From the pulpit, 8-19-17

Ancient Words —

Revelation: The Scroll

The Book of Revelation can be viewed like a three-act play. Mind you, however, it is certainly no play but an exact, verifiable reality and written about within the context of three locations. The first location is within the cave on Patmos where John writes his prologue in chapter one, describes his meeting with the Lord Jesus himself, in the cave at the end of chapter one and where Jesus speaks his final instructions to seven churches in chapters two and three while in the cave. The second location comes in chapter four and that location is heaven itself.

John, in the cave, hears the voice of Jesus saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” The “here” is heaven and John is transported by the Spirit into the heavenly realm to witness the spectacular, magnificent events as written in the scroll being held by the right hand of God, himself, the one who sits on the throne; the one who has the appearance of jasper and carnelian and who has a rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircling his throne.

As the seven seals are opened one by one, which together seal the written scroll, the future of our world events unfolds before John’s eyes and ears. This unfolding is recorded by John from chapter four all the way to chapter 22. At the end of chapter 22, John is back in the cave again, now the third location, as he pens the words to not add or take away from the words of this prophecy, and so the three locations are completed.

It should be no surprise that John could enter heaven from a cave in Patmos. Enoch entered heaven in Genesis 5:19-21 after living 365 years on the earth for he was “taken by God” for he “walked with God.” Jacob did not enter heaven but while he slept on a stone, he had a dream in which he saw heaven open and a stairway resting on the earth and the top reaching to heaven with angels descending and ascending from heaven (Gen. 28:12). Elijah went in a whirlwind up to heaven with a chariot of fire and horses, leaving his cloak behind for his successor Elisha (2 Kings 2:11).

Steven, after speaking to an unruly crowd about heaven and before being stoned to death, looked up to an opened heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:54). Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12 that he must write about visions and revelations while explaining his “third heaven” experience — an experience which he says is inexpressible and that a man is not permitted to tell.

John, the beloved, is granted an experience no man has ever before received. John is granted the privilege, the joy and the splendor of having God’s written scroll, His pre-ordained plan, His account of His creation, His control of the order of His universe: His starry host, His angelic army, His world, His creatures, His goodness - all to be seen from heaven’s platform from heaven’s perspective as prescribed by our Eternal God and His only begotten Son.

John sees God holding the scroll and weeps in heaven because no one in heaven or on earth could open the scroll. John writes, “I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside (Rev. 5:4).” John’s tears subside as he hears one of the 24 elders who surround the throne say, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open its (the scroll’s) seven seals.”

Rejoicing breaks forth one by one! Rejoicing by the four living creatures who encircle the throne, rejoicing by the 24 elders who surround the throne, rejoicing by the angels numbering thousands upon thousands all around the throne, rejoicing by every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them, rejoicing and singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13).

The opening of the seals on the scroll begins and John will now share with us by and through God’s Holy Spirit all that he saw and heard through the remainder of the Book of Revelation, thanks to what was written on the scroll, written and held by the Ancient of Days, opened by the Lamb who was slain but lives forevermore!

(Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible).

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Sparks From The Gospel Anvil

Acts 8:1-8

This passage echoes from persecution to praise; from death to deliverance; from slavery to sovereignty. Psalm 30:5 states that, “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning!”

Saul of Tarsus brought great persecution against the believers, but something happened as this persecution had risen against the church. Those that were scattered went about preaching the Word. The Christian Church in its early days grew in numbers and in influence, because the Holy Spirit used the testimonies of men and women whose lives had been changed, who had something to say about Jesus – those who had spiritual experiences to share and who had about their lives a joy that was attractive and contagious.

The disciples, both men and women, were witnesses for Christ. “We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard” they cried. And they proclaimed everywhere they went with enthusiasm and conviction the Good News of the Gospel.

It was to them an exciting and thrilling story of how life had been changed for them and how they had been changed for life. They could no more keep silent than a flower can withhold its fragrance or the sun keeps back its light. It was as if they had a fire in their bones and as well as a light in their faces. Nothing could keep them quiet.

For Jesus, who had died on the cross was alive! Death was conquered! Jesus was alive and was spiritually present with them everyday in the person of The Holy Spirit. They had been changed and the changes in them were evidence for all to see. This power that had made them different was available to anyone who believed – sins could be forgiven and power could come into human life to change moods and temperaments – to banish fear and worry, to remove shame and guilt, to provide a new dynamic, a new purpose in life, joy and a peace that nothing could destroy! It was exciting news, people listened to it and though they did not always agree with the disciples or like what they said, something always happened. Either there were riots and bloodshed or there were regenerations and rejoicing. The early disciples were thrown into prison, they were persecuted, boycotted. And yet thousands joined their fellowship and discovered the truth that they were proclaiming and found life becoming anew and a thrilling thing.

Yes, there were either riots and regenerations, commotions or changes. But something always happened. The disciples said, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.” And that may be the reason for our sad experience of failure and disappointment. Far too many of us in the church had no great spiritual experience to share, we have nothing to tell of any great spiritual discovery we have made. Or at any rate, we are not telling what we do know and have discovered. We are quite blunt these days about somethings and strangely silent about other things. The trouble is we are blunt about the things that are better left unspoken and silent about the only things that are worth discussing and sharing.

We do not have any great faith these days, either in God and His power, or in the possibilities of change – or in the availability of the Holy Spirit to help us in our daily lives. I believe what is needed desperately in these days is the testimonies of those who have made spiritual discoveries. That the positive note of experience may once again be heard among the whisperers of doubt and the empty voices of unbelief.

(Lieutenant Charles Smith is commanding officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado).

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