Learning to follow before you lead

It has occurred to me a few times over the years after I read the stories of Jesus and His apostles that His teachings to the apostles about humility and service were of special importance in the discipleship training that Jesus was doing with the men that He would leave in charge of spreading the Gospel and stewarding His church. Think of passages like  Matt. 20:21 or John 13 and the constant reminder to “Follow Me.” There’s even teaching reminder to us that Jesus Himself learned obedience through the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8). Why? You have to learn how to follow before you can lead.

Leadership among God’s people, we are told, is not like the world practices it (Matt. 20:25). The reason so many of us are enamored with the desire to be leaders is because we hope to be the “big dog”, the “lead dog”, the one who “calls all the shots”, the one who doesn’t have to obey anyone anymore,  the one who tells others what to do, and the one who always gets their way. It boils down to the selfish reasons of wanting the glory, wanting the prestige, and wanting my way. But this is the furtherest thing from Jesus’ way of leadership.

Although there are a number of things that I could talk about here, I’ll limit myself today to this one: You must learn to follow before you lead. My observation over a lifetime of  ministry is that the folks who seem most breathless to lead are often the ones who don’t take kindly to direction. Many who aspire to and strive for leadership are not as interested in serving others and the Lord as they are in arranging things and people the way that they personally would like. They’re more interested in getting the limelight and the plaudits and the affirmations. This is a serious challenge for Christian leaders, because (as Bob Dylan famously wrote) “You gotta serve somebody!”

Learning to follow before being a leader means, among other things, a committed willingness to listen carefully to the Lord. No matter how long you’ve been in ministry, how long you’ve been an elder/shepherd in the church, how much education you’ve obtained, how much experience you’ve garnered, or how highly you are esteemed in the church, community, or the world; Jesus is still higher, His word is more authoritative, and it is He who will be the final judge — we, therefore, must follow Him.

It is not by accident that some ancient and modern ecclesiastical authorities have embraced a MIS-translation of Matthew 16:19.  KJV translates it — “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” And even NIV translates — “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The NASB95 more accurately translates — “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” The verbs for bind and loose (here and in Matt. 18:18) are grammatically “future, perfect, passive” in Greek, and clearly mean that neither Peter nor the other apostles or disciples had authority to legislate religious law, doctrine, or morality, but were merely to reflect in their teachings what had already been bound or loosed.

But even beyond learning to follow Jesus (as superlative of a priority as that is) it is also important learn how to follow, so that the leader can learn to have the follow-ship’s best interests in mind — exercising Christian love and selflessness. Let me illustrate, the military, with few exceptions, demands that their officers work their way up through the ranks. Lieutenants who fully carry out their orders from above will become captains; captains who carry out their orders from above well will become colonels, and such colonels will become generals. They must learn to love and identify with the troops in order to properly lead and inspire them. They learn and earn leadership by first learning to follow.

A failure to learn this angle of leadership is why some men are poor husbands and fathers, leading selfishly or willfully, interested only making life easier for themselves — they likely were headstrong young men who never learned to follow. And likewise, having never learned to obey, some women want to usurp their husband’s authority, so that they can get their way and make their lives easier (in no way mindful of what it might mean for their husbands, the kids, the family finances, or their marriage). Some church leaders — unmindful of the effect of leading without relationship with the congregation, without communication with the congregation, or without input from the congregation — cause resentment among the member, because they either never learned or have forgotten what it’s like to follow.

Good Christian leadership learns and remembers how to follow.

Would There Be Enough Evidence?

Ansar became a New Testament Christian on February 29, 2004. He was a member of this congregation for a number of years, but has moved to New York City and attends a congregation there now. However, in the recent years he has applied for asylum from the US on the basis of his conversion to Christianity, Feb. 29, 2004. I went with him to court in Boston a few weeks ago. One of the major questions that his lawyer told him would be asked is how he could prove that he was a sincere Christian and had not converted for the purposes of simply attaining asylum in the US. This caused me to do a lot of thinking, while I was waiting outside the courtroom, during the proceedings, if you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? And what might be considered proper evidence?

Well, of course, there would be your first confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, followed by your baptism into the name of Jesus Christ. This is important, of course, and would be a major piece of proof that you are a Christian. But what else?

You may come to church frequently, I hope every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday Bible study. We know that Hebrews 10:24,25 tells us that this is an important Christian activity not only for ourselves, but for all the rest of the church. It is one of the ways that Ansar demonstrated his faith over the past 8 years. Where we choose to be at times when the church is called to assemble says something about whether you are really a Christian or not. But is there anything more?

How about the fruit of the Spirit — the cooperation we give to the Spirit’s guidance in Scripture to the inner man, that is shown in how our lives change? Has your life changed? Do you remember the sinful things that you used to do? Is it evident that you changed those things in your life; have others noticed it? Have you grown in your diligence, in your faith, in your moral excellence, in your knowledge of Scripture, in your self-control (in both what you stay away from and what you do despite your aversion to it normally), in your perseverance, in your godliness, in your brotherly kindness, and in your love? (2 Peter 1:5-7). Change and growth is a crucial part of Christianity, because it is a crucial part of repentance. So is that all?

I think if I were a judge trying to discern whether or not someone was sincere in their conversion, I’d take a look at the hardship he/she was willing to endure for their faith. You know, trial truly is like the smelter’s fire separating the sincere from the insincere (1 Peter 1:7). We aren’t, of course, fed to the lions these days — but how have you endured trial? How have you handled the scoffing or scorn of your friends and family? Did you change how you acted, when doing right wasn’t cool? Did you compromise your principles or become a “shrinking violet”, when your popularity or your job were endangered? Discipleship to Jesus takes courage and conviction, and these will be evident in the Christian’s life.

It is a important and potentially disturbing question: Would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian? Happily, the judge perceived Ansar’s conversion to follow Jesus as credible and sincere and granted him asylum. How would the great Judge judge you, if He were to come today? Would there be enough evidence in your life?

The Gander Brook Center for Christian Leadership

For those of you living in New England among the churches of Christ, there is a leadership weekend happening this weekend (March 2-4) at the Gander Brook Christian Camp campus in Raymond ME.

Classes set for the next weekend

• Sermons 102 — Billy McGuiggan (Preaching track)
• Sermon practicum* — panel (Preaching track)
• The work and obligations of a Shepherd — George Carruthers (Appointed and potential leaders)
• Counseling basics — Park Linscomb (Appointed and potential leaders)
• Marriage counseling 101 — Park Linscomb — (Appointed and potential leaders)

Schedule

Friday

• Sermons — preaching
• The work and obligations of a shepherd — Appointed and potential leaders

Saturday

• Sermon preparation — preaching
• Counseling basics — Appointed and potential leaders

Sunday

• Sermon practicum — Preaching track
• Marriage counseling — Appointed and potential leaders

* Preaching track students, bring a sermon to work on and polish for the sermon practicum

The End — Revelation 19-22

Well, with today’s reading we come to the end of our daily journey through the Bible. It has been a challenge to me personally to both read, reflect, and try to write something cogent that people might want to read. I intend to continue writing in this blog, but not daily. I hope that if you’ve followed me this far that you’ll continue to read my more occasional posts, which will continue to be focused on the text of the Scriptures. Thanks to many of you who have encouraged me through responses, “likes”, comments, emails, and the like.

Today’s reading gives us a look into the very, very last things before eternity begins in earnest — the justice due to Satan and the wicked will be justly meted out. The Lord and His saints will win, and the new Jerusalem will come down from Heaven as a bride for her husband, Jesus, our Lord. It’s an advance look at the highlights of the greatest victory of all history. Have you ever watched a big football game for the first time from your DVR? As a preacher and finding myself really busy on Sundays (when most pro football games are being play) I’ve had to watch most of my Patriot football games on the DVR — after I’d already heard the score on the radio on the way home? And OK, it’s not quite as exciting, but it gives me a lot less heartburn. When the other team makes a really big play, no matter how bad the momentum is going against us, I can take comfort in knowing that the “good guys” did win in the end (eh, except in the Patriot’s case, in the Super Bowl, of course). God has given us a great gift, we get to see the score before we watch the game play out; and we win! And the reason? To give us hope to hang on, even when it looks like our team is losing, the momentum is going the other way, we have good reason to hope and hang on — we know who wins in the end.

Never enough Hallelujahs! — 19:1-6

God is here bringing all the trouble and trial and suffering to an end. The multitudes in Heaven, angels and saints, are shouting Hallelujah (“Praise YHWH”). It’s been a long hard slog for God, angels, and men against the powers of evil. God has been extremely gracious, generous, and patient toward deceived men, but the time has come for all the suffering evil has caused to come to an end. And especially when that blessed hour comes, there will never be enough Hallelujahs: 1) Salvation, glory and power belong to our God who avenged the blood of the saints, 2) the smoke of God’s enemies goes up forever, 3) what has happened to God’s enemies is right, and 4) our God reigns forever!

The Lamb becomes the Lion — 19:11-21

We’re used to thinking of Jesus as the humble, kindly, sacrificial Lamb of God — and He is; but a time is coming when the world will see a different Jesus, the Lion of Judah. Here is a picture of the avenging Christ, the just Lord punishing and purging the evil that has risen up and caused so much suffering, death, and sin. He is “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”, and He rules them with a rod of iron, treading the wine press of the fierce wrath of God. I guess you could say, “No more Mr. Nice Guy!” God has always had both a loving and gracious nature and a just and fierce nature. He has shown His love and grace in Jesus, but those who refuse this grace will have only His justice and wrath. This truth is reflected in what Isaiah says (and later Jesus Himself — Matt. 23:37)

Isaiah 65:1-6 ““I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name. “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, A people who continually provoke Me to My face, Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks; Who sit among graves and spend the night in secret places; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of unclean meat is in their pots. “Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day. “Behold, it is written before Me, I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom,”

The first resurrection — 20:4-6

There have been a number of suggestions as to what the first resurrection might be. Some have suggested that it is part of a pretribulational premillennial plan of God — not a position I buy. Others that it is a metaphorical resurrection of their witness (of Jesus as Lord) in the success of the church (historians have noted that the church seemed to have grown in the “fertilizer” of the blood of the martyrs). What makes the most sense to me is the sense in which Jesus used a first and second resurrection remark in John 5 —

John 5:25-29 ““Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

The first call of Jesus, “an hour is coming and NOW IS”, will bring the dead back to life (e.g., Romans 6:4-6 and Eph. 2:1ff), a first resurrection, the time of one’s baptism into Christ. The second call of Jesus, “an hour is coming”, will be the general resurrection of the good and evil for the time of judgment. It is especially in this sense that we can understand how the second death will have no power over those who have experienced the first resurrection. Have you partaken in this first resurrection?

1000 bound and then released to deceive the nations — 20:1-10

According to this passage Satan was to be bound for 1000 years. What was that intended to mean? Clearly it has to do with his ability to “deceive the nations” (v. 8). But what does that mean? That he wouldn’t tempt anyone for 1000 years? That there’d be no sin on the earth for 1000 years? I suspect that it has directly to do with persecution of the first couple of centuries of Christianity, which Satan had been behind. There would be a long indefinite period time (1000 years), when Christianity was not going to be persecuted the same way that it was in those first few centuries. However, at the end of that period of time, toward the end of time, Satan will again be loosed to “deceive the nations”, persecute the church (we’ve already talked about the dire circumstances Christians and the church will likely face toward “the end”) almost to the point of extinction (Luke 18:8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”). The point: Hang on!

The end of evil — 20:11-14

Why hang on? Because just when all the forces of evil have been concentrated and brought to bear against the Lord and His church, God will bring down the curtain and put a final and complete stop to all the evil and madness. Judgment of all the world from the beginning of time to the end will be carried on and executed. None will be exempted, everyone one of them judged according to their works. And death and Hades (even death itself shall die) and everyone whose name was not in the book of life will be thrown in the lake of fire, Hell. Let there be no mistake, sin (disobedience to God) isn’t a game, it’s not just a little fun, it’s nothing to play with or minimize; it will send you to Hell and you need to avoid it at all — ALL — costs.

Description of the bride — 21:1–22:7

And now that the evil has been summarily and forever dealt with, the wedding of eternity, the wedding that has been waiting since the fall at Eden, takes place! The bride of Christ, the church, the new Jerusalem, comes to her groom arrayed in a beautiful white dress, the righteous deeds of God’s people. She is the the bride, who Christ loved so much that He (Ephesians 5:25-27) “… gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” It is an epic love story, spanning the history of time and ending in tenderness and consummation (21:3,4).

The balance of the description of the bride as the new Jerusalem, the church, and Heaven — the metaphorical descriptions are getting somewhat mixed in this climax of glory — is rich and glorious. Indeed it is probably safe to say, “Better than advertised.” How so? Look at the golden streets, made of gold so pure that it is transparent like glass. No gold we know of in this world is transparent, which tells us that our God is trying to “describe red to a child blind from birth”, describe something so great that we have no words or things to compare it to. If Heaven is just the way it is described, it will be greater than great — but I just have a hunch that it will be so great that if I saw it with my own eyes, it would literally blow my tiny human mind. Heaven — be there at all — ALL — costs.

No deletions and no additions needed — 22:18-19

And yes, this passage actually is referencing the fact that no one should take anything from this specific book of prophecy, but if no one should take anything from this specific book of prophecy, it follows quite naturally that we should take nothing from any of God’s words — or make any additions. God revealed it as it should be revealed, as men need it revealed, no deletions and no additions needed or wanted.

Which leads me to a closing thought, as we finish this voyage through the Bible, we don’t need to stop here. Let me encourage you to flip the Bible back to Genesis and go through the whole Scripture again and again. You’ll find something new each time you read through. But just be careful to do it. We can delete or add to God’s word without actually drawing a line through text or writing new text into our Bibles by merely choosing to ignore parts of God’s word or going beyond what has been written. Keep reading, keep growing, and keep faithful.

As I mentioned earlier, I will continue to write more on this blog, just not everyday. I look forward to your company and your comments. So, I’ll alter my closing remark now to…

See you soon, Lord willing.

Fallen, fallen is Babylon — Revelation 16-18

As I’ve mentioned before, the strands tell about the various aspects of God’s judgments on the world. Today’s reading deals with the strand of prophecies dealing with the finishing of God’s wrath on the material world.

Har-Magedon — 16:13ff

Chapter 16 deals with God’s plagues on the world in ways that are intended to remind us of the plagues of Egypt. This is not accidental, since the plagues on Egypt were the prelude to Israel’s liberation, like these plagues are a prelude to the liberation of God’s people and even of the creation:

Romans 8:19-23 “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

But as the effect of these plagues of God mount up the forces of evil gather in an effort to make one great push, for the war of the great day of God. The place where they gather is called Har-Magedon (Armageddon, otherwise known as Meggido), referencing a hill fortress on the western side of the plain of Jezreel. It is at this “place” that suddenly the Lord appears and decisively vanquishes all His enemies (v. 15) — “it is done” (v. 17).

Are these plagues literal? Is this great battle going to happen literally at the hill (Har) of Meggido. Remember this is a mystery, broad outlines of God’s strategy without the details, usually clear only after the fact. So, maybe, maybe not — I’m guessing “not literal”; what I am certain about is that it will happen just as God has revealed it. And what we most need to get out of it all is actually in v. 15, hang on! Hang on even when the sky seems to be (maybe literally) falling, even when the force of evil are gathering in gargantuan numbers against the saints, even when it all seems like a lost cause — because Jesus just may be “right around the corner”.

The great harlot, taken down by the beast — 17:1ff

How perfectly ironic that the great harlot, called Babylon, a great materialism tool in the hand of Satan, should be taken down by another great tool in Satan’s hand (v. 16). God, just as in the case of Assyria, uses another pagan power to punish the first. God just lets evil men punish other evil men — not unlike how murderers are often reputed in prisons to abuse and punish sex offenders.

This prophecy, like many of the Revelation prophecies probably are also, is likely to be a double prophecy — something to be fulfilled in the near future and in the more distant future. In the near future Babylon seems clearly to be Rome, since she is sitting on 7 hills. Will the more distant “Babylon” fulfillment be also sitting on 7 hills? Maybe. Is the more distant “Babylon” Rome again? Maybe. Will it be literal Babylon? Not likely, since Babylon was prophesied (in Isaiah and Jeremiah) never to be rebuilt. What it represents is a city or place that is the financial and trade center of the world, that seduces the world with its money and corruption. But it’s economic might couldn’t save it from destruction; though men fight for it thinking that it offers them great protection, money is a treacherous shield against destruction.

What would that city or place be today? I’ll let you assess that. But the point here for us is to resist being seduced or corrupted with the materialism of the great harlot — a tough maneuver to pull off and sustain in a consumer society like ours, wouldn’t you agree?

Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great — 18:1ff

Her fall was to be swift and complete. It will cause the leaders of the nations, the merchants of the markets, and the peoples of the world to mourn — the source of all the material wealth and sensuality is gone, forever gone! Why? “In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth!” (.v 24). When wealth and fortune become the prime value of one’s life, the value of the lives of others, the value of right, the value of truth, the value of integrity, of compassion, of faith fades into the shadows. Prophets, saints, and whoever else might oppose them are really quite dispensable. Money becomes the thing, the measure, the metric for success and meaning and even goodness (right). No wonder Babylon falls so completely and quickly — and justly. You can hear the celebration echoing from the next room (the next chapter)!

See you tomorrow, Lord willing

The Song of Moses and the Lamb — Revelation 13-15

Today’s reading is about another strand of God’s victory over the evil world that has been oppressing and persecuting God’s people — the villains of the 42-months (3.5 years).

Satan — 13:1

It’s important to realize who’s behind this whole thing. Just in yesterday’s reading we were reading how the dragon (Satan) went off to make war with the rest of the Woman’s children to see if he can pick them off one by one; and now he is pulling up his vicious minions for this one last push — going down in a blaze of eternal “inglory” and infamy. It is Satan that is behind the great persecution of the first two centuries, the persecution now, and the last great push toward the end of time. Refuse to be picked off! Persevere! Be courageous! Do what’s right! Stand firm with the Lord!

The Beastly government — 13:2ff

The original readers of this revelation probably clearly understood the Roman Empire to be the beast here. Will there be such a government toward the end of time? If so, it will likely be something like the old Roman Empire — broadly influential over most of the world, anti-Christian in nature, economically strong or controlling, and (by looking at the beasts it is compared to) swift, violently powerful, and viciously consuming. Worst of all, he’ll make war with the saints during this “42 month” period (not likely to be literal) and will overcome them! This brings the words of Jesus to mind, (Luke 18:8) “I tell you that [God] will bring about justice for [persecuted saints] quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” And those living during these dark days have severe challenges before them — Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.”

The Beastly religious leader — 13:11ff

The beastly government will be buttressed by a beastly religion. Rome, of course, demanded emperor worship (“Caesar is lord!”) while offering a pinch of incense on an altar — as a token of loyalty to the state. Will there be something like this toward the end of time? Maybe. Perhaps as a real religion, perhaps as just a statement of faith in certain “politically correct” things (e.g., atheism, evolution, or 1984-like credos that must be accepted as truth) that try to supplant the supremacy of Christ as Lord. Christ must always reign supreme, must always be the priority, in the Christian’s life. It may cause trouble with the world around us, who will embrace the world’s wisdom, but we must remain faithful!

The Doom of the villains — 14:1ff

But these villains will finally meet their ignominious end, no matter how powerful or invincible they may seem to the eye. The Christian can rely on the promises of God and can persevere on the basis of those promises of God, who will not allow evil to stand or triumph — Revelation 14:12 “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”

Singing the song of Moses — 15:1ff

What is the song of Moses and why is it relevant here? The song of Moses was sung by newly freed men when Israel crossed the Red Sea leaving the drowning Egyptians and their slavery behind (Exo. 15:1ff). It is relevant because God’s people in this passage have also been rescued — (v. 2) “those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name.” Point? After the salvation of the Lord has been completed, we will have more than adequate reason to also rejoice! Hang in there, whatever the challenges are, and sing the song of Moses, too!

See you tomorrow, Lord willing.

Satan loses — Revelation 10-12

As we consider today’s reading, let’s keep in mind the apocalyptic language being used. These prophesied events aren’t to be taken literally, this isn’t like reading a newspaper or a history book. The keys to much of what we read can be found in the Old Testament’s rich mine of symbols, especially Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. And even so, as you do dig down into the meanings of these things, please also keep in mind that they still will remain mysteries, the precise events and people will remain cloaked, becoming clear only after the event itself.

The purpose of this revelation is not to give us a heads-up on exact people and events, but rather they were intended to give the readers down through the ages the sure and steadfast hope of God’s word that no matter how bad things get, God still wins — and therefore, so do we, if we remain faithful. Such a hope really does provide an anchor for the soul, when the storms of life — and even of prophecy — break on us. When these persecutions hit and things look dark indeed, we can confidently remember that God anticipated all of it well in advance; and it is no sign of defeat, but rather a sign that God’s ultimate victory and our salvation is sure. Speaking of such mysteries…

Seal up the things spoken — 10:4

Not everything that is given in a revelation to a prophet (or apostle) is for public consumption. Here John hears the seven great peals of thunder, he is then told to seal it up and not write it down. Apparently, it was something only for John to know. This isn’t terribly unusual. God told Moses that there might be things that humans would like to know, but that God will either not divulge at all, or divulge to a very select few — Deuteronomy 29:29 ““The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.” He told Daniel (Daniel 8:26), “The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true; But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future.” And Paul tell us that in a vision he (2 Corinthians 12:4) “was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” Why? Perhaps like as God told Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:5), “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days– You would not believe if you were told.” Perhaps, it is because we wouldn’t be able to handle it; maybe we wouldn’t be able to understand it (it may be way over our ability to follow); maybe we only THINK we want to know; or maybe God keeps certain things secret like a general keeps His operational matters secret. We needn’t be concerned about the details of God’s plan, He’s got it all under control.

Sweet but bitter — 10:8ff

The scroll that John is told to eat here apparently has prophecies about the future. Why does it have a sweet taste but a bitter effect on the stomach? This may be a message for the martyrs under the altar, or the martyrs of that age that had not given their lives yet, or the Christians at the very end of time — the ultimate victory is coming (the sweet taste) but there’s a lot of bitter in between now and the victory. And this is important for us to remember in our personal lives as well as in the larger picture — we do win (great news!) but there are plenty of trials between here and there. Israel celebrated on the other side of Red Sea as Pharaoh and his army drowned in the Red Sea; they were free and would be given the Promised Land. But there would be plenty of trials between the Red Sea and the Jordan River. The goal is to be as faithful and courageous as Joshua and Caleb.

Two witnesses — 11:1ff

And no, I don’t think these two witnesses are Joshua and Caleb. In fact, I don’t know who they are. They are obliquely compared to Elijah and Moses in v. 6. They are compared with Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel (v. 4), from Zech. 4. They are martyrs (the Greek word for witness) and prophets and they will serve the Lord during a period of great tribulation — 1260 days, 42 months, and 3.5 years are all the same length of time and they symbolize intensely troubled, but time-limited periods. Whoever they are — people, OT and NT, or whatever — they make the world really uncomfortable with their preaching of the Gospel, and when they are killed, the world celebrates — until they are raised up again (3.5 days later, sound familiar?) to the world’s amazement and terror. And here this revelation seems to end at “the end”. Some of these revelations in Revelations are like strands of prophecy about certain aspects of God’s victory, leading us to the end. Some look at the call of God through disaster to the world in hopes of their repentance — right down to the end. Others like this one focus on the persecution of the world upon the church during the last days of world. Others seem to focus on the fall of the world power of their day (Rome) with parallels to a similar downfall of a similar power at the end of time. Daniel does a similar thing as he talks about the 4 great empires three different times in his prophecy — each with a different emphasis in mind.

The woman and the child — 12:1ff

Here’s a wonderful look at the stretch of God’s dealing with His people to bring about their salvation. The woman symbolizes God’s people in the OT and the NT. The child is the Christ. The serpent is Satan. The picture is one in which Satan is trying everything to kill the woman, but God continues to intervene and rescue her to Satan’s ultimate and complete failure. The message? God will always be there to take care of His people — always!

The dragon was enraged with the woman — 12:17

But the dragon is enraged with the woman and goes off to make war with her children. Who are these children? You and me, the individual disciples. Satan will not be able to destroy the corporate people of God, the church, but he can attempt to pick us off individually and he does. Like a raging criminal, knowing that he cannot win, he is determined to do as much damage as he possibly can. Therefore, we must watch out.

See you tomorrow, Lord willing