Revelation 11 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, and the angel stood up with these words: ‘Go and measure G_d’s sanctuary and the altar, and count those who worship there. But exclude the courtyard outside the sanctuary. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample it for 42 months.’” Rev 11:1-2

The apostle John was given the task of measuring G_d’s sanctuary, altar, and worshipers. To accomplish his mission, John was given a measuring rod…the standard by which all things are measured. This represents G_d’s Word, the Bible. The plans given to Moses, concerning the Holy of Holies are precisely written in the Torah. And in a greater sense, G_d’s standard for all mankind is written in Scripture.

Obviously, G_d’s Heavenly sanctuary & altar are up to His standards, but what about His people? What about yourself, for that matter? How do you measure-up to G_d’s requirements? If a “building inspector” were to observe your life, would you be “up to code”? The follower of Yeshua need not be afraid of such a measurement, for He has fulfilled the Torah’s requirements on our behalf.

That being said, 2nd Peter and 1st John are solemn reminders that TRUE followers of Yeshua are those who not only believe by faith, but also seek to obey His commands. We should never cease from seeking G_d’s Word…the standard by which mankind will be judged…in order to conduct ourselves in such a way that honors Him, Who saved us.

There is a tendency in the culture of the Greater Community Of Messiah, the “Church”, to measure itself against the World’s standards for righteousness. Bad idea.

I have heard it said by some “Christian” leaders, that the Church will never do “the World” better than the World does “the World”. Their point being, that when it comes to secular standards of art, music, and media…and the way they minister to the flesh…Believers in Yeshua simply cannot compete. Sure, the Community of Messiah may occasionally send a music hero, actor or film-maker into international prominence, but that is hardly making a dent in the darkness, as it were.

On the other hand, the World will never do “Church” better than the L_rd commands His Community of Messiah to operate on earth. What the World offers, by way of worship, always fails to live-up to its hype. It always leaves us short of what we really desire at the soul level.

Who knows what our affect would be, on the Kingdom of Darkness, if we simply determined to conduct ourselves by G_d’s requirements? The Enemy has no effective long-term defense against a sold-out believer!

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Tuesday, December 24, 2013