Monday, September 10, 2012

Chapter 31- The End of Time


Revelation 1-5; 19-22

Introduction to the Reading


What is it like to cross the finish line of an Ironman? It's like completing that final big project before graduating school. It's like winning an award. It's like... you know it is really hard to say what it is like. I even said to my wife the Friday before the race, “I’m having a hard time getting my head around what it will be like to finish.” While you can even see the video of what it is like, the only way to know how it feels is to do it yourself. It is surreal. That is about the best way to put it.

The Lord could have given us live streaming video of what is going on in heaven right now, but I have to admit that even if I could see exactly what is going on, I still couldn't get my head around it. If he gave me all the details about heaven that I could ever ask for without being there myself, I still wouldn't know what it feels like to be there.

The Lord realized exactly that when he gave John the revelation on the island of Patmos. Instead of giving him details he gave John an impression. I think of the book of Revelation like an impressionist painting. If you aren't art fans, here is a link to one of the greatest impressionist painters: Monet. While a picture, especially in today’s HD world, would give us a much better idea of the details, Monet’s purpose was to give us an impression of what the scene felt like.

Today as you read Revelation, don’t get bogged down in the details. I’m sure Pastor Ben will help explain the pictures that are used in the book of Revelation during the next few weeks in his sermon series. I myself thought about having a few breaks while reading this week to explain things like how the 24 elders represent the Church (all believers throughout eternity). I could try to explain what the different stones might possibly represent. However, I don’t want you to look at this picture of heaven and get caught up staring at the brush strokes. For today I want you to keep moving and see the bigger picture. I want you to take a step back and see what impression you get as to what heaven will feel like.

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
The message of Revelation, as I discussed earlier in this post, isn't about giving us the specifications as to how big heaven will be, or specifically what we will be doing for the rest of eternity, or anything else like that. The message of Revelation is quite simple: Christ reigns, and we too will reign with him.

I have to admit, until reading the chapter this week, I never understood why the letters to the churches were included in this book. They seemed out of place. While it seems like John’s revelation is talking about things that are to come, these letters are written about the Church here on earth.

I don’t know how I missed it, but finally reading the chapter this week it clicked. First of all, the majority of the events described in Revelation are things that are going on right now! Right now Christ is reigning in heaven. Right now we are experiencing the signs of the end of time here on earth. Right now the Gospel is going out to all the corners of the earth. While some of the events described are talking about what will happen at judgment day, most of the things described are what are occurring now.

In addition, the book of Revelation isn't written for people who have crossed the finish line (to go back to my original illustration). The book of Revelation is written for those of us who are still running the race. During the race, there were plenty of times I started to zone out. When I started to daydream, I also started to slow down. I would get distracted. I was getting warn out. My body didn't feel like going any further. It was times like these that I had to remind myself that there was a finish line out there. I came not just to run the race, but to finish.

John’s revelation is given to the Church militant (that is, the Church on earth still fighting for the faith.) While it reminds us of the Church triumphant, its purpose is to keep us focused on the finish line. As I was reminded plenty of times yesterday by fans cheering me on, “Just keep one foot in front of the other. You are almost there.”

It has been great reading The Story with you, but the race is not over. It took me just over 12 hours to finish the race yesterday. That is nothing compared to the 50, 70, or even beyond 90 years that many of us will fight in the Church militant here on earth. The Lord says to us, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, but you have forsaken the love you had at first. Repent and do the things you did at first…Remember what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent!...To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Prayer/Hymn:
My favorite hymn…
By William W. How

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
All who their faith before the world confessed,
Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

You were their rock, their fortress and their might;
You, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight
And in the darkness drear their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may your soldiers, faithful, true, and bold
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle; they in glory shine,
Yet all are one within your grand design. Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors comes their rest.
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

But then there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds to ocean’s farthest coast
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Chapter 30 - Paul's Final Days

Acts 20-23; 27-28
Ephesians 1-6
2 Timothy 1-4

Introduction to the Reading:
Next weekend I'll be competing in my first Ironman triathlon in Madison. In an Ironman you swim 2.4 miles, bike 112, and then run 26.2. When people ask, "How are you going to do that?" the response is simple: it starts with a goal & a plan.

Over a year ago, after talking with my wife, I decided that I was going to set a goal of completing an Ironman. I then found a training plan in a magazine. For nine months I've been working out for hours a week. It has been a long nine months preparing.

I can't say that I always stuck with the plan. In fact, when I was reviewing that same magazine this week from which I got the original workout plan, it said one of the most points you need to remember is that you need to be flexible. You may have a long bike ride planned, but if you just got a cold, it might be better to take it easy. The workout plan may say you are supposed to have a hard run, but if you just sprained your ankle it isn't going to happen.

Paul wanted to preach the Gospel in Rome. Paul has been gathering an offering for the needy in Jerusalem that he wants to drop off first. But the Lord had different plans. Although the route to Rome I'm sure isn't the route that Paul would have planned on his own, he never lost sight of the goal.

Time to Slow it Down - 
Middle of Page 440: Did you catch it? Paul says it a few different ways. Can you find a sentence  where Paul clearly states to the Ephesian elders exactly what his goal is? 

Bottom of Page 444: Paul ran into what many would call a "road bump" in the road to Rome. In spite of the difficulty, who all has he been able to share the Gospel with in the last couple of pages?

Bottom of Page 446: This was more than just a stop at a wayside on the trip to Rome. Paul spend more than two years in Caesarea. I don't know about you, but I've often had to learn the hard way not only to trust the Lord's plans, but also his timetable at getting it done! 

Bottom of Page 450: Quite the detour! But Paul had an opportunity to share the Gospel along the way and to show his faith in everyday life as well. Are you going through a detour in life? How can you use the opportunity to show your faith to those around you?

Middle of Page 452: Paul's letter to the Ephesians can be quite overwhelming. Each phrase is packed with amazing truth's about God and his plan for us. Until the middle of page 454, slow down a bit and try to pick out the phrases where Paul clearly teaches what God's plan is for us.

What was Paul's goal? It wasn't just to make it to Rome. Paul's goal was to preach the Gospel to all nations! In the first page of our reading today, Paul said to the Ephesian elders, "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:
I'm sure you have heard it said, "It's not the destination, it's the journey." Paul wasn't so concerned with where he was going. His concern was sharing the Gospel - especially to the Gentiles. Where is your life going? Maybe the more important question is, "What are you plans for the journey?"

Prayer/Hymn:
By Herman Fick

1. Rise, Thou Light of Gentile nations,
Jesus, bright and Morning Star;
Let Thy Word, the gladsome tidings,
Ring out loudly near and far,
Bringing freedom to the captives,
Peace and comfort to the slave,
That the heathen, free from bondage,
May proclaim Thy pow'r to save.

2. See the blindness of the heathen,
Strangers to Thy glorious light,
Straying hopeless till they find Thee,
Wand'ring aimless in the night.
See their pitiful condition;
Lo, gross darkness covers all,
And no ray of hope refreshes
Nor dispels the dreadful pall.

3. If Thou, merciful Redeemer,
Hadst not saved us from this plight,
In like darkness we should languish
Hopeless, helpless, in sin's night.
Lovingly Thou, Lord, didst seek us
In the beauty of Thy grace;
Now with joy we freely serve Thee,
We, Thy blessed, chosen race.

4. Knowing Thee and Thy salvation,
Grateful love dare never cease
To proclaim Thy tender mercies,
Gracious Lord, Thy heav'nly peace.
Sound we forth the Gospel tidings
To the earth's remotest bound
That the sinner has been pardoned
And forgiveness can be found.

5. May our zeal to help the heathen
Be increased from day to day
As we plead in true compassion
And for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds,
For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of Thy name.

6. Savior, shine in all Thy glory
On the nations near and far;
From the highways and the byways
Call them, O Thou Morning Star.
Guide them whom Thy grace hath chosen
Out of Satan's dreadful thrall
To the mansions of Thy Father--
There is room for sinners all.