The New Jerusalem - Revelation 21:1-22:21

The New Jerusalem - Revelation 21:1-22:21

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Scripture ends on this note of certain longing - the hope of the return of Jesus.  It's a certain hope which has driven the Church for nearly 2000 years.  We look forward to the time when Christ will return and set things right again.  Our hope is not only eternity in heaven, but that God will set things right on earth--restoring, renewing, and recreating the earth that we love--beginning with the New Jerusalem.

Our E100 journey wraps up the same way it began - with a reminder that God is the Creator, that God is ultimately on the Throne, and that God desires relationship with His people.  While humanity has been very adept at thwarting the plans of God, we can be confident that in the end, all things will be set right again.

This passage paints a picture of Eden restored - the Tree of Life bears enough fruit for all people, and God dwells in the city, walking and talking with His people.  Once again, humanity will see God face to face, and there will be no night, for God is with us.  The promise of "Emmanuel" will be realized for all of eternity.

In these days of uncertainty and unrest, be reminded that God has the final move... that sin and death will be ultimately defeated... and peace and justice will reign over all the earth.

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

In that city where they need no sun,
When at last my earthly race is run,
I shall see my Savior's face,
Revel in His love and grace
In that city where they need no sun.
                         - Haldor Lillenas

Hallelujah! - Revelation 19:1-20:15

Hallelujah! - Revelation 19:1-20:15

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

Revelation is full of imagery and cryptic language.  Sometimes we are told clearly what the symbols stand for, and sometimes we have to read between the lines!  This is one place where are pretty confident that the bride stands for the Church, and we're told that the linen stands for the "righteous acts of the saints" (19:8).

I noticed something about this fine linen that I hadn't previously thought of.  The linen is given to the saints, it is the gift of God.  At the same time, we are told that it is the "righteous acts of the saints."  The linen is not just given to us to cover up our unrighteousness--it is given to us to replace our unrighteousness.

When we are saved, our sins are forgiven and we are seen by God as righteous. But even more then that, we are actually given righteousness.  God's righteousness is not just imputed upon us, it is imparted to us.  It's not just that God looks at us through rose-colored glasses and remembers our sins no more, He gives us "righteousness" to live out in our daily lives.

The Christian is not simply to live any way they like, but to live out the righteousness of God that is given to them. At the same time, we ought to remember that our righteous acts are not performed on our own strength--but they are the gift of God.  We are not to boast in our righteousness, but rejoice in God's gracious gift to us.

Do you hear them coming, brother, thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious, shining garments--blood-washed garments pure and white?
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
                                                   - Ralph E. Hudson

The Throne of Heaven - Revelation 4:1-7:17

The Throne of Heaven - Revelation 4:1-7:17

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain.

Revelation is primarily a book of worship.  While it may be many things, one of the first things we recognize is that is is a book about worshiping God in the midst of trial and tribulation, of praising Him in the midst of the storm.  This throne-room vision is filled with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs of praise to God.  (Words which have been taken and set to music--making some of the most timeless worship music.)

I find it particularly interesting to note that according to the songs, the Lamb (Jesus) is worthy because He was slain.  In 5:9, we read: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain."

In a culture built on wealth, power, and influence, it seems counter-intuitive to suggest that worthiness comes about through brokenness.  Our tendency is to expect leaders to be strong, not vulnerable.  We want a slick veneer, not transparency.  We desire perfection, not brokenness.

And yet, the path toward true healing always comes through brokenness and vulnerability. It is through weakness that Christ's strength is made perfect.  It is through confession that we find forgiveness.  It is through brokenness that we are made whole.

Don't be afraid of the pain and brokenness in your life.  Instead of trying to cover it with a mask or a fake veneer, offer it to God as an act of worship.  Ask Him how He might use your brokenness to bring glory to His Name.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—
and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.

                            - I Corinthians 1:27-28

Messages to the Churches - Revelation 2:1-3:22

Messages to the Churches - Revelation 2:1-3:22

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

Remember that Jesus knows all about poverty!  He was born in a manger, raised as a refugee in a foreign country, and spent most of his years in Nazareth, one of the poorest villages in the country.  

The case could be made that Jesus was raised as a manual laborer in a family that dealt with an oppressive tax burden. Perhaps there were even nights when the boy Jesus went to bed hungry. In any case, as an adult, Jesus wandered the countryside with his followers, often having "no place to lay his head." (Luke 9:58).

And yet, we are reminded that Jesus was truly rich.  As the very Son of God, we think he certainly could have turned stones into bread (Matthew 4:3)... or commanded the wealth of the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10).

Clearly, Jesus is uniquely positioned to remind us of our wealth - even in the midst of uncertain economic times. If we know Christ, then we are truly wealthy, in all the ways that really matter.  The Apostle Paul writes, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell -
He is my Father so they're mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -
I know that He will care for me. 

                    - John W. Peterson

A Voice and a Vision - Revelation 1:1-20

A Voice and a Vision - Revelation 1:1-20

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

I don't know about you, but if I were John, I'm not sure this sentence would make me any less afraid!  Upon finding oneself in the presence of the Most Holy One, it's natural to be confronted with our own mortality and humanity.  I might still be afraid... even after (maybe even especially after!) being reminded that Jesus is the First and Last, the Living One who conquered death and the grave.

Instead of reciting His divine and holy attributes, we might prefer Jesus to say, "Don't be afraid... I'm really just like one of you." 

We like to be reminded of Jesus as a Baby in a manger.  We like to be reminded that He was tempted in every way as we are.  We like to be reminded of the flesh & blood Jesus who walked on earth among us, sharing our burdens and our tears.

And yet, it is precisely because of Jesus' holy transcendence that we need not be afraid.  If Jesus were really just like one of us, then the cross and empty tomb would have no significance.  If Jesus were really just like us, then we would have no hope of freedom from sin.  If Jesus were really just like us, then we would still have reason to be afraid.

Counter-intuitively, the reasons we might be afraid of Jesus are the same reasons that we need not be afraid.  If we've accepted Christ as our Savior, then we have no fear of death and grave... nor do we have any fear of meeting our Savior face to face.

Face to face-- O blissful moment! Face to face-- to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so!
Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face, in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!
                         - Carrie E. Breck