Revelation 7:9-17 Revelation's...
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Revelation 7:9-17
Revelation's symbolic language gives early Christians the "inside information." They're undergoing persecution and John's kaleidoscopic document (whose code the early Christians understand) brings them comfort that, no matter how bad life seems, God will win the ultimate battle over evil.
During WWII, British intelligence figured out how to decrypt German radio communication. The term used for the code-breaking was "Ultra." No matter the difficulties the allies faced in fighting the Axis powers, they had enough "inside information." They knew the code that told them of the enemy's plans and movements.
Christians don't know everything about heaven and earth (or the new heaven and the new earth), but we know enough because we've seen the truest nature of God in Jesus Christ. His ways will, ultimately, conquer all evil.
Revelation 7:9-17
Imagine Washington DC: government employees of every nationality; tourists from all over the world; crowded with people fascinated by government, history, and the United States. Can you picture the Lincoln Memorial? Tourists swarm to a pillared building to see the gargantuan effigy of the man who brought America through its "great ordeal," a man who lost his life for his nation. Imagine the awe you would feel, surrounded by people of every color and race, looking into the carved stone face of one of America's greatest presidents and a martyr for his country. Now multiply that awe a thousandfold, multiply those multicultural tourists a thousandfold, turn the stone man into a real being -- and try to understand the emotion that runs through today's passage from Revelation.
Revelation 7:9-17
We know today that lambs are a sheepish lot, but paradoxically, Revelation 7 tells us that the Lamb of God will be your shepherd. Shepherds guide their sheep to places of nourishment and safety, protect them from danger, and are regularly called upon for great personal sacrifice. They are characterized by kindness, courage, and a combination of gentleness and toughness. Sheep and shepherd are well acquainted, and the sheep trust their shepherd. The shepherd finds sources of sustenance for the flock and leads them along safe routes. The shepherd is a guide through difficult terrain, carrying a rod to protect the flock, and a staff to discipline those who stray. When a briar wounds the head of a sheep, the shepherd anoints it with a healing ointment and provides it with a drink for sustenance.
The metaphor of God as the good shepherd carries over into the teaching and ministry of Jesus. The lost sheep provides a powerful image of divine mercy toward the sinner when the lost one is reconciled with the flock. You might visualize Jesus searching for a lost sheep or carrying an injured sheep on his shoulders. Jesus also exemplifies the role of good shepherd in his dealings with people. He meets you where you are, showing compassion as he guides, heals, sustains, and reconciles you.
1 John 3:1-3
Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of ancient Rome, once observed, "The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts." What about our thoughts? What do they reveal about the state of our souls?
Give a group of children paper and crayons, and ask them to draw a self-portrait. Their choice of which color crayons to use will say much about how they feel about themselves. Bright, pastel colors convey a sunny disposition. Dark blues, grays, and black often tell a tale of sadness and woe.
First John 3:3 says that those who have Christian hope within them "purify themselves." Where do we start as we undertake that task? A good place to begin is with our thoughts.
1 John 3:1-3
NBC Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert died unexpectedly earlier this year. His 22-year-old son, Luke, remembers the special times he shared with his father. Luke told an interviewer the week after his father's passing, that his dad was very demonstrative. "There was always a lot of love from him. We would always hug." Then he added, "There's not a day that went by that I did not know my father loves me. For that, I'm eternally grateful."
Retired newsman, Dan Rather, said, "Tim, first and foremost, was devout in his faith and deeply devoted to his family." Tim Russert will be remembered for his work on television but also as a positive example of a man of faith who deeply loved his entire family and served his community.
All Saints provides an opportunity to remember those special people in our lives. We thank God for the positive impact they have had on our lives and our faith knowing that they continue to influence our lives. The apostle John reminds us of the great love God has for each one of us. "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are."
1 John 3:1-3
How does one tell a true painting from a fake? That was a question explored by the television program, Nova Now. They commissioned a painter skilled in art restoration to copy Van Gogh's painting, The Reaper. When she was finished, a picture was taken of the fake, then included with five other pictures of true Van Gogh paintings. Three teams of scientists were given one week to determine which was the fake.
Using different computer methods, ranging from analyzing brushstroke patterns to contrast areas, the teams all identified the fake. One of the people who watched the show with me commented, "They could identify the fake because they know Van Gogh's style. I wouldn't know a Van Gogh if it hit me in the face." Which is much like John's comment that the world didn't recognize Jesus' followers because it didn't know him.
Matthew 5:1-12
A regular feature of American life is the yearly evaluation of the ten best cities to live in. The articles don't simply "reward" the winners and encourage other cities to imitate them. They guide people in choosing the "best" place to live. Articles of a slightly different species educate people in how to choose the best mate. There are even guides for picking the best puppy.
Jesus, however, directs us to the deepest and truest happiness that transcends what the various American media pawn off as "best." Jesus guides us to a life of blessedness that is first and always lived with God and is quite opposed to what our culture advertises as success or "best."
Although Jesus' blessings are gifts, they still require obedience to activate them. The decision awaits us. Do we want the world's "best" or Jesus' "blessing"?
Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes are straightforward: "Blessed are the meek." "Blessed are the peacemakers." However, they are anything but straightforward. What does it mean to be meek or to be pure in heart? What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Does it mean that, in order to keep the peace, you should become a liar?
Katie threw a party for her friends, but no one wanted Alice to come -- no one liked rude, obnoxious, irritating Alice. But Alice knew about the party and she planned to be there. Katie was a peacemaker, but what peace should she keep? The peace between herself and Alice, who had a good heart but an aggravating personality? Or the peace between herself and the rest of her friends? Katie ended up lying to Alice to avoid the displeasure of her friends but does that make her a peacemaker? She broke her trust with Alice forever in order to have one pleasant evening. Her simple desire to keep peace led to a complicated lie. Be careful as you strive to be meek, merciful, and peaceful. These characteristics are not as easy as they appear.
Matthew 5:1-12
If the devil were to write beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:
1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians -- they are my best workers.
2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.
3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church -- they are my missionaries.
4. Blessed are the troublemakers -- they shall be called my children.
5. Blessed are the complainers -- I'm all ears to them.
6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of sermons.
7. Blessed are the church members who expect to be invited to their own church -- for they are a part of the problem instead of the solution.
8. Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.
9. Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit.
10. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God's work -- for they are my helpers.
11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister -- for he shall be with me forever.
12. Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it is about other people and not yourself -- I've got you, too!
(From an anonymous source)
Revelation's symbolic language gives early Christians the "inside information." They're undergoing persecution and John's kaleidoscopic document (whose code the early Christians understand) brings them comfort that, no matter how bad life seems, God will win the ultimate battle over evil.
During WWII, British intelligence figured out how to decrypt German radio communication. The term used for the code-breaking was "Ultra." No matter the difficulties the allies faced in fighting the Axis powers, they had enough "inside information." They knew the code that told them of the enemy's plans and movements.
Christians don't know everything about heaven and earth (or the new heaven and the new earth), but we know enough because we've seen the truest nature of God in Jesus Christ. His ways will, ultimately, conquer all evil.
Revelation 7:9-17
Imagine Washington DC: government employees of every nationality; tourists from all over the world; crowded with people fascinated by government, history, and the United States. Can you picture the Lincoln Memorial? Tourists swarm to a pillared building to see the gargantuan effigy of the man who brought America through its "great ordeal," a man who lost his life for his nation. Imagine the awe you would feel, surrounded by people of every color and race, looking into the carved stone face of one of America's greatest presidents and a martyr for his country. Now multiply that awe a thousandfold, multiply those multicultural tourists a thousandfold, turn the stone man into a real being -- and try to understand the emotion that runs through today's passage from Revelation.
Revelation 7:9-17
We know today that lambs are a sheepish lot, but paradoxically, Revelation 7 tells us that the Lamb of God will be your shepherd. Shepherds guide their sheep to places of nourishment and safety, protect them from danger, and are regularly called upon for great personal sacrifice. They are characterized by kindness, courage, and a combination of gentleness and toughness. Sheep and shepherd are well acquainted, and the sheep trust their shepherd. The shepherd finds sources of sustenance for the flock and leads them along safe routes. The shepherd is a guide through difficult terrain, carrying a rod to protect the flock, and a staff to discipline those who stray. When a briar wounds the head of a sheep, the shepherd anoints it with a healing ointment and provides it with a drink for sustenance.
The metaphor of God as the good shepherd carries over into the teaching and ministry of Jesus. The lost sheep provides a powerful image of divine mercy toward the sinner when the lost one is reconciled with the flock. You might visualize Jesus searching for a lost sheep or carrying an injured sheep on his shoulders. Jesus also exemplifies the role of good shepherd in his dealings with people. He meets you where you are, showing compassion as he guides, heals, sustains, and reconciles you.
1 John 3:1-3
Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of ancient Rome, once observed, "The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts." What about our thoughts? What do they reveal about the state of our souls?
Give a group of children paper and crayons, and ask them to draw a self-portrait. Their choice of which color crayons to use will say much about how they feel about themselves. Bright, pastel colors convey a sunny disposition. Dark blues, grays, and black often tell a tale of sadness and woe.
First John 3:3 says that those who have Christian hope within them "purify themselves." Where do we start as we undertake that task? A good place to begin is with our thoughts.
1 John 3:1-3
NBC Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert died unexpectedly earlier this year. His 22-year-old son, Luke, remembers the special times he shared with his father. Luke told an interviewer the week after his father's passing, that his dad was very demonstrative. "There was always a lot of love from him. We would always hug." Then he added, "There's not a day that went by that I did not know my father loves me. For that, I'm eternally grateful."
Retired newsman, Dan Rather, said, "Tim, first and foremost, was devout in his faith and deeply devoted to his family." Tim Russert will be remembered for his work on television but also as a positive example of a man of faith who deeply loved his entire family and served his community.
All Saints provides an opportunity to remember those special people in our lives. We thank God for the positive impact they have had on our lives and our faith knowing that they continue to influence our lives. The apostle John reminds us of the great love God has for each one of us. "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are."
1 John 3:1-3
How does one tell a true painting from a fake? That was a question explored by the television program, Nova Now. They commissioned a painter skilled in art restoration to copy Van Gogh's painting, The Reaper. When she was finished, a picture was taken of the fake, then included with five other pictures of true Van Gogh paintings. Three teams of scientists were given one week to determine which was the fake.
Using different computer methods, ranging from analyzing brushstroke patterns to contrast areas, the teams all identified the fake. One of the people who watched the show with me commented, "They could identify the fake because they know Van Gogh's style. I wouldn't know a Van Gogh if it hit me in the face." Which is much like John's comment that the world didn't recognize Jesus' followers because it didn't know him.
Matthew 5:1-12
A regular feature of American life is the yearly evaluation of the ten best cities to live in. The articles don't simply "reward" the winners and encourage other cities to imitate them. They guide people in choosing the "best" place to live. Articles of a slightly different species educate people in how to choose the best mate. There are even guides for picking the best puppy.
Jesus, however, directs us to the deepest and truest happiness that transcends what the various American media pawn off as "best." Jesus guides us to a life of blessedness that is first and always lived with God and is quite opposed to what our culture advertises as success or "best."
Although Jesus' blessings are gifts, they still require obedience to activate them. The decision awaits us. Do we want the world's "best" or Jesus' "blessing"?
Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes are straightforward: "Blessed are the meek." "Blessed are the peacemakers." However, they are anything but straightforward. What does it mean to be meek or to be pure in heart? What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Does it mean that, in order to keep the peace, you should become a liar?
Katie threw a party for her friends, but no one wanted Alice to come -- no one liked rude, obnoxious, irritating Alice. But Alice knew about the party and she planned to be there. Katie was a peacemaker, but what peace should she keep? The peace between herself and Alice, who had a good heart but an aggravating personality? Or the peace between herself and the rest of her friends? Katie ended up lying to Alice to avoid the displeasure of her friends but does that make her a peacemaker? She broke her trust with Alice forever in order to have one pleasant evening. Her simple desire to keep peace led to a complicated lie. Be careful as you strive to be meek, merciful, and peaceful. These characteristics are not as easy as they appear.
Matthew 5:1-12
If the devil were to write beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:
1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians -- they are my best workers.
2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.
3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church -- they are my missionaries.
4. Blessed are the troublemakers -- they shall be called my children.
5. Blessed are the complainers -- I'm all ears to them.
6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of sermons.
7. Blessed are the church members who expect to be invited to their own church -- for they are a part of the problem instead of the solution.
8. Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.
9. Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit.
10. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God's work -- for they are my helpers.
11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister -- for he shall be with me forever.
12. Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it is about other people and not yourself -- I've got you, too!
(From an anonymous source)
