Tag Archive for: Revelation

The $64,000 Question

There was a 1950’s game show by the same name as my title.  It’s become a catch-phrase for any question that is difficult to answer.

That’s how many feel about the unfolding events of the End Times.  It raises a number of $64,000 Questions about the Tribulation, the Rapture, the coming of Antichrist, and the seals, trumpets and bowls.  One person summarized the feelings of a lot of people:  “I’ve just always been confused about this and hear over-complicated responses, yet I can’t make heads or tails of Revelation when it comes to the big picture.”

Here’s how I approach the Book of Revelation.  I personally love to read it because it carries a promise:  “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”  (Revelation 1:3)

The blessing is found in seeing Jesus Christ throughout the book as our all-sufficient Savior and conquering King.  Since it was first written, Revelation has assured every generation that God is ultimately in control of history, and that he is bringing to completion the redemption of his people and the judgment of the wicked.  It gives much-needed rest to our minds when we see the world unraveling around us.

I’m less concerned about believers understanding the details of certain end-time events and far more interested that they keep themselves ready for the return of Christ.

That seems to be the emphasis of Jesus in the parables about his Second Coming:  Stay alert!  Stay busy for the Lord!  (see Matthew 25:1-30)

Peter’s advice in spot-on:  “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.”  (2 Peter 3:11)

I recommend that as you read Revelation, be refreshed and encouraged as you see Jesus worshiped as the Redeemer-Lamb, or watch him presiding over every detail, and shout with joy as he rides on his white horse in victory.

In may be helpful to keep a study Bible close at hand whenever questions arise about a specific passage.  Revelation was never meant to confuse us, but always intended to compel us to follow closer to Jesus.

Finally, set your heart on the final words of Jesus in Revelation 22:20, “Surely I am coming soon.”

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What Fires You Up?

There is no lack of zeal these days. People are fired-up about politics or college championships or a favorite hobby, even a favorite newscast. Do you want to know what stokes someone’s zeal?—just watch their posts on Facebook. It’s bound to leach out.

I want to lobby here for well-placed zeal.

The Bible urges us to set our focus on one main thing: the kingdom of God. That is, the things that God thinks are most important.

You can probably quote from Matthew 6… “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”  That’s not just a memory verse, it’s a way of life: reading about and thinking about and busy about the expanding kingdom of God on planet earth.

I’ve got to ask myself, “Sam, is this what fires you up?”

I was recently struck by Jesus’ admonition to one church: “be zealous and repent!” (Revelation 3:19). He said this to certain professing Christians who had grown indifferent about the things Jesus thought were important.

They had a misplaced zeal about the wrong things instead of a well-placed zeal about the important things.  The Laodicean Christians were zealous about managing their stuff and being fashionable and seeking a fulfilling career.

Jesus had a very strong correction: “you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

“Be zealous and repent!” he commanded them. That is to say, “Turn away from the things the world gets excited about and seek first Jesus.”

I imagine that hits close to home for many of those reading this blog:
“Be zealous and repent!”

A Puritan named Samuel Ward helps us understand this kind of zeal: “It is a spiritual heat wrought in the heart of man by the Holy Ghost, improving the good affections of love, joy, etc., for the furtherance of God’s glory, His word, His house, His saints, and the salvation of souls; directing the contrary of hatred, anger, grief, etc., towards God’s enemies, the devil, his angels, sin, the world, with the lusts thereof.”

So, what gets you fired-up these days?

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