In the book of Titus, a distinction is made between believers and non-believers. It speaks of two kingdoms: one is the kingdom of works, a sea of trouble, while the other is the kingdom of grace. A pure heart sees purity in all things, but those corrupted and unbelieving see nothing as pure. This is likened to a Jewish proverb that separates the wheat from the chaff, emphasizing that salvation is solely by grace. Grace is not something we possess or control, but is found only in the life and righteousness of Christ. We live in grace as King David did. When David faced his enemies in battle, God's glory appeared and weakened his foes. The glory belonged to God alone, and this is a covenant of grace with David's descendants. Though we may face many temptations, we will not be defeated. Our actions align with our belief in the real grace we will experience on the day we stand before God. Our confession of these truths is evidence of the grace we have received. We are promised ongoing salvation, just as if we were engaged in the physical battles of King David. Countless angels, doing the will of God, represent us as heavenly warriors. It is as if Christ descends from heaven on a chariot, preceded by the consuming fire of God, to rescue us from trouble on all sides. Therefore, we put an end to all speculation about grace by confessing that we are pure, not crooked, and our confession is centered on Christ alone. We acknowledge that it is Christ who gives us the strength to resist our adversaries. We are powerless on our own, but through Christ, we can climb mountains and rise above our troubles. Though we may stumble, we will not fall. Like a deer climbing the rocks, we have no ability to defend ourselves against ferocious beasts, but we can ascend above our troubles. At the summit, we are most formidable, for we are far removed from the troubles of this world. No one can please God through their own efforts; salvation comes from God alone. It is He who comes down to earth, taking on the work of salvation on our behalf. In times of trouble, God is the rock upon which we rely. The world rejects true grace because it is blind to spiritual salvation. We live in grace by placing our trust solely in the saving work of Christ. The world challenges us, saying that if we trust in God, we should rely on Him for deliverance. But our trust in God is honored by His grace, not by our past efforts. We live by grace, not by works of the law. These kingdoms are inhabited by men who show graciousness out of selfish motives, and on the other hand, those who are gracious because they belong to Christ. Only the latter can truly claim righteousness in the heavenly court, for they have been made pure by their identification with Christ. This purity does not mean sinlessness, but rather a genuine reality.

I once believed the Revelation would be gentler than the Psalms, but it unfolds as a relentless tale of retribution. Its words stir a deep, enigmatic contemplation within me. May divine guidance be upon us all.