It rained cats and dogs yesterday, but our folk braved the heavy rain and floods to attend the Adult Bible class. I was greatly encouraged.
We came to Lesson 35 on Revelation and are more than half way through this difficult book. It has been a very challenging exercise for me, but it's been worth while.
Some people sadly neglect the this book, others elevate it to a prominent position shared by no other book in the Bible. Apart from the messages to the Seven churches in Chapters 2 and 3, Revelation is almost given over to exotic and florid literary terms. We seem to encounter weired visions which many find it 'too difficult to comprehend.' Not too many Christians in our generation are interested in pondering over such subjects as 'seven headed beasts' or 'apocalyptic horsemen' So it is quite natural for many to ignore this book and concentrate on parts of the New Testament which are easily understood.
I think the neglect of Revelation is to some extent related to to the fact that there are those who give undue prominence. Some preachers, Bible expositors, futuristic gurus, self proclaimed 'experts' spend time mapping out in detail the chain of events that seem to scare people out of their wits. It is a fact that being 'an expert' in interpreting future events is a way to fame and even fortune. People flock to consult fortune tellers.
To me, Revelation is primarily a book of worship. The word 'worship' occurs 24 times. It is a book of encouragement as well as warning. The great theme is the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ who will return to receive His church. It was customary in those days to greet each other with the word "Maranatha" meaning "The Lord is coming soon." When will this happen - no one knows except God Himself. This is clearly stated in the Bible that no one except the Father knows the day or the hour when He will return. All we need do is to live in a state of preparedness and at the same time get on with our work. Let's wait, watch and work for the Lord.
Yesterday we did Revelation 14. We focused our thoughts on the final harvest. John gave a portrayal of the Last Days and the Second coming of Jesus Christ. The passage is not just about judgment, it is also about how we are called to life too. God patiently offers His love and grace. We can reap His love, goodness and reward, or His judgment, all from what we want and desire.
I am reminded of that wonderful song we sing in our meetings.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
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