Big

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Pete

It’s one of those mornings . . . the words just don’t flow . . . a topic doesn’t jump out at me. Instead it’s more about just sitting quietly thinking over what I’ve read this morning . . . a little bit of awe-induced silence, I think.

Four readings this morning, as usual, from my reading plan. Three are “big” readings . . . “big” as in God is big. First, I’m reading in Job 38 where God has “stepped up to the podium” interrupting the debate between Job and his buddies. And God says, “Listen up . . . and stand up . . . and ‘fess up . . . ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding'” (Job 38:4). And the LORD drills Job . . . and you imagine Job’s jaw dropping . . . you imagine his knees buckling . . . not a stretch to think of this one, who wanted an audience with the Almighty, facedown before the God who engineered, manufactured, and controls all of creation. God is so “big” in this passage!

Then I read the prophet Zephaniah and his declaration that “the great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there” (Zeph. 1:14). And the wrath of God is prophesied. “In the fire of His jealousy” (1:18, 3:8) the Lord GOD will reveal Himself in might and power, putting an end to any notion that there are other gods to be bowed to . . . “The LORD will be awesome against them; for He will famish all the gods of the earth, and to Him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations” (2:11). And following His big judgment will be great rejoicing as Zion is restored . . . and in her midst stands “the LORD your God” . . . “a mighty One who will save” . . . and “He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (3:17). Big wrath followed by great joy. Great love . . . accompanied by big singing. Oh, the wonder of God!

And then to Revelation 17 . . . carried by the Spirit (Rev. 17:3) . . . the nations gathering to make war on the Lamb . . . but “the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” . . . just as Zephaniah foretold . . . “and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful” (17:14). The Lamb, the victor in battle . . . how big is that?

But my fourth reading, at first, doesn’t come across as “big.” In fact, it’s kind of empty . . . eerily quiet . . . not much said. John 20 says it was on the first day of the week . . . three days after Jesus had died on a cross and had been buried . . . that Mary “came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb” (John 20:1). She runs to tell Peter and John, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb!” The two disciples immediately high-tail it to the place where Jesus was buried. John outruns Peter and gets there first and pokes his head in to have a look . . . but Peter, when he arrives, storms into the tomb and is the first to enter the place where Jesus had been laid . . . John following him in. And they see “the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus head, not lying with the line cloths but folded in a place by itself” (20:6-7).

Like I said . . . at first it doesn’t seem as “big” as God quizzing Job . . . or Zephaniah’s vision of God’s singing in the midst of the redeemed . . . or the Lamb conquering the armies of earth raised in opposition to Him. But then you hover over the quiet, empty tomb . . . and it gets big, too. The tomb could not hold the One conceived by a virgin and born in a manger . . . the grave could not contain the Man hung on a cross to redeem a lost world . . . death could not triumph over the Son of God, in Whom “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily . . . Who is the head of all rule and authority” (Col. 2:9-10)! It says that, as John went into to examine up close that quiet, empty tomb, that “he saw and believed” (20:8). You gotta’ know that for for John and Peter . . . this was big!

Oh, the victory that is ours through the empty tomb . . . the hope that is ours because of a silent grave . . . the power that is ours because of His risen life . . . how big is that? Pretty!

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Finished Not Done

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Pete

It occurs to me that, at the end of the day, every living being will be under one of two banners . . . that every man, woman, boy, and girl will be able to link their eternal future to one of two “bottom lines” . . . that each person will be wearing one of two t-shirts . . . either “It is finished!” or “It is done!”

My reading plan has been taking me through the last days of Jesus’ life in John’s gospel as well as the last days of earth in Revelation. On the one hand, I’m being reminded that the babe in the manger of our Christmas remembrance, was born to redeem men . . . and, in order to do so, He would be offered as a once forever sacrifice for sin. Jesus knew that’s why He came . . . He architected the plan of salvation . . . He ordained that without the shedding of blood . . . His blood . . . their could be no just basis for God to erase the debt of sin I owed. And so, as my Savior hung on the cross that day . . . giving His life in exchange for mine . . . knowing that all the Father had asked Him do, He had done . . . He declared, I imagine with a voice of victory, . . .

“It is finished!” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30 ESV)

My other reading is also focused on the Lamb of God. But here He is no longer the lamb led to slaughter, the sheep who before its shearers is silent (Isa. 53:7). No, the Lamb of Revelation is the risen Christ . . . Jesus, the mighty warrior . . . the One worthy to lead God’s final judgments on an earth that has determined to reject Him and to curse Him until the end . . . the King of kings who comes in might and power and opens the scrolls . . . and initiates the trumpets . . . and gives permission for the seven bowls of God’s wrath to poured out on world that has refused to “listen” at Christmas . . . which has refused His gift . . .which says, “No!” to His grace. And here too, I hear a cry of finality . . .

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” (Revelation 16:17 ESV)

And so it occurs to me that on that day when, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php. 2:10-11) it will be because they either heard Him say, “It is finished!” . . . or because they’ve heard Him declare, “It is done!”

We approach another season where the birth of the Savior is celebrated by many . . . and denied and ignored by many others. But through it all, there is a resounding whisper going forth for all who have ears to hear, “It is finished!” To look again to Bethlehem . . . to consider afresh the wonder of God manifest in flesh, Immanuel . . . to take in the angels’ proclamation, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” . . . it all directs the searching heart to a cross . . . and a cry . . . “It is finished!”

Oh, that men and women, by the grace of God, might hear the Lamb’s declaration of victory this season. That they might respond in faith . . . that they might know the reality of the hope God so desires His people to possess . . . “Finished not Done!” . . . for their eternal blessing . . . for His everlasting glory . . . Amen?

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I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Pete

check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zCsFvVg0UY

Anyone remember it? If you do, then you’re declaring yourself of a certain vintage. I would have been 15 years old when it first aired. A Christmas commercial (they still called it Christmas then) . . . a Coca Cola commercial . . . a make you feel warm and fuzzy inside commercial. “I’d like to build the world a home and furnish it with love . . . I’d like to see teach the world to sing in perfect harmony . . . I’d like to see the world for once all standing hand in hand . . . that’s the song I hear, let the world sing today . . . ” And who knew? If only everyone would drink Coke, we just might get a little closer to world peace . . . to world harmony . . . to all voices singing the same song. Well, Coca Cola ain’t the “secret sauce” to all peoples singing in unity . . . it isn’t the grand theme that will unite the world . . . but this morning, I was stirred by what will . . .

“And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire–and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.'” (Revelation 15:2-4 ESV)

“For all nations will come and worship You” . . . that’s the phrase that triggered my flashback. As I continue my readings in Revelation . . . as I try and follow along with the last days of earth . . . as I try and take in what living after the “age of grace” will be like . . . as I shudder at the wrath that will be poured out on a world that will continue to choose to reject, rebel, and revile God . . . I so welcome pausing at these “commercial breaks” where we are given some insight to the goings on around the throne of God . . . they are like an oasis.

I consider these ones who have conquered the enemy “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (12:11). I think of them joining their voices in the victory song of Moses . . . I hear them request “the song of the Lamb” . . . I imagine them singing, in perfect harmony, before the very throne of God. Their theme is that of His “great and amazing deeds” . . . of His “just and true ways.” Their purpose is to glorify His name . . . to exalt Him as the “King of the nations” . . . to declare that He alone is holy . . . Now, that’s a song I’d like to teach the world to sing!

And, they prophesy, that all nations will come and worship Him! That there will be a day when all peoples will bow down the knee and lift up their voices to sing the song of the Lamb. And then, won’t that be a hymn sing?!! Won’t that stir the heart?!!

And, while I anticipate that day, when I will be part of that “all nations choir”, I’m reminded that where it starts is with this season . . . this time of year which provides opportunity to focus on the One who came to bring peace . . . the One who came to do the Father’s will . . . the One who came to finish the work of salvation . . . the babe born in a manger to be the Lamb of God, come to take away the sin of the world . . . so that the redeemed of the Lord might one day join in single voice, unified around the throne of God . . . that all voices might one day be lifted up together, in perfect harmony, singing, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (5:13)

That’s that the song I hear . . . and it begins with this time of year . . .

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The Lamb

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Pete

So it occurs to me that perhaps one of the advantages of becoming older is that it helps to keep things fresh. Things you have already discovered can be discovered again because you’ve forgotten that you once discovered them. Old truths become new truths because you’re not so good at recalling them. I’m smiling as I’m writing this . . . but I think there’s some truth to this. And maybe it’s not an age thing . . . maybe it’s just a brain thing . . . you can only keep so much in retrievable memory at any given time.

Ok . . . so why am I babbling about this? This morning as I’m reading Revelation 13 and 14 it kind of dawns on me that the title of “the Lamb” for Jesus is primarily found in this book — and I think I knew that before . . . but I’m not sure . . . and so this morning it’s like discovery all over again . . . and kind of exciting.

And I poke at it a bit and discover (or maybe rediscover) that John is the only one of the New Testament writers that was led of the Spirit to record “Lamb” as a name for Christ. Doing a quick look, I find that in John’s gospel he twice records John the Baptist’s words, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36) and then we don’t find that title being given to Jesus again until John identifies Him as such in Revelation 5. In Acts the Ethiopian eunuch reads in Isaiah 53 of the one who “as a lamb before its shearers is silent” and Philip identifies Jesus as the one the prophet spoke of (Acts 8:32-35). And then Peter reminds his readers that they were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 1:9) . . . but in 1Peter and in Acts, it is “little l” lamb and not “big L” lamb and is used as a picture rather than a title or a name.

And so this morning, as I continue to read in Revelation, I behold afresh . . . The Lamb!

The Lamb who, even in risen heavenly glory, is recognized as having once been slain. The Lamb before Whom heavenly realms continually find themselves facedown in worship. The Lamb who alone is worthy to open the seals of God’s judgment upon the earth. The Lamb whose wrath will be poured out . . . the Lamb whose blood continues to be the power of salvation for those who believe during the Tribulation. The Lamb who will shepherd and lead those who believe in Him to living fountains of water.

And in this morning’s reading, two things in particular push the “awe-meter” to its limits. First, He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). This title . . . this calling . . . this purpose . . . this work . . . had been determined for the Son of God since the beginning. Jesus becoming the Lamb was not some “plan B” put into effect when the garden of Eden experiment went south. But God in His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge devised in eternity past the plan of redemption . . . and at the center of this plan is the Lamb. Jesus slain . . . I’m reading about that now, as well, in John’s gospel. Crucified on a cross . . . forsaken of men . . . made a curse and forsaken of the Father. Slain that through His blood my soul might be bought out of the marketplace of sin. Slain so that the price would be paid for my redemption . . . that when I, by faith, bowed my knee to Jesus as Savior, God could fully and completely declare me righteous in Him. The Lamb slain . . . for eternity, that fact will not be lost on us . . . behold, the Lamb!

And then I read of the Lamb “standing on Mount Zion” (Rev. 14:1). And it is clear that He is the King! The Lamb will reign from this holy mount. Far from the picture of a meek and lowly lamb, here I’m reminded that the Lamb is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) and that He will prevail and will one day establish His kingdom on the earth. What power . . . what might . . . what authority . . . what majesty!!! Behold the Lamb!

So . . . maybe I already knew that it’s primarily in Revelation where Jesus is identified as “the Lamb” . . . but the re-discovery of it this morning is sweet. The eyes of faith being awakened afresh to the Alpha and Omega . . . the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the Lamb who will one day rule from Mount Zion . . . is a bit of a rush. Oh to just sit back and behold the Lamb!!! Awesome!!!

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Defeated!

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Pete

He’s not someone I normally think about a lot . . . not a being I like to consider . . . not a subject I choose to hover over very much. But you read Revelation 12 and you can’t help but come face to face with him. He is described as “a great red dragon” . . . the “ancient serpent.” He is identified as “the devil and Satan” . . . he is “the deceiver of the whole world” . . . “the accuser of our brothers.”

And he is a self declared enemy of all that which is of God. Though the chronology of Revelation 12 may be a bit of confusing, the facts are pretty clear. In his rebellion, the dragon takes down a third of the angels with him. There is a battle in heaven where the dragon and his band of minions war against the archangel Michael and his angels . . . and the dragon and his army are thrown out of heaven. He turns his attention to “the One who is to rule all the nations” . . . seeking to destroy Him at birth . . . but fails. He pursues “the woman who had given birth to the male child”, Israel . . . seeking to destroy her . . . but she is protected and repels the serpent. He determines to “make war on the rest of her offspring” . . . uh, that would be us . . . those who have been born of her Son . . . “those who keep the commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” But they too “have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

No matter how you slice and dice it, it’s clear . . . the devil is set on picking a fight with any and all who bear allegiance to the kingdom of heaven and bear the name of Jesus as their own. And no matter how you look at it . . . no matter which battle front he picks . . . the outcome is eventually the same . . . what occurred at that first cataclysmic battle in heaven is the precursor to all skirmishes the devil wages against the people of God . . . defeated!

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.” (Revelation 12:7-8 ESV)

“He was defeated” . . . that’s what caught my attention this morning . . . that’s the truth that gripped my heart. Though he is a destroyer . . . though he has determined to set himself in opposition to the people of God . . . though he is a powerful enemy . . . he knows his time is short (v.12b) and he knows he is defeated. And I know it, too.

Not that I minimize his ability to attack me . . . not that I underestimate his power to inflict me . . . not that I take lightly his hatred for me and all the “offspring of the woman.” But I know that he is done . . . that he is conquered “by the blood of the Lamb” (v. 11) . . . that “salvation and power and the kingdom of our God and that authority of His Christ has come” and thrown down the accuser of the brethren (v. 10). I’m reminded that although the adversary is a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Peter 5:8), for those who submit themselves to God and resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). While it’s true that “we wrestle not with flesh and blood” but against “the spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12) . . . it is equally true that God has “disarmed the rules and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in Christ” (Col 2:15).

Thus, I’m reminded this morning that he is defeated.

So, while I don’t really like to spend a lot of time considering him, that it causes me to focus again on the victory that is mine in Jesus is a bit awe-inspiring . . . a bit praise inducing . . . a bit worship invoking.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:31, 37 ESV)

And God’s people said? . . . .

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Spoken Openly

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Pete

As I was reading John 18 this morning I thought about how appropriate it is that, as I start getting “cranked up” for Christmas and focusing on the wonder of Immanuel, God with us, that I should be reading about His last days on earth. As much as I love to focus on that baby in the manger, the riches of “the season” are deepened when I recognize that this baby was born to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And a phrase in John 18 kind of captures, for me, the tie between that event in Bethlehem we’re celebrating this month and the work Mary’s Son came to finish.

Jesus is before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest. And Annas questions Jesus about His disciples and His teachings. And Jesus answers . . .

“I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them; they know what I said.” (John 18:20-21 ESV)

And it’s that phrase . . . “I have spoken openly to the world” . . . which so reflects what the Christmas season can be.

Isn’t that what that the first Christmas, 2,000 years ago, was all about? An open, public declaration of Jesus the Savior. A star visible for all who had eyes to see . . . angels declaring His coming and glory . . . all directing men to that most holy place in Bethlehem.

There was nothing secretive about that first Christmas. It wasn’t just a “what’s said in Bethlehem, stays in Bethlehem” event between Mary and Joseph and the animals in the stable. The shepherds knew about it, as did those they told. Aged Simeon and Anna knew about it. Eventually the magi would know about it . . . and so would Herod. That first public declaration by angelic beings kind of set the precedent, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NLT)

A public declaration . . . intended to help people recognize God’s gift to a world so in need of a gift. A public declaration . . . spoken openly for all who had ears to hear . . . the story of stories . . . given to men that they might judge for themselves . . . that they might wrestle with the facts and exercise the faith, recognizing Him as the Savior come to rescue them from sin.

As Jesus stood that day in the corrupt court of the high priest . . . as He spoke knowing what was before Him . . . as He counted down the end of His earthly ministry, He says, “Ask those who have heard me . . . ask them who I am . . . ask them what I’m about . . .ask them of the hope I bring . . . for I have spoken openly.”

And every year, during this season, there is an opening, unlike any other time of year, for Him to again speak openly (though not as openly as He once could thanks to society’s increasing “tolerance”) through those who have heard Him. Oh, that God’s Holy Spirit would use this Christmas to move some to hear Jesus as He continues to seek to reveal Himself to a lost world. That He would awaken followers of the King to the opportunities that await us over these next few weeks to speak openly of His kingdom. That the Spirit might help me to recognize when I have those open doors to be one of those disciples who can testify to what I’ve heard Him “say” through His birth . . . and of what He proclaimed through His life . . . and of what I’ve experienced Him do through His death . . . and through His resurrection . . . and through His saving grace . . . and through the new life I possess in Him . . . and through the hope given by the living promise of His coming again . . . for His glory. Amen?

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The Unspoken Dynamic

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Pete

Reading the last few verses of John 17 this morning . . . the part of Jesus’ priestly prayer where He “shifts gears” slightly and focuses His attention on those who would believe in Jesus as a result of the apostles’ words. Uh . . . that would be us . . . we who have believed the gospel . . . and received the work of Christ on the cross on our behalf. It’s here, at the end of John 17, that Jesus prayers specifically for us. Don’t know about you, but I like being prayed for . . . especially by someone who seems “connected” to the pulse of heaven.

And in essence, the prayer is for unity . . . a unity among believers . . . a unity derived from a common association with divinity . . . a unity within a unity.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one, I in them and You in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.” (John 17:20-23 ESV)

You need to slow down a bit as you take in Jesus’ prayer here. As he talks about “them” and “You” and “Me” . . . as He desires that “they” are one . . . just as God the Father and God the Son are one . . . and that this oneness among believers is intrinsically linked to the oneness they have with Son as those given to the Son by the Father . . . and their unity with the Father which comes through being in the Son, and the Son being in them. Keeping it straight? My head’s spinning a bit.

But at a “big picture” level, what’s impressed this morning is that, if we consider “those who believe” as an entity, then what Jesus is praying for and describes is a tri-entity union . . . Father, Son, and believer. Now, when I think of a triune, or a trinity, I immediately go to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . . . and that’s when it hit me. It’s the Holy Spirit given to believers . . . it’s the Spirit indwelling those who are Christ’s . . . it’s the diffusing of the Third Person of the Godhead within those redeemed by the cross of Christ . . . it’s the One Jesus promised to send after He left, who enables Jesus’ prayer to be fulfilled. The “Helper,” who Jesus promised, is not only the seal guaranteeing our inheritance (Eph. 1:14) but is also the glue by which we are intimately linked to the Father . . . and to the Son . . . and with one another.

It seems to me that the Holy Spirit is the unspoken dynamic in this prayer. The oneness that Jesus prays for, that we would be one as Father and Son are one . . . God manifest in Jesus . . . Jesus living through believers . . . believers abiding in Jesus . . . believers possessing the mind of God . . . the church “perfectly one” . . . is only possible, as those rescued from sin, are enabled to participate in the divine nature. And that enabling is through the 24/7 sanctifying work of that member of the Trinity who abides in us. That, just as God-the-Spirit is at perfect one-ness with God-the-Father and God-the-Son, so are those He possesses and fills . . . who through His divine agency are wired into the things of heaven . . . enveloped in a dynamic of perfect unity.

Stretches my brain a bit . . . but as I “listen” to Jesus pray this morning, I find myself wanting to say, “Amen! Make us one, Father. I in Your Son . . . Your Son in me . . . both of us in You . . . all through the unspoken dynamic of the Spirit . . . all for Your glory! And again, Amen!”

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Be Glorified In Me!

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Pete

He spoke it as though it were a done deal. Not if . . . not maybe . . . not I hope so . . . but I am. And it’s not like He didn’t know them . . . really well! As individuals they all could be kind of flakey . . . as a group they were anything but a cohesive team as some vied for “the best seat” . . . and in terms of being “top of their class” students . . . well let’s just say that repetition was required. But despite their short-comings . . . regardless of their human-ness . . . Jesus was certain of this . . . “I am glorified in them.”

Those five words in John 17 have evoked a bit of awe and wonder in me this morning. Here, Jesus is praying to the Father for His disciples and for those who would believe in Him after His departure. And, while interceding before His Father for His disciples, Jesus says,

“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10 ESV)

And its those last five words that hit me . . . those last five words that cause me to whisper to myself, “Really?” . . . those last five words that humble me . . . those last five words that inspire me . . . “I am glorified in them.”

In this conversation with His Father, the Lord has mentioned being glorified a couple of times . . . “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You” (17:1) . . . “Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed” (17:5). And I read those verses and I think I get it . . . that Jesus, who humbled Himself and “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” in order to fulfill His work as the Lamb of God, is looking beyond the cross to that time when He will rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and again be arrayed in all His majesty and glory.

But Jesus looks not only heavenward to the glory that will be His there, but He looks upon this rag tag group of men who have followed Him and confidently asserts, “Yeah . . . in them too . . . in their human imperfection . . . I will be glorified on the earth, as well.” And I know that the disciples will turn the world upside down . . . and so maybe, I can get that too. But, if I extend it beyond just those guys, extend it to those who believe in Christ through their word (17:20) . . . extend it to me . . . well, “Really?”

Sure, He is glorified just by the fact of my salvation. Every soul saved is the result of the finished work of Christ on the cross and thus, every soul saved is a trophy of grace to His glory and praise. My readings in Revelation remind me that there is a multitude around the throne of God where the Lamb is in the midst — and this multitude worships continuously . . . loud voices . . . facedown worshipers . . . all giving glory to God and to His Son. Jesus’ confidence in John 17 is certainly realized through my salvation.

But what about that time between the salvation of my soul and my joining this heavenly throng . . . does Jesus really believe that He can be glorified in me as I seek to do life . . . to do the “pilgrim thing” day in and day out? I think so. And that humbles me . . . puts me in a state of awe and wonder. That the King of kings and the Lord of lords could somehow be glorified in me. Wow!! And I’m a bit overwhelmed . . . because I know who much work He has yet to do in me! But I also know that the work He begun in me He has committed to work to completion (Php. 1:6) . . . for His purposes . . . and, if I’m picking up what He’s laying down, for His glory.

And I’m up for it. I’m up for continuing to figure out how to be led by the Spirit and how to walk in the Spirit. I’m up for learning, by His grace, to unleash the power of the Spirit in my life and trusting that somehow in this work of making me what I can be in Him, that He will be glorified. I’m up for trying to discern how he wants me to live for Him . . . to serve Him . . . and, in that, somehow glorify Him.

Lord, be glorified in me!!

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Laundered By The Lamb

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Pete

In any other context, it’s an image that would perhaps turn our stomach a bit. Apart from a “faith understanding” of the dynamics of the cross, it’s a thought we would naturally turn away from, rather than embrace. When I think about getting my clothes clean, it’s the last “detergent” I would normally think of using. But this morning, reading the latter portion of Revelation 7, it’s an image . . . a thought . . . a reality . . . that captivates me afresh . . . the fact that, just like those saints who will come out of the great tribulation, I’m wearing a garment laundered by the Lamb . . .

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ . . . . Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'” (Revelation 7:9-10, 13-14)

Robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Noodle on it. At first, not really an inviting image . . . blood soaked apparel. Certainly not intuitive from a natural perspective that something washed in blood can ever become white . . . clothing stained with blood is most often thrown away . . . beyond reclaiming.

But the real stain on the garments of men is the discoloration of sin . . . the telltale spots of man’s determination to walk in a way that seems right to himself . . . neglecting and even despising the way of their Creator. Sin becomes a death-inducing blemish on the clothing of men’s souls . . . a mould that spreads throughout every aspect . . . such that even the best of works that a man can do become as filthy rags.

“What can wash away my sin?  What can make me whole again?  Nothing!  Nothing . . . but the blood of Jesus!”

The blood of the Lamb . . . the blood of Jesus . . . the blood shed on Calvary’s cross some 2,000 years ago. It is sufficient to wash away the dirt accumulated through years of rebellion . . . it is the cleansing agent that is capable of removing the nastiest of stains . . . it restores filthy rags and produces white robes . . . coverings that are fit for wearing before the throne of God . . . “Sunday best” mete for an audience with the King of Kings . . . apparel fit for attending a royal wedding — the marriage supper of the Lamb . . . pure choir garments that inspire those who wear them to sing at the top of their lungs of the wonders of their salvation and the glories of their God.

” . . . the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin . . . if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 7b, 9)

Oh, to be laundered by the Lamb . . .

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Do You Hear What I Hear?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Pete

Most often, when I think about heaven, I imagine what I will see . . . wondering if my new optic nerves will be able to take it all in. That’s where I was, initially, as I read Revelation 5 this morning . . . imagining what it would be like to behold the throne of God . . . to see the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . to gaze upon the Lamb who was slain . . . to observe legions of angelic beings. But then I was reminded, that it’s not just what I’ll see . . . but what I’ll hear. Not only will I be wide-eyed but my ears will be tingling too! Do you hear what I hear?

Revelation 5 sets the imagination a fire . . . it starts with a whimper and ends with a mighty crescendo of song and praise and glory . . .

The first thing you hear is a lone angel asking at the top of his voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” (5:2). The question echoes through heaven . . . no one steps forward . . . John weeps because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll or even look at it. Enter the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the One who has prevailed . . . He stands in the midst of the throne as a Lamb as though it had been slain — He comes and takes the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. And that starts it . . . . like a rock dropped into the middle of a pond . . . but a big Rock . . . creating waves . . . great sound waves . . . emanating from the center out . . . rippling through all of heaven . . . do you hear it??

When the Lamb takes the scroll the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall before Him and they start to sing a new song (5:8-10). A new song!!!! This song is fresh, unworn . . . it’s nature and subject are unprecedented, of a new kind . . . for it focuses on the connection between the One who was slain and redeemed us by His blood and the One who is worthy to take the scroll. This first, not-so-small ripple, sung by the living creatures and elders, declares the reality of a kingdom of priests who will reign on the earth — a kingdom of priests which were redeemed from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And the wave grows!!!

Then the voices of many angels around the throne is heard (5:11-12) . . . joining the living creatures and the elders . . . the number of them is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands (now this is a tabernacle choir!!!). And they don’t just whisper . . . they are not singing quietly . . . it says that these thousands upon thousands of angelic beings sing with a LOUD VOICE . . .

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

What must that be like? Imagine the volume . . . imagine the multi-part harmony . . imagine these mighty, glorious creatures all focused on One object of worship — the Lamb who was slain!!! But that’s not the crescendo . . . the waves that were started by the Lamb in the midst continue to spread out and grow (5:13-14). Then, every . . . get that? . . . every . . . all . . . each and every one . . . . every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them, (did anyone or anything get missed? I don’t think so) . . . every creature joins the living creatures and the elders and the thousands upon thousands of angels and sing this new, fresh, energetic, song . . .

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Can you hear it? Can you imagine what it will sound like? . . . what it will be like to be part of it . . . to be part of that glorious, heaven-filling, sound wave? And it occurs to me, I can join “the wave” right now! I can sing, making melody in my heart, right here, right now . . . I can go to “heavenly choir practice” each Lord’s day and practice with the saints in preparation for the day when faith gives way to sight. I can hear it . . . even now . . .

“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.” (5:14) . . . me too! How about you? . . . do you hear what I hear?

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