Tag Archives: Revelation

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Jesus Among the Lampstands

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The first paragraph of Revelation closes with the potentially ominous words, “take to heart what is written in it [the prophecy], because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3, NIV). These words set the tone for a book that seems cryptic, yet is titled the Revelation to John, giving the reader the idea that something hidden is being unveiled to John (and by extension, to us).

John reports that Jesus sent this God-given message through an intermediary–an angel–to John, who was a reliable and trusted witness of all that he saw: the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. His purpose in relaying the message to John was so that he would proclaim it to show God’s servants what must soon take place.

Who Jesus Is

John begins by establishing the nature and character of the One giving the message, Jesus, describing him as follows:

  • Him who is, and who was, and who is to come (vs. 4)
  • the faithful witness (vs. 5)
  • the firstborn from among the dead (vs. 5)
  • the ruler of the kings of the earth (vs. 5)
  • the one who loves us (vs. 5)
  • the one who has freed us from our sins by his blood (vs. 5)
  • the one who made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (vs. 6)
  • the Alpha and Omega (vs. 8)
  • the Almighty (vs. 8)
  • the First and the Last (vs. 17)
  • the Living One (vs. 18)

While in the Gospels we observe Jesus teaching his followers, performing miracles, preaching the Kingdom of Heaven, here we see Jesus resurrected, ascended, glorified, victorious, active in the affairs of his body, the Church.

Where We See Him

As John prayed, the veil between heaven and earth was rent. He no longer saw only his surroundings on Patmos, he saw into the heavenly realms. Hearing a loud voice behind him, he turned, falling as though dead at the sight of the exalted, glorified Jesus. The Ancient of Days stood before him in the midst of seven lampstands, dressed as a priest, supernatural, powerful, overwhelming in his holy presence.

We are told that these golden lampstands represented the seven churches of Asia.

This image was posted by the EarthtoSpiritWarrior Channel on Youtube on August 2, 2015.

What was Jesus Doing There?

Priests, in Old Testament times, were the ones chosen to move about inside the Tabernacle (later the Temple). The ministered before God, making sacrifices, tending to the show bread, offering incense, and so on. They also tended the golden lampstand. They kept the oil filled, they trimmed the wicks, they insured that the light would not be extinguished in the Holy Place. Writes Moses in Exodus 27:20 and following:

“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.”

Exodus 27:20-21, ESV

In other words, keeping the light burning was of highest importance. This room in the tabernacle separated the outer court from the Holy of Holies. Without the continual light burning in the lamps of the lampstand, the room containing the Bread of the Presence (symbolizing God’s nurturing presence) and the Altar of Incense (symbolizing the prayers of the saints) would go dark. Ministry in this space would cease. Only darkness would exist between the Holiest Place (containing the Ark of the Covenant) and the outer court where priests made animal sacrifice.

We might then deduce that Jesus, dressed in priestly garments, was moving among the lampstands, filling them with oil, trimming the wicks, insuring that the light will not go out.

It is noteworthy that earlier in the chapter, as John erupts in doxology, he proclaims that Jesus “made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father . . .”

The background image used is accredited as follows: “Israel-06877 – Solid Gold Menorah” by archer10 (Dennis) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

So the church exists in that space between the Holiest Place where God dwells and the outer courts of the world. The church is the bearer of light, the container of oil that burns brightly for the King of Kings. And there in that Holy Place, moving among the lampstands, is Jesus Christ, the Holy One, filling the lamps with oil (symbolizing the Holy Spirit), trimming the wicks so that the lamps will burn bright and clear (not the smokey, smouldering flames characteristic of damaged wicks), so that the light will not go out.

Light in a Dark World

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:1-5, ESV

Jesus himself said of his followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) His Spirit fuels our light. His Word keeps us walking with him.

“Your word is a light for my feet, a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

Jesus is quite serious about keeping the light burning bright and clear. He is not averse to disciplining his followers in order to cut away that which would dim their witness and dull their love.

His words are given to the seven churches, not merely the messengers of those churches. The criticisms that are leveled against the churches of Asia are leveled against congregations, not merely the individuals comprising the congregation. The expectation is that these congregations will experience life together, will discipline one another, will assemble in order to encourage one another, all the more as the Day draws near. Note the words of the writer to the Hebrews:

“And let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV

It is in the context of the assembly that we find:

  • Accountability
  • Encouragement
  • Exhortation
  • Motivation
  • Teaching
  • Mutual Prayer
  • Correction

To our shame, there are many who consider themselves followers of Jesus that have been deceived by the spirit of the age, believing that there are no consequences for sin or pursuit of self. Many falsely believe that you can follow Jesus without being part of the church. To believe that you can be a follower of Jesus without being part of the church is like believing that a leg can function in and of itself without being attached to a body. A leg detached from a body simply putrefies into a rotting, malodorous puddle of stench. Likewise, when we detach ourselves from the body, we become vulnerable to deception (including self-deception), loss of passion, discouragement, error, etc.

Henceforth, Jesus walks amidst the church, disciplining us for our own good. He calls us out on that which we have abandoned. He encourages us in what is right and good. And he leaves us with a stern warning (as is seen in the letter written to the Ephesian congregation): “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Rev. 2:5)

As I read those words, my mind is drawn back into the image of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. In Revelation, rather than there being a menorah with seven branches, there are seven separate lampstands, each one giving its light into the darkened space between the Holiest Place and the outer court. I see the glorified Christ tending to each lamp and finding one that is smoking and smouldering and filling the Holy Place with acrid smoke. I see him removing it from the space to prevent that space from becoming polluted.

Our Light

Even though each of us is part of a congregation (hopefully), we are also individuals. God pours the light of life into each of us when we repent and are joined to him in baptism. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are buried and raised with Him. We are given spiritual gifts that are to be used to build up the body. We are extended grace through faith. What we do in our hearts and minds and with our hands and feet affects the life of the body. We are not our own. We were bought with a price.

Because we have surrendered our rights and have accepted the exhortation to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him, we must each choose daily to live in light of our impact on others. Our choices impact the community.

The world’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been used by the Lord to trim the wicks of the lamps. He has used it to expose the fissures in the foundation of our philosophy and practice. He has used it to force the issue with us that following Jesus isn’t about “Your best life now . . .” or your “best year ever” or about “being true to yourself”. He has used it to show us where our loyalties truly lay. James exhorts us to not let ourselves be polluted by the world, yet . . .

Satan wants to use this season to unleash hell on earth. In his fury he wants to destroy the church, isolate believers, and bring us to ruin. He wants to snuff out our light. But we have the promises, don’t we? “The light shines in the darkness, but darkness has not overcome it.” “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.” “To him who overcomes I will grant to eat of the tree of life . . .”

We do well, beloved, to use this season which Satan means for evil to use it for good: to take stock of our lives, our assumptions, our practice and to turn a corner through repentance, surrender, and a renewed, deepened love for God and his Word.

” . . . the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Romans 13:11-13, ESV

Let your light shine!!!

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Reflections on Revelation

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Do you get that tingling sensation in your stomach as the first words of a new book pass before your eyes? Are you immediately consumed by the story, carried away by the artistry of a master author? John’s Revelation has stirred this in me more than once over the years. John teaches us so much about the real Jesus–Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus on the throne, Jesus the conquering King. As you read the Apocalypse, you can see Jesus, mounted on a white horse charging into Armageddon bent on vanquishing the enemy of our souls. This is the true Jesus, the Jesus we need in these tumultuous days.

With this post I’ve begun writing down reflections on this important book—not to present a detailed eschatology (study of last things), but to pull back the veil and peek into the shadows of some very challenging prophecy. I do not intend to spell out a system explaining 70 weeks or 7 years or the kind of stuff made into movies. Rather I want to draw out the life found in this cryptic book, like drawing water from a well. Revelation is about more than signs and symbols. It is a letter that can empower us to conquer today. Inasmuch as Revelation is the gospel itself, hidden from enemies, revealed to believers, it is powerful for salvation. As Paul wrote to those at Rome: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . .” (Romans 1:16, ESV) John paints on the canvas of our minds images of creatures and thrones and seals and terror and comfort and victory. There is holy war. There is tension and wonder and finally, resolution to the rebellion and sin that led mankind down the path of destruction.

It is my pleasure to share these reflections with you and my prayer that you find something in them to build you up in your most holy faith. Come journey with me through the pages of Revelation as we walk the path together that leads to the throne of grace, equipped and steadfast, following the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts, the first of which is entitled Jesus Among the Lampstands . . .

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Endurance in Adversity

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A Brief Word

When I started shakethegates.org several years ago, my intention was to help believers in Christ not only stand firm in the evil day, but forcefully advance the Kingdom of God despite the overwhelming opposition of society. I’ve been busy living in a developing nation, discipling believers, translating the New Testament, trying to stay afloat. My high aspirations for this website have fallen far short of what I’d hoped to do with it.

Lately, I’ve been feeling increasing urgency to prepare believers for a level of opposition that few have ever known. Intense opposition is the norm for many believers around the world. People in those contexts have endured the unspeakable, yet continue to stand. Not so much in the West.

The best way that I know to prepare believers for what lay ahead is to drill down into the Word of God and draw out the meaning, exhortation, nourishment, and hope found there. After all:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV

I covet your prayer as I step into a new season of study, writing, prayerful thinking, and preparation. I ask you to pray that the Father will grant me sharp focus, a heart tender toward Him, skillful word-smithing, and clear understanding of His word in order that I might serve Him and you well in this endeavor.

A few weeks ago I published an article entitled At Hand which you can read here. The urgency of the New Testament writers (in that case, Paul, Peter, and John) was unmistakable. The world of their time was pagan and poised against the subjects of the King of Kings. Their rulers were notorious for their extreme immorality and their violent reigns.

Imperial Persecution

Emperor Nero was representative of many of the Roman emperors. According to Henry Halley (Halley’s Bible Handbook), under Nero’s persecution “many Christians were crucified, or thrown to wild beasts, or wrapped in combustible garments and burned to death while Nero laughed at the pitiful shrieks of burning men and women. Paul and Peter suffered martyrdom in Nero’s persecution.”

Nero is most known today for his maniacal fiddling while Rome burned. There were a litany of emperors between Nero and Domitian, who exiled John. Nero committed suicide, leaving the throne to Galba who reigned a grand total of 7 months and 7 days at which time he was murdered by the Praetorian Guard. Then came Otho, appointed by the Praetorian Guard who reigned for 3 months and 1 day. He committed suicide after losing a battle. Vitellius followed, reigning 8 months and 3 days before being murdered by Vespasian’s troops. Vespasian replaced him and ruled nearly a decade before dying of natural causes. Then came Titus, Vespasian’s son, who ruled 2 years and 2 months before dying of fever. Finally came Domitian, who ruled 15 years and 4 days before being murdered by court officials.

During Domitian’s reign, John was exiled to the island of Patmos where he penned Revelation, having survived, according to Fox’s Book of Martyrs, being boiled in oil.

Modern Persecution

Though most of us have not suffered under this sort of rule, patterns and trends would point toward the possibility that, as our societies disintegrate and people attempt to cast off moral restraint, people will eventually demand some sort of powerful rule, whether a government system or a strong individual. What followed the October Revolution of 1917? Stalin’s reign of terror. What followed the Wiemar Republic and the stripping of Germany’s military might following WWI? The rise of national socialism and its leader, Adolf Hitler. Pol Pot led the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, leaving a legacy of murder. What of Chairman Mao and the cultural revolution in China? Or Fidel Castro in Cuba?

In each of these situations, followers of Jesus have suffered persecution. Stalin instituted the Gulag. Chinese Christians have consistently suffered intense persecution and opposition since the cultural revolution. Hitler’s government not only exterminated 6 million Jews, it imprisoned and executed political opponents and Christians who did not hold with the party’s brutality and extreme evil.

It seems that humanity is once again attempting to set the stage for 20th-century-like upheaval. Creation groans. Humanity is drunk with rebellion and notions of revolution. This generation desires to cast off all restraint. Many of our information sources are merely propaganda machines, spreading dissension and hate toward all that is holy. As we drift along the flow of history (past and future), proponents and servants of the world system increasingly attempt to silence the voice of reason and holiness.

Read more . . .
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The Power of Doxology

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When I was new to the Lord I learned an oft sung chorus simply called The Doxology. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow/Praise Him, All creatures here below/Praise him above ye heavenly host/Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.” It was sung after communion or at the end of the church service, in keeping with the Biblical tradition of book-ending a section of text with a “word of glory”, an ascription of value and worth to God. While this chorus is actually a Catholic prayer, doxologies are found throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Lately I’ve been thinking about doxology and this is what I’ve concluded: doxology has a powerful place in daily life. Consider the doxology included in the introduction to Revelation. “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”(Revelation 1:5-6, ESV) This one doxology, if internalized, has the power to revolutionize your life. In fact, this would be a great passage to meditate on at the beginning of each day this week.

This doxology is ascribed to Jesus and begins: “To him who loves us . . .” There are days when it can be a stretch to remember that He loves me. Perhaps I’ve not bothered to confess my sin and I’m feeling estranged from Him. Maybe the woes of walking in this world become heavy and I’ve neglected to release them to Him. Or I read the words and they merely bounce around my mind, never taking root in my heart. But not only did Jesus tell us that he loved us, he showed us. He said to his disciples in the closing hours of his ministry in his body: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, ESV) That is precisely what He did for us. Allow this truth to sink down through the layers of your mind into the depths of your heart. Allow this truth to be a cornerstone to the foundation of your faith.

The doxology continues: ” . . and has freed us from our sins by his blood . . .” His love moved him from the Garden to Golgotha. Bloodied and tortured, he was nailed to a Roman cross in order to provide our reconciliation to the Father in Heaven who, by the way, loves us, too. When we were helpless slaves to our rebellion and rejection of God, he surrendered to the cross to free us to walk from death to life.

Having washed us by his blood, reconciling us to the Father, he ” . . . made us a kingdom . . . “ Not only did we become subjects to the King of Kings, he gave us a place of honor, allowing us to become kings with him, to share in his rule of the nations of the earth in the age to come.

He also gave us the privilege of becoming ” . . . priests to his God and Father “, that is to become mediators between the lost ones and the Father. Having been reconciled to the Father, we represent Christ to the world, appealing to its children to be reconciled to God. We not only intercede for the lost, we do all in our power to bring them to the Heavenly Father, that they too may be freed from their sins and be made new creations.
At this point the John puts hands and feet on the high praise given the King: ” . . . to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” May this never be merely a statement we make by rote before moving on with our day. First, says John, honor God with your life–forever. Second, surrender rule of your affections, attitudes, and actions to God the Father–also forever. That is, give him dominion of your being.

Meditating on these profound truths allows us the opportunity to begin our day basking in the love and gifts of God. As the truths take hold of our hearts, we respond by yielding the right to rule ourselves to God the Father, inviting him to show his glory, character, and majesty through us to draw a rebellious world to himself.

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Unmovable

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My family and I live in the shadow of Mount Somau in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. While remote by most of the world’s standards, we still have access to cellular service, however slow it is in comparison with Western standards. It is still fast enough to  allow us  to download news on our phones, though I’m not always sure that is such a great thing.

Charles Spurgeon once said that a preacher should hold the newspaper in one hand and a Bible in the other. Perhaps. The perceptive reader will do so to connect the dots between the predictions of the New Testament and the fulfillment of those predictions today. Indeed, Paul wrote to Timothy that there would come terrible times in the last days. 

The sensitive follower of Jesus is distressed by the unspeakable nature of what the world embraces as not only normal, but laudable. We should ask the question, as Francis Schaeffer once famously did, “How then shall we live?”

Jesus spoke at length about both the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of days. Consider what he prophesies as recorded in Matthew 24:9-13: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” 

  God’s people have been persecuted, threatened, opposed, hated, and murdered for millennia. Our end might be martyrdom or imprisonment. We might be cast out of society and despised. Whatever form persecution takes, Jesus warns that the increase in wickedness will threaten our ability to love one another, let alone the lost. We will be tempted to fall away,  but endure we must. We dare not yield to the pressure our enemy exerts to overwhelm, discourage, destroy and silence us.

Saiva Creek overflows after an hours-long torrential downpour. The boulders do not move.

From Mount Somau springs forth a stream that flows from the heights to the bottom of the mountain. As it flows down the steep slopes, it flows over and around scores of  enormous boulders that determine where its course. Rain or dry the boulders rarely move.

Our role in society must be like those boulders. While society flows into greater dissipation, we must remain unmovable in our convictions, loyalty to the Father, and commitment to endure to the end. We must withstand the torrent in love.

Is it possible? If so, what reward is there for the conqueror?

  • “The one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
  • “To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
  • “To the one who conquers and who keeps my word until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations . . .” (Revelation 2:26)
  • “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)
  • “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” (Revelation 3:12-13)
  • “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)