Emphasis Preaching Journal

We have trouble in our culture dealing with the world of the unseen. Many pastors were trained to strain out the element of the miraculous in scripture. But one can hardly preach on the texts for this day without confronting the question posed by the popular song of a decade or so ago: "Is that all there is?" Are we the only ones in the universe? Did God make no other beings?

In spite of attempts to rule out the realm of angels, archangels and other invisible beings, belief in such a world runs strong. Rather than work so hard at denying it, we would do well to capitalize on it and affirm what scripture says -- that this is not all there is, that we are not alone, and that God works to help us in ways we cannot begin to comprehend.

The angel who appears to Daniel in 10:10-14 may be Gabriel, who had appeared earlier. Whoever this person is, he comes with words of personal reassurance. Daniel is told that he is "greatly beloved." He is promised that he will be given insight into the message he is to give to the people of God.

In 12:1-3 Michael, who was mentioned in passing earlier, is referred to again, this time as the one who will give insight into what will happen to the people. Here we find one of the few references in the Old Testament to life beyond death: "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake." But there is also in this text a strong rejection of any idea of universal salvation: "Some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting shame and contempt." The message to Daniel is that one is responsible for the decisions one makes in life and that the consequences of wrong decisions and evil actions that are not amended will last beyond this life. Those who endure with the help of God and the holy angels "will shine like the stars."

It's ironic that I'm writing this article during the first week in February. Last evening I looked into the southwestern sky at twilight to view the spectacular conjunction of Saturn and Venus. Today this text seems all the more spectacular: "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky ... like the stars forever and ever."

Revelation 12:7-12

The Book of Revelation, difficult though it may be to understand, is fundamentally a word of hope and encouragement to people of God living under stress and persecution. This text is a powerful word of reassurance that they do not stand alone. Angelic powers are with them. Michael is on their side. Evil powers -- "the dragon and his angels" -- will be defeated.

But just as one fights back most aggressively when one is in the throes of death, so these evil powers will do their utmost to destroy the church -- "because he knows that his time is short." Thus, when the pressure is most intense, the children of God should not give up. This is a sign that the end of the struggle is soon over. Believers are to take courage in the promise that no matter how intense the struggle, they will win in the end.

The source of victory is in Christ. They will conquer, first and foremost, "by the blood of the lamb." Michael also plays a role. Regarded in tradition as the guardian of Israel, Michael is now seen as the one who fights on behalf of the "new Israel" -- those who have accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

But believers are not called to be passive observers in this great struggle. As in Daniel, they bear some responsibility for the outcome. The demonic powers are conquered not only by "the blood of the Lamb," but also "by the word of their testimony." Words have power. Believers are to be fully engaged in the world. They are to witness to the Gospel and to speak against injustice in any form. As Paul put it, "The message of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). This witness is confirmed by their willingness "not (to) cling to life even in the face of death."

Harry Boer pulls the text together in this succinct summary: "The salvation, power, and kingdom of God, and the authority that has been given to Christ, are now fact. They are at work in the Church. Not only has Christ conquered Satan, but Christ's followers now also conquer him in their own lives by faith in Christ's blood and by witness to His name." (Harry Boer, The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979, p. 91.)

Luke 10:17-20

Though we know virtually nothing about "the seventy," this lesson is a reminder that the earliest work of the Gospel was the result of more than the efforts of Jesus and the twelve. Much was happening that is not recorded in the four gospels. This brief glimpse into the work of the seventy comes at a time when there was good response to Jesus and the work of those who joined him. But Jesus knows that it will not always be this way. So he prepares the seventy -- and the twelve who may be a part of them -- for the difficult days ahead. At this moment they cannot foresee such a time. They expect good days to go on and on. Jesus impresses on them that when they are tempted to give up they should remember that God promises an eternal gift to those who remain steadfast.

Jesus' word about Satan falling from heaven "like a flash of lightning" is surely a reference to the well-known account of the struggle between Michael and Satan, and the victory of Michael over the forces of evil. The message is about God's involvement in the world, about the power of Christ, and about hope and victory.

Ernest Gordon asks the question, "What can you expect from God?" In response he suggests, "Contrary to what some believe, our universe is not chaotic. Think of the seasons, how they move with regularity, the stars in their course. The reason scientists can send our astronauts into outer space is that they can count on the predictability of certain forces." (Ernest Gordon, Guidebook For the New Christian) That is what Jesus is impressing on the seventy -- that they can trust God to be with them and to speak the last word. When the going seems impossible, believers keep moving on with the strong promise that they have the full force of God on their side, including the angels and archangels.

As he neared death my professor of New Testament, Dr. Eric Wahlstrom, gave this witness to his friends: "During my fourscore years I have learned to know God as my heavenly Father. He is the living God, who has given us life here on earth, and has given us a task and a future in this world. Is faith only for this life? Surely he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead has a future for us also who are ready to enter 'the good night.' Because I believe in God, the Giver of life, I look forward to a new life in the presence of God, my Redeemer and Lord." Eric knew his name was written in heaven.

Suggestions For Preaching

Rather than shy away from talk about the world of the unseen, we might choose on this Sunday to speak very forthrightly about the promises of God to help us, including the aid and encouragement that comes from the angels of God. Contemporary authors like John Sanford, Morton Kelsey, and others have made us more sensitive to the world of the unseen than was the case a generation ago. Kelsey reports an incident from the life of Augustine when a young believer shared his doubts about the resurrection and eternal life. In his reply Augustine referred to our dreams, reminding him that we actually "see" in our dreams. We relate to other persons as persons. We move through space in our dreams and at times even experience a passage of time. This should encourage us, wrote Augustine, to believe in the possibility that there can indeed be other forms of life than the one we know in our waking times on our journey from birth to death. (Morton Kelsey, God, Dreams and Revelation, Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1991, pp. 233-242.)

For years my wife and I have ended the day with Luther's evening prayer: "We give thanks, Heavenly Father, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that you have this day graciously protected us. We ask you to forgive all our sins and the wrong which we have done. Graciously protect us through the coming night. Into your hands we commend our bodies and souls and all that is ours. Let your holy angels have charge of us, that the wicked one have not power over us. Amen."


FIRST LESSON FOCUS
By James A. Nestingen

Exodus 17:1-7

Virtually any second rate administrator will tell you the same: If you honor a complaint, no matter how just, you are inviting more of the same -- they'll be back. And so they are. The last time, the Hebrews wanted bread; this time, it's water.

On the other hand, there are policies that are just about bound to provoke complaint. If, for instance, you choose to be represented by a stammering murderer on the run and then confuse things all the more by throwing in his kid brother and older sister, there may be some questions about your human resources office. And if you yourself get associated with drought, pestilence, the nationwide loss of the firstborn and then drown an army for the sake of some rebellious slaves, you shouldn't be surprised if even the slaves themselves start to have questions.

If that's not enough, there are feasibility problems. According to the census figures in use, though not everyone considers them credible, there are some 600,000 under such leadership. That is a city large enough to require a water board consisting of several commissioners along with a large full-time staff and a substantial plant. And these people are in the desert!

Faith involves trust, it is true. To believe is to rest in the certainty of the word, counting on God to provide in every time of need. And there is plenty to indicate God's trustworthiness. The children of Abraham and Sarah marched through the disasters of their departure from Egypt untrammeled.

But there's a difference between faith and foolhardiness. For there's a dark side to God, an impenetrable hiddenness lurking at the edges of the divine goodness, which elicits fear, and rightfully so. Fear is as much a part of faith, even if commonly dismissed, as trust itself. The God of the exodus and the exile, of Good Friday and Easter, is just too familiar with tombs.

Before too long, God will tire of the Hebrews' carping. If there is a difference between faith and foolhardiness, there is the same between a faithful fear and flat-out unbelief. A whole generation will be left in the desert, along with Moses, buried right at the edge of the promised land.

But in the meantime, God demonstrates the difference between the second rate and those who really know their business. If there's a wild edge to the complaint, the good Lord can also see the justice in it. And so he opens a waterworks, right there amidst the rocks, continuing to supply every need. What will be next? Meat, no doubt. But that can be arranged, too, with the help of a cooperative wind and enough grace to go around, about a skyful.