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Thursday, December 31, 2009
“No More Tears” – Revelation 21.3
Revelation 21.3 – “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”
I must admit that I don’t watch the news very often. I find it depressing. It is filled with tales of kidnapped and abused children, drug busts, robberies, rapes, murders, corrupt government officials, war, disease, and death. We live in a fallen world. The evening news is simply a daily reminder of that. The creation itself groans as it awaits its liberation from bondage to decay (Romans 8.21). We also groan as we wait.
The day is coming, though. One day God will dwell with us. He will be our God and we will be His people. He will wipe away every tear. If there was an “evening news” in heaven, all it would consist of would be the ongoing report that God’s people are worshiping Him in the splendor of His holiness. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain. God will make all things new. The “old order,” the world corrupted by sin and death, will have passed away.
God’s love letter to us closes with the greatest promise and hope we can be given. That hope is that we will live with God. We will live in His presence forever worshiping Him and basking in His light. Living here on earth, it is hard to imagine a world with no tears, pain, suffering, or death. Yet, it is true and it is coming. We long for and look forward to that day. “He who overcomes will inherit all this” (Revelation 21.7a). All pain and suffering will be gone. There will be only joy and peace. What an eternity it will be when there are no more tears!
I must admit that I don’t watch the news very often. I find it depressing. It is filled with tales of kidnapped and abused children, drug busts, robberies, rapes, murders, corrupt government officials, war, disease, and death. We live in a fallen world. The evening news is simply a daily reminder of that. The creation itself groans as it awaits its liberation from bondage to decay (Romans 8.21). We also groan as we wait.
The day is coming, though. One day God will dwell with us. He will be our God and we will be His people. He will wipe away every tear. If there was an “evening news” in heaven, all it would consist of would be the ongoing report that God’s people are worshiping Him in the splendor of His holiness. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain. God will make all things new. The “old order,” the world corrupted by sin and death, will have passed away.
God’s love letter to us closes with the greatest promise and hope we can be given. That hope is that we will live with God. We will live in His presence forever worshiping Him and basking in His light. Living here on earth, it is hard to imagine a world with no tears, pain, suffering, or death. Yet, it is true and it is coming. We long for and look forward to that day. “He who overcomes will inherit all this” (Revelation 21.7a). All pain and suffering will be gone. There will be only joy and peace. What an eternity it will be when there are no more tears!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
“Wrath” – Revelation 16.1
Revelation 16.1 – “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.’”
Wrath is the meting out of deserved punishment for sins committed against God. We do not like to think of our God as a God of wrath. We prefer to think of Him as loving, comforting, forgiving, merciful, and gracious. He is all of these things. However, He is also a God of wrath. It is not contradictory for Him to be all these things at the same time. He is just and offenses against Him must be punished.
This is why the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, came. Isaiah 53.5 sums it up well where it says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” He took our punishment upon Himself, but for those who are unwilling to accept His sacrifice on their behalf, only wrath awaits. Ephesians 2.3 says that before we were made alive in Christ, “Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”
God’s wrath should not cause us to recoil in horror at what is coming on those who refuse Him. It should not cause us to doubt the God we serve. It should motivate us to do all we can to help others avoid His wrath. God through Christ has done all that is needed for each person to avoid His wrath and enjoy eternity in His presence. As His disciples, we need to do all we can to let everyone know the good news that they do not have to remain objects of His wrath because as described in Revelation, His wrath is coming and when it does, it will be fully satisfied.
Wrath is the meting out of deserved punishment for sins committed against God. We do not like to think of our God as a God of wrath. We prefer to think of Him as loving, comforting, forgiving, merciful, and gracious. He is all of these things. However, He is also a God of wrath. It is not contradictory for Him to be all these things at the same time. He is just and offenses against Him must be punished.
This is why the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, came. Isaiah 53.5 sums it up well where it says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” He took our punishment upon Himself, but for those who are unwilling to accept His sacrifice on their behalf, only wrath awaits. Ephesians 2.3 says that before we were made alive in Christ, “Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”
God’s wrath should not cause us to recoil in horror at what is coming on those who refuse Him. It should not cause us to doubt the God we serve. It should motivate us to do all we can to help others avoid His wrath. God through Christ has done all that is needed for each person to avoid His wrath and enjoy eternity in His presence. As His disciples, we need to do all we can to let everyone know the good news that they do not have to remain objects of His wrath because as described in Revelation, His wrath is coming and when it does, it will be fully satisfied.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
“Every Nation, Tribe, People and Language” – Revelation 7.9-10
Revelation 7.9-10 – “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”
We live in a world filled with national, racial, and ethnic tensions. If someone is not “one of us,” they are viewed with suspicion and often looked down upon. We are a world of nations with walls and guarded borders. Even within nations, we divide ourselves based on race, religion, ethnicity, and ancestry. This is not God’s will or plan.
One day, there will be no more “us” and “them.” John was given a glimpse of heaven and what he saw was a great multitude “from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” These were those who had come out of the great tribulation. They’re robes had been washed white in the blood of the Lamb (7.14). There was no division among them despite their differing backgrounds, nationalities, and languages. They had one thing in common and this one thing is the only thing that matters. They worshiped the Lord and this one commonality overcomes all differences.
As God’s called out people, we must set an example of how to get along and love each other despite our differences. One day we will worship next to those who have different skin colors, languages, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds. On that day, nothing should matter except that we all love the Lord. Why should things be any different now? We should be preparing for eternity in heaven with our brothers and sisters now. God is no respecter of persons and neither should we be. Let’s allow Christ to unite us in Him.
We live in a world filled with national, racial, and ethnic tensions. If someone is not “one of us,” they are viewed with suspicion and often looked down upon. We are a world of nations with walls and guarded borders. Even within nations, we divide ourselves based on race, religion, ethnicity, and ancestry. This is not God’s will or plan.
One day, there will be no more “us” and “them.” John was given a glimpse of heaven and what he saw was a great multitude “from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” These were those who had come out of the great tribulation. They’re robes had been washed white in the blood of the Lamb (7.14). There was no division among them despite their differing backgrounds, nationalities, and languages. They had one thing in common and this one thing is the only thing that matters. They worshiped the Lord and this one commonality overcomes all differences.
As God’s called out people, we must set an example of how to get along and love each other despite our differences. One day we will worship next to those who have different skin colors, languages, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds. On that day, nothing should matter except that we all love the Lord. Why should things be any different now? We should be preparing for eternity in heaven with our brothers and sisters now. God is no respecter of persons and neither should we be. Let’s allow Christ to unite us in Him.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
“Watch Out!” – 2 John 8-9
2 John 8-9 – “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
Have you ever been in a church service or been watching a television preacher and just felt like something was “off”? You felt like something was missing. The message just seemed a little off or perhaps something in the preacher’s style or personality made you ill at ease. Perhaps there was a large crowd there in person or watching on television, so there must be something redeeming and worthwhile about what is going on there, right?
I once heard a man tell about teaching a seminary class. He told the class he was going to talk about the basics of Christianity, but intentionally leave something very important out. He wanted them to try to guess at the end what he had left out. He got to the end of his description of the basics of Christianity and asked the class what was missing. No one could come up with the correct answer despite the fact that the thing that was missing was Jesus Christ! He never mentioned Jesus and this class full of Christian seminary students never caught it.
Some of the teaching that is out there today sounds really good, but is missing one very key ingredient. The message may be helpful. It may sound nice and have good stories. It may be delivered with passion, entertainment, and eloquence, but be missing what matters most – Jesus.
John warns “the chosen lady” and us to “watch out” for those who run ahead and do not continue in the teaching of Christ. Such a person “does not have God.” They may have the form and appearance of one who has authority and knowledge, but if they don’t have Christ, they have nothing. False teachers and deceivers are out there. We must be discerning. It’s all about Jesus. Let’s not ever forget that.
Have you ever been in a church service or been watching a television preacher and just felt like something was “off”? You felt like something was missing. The message just seemed a little off or perhaps something in the preacher’s style or personality made you ill at ease. Perhaps there was a large crowd there in person or watching on television, so there must be something redeeming and worthwhile about what is going on there, right?
I once heard a man tell about teaching a seminary class. He told the class he was going to talk about the basics of Christianity, but intentionally leave something very important out. He wanted them to try to guess at the end what he had left out. He got to the end of his description of the basics of Christianity and asked the class what was missing. No one could come up with the correct answer despite the fact that the thing that was missing was Jesus Christ! He never mentioned Jesus and this class full of Christian seminary students never caught it.
Some of the teaching that is out there today sounds really good, but is missing one very key ingredient. The message may be helpful. It may sound nice and have good stories. It may be delivered with passion, entertainment, and eloquence, but be missing what matters most – Jesus.
John warns “the chosen lady” and us to “watch out” for those who run ahead and do not continue in the teaching of Christ. Such a person “does not have God.” They may have the form and appearance of one who has authority and knowledge, but if they don’t have Christ, they have nothing. False teachers and deceivers are out there. We must be discerning. It’s all about Jesus. Let’s not ever forget that.
Friday, December 25, 2009
“Faithful and Just” – 1 John 1.8-9
1 John 1.8-9 – “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
God is just. This means that His decisions are always right and perfect. Therefore, in regard to sin, God is justified in punishing sin. We have all sinned and we still sin even after we put our faith in Jesus. This is why John says that we deceive ourselves if we claim to be without sin. So, it seems odd at first glance that John would describe God as just when talking about our sins because God’s justice demands that we be punished for our sins.
This is where His faithfulness comes in. Those who are faithful are “firm in adherence to promises.” God never breaks His promises. He has promised to forgive. God says in Jeremiah 31.34, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” So, while God’s justice demands punishment, Jesus has taken that punishment for us. God has proven faithful to His promise to forgive us.
1 John 1.9 provides yet another promise of forgiveness. Too many people fail to realize that if they confess their sins, they are forgiven and no longer need to carry around the burden of sin. They doubt God’s promise of forgiveness. We must doubt no longer. If we have confessed our sins with sincerity, they are gone. We are forgiven. God is faithful and just to remove them from us. Jesus has done all the work. All that is left for us is to receive the benefits of His sacrifice. Let’s receive His forgiveness with thankfulness without doubting the One who never breaks His promises.
God is just. This means that His decisions are always right and perfect. Therefore, in regard to sin, God is justified in punishing sin. We have all sinned and we still sin even after we put our faith in Jesus. This is why John says that we deceive ourselves if we claim to be without sin. So, it seems odd at first glance that John would describe God as just when talking about our sins because God’s justice demands that we be punished for our sins.
This is where His faithfulness comes in. Those who are faithful are “firm in adherence to promises.” God never breaks His promises. He has promised to forgive. God says in Jeremiah 31.34, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” So, while God’s justice demands punishment, Jesus has taken that punishment for us. God has proven faithful to His promise to forgive us.
1 John 1.9 provides yet another promise of forgiveness. Too many people fail to realize that if they confess their sins, they are forgiven and no longer need to carry around the burden of sin. They doubt God’s promise of forgiveness. We must doubt no longer. If we have confessed our sins with sincerity, they are gone. We are forgiven. God is faithful and just to remove them from us. Jesus has done all the work. All that is left for us is to receive the benefits of His sacrifice. Let’s receive His forgiveness with thankfulness without doubting the One who never breaks His promises.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
“Consider Him” – Hebrews 12.1-3
Hebrews 12.1-3 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
I am a huge sports fan and I love using sports as a metaphor for life. The author of Hebrews draws on athletic imagery for this beautiful exhortation at the beginning of Hebrews 12. After looking back in time to commend those who are members of the “faith hall of fame,” the author reminds us that this “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us. They are spectators, or witnesses, in a couple of different ways. First, they are there to cheer us on as we run the race of life. We are running with their encouragement and we run hoping for their approval. Secondly, they are examples to us of how to run the race.
As we run, we must not let anything hinder us. Ancient Roman athletes ran in the nude. They did so in order to run unencumbered. Clothing got in the way. In the same way, sin hinders our race. It causes us to stumble and fall. We can’t run well with sin wrapped around our legs. We must throw off everything that slows us down and sin is the primary hindrance.
We must run with perseverance because the race is not a sprint. It is a marathon. It won’t be short or easy. Perseverance is essential. Our forerunner, Jesus, has marked out the race but it will take endurance to complete it. However, if we keep our eyes on Him, just as a good runner keeps their eyes ahead on the finish line, we can do it. He ran perfectly. He endured to the point of death on the cross and as a result of His perseverance and endurance He now sits at the Father’s right hand.
If we consider all those who have come before us who have run well and are enthusiastically cheering us on and showing us the way, we can complete the race running well. As we consider Him who endured so much yet finished the race, our race becomes much easier. He has shown us the way. He lives in us giving us the strength to keep running. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and consider Him “so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.”
I am a huge sports fan and I love using sports as a metaphor for life. The author of Hebrews draws on athletic imagery for this beautiful exhortation at the beginning of Hebrews 12. After looking back in time to commend those who are members of the “faith hall of fame,” the author reminds us that this “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us. They are spectators, or witnesses, in a couple of different ways. First, they are there to cheer us on as we run the race of life. We are running with their encouragement and we run hoping for their approval. Secondly, they are examples to us of how to run the race.
As we run, we must not let anything hinder us. Ancient Roman athletes ran in the nude. They did so in order to run unencumbered. Clothing got in the way. In the same way, sin hinders our race. It causes us to stumble and fall. We can’t run well with sin wrapped around our legs. We must throw off everything that slows us down and sin is the primary hindrance.
We must run with perseverance because the race is not a sprint. It is a marathon. It won’t be short or easy. Perseverance is essential. Our forerunner, Jesus, has marked out the race but it will take endurance to complete it. However, if we keep our eyes on Him, just as a good runner keeps their eyes ahead on the finish line, we can do it. He ran perfectly. He endured to the point of death on the cross and as a result of His perseverance and endurance He now sits at the Father’s right hand.
If we consider all those who have come before us who have run well and are enthusiastically cheering us on and showing us the way, we can complete the race running well. As we consider Him who endured so much yet finished the race, our race becomes much easier. He has shown us the way. He lives in us giving us the strength to keep running. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and consider Him “so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.”
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