citizens of the future

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 7:1-8:5.    The future will be populated by those redeemed “of the sons of Israel” (the 144,000 representing Jews saved during the first century) and also “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.”  Their eternal destiny is sure in spite of the fact that harm will come to the earth and the sea.  God’s promise to them (us) is that they (we)…

“…shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
        the sun shall not strike them,
        nor any scorching heat.
    For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
        and he will guide them to springs of living water,
    and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
(Revelation 7:16-17 ESV)

 

He also promises that he will hear their prayers.  The prayers go up to him like incense at the altar.

LORD, we trust you to make our dreams of the future a reality, and to shepherd us during this dark and trying age.

Posted in church, confidence, future, relationship with God | Tagged , | Leave a comment

the age before the future

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 6.    The four chariots of Zechariah 6 represent spying out the land, but the four horses of Revelation 6 are war horses. They represent attacks against the whole earth.  This chapter parallels Jesus’ descriptions of this age of tribulation that will continue until his second coming.  The saints are not delivered from this tribulation, but endure it.  Those who pay the ultimate price for their faith (martyrdom) are told to continue resting (in their graves) until the whole number of martyrs should be complete (11).  This age ends with the population hiding in fear from the wrath of the Lamb.  The future will be a time of blessing for those ransomed by the Lamb, but a time of wrath and destruction for all others.

LORD, give us the wisdom and courage to reach out to the enemies of the Lamb, so that they do not have to face his terrible wrath.

Posted in courage, enemies, future, second coming | Tagged | Leave a comment

a certain future

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 5.   John sees a scroll – a picture depicting all the events that must take place for all creation to be reconciled to God.  The only one worthy of opening the scroll – thus revealing the future – is the Lamb.  He was slain, and by his blood has ransomed people for God.  That is why we have a certain future.  It is certain, and we can know it because it is written on the scroll.  The Lamb is revealing it to us.  What is certain about our future?

  1. We will be ransomed because of Christ’s death on the cross.
  2. We will be a kingdom of priests.
  3. We will reign on the earth.

LORD, thank you for giving us a destiny, and revealing it to us in your word.

Posted in church, future, Jesus Christ, scriptures | Tagged | Leave a comment

a Christo-centric future

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 4.  John’s picture of the future continues with a picture of the redeemed universe. He sees…

  1. 24 elders on 24 thrones that make a circle around the perimeter of the scene. The represent redeemed humanity of all time.
  2. Forming a smaller circle around the throne in the center are the four living creatures.  They represent – wait for it – all the living creatures of the future.  They have both diversity and unity.  The unity is focused on the final element of the scene.
  3. In the center of the universe of the future is Christ on his throne. He will be eternally praised because he both created all things and brought redemption.

LORD, you are the center of the universe. May we so live as to witness to that reality to a world that has forgotten it.

Posted in creation, future, Jesus Christ, redemption | Tagged | Leave a comment

the future of overcomers (2)

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 3.    Christ promised a future for those who persevered against the difficulties that they would face and stayed true to him:

  1. For overcomers in Sardis, Christ promised the white robes of victory and celebration (1-6; 19:7-8).
  2. For overcomers in Philadelphia, Christ promised stability and a new name – associated with God and his new creation (7-13; 21:10-11).
  3. For overcomers in Laodicea, Christ promised authority and glory represented by sitting on his throne with him (14-22; 20:4).

LORD, help us to persevere through the trials of the present so that we might realize the future you have promised.

Posted in church, commitment, perseverance | Tagged | Leave a comment

the future of overcomers (1)

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 2. Christ does not promise a future for mere attenders . He required his churches to produce overcomers.  Each church had a danger that it faced. For those within these four churches who overcame – Christ had special promises:

  1. For overcomers in Ephesus, Christ promised the tree of life (1-7; 22:2).
  2. For overcomers in Smyrna, Christ promised the crown of life (8-11; James 1:12).
  3. For overcomers in Pergamum, Christ promised the hidden manna and a new name (12-17; John 6:48-50).
  4. For overcomers in Thyatira, Christ promised authority over the nations (18-29; 20:4).

LORD, grant us the strength to do spiritual warfare wherever you send us – so that we can overcome and inherit all your promises.

Posted in church, spiritual warfare | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jesus and the future

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11490Revelation 1.    Is this book a Revelation of Jesus Christ, or is it a prophecy about the future of the world?  Yes.

Jesus is the key to our destiny, and the future of the world.

  1. He is the firstborn of the dead (5), who died, is alive forever, and has the keys of death and Hades (18).  You can trust him with your personal destiny.
  2. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth (5) who holds the stars in his right hand (16).  We can trust him with the world’s future.

LORD, give us the wisdom to trust Christ to work out your will in the cosmos, and in our personal lives.

Posted in future, Jesus Christ, peace, truth | Tagged | Leave a comment

authenticity: spotting fakes

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.013Jude.    Jude wrote on a similar topic as John’s letters.  His concern was that the church had opened its doors to false Christians, who had infiltrated it. He likened them to:

  1. Cain, who killed his brother out of jealousy (11).
  2. Balaam, who conspired to corrupt Israel (11).
  3. Korah, who rebelled against God’s chosen leader (11).
  4. Hidden reefs, set to cause damage (12).
  5. Shepherds feeding themselves (12).
  6. Waterless clouds (12).
  7. Fruitless trees (12).
  8. Wild waves of the sea (13).
  9. Wandering stars destined for darkness (13).

You can spot a fake by looking for someone who fits this description:  “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (16).

LORD, give us a commitment to you that can never be confused with inauthentic Christianity.  Teach us to minister in maturity, and never seek our own gain.

Posted in church, commitment, discernment, discipleship, genuineness, integrity, ministry | Tagged | Leave a comment

authenticity: finding balance

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0133 John.    In his second letter, John had encouraged believers not to associate with deceivers who taught new things.  In this third letter, he deals with the opposite problem.  Diotrephes – apparently a leader in the church John writes to – has refused to accept a legitimate ministry.  He used his position in the church to deny support to others, seeking to narrow the people’s attention to only himself.

Today, we need to learn the same lesson.  There are some false teachings we ought to shun.  But there are lots of legitimate ministries we ought to be accepting and supporting.  Finding the appropriate balance will require discernment.

LORD, help us support legitimate manifestations of your Holy Spirit, while avoiding counterfeits.

Posted in church, discernment, ministry, money | Tagged | Leave a comment

authenticity: staying in the truth

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0132 John.    John’s second letter was to a church group.  Although he addressed it to “the elect lady and her children” all of the commands in it are plural, which suggests he had the group in mind.

He encouraged them to stay in the truth they know, and not to be eager to “go on ahead” (9).  It is tempting to always be looking for some new teaching, but those who do so are in danger of wandering away from the simple message of grace in the gospel.

John warned the believers not to even receive those with “new” teachings into their homes.  That would be taking part in a deceiver’s “wicked works” (11).

LORD, help us to stay in the truth, and so avoid being lured away from  it by “new” teachings.

Posted in church, commitment, faithfulness, gospel, grace, heresies, truth | Tagged | Leave a comment