This passage strives to set before us in words the glory of the indescribable Jesus Christ. John comes closer to experiencing this than we, and his response in v. 17 is to fall down at the feet of Christ as though he were dead. But Jesus lays His right hand on John and tells him not to be afraid, restoring John through His touch.
John sees our radiant Lord among the lampstands (v. 13), and the seven lampstands represent the seven churches mentioned later. But seven is the number of completion, so God is not speaking only to these seven churches, but to the whole church--us as well. No light, even in the twenty-first century, is self-sustaining, and the lamps of old required much tending, with their wick, oil, and stands. This One among the lampstands is tending them, ensuring that they continue to provide light. It is interesting to note here that Jesus is depicted as being among the churches--not individuals. The churches have been created by God the Father and are tended by Jesus, the Son.
And John tells us that this One among the lampstands is like the Son of Man (v. 13). This reference to Jesus is rooted in the Old Testament book of Daniel, chapter 7. The name emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ and His power and everlasting dominion over all the nations. The Son of Man appears in His glory, and again there are similarities here between this description of the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days (God the Father) of Daniel 7. We should note that the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man are described in similar terms. The robe the Son of Man wears displays His authority and power in His offices of prophet, priest, and king, all at once. The white hair commands respect, and His eyes of fire are the eyes of judgment. The seven stars in His hand demonstrate the absolute power of Jesus Christ. These are simply pictures that John saw literally, but they are a reflection of the reality behind them.
Again, John's response is to fall before Him with fear, and it would be natural to be terrified. But Christ reaches out to him and says, gently, "Do not be afraid." He declares His power in telling John that "I AM the first and the last," but He also demonstrates His love. We learn of Christ's work because He holds the keys of judgment. We will continue to learn more of this radiant Lord through the message He gives to John--the things which he has seen which are (Jesus in His exalted state) and things which will take place.
8/8/07
Grateful Hearts v. Foolish Hearts
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:20-22).
I have been impressed again recently with the importance of thankfulness in the Christian life and the disaster that can come when we wallow in our pain and suffering. I know from experience, because wallowing has been my response often in the past, and the result has never been good. While sadness certainly is an appropriate response to pain and suffering, we must never forget God's mercy to us as well, because it is always there, always new every morning.
I find it interesting in my research on the persecuted church that one of the responses of most victims is glorifying God and giving thanks to Him. Those who are thrown into prison often become instruments for spreading the gospel. If they have opportunity to comment on their experience, they often express their thankfulness that even though they have suffered, others have come to know Christ through their suffering. Those who have lost loved ones, like Gracia Burnham and Necati Aydin's widow in Turkey, often express thankfulness for the lives of their spouses, even though those lives may have ended violently and painfully.
It's interesting that Romans tells us that those who reject God and do not glorify Him or give Him thanks experience futile thinking and their foolish hearts become darkened. And this makes sense. We become so focused on our own pain and suffering and how much we don't have and what we've lost, that we lose sight of what we do have. It often seems that our bitterness hurts or even destroys those people and things for which we should be thankful.
Our chapel speaker today talked about Paul's last words in 2 Timothy 4. Paul talks about the fact that he has been betrayed in many ways by people he has trusted and invested himself in. To say that Paul's post-conversion life was a challenge--with arrests, shipwrecks, beatings, illnesses, imprisonments, and frequent betrayals--is an understatement. In spite of all of this, though, Paul gives thanks because "the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . . And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom."
This is not a Pollyanna approach to life (although I'm starting to wonder if Pollyanna wasn't on to something). When we're reduced to nothing, when we feel like all is lost, whether it's a human relationship, our health, or our money, the Lord stands with us, delivering us and preserving us. And this is a reality for which we can always be thankful.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:20-22).
I have been impressed again recently with the importance of thankfulness in the Christian life and the disaster that can come when we wallow in our pain and suffering. I know from experience, because wallowing has been my response often in the past, and the result has never been good. While sadness certainly is an appropriate response to pain and suffering, we must never forget God's mercy to us as well, because it is always there, always new every morning.
I find it interesting in my research on the persecuted church that one of the responses of most victims is glorifying God and giving thanks to Him. Those who are thrown into prison often become instruments for spreading the gospel. If they have opportunity to comment on their experience, they often express their thankfulness that even though they have suffered, others have come to know Christ through their suffering. Those who have lost loved ones, like Gracia Burnham and Necati Aydin's widow in Turkey, often express thankfulness for the lives of their spouses, even though those lives may have ended violently and painfully.
It's interesting that Romans tells us that those who reject God and do not glorify Him or give Him thanks experience futile thinking and their foolish hearts become darkened. And this makes sense. We become so focused on our own pain and suffering and how much we don't have and what we've lost, that we lose sight of what we do have. It often seems that our bitterness hurts or even destroys those people and things for which we should be thankful.
Our chapel speaker today talked about Paul's last words in 2 Timothy 4. Paul talks about the fact that he has been betrayed in many ways by people he has trusted and invested himself in. To say that Paul's post-conversion life was a challenge--with arrests, shipwrecks, beatings, illnesses, imprisonments, and frequent betrayals--is an understatement. In spite of all of this, though, Paul gives thanks because "the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . . And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom."
This is not a Pollyanna approach to life (although I'm starting to wonder if Pollyanna wasn't on to something). When we're reduced to nothing, when we feel like all is lost, whether it's a human relationship, our health, or our money, the Lord stands with us, delivering us and preserving us. And this is a reality for which we can always be thankful.
8/6/07
Your Message from Christ: Revelation 1:1-8
Having finished his series on 1 John last week, our pastor began a new series this week on the book of Revelation. I look forward to coming to a better understanding of this controversial book from the preaching of a Reformed minister.
Revelation is a book filled with controversy. It is intended for the servants of God, and its message is to build up the church when it is weak in a world filled with power. In the Greek, this book's name is "Apocalypse," and it is the last book God gave to His church. The focus of this book is Jesus Christ, and this is a message from God to Jesus. This is God the Father's word regarding Jesus Christ. We must approach this book with a servant's attitude, realizing that these are things that we are being shown--not things that are made up. Many interpreters of this book have erred by adding to it, saying that it means things that it does not mean.
In verses 1-3, we are told to read this word and heed it. John's apostolic authority is established in v. 2. He has already borne witness in the past in the Gospel of John and in his epistles. He has been exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where the Roman authorities think they can stop his message. But we are to hear these words and store them in our hearts. Many have emphasized the last phrase of v. 3, "for the time is near," claiming that this means the events of this book are already past. This phrase, however, is not the interpretive key of the book; the time is still near.
"Grace to you and peace," begins the greeting of vv. 4-5. In the midst of the turmoils of life, God grants unmerited, undeserved mercy as He extends grace and peace to us. The reference to Christ, "the one who is and was and is to come," is rooted in Exodus 3:13ff, the great I AM, the covenant God of Israel. Jesus is the great I AM who saves, the faithful witness, the one who died. He is the firstfruits of the many who will be born from the dead. Finally John declares Jesus to be the ruler of the kings of the earth, even as John has been punished by Rome, which bowed its knees to no other power. We will learn more about the seven spirits before the throne later, but this is a reference to completeness.
Within this greeting is praise for Jesus Christ for His past work. All the Old Testament declarations regarding washing have been fulfilled in Jesus. Because of His death, our sins are washed away. He has made us kings and priests--and that would have been forbidden in the Old Testament. Only the house of Aaron could serve as priests, and only the house of David could serve as kings. We are servants who are kings and priests as well.
There is also a reference to Jesus' future coming, which will involve a day of judgment, a theme of Revelation.
Finally, the references in v. 8 to the Alpha, Omega; the one who is, was, and is to come; and the Almighty describe God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We can stand firm and with confidence knowing the grace and peace of our God.
Revelation is a book filled with controversy. It is intended for the servants of God, and its message is to build up the church when it is weak in a world filled with power. In the Greek, this book's name is "Apocalypse," and it is the last book God gave to His church. The focus of this book is Jesus Christ, and this is a message from God to Jesus. This is God the Father's word regarding Jesus Christ. We must approach this book with a servant's attitude, realizing that these are things that we are being shown--not things that are made up. Many interpreters of this book have erred by adding to it, saying that it means things that it does not mean.
In verses 1-3, we are told to read this word and heed it. John's apostolic authority is established in v. 2. He has already borne witness in the past in the Gospel of John and in his epistles. He has been exiled to the Isle of Patmos, where the Roman authorities think they can stop his message. But we are to hear these words and store them in our hearts. Many have emphasized the last phrase of v. 3, "for the time is near," claiming that this means the events of this book are already past. This phrase, however, is not the interpretive key of the book; the time is still near.
"Grace to you and peace," begins the greeting of vv. 4-5. In the midst of the turmoils of life, God grants unmerited, undeserved mercy as He extends grace and peace to us. The reference to Christ, "the one who is and was and is to come," is rooted in Exodus 3:13ff, the great I AM, the covenant God of Israel. Jesus is the great I AM who saves, the faithful witness, the one who died. He is the firstfruits of the many who will be born from the dead. Finally John declares Jesus to be the ruler of the kings of the earth, even as John has been punished by Rome, which bowed its knees to no other power. We will learn more about the seven spirits before the throne later, but this is a reference to completeness.
Within this greeting is praise for Jesus Christ for His past work. All the Old Testament declarations regarding washing have been fulfilled in Jesus. Because of His death, our sins are washed away. He has made us kings and priests--and that would have been forbidden in the Old Testament. Only the house of Aaron could serve as priests, and only the house of David could serve as kings. We are servants who are kings and priests as well.
There is also a reference to Jesus' future coming, which will involve a day of judgment, a theme of Revelation.
Finally, the references in v. 8 to the Alpha, Omega; the one who is, was, and is to come; and the Almighty describe God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We can stand firm and with confidence knowing the grace and peace of our God.
8/4/07
The Impoverishment of American Culture
An editorial in the Thursday, July 19, 2007, Wall Street Journal raises some interesting questions. Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia says that he would love to conduct an experiment. He'd like to survey a cross-section of Americans and ask them how many active NBA players, Major League baseball players, and American Idol contestants they can name. Then he'd ask them how many living American poets, playwrights, painters, sculptors, architects, classical musicians, conductors, composers, scientists, and social thinkers they can name.
He argues that fifty years ago, Americans weren't necessarily smarter, but culture was. TV variety shows were as apt to feature opera singers and classical musicians as they were a sports hero like Mickey Mantle. General interest TV talk shows would interview authors like John Steinbeck and James Baldwin.
Gioia sees one of the consequences of this loss of recognition of artists, thinkers, and scientists impoverishing our culture by reducing the playing field for role models. Today's role models for young people tend to come from sports or entertainment, sending the message that success and meaning come from money and fame. The marketplace puts a price on everything, but culture's focus goes beyond price to value. He argues that it is an understanding of art that will keep our nation competitive in the global marketplace--because it is in learning about art that we develop an ability to be thoughtful, creative, and innovative.
He points to a study that shows two behavioral groups of Americans developing: one group that sits in front of an electronic device, passively consuming entertainment. The other group takes advantage of new technologies, but they balance their lives with other activities: exercise, volunteering to do charity work, playing sports. And what is the difference between the two groups? Whether they read for pleasure and participate in the arts or not. Gioia sees part of the solution to this problem in arts education in public schools.
How relevant Gioia's concerns are. And how much more should we who know the God of culture desire to engage in His gifts and want our children to enjoy them as well?
Scripture repeatedly instructs us to use music to God's glory. And Old Testament passages that talk about the construction of the tabernacle and temple imply an interest in and understanding of the visual arts. Scripture itself demonstrates the importance of the art of written language. Sports and athletic competition dominate our schools, and there doesn't seem to be any more interest in culture in the Christian schools (and sometimes less interest)than in the public ones.
Sports programs aren't bad or wrong. But we need to care about developing good thinking skills through learning about art and beauty. Unfortunately, our society's lack of interest in culture seems to have infiltrated the church, and if Gioia's perceptions about the consequences of this problem are at all accurate, there will be serious implications for future generations of Christians as well.
He argues that fifty years ago, Americans weren't necessarily smarter, but culture was. TV variety shows were as apt to feature opera singers and classical musicians as they were a sports hero like Mickey Mantle. General interest TV talk shows would interview authors like John Steinbeck and James Baldwin.
Gioia sees one of the consequences of this loss of recognition of artists, thinkers, and scientists impoverishing our culture by reducing the playing field for role models. Today's role models for young people tend to come from sports or entertainment, sending the message that success and meaning come from money and fame. The marketplace puts a price on everything, but culture's focus goes beyond price to value. He argues that it is an understanding of art that will keep our nation competitive in the global marketplace--because it is in learning about art that we develop an ability to be thoughtful, creative, and innovative.
He points to a study that shows two behavioral groups of Americans developing: one group that sits in front of an electronic device, passively consuming entertainment. The other group takes advantage of new technologies, but they balance their lives with other activities: exercise, volunteering to do charity work, playing sports. And what is the difference between the two groups? Whether they read for pleasure and participate in the arts or not. Gioia sees part of the solution to this problem in arts education in public schools.
How relevant Gioia's concerns are. And how much more should we who know the God of culture desire to engage in His gifts and want our children to enjoy them as well?
Scripture repeatedly instructs us to use music to God's glory. And Old Testament passages that talk about the construction of the tabernacle and temple imply an interest in and understanding of the visual arts. Scripture itself demonstrates the importance of the art of written language. Sports and athletic competition dominate our schools, and there doesn't seem to be any more interest in culture in the Christian schools (and sometimes less interest)than in the public ones.
Sports programs aren't bad or wrong. But we need to care about developing good thinking skills through learning about art and beauty. Unfortunately, our society's lack of interest in culture seems to have infiltrated the church, and if Gioia's perceptions about the consequences of this problem are at all accurate, there will be serious implications for future generations of Christians as well.
8/1/07
Sixteen Candles
So many major life events, so little time to blog. But last Thursday, July 26, Katie turned sixteen. Yes, the Disney princess cake pictured here was her choice, and upon arrival, each of her friends was presented with a crown to wear for the evening. And the presents included things like a magic wand/light-up crown set and Disney princess balloons. So in tribute to my sixteen-year-old, here are ten things I love about Katie.
1. Her red hair: Wherever I would take Katie when she was little, inevitably someone would ask, "Where did you get your red hair?" And then there would be the silly jokes about the mailman. So when the checkout lady at Meijer asked the two-year-old Katie where she got her red hair, she was pretty surprised by the toddler's quick answer: "from God." Of course--why didn't I think of that sooner? Accurate and to the point.
2. Her freckles
3. Her willingness to accompany me to various movies, concerts, and events through the years since I didn't have a grown-up to go with. I don't think she minded most of the time.
4. Her quirky, but often hilarious, sense of humor
5. This one should be up higher, probably, but her genuine faith in God and her desire to live a life of obedience to Him
6. Her awesome French accent: She has taken French at school for the last two years, and while the written aspect of the language has been a challenge for her, she does have a killer accent
7. Her writing ability
8. Her giggle
9. Her strange, but interesting, sense of style
10. Her love for drama, music, and the arts: Where did that come from?
Happy Birthday, Katie! I can see the fingerprints of God when I look at you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)