The Revelation to John

The verse by verse study of 1 Peter has been completed and published on this website under the Books of the Bible tab. It is a timely and challenging book designed to draw us ever closer to our gracious God despite seemingly endless difficulties. I received mixed responses from my blog last month, The Importance of Suffering. Some related well to Peter’s instruction on the Christian life as one of suffering with future glory. Others, did not. I pray we would always dig deep into God’s Word and receive truth for daily living.

I am excited to announce that the next study will be The Revelation to John. This is a challenging word for today. It was timely for those who received it when it was written as well as for those of us who have the privilege of studying it 2,000 years later. There will be a prequel which focuses on Daniel’s visions which will help set the time-line for the future. This should be of help as we seek to understand all God has for us in this wonderful book.

Much has been written about The Revelation of John. The following quote by Charles Ryrie best expresses my concern that we have proper motivation for studying this wonderful, intriguing, seemingly overwhelming book.

Generally speaking there are two extreme attitudes toward Revelation. Some say the book cannot be understood, and therefore should not be studied, taught or preached. Differences of interpretation, they point out, have divided Christians, and therefore the book should not be interpreted. Others consider themselves so sure of every detail of the book that they set dates and propose highly fanciful interpretations. To them revelation seems the only book in the Bible worth studying . . . Let our approach be neither theoretical and detached but always personal and involved . . . God can motivate believers today by the understanding of those things which He has revealed through John in Revelation.

Join me as we journey from times before the Apostle John to the times of eternity.

The Importance of Suffering!

All of God’s Word is true but some passages seem to be avoided. Maybe, it is because some don’t fit God into the box imagined for Him. Maybe, some need to be re-imagined in such a way that they are more palatable. Maybe, some are too frightening. 1 Peter 4:17-19 may be a passage you have struggled to understand, or should I say, struggled to accept. Take a moment to read it again, maybe for the first time: 17, For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18, And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19, Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good (English Standard Version).

Peter addressed an area of the Christian life that too often raises a cry out to God, Why me? Many Christians struggle with the concept of suffering. We place our faith in Jesus Christ alone and trust Him for a blessed life on earth and in heaven. But, struggles come. Persecution from friends and family arises despite a desire to live faithfully. What has gone wrong? Nothing! Let’s take a few moments and consider suffering as a vital part of one’s Christian life. Maybe, we will come to the place of proclaiming, Why not, me? instead of Why me?

The reason for suffering is addressed by Peter in verse 17 by calling it judgment. The reason for judgment is different for believers and unbelievers. Note 1 Corinthians 11:32, But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. Judgment is for purifying believers. Charles Spurgeon, When Christ comes even to His own people, He comes to purge and purify them. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:28-29, Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Peter continues his comparison of judgment for the saved and unsaved in verse 18. For believers, there is discipline. Paul makes that clear in Hebrews 12:7, It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Wayne Grudem, The fire of God’s holiness is so intense that even the righteous feel pain in its discipline. Consider the words of Basil the Great (330-379 AD), When I see Moses asking for forgiveness and not obtaining it, when I see him considered unworthy of pardon because of his few words, spoken against the rock in anger, in spite of his many good deeds, I truly realize what the severity of God is like and am persuaded that these words of the apostle are true.

For unbelievers, there is condemnation. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. David Walls, A quotation from Proverbs 11:31 reinforces this point from the perspective of the unbeliever. Unbelievers, unlike the followers of Christ, are not a part of the refining judgment of God. The judgment they face is judicial; it takes the form of punishment. When Jesus Christ returns, they will face the fire of his anger in judgment. Didymus the Blind (311-398 AD), Just think—if the examination of our lives begins with those who belong to God’s household, what will it be like by the time it gets to those who have rejected the gospel? God sends great suffering and fear on believers so that they may learn that he is the judge to whom they must answer, and on unbelievers he sends the same fear, saying that they will not escape the great punishments which are their lot.

Can I accept Peter’s view of a God Who is holy and calls His children to holiness? Verses 17-18 solemnly testify to the true nature of God. Yet, Peter doesn’t leave us without hope. Verse 19 gives two commands to believers regarding suffering. The first command is to trust God. David Walls, God created the world, and he has faithfully ordered it and sustained it since the creation. Because we know that he is faithful, we can count on him to fulfill his promises to us. If he can oversee the forces of nature, certainly he can see us through the trials we face. Warren Wiersbe, When we are suffering in the will of God, we can commit ourselves into the care of God.

The second command is to do good. Charles Swindoll, As we continue to do what is right in the midst of unjust suffering, we can entrust our lives to Him with hope even in hurtful times. Warren Wiersbe, As we return good for evil and do good even though we suffer for it, we are committing ourselves to God so that He can care for us . . . Unsaved people have a present that is controlled by their past, but Christians have a present that is controlled by the future (Phil. 3:12–21). In our very serving, we are committing ourselves to God and making investments for the future.

Consider the following comments. Wayne Grudem, . . . upon reflection no better comfort in suffering can be found than this: it is God’s good and perfect will. For therein lies the knowledge that there is a limit to the suffering, both in its intensity and in its duration, a limit set and maintained by the God who is our creator, our saviour, our sustainer, our Father. Warren Wiersbe, When a believer suffers, he experiences glory and knows that there will be greater glory in the future. But a sinner who causes that suffering is only filling up the measure of God’s wrath more and more (Matt. 23:29–33). Instead of being concerned only about ourselves, we need to be concerned about the lost sinners around us. Our present “fiery trial” is nothing compared with the “flaming fire” that shall punish the lost when Jesus returns in judgment (2 Thes. 1:7–10) . . . As Christians, we do not seek for vengeance on those who have hurt us. Rather, we pray for them and seek to lead them to Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to dig deeper into the matter of suffering by reviewing the lesson on 1 Peter 4:17-19 under the Book of the Bible tab. May we gain a clearer view of the holiness of God and a better understanding of suffering as God’s mean’s of conforming us to the image of His Son.

From the Heart of Our Heavenly Father

Father’s Day is a time to remember our fathers and the impact they had on our lives. As I grow older, I realize how much I look like my father, act like my father, even think like my father. It is amazing to think of the impact fathers have on their children. For a few moments, I want to think of the special relationship of one father and son, God the Father and God the Son. I believe there is much that can be learned about being a father and a child as we examine the Bible. These are trying times and we need strength, peace and rest from a father who alone can meet our every need.

I believe Father’s Day is a wonderful time to embrace God as our Heavenly Father. To do so, first, one must know if God is his or her Father. Second, one must take the time learn from the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, Jesus. Third, what can it mean to you and mean to have God as our heavenly Father?

It is good to learn about fatherhood from God since He has always been a father due to the Trinity. The Bible teaches us about the unity of the one true God, Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Also, we learn that there is diversity in the Godhead. Plurality is seen in Genesis 1:26, Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Trinity is evident in Isaiah 48:16, Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit. Identity is obvious in 2 Corinthians 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

There has always been unconditional love within the Godhead as Jesus reveals His relationship to the Father. Consider Matthew 17:5, He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The Godhead is not bound by creation since Father, Son and Holy Spirit don’t need us to be complete and fulfilled. Yet, a most amazing fact is that God wants us even though He doesn’t need us.

All people are creations of God as noted in Genesis 1:27, So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. But, not everyone has God as Heavenly Father, only those who place faith in Jesus Christ alone. Consider the following verses: John 1:12, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God; Galatians 3:26, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith; and Romans 8:15b-16, . . .you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Let’s take a look at the relationship of Father and Son,

• Love is their bond - John 3:35, The Father loves the Son and has given all things

into his hand.

• Imitation is a sign of love - John 5:19, So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to

you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father

doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

• Obedience is a mark of love - Matthew 26:39, And going a little farther he fell on

his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;

nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

• Protection is a fact of love - Matthew 26:53, Do you think that I cannot appeal to

my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

• Provision is an indicator of love - Luke 22:43, And there appeared to him an angel

from heaven, strengthening him.

So what does that mean for Christians?

• He deeply loves His adopted children - John 16:27, for the Father himself loves

you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

• He has called His adopted children to become like His Son, Romans 8:29, For

those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his

Son...

• He empowers His adopted children to love and obey Him - Hebrews 10:16, This is

the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will

put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds; John 14:16, And I will

ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

• He protects His adopted children - John 10:29, My Father, who has given them to

me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

• He provides for His adopted children - Matthew 6:31-33, Therefore do not be

anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we

wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows

that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,

and all these things will be added to you.

Father’s Day is a wonderful reminder of God’s provision of my earthly father. Also, I am always reminded that my adoption by God was not deserved but an act of His grace. His unconditional love was received when I placed my faith in His only Son, Jesus, Who died on the cross to make payment for my sins. John Stott, theologian and pastor prayed, Heavenly Father . . . all our love is derived from your love . . .I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more.

More seasonal messages may be found under the Topical Studies tab. May we always be mindful of the love of our heavenly Father and reflect His love to those who have not experienced God as Heavenly Father.