Revelation 8

Revelation 8

If you looked at the world when the Revelation was being disseminated and asked who or what are the influences of history, you might expect it would be the powerful men of politics. You might think it would be the generals and the armies. You might even believe it is the people of wealth and riches. If we asked the same questions today, we would likely draw similar conclusions. We might add to that list the powers of media, entertainment, or the Internet. But the picture we see in Revelation 8 and 9 offers a very different answer.

Beginning in verse 6, angels are about to blow their trumpets. Trumpets were the early warning system of the day. They were used to call attention and to warn people of impending danger. The events described after each angel’s trumpet blast are warnings to an unrepentant world. The events are world-shaking and reshaping moments. It is important to pay attention to the context in which these events are described.

The context begins with silence, a lost art today, that will give emphasis to the sound of the trumpet. But that silence is not empty. Between the breaking of the seventh seal and the first trumpet sound, what do you see? We see the prayers of the saints. While it may appear that the powerful forces of history and life are the great political, economic, cultural, or military leaders, it is not so. We see that the prayers of the saints go up to God, and then things happen. When faced with the events that occur after the trumpets sound, the world's elites are weak and powerless.

Prayer is the hardest discipline that a Christian can develop. It is so easy to get distracted, to parrot without thought the same old words, to slip into freestyle prayer that requires no heart and no soul. The enemy, our own flesh, and the whole world system will tell you to do something else, something important, to get busy, to be active, and not just sit and pray and do nothing. One of the messages of this passage is that we are doing the most when we are praying.

“Lord, help me remember the power of prayers. AMEN”

Revelation 7

Revelation 7

Being a disciple is a lot like the history of the Exodus. In the Exodus, God’s people were assembled, led, and cared for by God through a difficult and what, from a human perspective, seemed to be a helpless scenario or journey. The Exodus is a useful metaphor for being a disciple. In Revelation 6 we see the world through which we travel as disciples, which can also seem to be a hapless journey. But in Revelation 7 we see the rest of the metaphor. We see the complete number of God's people sealed and protected. We see that numerically they can't be counted. We see these people are the worshipping community who have been made righteous because of the cross of Christ. We see them protected in God's presence. We see them free from hunger, thirst, and the sun's misery and heat because of the Lamb’s care. We see the Lamb as the Shepherd taking them to water and setting them free from anything that would cause a tear.

When we look at this passage with the lenses of the Exodus, it becomes simply beautiful. As disciples, we are traveling through our own Exodus and wilderness wanderings. Living as a disciple is not easy. We are not blind to nor immune from the hardships of life, just as Israel was not immune from the hardships of the desert. But as Israel was cared for in the Exodus, so we are cared for in our life as a disciple.

It has been said that it took God 10 plagues to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took Him 40 years to get Egypt out of Israel. Why is it that we do not experience a total life of bliss as soon as we become a follower of Christ? Why do we face so many struggles as we follow? The answer is in the symbol of the Exodus; in the process, God is changing us. Sometimes in the process we become discouraged. When that happens, we turn to Revelation 7, and we see that we will make it. Cared for, protected, and comforted by the Lamb, we are not alone on this journey.

It is interesting to note that in this chapter of the tribes, Dan and Ephraim are not mentioned. We can't say specifically why, but we can say viewing this chapter through the lenses of the Exodus, when it came time for Dan and Ephraim to receive their inheritance, they rejected God's provision for them. By not including the tribes of Dan and Ephraim in this list, we see a fantastic symbol that even though God can and will lead us through our Exodus, there are some that will not remain faithful and will miss out.

“Lord, help me to embrace the process by which You will change me. AMEN”

Revelation 6

Revelation 6

What is our reaction to the dramatic events of our world? There seems to be a growing trend toward the histrionic and panic. Every time there is an opportunity for a panic, there is someone who will attempt to capitalize on it. From the passive media (it can hardly be called the news media) to politicians to special interest groups to businesses to individuals wanting to see that everyone is informed and every event is exploited. But to do that, there must be generated fear, sensationalism, and crisis. Events large and small are presented as harbingers of doom. A grown man playing a boy’s game takes a knee during the national anthem, and it spells the end of Liberty. Providing plastic straws with a fast food meal means the ruin of the environment. Nothing is so trivial as to not be useful for exploitation in one way or the other.

We see a different picture in Revelation 6. In this chapter we see history, or should we say historical events, unfolding, but we do not see panic or fear. We see God's plan in the scroll opened up by the Lamb, who is worthy to accomplish God's plan. Note the phrase “it was granted.” Within God's plan there is permission given for the dramatic events of history. It is important to know that while men may act and nature may convulse, it does so not apart from the power of God and the Lamb, but by their permission.

We need to also note the two reactions of people. First is that of the martyrs. They have suffered the worst in this world for the Lamb. Faced with tumult, they turn to and draw close to God. They do not see even their own death as something out of control or beyond God’s power and provision. The second reaction is from kings and rich men, slaves and freedmen. Without faith, these people, who represent all of humanity, face the apparent chaos of the world with a desire to be hidden from God. The world, the flesh, and the powers of darkness are delighted for us to be filled with fear and panic because from there it is a short trip to wanting to hide from God. Instead, we must live understanding all events are in His control. He is worthy to open the seals. 

The saint who is about to give his life for the Name of Christ doesn’t see history running amok. They see all of history working out according to the plan God has prepared and which the Lamb is bringing about. 

“Lord, help me see Your hand in history. AMEN”

Revelation 5

Revelation 5

If Chapter 4 shows us the universe from its true perspective, that it is centered on God, this chapter does the same with God's plan. It seems at times that the world is becoming completely unglued. We look about us, and all we can see is the apparent triumph of evil. If we are pessimistic by personality, the world offers us plenty of evidence to support our opinions. If we are trying to be realistic, the preponderance of the evidence seems to trend toward bad news. It seems that to be an optimist, we must somehow detach from reality and have a Pollyanna disregard for evil around us. The answer is not to be realistic, optimistic, or pessimistic, but rather to have faith in God and His plan. 

We see God on His throne holding a book. It is His plan, His will, and it is all He wants done and accomplished. The plan is sealed perfectly with seven seals. It is God's perfect plan that perfectly makes all the confusing parts of the universe fit together. This plan is locked up until someone good enough can open it and set things in motion. This wonderful, beautiful, and glorious plan seems thwarted, and the loss is so profound that John starts to cry. This is no little cry, rather the wail of great loss that hurts to the core of his very being. It is as if it would have been better if the whole universe had not existed than for this moment to have come about. The hopeless despair we feel as we look about us is multiplied by every pain and care in every place and time, and John breaks down under the sorrow. 

Then comes the word that is possibly the greatest word in Scripture, “Stop weeping; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” It is Jesus that will accomplish or has accomplished all that God desires. This description is not about chronology but the character of the hero of the story. The plan will work because the Lamb that was slain is worthy. The cascading voices of the saints, the leaders, and holy creatures that are beyond description and imagination join together to sing the praises of this Lamb that was slain.

When we are given to discouragement and despair by the world around us, we need to recall this command, “Stop crying.” The bad news is not the real news. Yes, things can be bad, but when we look at Jesus and what He has and will accomplish, we realize the answer is not our optimism or pessimism or perception, but God's plan fulfilled in Christ.

Lord, in this broken world I need You to help me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, AMEN”

Revelation 4

Revelation 4

This fourth chapter of Revelation has one primary purpose, one main message to communicate to us. We are tempted to attempt to fathom the meaning of every symbol and image, but before we do that, we must not miss the main picture. This chapter is a picture of the entire universe seen not from a physical perspective, but from the perspective of its order. The first question we need to ask is not, “What does this or that symbol mean?” The first question is, “Who is at the center of the universe? Who is it all about?” 

When Adam and Eve sinned, they were attempting to place themselves at the center of the universe as the ones who determined right and wrong and law. The rebellion of Satan was an attempt to place himself at the center of the universe, to usurp God's authority. When we sin, we are doing the same thing. By a sin of commission, we are actually trying to take God's place at the center and place ourselves as the one who rules. In a sin of omission, we are ignoring the one who is on the throne. We have been entirely too casual in our thinking about sin. We think of sin as a single act or a simple broken rule. It is much worse than that; it is an attempt to throw God from His throne and to take that place for ourselves. Every attempt to do so is inevitably going to fail, and we are ruined in the process.

Look at the One on the throne, and we will see we are insignificant, tiny, living dust that could be blown to the four corners of the world in a moment. In contrast to our smallness, we see the One who is on the throne. In verse 8, we see three descriptions of Him, none of which would apply to us. He is holy, almighty, and eternal. In verse 11, we see why He is worthy of worship. It is because all that exists apart from Him was created by and has their ongoing existence in Him and because of His will. This incomprehensibly large universe in which our lives are insignificant compared to God. It is as if in making it, He says, “Here is a tiny picture of my power.” The beginning point of understanding Revelation and of being a disciple is to understand it is about God and not me. That is why, as a disciple, our first call, our first order of life, is to die to self.

“Lord, grant me true humility before Your greatness. AMEN”

Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:14-22

It is as if the Lord saved the worst for last.  The church at Laodicea is the only church of the seven to receive no word of commendation from the Lord. It was a church without approval. The church is apathetic about its spiritual condition. They do not seem to be self-deceived, thinking they are spiritually healthy or dynamic when they are not. This church appears to lack any concern about their condition, even if they are aware that something is desperately wrong. They are rather concerned about their financial well-being. “Who needs to get fanatical about religion when you have money?” is their attitude. Their wealth had made them numb to their actual condition. How descriptive of many of our churches today! We build lavish homes for our congregations and are concerned with our personal peace and affluence, and we approach Christ as a consumer approaches a market. We will take a little of this and some of that, but only at our choosing.

Somewhere along the way there was a failure of leadership. The church did not end up in this pathetic shape by itself. There were leaders who either actively led this church towards this selfish life or did not correct it as it was drifting that way. The church in the West is very much in this situation. If the average church attendee were given the choice of losing their faith or their wealth, most would, if they had to make a choice, surrender their faith. But in our religious context that choice is never so obvious. You can easily find a church that will tell you exactly what you want to hear about wealth, no matter how selfish it might be. This is the result of generations that have tried to make Christianity about us and not Him. The seeker-driven church has been stunned to find that what the seeker wants is to be selfish with just enough religion to alleviate the conscience. 

They are deplorable, and their condition is not in spite of the circumstances but because of them. Their focus on personal peace and affluence has blinded them to their true condition. They have five markers of how bad off they really are. They are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Thankfully, the Lord can provide the cure for their five ailments. They must, however, become passionate about the Lord and express genuine change of heart, AKA, repentance. The Lord stands at the door making noise trying to alert the church. If they will open to Him, He will come in; however, He will not knock forever. 

“Lord, please awaken Your church or our sad condition. AMEN”

Revelation 3:1-13

Revelation 3:1-13

Ours is a society that accepts the ideal that “image is everything.” That mindset was apparently part of the church at Sardis. The description of that church could apply to many churches and individual Christians today: “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” We will go to great lengths to appear to have it all together. The problem is that the facade will only last so long. Many churches and individual Christian have worked hard to appear to be spiritually healthy while not addressing more fundamental and spiritual issues. Sooner or later the truth always comes out. A church or believer with significant problems can only be restored by directly and honestly addressing those issues. The nature of the problem in the church at Sardis was not the issue we typically get worked up about. They were not having a problem of worship or music or style, personality or leadership, or budgets or spending. It was a problem of deeds or works. Our works do not save us, but when we neglect works, we end up neglecting the relationship that ought to prompt or motivate our behaviors. It is vitally important that we notice the metaphor of the thief coming. We often associate this metaphor with the lost being left out or left behind. This warning is not for non-Christians, but for the church. It is the Christian, the church, that needs to be concerned with being caught unaware at Christ’s return. It is the church whose works are incomplete that is being warned in this passage. 

Related to the letter to the church at Sardis is the warning to the church in Philadelphia. This church is on the other side of the coin; it is sort of an opposite, mirror image. They have not missed their opportunity to complete their deeds as Sardis had; they were facing their opportunity. If the door was closing on Sardis, it was just beginning to open for Philadelphia. The opportunity for Philadelphia was disproportionate to their strength. It was because they had little strength that they were given such wonderful opportunities. In addition to their little power, they had two other qualifications. First, they have kept the word of the Lord, and their lives reflected His command and authority over them. Second, they have not denied Him when the pressure was on; they remained loyal to Him. Here is good news for every disciple: all three of these qualifications are easily within our grasp. We need not wait until we have achieved some level of capacity in order to take advantage of God-given opportunity. Never say “no” to an opportunity because you lack some credential. If it is the good work the Lord has prepared for us, our loyalty to His word and person is all the credentials He thinks we need. This does not mean an absence of hardship. Hardships are promised, but in those hardships He will keep us. There is nothing wrong with degrees or training, but what makes a disciple is loyalty. 

“Lord, help me to always put on confidence in You and not my credentials or training.  AMEN