December 31 / Revelation 17-22

Jesus wins!

Of course, most of us know this in our heads. But do we know this, truly, deep down, in our bones? Do we wake up each morning looking forward to that great Day when Jesus will appear in triumph? Or do we fret that the bad guys are gaining the upper hand? To be sure, the bad guys often do seem to be winning. Just look around! And it will get much worse before it gets better. But don’t give up. Don’t give in. Fight the good fight. Because in the end…

Jesus wins!

And so it is fitting that we praise Him with a few renditions of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”, whose lyrics come from Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16:

Come, Lord Jesus!

See also:

December 30 / Revelation 8-16

Revelation 8-16

As we read through Revelation, we see a lot of drama. There is conflict. There is tribulation. There are natural (and unnatural!) disasters, calamities, woes. There is a great struggle between Good and Evil. Except for a small faithful remnant, the whole earth is in utter rebellion against God, and they remain unrepentant. But even in the midst of all this turmoil, let me ask just one question: Who is in charge?

(Hint: It’s not the dragon, nor the beast from the sea, nor the beast from the earth…)

See also:

December 29 / Revelation 1-7

Revelation 1-7

Today we begin a mad dash through one of the most challenging books of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, aka the Apocalypse of John. (By the way, the word “apocalypse” simply means “revelation” or “disclosure”, but because of its association with this book, it has come to mean “end of the world” or “global catastrophe”.) We could quite literally spend a year or more studying just the first three chapters of this book — and that’s the easy part! And so, to assist us in our reading, I am not going to try to explain anything.

But I will say this… Although I am not generally a fan of The Chronological Study Bible that we have been using this year, I have to say that the notes introducing this book — the sections entitled “Apocalyptic Writings and the End Time” and “The Revelation to John” — are decent. Here is one bit that is helpful:

Throughout history apocalyptic literature has been most popular when current conditions have turned chaotic. At such times there has been a tendency to find remarkable similarities between one’s own situation and the biblical prophecies. This tendency should be resisted. Biblical prophecy was not given in order that we might create a timetable for future events. Rather its authors intended to stimulate obedience to and confidence in God, who remained firmly in control of both contemporary events and the future.

The Chronological Study Bible, NKJV, page 1408, copyright 2008, Thomas Nelson, Inc.

So keep that in mind as we read this final book of the Bible. Let the Lord Himself speak to you, and don’t jam it all up by trying to figure out every detail. But here’s a spoiler alert: Jesus wins!

And Who is this Jesus? He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8,17-18; 2:8; Isaiah 41:4) He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, [Who] has conquered. (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9; Isaiah 11:1,10) He is the Lamb Who was slain. (Revelation 5:6,12; John 1:29) And He is worthy of our worship! (Revelation 5:12-14; 7:9-12)

Let’s listen to what He has to say.

See also:

December 28 / I, II, III John

I John 1-5;
II John 1:1-13;
III John 1:1-15

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

I John 2:1-2

Most of the above (i.e., from “If anyone does sin…” onward) should sound quite familiar to Anglicans, as it is quoted in the “Comfortable Words” following the “Absolution” in our liturgy. Probably less familiar is the first sentence, the part where John says he is writing these things to you so that you may not sin. It seems to me that while we love the part that is quoted in the liturgy, many (most?) of us largely disregard this first sentence. Oh, sure, we know that we are not supposed to sin, but we are nonetheless perfectly content to accept a certain level of underlying sin (i.e., daily, constant, continual, habitual sin). We resign ourselves to this “everyday” sin as our “normal human condition”, so normal that we don’t bother confessing it as sin, and so normal that we never really repent. And in the end we just cozy right up to sin and love the things of the world, contrary to I John 2:15-16.

But is that the life that John describes? If God is light, are we to hang out in the shadows? Do we imagine that the purpose of the Cross is to remove the penalty of sin so that we can continue sinning? Are we not to be dead to sin and alive to righteousness? (Romans 6:11; I Peter 2:24) Let’s not try to explain away I John 3:4-10, supposing that those verses apply only to overt or “big” sins like murder or robbery or sexual immorality. Those verses are just as applicable to all that “everyday” sin we so casually tolerate within ourselves.

It’s time to take sin seriously. It’s time to repent. It’s time to really believe in the Son of God and receive all that He has done for us, freeing us from our bondage to sin, not just its penalty. It’s time to abide in the resurrected Christ.

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

I John 5:11-13

It’s time to live this life now.

See also:

December 27 / Hebrews 11-13

Hebrews 11-13

Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible. Here we find the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1, the recognition that it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6), and a great list of heroes of the faith (dubbed the “Hall of Faith” by some), who illustrate what it is to live by faith. Some of these heroes won great victories and experienced awesome deliverance by faith. Others suffered horribly, enduring loss and pain and anguish, also by faith. And so it goes, and with 2,000 years of additional history behind us, consider how much greater the list of saints is now (whether canonized or not) — all living by faith.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

So be encouraged. You are not alone. Stand firm in your faith — so long as your faith is in Jesus!

Remember, Jesus is better!

See also:

December 26 / Hebrews 7-10

Hebrews 7-10

Jesus is better!

Jesus is superior to anything or anyone else you might find in all of creation. Ordained by an oath from God Himself to a priesthood that is far superior to the Levitical priesthood, Christ offers Himself once for all, accomplishing what no one else could ever do. His own blood avails for our redemption where the blood of animals never could. With His Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus remains our Great High Priest forever, seated at the right hand of God.

Apart from Jesus, we have no hope. We are cut off from our holy and righteous God because of our sin against him. But Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself washes that sin away, letting us enter again into the presence of God Almighty. Jesus is the only Way, and Jesus is the entire Way. You can forget looking elsewhere.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up 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 10:19-25

That Day is nearer now than when these words were written, so how about it? Who are you stirring up to love and good works? Who will you encourage today?

Jesus is better!

See also:

December 25 / Hebrews 1-6

Hebrews 1-6

Today we begin a very rapid run through an exceptionally rich stretch of Scripture, which brings together the Old and New Testaments like nothing else. The Book of Hebrews is deep, filled with ideas that are not altogether easy to grasp. It would be a mistake, though, to think that because it is a little difficult, that we can then skip it. No, just the opposite. Without Hebrews, I daresay that there would be gaping holes in Christian doctrine. But to help us out a little, here’s my exceptionally oversimplified summary: Jesus is better!

Jesus is better than angels. Jesus is better than Moses. Jesus is better than Abraham. Jesus is the ultimate Man. Jesus is the Son. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest. Jesus is our ultimate Sacrifice. Jesus mediates a better Covenant based on better promises. Jesus is the substance of which the entire earthly temple system is but a shadow.

But I am getting a bit ahead of myself…

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed the Heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4

Like I said, Jesus is better!

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Hebrews 2:1

Yes, let’s pay attention. And when we have completed our sprint through the Bible next week, find some time to come back to this Book of Hebrews to study it much more deeply than we can in these few days we have here. You’ll meet Jesus all over again.

Merry Christmas!

See also:

December 24 / Jude; II Peter

Jude 1:1-25; II Peter 1-3

Both Jude and II Peter issue strong warnings against false teachers. My guess is that many of us are somewhat uncomfortable with the rather condemnatory language Jude and Peter use toward those who lead believers astray — these “rants” against the apostate. Yet such language is perfectly appropriate — necessary even — to communicate the seriousness of heresy and the dangers therein. Whatever discomfort we may have probably says a good deal about how much we have bought into all sorts of false teachings — and that we’d rather be “nice” than to call a spade a spade.

God is not mocked. He knows how to execute His judgments, and He will do so. It will not be pretty for those false teachers.

But the purpose of these books is not simply to condemn false teachers but to encourage believers (i.e., us, hopefully) to be on guard against false teaching, to stand firm in the Truth, to be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (II Peter 3:14b).

So take heed. Guard your hearts. Pursue the Truth. Ask yourself again: To whom do you listen?

See also:

December 23 / I Peter

I Peter 1-5

This first letter of Peter is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I highly recommend spending a good deal of time here, reading this book slowly and repeatedly, meditating on what the Lord has to say to us through Peter, finding hope, contemplating what God has done for us in and through Jesus, grasping hold of our inheritance, receiving encouragement in the midst of suffering, and looking forward to the full revelation of Christ and our salvation in Him. Yes, read this book again and again — and resolve to live accordingly. You will not regret it.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1:3-5

Did you catch that? We have a living hope. We have an inheritance, one that cannot be destroyed or even tainted. It is kept in heaven for us, and we are being guarded by God’s power. And the fullness of our salvation is yet to be revealed to the world. Therefore, live in this Reality. All sorts of challenges and sufferings may come our way, but live in this Reality. Turn away from the world; turn away from your former sin; and live in this new Reality. Look to Jesus as your example in suffering, living in this Reality. Submit to authority and to one another in patient endurance, living in this Reality. Suffer for righteousness sake, if that should be God’s will, living in this Reality. Stand firm against the devil, living in this Reality.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

I Peter 5:8-10

See also:

December 22 / Titus; II Timothy

Titus 1-3;
II Timothy 1-4

Today we come to the end of Paul’s Epistles with two personal letters, one to Titus, and a second, final, letter to Timothy. Since the letter to Titus seems in many ways like a condensed version of I Timothy, I’m inclined to look more closely at II Timothy today in our sprint through the New Testament. These are the last words we have from Paul. He knows his time on this earth is drawing to a close (II Tim. 4:6), and he is writing to his dearest, most trusted coworker, his “son” in the faith, Timothy. (As for how Paul regards Timothy, see Philippians 2:19-24.) So here Paul is pouring out his heart with final words of wisdom. Maybe we should pay attention…

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

II Timothy 4:3-4

It should not be too difficult to see the truth of these verses in our world today, with social media amplifying echo chambers that repeatedly tell everyone what they want to hear. Madison Avenue, Hollywood, the mainstream news media, academia, and politicians all proclaim messages geared to appeal to their audience. And if the Truth preached in a real church makes you uncomfortable, it is easy to find a fake church that’s more cozy.

But while it may be easy to see the problem “out there”, how about “in here” with each of us individually? Do you have your fingers in your ears, refusing to hear (portions of) the Truth? Do you open your ears to those with an unbiblical world view? How much time do you spend studying God’s Word compared to watching the news or movies or TV shows or hanging out in your own social media echo chamber?

In other words, as I have asked before and will likely ask again, to whom do you listen? Or, perhaps more pointedly, by whom are you being discipled? I ask this question again and again, because it is essential that we examine ourselves to become aware of the lies we believe — and to take corrective action as necessary. And yes, I am asking you, not just everyone else.

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