Silence

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1).

As chapter eight of Revelation begins, the interlude between the sixth and seventh seal is over.  As we stand on the brink of the judgment God has planned for Judah and Jerusalem, He has affirmed His protection and provision for those who are faithful to Him.  As the time for the execution of God’s wrath drew nigh, it called for a period of solemn reflection.  In chapter seven, the throne room was filled with loud voices of an innumerable throng, crying out in praise and worship to God.  Now, the voices fade away and an eerie silence prevails.  A hush falls over the crowd as the prospects of what was about to unfold weighs upon them.  As much as this judgment was deserved, we hear no rejoicing at what must take place.

There are times when full expression of our praise to God is appropriate.  As an example, I think of the time when Jesus was approaching Jerusalem for the final time prior to His crucifixion.  Luke reports that “... the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen” (Luke 19:37).  Some Pharisees in the crowd called on Jesus to rebuke them, but He refused, saying, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40).

But there are also times when silence is the only suitable response.  Often, such times are associated with God’s judgment (cf. Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13).  When we begin to comprehend, even in a small way, the great power and holiness of God, we are left speechless.  I’m reminded of Job’s response when God finally had his attention.  Job had much to say throughout his trials, but in the midst of being confronted by God, he said, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to you?  I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4).  There is a time for silence.

God loves you!

Mike

Sealed By God

            Chapter six of Revelation ends with a question asked by those who were attempting to hide themselves from the presence of God and the wrath of the Lamb.: “...and who is able to stand?”  Six seals were opened by the resurrected Lord in chapter six, each progressively building toward the unleashing of God’s wrath on Judah and Jerusalem.  The opening of the seventh seal would be the visualization of that judgment.  Would anyone be able to escape the wrath to come?  Could anyone stand in the face of such judgment?  According to chapter seven, the answer is “yes.”

            Angels are pictured as holding back the vengeance of God until something important could be done -- the sealing or marking of those who were faithfully serving God.  This is reminiscent of another marking done centuries earlier during the time of Ezekiel.  The prophet had been chosen to deliver another message of doom for Jerusalem because of the sins of the people and their desecration of God’s temple.  But before the judgment fell, someone was sent throughout the city to mark those who “...sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst” (Ezekiel 9:1-4).  These faithful ones, like the ones sealed in Revelation, were marked for the special protection of God.

            The message of Revelation seven is that the faithful, regardless of what happens as God pours out His wrath, will one day stand as victorious overcomers before the throne of God.  He will bring them through the great tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:21).  It may be through escape or through martyrdom, but either way they will have access to the blessings associated with the presence of God.

            Paul told Timothy that “...the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His…” (2 Timothy 2:19).  What a comforting thought!  Even though He has a huge family, I am specifically known and loved.  I’m not just another face in the crowd of humanity.  I am marked as someone special to Him.

God loves you!

Mike

Act Like It!

            “Saul said to his servants who stood around him, “Hear now, O Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse also give to all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?  For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day”” (1 Samuel 22:7–8).

            What an embarrassment Saul had become to himself and to the people he was chosen to lead!  At this point in the narrative, the king has stooped to bribery and whining in a weak attempt to shore up his crumbling regime.  Ever since God removed His Spirit from him due to his rebellion (1 Samuel 16:14), things had been getting steadily worse for Saul.  Jealousy, homicidal ravings, and sinister plotting have now given way to cronyism, pathetic sniveling, and paranoia.  So much for kingly deportment!  There are words and actions that are worthy of the title and Saul lost sight of both.  The king was speaking and acting more like a criminal.

            There are also words and actions worthy of us as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.  The New Testament repeatedly calls each of us to live in a manner that is consistent with our calling as disciples of Christ (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).  Being part of God’s royal family brings with it an expectation that we carry ourselves in such a way that doesn’t bring shame or embarrassment to the name we bear (2 Timothy 2:19).  Brothers and sisters, we are royalty, not beggars.  We are saints, not slaves.  We live in a kingdom, not a gutter.  Let’s act like it!

God loves you!

Mike

A Hole To Hide In

“Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”” (Revelation 6:15–17).

As Jesus progressively opens the seals on the scroll in Revelation 6, we have a visual representation of rise of the Roman empire, which would be God’s tool of judgment on the Jewish nation.  They had earned God’s wrath for their on-going rejection and murder of God’s prophetic messengers of repentance, culminating in the crucifixion of the Son of God Himself (cf. Matthew 23:29-39).  That was the act that sealed their fate.  While Pilate tried to avoid responsibility for putting an innocent man to death, it was the Jewish mob that boldly demanded Jesus’ death: “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25).  Now they would get their wish.

The opening of the sixth seal pictures the beginning stages of the outpouring of God’s judgment on Judea and Jerusalem.  Suddenly, the tune of the rebels changes from “We will gladly take the blame!” to “Give us a hole to crawl into to escape God’s wrath!”  The description in Revelation 6:12-17 is almost identical to the words of Jesus as He speaks of the coming judgment on Jerusalem in the first century (cf. Matthew 24:29-34; Luke 23:26-31).

I pause to think of modern-day critics of God and the Bible.  May God grant them the time to repent of their mockery and rebellion before the time comes when they too will be looking for a way to hide themselves from the holy judgment of God Almighty.  By then it will be too late.

God loves you!

Mike

The Worthy One

            “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?”  The question asked by the strong angel (Revelation 5:2) reverberated throughout the throne room of God.  But the scroll held in the right hand of God remained unclaimed and unopened.  It appeared that no one was worthy of the task at hand.  The prospect of such failure causes John no little distress.  He weeps openly because no one could be found who was worthy enough to open the scroll and reveal its contents.

            But all is not lost!  There is an Overcomer Who steps forward to claim the scroll from the hand of God.  This Lion from Judah, this Root of David, this bloodied Lamb has provided abundant proof of His worthiness.  Through His sacrificial death, He overcame the power of sin and death and paid the price for the sins of all who turn to Him in faith.  Then He takes these saved ones and forms a kingdom of priests who will one day share His reign.  There is only One in all of human history Who fits this description -- Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

            I am so grateful for a Worthy One!  Why is that?  Because I know of my own unworthiness.  Like others before me (Matthew 8:8; Luke 5:8; 15.19; John 1.27), I am keenly aware of my own failings.  Even my “good days” pale in comparison to the One Who is truly worthy.  But, thankfully, that’s not the end of the story!  If my faith is in the One Who is worthy, I can be made worthy in the sight of God.  Not on the basis of who I am or what I have done, but on the basis of Who He is and what He has done.

            I join the innumerable heavenly host as the well as the rest of creation in praising the Worthy One!  “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

God loves you!

Mike

Casting Our Crowns

            In chapter 4 of Revelation, John is given a visionary glimpse into the very throne room of God.  He has the difficult task of describing heavenly realities in human language.  The first sight that demands his attention is God Himself, seated on His throne.  What he sees is best characterized in terms of brilliant colors and symbolic images.  Surrounding God’s throne are twenty-four more thrones -- occupied by twenty-four white-clad and golden-crowned elders.  Lightning and thunder, symbolic of the great power and glory of God, radiate outward from the Divine Presence.  In close proximity to the throne are seven lamps of fire, signifying the Holy Spirit.  Also around the throne are four bizarre heavenly attendants, called living creatures in the NASB.  Their full-time job appears to be offering praise and worship to God.  Near the end of the chapter, these creatures launch into a praise chorus, prompting the twenty-four elders prostrate themselves before the throne of God.  What an amazing scene!

            The imagery in this chapter is indeed intense.  But as I worked my way through the chapter, I was especially impressed by one particular image.  As the supporting cast in the vision offer their praise to God, the twenty-four elders are pictured as casting their own crowns before the throne of God.  The fact that they had their own crowns imply some level of personal power and authority in the overall scheme of things.  But each one willingly surrenders his own crown in humble deference to the One who wields ultimate power and authority.  Amazing!

            While I don’t have a literal crown to cast before the Ultimate King, I pause to reflect upon my own submission before God.  Do I trust and honor Him enough to willingly cast before Him what is valuable in my own “realm” of influence -- things like my marriage, my family, my friends, my livelihood, or my future?  As important as each of these are, do I grasp them so tightly that I can’t surrender each of them to the One who values them more than I do? 

God loves you!

Mike

God Isn't Done Yet

“Many people find beetles and bugs somewhat creepy, but there’s one beetle in the world that could turn you into a beetle lover – the jewel scarab. Jewel scarabs live in the jungles of Honduras and have the shape of your regular Christmas beetle. But their colours are so dazzling and beautiful that they can sell for up to $500 a beetle. Beautiful flaming reds, bright golds, silvers that resemble bright, shiny chrome. Even the beetle hater finds jewel scarabs dazzling and beautiful!
            “But the jewel scarab’s beauty doesn’t come automatically. Every scarab has modest, even ugly beginnings. The scarab starts life as a soft, mushy, grey-white grub growing inside a rotting tree stump. They spend their life like this for around a year, until finally, when the rainy season arrives, the adult scarabs emerge soft bodied and pale. The within hours, their bodies harden and their splendid colours show. They only live for another three months, but what a glorious existence it is.”*
            Is there something about yourself that you don’t consider very beautiful or attractive?  Most of us can probably think of something about our physical appearance that we would like to change.  But I want you to think about more than just external matters.  It could be an ugly attitude that embarrasses us.  Or maybe words or actions that have brought shame to our lives.  Perhaps our relationships are a mess.

Take heart!  As the saying goes -- God isn’t done with us yet!  “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13).  God specializes in taking the damaged, embarrassing, shameful, and ugly parts of our lives and reworking them for His purposes.  If we surrender our lives to His reworking, the results can be dazzling and beautiful!

God loves you!

Mike

*Scientific information from National Geographic, Feb 2001; storiesforpreaching.com