Tag: revelation

Revelation 3:7-13

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            Over thirty years ago, Chuck Colson wrote a timely and influential book entitled Loving God.  In it, he presented a simple yet biblical premise concerning the life of every believer in Jesus:  The way to love God is to obey God, period.  Everything turns on our listening to God and doing what he says to do.  Jesus himself communicated to the church at Philadelphia (not Pennsylvania, but Asia Minor) and affirmed how they obeyed the message.  Because of their faithful and steadfast obedience, the Philadelphian believers would be protected and loved by Jesus. 
 
            The church at Philadelphia did much more than offer a confession of loving God – they affirmed that confession by obeying Jesus.  In my Christian circles, we call this “living into our baptisms.”  That is, it is one thing to experience the sign of baptism as being set apart by the Holy Spirit for a relationship with God through the person and finished work of Jesus.  It is quite another thing to “live into” this reality by knowing God’s Word and obeying it.
 
            There is much complexity to humanity and its psychology, sociology, and history.  But there is at least one simple straightforward Scriptural truth that we all can live into:  To love God is to obey God.  Therefore, it is quite necessary for us to spend extended times reading our Bibles in order to know them well so that we can obey what it says. 
 

 

            Gracious God, thank you for the message of good news that in Jesus Christ I have forgiveness of sins.  Help me to hold onto this gospel through all of the vicissitudes of life so that obedience springs from my heart in all things by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Revelation 21:5-14

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            “I am making everything new.”  This is the voice of the One seated on the throne.  In other words, this is God speaking.  This is only one of two places in the entire book of Revelation where God himself speaks directly and personally.  We are meant to take notice of the change in speaker so that we will pay special attention.
 
            The good news which is the marrow of Revelation’s message is that God’s business is making everything new.  It isn’t just something God does only at the end of time, but something that is already going on in this present age.  We are meant to understand that our contemporary experience is not merely a holding pattern until we reach heaven someday; rather, God is at work transforming lives, rooting-out systemic evil, establishing his will, and, well, making literally everything in his big world new.
 
            It is only human, at times, to lose hope and to wonder if things will ever be different.  But there is hope because God is patiently, mercifully, and lovingly restoring all things to their original Garden of Eden luster.  His words are true and can be trusted.  So, write it down and don’t forget it.  Put it in your journal and come back to it again and again.  “I am making everything new” is the Christian’s mantra in a time of uncertainty and of trial.
 

 

            Renewing God, your home is with your people.  Make your home with me and renovate my life in an extreme makeover so that I can dwell with you forever; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.  Amen.

Revelation 11:15

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment


             I have done my share of weddings over the years.  Working with engaged couples anticipating marriage is both exciting and awkward.  It is in some ways a difficult time for the betrothed because they are committed to one another in a manner different from just dating, but are not yet in a marriage relationship.  The same is true for the church.  She is betrothed to the Lord Jesus.  They are both quite committed to each other.  But the marriage hasn’t yet happened.  
             The kingdom of God has been inaugurated, but not yet consummated.  That is a fancy way of saying that God’s rule and reign has come to this earth, but its fulfillment has not yet occurred.  This time between the two advents of Christ, his incarnation and his coming again, is a weird and awkward time of engagement where we are trying to figure out how to live in the world but not of it.  But there is a time coming, at the consummation of the ages, when Christ will return to take his bride.  It is then the church will celebrate in a great wedding feast.  “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”
             Just as marriage is designed for permanence, so our union with Jesus shall last forever.  His reign will never end.  Christ’s rule will be complete and extend over all the earth.  But until then we are to persevere with patience and fidelity to our Lord Jesus, who loved us and gave himself up for us.  Let this truth shape your life today and always.
             Loving Lord Jesus, I praise you for your initiating a beachhead of grace on this earth through your coming to us.  I look expectantly for your return.  May I found faithful when you come again.  Amen.

Revelation 3:14-22

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year CLeave a comment
            I am a pastor in the Reformed tradition.  That means I have a high view of God’s rule and reign over the world, his ability to deliver people from disobedience and hell, and his divine prerogative in judging the living and the dead.  In short, it’s all about God’s ability because apart from him I can do nothing.  Yet, having said that, this does not mean we lack responsibility before God, as if whatever is going to happen is going to happen and I’m just a passive player.
 
            Today’s New Testament lesson is Christ’s words to the ancient church in the city of Laodicea.  It seems the church folks in that city were less than zealous about their faith.  Maybe they thought God was going to do whatever God was going to do and felt no compunction to act.  Their attitude seemed like a “Meh, whatever” kind of response to the Christian life.  It was as though they wondered if what they did or didn’t do was really noticed, or really accomplished anything substantial.
 
            The Laodicean believers got noticed enough to warrant a letter to them from Jesus; I’d say someone was watching!  Please notice this interesting response of Jesus to them:  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”  Jesus does not break down any doors to accomplish his will; Christ does not impose himself.  Instead, our Lord is persistently knocking, waiting for us to respond and answer.  If there is anyone not noticing, it would be us, not Jesus.  He desires fellowship and interaction with us.  Jesus longs for us to respond to his overtures to meet with us.  Will you let him in today?
 

 

            Lord Jesus, forgive me for those times in which I thought you weren’t paying attention.  I hear you knocking, and I am answering the door.  Let us meet together and enjoy one another’s company.  Amen.