READING FOR JANUARY 1, 2026: AMOS 9, REVELATION 22, PSALM 134 AMOS 9 The first seven verses are about as hopeless as any forecast of the future could possibly be, at least for the then nation of Israel. Likely this passage has been read in very few churches on Sunday mornings because of being such a downer. Glimmers of hope peep through in verses 8-10 for those few among this rebellious people who remained faithful to God. Then the entire book of Amos closes with God’s promise to restore God’s people permanently, including Gentiles who put their faith in Jesus. The details of this restoration, as with all prophetic details, may be difficult to ascertain. This is where the writer will offer his thoughts with extreme humility. The transcript from the Jerusalem Council found in Acts 15 will be utilized.
One really would be hard pressed to say that God did not actively bring punishment against Israel but rather Israel just experienced the natural consequences of their poor choices in a fallen world. One often hears such an explanation when bad things happen to people in the Bible. Consider the following comments by God about his role in these opening verses:
- “I will put to death the rest of them with the sword” (vs. 1).
- “Though they ascend to heaven, from there I will bring them down” (vs. 2).
- “Though they hide on the summit of Carmel, I will track them down” (vs. 3).
- “I will command the serpent from there, and it will bite them” (vs.3).
- “I will command the sword, and it will kill them” (vs. 4).
In verse 5-6, God reminds the prophet that He is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel. He led Israel out of Egypt, but He also moved the Philistines and the Arameans from their previous locations. God tells Amos Israel will go into captivity (vs. 4) and be eliminated (vs. 4 and 8), but not totally. God will shake (i.e. evaluate) the House of Jacob as a farmer sifts chaff from wheat. Those who are evaluated as sinners will die by the sword. But from a remaining remnant or true kernels, God will raise up a shelter of David and in some sense restore Israel’s glory. The text also predicts Israel will possess Edom, in connection with other nations who are claimed as God’s people. In comparing Amos 9:11-12 with James’s speech in Acts 15, it appears that David’s restoration and this addition of other nations or Gentiles mentioned in Amos were fulfilled by the redemptive work of Jesus (the son of David) and Gentiles being fully accepted as part of God’s people in Acts 15.
| Prophecy from Amos 9:11-12 | James’s paraphrase and explanation from Acts 15:13-18 |
| “On that day I will raise up the fallen shelter of David, And wall up its gaps; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old; So that they may possess the remnant of Edom* And all the nations who are called by My name,” Declares the Lord who does this. *Possibly a reference to Num. 24:17-19. | James responded, saying, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. The words of the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written: ‘After these things I will return, And I will rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it, So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’ Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago. |
Revelation 22: We began this study of Revelation by noting that the central focus of the book is Jesus himself. This is clearly seen in this last chapter. Let’s consider the names and titles given to Jesus in this chapter: The Lamb (22:1), The Lord (22:5),
READING FOR JANUARY 1, 2026 CONTINUED: REVELATION 22 PSALM 134
The God of the spirits of the prophets (22:6), The Alpha and Omega (22:13),
The First and the Last (22:13), The Beginning and the End (22:13)
The Root and Offspring of David (22:16) The Bright and Morning Star (22:16)
The Lord Jesus (22:20)
All of these titles show that there is no one like him. Jesus is above all. And he invites us to spend eternity with him. He invites us to take the free gift of the water of life. (22:17) The first verses of the chapter give us more detail about the place he calls us to. This is what he meant when he said, “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2-3) We will be where Jesus is! We will see the King on his throne, and we will serve him. (22:3) Just imagine what it will be like to see the face of Jesus! (22:4) Take a moment and sing this classic Gaither chorus:
What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon his face
The one who saved me by his grace
When he takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be
We finish our study of Revelation with the blessing of the last verse of the Bible:
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
PSALM 134 This is the last of Psalms of Ascent. It is a call for praise from those whose “job" it is to serve in the Temple during the night shift. You may recall God so commanded the priests: “You shall remain day and night for seven days and fulfill your duty to the Lord, so that you will not die; for so I have been commanded (Lev. 8:25).” Do those of us who might do the “work” of the ministry, especially work that is not highly visible or appreciated, ever think God should be satisfied that we did our bit, regardless of our attitude? Perhaps we even feel sorry for ourselves that our efforts are not noticed enough. Even in these situations we cannot forget to praise our wonderful God enthusiastically. This is not the only place where praise is prescribed by lifting hands: “I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8). As we do this, we in turn are blessed by God from His position of total preeminence.
