My Christian Education class of 5th and 6th graders is doing a survey of the Bible this year. Last night we came to the book of the Revelation. How does one take such a complex book and even make it remotely comprehensible to such young minds? l summarized it this way - God wins.
It is true
that the book is full of words we find hard to fully understand and images that
are strange and wonderful, but the richness of the book comes in its revelation
of Jesus Christ as Master and Lord and King.
When we are discouraged or afraid John’s description of our Majestic Lord
cannot help but renew our faith, right? “He was wearing a long robe with a
gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as
white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like
polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean
waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword
came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.”
(Revelation 1)
The following chapters recount, in strange symbolic language, the triumph of the will of God and the struggles of His people as He works with them by His power, carrying them through incredible times of suffering and pain. God’s messenger tells John about the victory. “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!” (Revelation 12:10-12)
You are NOT a victim of evil nor are you helpless when temptation comes. Full of the Spirit and trained by the Holy Word, you can triumph!
And then we come to this, the glorious declaration of the end of the human saga and the full Revelation of Christ. “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
… Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. … On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (Revelation 19)
In Advent, we will celebrate the birth of the Baby in Bethlehem, the Savior who came to reveal the love of God and save us from our sin. AND, we will renew our hope in the Coming King who defeats sin, Hell, and death, ruling in perfect justice. Yes, friend, keep the faith. It is true: God wins!
The word from the Word urges us to stay steady, to finish well with hope. Take it to heart as you begin this new week. “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
God wins. Amen
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