Back to the Future (Part 15)

Last time we looked at Revelation 12-14 where the Apostle John gives the readers a brief description of each of the key characters in this real life drama called "history" or "God's story". As with any play, movie, or drama, it is at the end where you see the true heroes and villains. It is at the end of the story in which everything you have witness comes together to it's rightful conclusion, as written by the author. Throughout the story or drama there may have been characters, plots, dialogue, and action that may not have been clearly recognized or understood in the moment; but a sign of a good movie or drama is to keep it's audience guessing or hooked to the very end. It is no different with all the events that will unfold at the end of time. A lot of action has played out in history for over six thousand years, and now it will come to a dramatic end.

John gives us three main scenes, the first deals with the hatred Satan has toward Israel and the Messiah (12). The second scene deals with the rise of the Anti-christ and false prophet in the end time (13). The last scene pictures the Victorious Lamb of God (14). It is the end of this drama that matters the most. Even when it seemed there were times when Satan might win, it is the final scene of victory in heaven that matters the most. The Lamb is standing with all the redeemed (14:1-5). The Lamb is shown in control of all events and giving out the final blessings and curses upon those who obey or disobey His offer of mercy. It was the Lamb who paid the ultimate price for sin by shedding His blood (5:6), yet now stands in victory over the enemies of the cross. And all those who chose to side with the Lamb, the overcomers, will too experience the victory of the Lamb. When you recognize and embrace Jesus as the only true Warrior, that fact alone should make your life less stressful. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 14)

The only experience I have had in role playing was two different times in high school I signed up for the school play in drama class. In the first production I had a semi-prominent role, and in the second production I worked mainly behind the scenes. I really enjoyed by time on the set, working, building, memorizing, and watching the whole production come together. I may not be the smartest cookie in the jar, but one thing I know about dramas, skits, movies...when the time comes for the action to begin, not just anyone can jump on stage, or in front of the camera and join the cast. The cast has been chosen and pre-approved ahead of time by the director, to fill the needed roles. One might think they would make the best leading character, but quickly find out that the director has the final say in whether or not they get that staring role. In most cases, those who think they are the best in a particular role find out quickly that they don't have what it takes to fulfill the wishes of the director.

It is no different when we talk about the end time and the final act on earth. When the Apostle John writes Revelation 12-14, what he does is give us a brief description of all the main cast and characters in the great tribulation, so the readers will have a better understanding of the great drama that will unfolded in the near future. Every character has been appointed by God for a specific role, and each follow the script perfectly, even the villains. God, the master director has everything in order, even in an environment that seems chaotic. The following are the main characters: Sun-clothed woman (Israel, 12:1-2,5-6,13-17), great red dragon (Satan, 12:3-4,7-9,13-17,13:1), the male child (Christ, 12:5-6), Michael the Archangel (12:7-9), first great beast (anti-Christ, 13:1-8), 2nd beast (false prophet, 13:11-18), and The Lamb (Jesus the Risen Savior, 14:1-21). All cast and characters throughout history have been playing out their role on God's grand stage. God has not empowered any of the sinful acts of devil and men, but He has permitted them in order to bring Him the greatest of glory. This glory is seen in the last chapters of Revelation when we read that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords, and Satan will be judged in the lake of fire forever. When we realize how powerful God truly is, then it makes our life on earth less stressful. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 13)

In Revelation chapter 11, we meet two unnamed witnesses who are sent by God into the heart of the beast's kingdom to display God's power and judgment upon all those who continue to reject God. These two men are yet another sign of God's continual mercy upon the rebels on earth; and yet the story ends with their death and resurrection in the sight of the whole world (7-12). These events will be followed by a great earthquake in Jerusalem, which is then followed by the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The sound of this trumpet calls our attention back to heaven to witness the praise and worship service that once again continues around the throne of God. The seventh seal brought silence into heaven, while the seventh trumpet invites the worship of God back around the throne. The final trumpet anticipates the future reign and victory of Almighty God. This trumpet is not premature in nature, for all of heaven knows the end of the story before the end takes place. The difficulty for the resistance of heaven is to wait for consummation of the groom with His bride.

This trumpet is a future announcement of a sure victory (15). It is an acclamation of praise and worship that anticipates God's judgment upon wicked men (16-18). But this trumpet also assures the multitudes in heaven of God's continual faithfulness to His people (19). The seventh trumpet has a dual purpose in this book, it both announces the upcoming judgment and defeat of the enemies of God, but also it announces the victory and coronation of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Christian, we are not promised a life of ease in this world, but we do have the promise and hope of a victorious end, no matter how difficult or burdensome our life has been on this side of Heaven. It is not prideful to say, "Greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world." No matter the outward circumstance of life, as God's children, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, we have a victorious future to look forward to - and this will always make our lives less stressful. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 12)

How many times have you eaten something that you thought you would really like only to spit it out because it "left a bad taste in your mouth"? Or, have you ever hesitated to eat something offered to you, but because you did not want to hurt their feelings, you ate, and it "blessed your palate"? When we come to Revelation chapter 10, John calls another time out to give the reader some more background information surrounding all the dramatic events that are being poured out upon the earth. In verses 8-11, God will instruct John to "take the book/scroll which is opened in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land (8)." The scroll seems to be the one that is being held by Jesus, the Victorious Lamb (5:7). Then John is instructed by God to eat the book. I don't think the command was to be seen as eating the book physically, but if that is what God meant, then who is John to disobey God?

To eat the book is symbolic. In order for John to better understand the message and events he was witnessing and later preaching, he must choose to take into his soul the very words of God, and literally have the Word of God fill him so that from the overflow he would know personally the urgency of the message and events that were coming to man. As John eats the book, two things happen: First, the results of God's Word are sweetness to his mouth, but secondly, the contents of the message end up making his stomach sick. The prophet Ezekiel had a similar encounter with God when he was commanded, "Speak the words you have eaten." (Ez. 3"1-4). The child of God must discipline themselves to daily take in God's Word, so that they can be refreshed spiritually by it's power. And yet, another aspect of God's Word is that it convicts, it bothers the conscience, it's message at times is painful to carry in the pit of our souls, and yet it is needed in our lives. For when we live according to God's word, then we are better able to speak both the positive and negative message to this lost world. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 11)

Revelation chapters 8 & 9 deal with the second round of judgments that come from God's throne upon the kingdom of Satan and his Antichrist. The intensity of the judgment has increased, and yet, no matter the suffering, the response of those still left on earth is complete defiance against Almighty God (9:20-21). Let me take a moment to focus on chapter 8 verses 1-5. When the seventh seal is broken (which leads to the seven trumpets) we read that there was silence in heaven for about 30 minutes. This is the only time we read in Scripture of heaven being absent of praise, worship, and rejoicing. Even though Scripture does not speak of this, I tend to believe that when Christ died on the cross for our sins, it was a time in which all of heaven stood silent, as they witnessed the King of kings, the Son of God suffering a brutal death under the hands of man; but oh the day that He rose from the dead - the celebration and praise around the throne has not ceased....until this particular time in history, the opening of the seventh seal.

We also read that after the last seal is open, and angel is given a golden censer filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And it is this censer that is thrown to the earth as a sign of up coming judgment upon the world. This censer represents all the prayers of the saints, especially verbalized in Revelation 6:10 - "O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Well, they are given their answer with the opening of the seventh seal. God will answer the prayers of His children and will fulfill His promise, "Vengeance belongs to Him alone!" So for the true child of God, the judgment of the earth should motivate us to warn those among us who are lost, of this upcoming day of God's wrath. Also, it should encourage us to remember that no matter what the world does to God's children, God will always have the last word, and He will always defend His children at the right time. So wait on Him until the end, and be faithful to serve the Lord Almighty. It is when we hold tightly to His promises that we are ensured of a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 10)

Revelation chapter 6 leaves us with a haunting question from the lips of those defiant against the judgment of God, "Who is able to stand?" This question implies several things, first that this judgment comes from a vengeful God who delights in the destruction of all humanity. And second, that this God is not a merciful God. And yet as you read this book, the opposite is clearly seen. Even in judgment, God gives humanity ample time to repent of their wickedness and chose to follow and obey Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. So it should not surprise us that when we read chapter 7, John will take a moment to answer the question proposed by the rebels, to revel the truth about the character of God. It is in this chapter that John will introduce us to two groups of people who have experienced God's mercy and are able to stand with the victorious Lamb in triumph.

The first group is described as being 144,000 witness, all made of of Jewish descent. We see that they have been chosen by God to be His witnesses on earth; a clear act of mercy on the part of God. They will testify of God's salvation, and also warn humanity of the wrath of God. It seems they will all suffer death for their work, but in death they will overcome the evil one. The second group of people are clearly all the Gentiles who will come to know Christ as Savior during the tribulation (9-17). They have died for the faith (14), and yet they stand with the Lamb as victorious warriors for the faith. You see, all humanity falls with in those two groups, Jew or Gentile. Paul states that the Gospel is for both Jew and Gentile (Rom. 1:16). And even in an environment of great judgment and suffering, many will still be given an opportunity to choose to align themselves with Christ by faith and obedience to God's way of salvation. Those who reject will have no footing to claim that this God was too unfair or too tough on them. Sin demands death, and for those who chose to live a life of sin, then the payment for that attitude must be death (Rom. 6:23). When you chose to side with Christ, you can always guarantee a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.

Back to the Future (Part 9)

When you talk to the average person about the Bible, there is a good chance that the book of Revelation will be brought up. In all my discussions with people good or bad, usually if you ask a typical person on the street if they have a Bible they usually say, "Yes", and quickly that will be followed with the following statement, "I really like the book of Revelations." I usually agree with them, but not for the same reasons. I believe the majority of Americans are fascinated or even scared by this book because many see his book as the movie and TV shows "Star Wars" or "Star Trek". These shows and many others like them are very popular in a culture that loves to explore the unknowns that our future holds. But when I read this book, I try not to get get caught up in whether the Bible describes nuclear war, Apache helicopters, comets hitting the earth, or numbers engraved on people's foreheads. The theme of this book is simple, "Jesus wins, Satan loses...and the children of God rule and reign with Christ forever."

Revelation 6 is one of those chapters where we can get so caught up in trying to figure out who the four horsemen of the Apocalypse are that we miss the purpose for the events described. God's judgment is being poured out upon humanity because they have rejected Him as Savior and Lord. The war, famine, death and terror all play a rightful place in this drama brought on by man's rejection of God. Note, that even as these horrible events plague men during the tribulation of the earth, their reaction is total rebellion against the "One who sits on the throne." (6:16-17) Just like in the OT when the ten plagues were brought upon Egypt, so too on a much larger scale, the power of God is going to be unleashed upon humanity. God wants mankind to acknowledge His has the only true and living God, but like Pharaoh, they will not. The good news is that many will turn their hearts to Christ and be saved, yet they will suffer martyrdom for the faith (9-11). We should not read this book as a futuristic space age novel, but rather a glimpse of what awaits all men who continue to reject Christ as Lord. For the reality of hell is a place where people choose to go because they chose to reject a relationship with Christ, and their life on earth was lived in a way that made it clear to God that they did not want to do things His way, and so hell is that place - a place where God is not. So even as this world keeps turning more opposed to the God of the Bible, you can live a less stressed life knowing God will always be with you and keep you to the very end. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.