At times I read hopeful words concerning the future – my future, that of friends and loved ones, and a significant part of me is drawn, as a magnet is to metal, toward skepticism and doubt. I’m not unwavering, but in want.
So where are you? Is all of this unfathomable? Impossible? Do you think it fanciful in detail, or in the ultimate premise of restoration, of fidelity?
In writing the above questions I think of circumstances, to ask why there is so much beauty which is able to penetrate and to stir our hearts, and yet this magnificent, immense and challenging world is so adept at fomenting distress and sorrow. But I cannot separate such questions from the gospel, from the context and circumstance, the purpose and the very point of the humanity of Jesus Christ – yes, the life of Jesus Christ because he did not fail.
Why try? Because I love Jesus. Why hope? Because Jesus loves me. Amen.
Please read, contemplate, receive and enjoy these words of hope and of promise. We cannot examine as with the study of elements and artifacts, for these components do not quietly yield to probing, but your relationship with God is that which effects the reality of genuine hope, genuine care – of genuine sonship of Almighty God. Life can be better than you can imagine – and in Christ, it will be for each and all of us, his beloved.
1 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be within the city, and His servants will worship Him. 4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
6 Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”
7 “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”
8 And I am John, who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9 But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.
11 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”
An interesting, and seemingly inconsistent sentiment – carry on as you have, whether for good or for evil. Does that not contradict the gospel?
Philosophy students interested in theology have, I expect, wrestled with this. I was a theology student who enjoyed the lens of philosophy, and I kept circling the matter through life circumstances as much as through deliberation. I suppose that, in reflecting upon it, there is a sense of acceptance that people will act out what it is that they wish to have, to do.
If a person desires community, fellowship, camaraderie, then acceptance and accordance with terms of mutual concern is necessary – no argument.
The truth is this is needed anyway, because even if we do all we can to exist as ‘an island’, we are not able. No one is able to love themselves enough to secure their well being – such ‘solitude’ is simply a state of deranged independence.
I can speak with conviction because, as a believer, I know what isolation is like – since the world treats believers with toleration, and ever more frequently far less than this. Guilt is awful but, should we live long enough to act – to feel resent or anger, what have you – we will recognize we all are guilty.
No one wants guilt, to feel the pain of guilt. So turn it off? Oh really? No!
So God is asking too much? ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.’ There is no alternative, for if we choose ‘simply’ to obey the most fundamental of realities, we must love. Without love it is all pointless. After all, please remember, “God is Love.” (1 John 4:8)
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes [the ‘garments’ being the testimony of each, rendered immaculate in relationship with Jesus], so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers*, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
* Those who used drugs, medicines recreationally, or advocated such abuse.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.
Now I need to consider my closing words: what to share, how to challenge, and consider to whom shall I express, and from whom conceal. Well, that will be the epilogue. May you trace your own steps, pursue the abundance of integrity, sincerity, and honesty through Christ as each believer embraces our calling, to ‘work out your own salvation‘.
Next: Epilogue
Addendum: Need proof that God is real, that Christ is divine? I offer two scriptures and a video to consider – proof positive and the opportunity to receive it as fact.
From Luke chapter 11, verses 29-30
As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God.”
and from John chapter 20, verses 24-28
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
End Times Prophecy 