Back to the Future (Part 18)

As we continue our journey through the book of Revelation, we arrive at chapter 19, a chapter that describes two suppers. I rarely have met anyone who would tell me that they did not like supper time. Some of my greatest memories growing up happened around the supper table...and even breakfast and lunch tables. Overall, I enjoyed eating, and it will continue to be an enjoyable activity in heaven. The first meal is recorded in verses 1-10, and it is commonly known as "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb." This meal is clearly invitation only. Revelation 19:9 is an invitation to both O.T. & tribulation believers to join the bride in this supper. This meal represents the consummation between the bride (church) and the groom (Lamb/Jesus), at last, reunited for all time. All the saints, every human who is saved, will be apart of this supper to celebrate the long awaited reunion with the Lover of our souls.

In verses 11-21 we read of the second meal, a meal not so appetising. This supper could be called "The Supper of the Great God" in which God will judge the world by the word of His mouth, and as a result, all those on the earth who stood opposed to His will and reign will be destroyed. There will be no long drawn out battles. There will be no questing the outcome. In fact the vultures are called together to prepare to feast on the carcases of those who will all be destroyed in the Battle of Armageddon. And the Bible states that while the beast and false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire, the rest of humanity will be cast into hell, waiting for their eternal sentence before the Great White Throne judgment of God. There is only one supper that each one of us should long to be a part of, but only those who have accepted Jesus as Savior will be allowed into the event. Have you? If you have, then your life should be less stressful then those who continue to stand oppose to Jesus (John 14:6). Well, until next time, keep walking with Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 17)

Every human begins their journey as a rebel against God. This is a truth lived out in the world and lived out in Scripture. Even Satan, a created being, rebelled against God. Adam and Eve, created humans, rebelled against God's one law, and brought sin upon all mankind. In Genesis 6, man is so rebellious against God that God chooses to destroy the earth with the flood. Then after the flood, it is not long before those who witnessed and heard first hand accounts about God's power were rebelling against Him by building a tower called Babel, instead of populating all the earth as God commanded humans to do. It should not surprise us then when we come to the last book of the Bible, the past, present, and future heart of man can be summed up with that one word, "rebellious."

The title of "Babylon" in chapters 17 & 18 is not in reference to a particular city, but rather it represents man's rebellion toward God; a universal system that is being manipulated by the anti-Christ to pollute the whole world with his false message of religion, pride, and wealth. Babylon represents a false, evil, and wicked system, a cancer, that corrupts both the religious and economic systems of the world, in the end of time. The "mysterious woman" found in chapter 17 represents the conglomerate of all the false teachers, doctrines and religions on the earth. She is called the "Harlot", the opposite of the Church, "the Bride". This system will be intoxicating and addicting (vs.2), and the whole world will celebrate their rebellious heart against Almighty God. But as you read a little further in the chapters, you see the collapse of both systems as God begins to judgment humanity for their defiant rebellion against His Word. The end is always the same for those who choose to rebel against God, absolute discipline and judgment. This warning should always motive God's children to carefully listen, believe, and obey His every word. If we choose, that path, then our lives will be less stressful. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 16)

In the Bible, songs, music, and singing takes on a significant role in both the Old and New Testaments. In fact we have one whole book devoted to praise and worship, Psalms. It should not surprise us then when we look into heaven we are constantly being reminded of the prominent role music and singing has in heaven. The worship around the throne of God is constant and always exalts one person, Jesus! John gives the reader another glimpse into heaven and the musical cantata from the choirs of heaven. We are told in Revelation chapter 15 that two particular musical arrangements are being sung: The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb. These two songs represent OT and NT saints all coming together as one voice, praising God for the victory they have experience through the work of the Son, Christ Jesus. It would seem that when we come to chapter 15, before the final round of judgments, all the saints are present in heaven, Jew and Gentile, worshiping with one voice the mighty works of King Jesus.

John MacArthur in his commentary on Revelation quotes John Phillips as he compares both songs in the following way. "The song of Moses was sung at the Red Sea, the song of the Lamb sung at the crystal sea; the song of Moses was a song of triumph over Egypt, the song of the Lamb is a song of triumph over Babylon; the song Moses told how God brought His people out, the song of the Lamb tells how God brings His people in; the song of Moses was the first song in Scripture, the song of the Lamb is the last. The song of Moses commemorated the execution of the foe, the expectation of the saints and the exaltation of the Lord; the song of the Lamb deals with the same three themes." The only real reason for having a eternal song in one's heart is knowing that we have been delivered from sin, death, and Satan himself; and only the child of God can make such a claim. With such a hope, we can expect to have a less stressed life when Jesus is the theme to our life's song. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.