In between the sixth and seventh trumpets, John sees a vision of a strong angel descending from heaven (John is apparently consciously back on earth). The angel holds a small book, or scroll, and is standing in such a way as to display power and authority. This scroll apparently will carry through to the end of time, as well as serve to “re-commission” John’s remaining ministry.
The angel has one foot on the sea, and one on land. His stance represents the possession of both land and sea, with his message pertaining to the whole world.
As the angel cries out, seven peals of thunder are heard by John. Whatever these ‘peals of thunder’ are, John’s readers would have understood. John seems ready to write down what he heard, so he apparently understood what the thunder has said. It is likely that God speaking to Christ is what transpired, discussing future terror judgments not recorded, and John is commanded to not write them down. As God inspired him to write, so He too inspired John not to write.
The angel raises his right hand, and given the stance, holding the scroll, the picture is just like that in Daniel 12:7. God told Daniel then that the words were “sealed up until the end time”, and here in Revelation they are being opened. The angel then swears an oath by God, as in verse 6, again with a creation theme. What a great reminder of what is transpiring. God is finalizing his divine judgment, to be followed by a re-creation of this world, forever free from sin.
By stating that there are no delays, the indication is that God’s plans are now ready to proceed; the mystery of God is now unfolding, and He is bringing His Kingdom to fruition. This is the ultimate good news! To the Old Testament prophets, this was always the good news: God would eventually carry out His remaining plans.
John is told to take the scroll and eat it; he is to thoroughly take in and absorb its contents. The language is literal, and John does eat it, and in the process he experiences the joy of being part of God’s revelation (honey, sweet to the taste?) along with sorrow over the judgments and persecution yet to come (the bitterness in the stomach?). The rest of John’s prophetic life will be predicting and preaching these coming woes and judgments, while relishing the joy of salvation.
God makes it clear that His Word through the prophets takes precedence over the highest of any human ranks (kings are mentioned in the last verse). And the remaining prophecies to be fulfilled take on a world-wide scope.
SO WHAT…
So I, too experience joy over being part of God’s Kingdom; yet I should feel some sorrow over those who do not or will not accept Christ.
So, I must remain focused on telling and warning people of god’s imminent plan.
So, when I worry about current events around me, it would serve me well to remember that God’s Word does and always will reign supreme.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
REVELATION 9, Trumpets five and six
Trumpet number five sounds, and an angel (likely an unfallen one) is dispatched to unlock the bottomless pit. This star that had fallen to the earth seems to be one of the good angels, and the “fallen” statement is simply indicative of having gone from heaven to the earth to await the job given. This angel is given a key to open the pit, and the key was given by God.
Smoke rises from the pit, and “locusts” are released on the earth. Who, or what are these locusts? It is clear they have destructive powers, and a reader of John’s letter would be taken back to judgments and plagues of the Old Testament, where locusts appeared often. Judging from the description of them, and looking at where they come from, these locusts are probably of demonic origin, supernatural. Their destructive powers last 5 months, so either their stings affect a person for that long, or their time on the earth is that long, with the affliction extending beyond their time here. As vicious and destructive as they are, the stings of these beings will not kill, although those affected will WANT to die, and cannot.
The leader of this demonic swarm is named Abaddon, or Apollyon, meaning “destructive” or “the destroyer”.
The sixth trumpet is blown, and this time the angel with the trumpet is given a responsibility: “release the four angels bound at the Euphrates”. They are to be released so that they can kill one-third of the remaining population on the earth. Contrary to the angel seen in action during the previous trumpet judgment, these four are likely fallen angels who have been literally bound until their being used by God for this judgment. Once they are released, they and their “army” become 200 million strong. Staying with the literal interpretation, John hears that number, so the number is a good one to stay with and is not an estimation. While some view this army being that of humans, the description of the horses goes well beyond what John would have seen if they were simple cavalry, leading many to believe this army is composed of the supernatural. And if they are indeed fallen angels, the number of 200 million is not far-fetched (though 200 million men could easily come from some countries in the world today). Regardless, horses often refer to warfare in the Bible. Again, John is writing what he saw, and we might only be able to speculate who this army is.
Their goal is not to injure or torture, but to kill. And those they kill are from the population not protected by God at that time. One might think it would make more sense for the fallen angels to team up with the wicked on the earth and attack the saved, but such is not the case. Evil typically results in this sort of confusion.
OK, I learned a new word: OBDURACY. From Merriam-Webster online comes the definition of the root word:
ob•du•rate
adj
\ˈäb-də-rət, -dyə-; äb-ˈdu̇r-ət, əb-, -ˈdyu̇r-\
1a : stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing b : hardened in feelings
This is the description (Thomas) of those, who in spite of seeing God’s wrath all around them, and spared harm, still refuse to repent and turn to Him. Their idols are described in terms that add up them being helpless and worthless.
Their unrepentance is not partial, either. Besides having no respect for God, they live immorally toward others as well. What else must God do to get them to see? When we realize that this period of time is about judgment and wrath on those who are God’s enemies, it may just be that His enemies will become hardened against Him, mad at Him for what He is doing. They may not deny it is God doing the judging, and they may refuse to follow Him, just out of sheer human stubbornness, or “obduracy”. And another trumpet still remains to be sounded.
SO WHAT…?
So, even on a different level, I can certainly let my stubbornness hinder my walk with God, no matter how He tries to get my attention.
So, I have available to me right here and now the ability to look around and see just how great God is, and worship Him with my life. I’d like to think that if I saw all those judgments, they would cause me to recognize my need for God. Thankfully, I don’t need to see them to know that. “I need Thee every hour.”
So, it’s a good time to take inventory of my idols, and what I still place in priority ahead of God. He wants to reign and rule in my life. May I not be obdurate, so blatantly stubborn, and simply let Him do so.
Smoke rises from the pit, and “locusts” are released on the earth. Who, or what are these locusts? It is clear they have destructive powers, and a reader of John’s letter would be taken back to judgments and plagues of the Old Testament, where locusts appeared often. Judging from the description of them, and looking at where they come from, these locusts are probably of demonic origin, supernatural. Their destructive powers last 5 months, so either their stings affect a person for that long, or their time on the earth is that long, with the affliction extending beyond their time here. As vicious and destructive as they are, the stings of these beings will not kill, although those affected will WANT to die, and cannot.
The leader of this demonic swarm is named Abaddon, or Apollyon, meaning “destructive” or “the destroyer”.
The sixth trumpet is blown, and this time the angel with the trumpet is given a responsibility: “release the four angels bound at the Euphrates”. They are to be released so that they can kill one-third of the remaining population on the earth. Contrary to the angel seen in action during the previous trumpet judgment, these four are likely fallen angels who have been literally bound until their being used by God for this judgment. Once they are released, they and their “army” become 200 million strong. Staying with the literal interpretation, John hears that number, so the number is a good one to stay with and is not an estimation. While some view this army being that of humans, the description of the horses goes well beyond what John would have seen if they were simple cavalry, leading many to believe this army is composed of the supernatural. And if they are indeed fallen angels, the number of 200 million is not far-fetched (though 200 million men could easily come from some countries in the world today). Regardless, horses often refer to warfare in the Bible. Again, John is writing what he saw, and we might only be able to speculate who this army is.
Their goal is not to injure or torture, but to kill. And those they kill are from the population not protected by God at that time. One might think it would make more sense for the fallen angels to team up with the wicked on the earth and attack the saved, but such is not the case. Evil typically results in this sort of confusion.
OK, I learned a new word: OBDURACY. From Merriam-Webster online comes the definition of the root word:
ob•du•rate
adj
\ˈäb-də-rət, -dyə-; äb-ˈdu̇r-ət, əb-, -ˈdyu̇r-\
1a : stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing b : hardened in feelings
This is the description (Thomas) of those, who in spite of seeing God’s wrath all around them, and spared harm, still refuse to repent and turn to Him. Their idols are described in terms that add up them being helpless and worthless.
Their unrepentance is not partial, either. Besides having no respect for God, they live immorally toward others as well. What else must God do to get them to see? When we realize that this period of time is about judgment and wrath on those who are God’s enemies, it may just be that His enemies will become hardened against Him, mad at Him for what He is doing. They may not deny it is God doing the judging, and they may refuse to follow Him, just out of sheer human stubbornness, or “obduracy”. And another trumpet still remains to be sounded.
SO WHAT…?
So, even on a different level, I can certainly let my stubbornness hinder my walk with God, no matter how He tries to get my attention.
So, I have available to me right here and now the ability to look around and see just how great God is, and worship Him with my life. I’d like to think that if I saw all those judgments, they would cause me to recognize my need for God. Thankfully, I don’t need to see them to know that. “I need Thee every hour.”
So, it’s a good time to take inventory of my idols, and what I still place in priority ahead of God. He wants to reign and rule in my life. May I not be obdurate, so blatantly stubborn, and simply let Him do so.
Monday, September 27, 2010
REVELATION 8, Trumpet Judgments
The scene now shifts back to the throne room. The seventh seal is broken, and there is a pause in heaven, almost as if to build the anticipation of what will follow. Seven trumpets are in the hands of seven angels, as they wait to usher in the next series of judgments. The 144,000 are now sealed, to be protected from the divine judgments that God is ready to unleash upon the world.
With the sound of each trumpet a new judgment proceeds. The trumpet was recognized as a tool to signal war, ceremonies, processions, etc. To John’s readers, it held a strong association with judgment. Enhancing the prayers of the saints is the incense presented by an angel. The picture is of smoke rising from a sacrifice, mixed with sweet smelling incense to cover the smell of the smoke, so as to present God with a pleasant aroma. The usage here indicates the assurance of divine acceptance of those prayers. They are a sweet fragrance to God. When the angel hurls fire toward the earth, the signal is given to begin the judgments.
Those familiar with the Old Testament account of the plagues on Egypt, when Moses was sent to deliver Israel, would recall that the prophecies actually foretold them occurring again, to some degree, at some point during a period of God’s judgment on mankind. Several of the trumpet judgments are reminiscent of those plagues.
The first trumpet sees hail and fire, mixed with blood thrown to the earth. One-third of the earth, trees, and green grass are burned up, literally. The Egyptians saw hail fall, too.
Trumpet number two sees what is likely some sort of meteoric chunk, massive like a mountain, strike the earth. The sea becomes blood (there is no reason to believe this is not literal), and one-third of the sea life dies. A third of the seagoing vessels/ships are destroyed as well. Egypt had their water turned to blood for a time.
Remember, through all this, John is simply writing what he saw.
A third trumpet blares, and a great star falls, polluting one-third of the rivers. The star is called “Wormwood”, or “bitterness”. God is punishing the diverse ungodliness throughout all of these, and with this judgment, one-third of the waters are polluted. Death is incidental to some, though all mankind suffers as a result. The point is, death was not the primary goal of this judgment.
With the fourth trumpet comes a darkening of a third of the sun, moon and stars (as in the 9th plague on Egypt). This is not some allegorical “darkening of truth”, but a literal, life-disrupting darkness. We have no idea how this occurs, and it is sure to have an effect on the world’s people.
God will use the forces of nature to to achieve destructive effects, using those forces of nature to punish mankind. God’s people (those saved/sealed during this period) are not the objects of the trumpet judgments; the world which is hostile toward God is.
As the chapter closes, what an awesome scene John sees...an eagle flies in “mid-heaven”, so that all can see it. The plagues have been birth pangs of God’s new age to come soon, and yet the eagle also depicts aspects related to them, such as blood, death, chasing prey. The eagle cries “woe, woe” upon the earth for the next judgments to come. There are still three trumpets to sound, and the future from this point is bleak for non-believers.
SO WHAT...?
So, it might seem redundant to be praising God for believers here and now not having to experience this horror. Yet this is what John saw. John saw what was to come following time on the earth where people either accepted or rejected Christ.
So, the time is now to make that choice. 2 Corinthians 6:2, quoting Isaiah 49:8, says today is the day of salvation.
So, I pray that my prayers, too, smell sweet to God.
With the sound of each trumpet a new judgment proceeds. The trumpet was recognized as a tool to signal war, ceremonies, processions, etc. To John’s readers, it held a strong association with judgment. Enhancing the prayers of the saints is the incense presented by an angel. The picture is of smoke rising from a sacrifice, mixed with sweet smelling incense to cover the smell of the smoke, so as to present God with a pleasant aroma. The usage here indicates the assurance of divine acceptance of those prayers. They are a sweet fragrance to God. When the angel hurls fire toward the earth, the signal is given to begin the judgments.
Those familiar with the Old Testament account of the plagues on Egypt, when Moses was sent to deliver Israel, would recall that the prophecies actually foretold them occurring again, to some degree, at some point during a period of God’s judgment on mankind. Several of the trumpet judgments are reminiscent of those plagues.
The first trumpet sees hail and fire, mixed with blood thrown to the earth. One-third of the earth, trees, and green grass are burned up, literally. The Egyptians saw hail fall, too.
Trumpet number two sees what is likely some sort of meteoric chunk, massive like a mountain, strike the earth. The sea becomes blood (there is no reason to believe this is not literal), and one-third of the sea life dies. A third of the seagoing vessels/ships are destroyed as well. Egypt had their water turned to blood for a time.
Remember, through all this, John is simply writing what he saw.
A third trumpet blares, and a great star falls, polluting one-third of the rivers. The star is called “Wormwood”, or “bitterness”. God is punishing the diverse ungodliness throughout all of these, and with this judgment, one-third of the waters are polluted. Death is incidental to some, though all mankind suffers as a result. The point is, death was not the primary goal of this judgment.
With the fourth trumpet comes a darkening of a third of the sun, moon and stars (as in the 9th plague on Egypt). This is not some allegorical “darkening of truth”, but a literal, life-disrupting darkness. We have no idea how this occurs, and it is sure to have an effect on the world’s people.
God will use the forces of nature to to achieve destructive effects, using those forces of nature to punish mankind. God’s people (those saved/sealed during this period) are not the objects of the trumpet judgments; the world which is hostile toward God is.
As the chapter closes, what an awesome scene John sees...an eagle flies in “mid-heaven”, so that all can see it. The plagues have been birth pangs of God’s new age to come soon, and yet the eagle also depicts aspects related to them, such as blood, death, chasing prey. The eagle cries “woe, woe” upon the earth for the next judgments to come. There are still three trumpets to sound, and the future from this point is bleak for non-believers.
SO WHAT...?
So, it might seem redundant to be praising God for believers here and now not having to experience this horror. Yet this is what John saw. John saw what was to come following time on the earth where people either accepted or rejected Christ.
So, the time is now to make that choice. 2 Corinthians 6:2, quoting Isaiah 49:8, says today is the day of salvation.
So, I pray that my prayers, too, smell sweet to God.
Friday, September 24, 2010
REVELATION 7
Between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals, John sees a vision of four angels, stationed at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds of the earth. OK, we know there are not corners on a globe such as the earth. The four corners, like 4 points on a compass, imply the whole world. These angels appear to be possessing different responsibilities than the previous four. They are holding back more judgment, pending God’s sealing a select group of people, just prior to the mid-point of the Tribulation.
That the winds struggle to get loose is very picturesque in an apocalyptic way to refer to some plagues or judgments to happen to mankind shortly (Thomas). We will see that the seventh seal will usher in what we call trumpet judgments, and God must seal these servants first. They are the 144,000. If you want debate in Christian circles, bring up the 144,000, and see the opinions tossed around regarding who they are.
Keeping with our mode of interpretation, a consistent dispensational view of Scripture, these are literally 144,000 descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, believers of Jewish descent in the Tribulation. This group is selected to be set aside for the purpose of witnessing to the rebellious world in this time period. They are protected by God in order to do His work. The supernatural in effect and on display during the Tribulation will be remarkable, and the 144,000 sealed by God will give testimony to this.
John sees a multitude gathered before the throne, in white robes. When an elder asks John who they are, John turns the question back to the elder. “You know,” John says. They are a vast crowd of Jewish and Gentile believers who came out of the Tribulation, either martyred or who had died then. But what are they doing here?
They are praising God, along with the angels and elders. Look at the beauty of worship on display in verse 12 – blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, might, with God eternal as the focus. Amen!
They (and us, believers) will serve God forever, in His glorious realm. After God shows His care for us, by “spreading His tabernacle over us”, verses 16 and 17 sum up the eternal environment quite well: no more hunger, or thirst, or beating sun, or heat; the Son will be our forever shepherd, providing eternal springs of life, and no more tears.
SO WHAT…?
So, these are tough images to comprehend. God is so good, and we have such an encouragement, no matter what life brings. He wants us to hide in Him.
So, I praise God that I have followed His way of escape from the horror of the end times. His Son, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is that shepherd I follow.
So, I pray for those who are not yet following Christ to consider doing so. Let’s each of us make a list of those we know personally, and pray for them today.
That the winds struggle to get loose is very picturesque in an apocalyptic way to refer to some plagues or judgments to happen to mankind shortly (Thomas). We will see that the seventh seal will usher in what we call trumpet judgments, and God must seal these servants first. They are the 144,000. If you want debate in Christian circles, bring up the 144,000, and see the opinions tossed around regarding who they are.
Keeping with our mode of interpretation, a consistent dispensational view of Scripture, these are literally 144,000 descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, believers of Jewish descent in the Tribulation. This group is selected to be set aside for the purpose of witnessing to the rebellious world in this time period. They are protected by God in order to do His work. The supernatural in effect and on display during the Tribulation will be remarkable, and the 144,000 sealed by God will give testimony to this.
John sees a multitude gathered before the throne, in white robes. When an elder asks John who they are, John turns the question back to the elder. “You know,” John says. They are a vast crowd of Jewish and Gentile believers who came out of the Tribulation, either martyred or who had died then. But what are they doing here?
They are praising God, along with the angels and elders. Look at the beauty of worship on display in verse 12 – blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, might, with God eternal as the focus. Amen!
They (and us, believers) will serve God forever, in His glorious realm. After God shows His care for us, by “spreading His tabernacle over us”, verses 16 and 17 sum up the eternal environment quite well: no more hunger, or thirst, or beating sun, or heat; the Son will be our forever shepherd, providing eternal springs of life, and no more tears.
SO WHAT…?
So, these are tough images to comprehend. God is so good, and we have such an encouragement, no matter what life brings. He wants us to hide in Him.
So, I praise God that I have followed His way of escape from the horror of the end times. His Son, the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is that shepherd I follow.
So, I pray for those who are not yet following Christ to consider doing so. Let’s each of us make a list of those we know personally, and pray for them today.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
REVELATION 6:9-17
The fifth seal on the scroll, opened by Christ, has John back in the throne room, now viewed as God’s temple. Old Testament imagery is on display with the altar of incense, just as that used in the tabernacle and the temple. Beneath that altar are the martyrs of the first half of the Tribulation, martyred for their testimony for Christ, both in how they lived and what they preached. They held fast to their beliefs, and paid the ultimate earthly price as a result.
Those souls cry out “How long?” to God, as they seek justice for those who persecuted and killed them. The response they receive is to be given white robes; they are justified, secure in heaven and God’s holiness forever. God tells them to rest and enjoy this blessed state they now find themselves in.
Seal number six is broken, and John sees natural and cosmic disasters and wonders. An earthquake occurs on the earth, apparently not symbolic, but real. This gets the attention of people, yet does not lead to total destruction. The sun is blackened, perhaps by an eclipse. The panic is building in the world, as people begin to recognize the events of the previous seals, and that something big and frightening is taking place. The timing of the eclipse, under full control by God, only adds to this panic.
Stars falling may refer to a huge meteor shower. We know from later chapters that the stars themselves are still in place. And the moon turns to a blood red color, perhaps due to the atmospheric disturbance of colors as the result of the eclipse (red light bends around an eclipsing object easier, as it is farther out on the visible spectrum of light, thus the red color the last to disappear at sunset). The cosmic disturbances give the impression that the universe is coming apart, as the heavens seem to be splitting apart, like scrolls rolled up.
All this together seem to be a foreshadowing of the time immediately before Christ’s return, and the leaders and people are beginning to take notice. Their response is to hide. They think it is better to hide and die than to face the Lamb, better to not deal with Christ. They dread standing before a righteous God.
These seal judgments come relatively rapidly, and they do not quite hit home until this sixth seal is opened. The unsaved are beginning to recognize what is going on. How will they respond? Who can possibly stand and survive in the face of God's wrath?
Keep in context the letters to the seven churches. They got to read about the seals, too. They should be seeing incentives to correct error and follow God, on His terms.
SO WHAT…? (I realize the events during the Tribulation may not directly impact me, as I will be in heaven, part of the church. Yet there are some valuable principles which I think apply to my life)
So, do I seek justice for those who oppose God, or can I rest in the blessed state of salvation where I find myself?
So, when I am missing the big picture of God and His plan, what will it take for Him to get MY attention?
So, how do I respond to what God tries to show me?
Those souls cry out “How long?” to God, as they seek justice for those who persecuted and killed them. The response they receive is to be given white robes; they are justified, secure in heaven and God’s holiness forever. God tells them to rest and enjoy this blessed state they now find themselves in.
Seal number six is broken, and John sees natural and cosmic disasters and wonders. An earthquake occurs on the earth, apparently not symbolic, but real. This gets the attention of people, yet does not lead to total destruction. The sun is blackened, perhaps by an eclipse. The panic is building in the world, as people begin to recognize the events of the previous seals, and that something big and frightening is taking place. The timing of the eclipse, under full control by God, only adds to this panic.
Stars falling may refer to a huge meteor shower. We know from later chapters that the stars themselves are still in place. And the moon turns to a blood red color, perhaps due to the atmospheric disturbance of colors as the result of the eclipse (red light bends around an eclipsing object easier, as it is farther out on the visible spectrum of light, thus the red color the last to disappear at sunset). The cosmic disturbances give the impression that the universe is coming apart, as the heavens seem to be splitting apart, like scrolls rolled up.
All this together seem to be a foreshadowing of the time immediately before Christ’s return, and the leaders and people are beginning to take notice. Their response is to hide. They think it is better to hide and die than to face the Lamb, better to not deal with Christ. They dread standing before a righteous God.
These seal judgments come relatively rapidly, and they do not quite hit home until this sixth seal is opened. The unsaved are beginning to recognize what is going on. How will they respond? Who can possibly stand and survive in the face of God's wrath?
Keep in context the letters to the seven churches. They got to read about the seals, too. They should be seeing incentives to correct error and follow God, on His terms.
SO WHAT…? (I realize the events during the Tribulation may not directly impact me, as I will be in heaven, part of the church. Yet there are some valuable principles which I think apply to my life)
So, do I seek justice for those who oppose God, or can I rest in the blessed state of salvation where I find myself?
So, when I am missing the big picture of God and His plan, what will it take for Him to get MY attention?
So, how do I respond to what God tries to show me?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
REVELATION 6:1-8, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
John enters a new aspect of his vision with the opening of the seven seals on the scroll. As Christ begins to open them, John sees the revealing of the punishment, the predicted judgment beginning. The closest parallel to this chapter is in Matthew 24, where Christ refers to “the beginning of birth pains”, in His teaching the disciples on the Mount of Olives (Olivet discourse).
All this fits into a framework of understanding a pre-Tribulational rapture of the church, followed by a literal seven-year Tribulation. This is the seventieth week of Daniel, and John begins to be shown what will take place.
The scroll is probably best understood as a spiral scroll, rolled up, with portions or sections sealed along the way. Looked at from the end, you might see all seven seals in this spiral, so that you could break one, open a little of the scroll, break another, open a little more, and so on, until finally the scroll would be completely open, or unrolled. And as each seal is broken, nothing is read, but a corresponding action takes place.
Today’s read is through the first four of these seals. With the opening of each one, a horseman is called by one of the four living beings (creatures). It appears that the best way to understand these horsemen is for them to be personifications of a movement or series of events to occur. That is, the horsemen are representative of the judgments to come, along with the result of each.
The breaking of the first seal brings a WHITE horse. This horse is very different from the white horse in chapter. This one represents an imitator of Christ, a pretend righteousness. He threatens war (carrying a bow) but war does not happen (he has no arrows). Rather, he symbolizes conquest by peaceful means, deceptive as they may be. White represents righteousness and victory, and this horseman seems to demonstrate that during the first part of the Tribulation there will be this superficial peace, a temporal victory (Thomas).
Seal number 2 is broken, and a horseman on a RED horse is beckoned. Slaughter and blood are the representations here. “To take peace from he earth” is the description John provides. Remember, these horsemen are agents of God, carrying out His will. Mankind has had the opportunity to recognize who He is. Where at first there was peace, now there will be international strife and bloodshed.
The third seal’s breakage brings a sorrowful picture. This horse is BLACK, reminiscent of mourning, of lamentation. There will be a scarcity of food and related anxiety. Food will be in short supply (they are eating food by weight), and the availability of food will be affected by decreasing purchasing power. Wheat and barley are mentioned, and one commentator notes that one will be able to buy larger quantities of progressively lesser quality food, a depiction of many going hungry, desperate to eat. This famine will not be universal, however, as the oil and wine are protected. The wealthy and those in corrupt power will still have plenty.
The fourth horse arriving after the breaking of the related seal is PALE in color, or ”ASHEN” (NASB). The image reminds one of a face pale in color, a corrupted corpse. The rider is named “Death”, and Hades is along with this horseman. “Death” is given the authority to claim the lives of one-fourth of the world’s population. And only Death can be accompanied by Hades. If that were to occur today, this would mean 1 billion or more people. As Death acts, Hades is ready and capable of detaining its victims, in the intermediary place for the ungodly awaiting final judgment. This death affects all parts of man, body and soul alike.
SO WHAT...?
So, I can see the incentive to trust Christ and live for Him. This “beginning of birth pains” is no place to be.
So, I should take comfort in knowing I will be spared this time of judgment.
So, I should warn others of this judgment period’s imminence. God has assembled His judgment team, and He is ready to act at any time. I won’t scare anyone out of Hell, and yet I can portray what John saw as being very real, sometime in the near future. Gold is holy, and just. He will carry out the justice His holiness demands.
All this fits into a framework of understanding a pre-Tribulational rapture of the church, followed by a literal seven-year Tribulation. This is the seventieth week of Daniel, and John begins to be shown what will take place.
The scroll is probably best understood as a spiral scroll, rolled up, with portions or sections sealed along the way. Looked at from the end, you might see all seven seals in this spiral, so that you could break one, open a little of the scroll, break another, open a little more, and so on, until finally the scroll would be completely open, or unrolled. And as each seal is broken, nothing is read, but a corresponding action takes place.
Today’s read is through the first four of these seals. With the opening of each one, a horseman is called by one of the four living beings (creatures). It appears that the best way to understand these horsemen is for them to be personifications of a movement or series of events to occur. That is, the horsemen are representative of the judgments to come, along with the result of each.
The breaking of the first seal brings a WHITE horse. This horse is very different from the white horse in chapter. This one represents an imitator of Christ, a pretend righteousness. He threatens war (carrying a bow) but war does not happen (he has no arrows). Rather, he symbolizes conquest by peaceful means, deceptive as they may be. White represents righteousness and victory, and this horseman seems to demonstrate that during the first part of the Tribulation there will be this superficial peace, a temporal victory (Thomas).
Seal number 2 is broken, and a horseman on a RED horse is beckoned. Slaughter and blood are the representations here. “To take peace from he earth” is the description John provides. Remember, these horsemen are agents of God, carrying out His will. Mankind has had the opportunity to recognize who He is. Where at first there was peace, now there will be international strife and bloodshed.
The third seal’s breakage brings a sorrowful picture. This horse is BLACK, reminiscent of mourning, of lamentation. There will be a scarcity of food and related anxiety. Food will be in short supply (they are eating food by weight), and the availability of food will be affected by decreasing purchasing power. Wheat and barley are mentioned, and one commentator notes that one will be able to buy larger quantities of progressively lesser quality food, a depiction of many going hungry, desperate to eat. This famine will not be universal, however, as the oil and wine are protected. The wealthy and those in corrupt power will still have plenty.
The fourth horse arriving after the breaking of the related seal is PALE in color, or ”ASHEN” (NASB). The image reminds one of a face pale in color, a corrupted corpse. The rider is named “Death”, and Hades is along with this horseman. “Death” is given the authority to claim the lives of one-fourth of the world’s population. And only Death can be accompanied by Hades. If that were to occur today, this would mean 1 billion or more people. As Death acts, Hades is ready and capable of detaining its victims, in the intermediary place for the ungodly awaiting final judgment. This death affects all parts of man, body and soul alike.
SO WHAT...?
So, I can see the incentive to trust Christ and live for Him. This “beginning of birth pains” is no place to be.
So, I should take comfort in knowing I will be spared this time of judgment.
So, I should warn others of this judgment period’s imminence. God has assembled His judgment team, and He is ready to act at any time. I won’t scare anyone out of Hell, and yet I can portray what John saw as being very real, sometime in the near future. Gold is holy, and just. He will carry out the justice His holiness demands.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
REVELATION 5, The Lamb and the Scroll
John now sees God holding a scroll in His right hand. This hand is seen as the place of power and authority, and it is clear that God is holding the unfolding of the rest of the Apocalypse, up until now hidden to Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and others, including the early church. For a scroll, or a book, to be sealed was to show that its contents were kept secret. Only someone authorized to break the seal could read that scroll.
The scroll contains a “history” of the future. All God’s counsels, His judgments, are about to occur.
For the scroll to be read meant the seals (seven of them here) had to be broken. For God’s full plan to be revealed, for His judgments to be levied, someone needed to access that scroll. But who? John weeps, because there is no one able to do so, nobody worthy to break the seals. A strong angel tries, and it unable to do so. One of the elders comforts John, telling Him the Lion of Judah will be able to do it. He has overcome, so that He can govern this task.
Christ appears as the Lamb, also the Lion, showing both meekness and gentleness along with majesty and power. His supreme self-sacrifice led to His supreme power (Thomas). The seven horns indicate an all-powerful warrior and king. The seven eyes seem to speak to His omniscience, and the seven Spirits is a reference to the Holy Spirit, Christ’s agent in action in the world. We simply cannot comprehend His worthiness.
The elders hold musical instruments, along with bowls of incense, the prayers of the saints. These prayers are likely those who find themselves in the trial to come, and become believers, and then cry out to God to either help them or for Him to avenge their martyrdom. The incense is that sweet smell created by the Christian’s praise to God.
The songs that are sung here would be incredible to hear. The elders speak of Christ’s worthiness, He indeed was the slain Lamb that made it possible for man to gain access to God. He purchased people from all walks of life with His atoning sacrifice. Yes, He is worthy to lead God’s plan for the future and all time. More angels join in, myriads, thousands! Oh, what a joyous sound of this heavenly choir! Just imagine the sound, the harmony, the joy in the expression of this song! The choir ascribes to Christ power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. He indeed is King!
All creation joins in the chorus of praise. This song looks ahead to that great day in the future when every knee will bow (Phil 2:10)! The four living creatures keep saying “Amen”, affirming what they know, what everyone will know, that Jesus Christ is Lord and King. And the elders follow them in worship.
SO WHAT...?
So, I am sure I do not fully grasp all Christ has done for me. I know I do not comprehend the glory and majesty that awaits in heaven. For now, I can only imagine.
So, it would be a good time to tell someone else about Christ, and all He has to offer, and all that it means to live for Him.
So, I am so thankful that because of what Christ has done for me, I do not have to endure what is about to be revealed in these chapters. Christ took on the wrath of God for me.
The scroll contains a “history” of the future. All God’s counsels, His judgments, are about to occur.
For the scroll to be read meant the seals (seven of them here) had to be broken. For God’s full plan to be revealed, for His judgments to be levied, someone needed to access that scroll. But who? John weeps, because there is no one able to do so, nobody worthy to break the seals. A strong angel tries, and it unable to do so. One of the elders comforts John, telling Him the Lion of Judah will be able to do it. He has overcome, so that He can govern this task.
Christ appears as the Lamb, also the Lion, showing both meekness and gentleness along with majesty and power. His supreme self-sacrifice led to His supreme power (Thomas). The seven horns indicate an all-powerful warrior and king. The seven eyes seem to speak to His omniscience, and the seven Spirits is a reference to the Holy Spirit, Christ’s agent in action in the world. We simply cannot comprehend His worthiness.
The elders hold musical instruments, along with bowls of incense, the prayers of the saints. These prayers are likely those who find themselves in the trial to come, and become believers, and then cry out to God to either help them or for Him to avenge their martyrdom. The incense is that sweet smell created by the Christian’s praise to God.
The songs that are sung here would be incredible to hear. The elders speak of Christ’s worthiness, He indeed was the slain Lamb that made it possible for man to gain access to God. He purchased people from all walks of life with His atoning sacrifice. Yes, He is worthy to lead God’s plan for the future and all time. More angels join in, myriads, thousands! Oh, what a joyous sound of this heavenly choir! Just imagine the sound, the harmony, the joy in the expression of this song! The choir ascribes to Christ power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory and blessing. He indeed is King!
All creation joins in the chorus of praise. This song looks ahead to that great day in the future when every knee will bow (Phil 2:10)! The four living creatures keep saying “Amen”, affirming what they know, what everyone will know, that Jesus Christ is Lord and King. And the elders follow them in worship.
SO WHAT...?
So, I am sure I do not fully grasp all Christ has done for me. I know I do not comprehend the glory and majesty that awaits in heaven. For now, I can only imagine.
So, it would be a good time to tell someone else about Christ, and all He has to offer, and all that it means to live for Him.
So, I am so thankful that because of what Christ has done for me, I do not have to endure what is about to be revealed in these chapters. Christ took on the wrath of God for me.
Monday, September 20, 2010
REVELATION 4, The Throne Room
Sometime after John’s first vision, in which he receives the messages for the churches, he is again shown another, this time of an open door to heaven. Even the trance or ecstatic state in verse 2 seems separate from the “sight” of the door in verse 1.
John is taken to what we would refer to as the throne room, God’s headquarters, if we can be so colloquial. The Old Testament writings also saw God as enthroned in heaven. And what he saw had to be spectacular; I’m sure I cannot find a word satisfactory enough to explain the splendor. The mention of jasper, sardius, emerald, all come into play, and we can only try to explain them.
There is a throne, and One on that throne, who is God the Father. Around the throne are 24 other thrones, upon which sit 24 elders. Even closer to the throne are seven lamps (more like torches), and also four living beings (creatures). There is a sea of glass, lightning, thunder, and something else:
AMAZING praise, worship, and adoration of God. Holy, holy, holy is the song that is sung, and sung about God’s eternality. The theme of this worship is summed up in the last verse of the chapter, God the Creator. John is reminded of just Who is in control. Most of the rest of Revelation has John spending time in heaven receiving this Word, this revelation from God of what is soon to occur.
John is summoned to receive this Word (the church is not), and He is told of things that MUST take place, the certainty of God’s plan unfolding. In this apocalyptic prophecy, the period of the churches has run its course, the messages have been sent out, and now chapters 4 and following will happen.
John mentions jasper, this was probably more like a diamond, as opposed to jasper today. Ancient jasper was quite different, sparkling, brilliant. Sardius was a fiery, deep red. Together these would evoke the idea of holiness and justice. The predominance of emerald in the rainbow would be reminders of grace and mercy, the hope of deliverance.
So much symbolism is used, and it may be difficult to say with certainty what each item represents. Various commentators offer multiple suggestions, a summary of which is worth noting.
The four creatures are living beings, probably an exalted order of angels, as the seraphim in Isaiah. We see in them, by their descriptions, nobility, strength, wisdom, and speed. They are alert and ready to carry out God’s plan at a moment’s notice. And their praise is incessant before the throne.
The 24 elders have been typically assumed to represent the church, and some dispensational authors now believe them to be a class of angels a bit lower than the previously-mentioned beings. That they have crowns indicates their royalty, and when they voluntarily surrender them, they pay even greater honor to God. God gave them existence by His specific actions, and the theme of the song they sing is that of creation, not redemption.
So picture the heavenly court. God in the center, surrounded by those assisting Him in His control of the universe. The torches, blazing and fierce (words used imply torches for outdoors, which burn strong), are representative of the Holy Spirit, so here exists two persons of the Trinity. Christ, too will make His appearance here soon. Thunder and lightning reminds me of Mt. Sinai, God is again ready to act. His court is poised to launch the massive program to purify God’s creation.
John gets to see firsthand this assembly of God’s inner circle. We also know by looking ahead that the church is no longer mentioned in Revelation, so we must assume that Rapture occurs prior to what John sees as about to transpire. I must conclude not only that the church is not in this scene in Revelation 4, but also that the church is not going to be subject to what will take place regarding the judgments to soon follow. Controversial? Probably. Let’s read together, and marvel at the glory we have the privilege to someday behold.
SO WHAT…?
So, following the lead of angels who know God so well, I must call Him holy, and live a life of non-stop worship.
So, when God says “must”, I know for sure it will come to pass. God has planned to “re-set” His creation. Likewise, when He says I “shall” have eternal life in Christ, I know for sure He means it.
So, think on these words to a song, a version of which is sung by Allen Asbury, “I Can Only Imagine”. It gives me chills. Go to http://www.allenasbury.com/fr_store.cfm, and scroll down to where you can listen to individual tracks on “Timeless”.
“Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine!”
John is taken to what we would refer to as the throne room, God’s headquarters, if we can be so colloquial. The Old Testament writings also saw God as enthroned in heaven. And what he saw had to be spectacular; I’m sure I cannot find a word satisfactory enough to explain the splendor. The mention of jasper, sardius, emerald, all come into play, and we can only try to explain them.
There is a throne, and One on that throne, who is God the Father. Around the throne are 24 other thrones, upon which sit 24 elders. Even closer to the throne are seven lamps (more like torches), and also four living beings (creatures). There is a sea of glass, lightning, thunder, and something else:
AMAZING praise, worship, and adoration of God. Holy, holy, holy is the song that is sung, and sung about God’s eternality. The theme of this worship is summed up in the last verse of the chapter, God the Creator. John is reminded of just Who is in control. Most of the rest of Revelation has John spending time in heaven receiving this Word, this revelation from God of what is soon to occur.
John is summoned to receive this Word (the church is not), and He is told of things that MUST take place, the certainty of God’s plan unfolding. In this apocalyptic prophecy, the period of the churches has run its course, the messages have been sent out, and now chapters 4 and following will happen.
John mentions jasper, this was probably more like a diamond, as opposed to jasper today. Ancient jasper was quite different, sparkling, brilliant. Sardius was a fiery, deep red. Together these would evoke the idea of holiness and justice. The predominance of emerald in the rainbow would be reminders of grace and mercy, the hope of deliverance.
So much symbolism is used, and it may be difficult to say with certainty what each item represents. Various commentators offer multiple suggestions, a summary of which is worth noting.
The four creatures are living beings, probably an exalted order of angels, as the seraphim in Isaiah. We see in them, by their descriptions, nobility, strength, wisdom, and speed. They are alert and ready to carry out God’s plan at a moment’s notice. And their praise is incessant before the throne.
The 24 elders have been typically assumed to represent the church, and some dispensational authors now believe them to be a class of angels a bit lower than the previously-mentioned beings. That they have crowns indicates their royalty, and when they voluntarily surrender them, they pay even greater honor to God. God gave them existence by His specific actions, and the theme of the song they sing is that of creation, not redemption.
So picture the heavenly court. God in the center, surrounded by those assisting Him in His control of the universe. The torches, blazing and fierce (words used imply torches for outdoors, which burn strong), are representative of the Holy Spirit, so here exists two persons of the Trinity. Christ, too will make His appearance here soon. Thunder and lightning reminds me of Mt. Sinai, God is again ready to act. His court is poised to launch the massive program to purify God’s creation.
John gets to see firsthand this assembly of God’s inner circle. We also know by looking ahead that the church is no longer mentioned in Revelation, so we must assume that Rapture occurs prior to what John sees as about to transpire. I must conclude not only that the church is not in this scene in Revelation 4, but also that the church is not going to be subject to what will take place regarding the judgments to soon follow. Controversial? Probably. Let’s read together, and marvel at the glory we have the privilege to someday behold.
SO WHAT…?
So, following the lead of angels who know God so well, I must call Him holy, and live a life of non-stop worship.
So, when God says “must”, I know for sure it will come to pass. God has planned to “re-set” His creation. Likewise, when He says I “shall” have eternal life in Christ, I know for sure He means it.
So, think on these words to a song, a version of which is sung by Allen Asbury, “I Can Only Imagine”. It gives me chills. Go to http://www.allenasbury.com/fr_store.cfm, and scroll down to where you can listen to individual tracks on “Timeless”.
“Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine!”
Friday, September 17, 2010
SEVEN CHURCHES
This seems like a good time to look back and reflect on chapters 2 and 3, looking at the practical lessons of the letters to these seven churches, and how they fit into God’s prophetic plan. Let’s take the time to read these two chapters, and let the text speak to us. I know we have spent a good deal of time looking at details of the churches, the geography and commerce of the cities, and yet the commendations and challenges put forth to these churches could easily apply to us today. We can all fall prey to the trappings surrounding us, and we can all as Christians strive and overcome and live productive Christian lives.
The messages build on Christ’s self-description, from His initial appearance to John to His speaking to each church. To each church He varyingly interchanges His attributes, each speaking to the then-present need of each.
Through each message comes the warning of what is to unfold in chapters 4 through 19. Christ’s wrath will come; there is a punitive response from God on the horizon; there will be a Great Tribulation and a specific time of trial to those here during that period.
However horrific the Tribulation will be, this response from God was (and still is) designed to bring the disobedient in the churches to repentance. Go read through the Old Testament, and you will see God repeatedly chastening His people for the purpose of driving repentance. This is truly the only hope of escaping the suffering of those alive during that time.
God is a God of promises, that’s for sure. To provide an escape from the events of chapters 4 to 19 is to also provide the enjoyment of privileges of the saints after Christ’s return. To be saved is to be free from the Tribulation, and to also be with Christ when He returns. The messages to the churches certainly look forward to this. The recipients were to look beyond their present difficulties of the Christian life, and they were to have the courage to persevere.
Indeed, the incentives for repentance and faithfulness to Christ are exceedingly abundant!
These seven messages cannot be read apart from the rest of Revelation, and vice versa. Their overall purpose is that of being very practical. Let’s look back over the churches, seeing where we might need improvement and where we are already holding fast, and then let’s see where the messages they heard and learned might apply to us, even today.
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea: churches privileged to have Christ speak to them personally, through His servants. Churches with varying degrees of negative and positive attributes. And God desired all of them to live for Him, above all else.
God has spoken to us, too, through His Word. Will we listen and live for Him?
The messages build on Christ’s self-description, from His initial appearance to John to His speaking to each church. To each church He varyingly interchanges His attributes, each speaking to the then-present need of each.
Through each message comes the warning of what is to unfold in chapters 4 through 19. Christ’s wrath will come; there is a punitive response from God on the horizon; there will be a Great Tribulation and a specific time of trial to those here during that period.
However horrific the Tribulation will be, this response from God was (and still is) designed to bring the disobedient in the churches to repentance. Go read through the Old Testament, and you will see God repeatedly chastening His people for the purpose of driving repentance. This is truly the only hope of escaping the suffering of those alive during that time.
God is a God of promises, that’s for sure. To provide an escape from the events of chapters 4 to 19 is to also provide the enjoyment of privileges of the saints after Christ’s return. To be saved is to be free from the Tribulation, and to also be with Christ when He returns. The messages to the churches certainly look forward to this. The recipients were to look beyond their present difficulties of the Christian life, and they were to have the courage to persevere.
Indeed, the incentives for repentance and faithfulness to Christ are exceedingly abundant!
These seven messages cannot be read apart from the rest of Revelation, and vice versa. Their overall purpose is that of being very practical. Let’s look back over the churches, seeing where we might need improvement and where we are already holding fast, and then let’s see where the messages they heard and learned might apply to us, even today.
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea: churches privileged to have Christ speak to them personally, through His servants. Churches with varying degrees of negative and positive attributes. And God desired all of them to live for Him, above all else.
God has spoken to us, too, through His Word. Will we listen and live for Him?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
REVELATION 3:14-22, Laodicea
Laodicea’s church receives the harshest rebuke of all from the Lord, with no commendation whatsoever. They are “lukewarm”, an utter revulsion to Christ. Ouch! Yet before we get too sure of ourselves, let’s see why they were chastised. And let’s realize that the encouragement they were offered is the same for us: the possibility of repentance and overcoming.
The city of Laodicea was wealthy in its business, society, and its medicine, actually having a medical school. A medicine to treat eye disease was developed there. We know of its wealth, based on their not needing Rome’s help to rebuild following a major earthquake.
The city was pretty much impregnable and easy to defend militarily, but their major weakness was its dependence on others for water. Laodicea had no major water source, outside of a stream that could only sustain a small city, not one the size Laodicea had become. So they imported their water from Hierapolis and Colosse.
The words used by Christ to describe Himself to the church here speak of His truth (“the Amen”), His faithfulness, and His exceptional quality. The reference to the beginning of creation should stress His name never being downplayed. Christ is the Creator, He was not created.
Robert Thomas wrote that doctrinal deflection leads to moral laxity. Laodicea’s works were a reflection of their lives and conduct, there was no evidence of a positive inward spiritual condition, and this is where the Lord looks. And so He calls them “lukewarm”.
Hierapolis supplied hot water, and Colosse cold. Christ knows how to use analogy to get His point across. Mixing hot and cold water obviously results in lukewarm water. In the hot summer and cold of winter, lukewarm water would make one sick (and Jesus says He will spew them, literally vomit them from His mouth). Jesus tells them they are neither “hot” (spiritually fervent) nor “cold” (openly rejecting the gospel). He’d rather them be one or the other. Why would He like them to be cold? Well, at least then there is some reaction to the gospel, as opposed to none at all. My opinion is that the “cold” were non-believers who had openly rejected the gospel. Some believe the “cold” refers to a refreshing meaning, and that Christ would like them to be refreshing. I can see that application as well. We can ask Him what He meant when we meet Him!
This church was indifferent to God, and that was a major problem. They were boastful and self-appraising, well-off and full of knowledge. Why did they need God anyway? Christ sees them as spiritually poor, though, and only they can fix it by their repentance. These are a desperate people, only they do not know it. And Jesus extends His offer of help. “Buy from Me”, He says, telling them they should be dependent on Him, essentially they should buy something they could never think to afford. Refined gold speaks of a high-quality faith, and the white garment is linked to righteous deeds (works done in Christ’s name, for His glory). Many here, even many in the church, had not experienced salvation, and that needed to change. All their spiritual issues could begin to be remedied by accepting the gift of salvation.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Consider the context, the theme of holding fast until He returns, and we see this knocking refers to Christ being on the verge of entering, returning soon. There is an immediacy in the phrase, and the door is that second advent, His second coming. This is how the early church would have heard this to mean, as should we.
Christ ultimately is offering a place in the family of God, to sit with Him in glory, forever.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Are we listening? Are we paying attention?
So, the clear warning to me is to never grow indifferent to God and the power of the gospel message.
So, as good as I might ever think I am, I am totally and completely dependent on Him. Just as Laodicea looked for help for life-sustaining water, what they really needed was the spirit-sustaining Christ. So do I.
So, does spiritual discernment characterize my life? Really, can others see Christ in me? It’s up to me to show them.
The city of Laodicea was wealthy in its business, society, and its medicine, actually having a medical school. A medicine to treat eye disease was developed there. We know of its wealth, based on their not needing Rome’s help to rebuild following a major earthquake.
The city was pretty much impregnable and easy to defend militarily, but their major weakness was its dependence on others for water. Laodicea had no major water source, outside of a stream that could only sustain a small city, not one the size Laodicea had become. So they imported their water from Hierapolis and Colosse.
The words used by Christ to describe Himself to the church here speak of His truth (“the Amen”), His faithfulness, and His exceptional quality. The reference to the beginning of creation should stress His name never being downplayed. Christ is the Creator, He was not created.
Robert Thomas wrote that doctrinal deflection leads to moral laxity. Laodicea’s works were a reflection of their lives and conduct, there was no evidence of a positive inward spiritual condition, and this is where the Lord looks. And so He calls them “lukewarm”.
Hierapolis supplied hot water, and Colosse cold. Christ knows how to use analogy to get His point across. Mixing hot and cold water obviously results in lukewarm water. In the hot summer and cold of winter, lukewarm water would make one sick (and Jesus says He will spew them, literally vomit them from His mouth). Jesus tells them they are neither “hot” (spiritually fervent) nor “cold” (openly rejecting the gospel). He’d rather them be one or the other. Why would He like them to be cold? Well, at least then there is some reaction to the gospel, as opposed to none at all. My opinion is that the “cold” were non-believers who had openly rejected the gospel. Some believe the “cold” refers to a refreshing meaning, and that Christ would like them to be refreshing. I can see that application as well. We can ask Him what He meant when we meet Him!
This church was indifferent to God, and that was a major problem. They were boastful and self-appraising, well-off and full of knowledge. Why did they need God anyway? Christ sees them as spiritually poor, though, and only they can fix it by their repentance. These are a desperate people, only they do not know it. And Jesus extends His offer of help. “Buy from Me”, He says, telling them they should be dependent on Him, essentially they should buy something they could never think to afford. Refined gold speaks of a high-quality faith, and the white garment is linked to righteous deeds (works done in Christ’s name, for His glory). Many here, even many in the church, had not experienced salvation, and that needed to change. All their spiritual issues could begin to be remedied by accepting the gift of salvation.
Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Consider the context, the theme of holding fast until He returns, and we see this knocking refers to Christ being on the verge of entering, returning soon. There is an immediacy in the phrase, and the door is that second advent, His second coming. This is how the early church would have heard this to mean, as should we.
Christ ultimately is offering a place in the family of God, to sit with Him in glory, forever.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Are we listening? Are we paying attention?
So, the clear warning to me is to never grow indifferent to God and the power of the gospel message.
So, as good as I might ever think I am, I am totally and completely dependent on Him. Just as Laodicea looked for help for life-sustaining water, what they really needed was the spirit-sustaining Christ. So do I.
So, does spiritual discernment characterize my life? Really, can others see Christ in me? It’s up to me to show them.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
REVELATION 3:7-13, Philadelphia
25 miles SE of Sardis was Philadelphia. Most people know the name means “brotherly love” and it was so named because of two brothers, Attalus II and Eumenes VI. The city was along a great trade route, which also served as an imperial postal route. The city was founded to consolidate, regulate, and educate (Thomas), and it maintained what we might call a built-in missionary aspect. They really sought to reach out, which fostered unity of spirit, customs, and loyalty.
Philadelphia was located near an active volcano, and earthquakes were frequent. In A.D. 17, Philadelphia, along with Sardis, was destroyed. The city was re-built with the help of Rome, and renamed to reflect the emperor who helped. Renamed again after another emperor, eventually Philadelphia and Rome had a falling away from each other, and the city once again took on its original name.
The church here was greatly commended. They were faithful in the midst of the “synagogue of Satan”, Jews who met to plot against the Christians regularly. To this church, Christ calls Himself holy, true, having the key of David offering an open door.
Holy - causing obedience to his word.
True - Christ is genuine.
Key of David - Christ controls the entrance to David’s house
Open door - there is a sure entrance to the messianic kingdom
This church had kept God’s Word. And now they were of little power, they basically were small in number, being fewer and fewer. It would appear that Jews and others had called on them to deny the name of Christ, and each time they had responded with obedience to Christ.
In the OT, it was expected that outsiders would honor, or pay homage to Israel, out of respect to God. Here, they are told it will now be just the opposite. One day, the Jews would pay homage to the church. Looking at the big picture, the future repentance of Israel will result in the respectful treatment of the church.
Believers here are promised deliverance from a predicted time of future suffering on the earth. Using the phrase “hour of trial” puts the focus on an actual time period, not just the trial itself. The time known as the Tribulation is what comes into play. The language implies the whole world, “to test all”. Essentially, there are two ways to understand this promise to the church:
Preservation while present during this period
Preservation by removal from the scene of suffering.
No. 1 above provides no encouragement for believers. No. 2 fits the context the best.
How would this commended church be encouraged by knowing that they, along with unbelievers, would have to endure the same horrific time? Christ tells them He will come “soon”; Previously, through Paul, we see Him meeting believers and those dead in Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4). This would have been an effective motivation to continue the tenacity of their belief. From this, compared along with other Scripture, we hold to the Rapture of the church prior to the Tribulation.
The church is then told their crowns are secure. Their entrance into the messianic kingdom to live and rule with Christ is a done deal.
Therefore they are to hold fast (sound familiar?), and they are called a pillar in the temple of God. The pillars were an intimate, important part of a temple, just as the church is an intimate and important part of the Kingdom. That their names are written on the pillar indicates they have a right to citizenship in that new Jerusalem. That should have been (and apparently it was) a strong motivation to hold fast.
SO WHAT...?
So, does knowing Christ to be genuine and holy cause me to be obedient to His Word? Can I put Him first in everything? To both questions, I answer, “I should.”
So, then I have a job to do, namely get the word out that He is coming soon. Encouraging words for perilous times, even for us here and now. Even if “things” get worse, I can know my crown is secure, and there are others who need to hear about Christ.
So, my citizenship is in heaven. My life here should reflect my citizenship.
Philadelphia was located near an active volcano, and earthquakes were frequent. In A.D. 17, Philadelphia, along with Sardis, was destroyed. The city was re-built with the help of Rome, and renamed to reflect the emperor who helped. Renamed again after another emperor, eventually Philadelphia and Rome had a falling away from each other, and the city once again took on its original name.
The church here was greatly commended. They were faithful in the midst of the “synagogue of Satan”, Jews who met to plot against the Christians regularly. To this church, Christ calls Himself holy, true, having the key of David offering an open door.
Holy - causing obedience to his word.
True - Christ is genuine.
Key of David - Christ controls the entrance to David’s house
Open door - there is a sure entrance to the messianic kingdom
This church had kept God’s Word. And now they were of little power, they basically were small in number, being fewer and fewer. It would appear that Jews and others had called on them to deny the name of Christ, and each time they had responded with obedience to Christ.
In the OT, it was expected that outsiders would honor, or pay homage to Israel, out of respect to God. Here, they are told it will now be just the opposite. One day, the Jews would pay homage to the church. Looking at the big picture, the future repentance of Israel will result in the respectful treatment of the church.
Believers here are promised deliverance from a predicted time of future suffering on the earth. Using the phrase “hour of trial” puts the focus on an actual time period, not just the trial itself. The time known as the Tribulation is what comes into play. The language implies the whole world, “to test all”. Essentially, there are two ways to understand this promise to the church:
Preservation while present during this period
Preservation by removal from the scene of suffering.
No. 1 above provides no encouragement for believers. No. 2 fits the context the best.
How would this commended church be encouraged by knowing that they, along with unbelievers, would have to endure the same horrific time? Christ tells them He will come “soon”; Previously, through Paul, we see Him meeting believers and those dead in Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4). This would have been an effective motivation to continue the tenacity of their belief. From this, compared along with other Scripture, we hold to the Rapture of the church prior to the Tribulation.
The church is then told their crowns are secure. Their entrance into the messianic kingdom to live and rule with Christ is a done deal.
Therefore they are to hold fast (sound familiar?), and they are called a pillar in the temple of God. The pillars were an intimate, important part of a temple, just as the church is an intimate and important part of the Kingdom. That their names are written on the pillar indicates they have a right to citizenship in that new Jerusalem. That should have been (and apparently it was) a strong motivation to hold fast.
SO WHAT...?
So, does knowing Christ to be genuine and holy cause me to be obedient to His Word? Can I put Him first in everything? To both questions, I answer, “I should.”
So, then I have a job to do, namely get the word out that He is coming soon. Encouraging words for perilous times, even for us here and now. Even if “things” get worse, I can know my crown is secure, and there are others who need to hear about Christ.
So, my citizenship is in heaven. My life here should reflect my citizenship.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
REVELATION 3:1-6, Sardis
It has been very tempting as I read through each of the churches in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, to try to assign each one to a corresponding age of the church. For instance, some believe each church represents a different era (Early church, Reformation, etc.), and thus they believe we are now living in one of them as well. There are many reasons why this is not an accurate viewpoint, primarily the return of Christ was just as imminent 1000 years ago as it is today, and thus we cannot see these actual epistles to the churches as symbolic of more than that. But we do have application to draw from them, and lessons that apply to us just as much as they did to those churches.
This brings us to Sardis, 33 miles south of Thyatira, on the western part of the great Kings’ Highway. Sardis was situated on an elevated plateau, with a sheer cliff on the back side, making the city nearly impenetrable and easily defended. This geography also limited the growth of the city, and so they established a second “sister” city at a lower elevation for the purpose of commerce and growth. The city was characterized by its citizens’ individualism, and by its social and political structures. It became easy for the city to be complacent, resting on its laurels, so to speak.
There was really only one way in, and so defending the city should have been easy. However, Cyrus, king of Persia (6th century B.C.) and Alexander the Great (195 B.C.) both conquered Sardis by scaling the step walls on the back side of the city, an area left unprotected and unwatched, with the assumption that nobody would ever try this avenue of attack.
Why all the background? Well, Christianity, like Sardis, should be easy to defend. Yet, when we become complacent and let our guard down, we quickly become susceptible to the secular realm, and the church becomes weak. This was the church in Sardis. The lives of the church members blended in with the pagan world around them too well.
The surrounding community placed a great emphasis on deities who were believed to be able to bring the dead back to life. A hot springs was nearby, which was supposedly used by the gods to work such miracles. When Christ tells this church they are dead, the choice of words would have spoken directly to them, and they desperately needed to come back to life for His cause and for their own good. What they needed was the life-giving Spirit, the remedy for the death they were experiencing.
Christians in Sardis had become indifferent to spiritual things. They did not boast of any works, nor did they feel any pagan pressure or persecution. They were at peace, and yet Jesus could tell the difference between “peace” from well-being, or “peace” from death. What a great image, the dead look so peaceful. This was the peace experienced by Sardis.
Jesus is described again as holding the seven stars, an image of His absolute power and authority. He is also represented among the churches by the person of the Holy Spirit; whose work should be evident among believers, then and now. The Christianity on display in Sardis was superficial, outward in appearance, not reflecting an inward condition.
“Wake up!” was the command. Wake up and keep watching. Just as the city was conquered when it could have easily been defended (“even by a child”, an ancient historian wrote), so too can the Christian life be maintained, if one would simply stay alert to distractions and the allure of all the world seemingly has to offer. They were to remember their spiritual heritage, and then “keep on keeping” the truth; never stop paying attention to truth. And of course, repent. OK, so they were dead spiritually, it was time to change direction and start living again for Christ.
Some had not “soiled their garments”, had kept the watch faithfully, but they were few, and had little impact on this church, easily outnumbered. But such are the ones worthy to be with Christ, as He says. For those, He will personally confess before the Father when they meet Him. He will stand by believers, so the Father looks on Him when he sees us!
SO WHAT…?
So, Christ’s return should not be an unpleasant, life-exposing event for me. I should be always watchful, busy, and spiritually ready for His return.
So, am I pressured by the world around me, or am I so taken in by it that I can no longer even tell the difference between being a Christian and not? If so, I need to wake up! Christianity should impact society; too often, society is impacting Christianity.
So, cities are conquered when no one is watching. So are Christian lives when we get complacent. The battle is real. I must remember my spiritual heritage, remember what Christ did for me, and live accordingly.
This brings us to Sardis, 33 miles south of Thyatira, on the western part of the great Kings’ Highway. Sardis was situated on an elevated plateau, with a sheer cliff on the back side, making the city nearly impenetrable and easily defended. This geography also limited the growth of the city, and so they established a second “sister” city at a lower elevation for the purpose of commerce and growth. The city was characterized by its citizens’ individualism, and by its social and political structures. It became easy for the city to be complacent, resting on its laurels, so to speak.
There was really only one way in, and so defending the city should have been easy. However, Cyrus, king of Persia (6th century B.C.) and Alexander the Great (195 B.C.) both conquered Sardis by scaling the step walls on the back side of the city, an area left unprotected and unwatched, with the assumption that nobody would ever try this avenue of attack.
Why all the background? Well, Christianity, like Sardis, should be easy to defend. Yet, when we become complacent and let our guard down, we quickly become susceptible to the secular realm, and the church becomes weak. This was the church in Sardis. The lives of the church members blended in with the pagan world around them too well.
The surrounding community placed a great emphasis on deities who were believed to be able to bring the dead back to life. A hot springs was nearby, which was supposedly used by the gods to work such miracles. When Christ tells this church they are dead, the choice of words would have spoken directly to them, and they desperately needed to come back to life for His cause and for their own good. What they needed was the life-giving Spirit, the remedy for the death they were experiencing.
Christians in Sardis had become indifferent to spiritual things. They did not boast of any works, nor did they feel any pagan pressure or persecution. They were at peace, and yet Jesus could tell the difference between “peace” from well-being, or “peace” from death. What a great image, the dead look so peaceful. This was the peace experienced by Sardis.
Jesus is described again as holding the seven stars, an image of His absolute power and authority. He is also represented among the churches by the person of the Holy Spirit; whose work should be evident among believers, then and now. The Christianity on display in Sardis was superficial, outward in appearance, not reflecting an inward condition.
“Wake up!” was the command. Wake up and keep watching. Just as the city was conquered when it could have easily been defended (“even by a child”, an ancient historian wrote), so too can the Christian life be maintained, if one would simply stay alert to distractions and the allure of all the world seemingly has to offer. They were to remember their spiritual heritage, and then “keep on keeping” the truth; never stop paying attention to truth. And of course, repent. OK, so they were dead spiritually, it was time to change direction and start living again for Christ.
Some had not “soiled their garments”, had kept the watch faithfully, but they were few, and had little impact on this church, easily outnumbered. But such are the ones worthy to be with Christ, as He says. For those, He will personally confess before the Father when they meet Him. He will stand by believers, so the Father looks on Him when he sees us!
SO WHAT…?
So, Christ’s return should not be an unpleasant, life-exposing event for me. I should be always watchful, busy, and spiritually ready for His return.
So, am I pressured by the world around me, or am I so taken in by it that I can no longer even tell the difference between being a Christian and not? If so, I need to wake up! Christianity should impact society; too often, society is impacting Christianity.
So, cities are conquered when no one is watching. So are Christian lives when we get complacent. The battle is real. I must remember my spiritual heritage, remember what Christ did for me, and live accordingly.
Monday, September 13, 2010
REVELATION 2:18-29, Thyatira
Thyatira was an agriculturally-rich city which offered little or no natural fortifications to protect itself from any invaders. Since it was on a major highway of commerce and traffic, armies looking to conquer land or cities nearby would have to take Thyatira first. Because this city was on this thoroughfare, it had to be defended to the very end, resulting in its complete devastation when armies fought. Each time this occurred, the city would be completely destroyed and later rebuilt, with each conqueror hoping the city could be defended. With each re-build came a new culture. Based on geography, they relied on a close relationship with Pergamum to survive.
At the time of John’s writing, the city was primarily Gentile, Apollo was the god of choice, and emperor worship was not a major issue here. Thus we see Christ described as the Son of God, a clearer reference to divinity than Son of Man as described earlier. For a church to survive and thrive in Thyatira, as anywhere, it would have to recognize Christ as God, know that He searches hearts and, and thus strive for purity around those truths.
The praise for this church is a bit longer, and only because the cause for blame is lengthy, too. Commended for both love and service, the church in Thyatira also demonstrated faith and perseverance. They withstood persecution and pressure, and as we will see, this is expected of Christians, without wavering. Their works had even grown over time, certainly a good thing.
Their biggest issue? They tolerated Jezebel. Without explaining all the possible meanings of who this Jezebel is (obviously one would think of King Ahab and his wicked wife in the OT), this is likely a symbolic name for a real and prominent woman in the church here. Somehow this woman, likely not a true believer but knowledgeable of Christianity, had led God’s servants astray. No one has identified the exact heresy, and it appears that she had probably taught that it was OK to follow the pagan rituals, assuring people that this was fine since the idols were not real anyway. In essence, she allowed people to compromise their principles, while she stood to gain personally and financially.
She could be figuratively leading the way in spiritual adultery, and yet this could also be a very literal, physical adultery and immoral lifestyle she is living and perpetuating. She and those who follow, whose sin is keeping them from true belief in Christ, are in serious danger of hell. The text indicates end-times warnings, after describing the sin and attitude.
Christ has demanded her repentance, and has done so for some time now, just based on how the text reads. Indeed, repentance is the way of escape for her and those followers. Christ searches the minds and hearts. It just so happens that the deeds of this people indicated their hearts, and the picture is not pretty.
However, there are some who have distanced themselves from her. Some have done so based on their commitment to Christ. Others have done so, feeling they are rather “super-spiritual” and are “above” such behavior. As such, they felt they could still indulge in idol feasts and the sins of immorality, without them affecting their Christian walks. That was a dangerous compromise.
A developing motto among these churches is that of being told to “hold fast”. For the believer to overcome is what is expected by God. The title of “overcomer” is not a special designation or something special, but rather is used to imply the promise of victory to standing firm in troubling times. Sure, it’s special to be one, as long as it is understood that the promise of a better life will be fulfilled, not here, but in glory.
Finally, we are steered to Psalm 2, and reminded of Christ’s power and authority, wielding a rod of iron (image of a strong scepter) shattering all other world powers. And the morning star is the promise of royalty in the messianic kingdom. The overcomer will return with Christ to rule.
Are you listening? Are you paying attention?
SO WHAT…?
So, where have I compromised my Christian walk in order to make life a bit more enjoyable here?
So, if Christ returns today, will I be commended for my love, service, faith, and perseverance?
So, how can I better stand firm, “hold fast”, realizing this is the expectation, not extra credit work? Will I overcome, knowing that I have the power of the Holy Spirit to do so?
At the time of John’s writing, the city was primarily Gentile, Apollo was the god of choice, and emperor worship was not a major issue here. Thus we see Christ described as the Son of God, a clearer reference to divinity than Son of Man as described earlier. For a church to survive and thrive in Thyatira, as anywhere, it would have to recognize Christ as God, know that He searches hearts and, and thus strive for purity around those truths.
The praise for this church is a bit longer, and only because the cause for blame is lengthy, too. Commended for both love and service, the church in Thyatira also demonstrated faith and perseverance. They withstood persecution and pressure, and as we will see, this is expected of Christians, without wavering. Their works had even grown over time, certainly a good thing.
Their biggest issue? They tolerated Jezebel. Without explaining all the possible meanings of who this Jezebel is (obviously one would think of King Ahab and his wicked wife in the OT), this is likely a symbolic name for a real and prominent woman in the church here. Somehow this woman, likely not a true believer but knowledgeable of Christianity, had led God’s servants astray. No one has identified the exact heresy, and it appears that she had probably taught that it was OK to follow the pagan rituals, assuring people that this was fine since the idols were not real anyway. In essence, she allowed people to compromise their principles, while she stood to gain personally and financially.
She could be figuratively leading the way in spiritual adultery, and yet this could also be a very literal, physical adultery and immoral lifestyle she is living and perpetuating. She and those who follow, whose sin is keeping them from true belief in Christ, are in serious danger of hell. The text indicates end-times warnings, after describing the sin and attitude.
Christ has demanded her repentance, and has done so for some time now, just based on how the text reads. Indeed, repentance is the way of escape for her and those followers. Christ searches the minds and hearts. It just so happens that the deeds of this people indicated their hearts, and the picture is not pretty.
However, there are some who have distanced themselves from her. Some have done so based on their commitment to Christ. Others have done so, feeling they are rather “super-spiritual” and are “above” such behavior. As such, they felt they could still indulge in idol feasts and the sins of immorality, without them affecting their Christian walks. That was a dangerous compromise.
A developing motto among these churches is that of being told to “hold fast”. For the believer to overcome is what is expected by God. The title of “overcomer” is not a special designation or something special, but rather is used to imply the promise of victory to standing firm in troubling times. Sure, it’s special to be one, as long as it is understood that the promise of a better life will be fulfilled, not here, but in glory.
Finally, we are steered to Psalm 2, and reminded of Christ’s power and authority, wielding a rod of iron (image of a strong scepter) shattering all other world powers. And the morning star is the promise of royalty in the messianic kingdom. The overcomer will return with Christ to rule.
Are you listening? Are you paying attention?
SO WHAT…?
So, where have I compromised my Christian walk in order to make life a bit more enjoyable here?
So, if Christ returns today, will I be commended for my love, service, faith, and perseverance?
So, how can I better stand firm, “hold fast”, realizing this is the expectation, not extra credit work? Will I overcome, knowing that I have the power of the Holy Spirit to do so?
Friday, September 10, 2010
REVELATION 2:12-17, Pergamum
Traveling north another 55 miles brings us to the church in Pergamum, the next recipient of John’s Revelation. Pergamum (also known as Pergamos or Pergamon) was known for developing parchment for writing, after Egypt cut off their supply of papyrus. Pergamum was the capital of the province of Asia for over two and a half centuries, and its plentiful wealth was used in large part to maintain temples dedicated to idol worship. The gods were plentiful here. Besides that, this city was the first to devote a temple entirely to the worship of the Roman emperor. In many places, residents were required to burn a pinch of incense publically, once a year, to show this worship; in Pergamum, this requirement was daily. Thus, life here, as in Smyrna, was difficult for the Christian.
Christ here is described as the one having the two edged sword, representing His total authority over and ultimate conquest of all world powers.
Both Christians and Satan dwelled here. The “throne of Satan” seems to refer to the emperor worship, non-compliance to which was the greatest threat to Christianity. Satan used this to his advantage.
Believers here are commended for their faithfulness, and for their unwillingness to deny their faith in Christ. Apparently there were specific instances in the past where Christians were pressured to deny such faith. “Holding fast” here is meant to be related to personal trust in Christ.
Mention is made of Antipas, a witness for Christ, who was martyred for his faith. He was likely the first of many to follow to be martyred in Pergamum. There is even support for the word “witness” to eventually transform to “martyr” (they are very similar in the Greek) because of Antipas. Polycarp’s trial took place here, too, years later.
The condemnation of this church is very direct, pointing to those inside the church family (“you have those there”) who were tolerant of false teaching and immoral living. There were people “holding fast” to Balaam’s teaching (see Numbers 31:16, 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11). Balaam could not curse God’s people, so he advised the Moabite king Balak to get God’s people to sin. He did so by enticing them with immorality and idol worship. Balaam’s motivation was his desire for personal gain. Church members living accordingly were tolerated by the church, wrongly so.
Remember the Nicolaitans? Apostate and immoral, devoid of the teaching of Christ; many in the church in Pergamum tolerated them as well. There simply was no place for this toleration in the church family.
“Repent, or be judged” is the command. People should not want to be on the wrong side of the truth when Christ returns. Specifically, this church was to repent of their lenience toward those in error who were also part of their local fellowship.
“Hidden manna” is interesting. Christ is the “true manna”, and should be the present source of satisfaction for believers, envisioning the “true ark” in heaven. Tradition held that Jeremiah hid the ark of the covenant (which contained manna from the wilderness) when Judah went into exile, with Jews awaiting the restoration of Israel someday for the ark to resurface. Here, the manna is referring to Christ, as described.
In this day, for people to attend a special event would have required a “ticket”, and these tickets were often in the form of small white stones. You had a white stone, you got in. What great imagery here, if you are a believer in Christ, you have a ticket to the Messianic feast to come, and the name written on it is yours, belonging to Christ. The use of the word “secret” implies it being invulnerable. That name cannot be removed. This is the comfort to the faithful in Pergamum.
SO WHAT…?
So, what errors do I tolerate improperly? How much do I hold fast to Christ, and how much do I hold fast to that which is not Christ?
So, what are my motivations in following Christ? Am I motivated to live for God? Am I willing to succumb to the motivation of personal gain, and if Christ somehow fits into that picture, then fine?
So, I cannot wait to get my “white stone”, and to feast with the Lamb. “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!”
Christ here is described as the one having the two edged sword, representing His total authority over and ultimate conquest of all world powers.
Both Christians and Satan dwelled here. The “throne of Satan” seems to refer to the emperor worship, non-compliance to which was the greatest threat to Christianity. Satan used this to his advantage.
Believers here are commended for their faithfulness, and for their unwillingness to deny their faith in Christ. Apparently there were specific instances in the past where Christians were pressured to deny such faith. “Holding fast” here is meant to be related to personal trust in Christ.
Mention is made of Antipas, a witness for Christ, who was martyred for his faith. He was likely the first of many to follow to be martyred in Pergamum. There is even support for the word “witness” to eventually transform to “martyr” (they are very similar in the Greek) because of Antipas. Polycarp’s trial took place here, too, years later.
The condemnation of this church is very direct, pointing to those inside the church family (“you have those there”) who were tolerant of false teaching and immoral living. There were people “holding fast” to Balaam’s teaching (see Numbers 31:16, 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 11). Balaam could not curse God’s people, so he advised the Moabite king Balak to get God’s people to sin. He did so by enticing them with immorality and idol worship. Balaam’s motivation was his desire for personal gain. Church members living accordingly were tolerated by the church, wrongly so.
Remember the Nicolaitans? Apostate and immoral, devoid of the teaching of Christ; many in the church in Pergamum tolerated them as well. There simply was no place for this toleration in the church family.
“Repent, or be judged” is the command. People should not want to be on the wrong side of the truth when Christ returns. Specifically, this church was to repent of their lenience toward those in error who were also part of their local fellowship.
“Hidden manna” is interesting. Christ is the “true manna”, and should be the present source of satisfaction for believers, envisioning the “true ark” in heaven. Tradition held that Jeremiah hid the ark of the covenant (which contained manna from the wilderness) when Judah went into exile, with Jews awaiting the restoration of Israel someday for the ark to resurface. Here, the manna is referring to Christ, as described.
In this day, for people to attend a special event would have required a “ticket”, and these tickets were often in the form of small white stones. You had a white stone, you got in. What great imagery here, if you are a believer in Christ, you have a ticket to the Messianic feast to come, and the name written on it is yours, belonging to Christ. The use of the word “secret” implies it being invulnerable. That name cannot be removed. This is the comfort to the faithful in Pergamum.
SO WHAT…?
So, what errors do I tolerate improperly? How much do I hold fast to Christ, and how much do I hold fast to that which is not Christ?
So, what are my motivations in following Christ? Am I motivated to live for God? Am I willing to succumb to the motivation of personal gain, and if Christ somehow fits into that picture, then fine?
So, I cannot wait to get my “white stone”, and to feast with the Lamb. “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!”
Thursday, September 9, 2010
REVELATION 2:8-11, Smyrna
The church in Smyrna (meaning “bitter”) was the recipient of the next message from Christ, through John. This city was approximately 35 – 40 miles north of Ephesus; it had a good harbor and a large port on the Aegean Sea, making it a prosperous city. It was a center for learning, and on top of that, it was known for its beauty. Today this city still exists in Turkey, known as Izmir, and a Christian church still exists there.
The meaning of the city name fit this church. Everyday life was bitter and harsh. They were persecuted heavily, quite possibly more so than any other. From A.D. 81-96 emperor worship was made mandatory here. For instance, to get a certificate to draw water, one had to bow to the emperor or otherwise recognize the emperor as deity. Naturally, most Christians did not comply, and suffered as a result when they found other means to get water or boldly held their ground. Nowhere else was life more dangerous for a Christian.
Christ assured them that He knows them, He knows their trouble (tribulation), and they are commended for their endurance. The persecution they suffered is what caused their affliction; they are not condemned for any wrongdoing, actually.
Their poverty is known, and it was directly related to the demands of living for Christ. The believers could have exchanged their morals and values to make life easier, but they chose to live in a way pleasing to God. Often the slander and false accusations surrounding them, much of which came from non-believing Jews, would cause the civil authorities to arrest them. And realistically they had to choose between having a good job and living a Christian life. They chose Christ, and paid for it. However poor they were, though, they were spiritually rich.
The blasphemy mentioned is related to that slander against Christians. They were probably accused of political disloyalty. Even 50 years later, Polycarp, a great first century church leader, was burned at the stake in this area, because of the Jewish accusers. The Jews, those who were supposed to be part of God’s chosen family, had surpassed the heathens in their hatred toward Christianity. The Jewish lineage had become nothing more than an ancestral relationship to Abraham, and not at all in spirit. They routinely met (thus the use of “synagogue” here) to plot against Christians.
Christ makes it clear that Satan is the author of this persecution, and that it was going to keep happening. The goal of Satan was and still is the renouncing of one’s faith. There was no promise of Christ returning soon here, yet they were to know that God knew their plight and cared for them. A specific ten days is mentioned and predicted, very likely a literal period of time which would seem unbearable to those suffering. Martyrdom was very much on the horizon for many believers here.
As a result, Christ reminds them of eternal life with Him. They did not need to fear the “second death” referred to in Daniel 12, John 5, Revelation 20 and 21. Their incentive to overcome was the knowledge of eternal life.
SO WHAT…?
So, what is my primary motivation to live for Christ? What costs have I counted to do so? Would I still choose Christ if it got much more costly?
So, when I see society becoming more and more anti-Christian (much different than “pro-religious), what should my response be? How can I, one person, make a difference for Christ? Should I even try?
So, I realize today, as then, Satan is still very much at work. He wants to destroy the church and the family, he wants believers to live like non-believers, and he wants God to look bad as a result. I must always keep eternal life in clear and sharp focus, if I expect to endure and overcome.
The meaning of the city name fit this church. Everyday life was bitter and harsh. They were persecuted heavily, quite possibly more so than any other. From A.D. 81-96 emperor worship was made mandatory here. For instance, to get a certificate to draw water, one had to bow to the emperor or otherwise recognize the emperor as deity. Naturally, most Christians did not comply, and suffered as a result when they found other means to get water or boldly held their ground. Nowhere else was life more dangerous for a Christian.
Christ assured them that He knows them, He knows their trouble (tribulation), and they are commended for their endurance. The persecution they suffered is what caused their affliction; they are not condemned for any wrongdoing, actually.
Their poverty is known, and it was directly related to the demands of living for Christ. The believers could have exchanged their morals and values to make life easier, but they chose to live in a way pleasing to God. Often the slander and false accusations surrounding them, much of which came from non-believing Jews, would cause the civil authorities to arrest them. And realistically they had to choose between having a good job and living a Christian life. They chose Christ, and paid for it. However poor they were, though, they were spiritually rich.
The blasphemy mentioned is related to that slander against Christians. They were probably accused of political disloyalty. Even 50 years later, Polycarp, a great first century church leader, was burned at the stake in this area, because of the Jewish accusers. The Jews, those who were supposed to be part of God’s chosen family, had surpassed the heathens in their hatred toward Christianity. The Jewish lineage had become nothing more than an ancestral relationship to Abraham, and not at all in spirit. They routinely met (thus the use of “synagogue” here) to plot against Christians.
Christ makes it clear that Satan is the author of this persecution, and that it was going to keep happening. The goal of Satan was and still is the renouncing of one’s faith. There was no promise of Christ returning soon here, yet they were to know that God knew their plight and cared for them. A specific ten days is mentioned and predicted, very likely a literal period of time which would seem unbearable to those suffering. Martyrdom was very much on the horizon for many believers here.
As a result, Christ reminds them of eternal life with Him. They did not need to fear the “second death” referred to in Daniel 12, John 5, Revelation 20 and 21. Their incentive to overcome was the knowledge of eternal life.
SO WHAT…?
So, what is my primary motivation to live for Christ? What costs have I counted to do so? Would I still choose Christ if it got much more costly?
So, when I see society becoming more and more anti-Christian (much different than “pro-religious), what should my response be? How can I, one person, make a difference for Christ? Should I even try?
So, I realize today, as then, Satan is still very much at work. He wants to destroy the church and the family, he wants believers to live like non-believers, and he wants God to look bad as a result. I must always keep eternal life in clear and sharp focus, if I expect to endure and overcome.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
REVELATION 2:1-7 - Ephesus
The mention of a church or group of churches in Ephesus makes me think of a spiritual giant, a place every church should aim to be. All true, from what I can tell, and yet we get to see that they too could be subject to struggles like anyone else. Ephesus was a major trade city, and a prominent center of business. Several different walks of people lived there, including many Jews, and the church there would have been seen to be a very important one in the cause for Christ. Paul wrote to them and sent Timothy to them, Paul wrote to the Corinthians from there and spent the longest period of time (three years) of his missions ministry there.
The church there was commended for their hard work, their perseverance, and the manner in which they tested impostors. They were not easily fooled. Beyond that, they simply did not put up with bad people. Most of all, their perseverance was for the sake of purity of the message they had to share.
Yet for some reason, they are condemned for having last their first love. What was this first love? If we look back to the epistle written to them, it is clear they had a sharp focus on Christ and the outpouring of selfless giving that was the result. They were still superficially busy and resisting false teaching, yet they had since forgotten the full impact of what Christ had done for them, and how they were to live as a result. Some 40 years had passed by now, and the testimony that had characterized this church was gone, or at least almost gone. It is even possible that many of the members were not actually true believers.
How one remedies this, in the words of Christ, is to remember, and then repent. “Keep remembering” is more accurate, as it was time for them to regain their bearings; they had begun to lose their way. And the remembering should be followed by repentance, a change of attitude and action. The alternative is judgment: eternal judgment for the non-believer for sure, and other long term, even end times effects on the church. We can certainly envision non-believers entering the tribulation, with no believers to guide them; a bad time indeed to be unrepentant (like there is ever a “good” time).
The impostors, or false teachers, from verse 2 are exposed to be the Nicolaitans. And Ephesus is commended for hating their works, because God also hates those works. Some believe that these Nicolaitans were followers of one of the first deacons, who had apostatized, given into and followed heresy. While this is not a certainty, enough early church writers claimed it to be so; regardless, this group of people had taken to lives of impurity and abomination. That the Ephesians hated the works of such a group showed that they held their ground from the corruption the world around them had to offer.
This letter was certainly written in such a way as to give each individual the opportunity to hear and follow the recommendations. “He who has ears to hear…” can be summed up for us today as “Are you listening? Then pay attention!” Seven times in these two chapters the churches will hear what is said to each of them.
“One who overcomes” (or “the one who conquers”), can be applicable to all believers. The hope of eternity with Christ is the promise to the faithful believer. The tree of life awaits.
SO WHAT…?
So, it’s easy to say I love Christ when I am saved and realize what He did for me. It’s not so easy to show that to everyone around me. That is the challenge to me, to not forget, to keep remembering Christ, and what I owe Him and others because of Him. That should bring continued Joy.
So, I need to recognize what around me in the world is not good for me. There will be those, even nice people, who hate God and want nothing to do with Him. If I cannot reach them, I need to keep my walk from being affected by them in a negative, anti-Christian way.
So, am I listening? Do I get it? Am I willing to change what needs to be changed? I am afraid this question might keep coming up.
The church there was commended for their hard work, their perseverance, and the manner in which they tested impostors. They were not easily fooled. Beyond that, they simply did not put up with bad people. Most of all, their perseverance was for the sake of purity of the message they had to share.
Yet for some reason, they are condemned for having last their first love. What was this first love? If we look back to the epistle written to them, it is clear they had a sharp focus on Christ and the outpouring of selfless giving that was the result. They were still superficially busy and resisting false teaching, yet they had since forgotten the full impact of what Christ had done for them, and how they were to live as a result. Some 40 years had passed by now, and the testimony that had characterized this church was gone, or at least almost gone. It is even possible that many of the members were not actually true believers.
How one remedies this, in the words of Christ, is to remember, and then repent. “Keep remembering” is more accurate, as it was time for them to regain their bearings; they had begun to lose their way. And the remembering should be followed by repentance, a change of attitude and action. The alternative is judgment: eternal judgment for the non-believer for sure, and other long term, even end times effects on the church. We can certainly envision non-believers entering the tribulation, with no believers to guide them; a bad time indeed to be unrepentant (like there is ever a “good” time).
The impostors, or false teachers, from verse 2 are exposed to be the Nicolaitans. And Ephesus is commended for hating their works, because God also hates those works. Some believe that these Nicolaitans were followers of one of the first deacons, who had apostatized, given into and followed heresy. While this is not a certainty, enough early church writers claimed it to be so; regardless, this group of people had taken to lives of impurity and abomination. That the Ephesians hated the works of such a group showed that they held their ground from the corruption the world around them had to offer.
This letter was certainly written in such a way as to give each individual the opportunity to hear and follow the recommendations. “He who has ears to hear…” can be summed up for us today as “Are you listening? Then pay attention!” Seven times in these two chapters the churches will hear what is said to each of them.
“One who overcomes” (or “the one who conquers”), can be applicable to all believers. The hope of eternity with Christ is the promise to the faithful believer. The tree of life awaits.
SO WHAT…?
So, it’s easy to say I love Christ when I am saved and realize what He did for me. It’s not so easy to show that to everyone around me. That is the challenge to me, to not forget, to keep remembering Christ, and what I owe Him and others because of Him. That should bring continued Joy.
So, I need to recognize what around me in the world is not good for me. There will be those, even nice people, who hate God and want nothing to do with Him. If I cannot reach them, I need to keep my walk from being affected by them in a negative, anti-Christian way.
So, am I listening? Do I get it? Am I willing to change what needs to be changed? I am afraid this question might keep coming up.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
REVELATION 1
The apostle John, somewhere around A.D. 95 - 98, is on an island called Patmos. He is there, imprisoned for preaching the gospel. While other apostles were martyred, John was exiled. And prior to that exile, he spent some 30 years preaching among various churches in the region of Asia, some of which will be the recipients of this letter.
John is to give testimony of all he saw, all that he was shown in this vision from Christ Himself. Remember, John and Jesus were close personal friends when Jesus lived on Earth. Churches he is writing to are undergoing persecution, life is not pleasant for the believer in that day. And John, called a bond-servant (a fully willing slave), is reminded that “the time is near”. The end is coming “soon”. Some like to read the word “suddenly” in this part of Revelation. Think on this when you find yourself in times of struggle. If someone says help or relief is coming “suddenly”, there is not much comfort in that. However, if help is coming “soon”, then there is hope, there is a feeling that you can endure a bit longer, knowing that the end is in sight. That is the tone of Christ’s message of His return.
Christ is called the “firstborn of the dead”. Prophets in the OT raised people to life after death (by God’s power), and even Jesus and some apostles did the same. All the people that were raised to life in those cases eventually died again. Not so with Jesus. When He was resurrected, He stayed alive. Thus the term “firstborn”.
Jesus speaks to John directly, and he is instructed to write to seven churches in Asia. These are seven real churches, and Christ has a message for each of them. All will receive this entire letter, so they will all be able to compare their triumphs and struggles to those of other churches, taking rebuke, instruction, and encouragement from the entire writing.
Jesus reminds John, and us for that matter, that we were made to be priests. God’s plan was for us to believe in His Son, and be directly related to the Father through Him. If that is not encouragement enough, then John is reminded that “He is coming with the clouds”, which we also just read in Luke. And when He does, every eye will see Him, Philippians tells us every knee will bow. When Christ returns, there will be no mistaking it, that’s for sure.
John is “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day. Simply put, it was Sunday, and John was taken into a trance-like state of consciousness to receive this vision. He was fully awake, in a very open state of mind, seeing things very, very clearly.
He sees seven lampstands (stands for portable oil lamps). These are symbolic of the churches, which were (and are still) commissioned to shine forth God’s light. The lampstands with lit oil lamps are perfect representations of what the church should be. “Does one light a lamp and hide it?” the gospels ask. No. Imagery here even reminds the readers then of the OT principle of letting their light shine before the Gentiles. God’s people have always been told to be a testimony to those around them.
John then describes the “one” in the middle of the lampstands. He repeats what we see in Daniel 7:13, this “Son of Man”. Jesus referred to Himself likewise in Mark 13:26. There is no mistaking that this “one” is Christ. Read slowly the description as John sees Him.
Christ holding the seven stars is a demonstration of His authority. He has authority over all, including the church. And John responds the same way Daniel did, by prostrating himself before the Lord. John previously experienced this as in Matthew 17 when he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. And here, as then, Jesus comforts and assures him of the care He has for His people.
Verse 20 ends this chapter, with a mention of angels of each of these churches. Several possibilities exist as to who these angels are. Some believe them to be guardian angels, others believe them to be the pastors of each of the churches. Most commentators agree that they are human messengers, perhaps in some form of spiritual leadership in the churches they will deliver the letter to. (1) And the real point is what follows: what does God want to say to each church?
SO WHAT…?
So, in the middle of my daily trials and struggles, am I comforted by the knowledge that Jesus is coming “soon”? I should be. And that fact should keep me going, keep me living for Him.
So, can I be reassured that Christ, God Himself, is in control? Can I feel His authority in my life? I should, on both accounts.
So, my reverent awe for Him should be evident in all I do, say, and think. I personally marvel at how Scripture comes together so clearly, Daniel 7:13, Mark 13:26, Revelation 1:13. Christ is God, and I know He wins. Whatever comes my way, I should be able to rest in that.
(1) Thomas, Robert. “Revelation, an Exegetical Commentary”, pp 116-119.
John is to give testimony of all he saw, all that he was shown in this vision from Christ Himself. Remember, John and Jesus were close personal friends when Jesus lived on Earth. Churches he is writing to are undergoing persecution, life is not pleasant for the believer in that day. And John, called a bond-servant (a fully willing slave), is reminded that “the time is near”. The end is coming “soon”. Some like to read the word “suddenly” in this part of Revelation. Think on this when you find yourself in times of struggle. If someone says help or relief is coming “suddenly”, there is not much comfort in that. However, if help is coming “soon”, then there is hope, there is a feeling that you can endure a bit longer, knowing that the end is in sight. That is the tone of Christ’s message of His return.
Christ is called the “firstborn of the dead”. Prophets in the OT raised people to life after death (by God’s power), and even Jesus and some apostles did the same. All the people that were raised to life in those cases eventually died again. Not so with Jesus. When He was resurrected, He stayed alive. Thus the term “firstborn”.
Jesus speaks to John directly, and he is instructed to write to seven churches in Asia. These are seven real churches, and Christ has a message for each of them. All will receive this entire letter, so they will all be able to compare their triumphs and struggles to those of other churches, taking rebuke, instruction, and encouragement from the entire writing.
Jesus reminds John, and us for that matter, that we were made to be priests. God’s plan was for us to believe in His Son, and be directly related to the Father through Him. If that is not encouragement enough, then John is reminded that “He is coming with the clouds”, which we also just read in Luke. And when He does, every eye will see Him, Philippians tells us every knee will bow. When Christ returns, there will be no mistaking it, that’s for sure.
John is “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s Day. Simply put, it was Sunday, and John was taken into a trance-like state of consciousness to receive this vision. He was fully awake, in a very open state of mind, seeing things very, very clearly.
He sees seven lampstands (stands for portable oil lamps). These are symbolic of the churches, which were (and are still) commissioned to shine forth God’s light. The lampstands with lit oil lamps are perfect representations of what the church should be. “Does one light a lamp and hide it?” the gospels ask. No. Imagery here even reminds the readers then of the OT principle of letting their light shine before the Gentiles. God’s people have always been told to be a testimony to those around them.
John then describes the “one” in the middle of the lampstands. He repeats what we see in Daniel 7:13, this “Son of Man”. Jesus referred to Himself likewise in Mark 13:26. There is no mistaking that this “one” is Christ. Read slowly the description as John sees Him.
Christ holding the seven stars is a demonstration of His authority. He has authority over all, including the church. And John responds the same way Daniel did, by prostrating himself before the Lord. John previously experienced this as in Matthew 17 when he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. And here, as then, Jesus comforts and assures him of the care He has for His people.
Verse 20 ends this chapter, with a mention of angels of each of these churches. Several possibilities exist as to who these angels are. Some believe them to be guardian angels, others believe them to be the pastors of each of the churches. Most commentators agree that they are human messengers, perhaps in some form of spiritual leadership in the churches they will deliver the letter to. (1) And the real point is what follows: what does God want to say to each church?
SO WHAT…?
So, in the middle of my daily trials and struggles, am I comforted by the knowledge that Jesus is coming “soon”? I should be. And that fact should keep me going, keep me living for Him.
So, can I be reassured that Christ, God Himself, is in control? Can I feel His authority in my life? I should, on both accounts.
So, my reverent awe for Him should be evident in all I do, say, and think. I personally marvel at how Scripture comes together so clearly, Daniel 7:13, Mark 13:26, Revelation 1:13. Christ is God, and I know He wins. Whatever comes my way, I should be able to rest in that.
(1) Thomas, Robert. “Revelation, an Exegetical Commentary”, pp 116-119.
Friday, September 3, 2010
REVELATION - The Rapture
Last in this preview of a study in Revelation is the topic of the Rapture, a word never actually mentioned in Scripture. The word “rapture” comes from the Latin word rapturo, which is a translation of the Greek verb "caught up" that’s found in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Another term used is that of “parousia”, the second coming, referring to Christ’s return.
The purpose here is to describe the differing views as to when the Rapture occurs, in relation to the Tribulation.
Pre-tribulation: This view holds to the rapture happening before the Tribulation. Christ will come and take His church, followed by that 7-year period.
Mid-tribulation: In this view, the church would endure half of the Tribulation period before the Rapture. This view is somewhat similar to the pre-tribulation view. Some writers see the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation as a time of peace, until anti-Christ breaks his treaty, ushering in the next 3.5 years, often referred to as the Great Tribulation.
Post-tribulation: In this view, the church endures the entire Tribulation, and then Christ meets them via the Rapture.
I personally hold to the pre-tribulation position. So, therefore, my overall end times (eschatological) view is that of pre-tribulation regarding the Rapture, and pre-millennial regarding the physical return of Christ. You might often hear this referred to by the shortened “Pre-trib, pre-mil” phrase. And it is through this framework I will read through and comment on Revelation.
When we look at all of Scripture, OT prophecies, NT teachings, and Christ’s direct teachings on the end times, this view is the most consistent and in line with Dispensational interpretation. Prophecies from Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Zechariah and others, along with Christ in Matthew, the Thessalonian books, and others fit so well with Revelation, and when we consider the entire counsel of God, Scripture is amazingly accurate and consistent.
God has progressively revealed Himself to mankind. A great “map”, spelling out a summary of each period called a dispensation, can be found at the link at the end of this post. We find ourselves at present in the dispensation of Grace, the church age, while we await Christ’s return, and the final dispensation of the millennial kingdom, to be followed by eternity future.
SO WHAT…?
So, thank you for enduring the academic side of this long introduction to the book of Revelation. I did not mean to be so “teachy”; I obviously do not have all the answers to all the questions. I look forward to reading and learning anew.
So, since we are in the church age, and each dispensation has a command, an expectation from God, I have to do my part. In the church age, the command is to accept Christ, personally. And the Bible states in Romans 10:14, “How will they hear if they don’t have a preacher?” Indeed, I/we have a job to do, and that is to warn people of God’s imminent judgment, and to explain the salvation offered through Christ.
So, I pray that God will open my heart to more learning from His Word. There is no other lasting sustenance or satisfaction than that which comes from hearing from Him.
http://www.armageddonbooks.com/biblemap.html
The purpose here is to describe the differing views as to when the Rapture occurs, in relation to the Tribulation.
Pre-tribulation: This view holds to the rapture happening before the Tribulation. Christ will come and take His church, followed by that 7-year period.
Mid-tribulation: In this view, the church would endure half of the Tribulation period before the Rapture. This view is somewhat similar to the pre-tribulation view. Some writers see the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation as a time of peace, until anti-Christ breaks his treaty, ushering in the next 3.5 years, often referred to as the Great Tribulation.
Post-tribulation: In this view, the church endures the entire Tribulation, and then Christ meets them via the Rapture.
I personally hold to the pre-tribulation position. So, therefore, my overall end times (eschatological) view is that of pre-tribulation regarding the Rapture, and pre-millennial regarding the physical return of Christ. You might often hear this referred to by the shortened “Pre-trib, pre-mil” phrase. And it is through this framework I will read through and comment on Revelation.
When we look at all of Scripture, OT prophecies, NT teachings, and Christ’s direct teachings on the end times, this view is the most consistent and in line with Dispensational interpretation. Prophecies from Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Zechariah and others, along with Christ in Matthew, the Thessalonian books, and others fit so well with Revelation, and when we consider the entire counsel of God, Scripture is amazingly accurate and consistent.
God has progressively revealed Himself to mankind. A great “map”, spelling out a summary of each period called a dispensation, can be found at the link at the end of this post. We find ourselves at present in the dispensation of Grace, the church age, while we await Christ’s return, and the final dispensation of the millennial kingdom, to be followed by eternity future.
SO WHAT…?
So, thank you for enduring the academic side of this long introduction to the book of Revelation. I did not mean to be so “teachy”; I obviously do not have all the answers to all the questions. I look forward to reading and learning anew.
So, since we are in the church age, and each dispensation has a command, an expectation from God, I have to do my part. In the church age, the command is to accept Christ, personally. And the Bible states in Romans 10:14, “How will they hear if they don’t have a preacher?” Indeed, I/we have a job to do, and that is to warn people of God’s imminent judgment, and to explain the salvation offered through Christ.
So, I pray that God will open my heart to more learning from His Word. There is no other lasting sustenance or satisfaction than that which comes from hearing from Him.
http://www.armageddonbooks.com/biblemap.html
Thursday, September 2, 2010
REVELATION - The Millennium
A thousand years. What could that mean? Well, lots of people disagree on the answer to that question. And there are Christians who hold to varying views, so this topic is not generally one to cause brothers and sisters in the Lord to part fellowship based on disagreement.
The major point in common with the various views is that of Christ’s return. All views hold to the belief in Christ’s return, and all have to address the 1000 years in chapter 20. Some do so literally, others figuratively. The point is, Christ is coming back, and there is some sort of millennial time period. How the two relate to each other is the topic of today’s posting.
Premillennial – Christ returns before the millennium, thus the “pre”. This view is in support of the literal rapture of the church, a seven year tribulation period, the end of which is marked by Christ’s physical return. After those events, He will establish a 1000-year reign, the millennial kingdom.
Amillenial – There is no literal millennial period, and the 1000 years is symbolic of the whole time period from which Jesus lived on earth to His second coming. Jesus will come again, and His doing so ends the symbolic millennium.
Postmillennial – The “post” means “after”, and so this view holds to Christ’s return following a millennial kingdom. The millennium here is seen as the triumph of the gospel in the present age, and some would hold to this being a literal 1000 years.
My belief is in that of the premillennial view. That will be discussed when we get to those passages.
There are indeed some born-again believers who would hold to the amillennial view. I cannot say I have had lengthy conversations with any of them about this subject, and would certainly enjoy doing so. There are also those who hold to the amillennial view who are in churches who do not necessarily believe in or teach born-again salvation. Some mainline denominations fall into this category, and they teach that Jesus will come to judge, marking the end of this present age, but with no literal reign of Jesus on earth. So the amillennial view is very much alive today.
The postmillennial view can also be summed up in the belief that eventually the world will be entirely won over to Christ, at which time He will return. Two World Wars pretty much put an end to this notion, as it became vastly clear that the world was not getting more evangelized, but rather sinking further into depravity. The lyrics to the popular patriotic hymn, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, were written during the Civil War, after its author visited a Union army camp. It became popular with the Union, believing that a victory would usher in the kingdom of God. Thus they sang “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…” Few today hold to the postmillennial view.
A great hymn that we associate with Christmas, but is actually in line with a millennial kingdom is “Joy to the World”. Look at some of the lyrics, and think on His return this Christmas:
“Let earth receive her King”
“Joy to the world, the Savior reigns”
“He rules the world, with truth and grace”
“No more let sin and sorrow reign, nor thorns infest the ground” (reversal of the curse, believers who had been raptured are no longer affected by sin).
So building upon yesterday, I am holding to a viewpoint of historical epistles being written to literal churches, along with the belief that there will be a literal 1000-year kingdom established by Christ when He returns. That is, He will return before the 1000-year period, called the millennium. Tomorrow…Rapture.
SO WHAT…?
So, I hold out hope that Christ is returning, at any time. This should motivate me to keep busy for Him, so as to be found working when He does so, just as Jesus taught in many of His parables.
So, as I struggle with sin and pride, I look forward to the day when I will no longer be surrounded by that environment, living in the presence of Christ in His kingdom.
So, I can bend a bit if a true believer holds to a view different from mine on this topic, yet we must agree that saving faith in Jesus Christ personally must remain the foundation that cannot falter. Psalm 11:3 says “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Join me in holding fast to the foundation that is Christ Jesus.
The major point in common with the various views is that of Christ’s return. All views hold to the belief in Christ’s return, and all have to address the 1000 years in chapter 20. Some do so literally, others figuratively. The point is, Christ is coming back, and there is some sort of millennial time period. How the two relate to each other is the topic of today’s posting.
Premillennial – Christ returns before the millennium, thus the “pre”. This view is in support of the literal rapture of the church, a seven year tribulation period, the end of which is marked by Christ’s physical return. After those events, He will establish a 1000-year reign, the millennial kingdom.
Amillenial – There is no literal millennial period, and the 1000 years is symbolic of the whole time period from which Jesus lived on earth to His second coming. Jesus will come again, and His doing so ends the symbolic millennium.
Postmillennial – The “post” means “after”, and so this view holds to Christ’s return following a millennial kingdom. The millennium here is seen as the triumph of the gospel in the present age, and some would hold to this being a literal 1000 years.
My belief is in that of the premillennial view. That will be discussed when we get to those passages.
There are indeed some born-again believers who would hold to the amillennial view. I cannot say I have had lengthy conversations with any of them about this subject, and would certainly enjoy doing so. There are also those who hold to the amillennial view who are in churches who do not necessarily believe in or teach born-again salvation. Some mainline denominations fall into this category, and they teach that Jesus will come to judge, marking the end of this present age, but with no literal reign of Jesus on earth. So the amillennial view is very much alive today.
The postmillennial view can also be summed up in the belief that eventually the world will be entirely won over to Christ, at which time He will return. Two World Wars pretty much put an end to this notion, as it became vastly clear that the world was not getting more evangelized, but rather sinking further into depravity. The lyrics to the popular patriotic hymn, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, were written during the Civil War, after its author visited a Union army camp. It became popular with the Union, believing that a victory would usher in the kingdom of God. Thus they sang “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…” Few today hold to the postmillennial view.
A great hymn that we associate with Christmas, but is actually in line with a millennial kingdom is “Joy to the World”. Look at some of the lyrics, and think on His return this Christmas:
“Let earth receive her King”
“Joy to the world, the Savior reigns”
“He rules the world, with truth and grace”
“No more let sin and sorrow reign, nor thorns infest the ground” (reversal of the curse, believers who had been raptured are no longer affected by sin).
So building upon yesterday, I am holding to a viewpoint of historical epistles being written to literal churches, along with the belief that there will be a literal 1000-year kingdom established by Christ when He returns. That is, He will return before the 1000-year period, called the millennium. Tomorrow…Rapture.
SO WHAT…?
So, I hold out hope that Christ is returning, at any time. This should motivate me to keep busy for Him, so as to be found working when He does so, just as Jesus taught in many of His parables.
So, as I struggle with sin and pride, I look forward to the day when I will no longer be surrounded by that environment, living in the presence of Christ in His kingdom.
So, I can bend a bit if a true believer holds to a view different from mine on this topic, yet we must agree that saving faith in Jesus Christ personally must remain the foundation that cannot falter. Psalm 11:3 says “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Join me in holding fast to the foundation that is Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
REVELATION - Interpretation, Point of View
God’s unfolding of the end times is revealed directly to the apostle John, who is exiled on the island of Patmos, because of his preaching the Word. He is to then write what has been revealed to him, and to send the writing to several churches, addressing then-current spiritual issues. John also gets shown a glimpse of God’s final revelation to man, with an eye toward eternity.
The book of Revelation is one of the most fascinating books of the Bible to me personally, and yet I have been reluctant to apply devotional reading time to it as a whole for some time. When I do read Revelation, I tend to go to chapters 4 and 5, and then 19-22, because “that’s where the good stuff that applies to me” is, or so I thought. In the end, we win, Christ wins, we know the end of the story. So in that regard, it is very encouraging. But it’s worth digging deeper.
A main reason I have not studied through this recently is that there is so much symbolism in the book, John sees an amazing vision, and he tries to describe it as best he can for his reader. What exactly did he see? We just don’t know in most of the instances. And how do we know what symbol stands for what? Good question, and I have been hesitant to study this book along with others reading along, so as not to feel like I had to try to answer all these questions.
Yet I realized there is so much here to be a source of encouragement, to hear from Christ Himself His plan for the end of this age. And over the past month, three different events and conversations with family, friends, and official church business have led me to submit to the study of this book. I still plan on reading and commenting devotionally, yet there will certainly be times where we camp on some passages to discuss potential meanings.
Three major areas of comparison exist within the theological study of this book
1) Point of View - Does it apply to us today, was it only a historical book, are there current and future events in play?
2) Millennium – Just what is the 1000 years mentioned in chapter 20?
3) Rapture – Before, during, or after the tribulation?
So today, let’s deal with the first of these, the point of view. Sorry for the technical nature of this, I trust it will be interesting and of some value.
Preterist – a fancy word for a position that means that all the events in the book are applicable to John’s immediate time period. This would assume all bible prophecy would have basically taken place by the time of John’s writing, likely around A.D. 98. This view would hold to the teaching that we can still learn from that time, but that the writings do not directly relate to us now.
Historist – This view tries to make all the events of Revelation fit with specific historical events. Some have used this view to try to predict when the end will come, which is faulty and dangerous. There is, however value in recognizing the struggles of the church in times past, bringing us comfort when we face similar circumstances. This view places no part of the writing as prophecy yet to be fulfilled. Each symbol, therefore, according to this view, stands for something or someone specific in the past.
Idealist – This view looks at the book as filled with principles that are always valid to the Christian, regardless of the time period in which he or she lives.
Futurist – This view holds to the book largely being prophecies of events still to come.
The viewpoint I will maintain throughout the next month or so in reading Revelation will be that of a Preterist-Futurist one. I believe the letter to the churches in the first chapters were real letters to real churches, very relevant to John. I also believe that John then sees a vision of future events, apocalyptic in the genre, or style of writing. So the book seems to be a combination of epistles to churches, followed by prophecy yet unfulfilled.
SO WHAT…? Yeah, really, so what? Nothing like saying a bunch of stuff and going nowhere with it, huh?
So, let me start by reminding myself that God is in control, forever.
So, God inspired the writing of this, just like the rest of His Word. I know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, and I look forward to hearing from Him as I read through His Revelation, and how good will come from what we tend to think of negatively as the apocalypse.
So, the key to this, and any other Scripture, is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I must never lose sight of that.
The book of Revelation is one of the most fascinating books of the Bible to me personally, and yet I have been reluctant to apply devotional reading time to it as a whole for some time. When I do read Revelation, I tend to go to chapters 4 and 5, and then 19-22, because “that’s where the good stuff that applies to me” is, or so I thought. In the end, we win, Christ wins, we know the end of the story. So in that regard, it is very encouraging. But it’s worth digging deeper.
A main reason I have not studied through this recently is that there is so much symbolism in the book, John sees an amazing vision, and he tries to describe it as best he can for his reader. What exactly did he see? We just don’t know in most of the instances. And how do we know what symbol stands for what? Good question, and I have been hesitant to study this book along with others reading along, so as not to feel like I had to try to answer all these questions.
Yet I realized there is so much here to be a source of encouragement, to hear from Christ Himself His plan for the end of this age. And over the past month, three different events and conversations with family, friends, and official church business have led me to submit to the study of this book. I still plan on reading and commenting devotionally, yet there will certainly be times where we camp on some passages to discuss potential meanings.
Three major areas of comparison exist within the theological study of this book
1) Point of View - Does it apply to us today, was it only a historical book, are there current and future events in play?
2) Millennium – Just what is the 1000 years mentioned in chapter 20?
3) Rapture – Before, during, or after the tribulation?
So today, let’s deal with the first of these, the point of view. Sorry for the technical nature of this, I trust it will be interesting and of some value.
Preterist – a fancy word for a position that means that all the events in the book are applicable to John’s immediate time period. This would assume all bible prophecy would have basically taken place by the time of John’s writing, likely around A.D. 98. This view would hold to the teaching that we can still learn from that time, but that the writings do not directly relate to us now.
Historist – This view tries to make all the events of Revelation fit with specific historical events. Some have used this view to try to predict when the end will come, which is faulty and dangerous. There is, however value in recognizing the struggles of the church in times past, bringing us comfort when we face similar circumstances. This view places no part of the writing as prophecy yet to be fulfilled. Each symbol, therefore, according to this view, stands for something or someone specific in the past.
Idealist – This view looks at the book as filled with principles that are always valid to the Christian, regardless of the time period in which he or she lives.
Futurist – This view holds to the book largely being prophecies of events still to come.
The viewpoint I will maintain throughout the next month or so in reading Revelation will be that of a Preterist-Futurist one. I believe the letter to the churches in the first chapters were real letters to real churches, very relevant to John. I also believe that John then sees a vision of future events, apocalyptic in the genre, or style of writing. So the book seems to be a combination of epistles to churches, followed by prophecy yet unfulfilled.
SO WHAT…? Yeah, really, so what? Nothing like saying a bunch of stuff and going nowhere with it, huh?
So, let me start by reminding myself that God is in control, forever.
So, God inspired the writing of this, just like the rest of His Word. I know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, and I look forward to hearing from Him as I read through His Revelation, and how good will come from what we tend to think of negatively as the apocalypse.
So, the key to this, and any other Scripture, is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I must never lose sight of that.
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