Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

From bad to worse

7/11/2013

6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them (Revelation 9:6).

If Revelation chapter 8 is bad, Revelation chapter 9 is worse. The times described in these chapters are times of true horror and distress. We tend to, very naturally and with the right intentions, want to think that God will overlook rebellion and just simply love. But while God is love, God is also holy and this holiness requires that justice be served. This justice is God’s and not ours’. We cannot make God in our image or according to our will. God is God and our attempts to apologize for, change or placate His divine nature are at best arrogant and foolish, and at worst, blatant rebellion. The good news of the Gospel is that in this current age of grace we have a choice to follow God and God’s way. The choice really is to have it our way or God’s way. It is a choice, it seems, that ought to be very easy given what is at stake (This was Pascal’s wager).

Silence in heaven

7/10/2013

1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour (Revelation 8:1).

The profoundness of this verse should not be lost on us. On the scale of good to bad from 0-10, the 7th seal is a 1000. There is just no ‘sunshine’ here (literally). The wrath of God is poured out full-strength on a world that is in rebellion against God. We should take solemn warning from these verses in Revelation and the warning should cause us to wish to warn others of the consequences of rebelling against God. God is holy and His justice is above all our human comprehension. We are currently in the age of grace and it is therefore now that we should respond to God’s call to repentance. We should respond while there is still time.

The source of strength

7/9/2013

17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 7:17).

As the Lamb of God, Christ is the source of comfort, strength and salvation. The promises of the Gospel are eternal and unchanging. These eternal and unchanging promises are a result of God’s gracious actions toward His people. In the midst of tribulation and turmoil it is to God that we should turn. God is our refuge and strength.

Times of trouble

7/8/2013

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled (Revelation 6:9-11).

Revelation chapter 6 is not an easy chapter to read. There are six seals that are opened and they all tell of a time of both persecution and wrath. The persecution is towards believers and the wrath is towards a world that is against God. The time of persecution appears to be very intense, and although there have been times in history where there has been significant persecution; it appears that this persecution has likely not yet occurred. When reading this chapter in Revelation, it is important to remember that although there have been and will be tribulations in this world, God, through Christ has already ensured final victory.

Worth is the Lamb

7/7/2013

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof (Revelation 5:2-5).

There has been and will be only one man in history able to judge and redeem. That man is Christ Jesus. Christ is, through His earthly lineage, a descendent of David, and through His heavenly line; Son of the Most High God, true God from true God. The victory of Christ as both God and Man is the eternal victory over death. This victory is the work of the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world through His sacrifice.

Worthy

7/6/2013

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:11).

Revelation 4:11 reaffirms the fact that all things were created by and for Christ. So when the act of creation by God is doubted or denied, it is Christ that is denied. The belief in the act of creation is so foundational to our faith that the topic is discussed throughout the bible and the book of Revelation itself is full of references to Creation. Additionally, note that the Christ is worthy to receive glory and honor in part due to Creation. And so we too should glorify God and praise Him for His Creation.

His name

7/5/2013

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name (Revelation 3:7-8).

Of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, the church at Philadelphia is the only church that is not criticized and warned. The church at Philadelphia represents the obedient and faithful church. This church is the one that lives the commands of the Gospel and in so doing glorifies God. The faithful church is not a building, a denomination or a nation but rather is composed of all those believers that hear the word of God and put the words to practice. It is important to note that the last words of verse 8 indicate that those who are faithful do not deny Christ’s name. Christ name represents the essence of His being, recall Christ’s statement that, “…before Abraham was, I AM”. The name of God then is who He IS.

Our first love

7/4/2013

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent (Revelation 2:4-5).

Christ through the apostle John is telling the church at Ephesus, and by extension, all churches in the future, to remember their first love. That first love is Christ and His teachings. Obeying the Gospel and teaching correct doctrine is the job of the Church. Error can be subtle, and although subtle, it is destructive. We must therefore guard ourselves against moving away from our first love.

Every eye shall see Him

7/3/2013

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:7-9).

Christ’s return will be obvious and visible to all. There will be no doubt or ambiguity. If there is doubt or ambiguity then it is simply not Christ that has returned. These details are given to us so we can recognize the time of Christ’s return. Christ is the beginning (Creator) of history and He will be the end (Redeemer) as well. The purpose of the second coming is the final restoration of paradise lost.

The apostle John was exiled on the Island of Patmos due to his testimony concerning Christ so we should not be surprised if the message of the Gospel is met with skepticism and doubt. But we are to be faithful witnesses regardless.

Contend for the faith

7/2/2013

1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:1-3).

Jude describes himself as the brother of James. The James to whom he is referring is Christ’s brother. So Jude also was a brother of Christ. He clearly introduces himself in this manner to not draw too much attention to himself while still conveying that he was speaking with authority as one who knew Christ well. Jude wants all believers to standup and defend the faith. This faith is very specific. It is the faith taught by Christ and spread by those commanded to share the Gospel. So we too are to defend the faith. We defend it against a world that is skeptical and often against ideas that are completely juxtaposition to the truth of the Gospel. It is good to note that verse 3 is not a recommendation but a command.

Created Through Him