Psalm 6: Lynne McCarthy 1/14/22
Observe: David pours out his heart before the Lord in repentance, aware of God’s rebuke for an unnamed sin. He pleads with God to lighten the chastising and rebuke he possibly needs, yet also knows God is merciful (1-2).In anguish of soul he asks, How long, O Lord, how long? (3), while he acknowledges hesed, God’s unfailing love. Verses 4-7 continue his weeping and crying out. Though David can scarcely pray, he finds that God is indeed near, and …the Lord accepts my prayer. (9b) so his tears are not in vain. At the end, he knows his enemies will not prevail against him – or against God. (10) There’s some vindication; there is definite assurance. Interpret: This is both a lament and the first of the Psalter’s six “Penitential Psalms” of repentance. Lament is defined as “to feel loss, sorrow or regret, often expressed in a physical way”, here, through loud weeping. As we learn the Psalms this year, we will read many of his laments, groanings in utter honesty before God. Heb 12:7 tells us that God chastens out of His love, to show us we are His adopted children. He cares, not because we are perfect, but because He is. David doesn’t know this; the cross is a long way off, so he is not sure of his standing with God. But he does know God is rich in mercy, so he clings to this fact. The strange verse 5, the dead cannot praise God arises from the ancient name for the grave, Sheol. It’s the end (resurrection was not a tenet of the Hebrews’ faith); no praising God from there. And how do laments end? Except for Psalm 88, with trust, hope and praise for the Lord of all comfort. David’s trust despite his bleak circumstances is the basis not only for his laments, but for all his prayer-poems. Apply: In our culture, if we have deep sorrow, where do we go? For problems with mental health, perhaps a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counselor of some sort. If we need to resolve a dilemma, professional counselors might have the wisdom to pierce through the murk. Perhaps we have a wise, insightful friend gifted with the Holy Spirit’s knowledge and wisdom, whom we can trust to keep confidences. But human treatment or help has its limits. By now, we should know prayer is our first recourse, though the other means do help. Prayer teams at the 10:30 service pray with us in our struggles (though we can’t do this now). We can request prayer via the church website or the office. The prayer chain is a wonderful means, brothers and sisters committed to praying for these requests. Make good use of them! Small groups or a prayer partner offer other outlets to pray. Every request is confidential, so be encouraged. Prayer of lament, in whatever circumstance, centres us in God’s merciful love; prayer with others is always a joy to the Lord to receive and answer. The late Bible teacher, David Pawson, talks about ‘interrogatory prayer’: we ask God questions and know He will answer, not with thunderbolts of revelation but in the way we need. If the psalmist can moan, How long, O Lord? then why can’t we? We could try memorizing verses (or entire Psalms – starting with a short one!) that have blessed, encouraged or given us a new sense of God’s mercy and love -- no small feat, but we can do it! It would be a good exercise for small groups to make[LM1] the Psalms ours. Ask: Have I ever let God know how I really feel when I pray? Do I trust Him enough to be honest in my pleadings and yet have deep reverence for Him? Am I patient enough to wait for His answers? Pray: Lord who knew sorrow, send Your Spirit into my prayers so I can be completely honest and true as I come to you. Show me how to pray the Psalms this year! Sing: Psalm 6: Save Me, Lord - Jason Silver youtu.be/QxfRxB44upM Light of Life - Sons of Korah youtu.be/E1eCDR4rzpI [LM1] “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Psalm 5: 3 Psalm 5 Observe
This Psalm’s authorship is traditionally assigned to David. The ‘Director of Music,’ or ‘Great Musician,’ could refer to God Himself or to a leader of choirs at the time of writing; there is some uncertainty over these introductions. The Psalm can be divided into two parts. The first seven verses where the Psalmist, David, beseeches God to hear His prayer, and from verse eight to the end where he retraces his steps but in greater detail. It describes how the righteous can pray for deliverance, not only for freedom from suffering, but in order to be able to serve God without distraction. David begins his day with prayer, laying his requests before God. His confidence in God is based on God’s righteous character which he describes. He acknowledges that the only way that he can come into God’s presence is by God’s mercy. In the second half he describes the ‘wicked’ who self-identify by the words they use and actions they take. He prays that God deals with them accordingly; that they come to their deserved end. In contrast the righteous sing with joy and gladness. They are made righteous by their trust in and love for God. As a result of this close relationship God bestows His favour, protection and blessing upon them. Application Within this Psalm there is a wonderful description of personal prayer that places its trust in God and upon who He is. Joy, praise, answers and blessings follow. David describes a pattern that would truly bless us if we adopt it. The first step is that he begins the day with prayer. So often we let the day start, our mood be set, and the course of the day scheduled before we consider God. What a difference we would find if we each began the day with the Lord as our first priority. Secondly we see that prayer is more than just words. David asks God to hear his mediations, his cry and his words spoken in faith, asked in expectation. The heart and emotion as well as logical intelligence are all involved. In complete honesty we are to lay all before God, in faith. Thirdly he directs the prayer to God and focuses on the character of God. If we look up to God and focus on Him our faith is rewarded and encouraged as we see our Almighty God capable, willing and able to answer our prayers. This enables us to pray in line with His will. In the fourth step David acknowledges that it is only by God’s mercy that we can enter His presence, worship Him and seek answers to prayer. This is a prequel to that wonderful word of encouragement in Hebrews 4: 16 to boldly approach God’s throne for grace. In this approach we see that prayer is not just about seeking answers to petitions that benefit us but about enabling us to serve God. Finally we see that this prayer brings about blessing. As focus on God is secured, praise and joy follow as we see reality through His eyes. Protection and blessings also ensue. The Question of Application Why don’t you try making prayer in this form your first priority in the morning; see how God answers and blesses? If you do this let me know how it goes! Prayer Source of all justice and goodness, you hate deception and evil. Lead us in the paths of righteousness and keep us from falling into sin, that we may pray in faith and sing out our joy in Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen Praise Eternal Spirit of the Living God – David Hurd Our Prayer – Rend Collective Text: Psalm 4
OBSERVE: Psalm 4 commences with a prayer of David in which we witness David pleading for God’s grace. This is immediately followed by David addressing his enemies; pleading with them to resist lies and to halt their rebellion against God. David’s alternative suggestion is that they search their hearts and trust in the Lord. Even with all of the adversity against him; David’s heart remains full of joy. The Psalm ends with David testifying to the peace that he has by dwelling in the safety of the Lord. INTERPRET: This Psalm begins with an appeal from David to God. Following this appeal is another appeal to his enemies; to resist the emptiness of lies. David is appealing to them that they need to understand that the Lord has chosen him as king and therefore his prayers will be heard. Some believe that this Psalm rises from the occasion referred to in Psalm 3:1; where David was surrounded by his enemies who supported his rebellious son Absalom. In Psalm 4; we witness David giving wise spiritual counsel. He counselled Absalom’s followers to stop listening to Absalom’s lies and to know that the Lord has set David apart for the role of Israel’s king. In addition, David advises his own followers to avoid sinning, to offer sacrifices to the Lord, and to trust in the Lord. APPLICATION: David knew that his righteousness came from God and not from himself. This is why David is calling upon the God who makes him righteous. David also knew that he was set apart for the service of God; being chosen to be king of Israel. As believers in Christ; we too have been set apart as children of God. This means that we are set apart for special service to God; that we are set apart for greater purity and that we are set apart to enjoy a wonderful relationship with our Heavenly Father. As children of God; we are to serve in the role we are called to, we are to shine light into the darkness and we are to embrace the incredible gift of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we are set apart in these ways; we will have our hearts filled with joy and will find rest just like David did. REFLECTION: Are you glorifying God with how you serve and how you live? PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, You are my God. You are my Savior and my Lord. I desire to be set apart for your glory, a light in the darkness, the sweet aroma of Christ for all I encounter along the way. AMEN. SONG: Psalm 4 Psalm 3.
Happy New Year, everyone! This is my first blog of the year and I would just like to take a moment to acknowledge everyone who read our blogs through 2021. I was set to have the last blog of the year last year but ended up handing it off to my wonderful colleagues as I waded through pageant and covid madness. As a result, I didn’t get to say goodbye to all of you who stuck with the blogs through the year and gave their feedback and support. Now we are back, wonderfully going through the Psalms, and I want to say thank you for then and for now – it has been and will continue to be an epic journey through which we’ve been bound up in Christ tighter than ever, so let’s praise God for that! Observe: This Psalm of David was written as or after David was in flight from his son Absalom, titled Save Me, O My God. It is made up of three parts; a strophe, an antistrophe, and an epode, each of which are ended with the word Selah. The strophe lays out David’s cries of anguish and despair as he surveys the many thousands of his people who threaten and surround him, hurling insult and curse upon him as he runs. The antistrophe is a declaration of the security David has in the Lord who is his glory and the lifter of his head; “I cried aloud to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy hill.” David continues in the epode the assurance and trust he has in God, saying that he lay down and slept, waking again only because the Lord had sustained him and that he will not be afraid of the many thousands who have come against him. He continues his pleas for the Lord to save him, ever affirming and praising Him as the only one to whom salvation belongs. Interpret: I absolutely love the Psalms. I’m so excited to be spending a whole year really spending time on them, too. There’s something so potent and real about them, especially once you get used to the type of language that was used at the time! Something I particularly enjoy about Psalms as a whole is that, with the exception of just a couple, they all end affirming the goodness of God, His care for those who run to Him, and always find ways to praise Him no matter what. We see all of these elements on full display in only 8 verses. This Psalm, like all the rest, should serve as a pattern for our own prayers. In Psalm 3, the comfort and peace in the midst of turmoil are what stand out most of all; David fluctuates quickly between help me, God and God’s got me, I’m going to be OK. I can hardly imagine anything more human than that! David does not shy away from acknowledging his trouble before God, nor does he seek to refine his woes. He cries out in dismay, astonishment, and also tells what others are saying about him which no doubt has all sorts of layers of betrayal, for these venomous people are slandering his very soul; those who once loved him! They are planting seeds of doubt and try to chip away at his confidence in God as well which is salt in the proverbial wound. He turns around in this time of severe hardship and praises God for His steadfast care and promise. That description of God being the lifter of my head strikes me as deeply loving and intensely caring; like a father comforting his troubled child. The praise and worship David gives here is not only good and rightly placed, but also acts as a means by which he preaches to his own doubt and turns his eyes on God when he would likely have felt every right to sink inwards instead. David also grounds himself in his daily reality instead of succumbing to drifting along in existential dread and anxiety; he reminds himself of the utter sovereignty of God who gives each and every one of us our next breath and heartbeat from His own hand. Even something as routine as sleeping and waking in the morning serves in the moment as a reminder that David only woke because God has sustained him and purposed him for the day’s work ahead. He then extrapolates that simple truth to a larger foe, saying “God is faithful and sovereign to sustain me in every way; each breath of mine is precious to Him, therefore I will not be afraid of those countless thousands who seek to come against me!” He calls upon the name of the Lord to rebuke his enemies, praising Him as the only one from whom salvation and blessings flow. Apply: If you don’t know what’s wrong, what to pray, or even how to pray at any given time, read a Psalm. Read them with a pen and notebook in hand and be ready just to copy down any verse(s) that stir in your heart as a quiet act of prayer and worship, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you as you talk with God. Write out all of your feelings and fears, your hopes and petitions, and most of all your praise and thanksgiving. Take note of each little blessing throughout your day, each area of trouble in which God has sustained you, and you’ll never have enough pages on which to write your thanksgiving. David sought the Lord when faced with a vast host of hostile people, yet still found time to glory in the most essential, unnoticed acts of grace and mercy of God! Not only did he thank God for delivering him from thousands, but for waking him in the morning and sustaining him through the night. Not only should we praise God for this major event or that, but for the food, warmth, and shelter He has given in this day. I’m convinced that the Christian who takes much for granted has the least for which they are thankful, and that is a great shame. We praise God and give Him thanks not only because He is the only One worthy and deserving, not only because it is supposed to be our default way of life, but because in doing so we set our eyes outward instead of inward. Petty grievances and even larger wounds are swallowed up when we are face to face with Christ. The edges of hardship and bitterness are softened; depression and anxiety lose their strength; peace and comfort bloom in the most harsh environments; deserts give forth springs of refreshing water; most of all, we become more and more in love with Him! Our priorities are set straight and we can fall into joyful rest no matter our situations or enemies, moving from strength to strength and glory to glory because we live on every word that comes out of the mouth of God. We give ourselves up only to find ourselves secured and restored because of Jesus. That is the power of praise and thanksgiving, and my greatest encouragement to you (and myself!) as we look ahead at this New Year. Prayer: Father God, thank you so much for sustaining us over the past year and seeing us through such turbulent times as these. Thank you for caring not only about our bigger issues but being at our side, lifting our heads when we are downcast; for the Holy Spirit and the Prince of Peace. We are sorry for our many sins, errors, omissions, and guilt, and for exalting our self above you. Please forgive us our many trespasses. Help us to forgive others and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, that we may decrease and see you increase. Teach us to love you more than anything else. We pray all these things in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. Song: The Lord Is My Salvation (Shane & Shane) January 5th – Les Kovacs Psalm 2
Observe: The psalmist gives us a unique perspective of looking at God seated upon His throne, looking down at the kingdoms of this earth. And what does God see? He sees the kings of the earth setting themselves against Him and His Anointed One, the Lord Jesus Christ. He sees their vain plotting, shaping this world according to their will and desires. They want to break away from the Lord’s control upon them, and live according to their own ways. But, God on His heavenly throne, laughs at their pitiful efforts to make their own power seem to prevail over God’s. He rebukes them and tells them that He has installed His own King on His high mountain. To this King, God will give the nations as His inheritance. This King, whom God calls His Son, will rule over all the ends of the earth He will break the reign of the earthly kings and rulers shatter them like pottery. The psalmist warns the earthly kings to beware. They should turn from their ways and serve the Lord with fear and trembling. He warns them to “Kiss His Son”, or their ways will lead to destruction when His wraths flares upon them. But He blesses those who take refuge in Him. Interpret: Psalm 2 is one of those psalms where you don’t have to dig too deep to find the gold. It’s the only place in Scripture that I have found where we’re told that God laughed, but it’s not the fun-loving kind of laugh that makes you feel good. No, this is a scoffing kind of laughter as He watches prideful earthly rulers follow their own wicked will, thinking that God won’t see what they’re doing, or that God doesn’t really care what they do, or that He just isn’t more powerful than they are in this world. Or worse, that He doesn’t actually exist. That’s what the scoffers say, anyway. That’s what the mockers think. However, God in His great patience and lovingkindness continues to warn them to turn from their evil ways because His Son, the Anointed One, will bring destruction and punish all who refuse to acknowledge His authority over all the earth. God’s willing ness to wait until the appointed time to act shows great restraint, power, and mercy on His part. The psalmist closes by promising a blessing to those who trust in the Lord and take refuge from the ways of the world in Him. Application: This psalm was written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. According Acts 4:24-25, King David wrote Psalm 2, possibly as a continuation of Psalm 1. So, there were 28 generations between the time this Psalm was written and God's Anointed One set foot upon this earth as Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man. Yet the Holy Spirit declared through David that Jesus would defeat the rulers of this world, and bless those who turned to Him. King David saw the rebellion of the nations against God. He looked at the chaos of the world in his day and said that even though the nations have rebelled against God, He is sovereign, and that we must submit to Him while there is still time. Yet, even in his day, the kings of the earth rushed madly about to serve any god except the one true God. Are our governments today any different? How many modern nations even proclaim the existence of God? Countries that may have honored God in the past do nothing more than give lip service to Him today. Countries whose laws were founded upon Biblical principles, seem to be rushing away from His Holy Word and Laws of God under the guise of separation of church and state. Governments are slowing eroding away the Biblical foundations of our nations. Although Jesus was, and still is, mocked, ridiculed, and blasphemed by people, God will not allow His Son to be stripped of His crown. Though our nations rebel and our earthly governments rage against Him, God has still raised Him up, exalted Him, glorified Him, and set Him upon The Holy Mountain (v 6). In spite of anything that mere mortals may do, there will come a day when those rulers will be forever sorry (v 12). So, is there any hope for the kingdoms, the nations, of this world? Yes, there is. It is in order to give us hope that God has inspired such psalms as this to be included in His Holy Scriptures. In verses 10 through 12, the psalmist urges the rulers of this world to serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling, that He might bless those who find refuge in Him. God sees all of creation from its beginning to its end, not from some minute vantage point somewhere in middle like we do. All the plotting, planning and accumulation of power by the rulers of the earth really is plotting in vain, because in the end, Christ will rule, and every nation will bow down before Him. As individuals, we too are called to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Left to our own devices and hopelessly condemned before God because of our sins, we look to Christ as the only One who can restore us to a right relationship with God the Father. Questions: Do you still make plans without asking the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Do you rely on your own wisdom and strength to carry out those plans? Or do you bend your will to the Lord's? Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your mercy when we forget our place as Your adopted children. Forgive us and guide to us to seek Your will in every interaction we have with the people we meet, and in every circumstance we encounter, so that we may reflect Your glory, and Your love for all of creation. In the mighty and merciful name of Jesus, Amen. Song: King Jesus – Matt Redman https://youtu.be/cKYzdRGQ-L8 Psalm 1 Lynne McCarthy 1/3/22
Observe : This psalm (and the entire book) begins with a beatitude, ‘blessed’ (= ‘happy’) to describe the life of one whose decisions and actions result in blessing. This person chooses (in heart and mind) not to walk in the ways of sinners, stand in the company of the wicked, or sit scoffing at those for whom faith in God is foundational. This person finds true joy and life in absorbing the word of God. The image of a tree (the Tree of Life; the tree whose leaves heal the nations in the new Eden (Rev. 22)) planted by clear, flowing water, ideal conditions to grow and flourish, portrays this person. In contrast, those who reject God’s word cannot expect to be grounded and strong but are lightweights, blown around by every wind of change and trend, finally simply disappearing, while the person tree-grounded in the Lord and His word will flourish for a long, long time. Interpret: Derek Kidner writes that Psalm 1 was perhaps especially composed to be an introduction to the book, aspects of Wisdom literature in making right choices and the company one keeps. The bad advice one accepts, the wrong ways one chooses, and mocking that hardens against repentance show three ways to abandon the Lord’s company. The entrance to the law of the Lord is concisely presented, with good results for those who choose to walk in it. The first stanza of this poem reminds us of the “sit, walk, stand” of Ephesians (2:6; 4:1; 6:11); in Watchman Nee’s book of this title he illustrates the position of the believer towards God. In the Psalm, the believer runs from these positions held by those who defy Him. The contrasts are simply presented but striking: law of the Lord vs wicked counsel; growth vs. dryness; grounded vs. windswept. The images are glorious: a deep-rooted, fruitful tree, living organism, flowing water, seasonal fruit, long-lasting leaves (for healing the nations in Revelation 22); we see Isaiah’s delightful vision where “the trees of the fields will clap their hands” at the Lord’s presence; and in Jesus, bearing eternal-life fruit on that terrible tree, for our salvation. Studying and applying what is learned from Scripture produces fruit that nourishes and blesses. Apply: This short, powerful Psalm introduces us to the practices of the Christ-way of life: what to avoid, what to embrace. The basis is in knowing Scripture (the Law of the Lord), reading it often. Maybe we can’t ponder “day and night” as the exemplary person of the Psalm, but we can turn to it, often. In it we find wisdom, direction, solace, joy, the Way, the Truth, the Life. Sharing with others what the Spirit reveals expands the wonder of God’s Word and work within and among us. Avoiding “occasions of sin” via others, what we read and hear, where we go, and what we speak, will keep us growing and bearing fruit in season. This is where corporate prayer comes in; heartfelt confession in worship services or directly to others; accepting with gratitude the forgiveness of God and others, or where we are enabled to forgive. As we absorb the Word, these practices become part of us. Ask: If I think carefully, how and where do I sit, walk, stand? Am I firmly planted in the Word so I can offer good fruit to those starving for real food? This new year, with the hope of real transformation, how will I bear fruit? Pray: Lord, I love this tree! And, I want to love Your Word. Let me determine, day by day, to put aside my doings and turn to Your Word’s nourishment and life, to share with others who sit, walk or stand in other places than Yours. Draw them to Yourself, Lord Jesus, so they too may live. Songs: Everything He Does Shall Prosper - Psalms Project Psalm 1 - Poor Bishop Hooper Psalm 1 - Sons of Korah Revelation 21, 22 (Ps. 48) Lynne McCarthy 12/24/21
Observe: John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. (21:1) The terrors of the last judgment lead to new Eden, our perfect home. The new beautiful Jerusalem descends from the heavenlies, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (2). The big surprise: And I saw no temple [church, cathedral, chapel] in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. (22). We are the Lord’s bride-church. Light radiates from the Lamb, the glory of God, with no darkness, no locks on gates, nothing ugly or false. The city is perfect even in its structure; a cube, golden, jewelled as the ephod of the high priest, a reminder of the Holy of Holies in the Temple past. The Testaments merge as the names of the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles are written on its walls and foundation. The river of life has its source at the throne of the Father, the tree of life yielding twelve kinds of fruit, its leaves for the healing of the nations, recalls Psalm 1. Eden is restored, God’s gracious Presence ripples through its centre. Those called by the name of the Lamb will see God’s face, forever. John attests to the truth of his prophetic vision in the epilogue (22:6,8,16), warning those who add or subtract from this Word of consequences – plague or removal of their share in the life of the holy city. Daniel, told to seal up the words of prophecy (Dan 12:4,9) is the opposite for John. (10) Patterns of behaviour, either unbelief or faith, will become irreversible -- something to consider deeply. (11). And John ends with a blessing of grace. (21) Interpret: Beginning a new life is difficult when one has to leave everything behind. Think of refugees/survivors in those terrible camps or flimsy boats, of people who have lost everything in environmental catastrophes, of believers under threat of death meeting with others in secret. Scripture, according to a Bible Project blog, is “the epic story of God and his creation, of blessing, temptation, sin, exile, and salvation. … reading this today, we have the advantage of knowing the entire story was leading to Jesus.” We won’t complete this epic until Christ’s return -- a new epic. Creation for humans to cherish is marred by sin and the wrecking hasn’t stopped. God’s redemptive movement from Abraham to David to Christ, (second Adam/son of man/son of David/son of God), pushes evil away. The Church (Jew and Gentile in Christ – all of us!) is now a bride. What we have all been waiting for: the new heaven, the new earth, life eternal with Father, Jesus the Lamb and Holy Spirit, our fellow saints and the heavenly folk, is all so new we won’t want to remember what we were, where we came from. Death is gone and we are eternally alive with and to God. Already, but not yet. While in this body we long to be freed, and it will happen. John groans, Come, Lord Jesus. He responds, Behold, I am coming soon. And that is grace and hope. Apply: So -- “no small feat” (remember the posters? the videos to study the Word? Pastor Dave’s coffee? Feels like a long time ago.) We’re finished, but not. Now we go more deeply into the Word, new things to learn in renewed faith and love for God, always something we didn’t notice in our first, fourth, tenth readings. Our 2022 study and Psalms blogs bring a new focus: real transformation. We must remember He is coming sooner than we think. Ask: Has my faith deepened this past year? Do I know Jesus, His love, His desire to have His church as His bride? How do I prepare for citizenship in this new country? Am I willing to keep on with Him? Pray: King Jesus, until we are in Your kingdom, keep us praying, praising, loving, longing for You. Strengthen us when we meet adversity and adversaries because You are our strength. Make us one in You, that Your Kingdom of peace may come, Your will be done among us and beyond. Sing: City of the Great King - Jason Silver New Jerusalem - Jason Vermeulen Revelation 22:20,21 - The Corner Room [LM1] Revelation 19-20 (Ps 47) Lynne McCarthy 12/23/21 Observe: Babylon the Great has fallen!(18:21) The ‘great multitude’ and the heavenly council shout Hallelujahs to exalt God and His true judgments! Celebration now -- the Lamb’s marriage feast to His bride, His Church! Clothed in beautiful white linen, the righteous deeds of the saints (19:8b), His invited guests assemble, a beatitude is given for these holy ones (9). Heaven splits open, and a crowned rider on a white horse emerges, the righteous[LM1] Judge, clothed in a blood-reddened robe (His shed blood!), a two-edged sword (remember Pergamum (2:12)?) issuing from His mouth with which to strike down the nations (15). His names: Faithful and True, the Word of God, Lord of Lords and King of Kings – and one He alone knows. He rides out in God’s wrath with His heavenly army, victorious. Invitees are not the only ones who will feast: at an angelic signal, carrion birds gorge on all those who reject the great King. Beast and false prophet and their numbers defy His army, their lies fodder for the King’s sword. Heavenly battles are drawing to an end, though not yet done. An angel with a key to the Abyss (= hell) chains the Dragon (that ancient serpent who is the devil or Satan (20:2; Gen 3)), locking him into the depths for 1000 years. Martyrs and the faithful now reign with Christ. The evil one, freed for a little while (3) deceives yet again and rebels still sin. Battles for God’s people continue, but God protects them (9). Finally, Satan is thrown into the lake of burning sulphur – the ‘second death’ (from which the church in Smyrna is delivered (2:11b)). John sees a great white throne – stark, austere, no splendid rainbow or jewels, Jesus seated as judge. The dead and those released from the sea, Death and Hades stand before the throne. Jesus opens the Book of Life to judge their deeds. Death and Hades, with those whose names are not in His Book, end in the lake of fire. At last, The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17). Interpret: This end begins Jesus' reign on earth, rebellious unbelievers eternally suffer. Uneasy reading, yes, but hopeful! Names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life because of what Jesus did, not by their good deeds. The Book records their [our!] faith in Jesus and their good works, prepared for us by God from before time (Eph. 2:10). Jesus’ first coming to earth was humble, but what a return! A King crowned with victory over death and sin, a splendid white horse (no donkey now!), His mighty Word-sword destroying evil, His testimony the spirit of prophecy (19:10). What does this cryptic phrase mean? IV Press, in an article on prophecy, comments: “A true testimony to Jesus means obedience to his commands and faithfulness to his teaching. And, as Jesus openly confessed his allegiance to his Father, so the true Christian openly acknowledges faithfulness to Jesus.” * Apply: Judgment is an unknown-future reality. We will be judged; let’s not be found wanting (an incentive to self-examination. The Spirit will help if we ask.) Applying the Word to our daily lives in faith and love sparks hope. John wrote Revelation to encourage and bring hope to the suffering church. As we wait for Jesus’ return, we read Revelation with the same hope, knowing that all, at the end, will be well. We’ve almost finished our Bible in a Year, but this isn’t a ‘project done’ to cross off our To Do list. By His grace the Holy Spirit has kept us, daily reading and changing. We fix our eyes on our Faithful and True Jesus that He keep us in His Word, day after day, year after year, until we faithfully and truly love Him, His Word, and one another, until He comes again. Those glorious names, Faithful and True, can be ours, too. Ask: Lord Jesus, will you help me, by Your Spirit, to read Your Word again and again, to love it, and to love You first and always? Pray: Jesus, You are our strength and our song, our salvation (Isa. 12:2)! Jesus, Faithful and True, grace us to stay faithful and true to You, always. Sing: Salvation Belongs to our God - Jeremy Fisher Worthy is the Lamb - Handel's Messiah Psalm 47 - God Mounts His Throne - Paul Inwood [LM1] A Tale of Two Cities by Pastor Dave
“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17: 4 Revelation 17-18 (Psalm 46) Observe
Interpret I encourage you to watch the Bible Project Video (click here) and listen to Lynne’s sermon (click here). Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Tale of Two Cities, deals (unsurprisingly), with two cities and key themes such as revolution and resurrection. If we look at today’s chapters, and take a sneaky peek at chapter 21, we see two cities: Babylon; the New Jerusalem (21: 2, 9); and similar themes. By the time John writes this book, Babylon has gone, he is speaking figuratively. Babylon represents all that is worldly, all that is idolatrous, all that is in revolt and opposition to God. It may well be that he has Rome in mind but when we read 17: 8-9 we realise that revolt and opposition against God, comes in each age, and in different guises. Humanity is seduced by sexual immorality, luxuries and consumerism; the latter linking to profit in trade and exploitation in slavery (17: 2, 4; 18: 3, 9, 13). Eventually these foundations of revolt against God will fall (18: 2, 17, 21); along with these collapses are consequences. Practically there is impact on people’s lives (18:22-24), and in these circumstances it is nearly always the poor and marginalized that suffer most. Spiritually there is an accounting and judgement. Those that stay true to God and are not seduced (18: 4) and will be victorious (17: 14). Judgement will come (18: 20), which will bring joy for the Lamb’s faithful followers. Resurrection will take place and a New Jerusalem will be born, a place of perfection for the bride of the Lamb (21: 2, 9). Application Our age offers many seductions that can lure us away from the truth of God: satisfaction in material wealth through consumerism; liberalism in sexuality; freedom to define our own truth; and an inexhaustible supply of information that supposedly promotes knowledge. As with most matters, truth and blessing can be found to some degree in these areas, (in others words it is not all bad). Where they are not founded on Christ (God’s truth) however, they lead us away from God and will harm us. The pandemic is showing the fragility of such foundations. Looking at the examples I have given we have to agree that: wealth cannot save us and consumerism can harm others; our true identity is found in who we are in Jesus; not ALL 'truths' can be true, only Christ as truth; and so much knowledge requires wisdom to discern truth. God’s call upon our lives is to remain true to Him, to hold fast and to keep an eternal perspective. Our age too will come to an end, as will our lives; how will we fair when we finally stand before our Almighty God? As faithful followers of Christ we will be able to rejoice in the Lord and look forward to an eternity of joy, fulfilment, worship and purpose. The Question of Application In which city do we find our hearts most at home: Babylon or the New Jerusalem? Are we living in revolution against God, or resurrection in a new life? Prayer God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bring us to the dwelling which your Son is preparing for all who love you; give us the will each day to live life eternal; let our citizenship be in heaven with the blessed, with the whole company of the redeemed and with countless angels, praising, worshiping and adoring your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who sits on the throne for ever and ever. Amen Praise Holy – The City Harmonic December 21st – Les Kovacs Revelation 14-16
Observe: In Chapters 14 through 16, we see the continuing contrasts between the judgements upon the followers of Christ versus the followers of the Satan. They do not necessarily unfold in chronological order. As Chapter 14 opens, we see a vision of the sealed believers of Christ. These stalwarts are seen singing praises to God while standing on Mount Zion. They are described as spiritually pure, in stark contrast to the wicked people marked as worshippers of the Antichrist. John next describes seeing three angels delivering messages of warning and prophecy. They include messages of God's impending judgment on sin and evil which will befall the people who have who accepted the mark of the beast, described in in the previous chapter. Those who take that mark are bound for eternal punishment. This passage ends with a word of encouragement for Christians who suffer persecution for their faith. The last section of this chapter describes Jesus holding a sickle to be used during the harvest separating the believers form the wicked. In Chapter 15, the first vision John sees are seven angels. They carry the last seven judgments, represented by bowls that will complete God’s wrath against the wicked. The scene is one of celebration, as the redeemed believers sing a song of worship to God. These seven angels proceed out of the tabernacle in heaven, which was filled with smoke to hide God’s glory until the judgments were competed. Chapter 16 describes the seven bowl judgments on the non-believers, those who had the mark of the beast. They include: painful sores; turning the sea to blood, and killing all sea life; turning the rivers to blood so the people had no water to drink; causing the sun to blaze hotter so they were seared by the intense heat; the world was plunged into darkness; and the great Euphrates River was dried up to allow the armies of the east to invade. During this time, three demons appeared that performed signs, and prepared these armies for the final to battle at Armageddon. The seventh plague or judgment, was a devastating, worldwide earthquake and 100 pound hailstones. Through all of these judgments/plagues, the non-believers continue to curse God. Interpret: We see these righteous judgments being poured out on the non-believers, the people who would rather follow the ways of the world, which is the way of sin, instead of repenting and following the ways God. Chapter 16:2 says that these only affect those who had the “mark of the beast and worshiped its image”. At this point in time, the wickedness of unbelievers on earth will have reached a peak, and because of their refusal to bow before the Lord, the earth will have been devastated and no longer be able to sustain life. The wrath of God will tear apart those who fight against Christ. But just as the Israelites were protected by the blood of a lamb on their doorframes during the last plague in Egypt, so too, will Christians be protected from these final judgments by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. . Application: These chapters of Revelation hold both a dire warning and a blessing. The warning is for those who defy God, and the blessing is for those who follow Him. During the last days, however long that might be because no one knows, the temptations of this world will continue to increase over time. The influence of the kingdom of the evil one will continue to spread until it pervades every aspect of our lives, including the church. Eventually the activities of the world will become so vile and repugnant to God that He will bring about His judgment of wrath on the people of the world. To non-believers this will be a truly terrifying time. But for Christians, there is the sure hope of deliverance from our sins by and through the blood shed by Jesus, the Lamb of God, for all who believe in Him. At the beginning of Revelation 1:3, God told John to write down what he saw, and pronounced a blessing on those who would study what John wrote: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near”. God promises that He will bless you, if you follow His command to read and hear the words, if you take to heart what He reveals through it. Although difficult times lie ahead, as Christians, we have the entire, and infallible, Holy Bible, and especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to instruct us in the ways in which we are to take it to heart. In John 13:14 Jesus says to His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” As people who walk in the light of God’s truth, we must be people who have a genuine and deep love of others and of God. Our lives must reflect our obedience to Him, regardless of the challenges and persecutions we may face, because of the hope we have in Jesus. Questions: Despite the terrifying visions of the end times, do you believe that following Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation? Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask you to guide us to walk in your truth by obedience to your will for us. We pray for your Holy Spirit to open the Scriptures to us more and more as we strive to walk in your will. Help us to never be deceived or led astray by the subtle temptations of the world, and strengthen us to meet the challenges of life in ways that honour and glorify only you. And may we always be known as followers of Christ by the testimony of our lives. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Song: The Name of Jesus – Chris Tomlin youtu.be/KZii7zjj3m4 |
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