24.4 Revelation – Eyes Like Blazing Fire

In Luke 11, the words of Jesus are recorded, “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are healthy (generous), your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy (stingy), your whole body will be full of darkness.  See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

Our eyes are organs that soak in what we choose to look at.  If we fill our vision with things of this world, with wickedness and lust, with hatred and sin, then we fill our selves up with darkness.

But the eyes are also a reflection back to the world of our souls.  When our souls are filled with the spirit, a light shines out from us.  A light of joy, a light of happiness and generosity, of giving and of peace.

When we look around us at the world today we see the effects of sin.  We see a living Babylon and lots of darkness.  This reminds of the words of Leonard Sweet in his book AquaChurch 2.0: Piloting your Church in Today’s Fluid Culture (pg 58)

“Light illumines the darkness.  If there’s darkness, the blame should be attached where it belongs; not to the world that is dark but to the church, which is failing to provide the light.”

The answer to the darkness in the world is not going to be found in the darkness.  It is only going to be found by the power of the Holy Spirit within the called, chosen and faithful followers of Christ.  It is only through shining that light that darkness is set back.

John notes in our passage today that: Christ’s eyes are like blazing fire.

Let’s reflect that light!

 

My Answers:

9.
Jesus – They are attributes of Him and also point to His eternal place as a person of the trinity, not only at creation but active in it and active in everything since – He holds the stars in His hand.

10.
His name is the Word of God.  He is unique.  His name is truly unlike any name.  His name is that of God, formed into a word to be pronounced and proclaimed by all mankind.
His blazing eyes tell me he sees and knows all and rage burns behind that vision.
His double edged sword is Him, the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12

11.
I will read and learn His Word and call on Him and use it everyday, on my tongue and thoughts.  I will quit attempting to hide from Him (a pointless act).  I will recognize that He is alive and active and He alone is judge

24.3 Revelation – A Voice From the Throne

Luke 1:32 –  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David

Matthew 25:31 –  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.”

Ezek 43:2 – and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory

Jer 25:30 – “Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them: “ ‘The LORD will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth.”

In reply to the 3 Hallelujahs of verses 1-5, John writes: Then a voice came from the throne: “Praise our God”.

Another voice like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”  This voice announces that the wedding of the Lamb has come.

The bride of Christ, the church, had been lured away by the temptation of the world, as Eve was by the serpent in the garden.  She has been taken away in exile and held captive in Babylon.  But her warrior savior has come and called her out of the wickedness of that land.  She has been washed clean of all her wrongdoing and sin and all that remains are her righteous acts, she is clothed in them because they were done through the power of Jesus.  And her husband, the Lamb, not only has saved her and punished her captives but has chosen to make her His bride.  A truly glorious union.

Not only is this announced by angels and saints, but it is announced with praise from the very throne of God in the voice of the Most High.

 

My Answers:

6.
a.
The redemption of the church (the bride of Christ) to be united forever with Him, she was kidnapped, but has been redeemed

b.
Eph: Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the water through the word, holy blameless

2 Cor: Christ is the husband of the church – she has been pledged to Him and despite not staying pure, He still takes her and loves her

J14: He sends the H/S to live with you and be in you, not left as orphans, He will come for the church – Jesus will love and show Himsel

J15: Unification – love each other, I love you, friends, bear fruit, whatever you ask will give you, remain in love, keep commandments

7.
The church – us

8.
God alone is to be worshiped.  We stand in awe of all heavenly beings of the angels and saints and apostles and martyrs.  But they are all fellow servants with us, brothers and sisters in Christ – Worship God Alone.

24.2 Revelation – Hallelujah x 3

In our passage from Revelation 19:1-5, we get to see the perfect praise of the three Hallelujahs.  Hallelujah is a combination of the Hebrew word Hallal: an exortation to “praise” addressed to several people and Jah or Yah: meaning God (Wikipedia: Hallelujah).

The great multitude in heaven shouts Hallelujah for His just and true condemnation of Babylon.

The great multitude in heaven shouts Hallelujah that God has executed that condemnation on the city with a burning wrath that shall not be quenched or put out by human hands.

The 24 elders and 4 living creatures in the throne room, supplicate themselves and cry in reply: Amen, Hallelujah.

How many times today have you said “Praise God!”?  When was the last time you shouted with others in praise of God.

We do plenty of shouting.  We shout in anger at the drivers on the road.  We shout for our favorite teams.  We shout (wrongly) at the umpires at our kids’ games.  We form in crowds and shout protests over politics.  Each night there is at least one news report from the day of people shouting.

But when was the last time you shouted “Hallelujah, Praise God”?  Why not?  Do you believe it is right to praise God?  Do you believe He is worthy of praise?  What is holding you back?  Fear? Shame? Are you embarassed?

So, here is my challenge to you.  Practice makes perfect, right?  So, practice.  First, get in your car by yourself and shout it out.  Next do it in your house, then in a field, then at church, then in public with people you don’t know, then… well, just keep doing it.  Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16.  Do not be ashamed of joining the multitude of heaven – you are in pretty good company!

By the way – how cool is it that there is a multitude in heaven.  They aren’t resting peacefully (rest in peace).  They aren’t sitting around on clouds playing classical harp music.  They are part of the Revelation Revolution – They are alive and awake and making some noise, Amen!

 

My Answers:

3.
Salvation (only source to be saved), Glory (He alone is full of Glory), Power (all power and might are God’s)

These are the things all men seek from their rulers, this and justice and mercy and kindness and love

4.
True and Just – That He is true, in Him is no lie, I can always count on everything He says, no trickery or deceit, no malice

5.
a.
The final fall of Babylon – total destruction

b.
To not be timid or reserved – to be energetic and shout His praises

23.5 Revelation – Sharing the Truth

Many job applicants think the interview starts when they enter the room with the interviewer.  For most jobs, the evaluation starts far earlier.  It starts with the resume and cover letter.  The professionalism in answering the phone when called for the interview counts.  The interaction with the receptionist counts.  Every interaction is being inspected and evaluated.

In the same way, our witness for the Lord does not start and stop when we get to say our practiced script about how we came to a personal relationship with Jesus.  Those around us are watching the way we live, how we speak, how we give, how we interact with others at home, at school at work and in the community.  They assess our demeanor.  They assess what seems to be most important to us.

On one hand, this is terrifying because it implies that we are always on duty.  On the other hand, we are only conduits for the work of the Holy Spirit.  This is not a sales job.  This is a job that revolves around one simple thing – the Truth.

But, as a sinful person, how do I provide a witness that serves God?  Prayer.  Plain and simple, it is through continuous prayer.  Ephesians 6, after discussing the full armor of God concludes with verse 18: And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

My Answers:

11.
Destruction – to be thrown down as a millstone thrown into the sea

12.
a.
Because of the eternal communion with God, resurrection, just as Christ was resurrected from death, to be drawn to heaven and live forever in the kingdom of God

b.
The troubles around us, though severe and troubling, are temporary

13.
Teaching, leading through example, sharing my faith and what it means.  Being sure to use the name of the Lord – it is a phrase that is quickly being lost to the language in a positive sense as we become more babylonian

23.4 Revelation – Rejoice or Lament?

We see a stark contrast in the attitudes of men in this section of Revelation 18.  The kings, the merchants and the providers of transportation of goods mourn and lament the fall of Babylon.  They received their riches from the wickedness and excesses of this city and people.  They placed their futures, their lives and their riches in relationships with this wicked place.  When it falls, they feel loss.  They feel loss and shock, that something they were so thoroughly invested in could fall completely in one hour.

Invested is the key word.  For believers with investments in the kingdom of Heaven, of eternity with the Lord, the actions of Babylon have been that of terrorist.  The throw stones to break windows, they harass and threaten, kidnap and even kill.  Even though Babylon is powerless in contrast to the might of the Kingdom of God, they stand in ugly opposition to what is good and right and pure and sacred.  Those with investments in the Kingdom, rejoice when this is put to an end.  They rejoice the wickedness is stopped and God’s Kingdom will cover the earth.  It is something we have prayed for since little children:  Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The dawn of the answer to the fulfillment of that prayer is a time for rejoicing by God’s people.  Do not lament.  Do not fear.  Do not carry guilt for your actions and connections with the Babylons of the Earth.  Instead, repent (forgive us our sins), and Rejoice.  For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, Forever.

My Answers:

8.
a.
Kings, Merchants, sea captains – each benefited directly from her sinful ways.  They were parties to the excesses.  Merchants had grown accustomed to her markets.  Transporters had carried (at a profit) her excesses to her.

b.
True treasure is found in heaven, not on earth.  We are only temporary renters here.  Why spend our time, energy, resources on temporary housing when we can send it ahead to our eternal home.  The things of this earth – all things of this earth – are temporary and subject to loss and destruction.

9.
God has judged her and the judgment she imposed on you.  It is a leveling of the scales of justice – God setting things right.  It also means an end to the continued wickedness of Babylon poured out on all who follow God

10.
Crimes against children of all forms and in all places.  Abuse, neglect, malnutrition, barriers to education, false-teachers and ungodly educators.  All evil and injustice is bad, but those committed against children are blatant acts against God because they are aimed at the innocent, those with no ability to protect themselves or respond.

23.3 Revelation – Foreshadowing: Fear or God’s Abundance

As I read today’s passage I was immediately reminded of the story of Lot in Genesis 19.  “With the coming of dawn”, the angels extol Lot and his family to hurry and flee the city destined to receive the wrath of God.

I also was reminded of the number of times the dual meaning of the words in Galations 6:7-8 have played out over the history of the world.  “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”  After the 9th plague, Pharoah promised death to Moses, but instead death fell on the first born of Egypt.

It is not by deeds that we are saved, it is by grace and the redeemeing power of Jesus.  But it is by deeds that those who reject that salvation are punished.  Proverbs 10:24 says that what the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Do you live a life of fear or desire?  Do you see the scarcity of the world and seek to grab as much as possible from others or do you see the abundance of God and desire to follow Him and spread the good news of His love?  Our God is the creator of everything and His might and power and love knows no limit.

My Answers:

5.
A final warning to flee from “Babylon” for her own “plagues” (her own sins) will be given back to her in a double portion (think about Lot’s family fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah)

6.
It has not left God’s mind and attention.  He has not forgotten nor has He chosen to diminish rightful judgment.  (it doesn’t mean He forgot and then was later reminded)

7.
It is swift and fair, but strong.  It has been delayed for a long time and continues to be, but it is not forgotten.  Patiently God waits.  God gives mankind the ability to select our own punishment by the acts we choose (remember the final plague before the Exodus).

23.2 Revelation – Brought to their knees

Another angel, with great authority and illuminating the world with the light of heaven, proclaims, “Fallen, Fallen is Babylon.”

But what does fallen mean?  Does it mean crumbled as from an earthquake?  Does it mean fallen as in an economic market crash?  Does it mean defeated in battle?  Or all of these?

The greek word that John uses in this quote is pipto.  There are a few other places it is used in the New Testament.  It is the word used to describe the wisemen in Matthew 2:11 who, upon meeting Jesus, “bowed down and worshiped.”  It is also the word that Satan uses in Matthew 4:9 when he tempts Jesus after his time of fasting in the wilderness, “All this I will give you if you bow down and worship me.”  It is also the word that is used repeatedly in Matthew 13 in the parable of the sower, “the seed fell upon…”

From these other uses, I think we get a deeper meaning of the proclamation of the angel.  This is not simply a setback for Babylon, it has been literally brought to its knees in submission to the light of God.

We see this further in the word that the NIV translates as “haunt”.  We think of haunt as a hangout, a meet-up, a place of congregation.  But the original Greek word as translated in the NKJV gives a stronger meaning.  It translates the word as “prison”.

The proclamation, not prediction, of the angel – a completed event not future possibility – is of a Babylon that has become its own prison of wickedness and brought to its knees in submission to the might of God.

My Answers:

3.
a.
Another angel coming down from heaven with great authority and illuminating the earth with his splendor, shouted with mighty voice

b.
Fallen, fallen – she was corrupt from the inside out in every way and now she is fallen

4.
a.
They do not provide, they consume.  They are never enough.  They leave the hollowness on the inside.  They drive people to communion with wickedness and lies and every unclean and detestable thing.  They seek to elevate self only, not creating community or helping the widows, orphans, poor, disenfranchised.

b.
The things that are of the kingdom to come and the will to be done.  The things of heaven, not of earth.  The Godly things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8)

22.5 Revelation – Do not ride the beast

Control is a delusion.  We live each day as if we have control.  We struggle and save to have control of our finances.  We make contracts and promises.  We buy and sell, barter and steal for control.  We coerce and lie for control. We want to be on top.  We want to be in charge.

We hate giving up the TV remote because it feels like we have relinquished control.  We hate riding in the passenger seat.  We hate riding on airplanes.  We hate having to rely on others.

But control is a delusion.  It is one God calls sin and the devil calls opportunity.

When we fight for control, we fight God.  God, the creator and author of the universe is in control.  He alone is in control.  When we insist on “taking control” we are telling God, “you are not doing a good enough job and, well, you need my help!”  When we insist on trying to control the situation, our day, our lives, we relegate God to a safety net, a servant, someone who will come along quietly and catch us when we fail and fall.

This is sin.  This is missing the mark.  This is selling out for so much less than what God has in store for us because we are fighting Him and pulling in the wrong direction constantly.

But Satan loves for us to feel in control.  It is a lie.  We know it is a lie, but it is an attractive lie.  We want to ride that lie faster and harder.  We want to ignore death and grab all the gusto.  We want to be “good at being bad”.  We want to ride the beast and party and curse and be immoral and drink and…

Until it devours us.  And that is the reality.  It always devours us.  It is not a harmless delusion.  It is not a dream or fairy tale.  It is wickedness.  It is a lie.  It is death – forever.

So, what is your direction in life.  Will you be standing as one of the called, the chosen, the faithful followers of Jesus, the one who is the way, the truth and the light?  Or will you be devoured the lies and the darkness?

If you are riding the beast now in any part of your life, the choice is simple.  It has 3 simple steps:
1. Ask the Holy Spirit for help – you cannot get off the beast on your own power
2. Get on your knees – repent and leave it at the cross, once you turn it over, let it go, it is no longer yours to bear, you have given it to Christ and He is sufficient
3. Stand – Be a faithful follower.

You can do it for two simple reasons: You are called and you are chosen.  Neither of those has anything to do with you or your power or your worthiness or anything else about you.  This isn’t about you – it is about Jesus and God’s love.

But, do it quickly.  It is at the point that everything is wonderful, it is the height of the party and you are riding high, that it ends: the lies turn on you and consume you.  The notion that it is better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven is not an offer – it is a line from a book called Paradise Lost and it is a monologue by Satan about himself.  It is not an option for you.

Please don’t wait until a better time, later, but everything is going good so why quit, when I get older, when I settle down time.  Do it now, before the lies tear the flesh from your bones and consume you – they will, it is only a matter of time.

My Answers:

12.
The followers of the beast hate and come together in unity to destroy, they destroy both good and evil, they are filled with hate. But God turns their unity and rage against each other time and again and the enemies of God destroy themselves

13.
There is tremendous wickedness, some very well organized.  But while hate and wickedness can be powerful, they breed discontent and soon turn against each other and not just their primary target.

14.
It is like reading the end of a mystery novel – We know the outcome.

22.4 Revelation – Wisdom

Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge.  But the source of the knowledge matters and the guiding hand of that source on its application is paramount.

Anyone can amass great amounts of knowledge.  People can spend their entire lives in any discipline, studying and memorizing.  For that matter, anyone can study the bible, even memorize it word for word. But without faith and without the power of the holy spirit, it is just words and thought.  There is no power in any of it.

Look at the wise men in Nebuchadnezzar’s court in Daniel 2:12 – all dead.  Look at the wise men in Belshazzar’s court Daniel 5:8 – powerless and stumped.  Look at the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:11-20 – left with nothing, not even underwear.

I think Paul sums it up the best in his letter to the church in Corinth:

1 Cor 1: 20-25
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

My Answers:

9.
a.
Why are you astonished?  I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides

b.
They have one purpose, to give their power and authority to the beast.  They will wage war on Jesus, the Lamb (v 14)

c.
The Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings

d.
v14. And with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers

10.
Beast: once was, now is not, yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction
God: him who is and who was and who is to come

11.
a.
Symbolism (7 heads are seven hills on which the woman sits).  Discernment – From the spirit and from knowing the word of God

b.
Bible study, prayer, discussion, teaching, being obedient.  Growing in holiness, no longer as deceived by the temptations of the world

22.3 Revelation – Co-Opted

Many of us in the 21st century know the names of the Egyptian gods from our museums and traveling exhibits: Osiris, Isis, Re, Anubis.  We know Greek gods from our childhood studies and from the Percy Jackson novels: Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Chronos.  We know Roman gods from the names of our planets: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter.  We even know a few norse gods from comic books and the days of the week: Tyr (twia as in twia’s day or Tuesday), Odin (wodin as in wodin’s day or Wednesday), Thor (Thursday), Freya (the leader of the Valkyries, Friday).  Those who have done bible studies might even recognize a Canaanite god or two such as Baal or Anat.

Sidenote: It is somewhat disturbing how we have immortalized these mythological gods into our everyday language.

But most of us don’t know much about the gods of Babylon: Marduk, Bel, Nebo, the dragon. In some ways they were the worse and craftiest in the insult to God.  Many of the Babylonian polytheistic religious documents simply co-opted the word of God.  (Definition: Co-opt: (a) divert to or use in a role different from the usual or original one (b) adopt (an idea or policy) for one’s own use.).  The Atrahasis Epic, the Enuma Elish (creation story), The Gilgamesh Epic (flood), Hammurabi’s code (law at Mr. Sinai), The Babylonian Theodicy (story of Job).

Time and again, the Babylonians took the holy and diverted it into a different message, re-crafting it for their own use and own glory.  Time and again, they remove God and retell the story.  Any place it gets too close to God, insert another lie, another explanation, another twist to bring it closer to the source of the lie (example, instead of God creating the earth without form/the deep, Genesis 1:2 Hebrew “tehom”; the Babylonian account starts with the gods arising out of the waters of the deep as the god of fresh water Apsu combines with the goddess of salt water Tiamat – a cognate of the word tehom).

We see this same pattern in the story of Belshazzar and the writing on the wall.  He takes the holy articles from the temple, that had been sacked from the temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians years earlier, and uses them for a party honoring himself.

I think one of the reasons the name Babylon is a stand-in for a more significant group, place and time, is because this represents Satan’s work at its purest level.  Even in the garden, Satan didn’t come out with anew story, a complete lie.  Instead, he twisted what God had said, he asked questions, he challenged, he co-opted.  When satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he did the same.

We see this all around us today.  Not only do we swim in the language of all of these false gods and their names in our days, months, planets, time, but we swim in the co-opted truth.  We teach children in school Hammurabi’s code (almost 300 laws many based around eye-for-an-eye as a very broad legalistic punishment – but which also includes the provision that “If a man strike a free-born woman so that she lose her unborn child, he shall pay ten shekels for her loss.”), but we refuse to allow access to the 10 commandments or the laws of Exodus 21:22-25 (If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely…there is serious injury (to the child), you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise).  We deny a creator, but are perfectly content with “a big bang”.  We deny God, but praise “the universe”.

Our times, our nations and our neighbors are far closer to Babylonians than any of us wants to admit.

My Answers:

6.
sitting on beast, dressed in purple and scarlet and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls, golden cup in hand filled w/ abom things and filth of adulteries, name on forehead was a mystery, drunk with blood of God’s martyred holy people  === scarlet beast covered with blasphemous names.  The beast had 7 heads and 10 horns (beast out of the sea from Rev 13)

7.
a.
she was drunk on their blood

b.
sacked the temple and tore it down, slaughtered zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, all the nobles, then put out his eyes and bound him, Daniel interprets writing on the wall for Belshazar, king kills all other wise men, condemned because defiled temple articles

8.
The things of the earth are temporary.  They are created.  But they are tangible and comparable and draw people to them.  It gives a sense of ownership, which is false, since we too are only temporarily on this planet.