It has been 2 excitingnights listening to DA Carson preach on revelations. I remembered hearingsomeone say “why study the end of age. When it comes, it comes.” I share theperson’s point in making sure we don’t miss the point of living the Christianlife now. But I think there are also important truths with regards to how weshould see for ourselves some of the things that will happen so as to betterappreciate what Jesus Christ’s blood has purchased and how to be sure ofsalvation. Thank God for the clear Bible expositions for God’s people where DACarson patiently and clearly teaches the living word.
Many aspects of societyhave affected the gospel today. Secularism squeezes religion to privatization.It is considered even ungentlemanly for a person to talk about his faith in asocial setting, or discuss it. Even when we study sociological issues, there isnothing talked about God and Satan. I’m reminded of how the reverse is true aswell. It is scary to realize that with loving motives, counseling in church canalso sometimes divert away from the word of God and workers instead seek forworldly methods to solve the problems, even spiritual walk problems.
I appreciate how Carsonled us through difficulty on Tuesday evening and explained the importance ofunderstanding the apocalyptic symbolism of the book of revelation, the 12thchapter in particular. O by the way, He uses NIV which I thought was quite rareas many American preachers like to use ESV which I think is a more accuratetranslation. Still, it was nice to observe him read the verses from atranslation that I hold in my hand.. haha!
In the 12thchapter, read about the rage of Satan. How Satan knowing he has lost the battlebecomes really mad and goes on more to fight it out with God’s people. It mightsound confusing, as a person who knows he has lost a battle would logicallychoose to seek peace. Well, that’s not quite true for someone in the sinfulstate. Consider the day when the allies touched down on Normandy. The number oftroops attacking the southern territories greatly outnumbered the forces ofHitler. It was clear that Hitler was going to lose the battle. That did notstop him from fighting on. Instead, he was so indignant that he continued thewar with some of the fiercest battles recorded.
How true is it for me whenI sin; I try to find excuses to cover me. It is just so me to quickly armmyself with the defenses of self-righteousness so I will be blameless in mysight. Let all be liars and only I and God be true. Unknowingly, I am actually declaring war against God andfighting a losing battle, which I know from the start, but chose to suppressit.
I pray that God would havemercy on me. And even the times when I plead for mercy I pray that it is reallya time of pleading for mercy and not trying to save my skin as recorded in thestory of king Saul. It is just so me to do that. I find myself while lying onthe bed just so inclined to prove myself right in my thoughts. Struggling withthese thoughts. I am absolutely thankful with gratitude that God, in his mercy,has left me with thoughts to come to Him in my sin and seek for forgiveness. Ican only ask that God will be gracious to make me deny myself and follow Hispath of suffering and to accept the gift of forgiveness. Help me God.
As Carson continues hisexposition in revelation 14 on Thursday night, I was encapsulated by a picturein Chapter 5:2 onwards:
“And I saw a mighty angelproclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and openthe scroll?” 3But no onein heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even lookinside it. 4I wept and weptbecause no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.”
Carson challenged us toponder upon the fact that John wept and wept. He explained that if no one wereto break the seal, there is no more salvation. God doesn’t have to and is notobliged to save anyone. No wonder John wept and wept. It is really the heart ofGod. He doesn’t have to save us and He cannot because of sin, but the nature ofGod is also that He wants all to be saved.
This reminds me of how Itreat questions like “will a non Christian go heaven?” It is dangerous to soundjudgmental and say plainly that he won’t. Quoting scriptures like Jesus is theway truth and life and to give a cold harsh but true answer in my opinion isgoing to miss the point of John here. Carson gave us an example of a radio showwhere the host invited a panel of professing religious leaders, I think, todiscuss about their religion. The host finally asked the Christian if he thinkshis pious Jewish friend, though not believing in Jesus Christ, would go heaven.The Christian broke down, cried for 1 minute on a national radio without givingan answer. The host said that this has been the best defense of Christianity hehad seen.
I’ve been praying for thelove of God to magnify in my life. To show that God is the most supreme worthin my life and display his character of love. I find myself defending the truthand forgetting that heart of God. Carson reminded us not to dissect the love ofGod into many parts. But rather God is love in all there is to love.Conditional or unconditional, all belongs to God who is love.
The theme of that night’smessage however was centered on the wrath of God. The trueness of sinners beingwine pressed and the blood of them flowing for a long distance. The sickle andthe harvest where weeds and wheat will be separated. How the blood of Christbuys our redemption. The kind of joy that John had when finally he was told andsaw for Himself the lamb who is worthy to break the seal. The Lion and the Lamb– Jesus Christ.
Let this be my cry “havemercy on me O GOD, for I am a sinner!”
