo. It overlooks, what is often referred to as, the valley of… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 41-42 & Revelation 15
Old Testament:Ezekiel 41- The Meeting Place

Ezekiel 41:4
“…And he said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.”

The deepest chamber within the temple housed the Ark of God and the the Mercy Seat. It was here, the high priest would enter only once a year to bring the blood of the sacrifice, and intercede on behalf… Read More

Ezekiel 42- Getting Dressed

Ezekiel 42:14
“When the priests enter them, they shall not go out of the holy chamber into the outer court; but there they shall leave their garments in which they minister, for they are holy. They shall put on other garments; then they may approach that which is for the people.”

For the priest to be involved in ministery, there must be a change … Read More

New Testament: Revelation 15- Praise Him

Revelation 15:3-4
“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

While the tribulation continues on earth, John’s attention is drawn once again to the scene in heaven. The contrast alone should be enough to persuade us to surrender to Christ. Earth is experiencing the wrath of God… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 39-40 & Revelation 14
Old Testament: Ezekiel 39- It’s A Promise

Ezekiel 39:29
“And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.”… Read More
New Testament: Revelation 14- A Safe Place

Revelation 14:1
“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty- four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.”

The tribulation years will be the most difficult time period the earth has ever known. Any hardship we have ever experienced, will pale by comparison, to say the least of the trials during those few years. It is prudent that we each do everything we can to avoid being… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 37-38 & Revelation 13
Old Testament: Ezekiel 37- Dem Bones

Ezekiel 37:11
“Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’””

Ezekiel was taken in the Spirit to a valley full of skeletons. I am sure the sight… Read More

Ezekiel 38- Under Attack

Ezekiel 38:1-2
“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, . . .’”

Ezekiel takes us on a fast and furious ride into the future. He describes a time when a coalition of nations will come against Israel in… Read More

New Testament: Revelation 13- The Mark

Revelation 13:1
“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.” … Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 35-36 & Revelation 12
Old Testament: Ezekiel 35- Judge And Jury

Ezekiel 35:13
“Thus with your mouth you have boasted against Me and multiplied your words against Me; I have heard them.”

The inhabitants of Mount Sier, a nation south and east of ancient Israel, were about to face the consequences of… Read More

Ezekiel 36- What’s In It For Me?

Ezekiel 36:25-27
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take… Read More

New Testament: Revelation 12- Symbols

The book of Revelation is filled with symbolism. Some of the symbols are easy to understand because they are explained in the text, itself. For instance, in Chapter 1 we see Jesus in the midst of the lamp stands, then we are told the lamp stands represent the churches. Here in Chapter 12, the imagery is a bit harder to deduce. We are told of a woman clothed with the sun, who gives birth to a male child. Next, a red dragon, with seven heads, who draws a third of the stars from heaven, and awaits the birth of the child, that he might devour him. If we take a few minutes to unwrap the text, we will find that most of the imagery is, in fact, explained for us. Verse nine reveals the dragon is Satan… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 33-34 & Revelation 11
Old Testament:Ezekiel 33- A Beautiful Song

Ezekiel 33:32
“Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them.”

It seems, for a a portion of Ezekiel’s ministry, he had become quite popular. His use of imagery and his skills as an orator… Read More

Ezekiel 34- A Shepherd’s Heart

Ezekiel 34:7
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord”

This chapter contains some of the most valuable and important instruction for anyone seeking to be involved in Christian ministry. In it, Ezekiel explains the role of the servant of God, by using the … Read More

 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 31-32 & Revelation 10
Old Testament: Ezekiel 31- Big And Strong

Ezekiel 31:3
“Indeed Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with fine branches that shaded the forest, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.”

At the time of Ezekiel’s writing, Egypt was one of the most powerful nations in the world. So great was their strength, many… Read More

Ezekiel 32- Healthy Fears

Ezekiel 32:10
“Yes, I will make many peoples astonished at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid of you when I brandish My sword before them; and they shall tremble every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of your fall.”

A few years ago… Read More

New Testament: Revelation 10- Sweet And Sour

Revelation 10:10
“Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.”

The Bible is the most popular book of all time. It has been translated into… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 29-30 & Revelation 9
Old Testament: Ezekiel 29- Crutches

Ezekiel 29:6-7
“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. When they took hold of you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; when they leaned on you,you broke and made all their backs quiver.”

One of the common criticisms of Christianity asserts it is a crutch for weak people. I would disagree with that accusation based upon its premise. You see, anyone making that statement is failing to see that we, as humans, are all weak and in …Read More

Ezekiel 30- It’s Coming, Are You Ready?

Ezekiel 30:2-3
“Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:’ “Wail, Woe to the day!” For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.”

Ezekiel paints a very dark picture of what is coming… Read More

 

New Testament: Revelation 9- When The Trumpet Sounds

Revelation 9 records the fifth and sixth blast of the angelic trumpets. With each blast, another calamity is poured out upon a Christ-rejecting world. While each of these is intriguing in themselves, two things stand out to me as I read through them.

First, it strikes me, the judgment of God does not come in a… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Ezekiel 27-28 & Revelation 8
Old Testament: Ezekiel 28- Israel

Ezekiel 28:25
“Thus says the Lord God: ‘When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant.’”

Without a doubt, the Bible is the most extraordinary book you will ever read. It is filled with fascinating stories designed not only to encourage moral…Read More

 

New Testament: Revelation 8- Silence In Heaven

Revelation 8:1
“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

Revelation 8 paints a sober picture and before the events unfold, Heaven goes silent for half an hour. These events are a series of judgments that are unleashed upon the earth. While it, no doubt, grieves the heart of God to judge the sinful men He sent His own Son to save, these judgments are released as the prayers of God’s people arise like incense before the throne of God.

Revelation 8:3-4 “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.”…Read More