The Reason For Revelation

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

-Revelation 1:1-3

 

            Things looked grim for the church. Christians were under constant siege from the pagan government of Rome. With each passing day lives were lost in the coliseums as followers of Christ were fed to wild beasts and forced to fight gladiators. The people of God were beaten, burned, dismembered and starved. With the exception of John, all the apostles who had led the early church out of infancy had met their demise at the hands of those who resisted the work of Jesus, and John had been exiled to the Isle of Patmos in an attempt to silence the words of this mighty preacher. Those early Christians must have felt like they had been left with little direction. Some of the letters of the apostles had been passed from one congregation to the next, but the people would have had little reason for hope; the authorities slaughtered more of them with each hour that passed. 

            Day by day the faithful followers of Christ walked in his truth as the apostles had taught them, but each day the persecution grew. But God would not leave his people without a hope. We can only imagine the excitement the church must have felt on the day that the letter arrived from Patmos.  From the obscurity of prison John had been given a vision from God. He had seen a revelation of hope and victory for those who were willing to stand on their faith and bravely face the persecution and tribulation of the day. 

            In the midst of their misery, the church was given a distinct vision of the work of God. They received the testimony of John that bore witness to the promises and power of God. The Apostle was lifted to heavenly places and saw a global view of the work of God; a view that transcended the trials and difficulties faced by the people in those days.  John saw a vision that would dispel the discouragement of the early Christians and remind them of the hope they had in the power of heaven. “The book of Revelation, like no other canonical text, offers the Christian a cosmic perspective on the implications of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”[1] As the people of the church in Asia Minor read these visions they were reminded of the promises which they had come to know through the witness and testimony of the apostles. They were given access to the mind of God, and began to understand the plan that was unfolding around them through the circumstances they encountered.

            The reader was given instruction from the very first line of John’s letter as to what they were receiving from the beleaguered prisoner of Patmos. John explained that what they had was not a typical letter, but an apocalyptic vision from Jesus Christ. It is not something to be read, but a vision that is to be seen, understood, proclaimed and experienced by the followers of Christ.

 

Revelation Is to Be Seen      

            Through lofty visions of heavenly themes John was shown a vision that paints a picture of God’s work in the mind’s eye. It is to be envisioned and pursued by the Christian – those of John’s day as well as ours. John explained this when he pointed out the nature of Revelation.  He began by explaining the symbolic nature of the book. “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John...” (Revelation 1:1). This verse doesn’t seem to show the symbolic nature of Revelation at first glance, but consider the rendering in the New King James Version: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. And he sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John…” The verb translated “show”, or “signify,” is the key to our understanding of John’s visions.

            The word “show” (deiknymi) implies that what has been communicated to John is in visible form.  He has heard the word, but he has also seen it through the visions given by Jesus. This word carries with it a connotation to the Greek word translated “showed” (semaino) which means “sign.”[2] Revelation is given in signs, or symbols. John was given vivid pictures of what God was revealing to him during his time on Patmos. These symbols served to reveal to John something more than a simple letter to the church; he witnessed and experienced the plan of God.

            These symbols shown in Revelation have been the cause of much confusion within the church over the course of history.  There are an abundance of views on how they should be interpreted, but we must remain true to Scripture as we work to understand them. Lillie McCutcheon wrote, “The interpretation of words can become very confusing. The same word may be used in a number of ways with varied renderings. However, symbols do not change in meaning.”[3] We must realize that Revelation is to be seen in light of Scripture.  We interpret the symbols of this sixty-sixth book of the Bible in light of the previous sixty-five books. There are many who attempt to fit the rest of the Bible into what they believe Revelation says, but this does not serve to carry out the purpose of the book: to remind us of the promises and hope with which the church should live.

            If we are going to understand the meaning of what God is revealing to the church we must learn to look beyond what we see on the surface. I grew up in the day of Magic Eye posters and pictures.  Some of you may remember those. They were computer generated pictures that contained a 3-D image. On the surface all you could see was the pattern that the computer had made. It was not until you focused your eyes beyond the page, or looked at is as though you were looking beyond, that you could see the picture.  This is how we view Revelation.  We cannot read and assume that someday sea monsters will rise out of the ocean.  We look beyond what we initially see, and through the lens of Scripture understand what God is revealing.  We use the Word of God, and the visions that were given to his people throughout their history to understand his revelation.  It is always consistent with his word, and Revelation continues to reveal its depths to us. It is this desire to look beyond and know the depths of the word that has revived and renewed the church countless times over its history, and a look at the fullness of this vision will draw us to a renewed vision of what God is doing through his church today.

            It takes work and dedication to mine the depths of the word. It takes meditation and contemplation. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds us, “The way to test the Christian life is by depth, by true understanding, which is only obtained by meditation, and by thought. And this is a part of the discipline of the Christian life. And you will find that it is invariably present in time of true revival.”[4] We cannot simply look at everything on the surface and believe we are seeing all that God has for us as his people. The Revelation given to John is the culmination of all that Scripture reveals to us. We use this as a map that guides us through the Holy Scripture and reminds us of the work that God wants to do through us today. “Here the Christian will find a new edge for his sword of the Spirit. Faith becomes strong in the promise of final victory. Love will overcome hate. Light will put out the darkness. Good will overcome evil. Truth will destroy error. Satan will be defeated and Christ, the Conqueror shall forever reign. This this the prophecies proclaim!”[5]

 

Revelation Is to Be Understood       

            God has not given us a vision to see without understanding.  We are also to understand what we see in this book. The very title proclaims this truth. The word “revelation” comes from the Greek word apokalupsis. This literally means disclosure. It is transliterated as appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.[6]  We can go a step further by looking also at the word from which this one derives. Apokalupsis comes from the word apokalupto which means unveiling, or revelation.[7] Even the title tells us that this book was given for the understanding of the church.  It is not something that we should be content to read without gaining insight into the mind and will of God.

            Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible that specifically promises a blessing on us for reading, hearing, and keeping what’s written in it. We will certainly be blessed for reading and meditating on all of Scripture, but this book specifically spells that out for us when John writes, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). There are many who believe that this book is not meant to be understood, but if that is the case we are left to wonder how we can be blessed by something we do not understand. We cannot be blessed by what we do not know, and it is clear that we are blessed by the communication of, and response to this vision.[8]

            I cannot dispute that there are some who will not understand the symbols of this book.  God’s word is always accessible to his people, but that does not mean that it is accessible to all people.  Paul told the church in Corinth, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). If we are living in the Spirit there is no reason to believe that God cannot reveal truth to us through these visions. It is for this very purpose John saw them on Patmos. God always speaks for the purpose of revealing himself to man. In fact, that is the only way we know him. “The only truths we can ascertain about the divine with any certainty are those facts God chooses to reveal to us. And unsanctified minds cannot comprehend divine realities even though they are clearly written on the pages of Scripture.”[9]          Many of the errors we see in the church today are the direct result of those who do not know God trying to discern his word without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We have witnessed a hostile takeover of the church in our day. It has been overtaken by the world: its wisdom, logic, ideas, and sinful motives.  Jesus could say of them today as he said of the Sadducees, “You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29).

            Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth...” (John 16:13). Dennis Johnson encourages us to approach the book of Revelation with confidence, knowing that God has something to reveal to us. “Our starting point should be confidence that God has given this book not to confuse, terrify, or divide his people but to give us light, to reveal to us the invisible forces and the secrets of his invincible plan that makes sense of visible events and movements experienced by his church in the world.”[10]  Though it takes a thorough search of Scripture, prayer, and mediation on the word, Revelation is accessible to God’s people.

 

Revelation Is to Be Proclaimed

            “Blessed is the one who reads…those who hear…and who keep…” These are all action words.  It is not enough to hear, or even understand this book of the Bible any more than it is any other part of Scripture. Many have ceased to proclaim these visions of John today because of all the baggage that comes along with it. Some pastors and teachers do not want to answer the ensuing questions, or take part in the debate about interpretation. We cannot allow the perception of something in Scripture to keep us from teaching it. If we allow fear of perception to drive us we will ultimately have to eliminate what the Bible says about homosexuality, divorce, and a number of other topics. Dennis Kinlaw wrote, “We short-change ourselves if we ignore what God teaches us, simply because we feel uncomfortable with the language that has been used to express it over the years.”[11]

            The truth contained in this book is to be made known. Unlike Daniel, who was told to seal the prophecy given to him, John was given the opposite instruction. “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near” (Rev. 22:10). This was sent to the churches in Asia Minor for proclamation among God’s people.  How does this book give us hope if we are afraid of it? How can God’s promises of power and his mighty work encourage us if we avoid it?

            God’s blessing acts on us as we act on what is understood from his word. It is as the word is proclaimed and applied to our lives that it becomes an active, living force in the world. It acts through our lives. People see Jesus Christ working as the visions he gave are lived by those who follow him. This is when the word of God becomes a mighty sword that overcomes all opposition. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Proclaiming the word of God – and the revelation of Jesus Christ – allows us to experience it in fullness. We will experience the trials that come with it, but also the victory that it brings.  We will experience the promises and power of God through his word. This is why we can also say that Revelation is to be experienced.

 

Revelation Is to Be Experienced

            Jesus Christ gave visions of the church to John so that his life, the lives of the Christians in his day, and our lives would be affected. This book is considered prophecy, but too often we take a narrow view of prophecy. Many consider prophecy the telling of the future.  This is certainly an element of prophecy, but it is not all that prophecy can be. “Prophecy refers not as much to predictive foretelling as to forthtelling ‘the word of God’ which demands ethical response.”[12] If we are to experience the blessing of prophecy, we must look at it as something that brings forth a word from God that is applicable to our lives today.  It cannot be limited to something far off in the future. It is imperative that it is considered and applied to our lives today.

            The experience of prophecy energizes us as we do the work of God. Without this experience it is easy to become complacent in our spiritual walk. The word does not encourage and motivate us when it is something that is unattainable. It must be something that speaks to each generation as the prophets of God boldly proclaim it to the masses. “It is the task of the prophet to bring to expression the new realities against the more visible ones of the old order. Energizing is closely linked to hope. We are energized not by that which we already possess but by that which is promised and about to be given.”[13] It is through the hope of god’s promises seen clearly in the lives of his people that others are drawn to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). If prophecy is to mean anything to us we must live as the hope of God’s word is a reality.

 

            The church of John’s day faced some of the most difficult times any Christian has ever experienced.  They stood boldly in the face of intense persecution that threatened their very lives.  They were not sustained by their wealth, or their societal status.  They were not delivered from this tribulation by an earthly army, or a political revolution.  They stood strong because they experienced the revelation of God.  They saw Him revealed through the faith of those with whom they maintained fellowship.  They heard His word proclaimed by the His people and saw it in action in the lives of the martyrs. The word of God was a reality to them.  It lived and breathed the power of God into the world through them.  What is the Word doing through us today?  What kind of testimony do we have of the Word?  When is the last time we have experienced God’s revelation?

---

[1] Richard K. Eckley, Revelation: A Commentary for Bible Students (Indianapolis: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2006), 15

[2] Dennis E. Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2001), 7

[3] Lillie McCutcheon, The Symbols Speak (Jackson: Reformation Publishers, 1999), 18

[4] Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Revival (Westchester: Crossway Books, 1987), 82

[5] McCutcheon, The Symbols Speak, 18

[6] Richard M. Bradley, Scenes From the Throne (Prestonburg: Reformation Publishers, 2006), 97

[7] Clinton E. Arnold, ed., Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 248

[8] Carol Rotz, Revelation: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 2012), 46

[9] Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, Fresh Encounter (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2009), 13

[10] Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb, 6

[11] Dennis F. Kinlaw, The Mind of Christ (Anderson: Francis Asbury Press, 1998), 8

[12] Rotz, Revelation: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, 46

[13] Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001), 14

The Culture of God's Kingdom

I have recently had a book published called The Culture of God's Kingdom. It is a study on the Beatitudes and is available from amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and westbowpress.com. Please check that out if you are able.

Organizing Shortfalls Away

The Bible teaches us about the local congregation of the church. It shows us what God has put in place to govern these local congregations under the leadership of His Spirit. God gives us the direction we need to be the church He has called us to be. However, it seems that we can't stand it unless we add to that instruction. No longer are we content to build the temple according to the instruction of God, we must build it to fit our wants, or even "felt needs."

Here's where we find the problem with this issue: It becomes very easy to organize around our shortcomings rather than mature and overcome them. Here's an example: The Bible teaches us that we need fellowship with one another. We are not always good at practicing this, so we mandate that we must spend time in fellowship with one another. Fellowship is not bad, but the fact that we would mandate it keeps us from maturing. Rather than overcoming our spiritual shortcoming (lack of fellowship) we create programs to organize it. It may accomplish some sort of fellowship immediately, but it does not help us mature. And this is not the only example of this that we see in the church today.

If you take an honest look at the church today, it would be hard not to admit that we are organizing in place of maturing in a lot of circumstances.

Carrying the Truth

In his final letter, the Apostle Paul told Timothy that the day would come when men would not endure sound doctrine.  He said they would find teachers who would tell them whatever their “itching ears” want to hear.  When Paul made that statement he understood that the world does not have a high tolerance for objective truth.  Man has a tendency to live however he wants to live, and justify whatever lifestyle he chooses.  The philosophy of our day is, “if it feels good do it.”  George Barna’s recent (2011) research shows the extent to which this philosophy has taken hold of our society:

 

Ø  43% of Americans believe that it doesn’t matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons.

Ø  50% of Americans believe that all people are eventually saved or accepted by God no matter what they do.

 

In spite of the pluralistic views taught in this present day, the words of Os Guinness still

ring true, “If truth is truth, differences make a difference.”  Whether we acknowledge it or not, the truth revealed by God in His Word – truth about God – remains.  This truth cannot be explained away, or overcome by the philosophy of man.  It is our objective standard, it does not change and is not subject to our ideas, opinions, or the values of whatever culture we happen to be a part of.  The truth is always the truth.  It originates with a God who transcends all these things. 

The purpose of all God does in the life of man is to reveal this truth, which shows us the character of God.  It clarifies and confirms His love for us, and teaches His desire to be an active part of our lives.  This revelation is what gave the patriarchs and those who have followed God the faith to live by His command.  This revelation is what empowered the people of Israel to follow Joshua into a hostile territory based solely on God’s promise to His people.  During these times, the truth was represented by the Ark of the Covenant, or the Ark of Testimony.

The Ark was a part of every movement that the people of Israel made.  It was not simply an object used in worship, but it represented the truth that the nation was called to carry into the world when Abraham was told, “through you all nations shall be blessed.” 

It reminded the people of God’s authority when they thought of the staff of Aaron that was contained there.  When the people began to question the authority of those whom God had called to lead His people the staffs of the leaders of the tribes were taken into the tabernacle.  The elders of each tribe sent a staff, and Aaron also placed his with them.  The next morning the staff of Aaron was growing leaves and even budding.  It produced fruit, and proved that God had indeed given authority to those who lead His people. 

The ark also reminded them of God’s provision.  The jar of manna contained inside reminded the people of the provision Jehovah made for them as they wandered through the wilderness.  No matter where they went, or what they did, if they followed God’s revealed truth He always provided everything they needed.

They were also reminded of the terms of the covenant they made with God.  The law that had been given to Moses was carried by Israel to remind them of the God they served, and the promises that they had made to Him.  This truth defined how the people lived, and was the example of what separated them from the other nations of the world. 

The testimony of these things was carried everywhere the people went.  When the pillar of cloud moved from the tabernacle, the people packed up their camp and moved wherever God had gone.  The priests covered the ark in animal skin and moved the ark.  The people of Israel went wherever this reminder of “truth” led them.  It was a constant part of their lives.  Those who carried this truth affected where they went, and the speed at which they would travel.  These priests carried the tangible evidence of God for all to see.

While the law written on tablets by the hand of God are not a part of our worship, or our lives today, God’s truth still needs to be carried for all to see.  It must be carried as a light in this world darkened by sin.  This role given to the priests of God so many years ago remains essential to God’s people – the church – today.  We are each called to be priests, and no matter who we are there is a purpose for us.  God has placed the truth before each of us, and it is our responsibility to answer the call – to place our shoulders under the Ark of the Testimony of God and carry it into the world in which we live.

If you haven’t noticed, the world around us is in desperate need of truth.  If we lack anything in the church, it is those who are willing to pick up the truth of God and carry it wherever He calls us to take it.  The truth remains, the need of the world is great, will we carry the truth of God?

 

            Those who carry the truth of God must be prepared to move when God’s call comes.  The Ark was intended to be mobile, so that God’s Testimony and truth would forever be a presence among the people of Israel.  They shall make an ark of acacia wood…You shall overlay it with pure gold…you shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet…You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.  And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark TO CARRY THE ARK BY THEM (Exodus 25:10-14).  God has always called man to WALK WITH HIM, not to simply sit with Him.  This life is a journey, and adventure of faith and holiness according to Kenneth Jones. 

            God’s truth has not been revealed to us only for our own pleasure and enjoyment.  It is to be carried into all the world for every generation.  There has never been a culture or society to whom the truth of God does not apply.  It is good for every age and each generation.  That’s why Scripture commands us to DO SOMETHING WITH God’s Word.  We are commanded to TEACH others what God has revealed:

 

Ø  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:18, 19)…

Ø  And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

 

Each generation requires more than the existence of the truth.  They need people who

will take up the Ark and carry the truth into their lives.  Those who will answer God’s call to teach them to “be disciples” and who will, Preach the word, be ready in season and out (2 Timothy 4:2).  This generation requires each of us to carry it in some way.  There are some who are called to deliver God’s truth to their Sunday school classes, or Bible studies, or even small groups.  Others are called to leave their homes and go into the missions fields and the far reaches of the earth to deliver God’s word to man.  Still others are called to teach and preach this truth to the church.  To continually remind us of the character and work of God that has been revealed in Scripture.  To help us remember to apply this truth to the lives we live. 

           

            Those who choose to carry this truth must be prepared to walk by faith.  When the people crossed the Jordan River the priests were commanded to take up the Ark and walk 2,000 cubits ahead of the people.  That’s almost equivalent to half a mile, and into hostile territory!  They had to trust that God would provide the way for their safe passage, and that the people of Israel would follow.  They would be left alone in the land of their enemies if the people did not come after them. 

            Sometimes carrying the truth is unpopular, and at times it will be lonely.  The people of God proved throughout the Old Testament that they did not always truth His truth.  But if they were going to carry the truth into the land God was giving them someone had to lead the way.  Someone had to set the example of truth in God and His promises as they showed a confidence that God would do what He said He would do.  Joshua told the people that they would see God “do wonders” on that day, but before they would be seen the priests who carried the Ark had to be willing to take a step of faith. 

            Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)…  God still works in our day.  He still does wonders and performs the miraculous in the lives of His people.  But if these things are going to happen in the world today, someone has to be willing to follow God BY FAITH.  We look for His works, and long for the days when the church has an effect on the world rather than the world changing us, but how many are really willing to follow God by faith? 

            God’s work ALWAYS ADVANCES when people who claim to believe His truth begin to ACT LIKE they believe it.  In all of history, God has never failed in anything He has ever done.  The only failures in God’s work have come as a result of men and women who were not willing to truth His Word and surrender themselves to His guidance and truth.  They know what the Bible says, and what God has commanded us, but when that truth seems improbable or does not meet the standard of our reason and logic they revert to their own ideas. 

            Sometimes the call of God to carry the truth seems impossible.  It doesn’t make sense to us, and we just can’t see how it would be possible to do what the Holy Spirit is leading us to do.  But God’s work will never be done, and entire generations will never receive His truth, if we do not take up the truth in spite of our reservations and fears.  To carry the truth requires our faith.

 

            Those who carry the truth realize that this faith is possible because God Himself travels before them.  Nothing in all of creation can overcome the power and promises of God.  Jesus said, all power and authority has been given to me and I am with you always…  God told Isaiah, No weapon that’s fashioned against you will stand (Isaiah 54:17)…  God told Jeremiah, I am with you to deliver you (Jeremiah 1:8)…  If we really have the faith we claim to have, then there is nothing to fear when God calls us to take up the Ark.

            What fears might be keeping us from carrying this truth today?  Sometimes the opinions of family or friends keeps us from pursuing God’s call.  It’s not always popular to take up this Ark.  Many times it’s fear of the commitment it would take to follow God’s call.  For some a fear of the unknown, and a sense of uncertainty keeps them from following where God is leading.  ALL OF THESE THINGS reflect on our faith in God and His truth and each obstacle can be overcome if we are willing to follow God.  For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).  These fears can be overcome as what seemed like certainty is revealed to us as new and exciting paths given by God and directed by the Holy Spirit.

 

            Those who carry the truth will constantly walk new paths into uncharted territory.  The priests of Israel carried the Ark into a land where the people had never been.  It was a new experience for all who followed.  Consider the faith of God’s people to go into new lands.  Abram was called to a place he did not know, and to follow a God he could not see.  Moses was called to lead people who had no home of their own.  Joshua led them to conquer the land into which they were passing.  John the Baptist proclaimed a gospel nobody had yet heard. 

            Where might God’s call be leading you today?  There may be some who are called by God to pastor other congregations.  There are some who will be called to the mission field to carry God’s truth to the furthest ends of the earth.  Others may not be called so far.  There are Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and children’s ministries that need the truth.  There are people around us who need to see God’s truth as it’s carried in the lives of believers.  Some may be your family members.  Many may even live in some of our own homes.  God wants more than anything else to reveal Himself, and His truth, to this lost and dying world.  The Ark of the Covenant is gone, but the truth remains.  Where are the priests who will carry it?

Where Does Vision of the Church Come From?

Revelation 21 tells us that the origin of God’s city is ALWAYS Heaven.  "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2)."  That is as true today as it was nearly two thousand years ago.  If we are to experience God’s work it will always be when we turn our attention away from the sinful things of the world and toward heaven.  Scripture teaches us that the voice of God rings out from heaven, “The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered his voice (2 Sam. 22:14).”  God’s salvation came from heaven when Jesus Christ came to earth to dwell among us.  His power came from heaven when the Apostles and disciples heard the sound of a rushing wind and the Spirit filled and empowered the church.  And God’s city, the New Jerusalem, is seen “coming down out of heaven from God.” 

            God has a vision for His church, and this vision can never be accomplished by means that originate with man.  Only those things that come from heaven are sufficient to accomplish the will of God in the world.  That’s why Scripture places such emphasis on knowing the mind of God.  Because, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isa. 55:9).”  Scripture continually teaches us that God’s work must be done His way, and His way always comes from heaven.  It never comes from a board meeting, a policy, bylaws or bureaucracy.  The things of God originate with God in heaven!

            John was even shown the difference between the things of God and the ways of man in this book of Revelation.  Chapter 13 verse 1 tells us, “I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten [crowns] on its horns and blasphemous names on its head.”  John saw visions of beasts that would be worshipped by the people.  These are systems that draw man away from God, just as the beasts in the book of Daniel represent ungodly political systems.  The problem we face is that man has a way of climbing onto the back of these beasts and going wherever they happen to go. 

Even the church does this at times.  John goes on in the 17^th chapter to show us this.  In contrast to the pure bride of Christ we see in Scripture he saw something completely different.  “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters’…And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names…The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls…And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: ‘Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abomination (Rev. 17:1-5).’”  If a pure woman represents the church established by God, this prostitute represents a false religion, one that takes people away from God.  She is adorned with all the things valued by the world, jewelry, gold, scarlet.  But look at the position she has placed herself in:  She is SEATED ON A BEAST!  When we see visions of Jesus in Revelation the “Son of Man” is seated on a horse.  Horses can be domesticated, and they will listen to the one who rides them and take them where they want to go.  YOU CANNOT CONTROL A BEAST!  It will go wherever its nature takes it.  This woman has placed herself in a position where she is not in control of her destination.

How does this all apply to us today?  Revelation 13 said the beast rose up out of the sea.  Revelation 17:5 tells us, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.”  This false religion is built on something that rose up from man.  This woman is seated on something that man created and subsequently lost control of.  We spend our time devising structures and programs that we are sure God will bless, though we have spent little time seeking His direction.  We get together with other Christians to talk about ideas, potential and vision without much thought given to prayer and study of God’s word.  We cast a vision that turns into 5 and 10 year plans that have come entirely from our own knowledge and limited earthly wisdom, and then we CLIMB ON TO THE BACK of that beast and go wherever it leads us.  We create programs that are supposed to lead us toward God and what we have really done is set loose another beast that will carry the people of God further and further away from the city of God. 

The works of man are NEVER a substitute for the work of God.  The method Scripture teaches us of discipleship and building of a relationship with God comes not from studies and statistics, but submission and prayer.  The revival in God’s church that so many long to see comes from a submission to the word and the will of God.  A desire to see Him glorified through the church and a willingness to pay whatever cost may come with that.  God’s ways come from heaven and will lead us to His city, and His vision of what the church should be, while man’s ways lead away from that very thing. 

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven….and he called out with a mighty voice, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great (Rev. 18:1, 2)!’” Consider what this angel was proclaiming:  Babylon IS FALLEN!  It does not say that Babylon is falling, or has fallen.  It says it “is fallen.”  From their beginning, the ideas of man that are substituted for those of God are fallen.  They were never pleasing to God, and could never really accomplish His purposes.  When we take our lives into our own hands and cease to look to His Word and Spirit to direct us we have placed ourselves at the mercy of a beast that was fallen from its start. 

When we begin to realize where the church finds God's vision, then that prayer life that we have been neglected suddenly becomes important again.  The opportunities to hear the proclamation of God’s word suddenly become vital and “practical” and the fallen works that have replaced them are no longer so important.  We begin to understand – just as God’s people have understood in days gone by – that the church has never been built on the works and thoughts of man, but on the doctrines revealed by God.

Overtaken By Blessing

And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.  and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.               -Deuteronomy 28:1, 2

The Bible talks a lot about the blessings of God.  We read about the ways that He wants to care for His people and the things that He wants to do in their lives.  Our imaginations are captured by countless stories of the miraculous as God works for the good of His people in every conceivable situation and through every imaginable tribulation.  But too often those stories seem like just that – stories.  We read about them and think about what it must have been like to live in those days “when God was working.”  We are left to wonder if God really works like that today.  Is it still possible for His people to experience the miraculous?  Can that still happen in our lives?

            Since most of us have never seen the works that were done during the time of Moses or Elijah, or seen the visions of Ezekiel and Zechariah we just assume that God’s blessings are not what they used to be.  There was at time when He showed Himself in power, but that time has come and gone.  We are content to experience the limited blessings we have seen and never really look for more.  Our attitude is to take what we can get and be happy with it in spite of the fact that God’s Word clearly promises so much more for us.  We are happy with the occasional blessing rather than living like the people of Israel who entered the Promised Land and being OVERTAKEN by the blessings of God.  Consider that – overtaken.  We are not just offered a few helps along the way to make this life a little more comfortable.  God wants consume every part of our lives, to overtake our entire being and all that we are with His power and His provision.  This is what God told His people as they prepared to enter the land of Canaan and the desire of God remains today. I am the Lord I do not change.

            The word blessing comes from a root that literally means “to show adoration.”  Just imagine that.  God will set you high above all the nations of the earth (verse 1).  God wants to lift us up to the point that He will be seen through us.  That’s how God’s power is seen in the world today.  When His people rely on His power and God provides for all their needs the world will see without a doubt that even in a day when He is ignored God is on His throne.  Science tries to ignore Him, philosophy explains Him away, and even Christians ignore His commands but God is still God and He still sits on His throne.  God is still seen through those lives that put their faith in Him.  But that Is not enough, He wants to be seen in EVERY LIFE that claims His name.  God will overwhelm every doubt and fear with His presence in the hearts and lives of His people. 

            We have allowed ourselves to settle when it comes to the blessings of God.  His call comes to us in some way and we are content to just stumble through life hoping that what we are doing for Him might be “good enough.”  The call of God, whether it is a specific call on our lives or simply the call to walk with Him, is NEVER a call to mediocrity.  God does not want us to walk half-heartedly with Him and spend our lifetime struggling to keep up.  He promises to provide for us, and if we will trust Him we will find ourselves living in the ABUNDANCE of His promises.  This doesn’t mean we will always be wealthy from a worldly perspective, but it does mean that we will never be outside of His presence.  We will never have to go through a trial alone, and our finite power will never be insufficient when His power and glory drive our lives.  Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind (Psalm 31:19)! Look at the expectation of God’s answers to prayer: Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy to me (Psalm 69:16).  And consider the promise of Jesus Christ:  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).  Scripture in its entirety teaches that God’s call is never to mediocrity.  His call is always to abundance - abundance of power, and of mercy, love and grace.

            There is a fullness to life that we will never experience when we just hope for the occasional blessing just to get by.  We will never experience the life that God wants to give us unless we allow ourselves to be OVERTAKEN by God’s blessing.  Christians spend too much of the time worrying about looking like fanatics to the world around us to really see all that God has for us.  We don’t want people to accuse us of being naïve, or taking our faith “too far” so we don’t really want too many blessings.  We don’t want to look like we are that much different from the world, or that God is such a prominent force in our lives, so we settle for a life much like that of the world.  We just want a little bit of God and because of this desire the judgment rings out from Scripture, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth (Rev. 3:16).

            This life to which God has called us may sound like excessive Christianity.  Like it will encompass every part of our life and not just what we are comfortable with.  It scares some because it sounds like we would have to give up the control that we have over our lives (which is much more limited than we realize) to really experience the blessings of God.  We get these feelings because they are true!  It is when we turn everything over to the control of God that we experience the fullness of life.  That is when we see Him move in power and experience His glory as it settles in our hearts.  It’s easy to convince ourselves that this kind of life is just for preachers or missionaries, but every time we see God move through a mighty preacher or a great missionary or teacher we must remember that they were once lay people too.  D.L. Moody was never ordained in Christian ministry but was one of the greatest preachers this country has ever known.  Charles Finney was a lawyer, Billy Sunday was a baseball player and Martyn Lloyd-Jones studied to be a doctor.  These men were just like most other men UNTIL they were overtaken by God.  When their lives were overtaken they became mighty workers in God’s kingdom and soldiers in His army.  But it was only because they were will to be overtaken.  God will not do it by force.  It requires a consecration, or surrender, on our part.  Consider what it took for the people of Israel in the Old Testament to be overtaken by God’s blessing:

Faithful People Are Overtaken By Blessing

            God told His people to FAITHFULLY obey His commands.  He had given them the law and outlined the details of the covenant He made with them.  They had all the information they needed to live a life in harmony with God, but they needed the faith to believe that God’s commands were actually what was best for them.  Without this faith they would live in doubt about the Words God had spoken as well as the God who had spoken to them.  This is an example of what it means to enter the kingdom of God with “child-like faith.”  We must believe in the power and the goodness and faithfulness of the one who spoke and revealed Himself to us; the one with whom we live in covenant.

            The Bible reveals God’s word to us.  It claims authority as His inspired Word, and what we believe ABOUT the Bible is important.  We claim that the Bible is inerrant, or infallible, we say that it is important to us and a necessary part of our lives.  But how many of us live a life that shows those statements to be true?  Do we really believe the Bible is that important?  We claim its authority, but we seldom refer to it outside of a Bible study or worship service.  I can count on one hand (and might only need three fingers) the number of times I have been in meetings where decisions were made based on something that was clearly seen in Scripture.  How many people do you know that even carry a Bible to meetings (or even to church anymore for that matter)?  I don’t just do it because I’m the pastor.  My Bible goes to every meeting I have ever attended.  It’s our rule and our guide.  It’s the inspired word of God and I trust what it teaches.  I don’t know how we continue to get by without it.  If we are to be overtaken with blessing we must believe once again that:  no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20, 21).

            But even believing in the authority of God’s Word is not enough in itself to obtain the blessing and abundant life God has promised us.

Obedient People Are Overtaken By Blessing

            Our text did not just call the people of Israel to have faith in the Word, but to FAITHFULLY OBEY the Word of God.  That means that the Word of God APPLIES TO YOU!  Sometimes people ask me after a sermon, “Do I really have to do that?”  I had just spent the last half hour or so reading Scripture that says they do and they still ask.  Is it any wonder we don’t see the blessings of God?  We spend the majority of our time trying to come up with reasons we don’t have to do what the Word of God teaches us.  Wouldn’t our time be better spend trying to discern how we can be completely obedient to the Word rather than how we can get around it?  Read on in the 28^th chapter of Deuteronomy and look at what God had to say about those who didn’t obey the Word.  When we spend our lives trying to ignore and explain away the Word of God we can expect NOTHING MORE OR LESS THAN THE JUDGMENT OF GOD!

            God is not trying to keep something from us be requiring obedience.  He does not want us to miss out on something good, but He has given us His Word to keep us from a lifestyle that ROBS US OF HIS BLESSINGS.  Scripture reveals to us the way to walk with God in holiness.  It teaches us what it means to live in His presence and what His Holy character requires of us if we are to experience relationship with Him.  The only way to be overtaken with the blessings of His presence is to live in accordance with what is taught in the Word; to make every effort to conform our lives to what the Bible teaches; to conform the church and our congregation, and to make Scripture our foundation and our rule of faith.  In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death (Prov. 12:28).

            Living in opposition to the Word separates us from God.  God was represented by the people of Israel and is represented by His church today.  Moses was repeatedly commanded to do “all that God commanded.”  When they worship, traveled, and even when they gathered food.  God wasn’t trying to oppress them, but to free them from the things that stood in opposition to His presence.  That’s what He is doing today in the church through His Word.  God wants us to experience His presence and to be encompassed by His glory and blessing.  We cannot experience this without obedience to the Word. 

Careful People Are Overtaken By Blessing

            There is one more element of this command to be “faithfully obedient” that we must consider.  God told the people to be “CAREFUL” to be obedient to the command.  This might be the most difficult part of this command to follow, but it is completely necessary if we are to be overtaken by the blessings of God.  This implies that we must PUT SOME THOUGHT into the way we live if we ever expect God’s blessings on our lives.  We so often go about our business with little or no though as to whether or not the things we do are worthy of God’s adoration (or blessing).  We celebrate the holidays of the world, and celebrate our Christian holidays on the terms of the world.  We just do what the world does and live like the world lives and it never occurs to us that we might be setting an example or sending a message to those around us that diminishes our witness of a life walking with God. 

            God has more for us than to stumble through a thoughtless existence hoping in vain that we might wander into His presence.  God told Moses, I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God (Exodus 29:45).  He told the prophet Jeremiah, I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart (Jer. 24:7).  He told Ezekiel, I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them  I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them.  And they shall be my people and I will be their God (Ezek. 11:20, 21). 

            If God is willing to live among us, give us His Word, empower us to follow His Word, and transform our lives in accordance with the blessing of His Word would it really hurt us to put some thought into the things we do?  Would it be so bad to consider our activities and hobbies and the example we set in light of what God has done and what he wants to do in us?

            God will stop at nothing to bless His people.  He was willing to continually forgive throughout the Old Testament, even when His people turned their backs on Him.  He sacrificed His own Son just to show us His love.  Through the blood of Christ, and the truth that was revealed we are cleansed and transformed into a suitable dwelling place for God’s Spirit.  And this Holy Spirit living inside of us – revealing God’s power and His glory through our lives - is what it means to be OVERTAKEN by God’s blessings.  God’s consuming blessings are available for us today.  To each one who is faithful, obedient and careful to live according to the Word – the revelation of Himself – God has given us.