Scripture Reflections

The book of Revelation gives us the heavenly perspective on Jesus’ ascension to the throne, following his death and resurrection. In Revelation 7:9-17, one of our readings from this past Sunday, John sees the response of the saints in glory to Jesus’ appearance in his Father’s throne room: waving palm branches and praising God! Psalm 149, which we also read this past Sunday, seems to have been written for just such an occasion—"a new song” for a new age, music and dancing to celebrate a great victory, and eager anticipation of the Lord’s reign extending over all nations, peoples, and kings. In this psalm we find instruction for how we are to live as saints now, as we look forward to joining in celebration with those who have gone before us. The instructions of the second half of the psalm can be confusing and even off-putting at first glance, though:

Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the LORD!

The nation of Israel did have a command from the Lord to bring his earthly judgment on particular peoples and kings in the land of Canaan, but the church has a different calling. As we read in Ephesians 6:12, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Not only is our enemy different (spiritual forces instead of pagan nations), our weapon is different. The two-edged sword we are to wield is stronger than any other: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Paul gives us a beautiful picture of saints rightly wielding the weapons given to them in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25: “But if all prophesy [speak the word of God], and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” But we will never be able to bring others to repentance and worship if we do not firstly and continually ask our King to use his sword on us, joining with David in the words of Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

Like our King, we must trample over death by death, daily taking up our cross to follow him. So may it one day be said of us as it said of the saints in glory (Revelation 12:11), “And they have conquered him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

- Rebekah

Recovering a Holiday

This Sunday, November 1, is All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is a lost holiday for most of us, partially because its purpose and theology it is far less clear than most Christian holidays, partially because of the Protestant rejection of the particular Roman Catholic doctrine of the saints, and partially because it is overshadowed by Halloween in American culture.

But All Saints’ Day is a holiday that should be recovered! It would serve the church well to set aside a day each year to remember those who have gone before us in the faith.

First, we need to remember when we are tempted and discouraged that we are actually surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). It is easy to think that our struggles are unique, but we can be strengthened when we remember that those who have gone before have faced similar trials and been strengthened by the grace of God in the midst of those trials. Second, we need to remember the specific people God has used in past generations to bring us to a point of salvation. Paul reminds Timothy of the faith of his grandmother and mother, a faith that is now alive in Timothy (II Tim. 1:5). Each of us has spiritual ancestors—mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers—who have lived with faith, and given the faith to us. We are heirs of the inheritance that these saints have left for our families. Third, we need to remember that there is only one body of Christ and one Church (Eph. 4:4-6), and those who have gone before are our brothers and sisters, equal members of the body of Christ with us. We are united with them just as we are with those who are still alive on this earth. And last, remembering the saints reminds us of the resurrection. Our hope is grounded in the fact that, one day, “we shall be changed…and raised imperishable” (I Cor. 15:50-58). Our hope is not in perfecting this body, this life, this world—it is instead in the resurrection and new creation.

Use this Sunday to remember the saints who have gone before you. Tell your children the stories of your grandparents. Read a biography of a great missionary. Thank God for the faithful who have brought you to a place of salvation. And rest assured that, just as God has preserved them for the resurrection, you also will be brought in splendor into the new creation.

Steven+

Isaiah 41

Isaiah 41 begins with a courtroom scene that develops over a number of chapters, a trial where God is both judge and prosecutor. The nations are the audience, watching God prove his case. The idols of the world are defendants, prosecuted by God. Yet there is also a special group in the audience; the trial is for their benefit. Is it the jury? The victim?

The special member of the audience is Israel himself. God questions and accuses the idols in Israel’s presence, challenging them to predict the future or explain the past. But he also addresses Israel directly, as a prosecutor might address a jury. Israel needs to listen, because they have been humbled and broken by pagan nations, and are fearful. Where has the God of Israel been?

Yet the Lord answers their fears. He says to them, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Over and over he tells them, “Fear not!” He has not abandoned his people. He will be their redeemer and rescue them from slavery and exile.

The world is chaotic and full of danger. Yet God proves that the idols of men are nothing. They are merely objects, things people build to protect themselves. They have no power. They cannot do anything, they do not know the past, and they cannot tell the future. God alone can do these things; he alone is Lord over history, and the world is in his hands.

We, like Israel, live in a chaotic and turbulent world. Like Israel we are tempted to trust in what we build and accomplish. Through our efforts we strive to create something that will protect us. Yet God alone is King over history—the idols we create totter and fall. He is not distant; he is both “the first” and present “with the last.” He remembers the poor and needy, thus we can take courage in the Redeemer. We need not fear the idols of the nations, nor should we create our own, because God alone knows the future.

-A Prayer from Isaiah 41-

You, O Lord our God, hold us by the right hand; it is you who says to us, “Fear not, for I am the one who helps you!” You are the Holy One of Israel, yet also our Redeemer. You alone know the future, and nothing happens outside your providence. May we live in these turbulent times without fear, trusting that you are Lord over history.

Steven+