2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I don’t know how many of you have read and really studied the book of Revelation, but I can tell you it is one of the most exciting and hope-building visions of the Bible. When I first approached Pastor Paul about wanting to teaching classes on it, he was understandably concerned. A lot of people shy away from teaching it, much less reading it. His concerns were put to rest when I showed him the book I wanted to use for these classes and explained that while there are some theories on non-salvation based issues in Revelation, it was my intention to present them and leave it up to the student’s personal dealings with God to lead him to whatever he believes. Much to Pastor Paul’s credit, he not only allowed me to present these courses, but he also visited them to present his views and even took a course on Revelation at the seminary himself. I give you this background, because Revelation has been given a bum rap by the folks who don’t understand that it is the most heroic story and the greatest evidence of the consummation of all the prophecies of the Scriptures ever written. These people are so frightened by the evil mentioned in Revelation or so intimidated by the large amount of symbolism in it that they have missed the boat entirely.
There are some remarkable things to see in this book, which I view to be a most precious gift from God. We are allowed to see how actions taken in heaven affect consequences felt on earth. We are given a view of the mechanics of how God exerts His righteous sovereignty. Through the God-driven actions of Christ, we are allowed to see the magnificent victory that Christ will bring about in wresting dominion of earth from Satan, placing it back in God’s hands where it was always meant to be. One of the key verses that reveals Christ’s power to do this occurs in REV 5: 4-5. At this point, John (the apostle who, after having this vision while imprisoned on the isle of Patmos off the coast of Asia Minor-modern day Turkey, wrote this book) expresses his utter concern. “I cried bitterly because no one could be found who was worth to open the scroll or look inside it [referring to the scroll with seven seals]. Ten one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not cry . Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the great Descendant of David, has won the victory, and He can break the seven seals and open the scroll.” For those of you who don’t know this, the scroll represents the mortgage to earth, the authority to hold dominion over it, if you will. The seven seals are the increasingly dire judgments that God will bring down on earth in His final effort to separate those willing to come to faith during the seven years of tribulation and those who are totally unrighteous-the final separation of the sheep and goats referred to in MT 25: 32-33.
Now, you may be wondering what does this have to do with Handel’s “Messiah.” The answer is that the most famous selection from this work of all, the “Hallelujah” chorus, is based on several citations from the book of Revelation. Let me cite them for you. REV 11: 15, “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The power to rule over the world belongs now to our Lord and His Messiah, and He will rule forever and ever!’ “ REV 19: 6, “Then I heard what sounded like a crowed, like the sound of a roaring waterfall, like loud peals of thunder. I heard them say, ‘Praise God! For the Lord, our almighty God, is King!’ “ REV 19: 16, “On His robe and on His thigh was written the name: ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords!’ “ These words send shivers of delight up and down my spine whenever I hear them. Because I believe every word of the Bible to be true and accurate, these words are a reminder of the greatest thing that will ever happen in any of our lives. They remind me that no matter what trials we face on earth, that our Lord will keep every wonderful promise He has made to us if we will only endure in our faith, make Him the Lord of our lives. Folks, that is big time hope for us to share together!
No single piece of music that I have ever sing or will sing has had the same impact on me than the #44 chorus, “Hallelujah.” It is no empty gesture when every congregation or concert audience that has sung it where I am present has stood without any direction to do so from anyone human. This is truly God’s very special song. Read and enjoy the words that are actually sung: “Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah! And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! “ Can you hear the music in your mind like I can? It’s nothing short of amazing! If not, take the time to listen to a recording of it as soon as you can. You won’t be sorry.
One of the great revelations of the book of Revelation is truth. I’ve written about this in previous messages but will undoubtedly return many times to this all-important subject. The picture in our minds of a rider on a white horse whose thigh is marked “King of Kings, Lord of Lords,” is particularly significant. That is because earlier in the story of this vision there is the counterfeit rider, the first horseman of the Apocalypse, who resembles this real Rider. It brings me back to citing HE 4: 12, “The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where the soul and the spirit meet, to where the joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of man’s heart.” When we know the truth, we are really set free, Dear Ones, free from our fears and free from the evil consequences that come from believing a pack of lies. Therein is a great gift given to us by our loving Abba.
PRAYER: O Lord, the truth that You bring us through John’s vision of the events of the book of Revelation is the greatest of Your many gifts that You bestow on us. The word “praise” seems hardly enough for what You deserve. We come to You in utmost humility, attempting with our limited human perspective to understand the magnitude of the love You have for us and our responsibility to the righteous Sovereignty You exert in our lives. We confess our sins and offer You our adoration. We sing to You the words from REV 5: 12 of the seven-fold doxology: “The Lamb Who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!” You have given us salvation, truth, and hope. We thank God for that, in Your holy name, amen.
And now, we have come to the Easter portion of the “Messiah,” the subject of the next few messages to come. It is my sincerest hope that you are enjoying these series of messages. If the Lord is willing, I hope to write about the Christmas section of this marvelous work during the Christmas season of this year. But that’s for then. For now, let me express the love that Peter and I have for you. As strong as it is, it is a mere shadow of the love our Lord has for us all. Hallelujah!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn