Day 312 (Final post): Revelation 19-22

On January 12, 2011 I began this blog. The idea was to read through the Bible in around a year and write whatever seemed to bubble to the top for me on that day. I wanted to do a "flyover" of scripture. I wasn't going to concern myself with deep study and research but I wanted to make sure I covered all the territory. In the process I was listening for God to speak. Today, January 13, 2012, is the final day for this blog. I think I'm going to miss it.

Today's reading is packed with exciting stuff! It's just what you would expect when you come to the end of a great epic. I had to resist the urge to simply quote the last four chapters in their entirety.

Notice the books mentioned in this passage:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

There are "books" and there is another single book called the "book of life". If I read this right (and I think I do), everyone is judged according to what is written in the "books" about them. E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. And it's not good. The only thing that keeps anyone from being thrown into the "lake of fire" is if their name is also found in the "book of life".  Your name must be in that book. And, based on my reading of the rest of the Bible, it seems there's only one way you can make sure your name is in that book. You have to let Jesus write it there. I believe he really wants to...but he won't do it unless you  give him the go ahead.

But, if your name is in the book of life here's what you can expect:

    Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe 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.”
    He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
    He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:1-7)

I love that passage. It's another one that I often use at funerals of those who have lived as Christ-followers.

And now the story comes full circle. In Genesis Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden because of their sin. Along with that banishment they were barred from the "Tree of Life". It was part of the curse they received for their sin. It's part of the curse we receive for our sin. But we can look forward to the day when that changes. Access to the "Tree of Life" is restored. The curse is lifted. It's the climax of all history.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-5)

Day 311: Revelation 14-18

It's hard to believe that I'm almost finished with reading through the Bible. The goal was to read it through in a year(ish). I began on January 12, 2011. Tomorrow will be the last reading and it will be January 13, 2012...so I missed a year by one day. Better than I expected.

However, that's tomorrow..this is today.

Have you ever wondered where the idea of the harps comes from? You know...the picture of going to heaven, wearing a white robe, sitting on a cloud and playing a harp. I have. I can see the idea of the white robes...that's an image found often to depict the holiness that God imparts to people who are washed clean by God's grace. Sitting on a cloud isn't really in scripture though if you think of going to heaven as going up into the sky then I can understand the idea of a cloud. But playing a harp? I actually didn't think it was in the Bible, but it is!

The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. (Revelation 14:2)

But wait, there's more...

They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:
   “Great and marvelous are your deeds,
   Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
   King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
   and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
   and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:2-4)

Death is the enemy. Always has been. There's no way to overstate the importance of Christ's victory over death. He faced it down...on it's turf. And because of His victory over death everything changes. For the Christ-follower death is not to be feared. Just as He turned the most atrocious, barbarous act imaginable (His own death on the cross) into the most amazing redemptive act in history, Jesus changes death...

    Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
   “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:18)

I have to admit that I don't have a clue about what most of the book of Revelation is talking about. It's filled with weird imagery that defies interpretation...at least by me. That's why I was glad when I read this:

Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:7)

Finally! There will be an explanation! He's going to clear it up for me!

Wrong.

The explanation is no more understandable than what he attempts to explain.

But that's ok. I remember reading some of the prophecies in the OT. Many of them were written in a way that was confusing if you were looking for a detailed prediction of how things are going to happen. What you got was assurance that God was in control. It was only after the events which were prophesied eventually came to pass that you could read with understanding. The imagery made sense. I think that's what we have in Revelation. The over-arching message is that the world will end (you always knew it was only temporary anyway)...Jesus is victorious...so stick with Him and you'll be ok. In fact, you'll be way more than ok.

You may even be able to play the harp.

Day 310: Revelation 11-13

I have to say that a lot of Revelation, particularly these three chapters, contains stuff which is so fantastical (Is that a word?) that it's hard to really know what is being said. There's talk of beasts and dragons...and a particular dragon who stood in front of a woman about to give birth so that he could devour her child...fantastical stuff. I'm trying to read through this without getting bogged down with every single image. I'm trying to stay at about 30,000 feet and see the big picture.

Here's one glimpse at the big picture:

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 Messiah,
   and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

It's reassuring to know that this world will one day be ruled forever and ever by King Jesus.

We also get a bit of an idea about Satan. Who is he and where did he come from?

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:7-9)

Admittedly that doesn't tell us much but it's something.

But I think my favorite passage in today's reading is this:

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
   “Now have come the salvation and the power
   and the kingdom of our God,
   and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
   who accuses them before our God day and night,
   has been hurled down.
They triumphed over 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. Therefore rejoice, you heavens
   and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
   because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
   because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:10-12)

We can triumph over Satan "by the blood of the Lamb"! And even though, for now, Satan is alive and doing everything he can to bring us down we can be assured that the reason he's so filled with fury is that he knows his time is short.

Days 308 & 309: Revelation 1-10

People have a strange fascination about the book of Revelation. I also think there's some fear involved. What's interesting to me is that this is the only book of the Bible (as I recall) that says that those who read it will be blessed:

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)

I notice that the blessing is specifically for those who read it aloud. I suppose there was a time that the only way a person would ever be aware of the contents of this book was if someone were to read it aloud to them. But the blessing is for both the reader and the hearer. It crossed my mind to maybe take this literally and give it a try. That is, I was considering reading this book aloud. I do believe there is something to be gained from this. I have often experienced how a text comes alive when it read aloud, and is filled with meaning and nuance that may be missed when read silently.

Anyway, I am prepared to be blessed as I read.

One of the trees in the garden of Eden that Adam and Ever were allowed to eat from was the Tree of Life. When they decided to disobey God and eat from the one tree that they were not allowed to eat from part of their punishment was that the Tree of Life was removed from them. Genesis 3:23-24 says: "So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." It's exciting to know that access to that tree will be restored when we get to heaven.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

I love reading chapters 4&5. This is a passage that I do recommend reading aloud. It is a powerful description of the worship that takes place in heaven.

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
   “‘Holy, holy, holy
   is the Lord God Almighty,’
   who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

Notice that this is taking place "day and night" and that they "never stop". What's interesting to me is that even though this is constantly taking place the next verse says that "whenever" they do this the elders respond:

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.” (Revelation 4:9-11)

In chapter 5 there's a new development. There's a scroll that no one seems to have the authority to open. But wait...a Lamb appears...a lamb that looks as if he's been slain! Who could this be but the one and only Son of God who gave His life for all of us? So now the song changes...

And they sang a new song, saying:
   “You are worthy to take the scroll
   and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
   and with your blood you purchased for God
   persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
   and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

I can't help but notice the diversity of the crowd. There are people "from every tribe and language and people and nation". This is a picture of the church.

Then it gets crazy...

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
   “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
   to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
   and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
   “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
   be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
  The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:11-14)

Wow! Now that's a worship service!

Once again in chapter 7 we're reminded that the message of the gospel is not limited to Americans, or Jews, or "good" people. It's for everyone! I don't think this indicates the "universalism" that has gotten so much attention this year because of Rob Bell (that everyone will be saved in the end) but that the church is world-wide and God's relationship with people is not restricted by the social and political divisions that affect so much of our world-view.

And they cried out in a loud voice:
   “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

No matter who you are or where you live or how you've been raised "salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." In Acts 4 Peter says that "salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." I believe this puts the responsibility on us to reach across all those social, political and economic barriers to take the gospel message to all people!

One more very interesting (to me) sentence in today's reading:

And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” (Revelation 10:4)

I don't know exactly what to make of this but it strikes me as interesting that some of the things John was shown were not meant for all of us to see. The prophecy of the book of Revelation is fascinating and ultimately encouraging for Christ-followers but when we attempt to interpret this strange and apocalyptic text we need to remember that we don't have all the information. God has intentionally kept some things from us. I can't help but wonder what it is!

Day 307: 1 John; 2 John; 3 John

John capsulizes the heart of the gospel in 2 verses:

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. (1 John 1:8-9)

Nobody likes to admit they are wrong...but everybody is wrong. Nobody can be a Christian unless they make that admission. I am wrong. I have sinned. I'm helpless. I'm a loser. Unless we are able to honestly admit that to ourselves, to God and to others we can't really follow Jesus. Christians have often been looked at with disdain over the years because they are perceived as self-righteous, holier-than-thou types who look down their noses at the "unenlightened". And, certainly, there are those that fit that description. The thing is that, the exact opposite is the truth. You cannot even be a Christian unless you recognize and admit that you are not holy or righteous at all!

And yet...

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)

In spite of the fact that we absolutely do not deserve it...He loves us...and calls us His children. Not because we deserve it...we don't. No one does. But this door is open to everyone.

And since God loves and is willing to forgive anyone...even me...then what choice do I have but to do the same?

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:10-11)

One more thought about this guilt thing. It's true, we are all guilty. But God has taken care of the guilt so we don't have to carry it around anymore. We can stop wallowing in regrets about how awful we've been and what a low-life scum bag we were. God has taken care of it.

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:20)

Day 306: Jude; 2 Peter

Do you ever think about the Lord's return to earth? I mean, really consider it. What will it be like? Is it for real? Do I truly expect an amazing supernatural event like this to take place? Do I plan for it? I joke sometimes about hoping the Lord returns soon so I don't have to do some unpleasant task that's looming before me. Is that really funny? Why?

It's been a long time. If it's really going to happen, what's God waiting for?

Whenever I hear of some crazy preacher predicting a specific day that we expect Jesus to return I immediately discount it. Why is that? Is it because he truly is looney and has some crazy, and completely flawed way of interpreting scripture? Or, is it because the Lord's return is something that I sort of keep in a place of my mind reserved for those mythical, fantastic things that deep down inside I never truly expect to happen in a real time and place?

Peter writes a beautiful and powerful passage about the Lord's return that I need to etch into my heart.

     Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
     But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
     But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
     Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:3-13)

He's waiting because He loves us.

He's waited a long time so far.

He won't wait forever.

I'm looking forward to that "new heaven and earth, where righteousness dwells."

It is real.

Day 305: 2 Timothy

Reading 2 Timothy gives encouragement and exhortation but it is also a bit melancholy. It reminds us of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to enable us to carry out our mission and endure the resulting suffering:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

In regards to that suffering it reminds us that it is to be expected:

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

I always have mixed feelings about passages like this because the truth is I spend a lot of my energies trying to avoid suffering and persecution. Paul tells Timothy that we should all expect it. You get the impression that if you're not being persecuted in some way you're doing something wrong.

Paul holds himself up as an example to Timothy in life and ministry. In this verse he lays out, in simple terms, the whole idea of disciple making. One of the things I've learned in 30 years of ministry is that nobody feels qualified to make disciples. But the truth is that everyone who is a Christ-follower is not only qualified but required to make disciples. This is how the whole thing works:

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

In the midst of Paul's persecution it seems he was abandoned by some who claimed to be his friends. I'm sure this added a whole other level to his suffering...and it's one of the things that makes this letter feel a little melancholy:

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. (2 Timothy 4:16)

I said this letter feel a little melancholy but that may not be exactly right. It does read like sort of a final letter from Paul...like maybe this will be the last you hear from him and he wants to make sure he says what needs to be said. But I don't think Paul is really feeling melancholy...I think Paul's feeling ready:

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)