Saturday, April 17: Revelation 13-Patient endurance.

Over the last few days during my time with the Lord, He has been reminding me through the text that He Wins. God’s outcome is not in doubt. This morning it becomes clear why my faith must be built up. YES, God wins, but that does not mean times will be easy for me or us as Christ-followers.

The dragon, (Satan) the beast with 7-heads and the secondary beast with 2-horns (these are the human representatives of Satan and I will spend no time speculating who these people are), are given the ability and authority to deceive all the inhabitants of the earth and lead them away from God. That is all inhabitants except people whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (8). These beastly leaders are also given authority to make war against the saints (7). The words that caught my attention come next, verse 10b: …This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

Patient, endurance and faithfulness… my life might not be experiencing persecution like friends and missionaries in Nigeria, but those words still speak volumes to me. I have to keep at my faith, to not let up or become lax. It is as if God is speaking to me today, “Keep doing those things that keep you close to Me, incorporating those spiritual disciplines, examining your life in light of My Word. Keep close to Me, stay open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, don’t lose heart, don’t cave to the pressures of the world that are opposed to Me.”

Not long ago the Olympics dominated TV but now it’s baseball season. To win the prize, these athletes must show patient endurance and faithfulness to their sport year after year, day after day. Hours upon countless hours of training just to be ready to compete. God says to me, “There is an earthly model if you need one… patient endurance and faithfulness…

O, God, I can be weak and lazy. I am prone to give up and though I want the prize, I am not always willing to put in the work. Help me remain faithful to You. Help me develop the patient endurance necessary to stave off the enemy and to follow You with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

Friday, April 16: Revelation 12-Again, God wins.

Revelation is a tough book with all its’ imagery and changing scenes. I remind myself each morning as I begin my reading that it was originally written to people scared for their lives, fellow believers undergoing persecution and torture for the name of Jesus. As difficult a book as it is for me, who knows no threat of torture for being a Christian, this same book brings comfort and relief to many believers around our world who face the treat of violence for Jesus’ name.

I don’t understand the plans of God. Not long ago the town of Jos Nigeria, where many of my friends and students live, experienced a bloody flare-up of violence. Hundreds of Christians, mostly women and children, were brutally and intentionally murdered because of their faith. My personal friends are safe, but fear builds inside of them. Why do I get to live in safety and they not? I don’t understand God’s plans.

But this text is for them.  When I place myself in their sandals and listen for God’s whispers from the text, I hear an amazing chorus: “I will win. Nothing is in doubt,” says the Lord. The Church will prevail. Even though some are martyred in the great struggle against evil, they have overcome the evil one by Christ’s blood.”

In heaven the dragon (Satan) was defeated by Michael and the angels…

When Satan tried to kill the child, Jesus, Satan was thwarted as the child was snatched up to God and his throne (7).

On earth, as the dragon wreaked havoc and led many astray,  the church - the woman - is protected by the care of God.

Yes, the dragon makes war against her offspring – believers - “those who obey God’s commands and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (17), They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (11).

Chapters and books like this don’t explain the reasons for pain and suffering and persecution but they give hope to those enduring it. GOD WINS and WE WILL WIN WITH HIM.

If this life is all we know and all we believe in, all of this makes no sense. But eyes of faith that know there is a life to come, understand best the hope these words give.

O, God, give me eyes of faith. Too often I live purely on an earthly plane, living and thinking as if my 80 or 90 years this side of eternity is what ‘life’ is about. Today I am reminded that there is a much larger picture and an eternity to come. Lord, I don’t seek persecution… that would be crazy. But I do seek to live faithfully and radically for You no matter the plan and purpose You have for my life. To the ONE who WINS, - You, my God and the God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - I submit my life, my future and my eternity… alleluia, amen.

 

 

Thursday, April 15: Revelation 11-God wins

I really don’t understand the two witnesses part of this chapter.  There are so many biblical illusions; illusions to Elijah and Moses and Jesus.  Is God giving the inhabitants of the earth one more time to repent? Possibly, and that would be God’s way, giving people ample opportunities to turn from their wicked ways to His way.

What I do understand, and what gives life and lift to my soul this morning, are the songs of worship and Jesus’ final return (15-18).

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,

and he will reign for ever and ever."

And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:

"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

the One who is and who was,

because you have taken your great power

and have begun to reign.

The nations were angry;

and your wrath has come.

The time has come for judging the dead,

and for rewarding your servants the prophets

and your saints and those who reverence your name,

both small and great—

and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

Who is and Who was…

Earlier the saints of heaven sang ‘who is and who was and who is to come.’ But in the song above last phrase is omitted, which means HE HAS COME!

Amidst all the imagery and things I don’t understand, Jesus has returned as he promised. This is another indicator that God wins. If ever there was a primary message for this book, it is the surety of God’s victory and Jesus’ return.

I sit here this morning, again, bathing in the assurance of Your victory, God. Whatever my part to play, whatever the circumstances of my life and the tasks You have for me to do, difficult or easy, front lines or desk job, I have been invited to be a soldier in Your army, a combatant in Your triumph over evil. O, Lord, provide me with the strength to serve You well, to do my job. Tto You be the honor and the glory and the power. To You alone, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Wednesday, April 14: Revelation 10-Never in doubt

I have come back to this chapter 3 times, now wondering, “Lord, what are you speaking to me through it today?” This brief imagery rich chapter didn’t have an immediate connection to me. But each time I read this chapter, the image of the mighty angel poised like a conqueror standing right foot in the sea and left on the land right hand raised to heaven captured my attention. “There will be no more delay! … the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets" commands the angel (6-7).

In this imagery I saw, yet again, God wins. Make no mistake about it, what the Lord God says will be, will be. God’s decrees are never in doubt.

I may not understand all the images or the specific timing of God’s ultimate victory but God’s victory is assured! End of story!

Then I thought: this message was originally given to people undergoing intense persecution. What amazing assurance this letter and the message of this chapter must have provided for our brothers and sisters giving their lives because Jesus was their Lord!

Jesus, I am reminded as I read this morning, that my future is in Your hands and my future is never in doubt. The earthly specifics of my life are uncertain but my eternal future is secure. You win! Your ultimate day of victory will come… and You will call me to come be with You forever.

 

Tuesday, April 13: Revelation 9-But by the grace of God

The chapter depicts the horrors God’s wrath falling on those who have not confessed faith in Jesus Christ. The scene follows yesterday and maybe even intensifies the picture. I almost don’t know where to go in my thoughts. The last two verses of the chapter landed like the final knock-out punch of a heavyweight boxing match…

The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts (20-21, bold mine).

I don’t understand why I believe and am saved and others don’t believe and are not saved?

Last night my wife left a poem on my pile, I read it waiting for my computer to boot so I could write this devotional. The poem, erroneously attributed to Maya Angelou, was written by Carol Wimmer (Copyright 1988, http://www.carolwimmer.com/) and it goes like this:

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"

I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride

I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong

I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success

I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all

I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect

My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge

I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

 

The version printed in that church newsletter included an additional verse (author unknown)

When I say… “I am a Christian,” I’m not holier than thou,

I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace, somehow!

 

O, God,I don’t understand why I received Your grace, why my eyes were opened to Jesus and I put my faith in Him. I am first of all so grateful to believe and that I am sealed by Jesus’ blood from Your wrath to come. Lord, again, reading these verses I recommit to Your call to seek those who do not yet know and believe in You, I will do what I can, by Your Spirit, to introduce them to the love of Jesus, Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Monday, March April 12: Revelation 8-It has begun!

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. My entire body gasped as I read verse 1. What could be so overwhelming that everyone and everything in heaven drops silent? No praise sung to God, no commands issued, no wings flapping… utter silence, sustained silence… silence for 30 minutes!

Then I realized the fury of the wrath of God was about to be released. I grew silent in my spirit as that realization hit me.

My mind flashed to the Engola Gay and the silence I imagine filled the plane as it flew on after seeing the mushroom cloud of destruction from the dropping of its’ nuclear bomb over Hiroshima. I read accounts of that day on the Internet and my stomach literally ached. The horror of all those lives and all that destruction. My mind shuddered. How awful! How tragic!

I realize that there is no real connection between Rev 8 and Hiroshima except the pain of the horror of death and destruction falling on unsuspecting people. The wrath of God is not a pretty sight. Heaven shuddered at the opening of the final seal.  As I sit here this morning I am shuddering, tears filling my eyes…

O, God, help me save some…  O, God, let me never grow complacent with Your command to ‘Go and Make disciples’… O, God, help me rely on Your Holy Spirit that, empowered by You, I may unrelentingly witness to You and thereby save some from Your wrath…

 

 

Saturday, April 10: Revelation 7-Protection and praise

Those two “p” words popped into my head as I mused on this text. I was asking the Lord what nugget, what gift, what word He was speaking to me today from this text. ‘Protection’ and ‘Praise’ is what came to mind.

Protection… the144,000 sealed, protected from the wrath of God that was about to fall upon the earth and humankind. They belong to the Lord and He was sealing them, claiming them to be His own. I thought of the work of the Holy Spirit from Ephesians 1:13-14: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. God’s seal on their foreheads, the Holy Spirit’s seal in our lives guaranteeing (I love the certainty of the word guaranteeing) our/their future. That’s what came to mind with the word ‘protection’!

Praise… an innumerable multitude dressed in white standing before the throne waving palm branches, praising God loudly. At first I thought about the content of their praise and the palm branches which reminded me of Palm Sunday a few weeks back but then I noticed who this multitude was. Verse 14: These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They were an innumerable multitude of martyrs. I know a little first century history and the horrific deaths that martyrs faced at the hands of Nero and Diocletian. Not a hint of the pain of martyrdom leaks into this text. What we see is unrestrained praise of the God they love and serve. Unrestrained praise…

I realized that when I come face-to-face with my God in heaven, not one pain, not one hurt, not one fear I encountered for His sake this side of eternity will matter. Seeing God face-to-face will wipe away every tear from their eyes (17) and blossom in unrestrained joy and praise of Him who saved us and loves us and names us to be His own.

O, God, give me strength this side of eternity to stand for You and You alone… to live for You and You alone… to receive what comes, to receive what the world dishes out without complaint. Lord, in the end it will not matter. When You call me home, You will wipe away every tear and I will join the throngs before Your throne praising You for eternity and living, basking, in Your presence and under the shelter of Your wings FOREVER!!!! AMEN