Why Expectant Living is Important

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20

The book of Revelation ends with this commitment to expecting the return of Christ. I think it is something that we have not paid as much attention to as we should have. I grew up during a tumultuous time (the 1960’s and early 70’s). The culture changed dramatically in a ten year period, and my parents and I came to faith in Christ in the middle of all that social change. And the Baptist church we attended preached A LOT of eschatology. With war in Vietnam, radicalism redefining culture, the vivid daily threat of nuclear holocaust, drug culture going mainstream, and political corruption, it all seemed to be lining up. As a kid, I fully expected Jesus would return before the 1980’s were upon us. That really bummed me out, because I wanted to at least graduate high school!

The one advantage of all those sermons on Christ’s soon return was that I lived with a sense of urgency and expectancy. I knew that when the church was raptured and the events of biblical prophecy began to unfold, one of them would be the judgment seat of Christ where I would give account of myself. And being aware of the immediate possibility of that happening kept certain clear spiritual priorities in front of me. This is why I believe that good eschatology ought still be preached, maybe not with the newspaper headlines that it had in the 70’s but at least with some conviction that it is imminent!

And 2009 has been already a year of sweeping change. Old threats are re-emerging. North Korea has gone from sounding like a toothless old man, to flexing some serious nuclear muscle. Iran is leading radical Islam dangerously toward a hellfire confrontation with the West. Despite eight years of effort, the war on terrorism continues unabated in threats against American life. And America transformed in the 60’s and 70’s by a culture war is now leaning further toward Sodom than ever. Gay marriage, family redefinition, government bailouts of the largest corporations and banks, and a weird new socialistic ethic have seized the culture. And the evangelical church looks like the 1960’s again with social gospel, liberal theology, cutesy inspirational talks, and political liberation displacing the gospel in many churches. Time to remember that Jesus is coming soon. It never was time not to remember that truth.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Second Coming of Christ,Eschatology

New Heaven and Earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:1-2

Of all the grand descriptions in the book of Revelation, this vision of what will be our ultimate eternal destiny is most compelling. God is remaking the universe. He is doing something both new and the same. There is a heaven. There is an earth. And this time the physical planet will also be His physical dwelling place in a place of His design: The New Jerusalem. It is called a “holy city” that is “from God” and “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”.

We know that this will be such a remarkable place that it will be uniquely associated with God’s people. The New Jerusalem is called “the wife of the Lamb” in Revelation 21:9. Then the rest of the chapter goes into detail on its measurements and glorious construction. Somehow this beautiful final city is also the unique abode of all believers. It is where my heart will find its final home. That is why it is a holy city. It is the dwelling place of God and it is the dwelling place of His holy people. One cannot help but wonder if that was what God hoped for in the Garden of Eden all along. That at some point He would work with Adam and Eve and their descendants in the construction of just such a place.

The origin of the New Jerusalem is “from God”. It comes to the earth from heaven. Jesus Himself promised to “go and prepare a place” for us and come and bring us to Himself. That will find its complete fulfillment in the arrival of the New Jerusalem. And I think He is already preparing that place for us even now.

And the city is festive. It is prepared for a wedding of the Lamb to His Bride. It will be the place where we will share our lives forever with Jesus. And it will be a place of joy, intimacy, shared life, and joy and fulfillment that we can only now barely comprehend in our redeemed fallen natures. But when we are as a race fully holy, this experience will be more thrilling than we can ever imagine. My heart quickens just a little thinking about it now. It is what my deepest hopes want to see.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Heaven,Eternity

Why I am Premillennial

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:6

Six times in the first seven verses of Revelation 20 the phrase “thousand years” is mentioned. I firmly believe this means something, and there is no reason not to see it as a literal time span. But in all fairness, there are competing interpretive views that are within the pail of evangelical orthodoxy. The ESV study Bible provides a succinct summary:

“These verses are among the most controversial in Revelation. Responsible scholars disagree regarding the meaning of the “thousand years” in vv. 2–7 (see Introduction: Millennial Views). The three main views are represented by: (1) Premillennialists (those who believe Christ will return “pre” [before] the millennium) think that this thousand years (Latin, millennium) is a future time of great peace and justice, which is usually thought to be a literal 1,000-year period that will begin when Christ returns to reign on earth as a physically present King, and which will include resurrected believers reigning with him. (2) Postmillennialists (those who believe that Christ will return “post” [after] the millennial period) think that before Christ returns to earth the gospel will spread and triumph so powerfully that societies will be transformed and peace and justice will reign on earth for a thousand years (or for a long period of time), after which Christ will return for the final judgment. (3) Amillennialists (those who hold an “a” [non-literal] millennial view) think this thousand years is the same period as this present church age, and that there will be no future “millennium” before Christ returns for the final judgment. Related to this is the question of whether the thousand years are to be interpreted literally (most premillennialists hold this view) or symbolically (most postmillennialists and amillennialists and some premillennialists hold this view). Those holding each view read John's millennial vision in terms of their understanding of other biblical texts and their approach to prophetic literature as a whole. Likewise, each of these views falls within the framework of historic Christian orthodoxy.”

It would seem to me that both amillennial and poststmillennial viewpoints must as a rule at some point interrupt a literal, plain interpretation of scripture in order to arrive at their destinations theologically. In my opinion, premillennialism maintains the most consistent hermeneutic. It is not without its questions and rough spots, but it is most consistent with plain interpretation. I also believe it has the benefit of being the easiest view to integrate Old Testament prophecy into the picture of the Book of Revelation. At times, it is virtually seamless, particularly with the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. These two facts (hermeneutic and biblical prophetic harmony) are why I am still a committed premillennialist. My committed reformed friends have yet to provide convincing theology to the contrary.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Millennium,Premillennialism

The real hallelujah chorus…

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.”

Revelation 19:6

This loud rejoicing comes in heaven as two things occur. First Jesus and His saints prepare to wipe out the beast and false prophet at the final battle of Armageddon. All opposition is defeated by the word of Jesus’ mouth. And justice is finally met against all the evil that has arisen against Christ at the end. That is cause for rejoicing and praise.

The second event is the preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb. It is there that Jesus and His church experience the joy and the celebration of the church’s redemption and Christ’s final possession of the church. And it is a feast… a party like none other. This brings on the songs of praise from the vast multitude in heaven as they anticipate this great event.

So praise can be offered both in judgment and in joy. We can rejoice that God is just and the giver of our mercies. We can worship the God Who is simultaneously our Great Lover and the Fearsome Judge of all who reject Him. He deserves this type of praise.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Worship,Justice,Church

Reason for God to act.

And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.

Revelation 18:24

Just a simple observation from this text today. When God does finally move against the Babylon in Revelation, it is because she has opposed Him to the point of killing His messengers and His people. He executes profound judgment because His justice must deal with profound sins: rejection, raging against God and His work, and the responsibility for the deaths of most of those on the planet who have died to this point in the book of Revelation. God can easily handle His own opposition. He does not need anyone else to serve justice for Him.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Judgment,Justice

Who Jesus is; who we are.

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.

Revelation 17:14

There is no doubt, for one moment, in the book of Revelation that the powers that array themselves against Christ will succeed. They will try. They will use all the earthly power at their disposal to rebel against God and persecute His people. And they will fail because Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings. No one can thwart His plans or disobey His authority successfully. Jesus is in control.

And those with Him are uniquely His. They are called by Him. They have responded to that call. And in that response they realize that all along they were chosen in Him: the people of God by His design and purpose. And they are faithful to Him. They obey and submit to the King of kings and Lord of lords and find themselves on the victory side of the war against the Lamb.

So these very simple descriptions have profound meaning. I see Jesus for Who He is and I realize that nothing in this present world will destroy Him or His work. I see who I am as one of His faithful called and chosen ones. And I know that serving Him and obeying His command in the fray will be rewarded with sure victory over those who would rebel against God.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Jesus,Victory

True & Just

And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, "Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!"
And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!"

Revelation 16:5-7

This song of worship comes as a direct response to God’s retributive judgment on those who have rejected and rebelled against Him. It praises God for His justice. The praise follows a simple line of thinking. God is just because He brought the judgments. He acts in judgment and that alone is cause for Him being seen as just. Secondly. God acts in such a way that those who are judged are judged in a deserving manner. There is an irony in the judgment that turns the water to blood, since the beast and his followers have led a bloody persecution against God’s people. The punishment fits the crime, and that is just.

Thirdly, God is just because He is the Almighty. God has all power at His disposal to dispense His justice. He is remarkably restrained when one considers that fact! He could just obliterate the world of humanity at any time, but does not do so. And the final observation about His justice is that He is true. He does not cause further sinful behavior, neither are His judgments subject to debate about their moral equity. He is true and so are His actions.

Lord,

I do not pause to consider these truths enough, because like most Christians, I tend to associate judgment with rage or anger. But Your justice is fundamental to Your very person and nature, as the angels sing of in this passage. May I be equally impressed and worship You Who are just and true.

Amen

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Justice,Truth,Judgment

Song of Deliverance

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

Revelation 15:3-4

This is a song unique to all those who have conquered the beast that had risen against God and persecuted His people. They sing the song of Moses (the first great leader who knew what it meant for God to save His people) and the song of the Lamb (the great King of the nations Who is our deliverer). They rejoice in God’s great deliverance.

Of course, in order to be around God’s throne in this worship service, one cannot be on earth any longer. These delivered saints have died for their faithfulness to the Lamb of God. But that is not even a consideration for them. They just go on rejoicing in God’s goodness. All the cares and pains of their persecution on earth are quickly forgotten in the joy of the worship of God.

They praise God for His deeds, amazed to be with Him. They praise God for His just dealings and truth. They extol Him for His pre-eminence among the nations. The worship Him for His holiness. They call the nations to worship Him in His revelation of Who He is. This is pure recognition of the greatness of the God that all His people know, love, and serve.

My takeaway from this passage is simple: praise should come from my pains. That is what happened with these former suffering saints who have been relieved of their pains in the presence of God. They see heaven and the presence of God as the great deliverance that it is, because their viewpoint is not limited to earthly life. And I should view my life, and my difficulties, from this eternal perspective.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Worship,Suffering

Pump up the volume!

And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders.

Revelation 14:2-3a

The next time I hear someone complaining about the volume of the sound system in a worship service, I want to point them to the passage. John said the worship in heaven was loud. The voice from the heavenly throng was like the roar of a waterfall. Ever heard that watery roar? I have. I have experienced it from both sides. Alberta Falls is a small fall in Rocky Mountain National Park. And it is loud when you get to it. In fact, one of my great anticipations when hiking is to begin hearing it a few hundred yards away on the trail. It quickens my pace. And if you know what you are doing, you can climb behind it and sit on a wet ledge with the cold falls all around you. You can’t begin to describe the loudness. You can shout to the person next to you and they will not hear. But the volume is impressive.

This is the volume of the voice that accompanies the “new song” of worship in this passage. It is loud. It is also musical, described as the sound of harpists playing on their harps. I hear something symphonic in this description. Multiple stringed instruments and a loud volume all accompanying a new song coming before the throne of God. He seems to be OK with volume. In fact, it seems to surround His throne.

Why is it that my easiest temptation is soft Christianity? I keep it low-key. Not so much in public worship, but in personal practice. If heaven is a place of unbelievable volume and harmony, what should my life sound like and look like if it has been touched and changed and controlled by a magnificent God? I probably ought to make a little noise!

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Worship

God’s Sovereignty in the book of Revelation

Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

Revelation 13:7-8

It is clear from John’s visions in this book that God is in control. We know this from the fact that God would let John record in “the words of the prophecy of this book” the visionary details concerning the future. We also know this from the way in which the leaders of a worldwide resistance against God are described. In the case of the first beast mentioned in chapter 13, it’s blasphemies and persecutions are “allowed” by God. He takes ultimate responsibility for the sovereign control of even the outcome of this rebellion against Him. Nothing takes God by surprise.

The first beast leads the world in blasphemy and idolatry, receiving worship from all those who have not turned to Christ. But God will ultimately conquer those who have rejected Him. Even as they are described, it is in terms of their elect status. Some have been written in the Lamb’s book of life. Others have not. But all made a free choice to obey either God or the beast.

The doctrines of sovereignty and free will are never in conflict. I really am disappointed by those who want to treat them that way. It is clear that man’s free will is a reality for all of us. as is God’s absolute sovereignty. And in these future descriptions, we see one way of seeing them free of the tensions we tend to assign them. The beast rages against God, but not outside His controlling power. The people worship Him, but not those who have been written in the Lamb’s book. God is in control, even when the world is at the worst it will EVER be!

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Sovereignty,Free Will

Who wins the spiritual battle?

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"

Revelation 12:10-12

There is no doubt that we are involved in a conflict much greater than ourselves. That is one of the lessons of the book of Revelation. We get a glimpse into the spiritual world and the activity there that so drastically effects the lives of human beings.This passage shows us the spiritual battle that leads to the final conflict God has with those who will not turn to Him. And it is summed up in a struggle with Satan.

We don’t have to look for the bizarre manifestations of Neil Anderson’s version of spiritual warfare. Satan goes after the nation of Israel in this passage. When he cannot succeed against them because of God’s protective care, he goes after the Christian believers. He is at war with the people that God has made His own. And He will work non-stop against them because he is against God.

But the passage says something interesting. The saints in heaven are rejoicing at Satan’s fall to earth because the saints have ALREADY conquered the devil through the blood of the Lamb. Satan cannot win. He has already lost. That is the perspective of the saints in heaven that helps us on earth. He is conquered. He is a defeated foe. Satan has no chance at all of winning. He will fight, but He is a loser. Why should we worry ourselves with a beaten foe? That is how we handle spiritual challenges. We remind Satan that he has already lost in the blood of Jesus. And thus ends the conflict.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Sin,Satan

The Seventh Trumpet

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."

Revelation 11:15

Again, the uninterrupted worship service in heaven keeps moving forward as events on the earth become more and more dramatically difficult. God is being worshiped even as humanity is rebelling against His judgments. At this point the worship has reached a climactic crescendo. It affirms God’s sovereign rule over the world of humanity.

As heaven worships, the text in Revelation 11:17-18 goes on to point out four aspects of God’s sovereign rule that are worth reflecting upon.

1)  The nations of the earth rage sinfully, but God still displays a righteous wrath that is meant to be corrective and reflective.

2)  The time for the dead to be judged is coming. No one will escape this scrutiny.

3)  God’s servants from the ages will be rewarded. Final vindication is coming.

4)  Those who have been complicit in the destruction of lives on earth through selfish disobedience will themselves by destroyed. God will “destroy the destroyers”.

Of course those are not idyllic reflections. They aren’t inspirational in the “pretty picture” sense of the world. But they are true and they are just as much a part of our future as heaven and eternal joy are a part of our future. God is worthy to be worshiped in judgment just as He is in grace and mercy BECAUSE His judgments are always fair, holy, and right.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Worship,Judgment

The Burden of Prophecy.

And I was told, "You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings."

Revelation 10:11

When John is again instructed to write down words of prophecy, it is after an event is recorded in which specifically “seals up” some of the detail so that it might not be known. God does the revealing in the book of Revelation. He chooses when it is best to say it as well. And John learns this at this time.

When God sets John free to record again, there is this symbolic moment where an angel instructs him to eat a scroll (yum… fiber). In his mouth it is sweet as honey, but once it hits his stomach, it turns bitter. A little divine nausea comes with the preaching of God’s Word. This is the picture of the burden of prophecy.

Carrying God’s truth and proclaiming it are instantaneously sweet experiences and also painful realities. It is both dessert and indigestion, all at the same time! I have felt this sort of feeling at times with a Sunday message that I knew was particularly needed, but also hit me square between the eyes. And I think, that as John prepares to “again prophesy”, that feeling has hit him in the pit of his gut. And only the faithful reporting of God’s Word will relieve his condition.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Prophecy,Preaching

Unrepentant

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 9:20-21

This may be one of the saddest verses in the Bible. As God continues His relentless revelation through judgment, the human race continues on its course against Him. Even as the very demons of Hell torture humanity, the people of the earth will not turn away from the worship of demons nor will they see that their worshiping hearts have been worshiping the wrong things. They refuse to take moral responsibility either.

There is a strength in disobedience that staggers the imagination. As I read a passage like this, I am amazed at how people can willfully continue in sin. Until I look deeply at my own heart. And I know that sin is a cruel master. And although I am now under “new management” in Christ, I find that sin can still be deceptive and my sinful choices can want to circumvent God’s truth. Self-deception is common in my own sinful struggles. So in that understanding, this continuance in a logically defeating religion is expected human behavior. We love sin too much.

The difference in the book of Revelation is that God is moving much more overtly. There is greater light. And His “witnesses” are on the earth as well, as well as those who bear His mark. So the world is not entirely Hell on earth during this time. Humanity may be characterized by open rebellion and unwillingness to turn from sin, but some have done so. There is a remnant, and a strong one, even during the scorching judgments of Revelation. So unbelief and lack of repentance do not ultimately go unchecked. It is sad to see them so flagrant. But God will continue to get the attention of rebel hearts, even if they refuse Him.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,repentance,judgment

The Prayers of the Saints.

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Revelation 8:3-4

This chapter marks a turn in the book of Revelation. The imagery is filled with judgment and terror on the earth. It is part of what makes the book and its apocalyptic descriptions so hard to understand. But this little passage makes it clear that one of the reasons these judgments come to the earth has to do with the treatment of God’s people. The study notes in the ESV Study Bible provide a concise description of this:

As incense was associated with the prayers of the saints in the earthly sanctuary (see Ps. 141:2; Luke 1:9–11), so it is in John's visions (see Rev. 5:8). Not only martyrs under the heavenly altar (6:9–10) but also suffering saints on earth cry out for justice. Therefore fire from the altar, from which the saints' prayers rise, will be flung to earth in judgment, indicating that the judgments to follow answer the prayers of the saints.

Part of the reason that Revelation contains such stern and difficult descriptions is that God has prepared His Day for all judgment to be rendered. The saint’s have been offering prayer for deliverance and justice throughout the ages, and I believe that it is the events of this book that show God’s answers in their fullest.

When I pray for justice now, and if God chooses to withhold it until this future time, I can only know that I can see the clear answers coming in the biblical text. Patience is part of the character of God. Even during this time of intense tribulation, He will have His witnesses on the Because He has revealed His future plans to us in His Word, we can pray confidently for His will to be done, even in our worst circumstances, and our prayers surround His altar like fine incense.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,Prayer,Patience,Judgment

The Big Picture: why I should do what I do.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

Revelation 7:9-10

Companies have their visions statements and their mission statements. Sometime in the late eighties that became an overt corporate practice. And it is not a bad thing. But Wall Street was just catching up with the church in that practice. When I read scripture there are clarifying portions that show me clearly why it is I serve as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This passage is one of them.

The scene of worship of God in heaven by an innumerably diverse crowd of human beings from every ethnic group imaginable is quite stirring. It is the ultimate worship service. And their worship is significant. They cry out with palm branches in hand (a symbol of Jesus’ triumph as Messiah and Deliverer) in appreciation and recognition of God as the sole provider of salvation in Jesus. This crowd knows they are there because of the work of Christ. And they worship wholeheartedly.

This scene keeps me going. It is why when I have opportunity, I will share the gospel with anyone who may not understand their need of Christ. It is why I will work among redeemed sinners who do not always act like the saints they are supposed to be. Yes, church work has its ugly side as well. I am OFTEN judged, misunderstood, spoken down to, even dismissed by Christians… some of them in my own church. I would expect that from outside the church. It is difficult to take inside the walls. But it is worth it to know that at some point, I will not feel the slights and we will ALL stand together affirming what we have known all along: Jesus is Lord and Savior. That is what matters the most. We will be thoroughly satisfied with that worship.

Technorati Tags: Jesus,Worship,Revelation,Heaven

Irrational Idolatry & The wrath of the Lamb

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

Revelation 6:15-17

This vision describes a very different planet of people, and a very different response of Jesus to them than what I know today. Part of me wonders if the spiritual climate of the western world right now would even want to hide from God’s wrath. Would they even care that Jesus was judge?

What interests me in this passage is the idolatry of the peoples of the earth who are aware of the wrath of the Lamb. It is a naturalism that is an idolatry. They cry out to mountains and rocks to kill them. They would rather die by their idols than from the truth of the fact that Jesus is the Judge to Whom they must answer. They hope to be buried by an avalanche and somehow to miss being part of the wrath of the Lamb. They know He is invincible (“the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”) yet they refuse to yield. Their idolatry is strong and irrational.

Even to the very end,  blind naturalism will refuse to bow. It would seem that Jesus “telegraphs” His role as Judge enough that the people of earth are well aware of what is going on. They have survived unification in empire, war, famine, disease and natural catastrophes. And yet they wish for one more global upheaval in order to keep themselves from accountability before God. They know they will answer to God at this point. Trial has reduced them down to that clear understanding. But sinful rebellion remains enough for those in that day to turn to the senseless commitments of the idolatry of pure naturalism. These men pray to rocks and geographic formations, while acknowledging the anger of God against them. Incredible. Sin truly deceives… right to the very end.

Technorati Tags: Jesus,Judgment,Revelation

The language of heaven.

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Revelation 5:11-12

I have made a commitment with my reading of the book of Revelation to pause and observe the worship. It seems that at every action around the throne of God, there is this spontaneous worship service in action. When Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, comes forward to receive the scroll and open it, the multitude of angels erupts in magnificent song again! It is as if they cannot help it. To be around God’s presence is to actively praise Him.

Praise seems to be the very atmosphere around God’s throne. It is the language and culture of heaven. And it is not self-centered. Many of our attempts at worship focus on what we get from God. And thankfulness is important. But this worship, in its pure praise, is focused again on Who God is and what He does in the universe. The Lamb is worthy for He is slain. And He receives all that should be valuable to us.

The chorus of their worship song offers Jesus seven commitments of praise (perhaps in keeping with the seven-fold descriptions of the Lamb as having seven horns and seven eyes in Rev 5:6). He is worthy to receive power. He has the power to save and to judge. He is worthy to receive wealth, for He controls all things. He is worthy to receive wisdom, for He is the wisdom of God. He is worthy to receive might, for He is the Mighty God and the Prince of Peace. He is worthy to receive honor, for He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is worthy to receive glory, for He has won the ultimate victory over death and sin. He is worthy of blessing, for He is the One in Whom the Father is well-pleased.

Technorati Tags: Jesus,Worship,Revelation

Neither cold nor hot.

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:15-16

Jesus wants me to do something! The worst temptations are the temptations to be lukewarm. Those are the ways in which Jesus’ name is buried in lackluster performance. I used to think that the way this message should be understood was in an absolute sense of cold or hot. In other words, we grow cold, that is bad. We are hot – we are on fire for the Lord! But that does not seem to be the point of Jesus’ words.

Cold beverages are refreshing. An ice cold cup of water on a hot day is the best refresher. Or for a treat, how about a glass of iced tea, or a icey Coca-Cola? That is refreshing and a joy to the palate at the same time. And hot drinks have their place. In fact, as I work away at this meditation, I am sipping on a hot cup of coffee and it helps the thoughts flow. Both hot and cold are what we want in a beverage. Both are acceptable.

But a lukewarm cup of java? Eeeewwww! Or a room temperature glass of water? Barely able to swallow it. Jesus won’t even try when that is the spiritual condition of His people. We give Him the gag reflex! That is why He spits us out when we are lukewarm. I don’t think the message has anything to do with our eternal standing. It has to do with His opinion of us. And we are just a big spit take if we aren’t going somewhere with our faith. Our works should refresh or invigorate the body of Christ. It is that simple.

Lord,

I have the capacity for cold or hot today. But save me from mediocre lukewarm stagnation! I don’t want to be sitting at room temperature with my faith. Amen.

Technorati Tags: Jesus,7 Churches,Mediocrity,Revelation

The only evaluation that matters

I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
Revelation 2:19

The inescapable reality of the first few chapters of Revelation are the Jesus calls His people to account for their activity. And the individual churches are examined by Him. He comments on what is good. He chastises them for their respectable sins. He promises them what is good for a repentance and renewal.

Jesus knows my church. I wonder what He might say about us? Are our works characterized by love, faith, service, and patient endurance? I could easily pick on the evangelical church as reflected in its various leadership movements. But that is not what Jesus did in this context. He walked congregation by congregation through the individual churches of Asia Minor and made His assessments. I have to think He does the same today.

I find an interesting analysis in the ESV Study Bible that might serve as a pattern for evaluating my own congregation:

So what does this all mean? I think the big issue is to brace for what He will say. And know that with repentance comes forgiveness, new grace, and the chance to honor Christ.

Technorati Tags: Revelation,7 Churches,Evaluation