Sermon: Revelation 12 The Weirdest Nativity

Every year, there’s lots of excitement about the John Lewis Christmas advert. A few years back, it featured the hibernating bear that was woken up to enjoy his first ever Christmas. And then there was Monty the penguin, and who could forget Buster the boxer dog, playing on the trampoline? Have you seen this year’s advert?

It features excitable Edgar, a baby dragon, who seems to be ruining Christmas by getting excited. You see, every time he gets excited, he blows fire from his nostrils - melting the children’s snowmen; and the ice rink; and setting the village Christmas tree on fire. And then it’s Christmas Day, and Christmas dinner, and in he comes, and everyone ducks under the table. But he uses his fire breathing for good, by lighting the Christmas pudding. You can even get the excitable Edgar dragon stuffed toy. (Other brands and shops are available!).

In our reading today, we find that there’s a dragon in this telling of the nativity story. And, perhaps when you heard it being read, you thought to yourself - what’s a dragon doing in the nativity? It’s definitely the weirdest nativity you’ve ever heard. Maybe, though, it’s a bit like some of the school nativity plays which have an abundance of extra characters - mostly famously in one movie, a lobster. Is that what’s going on here? We don’t find any of the shepherds or wise men, but we have this great red dragon. So what’s going on? What is this all about? And what could it possibly tell us about Christmas?

Well, before we dive into the passage, we need to get our bearings. We’re in the book of Revelation - a series of visions revealed to John the apostle, and written down for the church. These visions are painted in broad brushstrokes, almost like cartoons, using pictures to show what’s going on behind the scenes, explaining the way things are going, and encouraging Christians to keep faithful even in the midst of tremendous opposition and persecution.

As we get into verse 1, John sees a great and wondrous sign in heaven. ‘A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.’ (1-2) Now, it sounds like this might be Mary, the pregnant lady of Christmas-time. And sometimes you might see statues of her portrayed in this way.

But this isn’t Mary as such. She wasn’t wearing the sun and resting her feet on the moon when she arrived in Bethlehem. This imagery is pointing to the people of Israel, the nation as a whole, as being this pregnant woman. Do you remember Joseph - not the adopted father of Jesus, but the Joseph in Genesis, the one with the technicolour dreamcoat? One of the dreams he has in Genesis 37 is of the sun and moon and eleven stars bowing down to him. And his father Jacob (also called Israel) interprets it as Joseph’s dad and mum and his eleven brothers bowing down to him.

And so the people of Israel are pregnant; they’re waiting for the arrival of the promised Messiah (King). They have come to the time of his arrival, of his birth.

And John sees a second sign: ‘An enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.’ (3-4). It’s a fearsome beast! A dragon with one head would be bad enough, but seven heads? And the dragon has got into place. He’s ready and waiting for the birth - not to help out or give a nice gift. But to, verse 4: ‘The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.’ (4)

The dragon is out to destroy and devour. It doesn’t want this child to be born, and so is waiting for the moment to get rid of him. I wonder does this remind you of anything from the Christmas story? Behind King Herod is this fiery dragon - when Herod hears the king of the Jews has been born, he sends his soldiers to destroy the baby king. But just as Herod wasn’t successful, so this dragon didn’t devour the baby.

In verse 5 we get a glimpse of exactly who the baby is. ‘She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron sceptre.’ The one who rules the nations with an iron sceptre is the anointed king (the Messiah, or Christ), who is God’s Son, from Psalm 2. So this is definitely the birth of Jesus in view here.

And the devouring dragon is unsuccessful in this vision. ‘And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.’ (5) In one sentence, we get an overview of the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus. The dragon didn’t devour him. Jesus was victorious, and rules from God’s throne.

But that doesn’t stop the dragon’s attempts at devouring. John sees that there is war in heaven - Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon and his angels. And again, the dragon loses - and loses more than the war, he loses his place in heaven.

If you were still in any doubt as to who this dragon was, it’s spelled out for us in verse 9: ‘The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.’ Do you remember back in Genesis 3 who it was that led Eve and Adam astray? The tempter was the serpent. But he didn’t stop with Adam and Eve - he continues to lead people astray, and not just one or two, but the whole world.

That’s his first tactic. Leading people astray. Tempting them. Taking them off the straight path. Devouring by disobedience. But then in verse 10 we see his second tactic. Satan literally means the accuser. He accuses Christians before God day and night. God, do you see what he has done wrong today? How can you still love him? God, did you hear what she said today? Do you really want her as part of your people?

He leads astray, and then he accuses. He tries to remind you of your past. He tries to tell you that God couldn’t really love you with all those wrong things you’ve done. Perhaps you’ve heard the dragon whispers this week. Maybe you’ve smelt the fiery breath of the dragon.

But as someone once said - if Satan reminds you of your past, then remind him of his future. Revelation 12 shows us that the dragon is on the losing side. However powerful he might appear, he is a defeated dragon. He didn’t devour Jesus, and he lost the war in heaven. And he loses against Christian believers. How is that possible?

It’s possible because of the victory of Christ (10) in the Christian’s life. There is salvation, and power, and the kingdom of God, and the authority of his Christ. And we share in that victory in verse 11: ‘They overcame 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.’

The dragon is defeated by the blood of the Lamb - trusting that Jesus died for you and has taken away all the things that Satan accuses you of - and by the word of their testimony - your witness to God’s power in your life. That word testimony is the word from which we get the word martyr - who is a witness through their death. Are we prepared to stand up for Jesus, to witness for him, even if it brings the death of our social standing, or our social life, or even our physical death?

The devil dragon has lost. His final doom is now certain. And he knows that his time is short. But that doesn’t mean that he gives up fighting and settles for a quiet life. Look at the end of verse 12: ‘Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.’

And that’s what we see in the rest of the chapter. He first tries to pursue the woman who had given birth to the male child. The people of Israel have often been on the receiving end of opposition, persecution, and violence. And yet God provides for her preservation through it all.

And so the devil changes tack. Who is in his sights now? Verse 17: ‘Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring - those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.’ Who’s that? You and me. Christians. You see, the devil doesn’t really take you seriously if you’re already following him. He doesn’t need to worry about you if you’re his. But when you repent, and trust in Jesus, and follow Jesus, then he is your enemy. When you take the Christian faith seriously, then the devil takes an interest in you. And when churches are seeing growth, and seeing people come to faith and grow in faith, then that’s when you can be sure the devil will come knocking.

But that shouldn’t cause us to worry. You see, we have the victory in Jesus. The blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony guarantee us victory over our defeated devilish dragony foe.

The dragon shows up in the nativity, perhaps the weirdest nativity you’ve ever heard or seen. But the dragon didn’t get to devour the Christ-child; and he won’t devour Christ’s brothers and sisters, because Jesus wins - and Jesus has won.

This sermon was preached in St Matthew's Church, Richhill on Sunday morning 22nd December 2019.

Sermon: Revelation 7: 9-17 Salvation belongs to God

‘They will beat their swords into ploughshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war any more.’ (Micah 4:3)

So says the prophet Micah, pointing forward to a time when war will be no more; when weapons of war won’t be needed; when swords and spears will be re-fashioned into farm implements; when peace and harmony will reign. And perhaps, as we gather on Remembrance Sunday, that’s our longing too. As we remember those from this village and district who marched off to war, or served in our province to keep the peace, we are only too aware of the pain, and suffering, and devastation of war and terrorism.

The names we recognise; the people we knew and loved. We remember them with pride and with sorrow. And we long for the day when war will be no more; when no one else has to suffer in the same way.

Following the horror of the Great War, the war to end all wars, or so they thought, the League of Nations was formed to be a group of nations that worked together to keep peace. The leaders of the nations said ‘never again’ and yet within 19 years, World War Two had begun. And so the nations tried again, after the ending of the Second World War, the United Nations was born.

Its primary purpose is to maintain international peace and security, as well as developing friendly relations among nations, achieving international cooperation, and being a centre for harmonising the actions of nations. By and large, it has helped maintain peace - and yet we’re all too aware of conflicts since 1945, and those ongoing today. The vision of Micah won’t be accomplished by the work of the United Nations.

But Micah’s prophecy will be fulfilled, and the nations will be united under one King, with one common purpose. And we see it in our second reading on page 1228 of the pew Bibles.

Revelation can sometimes be thought of as a strange book, one that’s hard to grasp and difficult to understand. But it can be summed up in just two words: Jesus wins. Revelation is a revealing, an unfurling of the story of world history - given to the apostle John to strengthen and encourage the churches who were facing trouble and danger and persecution.

And in chapter 7, John is given a vision of a great multitude that no one could count. Think of the biggest crowd you have ever been a part of, and then multiply that over and over. And in this huge multitude, the nations are united.

There are people in this great multitude from ‘every nation, tribe, people and language.’ (9) Somewhere in the crowd are Northern Irish people, Ulster-Scots, Scots, English, Welsh, Irish, and every other people group. However you identify yourself; whatever your heritage; there will be people like you among that crowd.

And where is this great multitude? ‘Standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.’ (9) The throne is God’s throne, and the Lamb is the Lord Jesus. This crowd is in heaven. And they are all dressed the same and doing the same thing: ‘They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ (9-10)

They’re joined by the angels and elders and the four living creatures in giving praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength to God. John had previously seen the angels and elders and four living creatures in chapters 4 and 5, but the crowd is new. He hasn’t seen them before.

They weren’t there earlier, but now they are. It’s a bit of a mystery to him. Perhaps it’s like a flashmob - you know where you’re just going about your business in a shopping centre and suddenly someone starts singing, and then a choir appears out of nowhere and joins in, and then they disappear again?

Who are they? Where did they come from? They’re dressed the same and shouting the same. We’re used to people dressing the same and shouting the same thing at football matches - but not with white robes and palm branches. So who are they? Where did they come from?

That’s what John is wanting to know, and yet one of the elders asks him that question. Perhaps you’ve had something similar happen. Someone knows something that you don’t, so they ask you about it, so that you then ask them about it. They ask, so that they can tell you. And that’s what happens here. The elder asks who are they and where they came from, and John can only say, “Sir, you know.” (14)

And what’s the answer he’s given? ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’ (14)

The great tribulation speaks of tremendous suffering, of a difficult experience, of standing against the full forces of the world, the flesh and the devil. These people from every nation have served God.

They have washed their robes and made them white - but not in Daz or Bold or whichever detergent you use. Look at what has made the white robes white - the blood of the Lamb. It doesn’t seem possible, does it? One red sock in the wash turns your whites pink. But the dirty robe washed in the blood of the Lamb comes out spotless and white. The elder is saying that this crowd has trusted in the Lord Jesus; they depend on his blood shed for them at the cross; this is their hope, their means of pardon and peace.

The blood of Jesus is our only hope. Do you see the connection between verses 14 and 15? It is only those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb who. ‘Therefore...’

This is the present reality for those who have died trusting in Christ. They have not been lost - we know where they are - they are with God. ‘They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.’ (15)

This is what the apostle Paul wrote about to the Philippians when he said ‘for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.’ Even though these Christian believers have been taunted in life - where is your God? We can’t see him! In death, they are with him, as near as could be, seeing him face to face.

And being with God, they lack nothing. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heart.’ In life, they may have suffered hunger or thirst, but gathered before the throne there is no lack. And it’s because ‘the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.’

The Lamb is the one who shepherds, guiding to springs of living water. Jesus himself is the shepherd, not just in this life, but even in glory. ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ It’s as if God has the Kleenex tissues at the ready, wiping away any tears. It’s God who removes suffering and ushers us into his presence.

You can see how this would be a great comfort and encouragement for John’s first readers. People from their church, people they knew well, had died, maybe even killed as martyrs. And they are safe and secure - God’s sheltered people, shepherded by Jesus, in white robes of purity and joy.

There is comfort here for us as well. Our loved ones, who died in the love of Christ, are also found in this multitude. They too are safe and secure with Christ. We may experience loss, but they are at home with the Lord. Perhaps when grief overwhelms us, it would be good to read this passage again and read about where our loved ones are - before the throne of God.

But what about us - what about you? Is this your future? Are you in this picture? People from every nation are gathered in heaven, but not everybody from every nation - the rest of Revelation and the rest of the Bible makes that clear. Everybody doesn’t go to heaven. Heaven is only for those who trust in Jesus; who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb - trusting in Jesus’ death on the cross to take away our sins.

Are you trusting in Jesus today? Have you asked him to take away your sins? It’s only in Jesus that our robes can be white, and our future bright. As the crowd cries out with a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ Amen.

This sermon was preached in St Matthew's Church, Richhill at the Remembrance Day parade service on Remembrance Sunday, 10th November 2019.

Sermon: Revelation 19: 1-10 Church is the bride of Christ

I seem to have a knack of having important life moments the same day as moments of national significance. My Institution here, as you might remember, was on the day of the General Election. As it turned out, my 30th birthday also fell on a nationally significant day - the Royal Wedding. As I was saying farewell to my 20s and lamenting the fact that I was an old man of 30, Prince William and Catherine Middleton were getting married.

If you can remember back those 6 years, or maybe even 36 years to Charles and Diana’s wedding day, you’ll know that the wedding was the big thing in all the newspapers and the TV news. All day long, the TV was filled with every detail of the wedding. It’s not every day that a royal wedding comes along, and so (it seemed like) everyone was watching this royal wedding.

Some friends travelled over to London, wanting to be there for the day, even sleeping on the footpath to get a good spot, to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom, the Prince and his new Princess. They were caught up in the excitement of the royal wedding.

As some people said at the time, it was like a fairy tale come true. The Prince had his bride, and they lived happily ever after. Now, normally in a fairy tale, there are some dangers to be faced, an enemy to be overcome, and some excitement along the way. But, when you think of it, even fairy tales point us to the real true story. A prince overcomes his enemies, slays the dragon, and rescues the girl, who becomes his princess. A fairy tale? Maybe, but it’s also the true story of the Bible - what God is doing in the world through Jesus.

And the Bible is moving towards the true fairy tale ending - the real royal wedding, which we hear of in our reading from Revelation. In Rev 19:7 we read these words: ‘Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.’

All of history is moving towards this royal wedding. The groom is obvious enough - he’s the Lamb. All through Revelation, the Lamb is the Lord Jesus, the one who was slain, the one who has conquered, the one who is getting married. But who is his bride? Who is he getting married to?

Verse 8 gives us a peek of the bridal gown. ‘Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)’ Notice that the linen, the righteous acts, was given to her to wear. She didn’t make her own dress, it was given to her.

Later in chapter 21 we are given an invitation to see the bride again: ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ (21:9) And the description there is of a city, the Holy City, (new) Jerusalem. A cube of a city, as high as it is wide and long; with twelve gates, twelve foundations, a city which is pure, and bright, and clean; dazzling in its beauty, with the precious stones and the streets of gold and the pearly gates.

And you might be thinking - is Jesus marrying a city? But this is picture language - Revelation is like a picture book, as it teaches us truth in vivid imagery. You see, we talk about going to heaven, or meeting in the new Jerusalem, but the truth is - we are that new Jerusalem. The church is the bride of Christ, the wife of the Lamb.

To see that, we need to turn back to Ephesians 5, and what can sometimes be a controversial passage these days. (page 1176). And maybe even before you turn to it, you know which passage it is. It’s the one in which it says: ‘Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord...’ It also says, and probably just as difficult: ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...’

Now, at some point, I promise, we’ll come back to those words when we preach through Ephesians. But for now, I want to focus on verse 31-32.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church.’

As he addresses the theme of marriage, Paul goes right back to the very beginning of the Bible, to Genesis 2. We looked at these words on Thursday night at the Bible study fellowship - you’re very welcome to join us this week as we continue our Bible overview. But Paul takes these words from Genesis 2, about the man leaving his father and mother, and being united to his wife, and the two becoming one flesh. And we take these words as the pattern for marriage, for a lifelong public commitment of one man and one woman, forsaking all others until death.

But Paul says that, yes, they’re about marriage, but at their foundation, they are actually pointing us forward to the marriage of Christ and his church. Every marriage is a pointer towards the marriage of Christ and his church. And every marriage is meant to be a picture of that marriage - sometimes pictures can be out of focus, or distorted, but still, they point towards the real, the true, the perfect.

This helps to explain why marriage here and now is ‘till death us do part.’ John Piper has written a book called ‘this momentary marriage’. Sometimes people find it hard to hear what Jesus says about marriage in heaven, in Matthew 22.

The Sadducees had come to Jesus, trying to make a fool of Jesus, trying to trap him with a story and a question. The seven brothers who each married the same woman when their older brother died. Question - whose wife will she be in the resurrection? (They ask this because they don’t believe in the resurrection, so they’re trying to be ridiculous). Jesus says that ‘At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.’ (Matt 22:30). Why? Well, because Ephesians tells us there is only one marriage in heaven, and we’ll all be involved - the marriage of Christ and his church.

Whether marriage has been part of your experience or not, whether it’s been good, bad or indifferent, we’ll all experience the perfect marriage, the union of Christ and his church. We will be united to Christ, be one with him, dwell with him, not just for a few years, but for ever. That’s the real fairy tale ending, isn’t it? They all lived happily ever after. And it’s for real. For ever. Christ and his church.

We’ve been a bit more all over the place in terms of the Bible tonight than normal - we usually focus on one passage rather than chasing through the Bible - but I hope it helps to see that this idea of the church being the bride of Christ is right through the Bible. And that’s without thinking about our Old Testament reading where the Lord rejoices over Israel, his bride; or when Jesus comes his first miracle is to change water to wine at a wedding; or John the Baptist describing himself as the Best Man, the friend of the bridegroom who has now come; or Paul acting as the matchmaker and wedding planner in 2 Corinthians 11, promising the church to one husband, to Christ, to be presented to him as a pure virgin; or a host of other references we could have looked at.

The thing about weddings is that there is always an invitation. Mr and Mrs so and so invite you to the marriage of their daughter. And then at the bottom there’s the RSVP -Répondez s'il vous plaît - now my French isn’t that good, but it basically means, please respond. Let us know if you’re coming.

Well, the real Royal Wedding is approaching. The Lord Jesus will slay the dragon and rescue his bride. And we are invited to be there are the wedding. Not just as staff at the venue; not just one of the guests at the farthest away table; but as the bride, along with the rest of his church.

And back in Revelation 19:9 we read these words, the true words of God: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ There’s your invitation. The Lord Jesus has pursued you; he has rescued you from the dragon; and wants to make you his, forever.

As the hymn puts it, ‘From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride, with his own blood he bought her and for her life he died.’

Are you looking forward to that day? Are you waiting for the wedding of eternity? The Spirit and the Bride say, Come (Rev 22:17). Will you be there on that day? United with your Saviour in his forever home. What a day that will be!

This sermon was preached in St Matthew's Church, Richhill on Sunday evening 17th September 2017.

Sermon Audio: The Weekend's Words

Last Sunday in Aghavea we had a special Gift Day service in the morning, and a Favourite Hymns Evening as well. So here are the two sermons that were preached, for you to listen in.

Sunday morning: Gift Day Sermon from Acts 4:32 - 5:11 on Ananias and Sapphira's offering

Sunday evening: The Worship of Heaven from Revelation 4&5.

Sermon: Revelation 4 & 5 The Worship of Heaven

I wonder if you’ve ever stopped to think about the words we use in the Holy Communion service: ‘And so with all your people, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying...’ It’s a reminder that we aren’t the only people praising God - all over the world, we join with God’s people; but more than that, we join with all the company of heaven. Tonight we’re singing and praising, but what is the worship of heaven like?

If you’re a certain age, you might remember a TV programme called Playschool. And each day, we were invited to take a look through the round window (or the square window or the arched window) to discover more about something in the world. Well, in our reading tonight, the apostle John sees an open door into heaven. We’ll hear what he sees, and also what he hears, as we discover what heaven’s worship is like.

The first thing John sees in heaven is a throne. Now, even though we might think that the universe revolves around us, that we are in charge of our own world, the throne of heaven is occupied. There is one seated on the throne. John’s description may not be very helpful - the appearance of jasper and carnelian (precious stones, both with a reddish colour). He doesn’t really tell us much directly about the one on the throne - but what he hears tells us much more. You see, there’s a constant chorus, a day and night proclamation of praise in verse 8.

You see, around the throne there are 24 other thrones, the elders, clothed in white, with gold crowns on their heads. Also around the throne are the four living creatures, with six wings and eyes all around, one like a lion, one like an ox, one like a man, and one like an eagle. And they never cease to say: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’

The one on the throne is Holy, Holy, Holy. He is so entirely different to everything else. Total purity. Totally perfect. He is the Lord God Almighty. The one who rules and reigns with perfect power and wisdom. He is the eternal one, with no beginning and no ending, everlasting.

And every time the creatures declare God’s glory, the elders fall before him, casting down their golden crowns, giving their worship: ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’

This holy, holy, holy God is worthy to be praised, to receive glory, honour and power. Why? ‘For you created all things.’ God is worthy to be praised because he gave us life, in the first place. Without God, we would not have existed. Life was his idea. And so, we should praise because he made us, according to his will.

John sees the throne, and hears the praise of God’s creation. Do we give glory to God because he made us?

John then sees something else. It’s a scroll, rolled up, and sealed up with seven seals, with writing front and back. This is the unfolding of history, God’s plans for the whole universe. God holds it in his right hand, and the challenge goes out. Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals? No one is found to answer the challenge - heaven, earth, under the earth. What will happen? John begins to weep.

One of the elders tells him to weep no more. ‘Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ So John looks to see the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, and he might wonder if he needs to go to Specsavers. Have you ever had a restaurant bring you out the wrong order? You ordered the beef, and they bring you turkey.

Here, they’ve called for the Lion, and standing before the throne is... a Lamb, as though it had been slain. But it’s no mistake. The Lion of Judah is the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus, crucified, slain as the sacrifice for our sins; for our unwillingness to praise the God who gave us life and breath and everything. It is the Lion / Lamb Lord Jesus who controls history, who unveils God’s plan for the world.

As he takes the scroll, the living creatures and the elders sing a new song. Again, it follows the same pattern: ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals... Why?... ‘For you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’

John sees the scroll, and hears the praise of Jesus. Will we give him our praise, because of all that he has done for us - he died for us; he paid the ransom for us and all his people; he has brought us into his kingdom, and made us priests to our God, and given us a share of his reign. Will you praise the King of your salvation?

It’s as if the praise of Jesus kicks off a chain reaction; or like dropping a stone into a still lake, the ripples spread wider and wider. First, the voice of many angels, myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, all praising: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!’ And then, as if all that wasn’t enough, John hears: ‘every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea...’ And they all join in: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!’ Amen.

Paul in Philippians tells us that one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why wait until that day? Why have it forced out of you reluctantly? Why not joyfully receive Jesus as your Lord. Submit to him today, and join in the joy of heaven, to worship him here and now, on earth as it is in heaven.

He is worthy to be praised. He made you. He gave you life. And he gives you new life, a place in his kingdom. So don’t wait until you ‘have to’ worship him. Let’s worship him with joy and gladness.

This sermon was preached at the Favourite Hymns Evening in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 5th June 2016.

Book Review: What Christ Thinks of the Church

Back in the summertime, I was trying to plan some preaching series for church. At the time, I was considering dipping in to the opening chapters of Revelation 1-3, the letters to the seven churches. So John Stott's little book 'What Christ Thinks of the Church' came with me on holiday. As it turned out, we didn't do the Revelation series (yet), but it was still worthwhile to read Stott doing what he does best - exposition of Scripture. Even though I don't agree with everything he says, there is much that is solid and profitable in this book.

As he points out in the introduction, 'Many Christians fight shy of the book of Revelation.' It's seen as a difficult book - a 'happy hunting ground for fundamentalists' was how it was described at Theological College. But Stott immediately provides some clues for the interpreter from the text: 1. Apocalupsis (apocalypse) means unveiling, a revelation. So put out of your head those tabloid headline notions of apocalyptic freak weather and such like. 2. This revelation is given to the church, so that we know what is going on. 3. In persecution, error and sin, the devil's tactics don't change from one generation to the next. 'The substance of the revelation is Christ himself.'

The rest of the chapters explore the letters of Christ to the seven churches in turn. Stott helpfully summarises each, with lots of helpful observations: Ephesus - love; Smyrna - suffering; Pergamum - truth; Thyatira - holiness; Sardis - reality; Philadelphia - opportunity; Laodicea - wholeheartedness. Here are some of the stand out lines:

'It is clear that the risen Lord is in a position to evaluate the condition of each church and to commend or condemn it, for he knows its state with perfect accuracy.'

'It is not a living church if it is not a loving church' - on Ephesus.

'A willingness to suffer proves the genuineness of love' - on Smyrna.

'With the call to suffer there went the promise of accompanying grace.'

'The way to lose fear is to gain faith.'

While in Thyatira there is much to commend, 'it is sad to read a little further and discover its moral compromise.'

'But outward appearances are notoriously deceptive; and this socially distinguished congregation was a spiritual graveyard.' - on Sardis.

'We turn now, with some relief, from the rebuke... to the remedy.'

There were moments when I didn't agree with his conclusions, mostly in the last of the letters to Laodicea. It all centres on the famous images of the lukewarm to be spat out of the mouth, and of Jesus standing at the door and knocking. Stott argues that Jesus was us either burning hot for him or else icy cold against him. I don't think he's right on this bit. Similarly, he seems to want to follow the popular individual evangelistic appeal application of Jesus knocking, so that any individual can open the door for salvation. But is that really what Jesus is saying here, writing to a congregation of Christians who presumably are already saved?

The last chapter notwithstanding, the book is what you would expect from John Stott. Thorough exposition with warm and pastorally sensitive application. This would be most useful for the pastor preparing to preach from Revelation (and not just the letters themselves), but would also be suitable for any Christian wanting to use it devotionally over a longer period of time. There is much to ponder, any many warnings to hear as the Spirit speaks to the churches. What Christ Thinks of the Church by John Stott is available from Amazon.

Remembrance Day Sermon: Revelation 7: 9-17 Out of the Great Tribulation

One of the overwhelming facts that confront us each year around Remembrance Day is the sheer scale of loss. In this centenary year, the Tower of London is hosting a visual representation of the losses in World War One. Have you seen the sea of red, each ceramic poppy representing one of the 888,246 British soldiers who lost their life in the Great War. Each one an individual, a father or brother or son; daughter, sister, mother.

While the First World War might seem remote and distant Remembrance Day also comes closer to home. We remember those whom many of us knew and loved and lost. The pain remains, the loss still real. Does the Bible have anything to say to us about those we have lost? Is there any hope or encouragement for us?

This morning, we turn to the book of Revelation, that strange and not always easy book at the very end of the Bible. This is a revelation of Jesus Christ, given to the apostle John, who was exiled on the island of Patmos. Jesus tells him to write what he sees to the seven churches of Asia Minor, churches facing trouble and persecution. Throughout the book, we’re given an overview of history, as God’s people and God’s enemies are lined up against each other.

One of the most amazing photos I’ve ever seen was taken during President Obama’s Inauguration in January 2013. Using 305 high resolution photographs, a very detailed picture of the huge crowd present on the day is available on the Washington Post website. You can zoom in to see who was there, who was yawning, who was sleeping. [You can see it here]

In chapter 7, John is shown a great multitude. This is a huge crowd of people - so many that no one could number them. John takes in all the details, but he doesn’t understand them. There’s people from every tribe and people and language. Every nationality is represented. They’re standing before the throne and before the Lamb. That is, they’re in the heart of heaven. They’re all wearing the same thing- white robes; and they’re all holding the same thing- palm branches. They’re all crying the same thing- ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’

They’re joined by the angels and the elders and the four living creatures. John had already seen all the rest earlier in chapter 4 and 5, but the crowd is new. They weren’t there earlier, but now they are. It’s a bit of a mystery. is it like a flashmob, where people are going about their business in a shopping centre and then suddenly someone starts singing, and a choir appears out of nowhere, and then disappears again afterwards? Who are these people? Where did they come from? They’re all dressed the same, shouting the same. If they had red scarves and T-shirts on, we might recognise them as Liverpool supporters. But white robes and palm branches?

Have you ever known someone who asks you a question because they know the answer? Perhaps that’s something that happens in school. The teacher asks something you haven’t done before. They know the answer, and they know you don’t know the answer. They ask the question so that you have to say, I don’t know! That’s what’s going on in verse 13. John is watching all this happen before him. He doesn’t know who the crowd are. Then one of the elders asks him: ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ Sir, you know - because I don’t!

Here’s what the elder says: ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.’ The great tribulation is the war between God and his enemies. This crowd from every nation has died serving God. They have washed their robes and made them white... but not in Daz or Bold. Look at what has made the white robes white - the blood of the Lamb. It doesn’t seem possible, does it? One red sock in the wash turns your whites pink. But the dirty robe washed in the blood of the Lamb comes out spotless and white. The elder is showing that this crowd has trusted in the Lord Jesus; they depend on his blood shed for them at the cross; this is their hope, their means of pardon and peace.

The blood of Jesus is our only means of hope. Do you see the connection between verses 14 and 15? It is only those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb who ‘therefore...’

This is the present reality for those who have died trusting in Christ. They are with God. ‘Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.’ It’s what the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians - ‘for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.’ Even though they may have been taunted in life - where is your God? In death, they are with him, as near as could be, seeing him face to face.
As well as being with God, there is also nothing they lack. ‘They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.’ In life, they may have suffered hunger or thirst; gathered before the throne there is no lack. All this is possible because ‘the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

Have you ever seen some of those award shows? Up front are the celebrities with their meal and wine, waiting to hear if their name will be called out. And back, very far back, out of camera view, are the ordinary people, desperate to get a glimpse of their favourite actor or musician. Sometimes we might think that heaven is like that - all the famous and important Christians have a ringside seat, while we might just get into the very back row, just in through the door, not getting near the action.

But verse 17 shows us the personal nature of heaven. The Lamb is the one who shepherds, guiding to springs of living water. Jesus himself is the shepherd, not just in this life, but even in glory. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. It’s as if God has the Kleenex tissues out, wiping away every tear. It’s God who removes suffering and ushers us into his presence.

What an encouragement this would have been for John’s first readers. People from their church, people they knew well, had been killed as martyrs. It’s as if John scans the crowd like that picture of Obama’s inauguration and shows them where they are: safe, secure, God’s gathered people, shepherded by Christ, in white robes of purity and joy.

There is comfort here for us. Our loved ones, found in Christ, are also found in this picture. They too are safe and secure with Christ. We may experience loss, but they are at home with the Lord. Perhaps when grief overwhelms us, it would be good to read this passage again and read about where our loved ones are... They are before the throne of God...

And what about us. What of you? In the great tribulation there are only two sides. The side of God or his enemies. To come over to the side of God is to repent, be washed in the blood of Jesus, to trust in his sacrifice. It’s only in Jesus that our robes can be white, and our future bright. As the crowd cries out with a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ Amen.

This sermon was preached at the Remembrance Day Service in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 9th November 2014.

Sermon: 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 I Believe in the Church

What do you think of when you hear the word church? Your mind might turn to thoughts of buildings and services, robes and sermons, tea and buns. For some, it might be something that you have to get through for an hour or so once a week then you’re free until next Sunday; for others, they don’t even make it - church is what ruins a Sunday morning lie in.I’m glad you’ve decided not to have a lie in this morning!

Since I’ve arrived, I’ve been trying to get to know you, trying to discover what you think of church and how we can continue to be and do church here in this part of Fermanagh. Each of us will have particular ideas and preferences on how things should be done. This morning I want us to discover what God thinks of the church.

The first thing to see is that the church is God’s idea. It’s not that the first disciples sat round thinking, what can we do - I know, let’s start a church. The church is God’s idea - we find that in our gospel reading. Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus says he is spot on. It is on this truth, that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah that Jesus says ‘on this rock I will build my church.’ See how Jesus describes it? My church. Jesus founds the church, his church, but he doesn’t then abandon it - he makes a promise: ‘on this rock I will build my church.’ As people come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, they are added to the church - Jesus is still building his church.

That’s a great relief, knowing that Jesus has promised to build his church - not a building of stone, but a building of people. But just because Jesus is building his church doesn’t mean we can sit back and say, well, he’s doing it, we don’t need to do anything. Remember that Jesus sent out his disciples to proclaim the gospel - it’s as we share the good news that Jesus builds his church.

This gathering of people isn’t my church, nor your church - it is Jesus’ church. He is in charge, as we seek to obey him through his word. Are we helping to grow the church through our words, our welcome and our witness?

The church is God’s idea. But more than that, the church is also God’s people. To help us grasp this point, the apostle Paul in our first reading gives us the picture of the human body. He says that the church is the body of Christ: ‘For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.’ (1 Cor 12:12)

Just think for a moment of your body - there are lots of different parts - hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, legs, arms and so on. Each is different from the rest, yet each is needed for the special thing only they can do. Paul says it is the same in the church. Though we’re all different, each of us come together to form the body, the church. Each of us have gifts, things given by God to be used for his glory and the good of others. But what if everyone only had the one gift?

We’re just past Hallowe’en, but as Paul describes these freaky bodies, it’s the stuff of horror movies: It would be like the whole body being an eye. Just one big eye. It would be great for seeing, but it wouldn’t be able to hear or speak. Or imagine another body made up of just one big ear. The hearing would be great, but it couldn’t smell anything.

In our bodies, God has arranged all the various parts to work together, and it’s the same in the church. God has brought each of us here to be a part of this church so that as we work together, we can glorify God and help each other live for God. We need each other, serving and working in so many different ways - each playing our own special part. So are you playing your part? Are you using your gifts and talents and abilities through the church? It might be in reading the Bible clearly, so that we share in the readings; it could be in singing; or praying; or hospitality; or visiting someone to read the Bible with them; or encouraging people; or teaching the Bible to the children and young people; or administration; or wisdom in decisions and serving on vestry... we could go on and on...

We’re in this together - as someone once said, church is not a spectator sport. ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.’

The church is God’s idea; the church is God’s people. Finally, we find that the church is also God’s purpose. Every so often we hear some shocking statistics - church attendance is down; few young people attending church; and church buildings closing and being sold for carpet warehouses or restaurants. You could be left wondering - does the church have a future?

If we fast forward to the very end of this world, at the very end of the Bible, we discover that the church is very much part of God’s purposes. The church is described as the bride of Christ - the one for whom Jesus died in order to save, so that the hope of heaven is described as the wedding feast - heaven as an endless party celebrating the unity of Jesus and his people.

So in Revelation 19, the great multitude cries out ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.’

The church is there right at the end, made holy by her husband. This is the future that awaits the church, endless bliss in glory with the Lord Jesus. It’s as if the wedding invitation has arrived with your name on it; or better yet, the proposal of marriage has been made. I’m sure many of you watched the royal wedding back in April - when Prince William married Kate Middleton. Kate’s life has been completely changed by her marriage as she became a Princess, living in a palace. King Jesus comes with this proposal, this invitation - to be united to him, part of his bride on that day, to spend eternity with him somewhere even grander than Buckingham Palace - in the new Jerusalem. Will you accept his invitation? Will you be there on that day?

The church is holy - made pure by Jesus’ death for the forgiveness of our sins; the church is catholic - as men and women, boys and girls from all over the world come together as members of the one body. God’s plan for the church is beyond what we could possibly imagine. Will we be a part of it?

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 6th November 2011.

The Way of the Cross (21)

As you continue to read Psalm 22, you can't fail to be struck by the change that comes in verse 22. Up until then, the horrors of the crucifixion are spelled out in terrible detail. Here, the mood changes, so dramatically, that you could nearly be thinking it's an entirely different psalm with a different theme.

Actually, it fits together perfectly, because the crucifixion is not the end of the story. As Jesus was laid in the tomb, he was not finished. Of that we can be certain because of how Psalm 22 ends:

I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of his, all your offspring of Israel!...

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:22-23, 27-28)

Gone are the agonies, present are the praises. Having passed through the cross, through death, the end of the Psalm is the glorious victory and celebration of the Messiah. The image is of the great congregation, all God's people, gathered together because of the work of the anointed one, who has delivered them through his sacrifice.

But more than just the people of Israel, people from all the ends of the earth, all the families of the nations shall worship before the LORD as a result of the work of the anointed one. It's no surprise then, that the song of heaven declares:

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
for every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9-10)

Book Review: The Gospel in Revelation

I've previously blogged about how I enjoyed Graeme Goldsworthy's Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, and I've had another book from the same author on my shelves for about the same length of time, without opening it. Spurred on by my recent preach in Revelation 5, I added this small volume to my 'to read' shelf on my desk. Once again, I'm glad to have read it, and just upset that I didn't read it all those years ago!

As Goldsworthy points out near the start, the book of Revelation is a frightening one for the ordinary Christian. Often, we don't know what to do with it - either neglecting it altogether (and therefore missing out on the great encouragement contained within), or getting embroiled in fantastical and erroneous predictions about the future end times and political prophecies. We tend to either extreme because we divorce Revelation from its bible context, and don't interpret it within the context of the gospel. The gospel is the key to understand it all.

Through a series of chapters examining the key features of the book (including the letters to the seven churches, the apocalyptic passages, hymnic passages, conflict, and the final separation), Goldsworthy builds on his central thesis - that the book is written to encourage Christians in their suffering, because 'their sufferings are utterly consistent with the reality of God's kingdom in this present age.' The Lion of Revelation 5 is the Lamb that was slain - that while the church now appears as her Lord on earth, suffering, one day she will be glorified with her Lord when he returns. 'That which the believer now grasps by faith will be open to every eye.'

The pattern of Christ's humiliation in the gospel is the ongoing pattern of the normal Christian life. 'The New Testament teaches that it is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which constitute the meaning, motive and power for Christian living.'

Goldsworthy discusses the Day of the Lord and what it means - 'The day of the Lord means the salvation of the people of God and the judgement of his enemies.' But while the Old Testament sees this as one event, with the day of the Lord ending the old era and bringing in the new, the New Testament modifies it to include the two comings of the Lord Jesus, with an overlap period between his first and second comings, when the old era will finally finish.

While Revelation has been seen as a happy hunting ground for fundamentalists (just think of the Left Behind series!), Goldsworthy argues that

'Revelation was written, not for the arm-chair prophets with their charts of historical events in the twentieth century and their intricate diagrams of the end of the age, but for the harassed subsistence-level first-century Christians of the Asia Minor province. It was written to bring them both warning and reassurance, to encourage them in their struggle and to liberate them from fear of the enemy within and without.'

All in all, this is a very useful book. It's a great introduction to the book of Revelation within its own context, and the wider Bible context. The principles of interpretation are Christ-centred, gospel-centred, and are clear and consistently applied. I wish I had read it a long time ago, and so it would be very profitable for anyone wanting to grasp what Revelation is all about. The explanation is clear, and the encouragement heartwarming.

While my copy was a small paperback in its own right, The Gospel in Revelation is also included in 'The Goldsworthy Trilogy' available from the Good Book Company.

Sermon Audio: Revelation 5:1-14

Here's the sermon mp3 from last Sunday morning's preaching on Revelation 5: Worthy is the Lamb . Very appropriate for the Ascension Day as we celebrate the victory of the Lion of Judah - the slain Lamb and join in the worship of heaven.

This sermon and many more can also be found at the St Elizabeth's sermon blog.

Sermon: Revelation 5 Worthy is the Lamb

Who has the right to rule? It’s the question that we thought might be answered when the nation went to the polls on Thursday, but as we’ve seen, the discussions are continuing as attempts are made at coalition government. As it stood yesterday, either David Cameron or Gordon Brown could still have been Prime Minister, depending on which way Nick Clegg went.

In our country, we see the question answered every few years, with power changing hands based on the election results. Who has the right to rule? Or, as we find in the reading today, who is worthy to rule. But as we come to Revelation 5, we’re not just talking about Northern Ireland, or the UK, or even Europe - we’re in the throneroom of heaven itself, seeking to find who is worthy to rule the universe.

But first, just a bit of background to help us as we explore this chapter. The apostle John is given this revelation - the apocalypse. We’ve already seen apocalyptic writing as we studied the second half of Daniel - signs and symbols and numbers and visions are used to communicate the message - but it is still a revealing - Revelation is given to encourage Christians facing suffering and persecution for their faith, and gives them a behind the scenes glance at reality from heaven’s perspective.

In chapter four, John was shown heaven, with God on the throne, and the 24 elders (representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples - the old and new testament people of God) and the four living creatures (representing all of creation) and angels all worshipping God. But at the start of chapter five, John sees a rolled up scroll which is sealed, in the right hand of God. The scroll is God’s plan for the universe, the whole of history, as we find later in Revelation. An angel with a loud voice shouts out the challenge to the whole of the universe: ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’

Who is worthy? Who has the right to rule the universe and control all things? In the first section (v1-4), we find that no one is worthy. Look at verse 3: ‘And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.’ Is this a shock for us? Just think of some of the greats of history - Alexander the Great, or Nelson, or Winston Churchill or Barack Obama. No one was able to open the scroll. No one is found worthy to rule.

No wonder John begins to weep. It looks like God’s plans for the universe will be dashed, if no one can take them and run with them. No one is worthy.

But straight away, one of the elders tells John to not weep - there is one who is worthy. Let’s read verse 5. ‘Weep no more; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’

And so John looks out for this Lion, the conquering Lion, watching to see its teeth and its mane and its awesomeness. This is the champion of heaven, a glorious sight, and as the living creatures and the elders around the throne part, as the camera focuses in on the centre of everything, John can see there in the centre, beside the throne - a Lamb? He looks for a lion and sees a Lamb? And not just a Lamb, but one ‘as though it had been slain.’

Is there some mistake here? Like when you’re in a restaurant and you order chicken but you get beef? We’re expecting a Lion, please, and you’ve given us a Lamb? Yet in verse 7, the Lamb takes the scroll (and in chapter 6 will begin to open the scrolls). What is going on?

There is no mistake. The Lion is the Lamb - and all is explained as the living creatures and elders sing a new song to the Lamb. The Lion Lamb is worthy - why? ‘for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God.’ The Lion has conquered because he died as a Lamb - there’s no mistaking who this picture is showing us. The Lord Jesus, the Lion of Judah, died like a lamb led to the slaughter (Is 53:7), upon the cross. But his death wasn’t meaningless or purposeless. No, it was through his death - by his blood (!) that he ransomed people for God.

Here we see the praise and glory given to Jesus following his death and resurrection. We’re thinking particularly about the ascension today - how after forty days of appearing to his disciples, teaching them, and then sending them out to proclaim his kingdom, Jesus was taken from them up into heaven. Jesus isn’t just in heaven because it’s the place that good people go to when they die. No, Jesus is in heaven because he has been exalted to the highest place - and through his death has opened the way to heaven for all who trust in him, all who he has ransomed and redeemed.

Who is worthy to rule? The Lord Jesus, the Lion of Judah and Lamb of God, who gave his life so that we might live; who redeemed us for God. The Lord Jesus is the one who is worthy to receive the praises of heaven.

You see, the ascension isn’t just a fairy tale ending, or a bizarre way to finish the gospel accounts - the Lord Jesus is bodily in heaven, and reigning, in control of the universe - because he died and was raised to life. Today we’re focusing on his role as king, but he is also our high priest in heaven, interceding for us as Hebrews makes clear. Jesus is worthy, and all of heaven praises him.

But more than that, do you see how the three songs from verses 9 to 13 open up? The first is sung by the four living creatures and the twenty four elders. The second is sung by that great crowd of angels. The third is sung by ‘every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them’. Could that be any more comprehensive? Do you find yourself in that group?

Every creature in every place will praise God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and give them the blessing, honour, glory and might. This blows out of the water any notion of inter-faith worship, or of religious pluralism. Jesus is the only one worthy to be praised - not Allah, or Mohammed, or Buddha, or angels, or crystals, or the whole universe, or the virgin Mary, or saints or any other created thing you care to mention. Jesus receives the praises of heaven, and will receive the praises of all of creation one day. Who is worthy to rule? The Lord Jesus is the one who is worthy to receive the praises of every person and every creature.

As we seek to apply Revelation 5, there are a few things that we need to think about as a result. Where do you find yourself in this passage? You see, there are two groups of people within Revelation 5 -like concentric circles but are you in both, or just one?

The larger circle is ‘every creature’ (v 13). One day everyone will praise Jesus, whether they want to or not. No matter how rebellious you are against God, one day you will worship Jesus, either joyfully or despite yourself. You are automatically in this group, because all that God has made will praise God.

But within that large group, there is a smaller group - are you in this group? It’s back in verses 9-10. Jesus, by his blood ‘ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation - a kingdom and priests to our God, who shall reign on the earth’ (that is, share in Jesus’ reign with him). Are you part of this blood-bought ransomed, saved people of God? Jesus offers salvation through his death - we just need to trust in him, and believe that he has indeed died for us, conquering by his cross. Are you in this group?

Next, have we a right vision of Jesus? Do we see him, as this passage presents him, right at the centre of the universe, ruling over all? Or do we see Jesus as less than God? Revelation 5, indeed the whole of Revelation presents Jesus as the ruling, reigning, sovereign Lord of history. History is his story. Are we seeing Jesus rightly?

And finally, how do we respond? Very helpfully, the passage shows us the response of the living creatures and elders - they said Amen, and they worshipped. To say Amen is to agree with what has been said - we use it at the end of our prayers. Here, to say Amen is to recognise that Jesus is the Lord.

But to worship? What does that mean? Is it that we have to stay in church all week and constantly sing? What is worship? Worship is more than what we do in church together, but it is not less than that. To worship is to give praise and glory - not just through singing, but through everything that we do. It is to live each day seeking to praise Jesus, honouring him through the thoughts we think, the words we say, the deeds we do (or don’t do). As Paul writes in Romans 12, ‘I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ (Rom 12:1-2)

As you go about your day tomorrow, in school/work/home/holiday - ask yourself - am I worshipping Jesus by doing this? Am I living for Jesus’ glory and to show his kingdom?

We may not yet know how things are going to turn out following the General Election. We don’t know who is going to run the country. But Revelation 5 shows us who is worthy to rule the universe - not politicians, not popes, not pop stars. The Lord Jesus is worthy to rule, and worthy to be praised. Are you worshipping him?

This sermon was preached at St Elizabeth's Church, Dundonald, on Sunday 9th May 2010, marking the Ascension a few days early.

The Cube

Earlier this evening we were sitting watching TV, when Phillip Schofield's programme came on UTV / ITV1. The Cube is a big glass cube, as the name suggests, and inside, challengers take on The Cube to perform certain tasks for monetary reward. There are memory tasks, balance tasks, ability tasks, and many others. It seems that things which appear very easy in every day life suddenly become very difficult inside The Cube.

The rewards are very profitable - £1000, then £2000, then £10,000, then £20,000, then £50,000, then £100,000, then £250,000. Challengers have nine lives to use in the pursuit of the big money. Compelling viewing as the contestants try to win against the cube's tricks.

When the nine lives run out, the contestant loses all money won so far, although before they begin a particular challenge they can decide if they keep what they have or risk it for the next prize. They enter the cube, and either emerge with a prize, or with nothing.

Reminds me of the cubes in the Bible. The inner sanctuary of the Temple was a cube, as 1 Kings 6:20 tells us: 'The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high, and he overlaid it with pure gold.' This is the Most Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, where the High Priest entered once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to make sacrifice for the sins of the people. Entering without the blood of sacrifice would have meant certain death for the High Priest. As it was, he achieved the purification of his people for the year.

However, as the letter to the Hebrews reminds us, this was but an earthly shadow of the reality of the heavenly temple, where the Lord Jesus entered to achieve eternal salvation and satisfaction for sin (Hebrews 9:12). The thing is, though, that in contrast to the television competitors, Jesus never leaves the cube, and has won his eternal prize - the inheritance of all things and the salvation of his people. How do we know he never leaves the cube?

Fast forward to John's vision of eternity in Revelation 21. John is shown the holy city, the new Jerusalem. Revelation 21:16 shows us that 'The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.' Another cube, the eternal dwelling place of the Lord God, where God dwells with his people forever.

Isn't it great how even television programmes can be reminders of the gospel? Phillip Schofield asks if you'll enter the cube. Will you be part of that greater reward in the greater cube of the New Jerusalem?

If You Don't Want To Know The Score

... look away now.

So said the lady doing the sports report on the late BBC news bulletin last night. It's a moment of warning that the results from the Premiership football matches will be shown on the screen, and if you're waiting to watch Match of the Day afterwards, then you can avoid knowing how your team has done, and see how it transpires in the highlights.

Which made what happens next quite funny, but probably also horrible for those in this boat. Imagine avoiding all news and sports coverage all evening, stopping friends from telling you how your favourite team got on, being two minutes away from the start of Match of the Day, and then this happens:

The results are shown on the screen, and then the sports reporter reads them out as well! She had said to look away, but you haven't closed your ears, and so the suspense is ruined, the results are broadcast.

Reminds me of this world. Some people run about, not wanting to know what's coming next, or how it's all going to end up. Yet the answer is there for us already, in the Scriptures. Revelation (while some of it may be hard to understand), plainly shows that the Lord Jesus has won and that he is going to return as King and Judge, to send the guilty to hell and to usher in the new heavens and the new earth in his perfect reign forever.

Why anyone wouldn't want to know the final score astounds me - because it gives us confidence as we live for Christ and witness for him - he will return and take us to be with him.

A Not So Quiet Time

Ebony and Ivory
Originally uploaded by Gary McMurray.

I must confess. Sometimes my quiet times aren't so quiet. Music plays an important part in my life, and sometimes, it is an essential part of my devotional times.

I'll give you an example. Last week while at the Preaching Conference, my small group was looking at Revelation. In one of the sessions we were studying Revelation 5, with the new songs sung to the Lamb.

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever" And the four living creatures said, "Amen" and the elders fell down and worshipped. (Rev 5:12-14)

I can't hear those words without immediately hearing the conclusion of Handel's Messiah ringing in my ears: Worthy is the Lamb. * That evening, I had to listen to the concluding sections of Handel's Messiah, and was lost in wonder, love and praise. Let's hope we sing it in glory!

On other occasions, devotions can occur as I sit on the piano stool. I'm not a great pianist - one fingered normally works, and I'm starting to add in simple bass notes too, using the guitar notation at the top of the music. Yet as I (very) slowly play through In Christ Alone or Oh To See The Dawn or some older scriptural hymns, the words resonate and become 'stuck' in the mind. This helps me remember the words, to reflect on scripture as I go about my day, and it's also much better than having Lady Gaga's Just Dance or Pink's So What constantly replaying in my head.

I remember reading a book called Music to Move the Soul. There's no doubt that music is spiritual, but will we use it for good or evil? My not so Quiet Times can be a source of strength as I depend on the Lord and sing for Him.

* I've tried to embed a video and link to a video of Worthy is the Lamb, but it doesn't appear to be working at present. I'll try again later.

The Shack *Possible spoilers*

One of the big bestsellers from last year, particularly in Christian book sales, was William Paul Young's The Shack. The rave reviews on the back promise that "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's that good!" I recently finished it, and was left asking the question, is it that good?

Certainly the storyline is engaging. Mack* goes on a camping trip with his children, when tragedy strikes. The sense of panic is well conveyed and heart-rending. The development of the characters is well observed. The reader is carried along in the story, all the time feeling for Mack in The Great Sadness.

Yet the story is but a vehicle for the book's central premise. What if you could meet God face to face and discuss tragedy. Or, as Christianity Explored asks: If you could ask God one question and you knew it would be answered, what would it be?

Surprisingly, Mack finds himself encountering the three 'persons' of the Trinity. Each take time to discuss with him, gently leading him through his problems, and bringing him to trust God for all he needs. Yet as I read, I began to fear that Mack had not encountered the living God. Rather he has encountered the emergent God. While it may be useful for the book to appear, and to get people talking about God, the book is certainly not one on which to base our doctrine or understanding of God.

Others have written extensively on the Shack, but some of the problems for me include the statement by Papa, the African-American woman masquerading as God the Father: "I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it." (p. 120) Well, that sounds like good news for modern man - God doesn't punish sin? Connect this to the statement that "I've never placed an expectation on you or anyone else... because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me." (p. 206) Gospel truth, or good news for itching ears (c.f. 2 Timothy 4:3)?

It doesn't seem to fit with the declared intention of God to punish sin for his own glory. 'Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.' (Jude 7) 'For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.' (2 Corinthians 5:10)

One other major problem (although there are several more), concerns the assault on God's sovereign choice in election and predestination. In one scene, Mack is introduced to Sophia, wisdom. Mack is placed in the judgement seat, to see how he fares judging God. Mack is asked to decide which of his five children will be saved, and which, therefore will not.

"You must choose two of your children to spend eternity in God's new heavens and new earth, but only two." ... "And you must choose three of your children to spend eternity in hell." ** Mack couldn't believe what he was hearing and started to panic.

"I am only asking you to do something that you believe God does. He knows every person ever conceived, and he knows them so much deeper and clearer than you will ever know your own children. He loves each one according to his knowledge of the being of that son or daughter. You believe he will condemn most to an eternity of torment, away from His presence and apart from His love. Is that not true?" (p. 162)

The drama is intense as Mack fights against it, before finally offering himself to go to hell so that his children will be saved. This is commended, as it is how God acts. It is absolutely true that Jesus dies in our place, but is it equally true that therefore everyone will be saved? Does it follow that Jesus died for all, and hell will be empty? To follow the logic of the book you could come to this conclusion. Yet again, it fails to match up to the Scriptural evidence.

At the very least, a reading of the parable of the Sheep and the Goats shows that not all will enter into the Kingdom. Some will hear that "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41) Further, the Book Revelation is clear that not all will be saved. Several times there is mention of the 'book of life of the Lamb'. Those without an entry in the book (which was written before the foundation of the world - Rev 13:8) will worship the beast, and will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15).

As the Briefing article suggested, we need more Shack Time - with the living God, though, not the god found in The Shack. In knowing the living God, we will be able to recognise the false images we find in emergent literature.


*I've noticed this is the second book in recent years in which the main character who comes face to face with a spiritual being is called Mack. The other book is The Testament of Gideon Mack, by James Robertson, where Mack meets the Devil.

** Even though, it appears, that the writer would deny that hell exists.

007 on Vengeance

I don't think the dead care about vengeance.

So says 007 James Bond in the trailer for the new movie, Quantam of Solace, which is released this weekend. Yet the Bible seems to suggest otherwise. In Revelation 6 we find the martyrs crying out for vengeance.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:9-11)

Even today, the number of Christian martyrs is increasing as people die for their faith in the face of persecution. To find out more, check out the Barnabas Fund and Open Doors.

Crying for Help - A sermon preached in St Elizabeth's Dundonald on Sunday 7th September 2008 - Psalm 109

Sticks and stones my break my bones but names will never harm me. Would you agree with that? We find that words have a way of getting under our skin, especially the hateful, spiteful words intended to harm us. How do you respond when people are nasty to you? Or when they go out of their way to make your life miserable? It might be hard enough if it is people we barely know, but what if it is our close friends?

In our Psalm this evening, David is under attack. He has been the victim of an attack – not physical, but verbal. Lying lips surround him, wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against him. But what makes it harder to bear is the fact that they are his close friends who are attacking him. These are people he knows well, and they have turned on him.

Notice, first, that the Psalmist starts in the right place, with the initial cry in verses 1-4. From the outset, he knows who he is addressing, as he cries out for help. This is the God of my praise. The one that he has cried out to before, the one who is worthy to be praised. And what is it that the Psalmist wants God to do? ‘Be not silent.’ It was bad enough that the evil men were surrounding him with lies and evil words, but then it seemed as if God were silent. The crown on the assault. Voices of hate around him and silence from God.

The argument is saying – look, if they’re speaking all this evil against me, will you not speak up in my defence? Speak and act to prevent this assault. As we’ve already thought about, the ones who attacked him were his closest friends. Look at verses 4 and 5 – there’s a frustrating exchange going on there. ‘In return for my love they accuse me … so they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.’ He keeps giving and giving and giving good and love, while they pour out accusations, evil and hatred.

Yet in the midst of all that is going on, ‘I give myself to prayer.’ The NRSV expands this to say ‘even as I make prayer for them.’ It’s this sense of seeking their welfare, even while they attack him.

But if this is the case, then how do we understand the central section, verses 6-20. The psalm quickly changes from third person to second person – from ‘they’ to ‘him’. As we read the psalm, the requests can seem brutal or barbaric. Even a quick scan shows the brutality – ‘may his days be few … may his children be fatherless and his wife a widow … may his children wander and beg … let there be no one to extend kindness to him, nor any to pity his fatherless children.’ What do we make of this passage of Scripture?

Verse 6 brings to mind the image of a court. The Psalmist wants his attacker to be tried for his actions. He wants his day in court, and for a guilty verdict. Do you see in the second half of verse 6 – ‘let an accuser stand at his right hand’ – an accuser is the word ‘Satan’. A friend’s wife is training to be a barrister in Dublin, and her position at present is ‘a devil’ – one who files motions and appears in court to argue cases for their barrister.

This serves to remind us of what the devil’s business is. Satan is, according to Revelation 12:10 ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters.’

For some, it is unseemly for David to have expressed these words. So, for example, the NRSV inserts two extra words into verse 6 to make it ‘they say …’ The long litany of doom is then presented as the words of his attackers. The ‘him’ is then David. This seeks to make sense of the change of person, up to verse 19, but even then, verse 20 is presented as the words of the Psalmist, in seeking to turn all these things back on the accusers.

But the Psalm lacks the two words ‘they say.’ So how can we presume to include them? We should always be careful to sit under Scripture, listening to it, not sitting in judgement over Scripture, imposing our own standards.

It seems to me that the words of verses 6 – 20 must be seen as the heartfelt condemnation of the guilty. This is the cry of the oppressed. In at least one instance, God is seen to honour this very cry. Turn with me to Acts 1 (page 1095). It’s the ten days between Jesus’ ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The Twelve have become the Eleven, with Judas’ suicide.

Peter clearly links the words of our psalm with the situation of Judas. Look, more than that, he states ‘Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus… For it is written in the book of Psalms, “May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it”; and “Let another take his office.”

David is seen to have prophesied the betrayal of Judas and his subsequent removal from his privileges. This is why we cannot see it as the curses of David’s attackers coming down on his head.

It is clear that the feelings are very strong for the Psalmist. His desire is for vengeance and justice for his cause. The strong calls for punishment are based on the immorality of the people involved. Look at verses 16-18. Here we have a string of evil practices, deserving justice. Failure to show kindness, and instead exploiting and persecuting the poor and needy. Clothing himself in cursing.

Notice the downward spiral in 17. ‘He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!’ David is praying here that the natural consequences of his enemies’ life be fulfilled. So that if we are bitter and resentful, then we’ll become more bitter and more resentful. Or if we spend our life in cursing others, then we will in the end, be cursed. CS Lewis once wrote that those in hell are those who have consistently said to God, ‘my will be done’, and God has honoured their wish. We must be careful of the patterns we put in place in our own lives. (Galatians reminds us that what a man sows, that shall he reap).

We’ve been thinking about the string of evil practices committed by the attacker. No doubt these are sins that are deserving of punishment. But the question is – should we follow in the footsteps of the Psalmist? When we are the victims of attacks, should we recite these curses against them?

How does it all fit with the command for us to ‘bless those who persecute you: bless and do not curse them’? (Rom 12:14). Well, we have to view the Psalm through the lens of the cross. Things are not the same. Jesus has dealt with sin, and even while he was being crucified, he did not revile – he was silent like a lamb before its shearers. Rather, he prayed ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34).

As a result of the cross, the Day is coming when God will finally deal with sin, on the great Day of the Lord, which we were thinking about this morning. As Peter writes in his second letter, ‘The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.’ (2 Peter 3:9). On that Day, God will punish sin, all sin, and justice will be seen to be done.

And in the meantime? We have a mission. Our task is not to call down judgement on our oppressors, but rather to call our oppressors to escape the judgement – to pray for them to be saved. How much harder this is, than to call down fire and brimstone on them – yet it is not our job to judge. In this matter, we must let God be God – who will surely punish sins.

Rather, with the Psalmist, we should flee to God, looking to him to save us. Notice that from verses 21 on, David returns again to God. He knows that God will act ‘for your names’ sake’. His focus moves from his accusers to himself, to his God. Twice he reminds himself of the Lord my God’s steadfast love, calling on God to act according to it.

And what will it look like when God acts for his servant? ‘Let them curse, but you will bless!’ Despite all the words of his accusers and his attackers, despite their lies and words of hate, God will have the last word. Rather than heeding the curses, God pours out blessings on his servants. This is why, in the end, we have nothing to fear, if we are trusting in the Lord Jesus. He has the final word.

It doesn’t matter what the devil accuses us of – if we are trusting in Jesus, our sins are wiped out, paid by the death of Christ on the cross, and we are granted a clean slate. We thought about this earlier today, in 1 Corinthians, when we were reminded that the church of God is a holy church, sanctified in Christ Jesus.

So let the devil accuse us, or our enemies hurl curses at us – ‘let them curse, but you will bless!’ I’m reminded of Balaam in the book of Numbers. Balaam was a diviner, one who, for a fee, would bless or curse. Barak, the king of Moab, was afraid of the Israelites, who had come out of Egypt, and were on their way to the Promised Land. So he brought Balaam along, promising great wealth if he would curse Israel. Three times, Balaam begins a prophetic speech, but can only bless Israel, time and again. Here’s just a few words from his first oracle: ‘From Aram Balak has brought me, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel! How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?’ (Numbers 23:7-8).

If you’re trusting in Jesus tonight, then this could be spoken of you. God’s verdict of you is one of blessing, not one of cursing. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Oh how we need to revel in these glorious words! Spend some time in Scripture this week drinking in the wonder of God’s word towards you. Blessing, not cursing.

Building on this theme, as we come to the last couple of verses, we see that not only does the Lord bless those who serve him, he also stands with them. Verse 30 is the pledge of the saved – to sing and praise the Lord, giving him thanks and praising him in the midst of the throng. (Worship is a corporate activity!)

Why this outburst of praise? ‘For he (the Lord) stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.’ Earlier we saw in verse 6 the accuser, the Satan, standing at the right hand. Here, there’s no room for the accuser, because the Lord stands at the right hand of the needy.

While we can perhaps see the reason behind the outpouring of curses in verses 6-20, we do better to flee with the Psalmist to God when we are under attack. By doing so, we find the Lord’s protection, we hear his word towards us, and we know the Lord is with us. And, in the end, we can leave our attackers in his hands – praying for them, so that perhaps the Lord will have mercy even on them.
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CITC Community Review - Senior Student's Column

Over the summer I had the privilege of travelling to Romania for my College Summer Placement. Through the two weeks with the Smiles Foundation, I saw the tremendous growth of the gospel where previously there had been oppression. One of the highlights of the trip was being in Tileagd Community Church, on the edge of a gypsy village. Together, we praised God – a small fulfilling of the vision of John where he saw every tribe, people and language (Rev 7:9). In the time of open prayer, people prayed aloud to God in English, Romanian, the Gypsy language, and even a flurry of Ulster-Scots! My time in Romania enlarged my vision of God, affirming that ‘Our God is a great big God!’ But more than that, it demonstrated the words of Paul to the Colossians – ‘All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth’ (Col 1:6). We who have been called to preach the gospel can find heart that the gospel of Jesus is powerful and effective, and is still bearing fruit!