Time Out!

Revelation 7: 1-3 “¹After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or sea or against any tree. ²I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to damage earth and sea, ³saying, “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads” (NRSV)

It’s World Series time, how can I not have a baseball analogy?: Vin Scully is calling the action (who else is worthy to call a game like this?), “The stage is set, six of the seven seals are opened, four angels (umpires) are holding back the four winds of the earth and with the power to damage the earth, sea and trees, and they are poised and ready to proceed. The pitching coach exits the dugout and calls time out to approach the mound while the catcher jogs out to listen in. The home-plate umpire follows out and has the other three meet at the mound.” The pitching coach speaks “The bases are loaded and ready to cause havoc, the enemy has sent their steroidal power-hitter to the plate. Things are ready to break loose. The Manager has sent me out. Things are going to get hairy and you umpires need to keep things cool for a bit. We are going to make sure all the players are identified so that none are lost in the scuffle. Wait until the uniforms for each and every player is in place.”  (Rev 7: 1-8)

Vinnie sits back and scans the crowd, “This is surely the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen. People have packed the house from all around; the rich, the poor, every color, shape, and size of person is here. Not one socio-economic, ethnic, or fraternity/sorority was missing. They are standing and cheering every move and it must be wear-white day, I have to squint with the reflection of the Son off of the crowd. As the Manager comes up the dugout steps they cheer even louder and all the concessionaires joined in, just listen to them.” And Vinnie lets the microphone pick up the noise for a bit, then he continues, “The Manager looks over to the Owner’s box and takes a cue. This is no regular owner, this is the biggest peoples-Owner around and the crowd is going crazy with love for the owner as He acknowledged the Manager.” (Rev 7: 9-12)

Then the team marketing director, in the booth with Vin Scully, comments to him, “What a crowd! They came from the mean-streets, fought their way to the gates, and endured the heckling from all of the other teams to get into the park. The Owner has made some big promises to the people and all of the players; He will be in the crowd every day, the food concessions will never be closed, all manner of drink will be available, the sunshade will be in place and they will not be sunburnt, and the Manager will lead them all; fans, players, umpires, and all the helpers in the stadium.” (Rev 7: 13-17)

My take on this; what does it all mean? In a general sense Revelation Seven tells us that there is trouble in all the earth and it could, and will, get much worse. This is no surprise to anyone who sees or hears any news report. The chapter tells us that God knows His own and will put his mark on each one. Some will suffer much but all will be ushered into the throne room and be in his presence and will want for nothing any more.

Now that you’ve read this I suggest that you read the actual chapter in your Bible and make sure that you are part of the great multitude if not an actual player on the field.

In His grip, jerry

The Seals Are Open - Revelation 6

Matthew 24: 36 “³⁶But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, buy only the Father.”

This Sunday past, following communion, we sang the praise song “Bones” and after the words were done the band played on. The Lamb as if it had been slaughtered came to my mind so I closed my eyes and let my thoughts kneel. I could picture the four living creatures and the 24 elders having tossed their crowns at the feet of the Lamb and we all worshipped – an unexpected benefit from study.

Up on the stage there were more pros than ams and it did my heart good to see Y on the bass guitar.

Where do I go from the first five chapters of Revelation that gave me such a wonderful view of worship and adoration that inspired such a pleasant worship time? And, why would I predicate my thoughts on a chapter of Revelation with a quote of Jesus from the book of Matthew?

First, the second question; it seems to me that there a lot of people who scour the bible to predict the Christ’s coming in judgment (so they can stop sinning at just the right moment and go to heaven?), particularly the book of Revelation. Jesus himself tells us that even he doesn’t know, only the Father knows and the timing will be to suit his purpose and timing. The opening of the fifth seal (Rev 6: 9-11) reiterates this when the martyrs cry out for justice and are “^11btold to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.” Eerie in the face of what’s going on at the hands of ISIS, in Africa, and other hotspots around the globe. They are given white robes and protected in the throne room and under the altar where their faithfulness is as worship to God. Even with the graphic evidence of continued martyrdom it is folly to read into this a day and time for Christ’s triumphant return. We are each to be prepared and to remain faithful.

The first question? Well, I guess I’ve already started down the path with my answer to the second question. Chapter Six has John witnessing the opening of the first six seals. The opening of one through four unleashing four horsemen bringing about earthly events; conquering wars, civil war, famine, and death. These are nothing new to world history; on our globe, they have been going on since the writing of the Book of Revelation through now and the foreseeable future. The fifth and sixth seals speak of cosmic events on a scale that drive us to suicidal thoughts, for the rich and powerful and the lowly and meek alike. I don’t see anywhere here where Christians are to be lifted out of harm’s way and into the clouds. We must be prepared and remain faithful.

Does it feel like these events, the conflicts of man in particular, are accelerating? Could it be that the news of these conflicts is reaching us faster than ever before and more graphically, less filtered? Each generation from John’s published revelation to now have felt that surely this is the time and that events can’t get any worse and that Jesus will be in the next cloud. Even in our insulated America there is a sense of dread underlying our prosperity as we seek to keep the terror at bay while internally we are fragmented by fervency dividing our purpose and people on both sides of every issue cry out for justice and stand firm in their intolerance.

What else is there but for us to prepare ourselves, rest a little longer, and be faithful servants? Rev 6 11a: “They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer,” Enjoy a Sabbath rest in the Lord.

In His grip, jerry