Fire-Breathing Prophets and a Global Dance Party ... Digging into Revelations 11.3-13

Fire breathing prophets, two Olive Trees, The Beast that arises from the abyss, and a global dance party... wow, what else can we find in Revelation Chapter 11?! No wonder scholars declare this chapter to be one of the most important and complex chapters in Revelations!

So how about we approach this chapter as if we are going to see a play. The drama of Revelations Chapter 11 has only a few main characters who appear on this stage. 

Act 1 provides the two witnesses -who resemble Moses and Elijah. They testify about the power of Christ until God deems that their time is up. Some assume that these two witnesses are meant to describe The Church; while others believe that they are two literal figures who are yet to appear.

Act 2 introduces us to The Beast, who stands in opposition to God. The Beast kills the two witnesses and leaves their bodies out in the open. A global party occurs, with people celebrating the death of the two witnesses. Universally seen as The Antichrist, the Beast appears again in Chapter 13.

Act 3 unexpectedly tells us that the two witnesses are brought back to life and ascend into heaven. This amazing twist of fate is accompanied by a disastrous earthquake which causes people to turn to God.

What does this all mean?  If we believe that the two witnesses describe The Church then we can see that this is a play that shows the unfolding drama of God's Plan for the World.  God's people will testify about Him, they will do so with power and great effort.  However Evil will win; at least evil appears to win.  In the end God will vindicate and rescue His followers.

This drama of obedience, followed by suffering, and concluded by God's vindication... is the Story of Jesus, is the Story of His Church, and is the Story of His Followers!  This complex play informs us that we too must be obedient and will suffer, but that ultimately God will vindicate us.  God did this with Jesus, He's done this to His Church, and He will do this with each one of us!

Holy Tape Measures ... Digging into Revelation Chapter 11.1-2

Many scholars consider Revelation Chapter 11 one of the most challenging sections in the Book of Revelation. It is packed not only with Old Testament images and allusions, but with people and actions that require the reader to make clear interpretative positions.

Keep in mind that Chapters 10 and 11 are considered interludes (between the sixth and seventh trumpets) in the drama of Revelation. In Chapter 10, John is instructed to eat the scroll, which would initially taste like honey, but would be sour in his stomach. Chapter 11 shows us why the scroll was both sweet and sour.

God orders John to measure the temple, specifically those inside the temple; and to exclude the outer courts of the temple. This measuring is reminiscent of God's command to Ezekiel (600BC) to go and measure the temple (Ezekiel 40-42). The measuring action is a dramatic way of showing who belongs to God. Some will be counted as part of God's family, others will be counted as outside of God's family. In Revelations, the word ‘Temple’ always refers to the heavenly Temple vs. an actual Temple.

In Revelation 11.2 we are told that the enemies will ‘trample on the Holy City for 42 months.’ There are different possibilities for this specific time designation:

1. 3 1/2 year length of time is found in Daniel 7 and 9.

2. 3 1/2 year drought in the time of Elijah - I Kings 17.1

3. 42 months is the length of the wilderness wanderings -Numbers 33

4. Reference to Jewish suffering under Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes in 167-164 BC.

Noted Revelations scholar Robert Mounce, declares that the period of 42 months, ‘...became a standard symbol for a limited period of time during which evil would be allowed free reign.’  NICNT: Revelations, pg. 215.  This means that the 42 months represents a general period of suffering vs. a specific length of time...

John is asked to replicate the prophet Ezekiel’s actions of measuring the Temple. The point of this measuring of God’s People and those who oppose God, is to show that God divides people according to their relationship with Him. This isn’t politically correct and goes against our American zeitgeist, but it is the Truth.

Sunday Left-Overs Revelation 10 April 22, 2012

On Sunday we continued our tour of Revelation by focusing on Chapter 10. Chapter 10 and 11 are interludes -pauses in the final drama of Christ's return. The complexity of Revelations reminds me of the multi-dimensional chess game featured on Star Trek. There are many different levels to the action, and the End Times unfolds on these different levels.

Chapter 10 is filled with Old Testament images and allusions that are re-appropriated to the context of the Roman Empire. To fully understand the command to 'eat the scroll' we need to turn back to the Book of Ezekiel- specifically Chapters 2 and 3. 600 years before Christ -Ezekiel is told to eat a scroll which would taste like honey to his lips. This command is designed to show that Ezekiel must internalize the message. In Revelation Chapter 10, God gives John the same command: 'eat the scroll!'

Revelation Chapter 10 tells us that John will deliver a message that will be both pleasing and disturbing. This is the great truth of God's Word: it is both a message of hope and foolishness. The message of the Cross is sweet. Freedom from past sins, redemption, forgiveness -all provided by Christ. And at the same time the message of the Cross is bitter. I must die to myself, surrender everything and allow Christ first-place in my life.  This is a difficult pill to swallow.

Does Poverty Threaten our Democracy?

Cornel West continues to make prophetic statements about the state of the poor and disadvantaged in our country.  From his Race Matters, to his most recent book: The Rich and The Rest of Us, West is one of the few voices to champion the need for bipartisan action on poverty.  Dr. West appeared with Tavis Smiley on a recent episode of The Colbert Report.

   

5000 Hits and Counting...!

Today the CoffeeShopPastor blog achieved a significant milestone.... We surpassed 5000 hits! Thank you for checking out the site, for leaving your comments, and for engaging in both profound and whimsical discussions about life, faith and following Christ!


Jonathan

The New York Times and God's Truth

In preparing for a future sermon series on relationships, I came across this article in the New York Times. The author presents a range of recent sociological data about the inherent dangers of cohabitation.  Read the article here.

In short, the ease at which couples choose to live together also means that it is equally easy to choose to break up. Cohabitation implies intimacy, the greater potential for offspring, and for making lifelong and life-altering decisions.

Sociologists who study this increasing American cultural phenomena, find that the risks (higher divorce rates and greater potential for spousal abuse) are far greater than the rewards.

Christians affirm that God's Word provides us with Truth.  Truth is never meant to limit our humanity, but is given for humanity to experience life to the fullest.

Read Camus

The Apostle Paul appears before Mars Hill in Acts 17. He speaks to this venerable intellectual institution and presents to them the story of Christ. Paul preached the usual content, but presented it in a unique way! Paul quotes from Greek philosophy and uses the local cultural awareness of spirituality -to point towards Christ.

Paul's message in Acts 17 speaks to our modern culture today.  Instead of running from culture or fully embracing it; Christians are called to engage culture -just as Paul did 2000 years ago.

I came across a posting called 'Why Christians Should Read Camus' and thoroughly enjoyed it. Click on this link to read the article. Camus had a profound affect on my intellectual, philosophical and spiritual life. The author, Wheaton College professor, Leland Ryken, expertly engages the reader and clearly articulates Camus' world and life view. Read it and add your comments below!

The Risen Christ celebrated at the 2012 Masters

For 2012 Augusta National Winner, Bubba Watson, golf is third place in his life.  Bubba and his wife Angie recently adopted a son named Caleb.  But to Bubba Watson, his wife and son only hold second place in his life.   First place since 2004 is Jesus Christ.  That year, both Bubba and his wife committed their lives to Christ.

Bubba is active in leading PGA weekly bible studies, uses his twitter account @bubbawatson to share bible verses, offering words of encouragement and to remind his followers that golf is not his highest priority.

It is fitting that on Easter Sunday the winner of Golf's most storied prize realizes that it is just third place in his life...

To read more on his amazing Masters win, click here...

Is Doubting Thomas a Hero?

I always loved the story of Thomas, probably because I wrestle with doubt.  Thomas was one of Jesus’ original 12 followers. While he makes few appearances, his most notable comes after Jesus rose from the dead. About a week after his resurrection, Jesus’ followers are all huddled together -hiding out in fear.  The political situation, the rumors of Jesus coming back to life, the Priest’s anger -are still conspiring against those closest to Jesus. While most of Jesus’ followers had seen him; Thomas had not yet.

Thomas must have watched lots of ‘CSI: Jerusalem,’ because he wanted to see the evidence before he believed the rumors of Jesus’ resurrection. Dead people just don’t come back to life.

Instantly Jesus appears in the room, right through the locked doors. Jesus knows the disciples are afraid and so he tells them, ‘Peace be with you.’ He turns, faces Thomas and says, ‘Put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas responds, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Thomas is a hero because he shows that there is hope for doubters. Jesus can and will meet our questions. He is not an elusive man of history nor is he a mythical legend. Jesus will move heaven and earth to answer our doubts.

Thomas is a hero because he rose to the challenge, and allowed his doubts to succumb to the truth.  Some revel in doubt because dealing with the truth is too demanding. Some enjoy sewing the seeds of doubt because they enjoy seeing others squirm. Thomas’ doubt led him to a moment of personal integrity and belief in Jesus.

Do you have doubts about Jesus?  Great, send them in and let’s continue the conversation.

'Which Jesus Should Die?'

For those who have seen ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ -imagine Jesus standing before Pilate- beaten, bloodied, wearing the crown of thorns.  It's early on Friday morning and Jesus has just endured three different religious trials.  Pilate now sits on the judgment seat, conflicted and disturbed.  He knows that Jesus is innocent and perceptively assess the situation before him as an internal Jewish argument.  He senses he is in an intractable political situation and knows he can’t win.

Pilate devises a plan to appeal to the masses asking them if they would like a prisoner released.  He’s willing to do anything to curry favor and to keep Caesar off his back.  The crowds cry out, ‘Crucify Jesus!’ -but which one?

Matthew’s account of the crucifixion identifies Barabbas’ first name as ‘Jesus.’  While most of the earliest Greek manuscripts omit this name; by the third century it was reintroduced.  The early Church Father Origen explained that the name ‘Jesus’ wasn’t seen fit to be given to such a sinner as Barabbas, and out of respect, it was temporarily stricken from the record.

So imagine Barabbas sitting in jail.  His execution is near.  He hears the shouts, ‘Crucify Jesus.’  He undoubtedly realized his death was imminent.  The guard comes to his cell, turns the key and says to him, ‘You are now free to go. Someone else took your place on the cross. Now get out of here.’

Didn't Jesus do this for each of us?

Washing Judas' Feet

Powerful scenes fill Jesus’ final week: riding into Jerusalem on a colt, cleansing the Temple, cursing the fig tree, the Last Supper, etc...  The event that stands out to me the most is found in John 13; where Jesus washes His disciple’s feet.

Many paintings and images portray this as a sublime and picturesque event.  But look at the text and notice clues to the degradation of this act.  John 13.4 tells us that Jesus took off His outer robe, leaving only His loin cloth.  The image of Jesus in His underwear offends our sensibilities (offending at least our preconceived image of Jesus).

He washes His disciples feet and proceeds to also wash Judas’ feet.  Judas is still present though he will soon leave to betray Jesus.  This is a profound act of love!  Jesus washes the feet of the one who is actively working against Him!  Think about that for a moment.  As humbling as it is to wash another’s feet, I can at least see myself doing it to my family, to those I love.  But when I think about those who I hate, or who hate me and to think about washing their feet, never!  

Jesus does this act of love as both a model of service for us and as a way of showing us what the Cross is all about.  The Cross is God’s humbling and humiliating act of love on behalf of those who could care less.

Who are those in your life who are fighting against you?  Maybe instead of fighting back, we should look for ways to wash their feet....