The Fixing of All Things

Revelation 22

Here ends our year-long adventure...& here beckoned to start the next one!

I want to thank most sincerely the bloggers who have given their time, faithful contemplation, and willingness to share their personal journeys while crafting these blogs day by day. Be encouraged that a thousand people from 45 different countries have been pointed to Christ ten thousand times by your blog. May God be glorified, and real, lasting spiritual fruit be the result!

My reading of the last chapter of the Bible impresses me with four thoughts or images today. First, I hear (& see) so strongly in the first 5 verses the repair and redemption of all things. Here finally in heaven is a river unpolluted -- a 'river of life' flowing down heaven's main street, supplying, never flooding nor consuming. Along its banks grows the 'tree of life'. It is ever- bearing fruit, and its leaves are for the 'healing of the nations' -- a picture of the expectancy, inclusivity, and certain resolve of the Gospel to reach and 'heal' all people groups! Feel the rapturous joy of the v3 line, 'No longer will there be a curse upon anything.' Think! What would a heaven, what would a life like THAT be?! And God? Fully seen and known to us. God, no more with hidden face, no more shielding our eyes at His glory for fear of being consumed, a never-forgotten, never-disowned God! His identity stamped upon us never more lost nor obscured! This place of the redeeming repair of all things, will be a place of no night, no lamps nor bulbs, not even the sun. 'For the Lord God will shine on them!' Someone recently gloried to me, "there will not even be shadows in heaven!" We will be fully surrounded by His ineffably sublime light!

And then, following this picture of redemption, this chapter leaves me with three subsequent indelible exhortations:

1. The Book. Keep it open (v10), follow it (v9), and let no one never ever add or detract from it (vv18-19)!

2. Coming Soon. The time is near (v10). Jesus is coming soon (vv 6,7, 12, 20). Believe it, & live like it! Make your priorities, parenting, conversations, expenditures & plans as if you really believed He is coming soon.

3. So Come. You, yourself. Come to this place of the repair of all things. Come to Jesus Himself. God and all heaven invite and call to you (v17)! Dirty memory of a sullied yesterday? Dry-pasty-souled from drought of the inner variety? Come. Come. Come be washed (v14). Come drink freely (17). Come to this city, this river, this tree, this fruit & new united nation. Come to this throne, and to this Lamb, & Light, & Face of God. Come.

-PPaul

The End and Still Dwelling

Revelation 21

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1) Here in
verse 1 is the end of that creation. Yet God will continue to dwell with
men. God walked with Adam in the garden and will dwell with men in the new
city.

From creation to creation God walks with men. This is the goal of Jesus
coming to earth, to provide salvation to men. The pain of life (Gen 3) has
come to an end. The tears of that life will be wiped away. Corinthians
tells of men becoming a new creation through Christ. The old has passed
away. Yet we who have been made new still live in the pain filled earth.
The new dwelling place will be the home of righteousness and even death will
be no more.

Steve Louden

Simple Truth

Revelation 20:1-15

What a scene! Dragon-Devil slammed into prison. Resurrection of the faithful dead. A thousand year reign of glory. And then the Devil unleashed, a final battle and he’s cast into a lake of burning sulphur.

And then the “great white throne” judgment.

The whole of the Bible comes down to this. The panorama of human striving and failing--millennia of approach and avoidance with God--ends right here.

It all comes down to this moment of simple truth. A moment when there’ll be nothing more to say. No more time for excuses, justifications or rationalizations.

But I just wanted to have some fun first before I became a Christian…
But I never murdered anyone. I tried to keep the Ten Commandments…
But I was a good person, a faithful spouse, a good parent…
But I tried to be kind and honest…
But I tithed faithfully...
But I led Bible study, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school…

None of that will matter. There will be only one simple question: Is your name written in the Book of Life, or not?

And one simple answer: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life,” says John 3:16.

Jesus is the only one who can save us. He is the only one who can write our name in the Book of Life.

Will your name be found there?

"My faith has found a resting place,
not in device nor creed;
I trust the Everliving One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul, I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me."

"No Other Plea” by Lidie H. Edmunds

The Return of our King

Revelation 19:1-21

In this scene, we see the people of God and the heavenly hosts praising God. Then, our great God and King, our Savior, Jesus, is revealed in all His glory. He is Faithful and True! He fulfills His promises, for He is coming again. His eyes are like fire, and on His head are many crowns - more than those worn by the beast, signifying a royalty and authority beyond earthly measure. Even in His glory, His robe remains one dipped in blood, for He accomplished the redemption of His people and His victory over that dragon, Satan, by His personal sacrifice and death on the cross. He is the very Word of God, and, as He rides His white horse, His title, written on His thigh for all to see is, King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and we see here that the exercise of that authority over evil is swift and decisive.

Our great God, who hates evil, has permitted and endured evil's existence, allowing the weeds to grow up with the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30), being patient, giving the people of earth the maximum time to repent and follow Him (2 Peter 3:9). But let us not mistake the presence of evil in our world for weakness on the part of our God to do away with it. And let us not be deceived into thinking that our God is not fiercely opposed to the evil around us, for here we see through John's vision the decisive and powerful defeat over the beast and his false prophet.

Although Jesus is described as waging war justly, the real battle was fought at the cross and His victory evidenced at the empty tomb. As Christ returns with His army now, John sees the beast and the kings of the world, who serve him, gather to fight against Jesus, as the dragon still seeks to depose God from His throne. But the truth of the Word of God is powerful, and the veil of deception of the beast and his false prophet is broken. The beast and his prophet seem to be captured instantly, thrown into the lake of fire, and their army, like their deception, is destroyed by the powerful and effective sword of the truth from the Word of God.

Regardless of our circumstances, our hope in Jesus is secure. He is the Victor in this great battle and He will return to establish His kingdom and bring an end to Satan, the curse of sin, and the fear of death. Let us sing and praise with the people of God!
Praise be to Yahweh! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him!

A Tale of Two Cities

Revelation chapter 18

"Babylon is fallen – that great city is fallen!" This mighty shout of
the angel repeats a truth first introduced in chapter 14. In other
translations, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great." While some
scholars believe Babylon stands for a specific city, perhaps Rome, it
seems more likely that it represents a world in rebellion against God.

Thirty years ago, my family and I attended an ecumenical Christian
gathering in Kansas City. As we walked up the ramp leading into the
stadium, I could hear the praise music. It seemed to me that the angels
were singing. We joined the gathering throng. The Holy Spirit was
moving, filling the hearts of the worshippers. Glad voices. Raised
hands.

But then, although we had felt as though we were in heaven, we were
brought back to earth by a speaker who made us keenly aware of the
sinful state of the world. I suppose each individual listening was
thinking of personal trials and pain.

Then came the reminder – "We've read the end of the Book. We know how
the Story will end!" Suddenly, 50 or 60 thousand people stood as one,
cheering and applauding. Not for the speaker, but for the Truth he
spoke. We raised our voices in praise for the One who is worthy, whose
name is Faithful and True, who is sovereign over all the earth.

As we read Revelation, keep in mind that the various visions, laid out
as scenes before us, are not to be taken as events in chronological
order. It is as if we are watching an unfolding drama involving two
cities, Babylon and the New Jerusalem. Last Sunday's blogger defined
Babylon as representing the part of the world system set up against the
worship of God. On the other hand, Revelation also gives us glimpses of
worship in the New Jerusalem.

Another way to explain this dichotomy might be to say that we are shown
two opposing responses to the holiness of God. One author has written,
"John's vision is of the holiness of God, which penetrates the totality
of human existence... One group responds with worship and constitutes
New Jerusalem; one responds with blasphemy and constitutes Fallen
Babylon... There is no accommodation, no compromise of holiness with
unholiness. Nothing that is unholy can continue to exist untouched in
the presence of God's holiness... Worship of holiness is life;
blasphemy of holiness is torment."

On December 17, Pastor Paul wrote of people who "sit on the fence." In
today's reading, I sense that many people have already made their
choice. They have set themselves in opposition to the ultimate reality
of God's sovereignty. They mourn the destruction of what they held
dear.

What do I hold dear? Is it possible that I'm still "on the fence," that
I have divided loyalty? John wrote in his first epistle (2:15), "Do not
love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the
world, you do not have the love of the Father in you."

I see the depiction of Babylon in chapter 18 and I find deception and
pride. The city is called a hideout for vultures (verse 2), perhaps
indicating people who feed upon others, the epitome of self-indulgence.
In verse 7, I see self-glorification and self-sufficiency.

Lord, how much of this still remains in me? Have I, like the merchants
of Babylon, embraced a lifestyle of pleasure? How often I put myself
first. How often I forget, maybe even refuse, to take you into account.
I sense myself being drawn to the easy way, not the way of sacrifice.
Within me is too much wanting to glorify me, and too little desiring to
glorify you.

Oh, but now I hear again the voice calling from heaven (verse 4), "Come
away from her, my people." God will never abandon me, but in his
redeeming love draws me ever closer to himself.

Deetje Wildes

God Is In Control

Judgment.  It is true, isn’t it, that the Bible teaches over and over that there is a judgment to come?  As we read these readings from the Book of Revelation, we are aware that there are many, many symbols being used (some, if not most of them, has a meaning that is somewhat hidden from our full understanding).  Ultimately, the teaching and message for us in the church which is found in this Book of Revelation is that:  God is in charge, and ultimately all things will be accomplished according to His Will and Plan.  This includes the fact that evil forces will continue to the end and then be destroyed.  Kingdoms will fall and God’s Kingdom shall reign.  Righteousness will ultimately prevail.  As a Christian, isn’t it wonderful and almost over-whelming and so very reassuring to know that God is in control?  God will destroy all evil.  God will ultimately bring the victory and as Christians, we will be with the Lord forever.  How about that?  Pause to thank Him now that you can say, “Lord, I believe in You be faith in the Lord Jesus.  No matter what happens, or when, I will trust You, and I will say with the psalmist of old (Psalm 31:15), ‘My times are in Your hands, O Lord!’  Amen.”

 

Donald E. Pardun

 

In chapter 15 of Revelation, we catch a glimpse of what appears to be a culmination of God’s judgment on Evil.  Before this, we have read about the judgments of the “seals” and the “trumpets”.  Now we come to the final series of “bowl” judgments.  It may be that these last seven bowls of judgment are an amplification of the earlier trumpet plagues.  But whatever the case, the essence of this chapter is not so much on the plagues themselves, but on the believers who have emerged victoriously from the struggle against the Evil one, the Devil and his antichrist (see Ch. 12: 11).  These believers are revealed to us standing, worshipping God in song, and praising Him for their deliverance. 

 

The passage tells us that they sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.  It is not two songs, but one.  Why are the names of Moses and Jesus conjoined?  Perhaps because the song recalls both the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians, which they sang on the shore of the Red Sea (Ex. 15) and now a similar, but greater deliverance which has been wrought from a similar, but greater foe. 

 

The beauty of the song is that is emphasizes very clearly the power, justice and holiness of God, and the universal recognition of that fact.  Praise God, for he has triumphed and delivered us!  Praise God, for he delivers not only the Israelites, but all nations.  Whether we are American, Norwegian, Israelite, French, Indian or Fulbe, we will all be found around God’s throne one day, worshipping Him.  Amen.        

 

Dan Venberg

 

 

Greetings from Dan & Rachel below -

 

Dear friends at Bethesda,

Merry Christmas! May the joy of the Lord be with you all. As I write this, the temperature in Doh Fulbe is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, perhaps a little warmer than that of Eau Claire! But the nights are cooler, when the mercury plunges down into the 70's or maybe even the 60's.

Our family is excited about the Christmas season this year. Just a few days before Christmas, on the 20th, is an Islamic holiday called the Feast of Sacrifice. This commemorates God's provision of a ram in the place of Abraham's son, when the Patriarch was asked of God to sacrifice his son on the alter. Every family will butcher a sheep or goat, and will remember and celebrate God's provision for Abraham and for them. This day, we also will be butchering a sheep, and will be hosting a feast in our yard. We are hoping to read the account of Abraham during the celebration, and we will also share with our neighbors that just as God provided a ram in the place of Abraham's son, so also he provided a sacrifice for each of us, that being Jesus. That evening, we are also planning on showing the Jesus Film, based on the Gospel of Luke, which has been translated into Fulfulde.

We are also excited about Christmas week, when we will be hosting many visitors, including the Holzner family (another LBWM missionary family in Chad), my aunt Cheryl, and two other missionary families serving here in Chad that live close by. As we contemplate the fellowship with these friends of ours, representing Chad, the United States, England, Mexico and Korea, we are excited to get a little foretaste of the fellowship that we will all enjoy one day around the throne of God, when we will stand side by side with people of all nations. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!

Dan and Rachel Venberg

 

 

REVELATION 14

 

It helps to know that the visions in Revelation aren't always presented in chronological order.  There are interludes in the overall sequence of 7 seals, 7 trumpets and 7 bowls.  These interludes should be read as "Meanwhile . . ." or  "Here's another way to look at it".

 

Chapters 12 --15 form an interlude between the trumpets and the bowls.  This interlude includes a number of different visions: the woman and the dragon in chapter 12, the two beasts in chapter 13, the Lamb and 144,000 in chapter 14:1-5, and the harvest of the earth in chapter 14:6 -20.  Although these visions relate to one another, they aren't sequential.  Some visions are a kind of historical overview (the woman and the dragon).  Some visions describe events that have occurred time and again during the church age and but will also have a more complete fulfillment in the future.  For instance, believers have had to endure forced worship of false gods (beasts) in many times and places, but there will be a time when the events of chapter 13 will be more completely fulfilled.

 

So we come to the visions of chapter 14. These visions are related to one another in two ways: 1) they use harvest imagery and 2) they reveal the outcome of being marked. 

 

We saw in chapter 13 that people all over the world will be required to wear a mark of the beast, or to identify themselves with the beast.  But those who worship God have already been marked by him.  They were set apart, sealed with his name (7:3-8).  In the end times it will be obvious that no person can really be unaffiliated; each of us must worship -- and so be marked by --someone.  We will either worship the beast or we will worship the Lamb.

 

Everything depends on this choice.

 

In chapter 14:1-5 we see that those identified with God (they have the Lamb's name and the Father's name written on their foreheads)* appear before the Lamb and the very throne of God blameless and with great joy (Jude 24).  They become the "special offering" to God, which is literally the "firstfruits".   According to Mosaic Law, a sheaf of grain from the very first harvest each year had to be presented before God in recognition that God is Lord of the harvest (Deut. 26:9-10; Lev. 23:9-14).  Here we have a picture of redeemed people as firstfruits, appearing before the Lord of the harvest.

 

In verses 6-20 we have another vision and "another way to look at it".  First there are 3 proclamations brought by 3 angels.  The first angel urges all people to worship God.  The second angel proclaims the destruction of Babylon (this city represents part of the world system set up against the worship of God).  This can be seen as another warning sign for those who continue to worship the beast: what they worship and all things aligned with what they worship are doomed to destruction.  The final angel proclaims outright that those who worship the beast are bound for destruction.

 

After the last warnings are given, the end has come.  The story of the final judgment is condensed and, again, described in harvest imagery (Joel 3:12-13).   Jesus appears in a cloud (Lk. 21:27) as the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13).  Jesus harvests those who belong to him.  Notice that a message was brought to Jesus from the Father telling him the time for harvest had come; Jesus said that even he didn't know the exact time (Mt. 24:36).  The harvesting of those who worshipped the beast is done by angels, as predicted by Jesus in Mt. 13:37.

 

Those who have refused to worship God are destroyed.  In this vision, the destruction is pictured as grapes trampled in a winepress.  In contrast, those who worshipped God stand blameless in his presence; they "shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom" (Mt 13:43).

 

Everything depends on who we worship.

 

 

 

*The 144,000 described in this passage and chapter 7 have variously been interpreted as 1) a special group of Jewish converts, 2) martyrs, and 3) all the redeemed, the universal church.  Since all believers have been sealed (Eph. 1:13-14), have been baptized into his name (Mt.28:19) and stand blameless before him (Jude 24), I chose to explain the passage in terms of the entire church.  However, the message of the chapter remains the same regardless of one's interpretation of the 144,000.

---

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Terror and Triumph

Revelation 12:1-18

Most of the authors I read, suggest that the woman here represents the faithful people of God. And the people of God are under attack. In America, our circumstances as Christ followers is not much like it was for those who lived at the time John wrote this. But throughout the world today, there are many people who face the kind of persecution and violence that was present in the first century.

What we see in this chapter in Revelation is that Satan is attacking God's people. But we are not alone. God, Himself, entered the battle. Jesus, our Messiah, was born as one of us, and Satan was waiting to devour Him as soon as He arrived. Through Herod's command to kill all the little boys in the kingdom and threats against Jesus during His ministry, and ultimately through the cross, Satan was out to stop God's plan of redemption. But Jesus escaped from Satan's clutches. His death on the cross won forgiveness for His people, and His resurrection secured Satan's defeat. Still, Satan continues to fight God by abusing His people.

John suffered for his faith. Quite likely, by the time he wrote Revelation, each of the other Apostles had already been executed. The experience of Christ's followers was (and is often still today) unlike the blissful, victorious experience they might have expected, as they trusted in the King of kings to bring about His kingdom.

But Satan's defeat is accomplished and certain. Like a child resisting punishment, he flails about, trying to escape and inflict as much damage as possible before his destruction. He tried to devour the woman's child, but the Messiah returned to heaven in power. Satan turns against the woman, the people of God, but God provides protection. We are not removed from the battle, for His mission is not yet complete, but we will not be destroyed nor consumed by the enemy. God will lead us out of oppression as He led the Israelites out of Egypt. And every attack that Satan lodges against God's people is met with a counter-attack or a remedy.

By the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony to the power of the Gospel, Satan is defeated in our lives. As we read on, we will learn more about the terrible efforts of Satan against God and His people, and we will see the impact of his deception on the people around us, but we will also be reminded of the great hope to which we hold. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for we who believe in Him. He secured our victory over evil already. As we follow Him, our story and testimony of His power in our lives will deepen and grow. And one day, we will experience the full significance of His victory on our behalf.

The Seventh Trumpet

So much confusion...so much destruction.....now comes judgment.

Have you been wondering how it is possible that the people living in these days will not turn to God in the face of all that will occur? We already read that "the people who did not die in the plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols." One-third of the world's population has been decimated, and yet there is no repentance?

The prophets have spoken, been killed, and resurrected. They ascended to heaven in a cloud, and after an earthquake, it seems some now believe. "Everyone else (who didn't die in the earthquake) was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." In the midst of the confusion, some have turned to their idols, and now others to the Living God.

At the sound of the seventh trumpet, loud voices are heard proclaiming the final triumph of God and Christ over the world. This moment seems to mark the blending of the millennial kingdom with the eternal kingdom. "The world has now become the kingdom of our Lord and and his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever." This is the announcement of the reign of the King, but we are left waiting for the final breaking of the enemies' hold on the world which will occur once and for all with the return of Christ.

I thought there would be some sense of relief at this point in the reading. But there is something ominous about the final judgment, which is about take place:

The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.

Our God is just and he is holy. While the sufferings of those living in these days will be unspeakable, so will it be for all who die outside of Christ. Our Righteous Judge will either reward or condemn everyone.

That fact should cause us to shiver....and kneel at the manger of the Christ Child. May our look ahead to the end times cause us to take a fresh look at Christmas as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us. He is The One who provided the way of escape - our Deliverer.

Mysteries

It isn’t likely that any of us who are reading these verses will want to make the following profession – “Well, I understand every word and every thought in this section!”  This is heavy reading isn’t it?  The symbolism is beyond many of us.  Well, don’t fret too much!  The emphasis we want to particularly absorb from this lesson is this – Ultimately God’s will prevails over all evil.  Even though there are many mysteries in the Book of Revelation that we feel we do not really understand very well, we must read verse 7 and then we will be encouraged.  V. 7 – God’s mysterious plans will ultimately be fulfilled.  Our God is in charge!  V. 13 – Keep in mind that biblically, the word ‘prophesy’ means two things: 1. It is used to refer to the prediction of future events/happenings.  2. However, most often in the Bible, (especially in the New Testament) it refers to the preaching of the Word of the Lord.

 

Donald E. Pardun

 

Deutero-Exodus

Revelation 8:1-13

This chapter is a sobering picture of calamities to come. It's my hope that these occur after the rapture of the church. But even after that God's work and war on earth are not yet done. Undoubtedly, many who have 'sat on the fence' spiritually will turn in faith to Christ after the rapture. The years of tribulation will be starkly polarizing. There may be millions who penitently turn to Christ, but exponentially more who become all the more entrenched in unbelief and in hatred of Christ (look ahead to Rev. 9:21).

Our chapter pictures the great cataclysmic judgment that will come to the earth during these unimaginably awful days. The hail and fire of verse 7, the sea turned to blood in v. 8, and the sources of light struck in v. 12; each draw to mind the plagues of Egypt. As the book of Deuteronomy chronicles the 2nd reiteration of the law (after the book of Exodus), here in this portion of Revelation we have a veritable Deutero-Exodus. We see the preparation of God's people for their final exodus from the trials of this world.

We cannot want any of our family or neighbors to go through last days without Christ. "Holy Spirit, call through your Word, work to convict the consciences of unbelievers, and fill each of us that our witness will be free -- so to rescue people from living through days described here!"

The destruction described in this chapter is mind-numbing: the fraction 'one-third' is repeatedly applied. Three times worse than 'decimation'! A third of the earth to be burned. A third of trees, grass, the sea and its creatures annihilated. A third of rivers and springs ruined. A third of the sun, moon, and stars will be obliterated. A third of the day lightless, and (blackest hole) also the night. And, also the ghastly death of a third of humanity (see 9:18).

A history-knowing friend told me recently that some estimate loss of life in WWII at 70-some million people. If the destruction of Revelation 8 & 9 occurred today, a third of our present 6.6 billion world population would mean nearly 100 times the WWII loss of life would occur. God save us!

And yet, the fact that the destruction is still a fraction is indicative that judgment and devastation is even then incomplete. Worse will come. All will be judged. All the earth and fallen creation will be consumed. None survive outside Christ. We should hear this warning to stir our mission. There is yet time. Judgment is not yet fully poured out. People may still be saved. The 'incense burner' (or censer) used in verse 5 to pour out the hot coals of judgment from the righteous fury of the altar, is also the same censer that at the altar mingles the prayers of faith that rise pleasingly to God (vv. 4 & 5). Mercy and judgment meet at this altar!

PPaul

RESTRAINT

Rev. 7:1-17

The calm before the storm is here. The sea and lakes are smooth as glass the
air is still and even the smallest leaf is quiet. The restraint is complete
we do not need to worry about the prince of the air trying to blow us off
course. He is restrained!!

He is restrained so that "a great multitude" may be selected and brought
before the throne. Imagine people from all over the earth gathering to
praise the Lamb of God for salvation. Leading the worship team are angles.
Worship in church is awesome. Imagine worshipping in the presence of such a
vast array of saints-every tribe & nation.

Lord give me this perspective as I daily gather myself to worship you.

Steve Louden

Come!

Revelation 6:1-17
I don’t pretend to understand all this, but I tremble as I hear the voice like thunder saying, “Come!” to horses and riders. Come conquest! Come war! Come famine! Come death!

Seal after seal, opened by the Lamb Himself. The baby Jesus—Christ of the cradle, Christ of the cross—unleashing the fury of judgment.

The fifth seal offers consolation. God has heard the cry of His suffering people, wrapped them in white robes and given them peace.

And then the blackened sun, the bloodied moon, the trembling earth and falling stars—pandemonium as terrified people seek to escape the “wrath of the Lamb.”

Matthew Henry says, “God has proclaimed threats against the wicked as well as promises to the righteous. It is our duty to believe both.”

I don’t pretend to understand but in this season I am reminded as I read that it is for this—this culmination, this righting of all wrongs—that Jesus was born. And as surely as He was born, He will one day bring all things into submission, and whether in grateful worship or holy terror, “every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

All glory, laud and honor to You, Lord Jesus…the One who was, who is and is to come…

Who Is Worthy?

Revelation 5:1-14

As John observes, the God of heaven and earth is seated on His throne, holding in His right hand a scroll full of words, sealed seven times. But no one in heaven or on earth is worthy to break the seals, open the scroll and read it. It is such an overwhelming scene that John breaks down, weeping. How terrible that no angel, none of the elders, no person on earth, not even the four living creatures in all their magnificence is worthy to take this scroll and open it, revealing the end of all things.

But then, one of the twenty-four elders tells John to stop weeping, for the Lion of Judah is worthy to open the scroll. Yet, as John looks up, the Lion he sees is a Lamb, who looks like it has been slaughtered. For this One is not deemed worthy because of His might or knowledge or lineage, although He has all of those, too. He is deemed worthy because of His sacrifice, His innocent death and victorious life.

This Lamb, who receives the same praise as the One on the throne, is the only one worthy to reveal God's will and the events that are to come. This One is Jesus, our perfect Sacrifice and Redeemer, our powerful God and King. He is our Savior and our Intercessor, going to the Throne on our behalf, revealing the mysteries of God. There is no one like Him. No one else is worthy without Him. But because of His sacrifice for us, along with His perfect wisdom and power, because He is worthy to read and reveal the mysteries of God, He is worthy of and receives praise from the elders and living creatures, the multitudes of heaven, and every creature in heaven and earth.

Dear Jesus, My God and King, the Lion and the Lamb, the Beginning and the End, I give you my praise and join my voice with the voices of heaven, offering praise and worship to you. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation; you have even ransomed me. As the Lamb who was slaughtered, you are worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing forever and ever!

All Glory to Him

Revelation 4:1-11

Henry van Dyke wrote, "Mortals join the mighty chorus, which the
morning stars began." I imagine the sound of a baton tapping a music
stand. A voice says, "It's time for us to warm up. Choir practice is
about to begin." Let's spend the rest of our time on earth preparing
for the day when we will join the saints and angels around the throne
of God – a place of unimaginable beauty.

"You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words," – the
song by Mark Altrogge comes to my mind – "Too wonderful for
comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard." I kneel before him.
"Who can grasp your infinite wisdom, who can fathom the depth of your
love?" (Yes, I tell others what I know of His excellence, but most of
all I try to tell Him.) "You are beautiful beyond description, majesty
enthroned above. And I stand, I stand in awe of you... Holy God, to
whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of you." Will I be able to stand
at all? Even the twenty-four elders fell down.

We worship Him as the Creator (Rev. 4:11). We worship Him as the
Eternal One.
Jude writes – "All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before
all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!"

To worship means to attribute worth. Yes, Lord, we acknowledge, "You
are worthy. King of kings, Lord of lords, you are worthy." We worship
Jesus – co-eternal with the Father – the faithful witness (Rev.1:5).
The first fruits from the dead (1 Cor.15:20). The One who is holy and
true (Rev. 3:7). Our Sustainer, our Shepherd-King, our Redeemer – "All
glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding
his blood for us" (Rev. 1:5).

We worship with our minds, our bodies, and our hearts. We can ask the
Holy Spirit to develop within us a worship lifestyle. Paul pleads with
us – "Give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let
them be a living and holy sacrifice... This is truly the way to worship
him" (Romans 12:1 NLT).

Revelation 5:6 describes the crystal sea in front of the throne. When
Solomon built and furnished the temple in Jerusalem, a large bowl was
cast of bronze. Called the Sea, it held 10,000 or more gallons of
water, and was used by the priests for ceremonial washing before
performing their sacrificial duties on behalf of the people. Jesus, our
Great High Priest, has entered once for all into the Holy of Holies.
This sinless One has no need for washing. And he has cleansed us as
well. Like the twenty-four elders, we who trust in Christ will one day
cast our crowns before the throne in the new Jerusalem.

Deetje Wildes

To the Churches

To the Church at Philadelphia

You may want to read and reread all 7 messages to the 7 churches – in one setting.  V. 8 – The Lord says:  “I know all the things you do.”  Ask yourself – Is that a real comfort for me?  V. 10 – The Lord says: “I will protect you…”  Pause to thank Him now.  V. 11 – Hold on.  Lord, help me to hold on to my faith in You in every situation. 

 

To the Church in Laodicea

What does you are lukewarm mean?  V. 17f – You are rich, but in what sense was that so then?  In what ways is that so today…in our society and also in the church…and in our personal lives as well?  There are some of us who feel that this last of the 7 messages (this one to the church in Laodicea) really confronts and deals with the church in our time…in our day.  How do you react as you read it with this thought in mind?  Does it apply in a special way to us today?  V. 20-22 – The Lord’s Promise!  Isn’t it wonderful?

 

Donald E. Pardun

Who Moved My Lampstand?

Revelation 2:1-17

Ephesus. Smyrna. Pergamum. If those names sound layered with the dust of history and archeology, they are. If these places don't sound like current centers of Christian hotbed activity, they're not.

Today, we start the fascinating read of Jesus' messages to the seven churches. He walks among them, seeing and evaluating every facet. The seven lampstands represent seven ancient substantial churches in Asia Minor. And, the seven 'stars' He holds in his hands? In the chapter before (1:20), these are said to be the 'angels' of these seven churches. But, you'll notice an asterisk by the word 'angel' (in 1:20 & 2:1) because it could just as aptly be translated 'messenger'. I believe the image is that Jesus walks among His churches, and their leaders, like a commander inspecting His troops.

He sees something good, and something threatening at each place. The church and pastor at Ephesus have down pat the 'deeds' part of faith. They endure, work hard, stand up against evil and lies. They are steady -- they are not quitters. But, where is the flame on the lampstand?! Where is the first-love passion that fuels the flame?! The regular re-incitement of grace and the fullness of the Spirit is the only thing that keeps our commitment from soon fading drab.

Smyrna is rich in spirit, but blasted by circumstance. Suffering and poverty and opposition will test them to the point of death.

Pergamum is loyal, but they are an island in an ocean of antichrist. They have settled for a timid loyalty that does not confront the monster.

It is the words of warning that ring loudest to me this reading; especially that stark line from the 5th verse: "If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."

The thought struck me today: Christ's Kingdom is ever advancing, it is growing and spreading always around the world, and it will continue advancing until His chosen time of completion and return. However, individual churches often do not last, nor even does the Kingdom depend upon them to last! Indeed, the record of history going all the way back to Revelation 2 is that often local churches remain only for a season. And, perhaps when the love trims low enough, or suffering snuffs out hope, or timidity yields to compromise... that local church just goes away, and fades into a relic of history and fascination of archeology. But here's what rattles this lampstand messenger today:

It is never the devil that removes the lampstand.

-PPaul

REVELATION 1

 

"He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from where he will come to judge the living and the dead."

                                                                                    The Apostles Creed

 

           

                         

It is right to picture Jesus as an infant and to feel filled with wonder at God-with-us.  It is right to picture Jesus as our savior and to feel filled with gratitude for God-dies-for-us.  But neither of these pictures is complete.

 

We need also to picture Jesus as king and to be filled with awe for God-glorified-before-us.  When Jesus ascended into heaven, he was "crowned with glory and honor" (Heb. 2:9).  This Jesus, whom we believe, lived, died, rose and ascended at distinct points in history.  Now he reigns in power.

 

So it's right to picture Jesus in his glory.  But it's also difficult.  "Baby" we can envision.  "Death on a cross" we can imagine.  How can we envision the glory of God?

 

This is where Revelation comes.  The visions given to John are meant to help us imagine what we can't possibly know from our current experience.  We need not disbelieve that John actually saw what he described.  But it's reasonable to assume that God used visions that could be described to illustrate what could not be described.

 

Does Jesus really exist in heaven with a sword which comes from his mouth?  It's possible.  But it's more likely that the vision of Jesus included the sword as a very graphic symbol of Jesus as judge.  Does he really wear a long robe and a golden sash?  Again, it's possible.  But it's more likely that the robe and sash are symbolic of Jesus' role as our high priest.  Each aspect of this vision could be a symbolic representation of Jesus (the thundering voice is his authority, his burning eyes are omniscience, etc.).

 

However, it's important to safeguard Revelation from becoming a mere "this means this" kind of intellectual exercise.  God gave John a vision – and told him to record it -- so we could all feel the power of vision.

 

The opening chapter describes God the Father, who is, who was and who is to come.  It also shows us a glorious Lord Jesus who, along with the Spirit, is powerfully and intimately involved with his church on earth.

 

Can you picture it?

 

Scoffers, Believers, and Judgment- Life in Christ

Judgment seems to have taken on a negative connotation. So often we hear people –especially those who know very little about the Bible and less about Jesus Christ- chastise Christians by quoting, “ judge not, lest you be judged.” This is taken so much out of the context of what Jesus was talking about and is actually not really what many think he was saying, but nevertheless, it is quoted as this rock-solid proclamation. Hence, many come away with some ideas: 1. That all judgment is bad 2. That Jesus never judged anyone 3. We are never to judge anything or anyone if we are really loving Christians 4. That somehow God will not judge us either, because if we have been good people, and done good works, attended church, been pillars of our own social order or profession, we are entitled to heaven.

There are two things that this thinking allows us to do. It allows us NOT to take the need for salvation seriously and it allows us to believe that no judgment exists by God. This underlying thinking is pervasive in our culture, fortified by current liberated attitudes that are completely disconnected from an understanding of who God is, or what the Bible says, and why Jesus Christ was brought to us. It is often like trying to listen to an illiterate person explain why they enjoyed the novel War and Peace. They may have heard about pieces of it, but their understanding is miniscule, their depth thin. They fall so short because, like so many things, they just do not have time for it. We see it everyday in our society and we also see it every day and more and more in the liberal end of Christianity.

Jude is a serious book, one that I must confess, I really had not read. It is serious because the writer is showing great concern, as many of these letters have, over waning faith and the distortions that came with it in the early church. He talks a lot about the scoffers out there who have no time to believe or care to believe.

How many of us know scoffers? Now, they do not have to be only atheists or agnostics that we encounter, but how many of us know people who have been baptized and confirmed and yet never or rarely attend church? Oh, they celebrate Christmas, and mention Easter but beyond that there is not much. Do you think that any one of these people feel that they will not meet the Lord in Heaven? I know that church attendance is not everything, but faith is the only thing that supports our soul. How do we gain faith and grow in faith if we never or rarely connect to the Lord. Is he a date on the Calendar (December 25th)? Can we really understand a God who has spoken to us through the Bible and more importantly through his son, when we never break open his word? I have witnessed associates dismiss attending a Bible study because they claimed to want to “read the Bible at home.” But, I am not sure that ever happened. Like most of us on a diet, accountability is helpful especially when we have many good intentions, but have trouble realizing them.

More concerning, are individuals who are lost from the Lord, who scoff at his word, and those who are committed to immoral lives, as Jude mentions in 1:8-10. I say committed to immoral lives because we rarely think that people commit to such a thing. But if that is how we live and what is an important part of our life, is that not a commitment? We do not have to go far in our neighborhoods to find such commitment to immorality. Ask any social worker, teacher or any one in law enforcement. Turn on your TV and invest time surfing through many channels that are committed to focusing on the immoral, the seedy, the depraved, the debauched, to greed and the desperate lives of the lost who may never be found.

Yet, there is something more in this book of Jude then just what affects an individual. There is the collective direction of our thinking and of where Christianity is headed. Jude says: These people are…., living only to satisfy their desires…..But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude 16-19.

When I read this it made me think of our brethren in many main line churches who now advocate for abortion, or at least the right for a woman to have one, who advocate that being homosexual is acceptable, even in the pulpit, that marriage is unnecessary and won’t last anyway, who have determined that Jesus is no longer considered divine, that most of what is in the new testament is not what Christ said (The Jesus Seminar), that no one needs saving and that those who believe that salvation is important are hysterical. There is an intentional desire to make immorality less immoral, or even acceptable. Many have worked hard purposefully to satisfy their ungodly desires and then make it OK to think or act out what they desire. This is being preached in many liberal churches and it is easy to find the discussions that have ensued in denominational conventions by looking it up on the internet. The truth that was once cherished as God’s truth has become circumspect, relative and nearly invisible. I once heard a pastor from one such denomination scoff and laugh at what he saw as the incredibly stupid evangelicals who felt the need to be saved, because he is of the belief that we are saved upon baptism, no matter how we live our lives or how invisible our faith becomes.

Jude reminds us that there is judgment, that thing that we all want to claim will not happen. He tells us in 1:10-11 “But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them!” Furthermore, he says this: “you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” Jude 1:22-23

So what can we say about judgment? Does it exist? Jude makes it clear that there is judgment ahead for all, no matter what a church denomination has approved about a lifestyle that individuals have chosen or the positions that they have taken on God’s word. And for the scoffer or the religious malcontent, there is little hope. Judgment will happen. Accountability to God is inevitable. Yet, here is the thing that so much of the scoffing or liberal, media-driven public does not grasp, those who have Jesus, have life and they have the divine intercessory in our savior, who will stand with us. Not one of us will be able to claim perfection or a sinless life, but all who claim Christ and have surrendered their life to him will see him standing with them before the righteous judgment of the Lord. Jesus will be our protector, our ministering champion, our all in all. There is nothing – absolutely nothing like him. Shame on those who scoff and ridicule his holiness and his power, his grace and his mercy. They have no idea who they are talking about.
Laurie Erdman

A Good Word

3 John 1:1-15

As I read 3 John, a couple things strike me.

The first is verse 2, "I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." Wow! When I think about spiritual health, most often I hope to be as healthy spiritually, as I am physically. John hopes the opposite for his friend, Gaius. My first response is, how do I care more about my spiritual health than I do my physical health? Am I putting as much effort into being healthy spiritually? Am I fighting spiritual weakness as intensely as I would try to fight off a cold or heal from an injury? And those are good questions, but I looked at an older version of the NLT, too, which says, "I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is." Now that is reassuring, isn't it? As we follow Jesus, trusting Him as our Savior, spiritually we're as healthy as can be, because we have received the righteousness of Christ. Anyone who is in Christ is spiritually strong, because we are made whole in Jesus!

Another thing that strikes me is that this letter is short. Did you notice what little time it took to read? But think of the impact it had on Gaius, the impact it maybe has had on you already, as you find encouragement to continue doing good and to not be distracted or defeated by the bad examples or negative influences around you. John tells Gaius that he is doing a good work for God through his hospitality to these traveling teachers. John is doing the same by writing this letter to his friend, offering words of encouragement. Do you know someone who could use encouragement today? What impact might you (and God through you) have on a person close to you through a kind word at the office, a note sent through the mail or electronically, or a quick phone call? How might God use you and me to strengthen someone in their walk with Jesus? Even more than that, how might a word of encouragement or a small act of kindness from us, be a witness to someone around us that God might use to open a door for the gospel?

Already, I think I've written more than John did. I hope all is well with you today and that you are as healthy in body (and as effective in action) as Christ has made you strong in spirit!

Living According to the Truth

How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth,
just as the Father commanded.
2 John: 4

In reading this passage from 2 John, I can easily put myself in the mindset of the original recipients. I can imagine few things that would bring me greater joy than to have someone send this report to me regarding the way my children had chosen to live their lives. I pray that one day in the future, one of you will be able to send that message to me.

As parents, we long to see evidence that the seeds of faith that we are sowing are taking root. We pray that the love of Christ that they see evidenced in our lives will one day be seen in theirs. And that the simple faith they profess as young people will be authentic and vibrant when they are older.

However, since many of us live in such a way that the only time we have between structured activities is filled with chores, when will our children learn the things of God? Are we simply "trusting them to the professionals" by assuming their spiritual foundation will come from Sunday School, Confirmation, Youth Group, or the various college ministries? And what of our adult children? Are we still teaching them, or now simply praying that some pastor somewhere might be able to help them to open up their hearts to Jesus?

We are to teach our children when we sit at home and when we walk along the road, when we lie down and when we get up so that one day someone will be able to tell us that they have found them to be living according to the truth. Might this be true of me.



Lord Jesus, little is more precious to us than the spiritual growth of our children and the children of our church. But Lord, do our actions show it? How many are struggling, like I am, to overcome the tyranny of the urgent in order to set time aside to focus on what is eternal? We give our children, our calendars and our misplaced priorities to You. Do a mighty work in us so that the way we spend our time will reflect what we claim to hold most dear. We lift up the children of our church who are grown and gone - may we hear of them that they are living according to the truth. Amen.

Read verse 1 again…and then again.  In place of reading the word – everyone, put your name there and read it again!  Love and obey God – they go together rather well, don’t they?  Defeat or victory…for me, for you, for us?  Friends, we as Christians are in a battle against this world’s sin and wrong.  In verse 6 we read about his baptism and his death (the water and the blood).  God Himself has put His approval on His Son, Jesus, our Savior.  Whoever has the Son has life!  Hymn:  O Come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.  The purpose of John’s letter is that we may know we have eternal life.  I like the reminder that our gospel of salvation is not a hope so thing.  V. 15 – Prayer requests.  The value of having others share in our prayer requests.  V. 16 – Frankly, this is a little difficult to understand fully by some of us.  V. 18 – If I make it a practice to sin that must mean _________________.  V. 20 – Living in fellowship with God the Father, and His Son!  That’s great!  V. 21 – Always reserve first place in your life for the Lord.

 

Donald E. Pardun

 

Real Love

I John 3:7-24

I can hear in my mind an old 80's radio tune. The band lead achingly croons, "I wanna know what love is!" As I recall, though they topped the charts, Foreigner and their song never quite answered the question.

Our Daily Life reading today answers the question. This is the other John 3:16, I John 3:16: "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us."

The claim inferred by the converse is also quite clear: if Jesus doesn't give His life, and if I don't grasp the gift of that, I will never truly know what real love is.

But, because Jesus has given His life for us, we can understand love. We live on the receiving end of real love, and that changes us. It moves us to faith (see v. 23). And, it moves us to live sacrificially, living with great concern for others, willing to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (v.17). This changes how we view our wealth, how we view people in need, how we act and spend and live compassionately. Jesus' real love does all of that in us. It does not allow us live by cheap words, but by expensive actions that accompany words. His love in us makes us confident when we stand before God (v.19).

And, then follows this verse I have long loved (v.20), "Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings" . (The NIV says it this way, "whenever our hearts condemn us... God is greater than our hearts".) Because of the love of Jesus, because of His sacrifice that declares His love and shows me what true love is: even when I feel unlovable, He proves me wrong. Real love does change us, but real love also knows there will be plenty days we won't feel changed. On those days, Jesus' real love sets our heart at rest.

-PPaul

Hope, Help, and Direction

1 John 2:18—3:6

3:3—What is our hope? Our hope is that Jesus is coming again. When this happens, we will see him as he really is and then we will become like him.

In the mean time, getting through each day is a challenge! I need to seek God’s powerful anointing of the Holy Spirit to sustain me. To help me deal with the materialism of Christmas, the false importance of career over family, and the numbing effect that being busy produces.

Today, I seek spiritual stability through the Word of God, combined with the indwelling Spirit, God’s word provides direction I need.

Steve Louden

Assignment

1 John 2:1-17

This is a word for all of us.

For the young in faith who are strong.

For the mature in faith, who know Jesus well.

For all of us, the children of God—those whose sins have been forgiven through Jesus. We’ve won our battle with the evil one, John says. (Hallelujah!)

Now here is our assignment: Live our lives as Jesus lived. Are we called to perfection? No. Our Father knows we can’t live perfect lives. How then do we “live (our) lives as Jesus did”? How do we “live in the light”?

By loving one another. Love one another, not the world or the things the world offers us. Crave the presence of God—the heart of Jesus—instead of craving physical pleasures, achievements and possessions. (Aren’t those the things that create division, envy, lust, striving, anger, and pettiness?)

This is our assignment: Love one another. In obeying His command to love one another, John says, we “truly show how completely (we) love Him.”

And as the old song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love…”

Holy Spirit, show me how to completely love You and others, as Jesus did…

In a Nutshell

1 John 1:1-10

If you needed to summarize the message of the Bible in 10 verses, I think you could use 1 John 1. John tells us that he knew Jesus; he did life with Jesus. Jesus was with the Father and then was revealed to John and many others. John wants his readers to know these things, so that they might share in the blessings he's experienced, so that they might share relationship with each other and with God.

While John was with Jesus, Jesus taught him that God is light and has no darkness in him; God is good and righteous, separated from evil. Therefore, we are lying if we say that we are following God but live in darkness. But Jesus can bring us into the light where He is by cleansing us with his blood, shed on the cross as an atonement for sin. If we claim not to have sin and deny our need for this merciful cleansing from Jesus, we are only deceiving ourselves. But if we confess our sin, our need for forgiveness, to God, He is faithful to do what He promised and just to not make us pay again for what Jesus paid on our behalf. Therefore, He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness. Jesus can wash us all clean and bring us into the light.

And as we confess our sins to God and experience this miraculous and wonderful cleansing by Jesus, our Savior, this testimony of John's becomes ours. Although, we might not be able to say that we have literally seen and touched Jesus, like John had. We have experienced Him. We have witnessed His work in our lives and in the lives of others. We have been brought from darkness into light. We have fellowship with God, as part of his family.

And now it is our joy to share this story with others, testifying to the work of God in our lives and in the world, as Jesus offered His life for all who would confess their sin and receive His mercy. And as we share this story, others, too, can experience this salvation and joy with us and enter into a relationship with God!

We Shall Behold Him

2 Peter, chapter 3

Do you find yourself looking forward with anticipation to Christ's
return? I do, especially as I sing about those events yet to come.

From Christina Rossetti's Christmas hymn –

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign.

Words penned by Edward Mote (tune: The Solid Rock) –

When he shall come with trumpet sound,*
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!

*The trumpet will sound – see 1 Corinthians 15:51,52

Hear the campmeeting song, lyrics by Julia Ward Howe –

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
he hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
his truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
he is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

The last stanza of Stuart K. Hine's hymn –

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!

We see in those lines a glimpse of worship in heaven. Let's begin now,
entering his presence through the sprinkled blood of Jesus.

The hymn, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" begins as a call for
gratitude to God for supplying our physical needs. But then we find a
metaphor used by Jesus in parables. Fields of grain represent people –

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take his harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offenses purge away.
Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast,**
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come***
To Thy final harvest-home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin.
There forever purified,
In Thy presence to abide
Come, with all Thine angels come;
Raise the glorious harvest home.

** Tares & angels – see Jesus' parable in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
*** "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" is the King James Version of Revelation
22:20. We find a similar exclamation by the apostle Paul as he closes
his first letter to the Corinthians – "Our Lord, come." The NASB
translation retains the Aramaic word, "Maranatha." This was an
expression used by the early church as a cry that the second coming of
Christ may soon take place.

Confident that his sin "is nailed to the cross," Horatio Spafford
writes –

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
"Even so" – it is well with my soul.

In our own difficult circumstances, we may in our hearts agree. O Lord,
come quickly. We look forward to the new heaven and new earth filled
with righteousness.

Yet, here in 2 Peter 3 we find an important reminder. "You must not
forget this one thing." Even though scoffers mock and slander the
truth. Even though the world is corrupted. Even though we must be
prepared to suffer for doing what is right. The Lord is not being
slow... No, he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but to come to
saving knowledge of the truth.

And, I suspect he still has work to do refining us for that time when
"the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father"
(Matthew 13:43). We are admonished to grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lord, may we be fruitful for you.

Deetje Wildes

False Teachers

Do you believe there are false teachers in our day?  How can we be sure?  How can we resist their teachings?  Verse 3 tells us their greed…tell lies…to get your money.  Do you doubt that there are such individuals in our day?  God has judged.  God will judge.  God rescues godly people.  Thank Him right now.  False teachers scoff, they use deception, they give false promises, yes, but they also live under God’s curse, we read.  V. 19 – speaks of getting all tangled up by sin.  Visualize the fisherman: a fish line on his reel, all tangled up and totally worthless.  Enslaved by sin.  How sad.  How terrible.

Warning are often stated in these New Testament writings, aren’t they?  We are to be alert, prepared, and equipped to fight against all evil.  The Lord’s Prayer includes the words, “deliver us from evil”.  So be it, Lord.  Amen.

 

Donald E. Pardun

 

Cure for the Common Prowl

I Peter 4:12:5:14

It has always caught my attention, every time I read it, that Peter describes the life-devouring destruction of the devil as the prowl of a lion.

Of course, I've never actually seen a lion on prowl, but I do bear the credentials of watching due amount of National Geographic & Discovery channels to have some idea. The thing that I always find fascinating watching the hunt of a lion, is how almost without fail, there are multiple victims to choose from. Whether the carnivore's palate is hankering for some roebuck or wildebeest or zebra, regardless it seems the lion hunts the herd.

But, the victim finally chosen so typically seems to have this one trait in common with all the other victims gone before. Whether from weakness or illness, or age or youth, distraction or stupidity, or just plain grass-is-greener-grazing carelessness, the one ultimately selected for devouring is the one that has gotten himself isolated on the fringe of the herd.

It must be that the hunting rules of the Serengeti parallel that of the soul life. It ought not escape our notice that this warning alert to the presence and ways of the evil one, follows on the heels of instruction for how we must live in close supportive community in the body of Christ. Chapter 5 of I Peter begins with the exhortations to the pretty good shepherds entrusted with the care of the flock in the life of the church. Pastors and elders like Peter are witnesses of the living Christ. They share in His sufferings and one day also His glory. They are entrusted to care for their flock, and to man their post not for self-advantage, but out of an eager passion for God and His people. They must not lead by lording, but by serving and example. This description is both convicting and inspiring to this shepherd. The idea of the Real Shepherd, the Great Shepherd coming to inspect and reward shepherding sets one to shivering both for anticipation and trepidation.

But again, the picture is of the human flock, and the bonds of closeness we are protected by when together under the Shepherd's care. Even the example of the pretty good shepherds have an impact. Verse 5 says "In the same way... all of you, serve each other in humility"

It is out of this closeness and community of shepherds abiding, and sheep following example in humble service to each other, that comes the warning against the prowling wiles of the devil. Have you ever watched Satan have a straying believer for lunch? I have, and it is disturbingly savage.

Keep from the fringe.

-PPaul

I Peter 3:13 - 4:11 In Which the Writer Needs to Have Her Mind Transformed

 

 

This passage bangs up against my sensibilities.  Peter's view of suffering is so very unlike our culture's.  I hadn't noticed it before studying this passage, but suffering is a taboo in our society.  We don't like to see it, hear about it or think about it.  And we certainly don't want to experience it.  We're shocked when we do suffer or when we see others suffer – as if suffering is something totally foreign to the human experience.

 

Peter, on the other hand, is matter-of-fact.  Suffering happens.  Just be sure you're suffering for doing good instead of evil. 

 

Peter reminds us of Jesus' readiness to suffer for the good that would come of it ("he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God") and encourages us to readiness for the good that will come of it ("if you have suffered physically for Christ . . . you won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God").

 

Peter also says a few things that have kept the church wondering for hundreds of years (for instance, just who were those spirits in prison?).  One point he seems to be making is that suffering for good will be vindicated.  Jesus suffered physically and he suffered dishonor.  He accomplished the goal of all his suffering, and now he is enthroned in a place of glory and authority.  His excellence is now obvious, even to the spirits in prison.

 

We, too, may suffer.  The suffering will bring about a very good result.  Along the way we may also suffer dishonor, but those who cause us dishonor will face God.  Then they will understand that our lifestyles, which seem so odd now, are really lifestyles of great worth.   Ultimately, our actions and attitudes will be revealed for what they are.  God will reward us for doing what is right.

 

Wise and loving Father, please transform my thoughts.  Help me believe that suffering can be used for a good that is far greater than the suffering.  Help me live in the "Now" but believe that I'll be rewarded in the "Then".  Enable me, Father, to be ready to suffer for doing what is right.   

Not Like Men In Trees

1 Peter 1:21-2:17

A couple weeks ago, I saw a story on the news about some students at UC-Berkeley who have been camping out in trees on campus for quite some time in an effort to protect the trees. The University has decided to cut down those trees and put up a new building there (and has promised to plant three trees for each one they cut down for the project). But a small group of students believe the trees should not be sacrificed for the University's plans for growth, and they have even attacked the police sent to get them out of the trees. The case went to court, and the students' behavior was defended as an expression of free speech. But the judge ruled against the students, saying that their tree-sitting protest is not a protected expression of free speech and that they would have to vacate the trees. In response, one of the students on camera said something like, "If they think I'm going to leave, just because some judge said I should, they don't know me. That's not how I work. This isn't over, yet."

Have you ever acted like this Berkeley student? Ever believed that the rules didn't apply to you, because you were following some higher standard? I know I have. Sometimes we disagree with those in authority over us because we voted for the other person. Sometimes, we convince ourselves that they have to earn our respect before we give it. Sometimes it's because we've been at our job longer than our boss, and we know his way won't work well.

God, through Peter, tells us: For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority - whether the king as head of state or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone and love your Christian brothers and sisters.

When Peter wrote this, he was living in a place ruled by a tyrannical dictator, and many of Jesus' followers were imprisoned or killed before "the ignorant people who made foolish accusations against them" were silenced. God doesn't give us a lot of wiggle room here. We are not to wait until the authorities in our lives earn our respect before we give it to them. We are to honor those authorities as servants of God, even when they don't act like it. It's a challenging thing for us, especially in a country where we have the freedom and responsibility to speak out. But as we speak and conduct ourselves in society, we are responsible to do so not just as individuals but as followers of Christ.

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us, so that we might "Fear God, and respect the king" for God's glory.

Three years ago, on Thanksgiving Day, my dad and I sang together for the last time in this life.  He was scheduled to go in for cancer surgery which would result in the removal of an entire lung, and I knew how hard it was going to be for him to never sing again.  That day, with tears in my eyes, my sister-in-law played the piano as we sang these words:

 

Why do I feel discouraged, why do the shadows come?

Why does my heart feel lonely, and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is your portion, a constant friend is He

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me

 

So I sing because I'm happy, and I sing because I'm free

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me

 

I thought of those words and of that day when I read today's passage from 1 Peter about enduring hardship.   This Thanksgiving, despite the joy of family reunions, good food, football and shopping, some in our church family will nonetheless be clinging for dear life to Peter's words about the glorious, inexpressible joy that will follow the trials of this life.  In the midst of refreshing laughter and reminiscing, fleeting thoughts will go towards those who are missing from the celebration - the prodigals, those who have gone to be with the Lord, and those who are simply unable to come home. 

 

The ultimate Thanksgiving Day and the penultimate feast will one day be ours when our faith is in Christ.  We are to live with a great expectation of a priceless inheritance - an inheritance kept in heaven for us, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. Peter wrote that our many trials last but a little while and that there is wonderful joy to come.

 

I want to live with that kind of great expectation; don't you?  I need to remember that we are foreigners in the land.....and that the great glory is yet to come.  And through our faith, God is protecting us by His power until we receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

 

My dad is singing today.  Many of your loved ones are with him, giving thanks and enjoying a banquet fit for The King.  So be truly glad - there is wonderful joy ahead.

 

Karen Peikert