Last One Standing

The Book of Revelation in the Bible needs some clear definition. First of all…it is what it is…A Revelation of Jesus Christ (or Apocalypse) to John, to be written down. It is expected to be understood. Much of it is frighteningly clear. Some symbols are explained, others are not. The general theme given to John is divided into three parts. John is instructed to write: (1) What he has seen, (2) What he is now seeing, (3) What will take place.

The number seven plays a critical role in Revelation.

There are seven letters addressed to the seven churches in Asia Minor. There is a seven year period of terrible suffering and tribulation coming. There are seven lamps sitting before the Throne of God—Blazing. There’s a lamb with seven horns, and seven eyes. There’s a leopard-like beast with seven heads. There’s a scarlet-colored beast with seven heads. In the Book of Revelation, there are seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials, seven candlesticks, seven stars, seven angels, seven Spirits, seven thunders, and seven mountains. The Bible begins with seven days of creation and ends with a book of sevens! Reading the Book of Revelation will take you about an hour or so. Studying the Book of Revelation could well take the better part of a lifetime. Be prepared, don’t be the last one standing when the first trumpet sounds. Bottom Line Just as God finished the work of creation (Genesis 2:1-3) and Jesus finished the work of redemption (John 19:30), so the Trinity will finish the entire plan of salvation by inviting the redeemed into a new creation. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend?

Who said that? Is it true? Depends on who you ask doesn’t it? Or does it depend on the size of the diamonds? Do zirconium’s count? Can diamonds replace best friends (humans)? What kind of person puts people above gems, anyway? A famous saying usually brings to mind a famous person.

Who said: “Let ‘em eat cake!” Who said: “We have peace in our time!” Who said: “God is dead!” Who said: “I am not a crook!” Who said: “I did not have sex with that woman!” Considering all the circumstances, do you see a pattern? See any arrogance? See any pride? Marie Antoinette, Chamberlin, Nietzsche, Richard Nixon, and Billy Clinton all had something in common—an overdose of hubris. John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) once said: “I am not what I hope to be, I am not what I desire to be, but by the grace of God, I am not what I once was!” Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend; but best friends sometimes disappoint. Famous people full of pride will always say things that come back to bit them; hubris destroys to the utmost. Only God’s son, Jesus Christ, is everyone’s hope and best friend for eternal life—if, they are a believer. For those who do not believe, judgment won’t be so friendly. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Who said “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down on my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father!” Jesus said that in John 10:13 Now, that’s a gem of a statement. Jesus’ death and resurrection, as part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world, was under God’s full control.

Tempus Fugit

When you look at history, in retrospect the Romans were correct: time flies! Sometimes it’s hard to wait for an appointed time. Kids anxiously count the days before their birthday, Christmas or summer vacation. Adults have the same problem; it’s difficult to wait for that raise, promotion, that cruise, or the mechanic to finish working on your car. One man in the Bible waited patiently and was richly rewarded with the gift of a lifetime.

Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. It was revealed to him, that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, or as the Bible puts it, “The consolation of Israel”. (Luke 2:25) When Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the Temple, Simeon got to hold him and offered thanks to God for His promise. Then something unusual happened, Simeon told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” Luke 2-34:35. Joseph and Mary were so excited and at the same time wondering what he meant.

Mary would come to know exactly what Simeon meant thirty plus years later. As time goes by, we all come to realize how things change, in us and around us. Mary lived to see something no mother should have to: a dying child. We know time flees, are we doing what the Bible suggests? In 1 Corinthians chapter 7 Paul urges all believers to make the most of their time before Christ’s return. Every person in every generation should have this urgency about telling the good news to others.

Bottom line  
1 Corinthians 7-29 & 31 “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. For this world in its present form is passing away”

Seeing Clearly For the Second Time

The Passover in Jerusalem was over. People had come from many countries to participate in the annual event. But something about the Passover was different; this year those despicable Romans were at it again, they had crucified three men on the eve of Passover, the High Holy Day of the Jewish nation!

The priests were dressed and ready for the procession of sacrifices to be offered. The vendors in the Temple courtyard were doing a brisk business exchanging money and selling animals to be sacrificed to the guests coming from out of town. All the rooms at the inns were full and more people kept pouring into the city. This Passover had both an air of excitement, and a sense of foreboding.

The Passover came and went.

Three days after the Passover, two men were leaving the city of Jerusalem. They were traveling on the road to Emmaus, when they were joined by a third man. Together the three men discussed what had happened in Jerusalem. The third man explained that everything that happened had been foretold by the prophets. When they reached the town of Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, they sat down to eat. The third man revealed himself to the other two. It was Jesus! Then the two men recognized Jesus and they rushed back to Jerusalem. Finding the eleven Apostles, they told of meeting Jesus and how they saw clearly, prophecy fulfilled before their eyes!

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:30-32

Indeed their hearts were being fed.

Nest Building--For the Birds?

Do you know who teaches the bird to build a nest? I mean, after all, that baby bird wasn’t around when mom and dad built the nest to cradle those fragile eggs; where did the know-how come from? How did that baby bird know how things got done? You’ve read that fish travel in schools, but where do birds go to get instructions on nest-building? Where is this “higher” education we’ve all heard about? Do you know any college professor who specializes in teaching construction techniques on building nests in trees, barns, on gutters, beneath deck rafters, in bushes? Who teaches a bird about engineering dynamics and statics? Will a bird hatched in an incubator, who has never seen a nest, be able to build a perfectly good nest by its kind? Can mature adult birds be assured that their offspring will be able to follow in their footsteps? The answer is—yes! No wonder Job’s pride was humbled when God said to him, “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and make her nest on high”? Job 39:26-27 The tiny bird learns from a mighty God! How marvelous are thy works, O God!

Bottom Line

In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens even to the sparrows, and you are far more valuable to him than they are. You are so valuable that God gave his only Son to die for you. John 3:16

Leadership Courage and Hope

In his first statement as Prime Minister to the House of Commons (13 May 1940) Sir Winston S. Churchill said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.” In a speech on Dunkirk before the House of Commons (4 June 1940) he said; “We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, and we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We will never surrender.” In a separate speech, he said: “If the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say: ‘This was their finest hour.’” He visited the barracks of his soldiers to give support and courage. Those brave and inspiring words were said only 70 years ago. Churchill lived in violent times. Great words from great men never go out of style. There was another who inspired Leadership, Courage and Hope: a man…from Nazareth.

Jesus was also a historical figure who lived in violent times. He made compassionate speeches and motivated people to do well. He sacrificed blood, toil, tears, and sweat for his people. He offered a bit more: grace, mercy, miracles, messages and gave his life to not just his people, but, to all people. He offered a way to The Father and heaven. He had no country boundaries. Jesus was at war, too, with the Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilot, Roman politicians, and Rome. In the soldiers barracks in Rome they called Jesus’ walk to Golgotha the “Dance of Death.” On his way to the cross, “for you”, he was scourged, spat upon, beaten, mocked and many other adjectives. The bystanders hurled insults, the crowds yelled "Crucify him", the Jewish leaders screamed "blasphemer", the soldiers shouted "Let your God save you now".  "For you" he endured this.  Most do not realize it, but Jesus was practically beaten to death before the cross. The Bible says, pieces of flesh were ripped away, obviously where bones and organs were exposed. This was much more than scourged. Then, after all that, they nailed him on a cross which cut off his breathing, speared him so the rest of life poured out, killed him, stripped him of his clothing, and then laughed at him. "For you" he endured this.  Oh yes, did I forget to mention that before he died that he ask The Father, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”?

By contrast, the criminal on the other side of Jesus looked at him and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." By all appearances, the kingdom was finished. How awe-inspiring is the faith of this man who alone saw beyond the present shame to the coming glory! Jesus forgave his murderers. Could you?