Bismarck Church of Christ

Author – Walter Clark, source – Bismarck Church of Christ bulletin, 5/13/12

I have heard people set themselves up as modern day prophets; spouting an authoritative “thus says the Lord” fully expecting you to listen to their words as you would listen to Yahweh himself. God said that you should marry so-and-so; that you should work at such-and-such a place; that you should give money to, well you know, me. This is quite the power play isn’t it? As we continue our journey through Revelation, you need to understand that I am sometimes wrong; that I don’t expect you to read these articles the same way you read the Bible. God forbid! The other day, while at the Christian book store, I overheard a lady say that the book that she was purchasing had drawn her closer to God than the Bible. Man, that scared me. No other book should do that. No other writing should make that claim. Nothing else is God breathed. So, let me explain my goal in writing these devotional thoughts on the book of Revelation: my prayer is that my words help point you to the wonder and truth of God’s unerring word. I am convinced that no matter how difficult or bizarre, we can come to the original intent of the Bible. And yes, that includes Revelation.

Revelation 22:6-11 emphasizes two things: 1) the revelation is from God; and 2) it will all happen soon. Somebody, and there is much debating about whom, assures John that the message he had been given is faithful and true and from God himself. To clarify, this messenger tells John that the word comes from the God of the spirits of the prophets. Now, that’s a fairly loaded phrase. The prophets were individuals and their writings reflect their character. Isaiah and Jeremiah may have some similarities, but they are also quite different. They have their own spirit; their own made in the image of God character. But God is Lord of the message in spite of their individuality. This message; this symbol; this warning; this book is from God; given to John to deliver to God’s slaves. Now, those slaves are the original readers and every reader since then.

And the things wrapped up in these symbols must soon take place. And then, to reinforce that thought, apparently Jesus interjects with, “Behold I am coming quickly.” Most will say this refers to the Parousia. Parousia is the transliteration of the Greek word for “coming” or “presence.” For what it’s worth, I agree. Jesus’ coming doesn’t always mean the final coming at the culmination of all things. Sometimes it means his coming in judgment, as it does here. Otherwise, we will need to redefine “soon” and “quickly.” Then Jesus pronounces the sixth beatitude: “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Hey, you want to be blessed don’t you? Then don’t receive the mark of the Beast. Instead, receive the name of the Father and the Lamb written on your forehead; be sealed by the spirit.

John assures us that he heard and saw these things. It is not some random person and it is not something he cooked up himself. And then once again we see John falling down and worshiping an angel. Can this be real? Can John be that obtuse? I mean, he has already been reprimanded for the same thing. It’s a good thing that you and I never do anything we’ve been reprimanded for. Ah, but I wax sarcastic. The angel says, “Hey, don’t do that! I’m just a servant like you and all of the prophets. Worship God.” Now that’s good advice. Don’t worship angels. Don’t worship prophets. Worship only Yahweh. Otherwise, you might find yourself worshiping the image of the Beast. John is told not to seal the book, which is the opposite of what Daniel is told in Daniel 8:26. Daniel is told to seal the message because it is too far in the future; about 400 years. John is told not to seal the message because the time is near. People who do wrong will continue to do wrong and those who practice righteousness will go on practicing righteousness. This most likely comes from Daniel 12:10. The point in Daniel seems to be that even though many will be purged, those who are truly evil will continue in their wickedness. Paul might say that they are so fleshly minded that they cannot understand the things of the spirit. I think the point is the same here in Revelation.

This is not just some other apocalyptic document. This is God’s message to his people. It is true and it is about to happen. Are you listening to the word of God? Don’t take my word for it. My writings are not God breathed. Read Revelation and listen to the voice of God; glean the message wrapped in the symbols. Our job is not to tell people what they have to do or not do. Our job is to point them to what God says in His book. Trust in God’s Holy Word and worship Him and Him alone. Peace, Walter

Author – Walter Clark, source – Bismarck Church of Christ bulletin, 4/29/12

Sometimes I don’t feel especially close to God. How many are with me here? Sometimes, in the darkness; in the pit, I wonder where God is. Why hasn’t he saved me? Why hasn’t he dealt with the cruel enemy? Why did he let me get stuck here; cold and lonely? Sometimes I have a temple view of God: God is accessible to a select few; people more holy than I am; more faithful than I am. Sometimes I feel relegated to the outer court beating my head against the wall. Sometimes I have doubts; wondering whether God is there at all. Is this something we can admit to?

John is still seeing the New Jerusalem; which seems likely to be the glorified church; the bride of the Lamb. You know, the Church who has been oppressed by the Great Harlot that was Rome. But Rome has been judged. And now, we are seeing the set free; dancing in the streets; tears wiped away by the finger of God Church; and we see her as God sees her. So, as John is looking at this city, he exclaims, “I saw no temple in it”. There may be an implication here that he was rather surprised not to see a temple. What no temple! What in the world? Now, here is an amazing thing; the Lord and the Lamb are the temple. I think the message; the symbol, is the same as what we find in Hebrews 9:1-14. The New Jerusalem; the Bride; the Church; in all its glory has the Lord and the Lamb dwelling in their midst, without any semblance of priestly hierarchy. Everyone has access to the Lord. Let that sink in for a moment. This is a very present reality; an already but not yet reality. You see we can boldly enter the very dwelling of the Lord, but it is not yet what it shall be.

And the glory of God shines day and night in this city. This is a clear allusion to Isaiah 60:19-20. As a matter of fact, the Jews liked this passage so much that it snuck into their morning prayers: “O come a new light to shine upon Zion.” They fully expected that this rising of a new light that replaces the sun and the moon would be the Messiah. And since the Lamb is the lamp of this city, they were right. So, the glory of the Lord is shining in the Church and there is no need of any other light. Now, that sounds right doesn’t it? The nations walk by this light. They have no light of their own, but they will see the light. It’s kind of like walking on the outside of a well lit city; the glow showing you where to walk. And by the way, if this is heaven after the final judgment, where do these nations come from? And who are these kings?

The gates of this “glory of God in her midst” city are always open. Some will object that every ancient city kept its gates open during the daytime, but John is emphasizing that it is always day here. And since it is always day, the gates are always open. And guess what, it is not our job to close them. Verse 26 may be referring to the conversion of nations, and that makes good sense. People have come into the church from nations all over the world. And they are always welcome. In verse 27 we are reminded that even though the gates are always open and the nations can bring their glory inside, that this is a holy city. Nothing common or unclean can come in. Do you remember those angels posted at the gates? It seems likely that it is their job to let people in and to make sure that those who are common; those who practice abominations (a word often connected with sexual immorality and idolatry) and lying, remain outside of this holy city.

I believe we are being given a picture of the church which is in close communion with God and Jesus. Did they understand that God was in their midst as they were being persecuted? Did they feel close to God as their children were being torn from their arms and killed? Did they feel as if God was sitting in his temple and only a select holy few could actually gain access? In the darkness did they understand that their savior shines like a never ending day? They remained faithful, but did they wonder why God was allowing this to continue on? Ah, but now they were in the promised dawning of a new day; a day that stretched out before them and never stopped stretching. Now, they knew; they felt; the presence of the Lamb and it was as if they could walk with him and talk with him and see his glory shining. You see, sometimes I have doubts; sometimes in the midst of pain I feel stuck on the outside of the temple, where God may as well be a million miles away. But the truth is something different. I live in a city that shines; I walk in a city that is filled with glory; I work in a city that is also the dwelling place of God and the Lamb. Man, that rocks, doesn’t it? Grace and Peace to you, Walter

Author – Walter Clark, source – Bismarck Church of Christ bulletin, 4/15/12

We do an odd shift when we arrive in chapter 21 of Revelation. All of the symbols fade away; all of the Old Testament allusions drop out of sight.  And now we are dealing with a real description of heaven where there will be no tears or pain or death. And to be honest, this sounds like heaven, because it is not our reality on this earth is it? Even in Christ, we have pain. So, if this isn’t heaven, then I must be failing at this Christian thing, because, blast it all, my eyes still leak with suffering. But, what if John is describing that overwhelming joy that comes after the fall of an evil empire? What if we are intended to think of images of people dancing in the streets; of others toppling statues of a toppled dictator; of tears drying with shouts of inexpressible joy; of the end of years of oppression; of relief sinking into the soul; of the cool drink of water after a long journey through the desert?

We read of a new heaven and a new earth and we leap to the final judgment; to eternal glory. But several times John tells us that the time is near; that Jesus is coming quickly (Revelation 1:3; 3:11; 22:7, 10, 12). Some can accept that everything up until this point has been dealing with Rome and its judgment. But, come on! A new heaven and a new earth? Well, that must be heaven, right? I mean, the first heaven and earth have passed away. Ah, but there are several Old Testament passages that speak of world-wide destruction when describing Yahweh’s judgment on a specific nations (Isaiah 13:6-22; 34:1-17; Nahum 1:1-5; Micah 1:3-6; Zephaniah 1:2ff). Why? Because they were their whole world; they held the power of death and life in their hands. They believed that they would rule forever. Then God broke into their reality and shut them down; disassembling their world; destroying everything they trusted in. Now, the opposite of this would be a new heaven and a new earth; blessings that are reminiscent of the Garden of Eden; where lions and lambs share the same patch of green grass without a thought of sinking carnivorous teeth into wool covered flesh. It is still a symbol.

Out of this new heaven and new earth; this new reality where the oppressor has been judged and punished by Yahweh, the holy city; the New Jerusalem, descends to earth. This New Jerusalem is clearly the Church; the bride of Christ. Even though she has been torn and beaten; even though she has journeyed through the wilderness of oppression, she is adorned to be married. We would expect her to be bruised and bloodied. But no! She is the faithful bride of the Lamb and she is properly adorned with purity. Not at all like the great Harlot, whose attire was appropriate to her filthy profession. This is the Church; the beaming bride; the pride of the Lamb. A voice from the throne said, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men.” In this new reality, the Church will have become even more aware that they are the temple of the Holy God. The language may represent an adoption formula or a wedding declaration.  And then this voice tells us that God will wipe away all their tears; that there will no longer be death; mourning; crying; or pain. And this sounds too good to be a present reality, doesn’t it? Try to imagine the Christians as their oppressor was punished by their God. Did they feel as if the hand of God wiped away their tears; as if their pain flittered away; as if death itself had been vanquished? Until this time, the Tyrant Rome held their physical death and life in her hands. But no longer. Was there dancing in the streets? Did they feel as if the weight of the burden they were born under had been lifted; that the first things had passed away? And then He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new”. He is the Alpha and the Omega and he has finished what he started. Those who thirst can come to Him and receive a cool glass of the water of life without cost. They have traversed the desert of persecution and God himself gives them water and life.

So, will there be tears in heaven? I don’t know. What I do know is that there will be times in this life when a loving and merciful God wipes away our tears; when death loses its sting; when pain ceases.  I know that God is the Beginning and the End and everything answers to him. I know that those who are described in verse 8; those who have received the mark of the Beast will be punished. I know that the Lamb is victorious. I know that I want to serve him through the heartaches; through the persecution; through the pain. I know that I want to treasure those moments when I am sure that God has reached down into my reality and dried my tears. There is a heaven, but there are also moments of relief now; moments that are pain-free and full of joy. And God is still making all things new. Praise God! Grace, Walter

Author – Walter Clark, source – Bismarck Church of Christ bulletin, 4/01/12

Our fight is not against flesh and blood. We sometimes act as if it is, but it’s not. Rome was not the enemy. Rome was a puppet. The enemy has always been the Dragon; that decrepitly deceitful old serpent. Now, we have to deal with the puppets. It is flesh and blood that hurts and maims us. But it is Satan who orchestrates the pain; who pulls on the threads; who manipulates and controls whole nations. How do we struggle against the forces of darkness; against the spiritual powers of wickedness in the heavenly places? It would almost be better if our fight were against flesh and blood. Then we might be able to accomplish something; then we might be able to inflict some hurt ourselves. But maybe that’s the point.

Revelation 20:1-10 is full of difficult images. It helps if we can remember that we are swimming in symbol infested waters. John sees an angel come down from heaven with the key of the abyss in one hand and in the other hand a chain. Right away we can see that power to seal and open the abyss comes from heaven. We might be tempted to think that Satan is ruler of the abyss. Satan is ruler only over what God allows him to be ruler of. There’s comfort here, isn’t there? We can also see that the power to bind comes from heaven. And binding is exactly what the angel does. He grabs the dragon; the filthy serpent who seemed to hold so much power, and binds him for a thousand years. And here we have the concept that has spawned several millenialisms (theories of the thousand year reign or in this case, binding). What if the thousand years was a symbol, not of years, but of completeness? What if the binding; the casting into the abyss; the closing of the abyss; and the sealing of the abyss, was complete? What if the whole thing is a symbol representing the complete and utter end of Satan’s use of Rome as his instrument of persecution against the Christians? Some have viewed the thousand years as representing the whole Christian dispensation, from the cross to the second coming. This leads to problems because after the binding there is a little time where Satan is released. So, the Church reigns on the earth and Satan is bound, but just before Christ comes again, Satan is going to be allowed to wreak havoc for awhile? To what end?

Then John sees those who are sitting on thrones, to whom judgment has been given. This most likely refers to the saints who have survived Rome’s persecution. Then John sees those who have been beheaded (the word refers specifically to being decapitated with an axe, a punishment reserved for the poor) resurrected to reign with Christ for 1,000 years. This is complete victory! The wealthy, those who had status in Rome, could not be beheaded with an axe. Only the marginalized citizens or non-citizens could have their heads hacked off with an axe. These poor, non-status, saints are now enjoying a perfect reign with their Lord and Savior. This is the first resurrection – the resurrection of the martyrs to victory. They are blessed and holy and the second death has no power over them. Both the saints and the servants of the beast experience the first death. But only the beast’s minions experience the second death; the complete death.

So, Satan has been completely bound from using Rome as his instrument of attack. Even though the binding is complete, it is a binding from the use of Rome. He will be allowed to use other nations, specifically Gog and Magog (cf. Ezekiel 38-39), which became a symbol for any great force from the north. They are as numerous as the sands of the sea because Satan will be allowed to use several other nations throughout the years. I know that it is said to be a little time, but that seems to imply that it is nothing; it is not as significant as it feels to you and I. Even though the army is massive and it surrounds the camp of the saints, God wipes them out with fire from heaven (again, several passages going back to Sodom and Gomorrah use this imagery of God’s judgment). The devil is thrown into the lake of fire to join the beast and the false prophet. They have been thoroughly judged by God; his judgment is complete.

We can debate the symbols until Jesus comes again and we probably will not reach an agreement. Can we agree that God wins? Can we agree that it is God who will rain fire on the enemy and judge them and reign victoriously? Can we agree that no matter how much Satan manipulates a nation; no matter how much we are gouged and maimed by flesh and blood, that God is sovereign? I cannot stand against a corrupt nation. I cannot stop the inhumanity. But I can serve the Almighty who holds all things in his hands. I can refuse to allow the stinking dragon to put his mark on me. I can reign with the Lamb. Peace, Walter

Author – Walter Clark, source – Bismarck Church of Christ bulletin, 3/18/12

Let’s say that your soul is beat up and bloody; weak from battle; scared by the seemingly overwhelming evil that keeps pounding on your face; dirt clinging to your pours as you cling desperately to a tattered hope that God will bring this to an end and give you victory. Some of you are cringing; painfully aware of the war being waged in your battle ravaged heart. Some of you may not have any point of reference. Well, I doubt that actually. Sometimes we are beat and bloodied without acknowledging it; hiding it behind our clean Sunday clothes. Try to imagine this gritty war; try to put yourself in the fight; try to imagine that you are not at all sure that you’ll survive it. Are you there yet? Now picture a table almost bending under the burden of food. People; friends and family who have fought alongside you are sitting there. Can you see them?  At the head of the table is the Lamb. There is safety here at this table. The battle is over. You have cleaned the cloying dirt and bandaged the open wounds. There is laughter here at this table. You look at the Lamb to make sure you belong. He smiles warmly at you; picks up a piece of bread; breaks it; and thanks his father. Your heart leaps with joy. He laughs as he takes a bite and gestures for you and your battle worn companions to eat. There is rest here at this table. You eat; you laugh; you share; you talk; you eat some more; you drink; you actually guffaw. There is feasting here at this table.

Revelation 19:1-10 is a scene of an outburst of joy. John hears a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven. There is much discussion concerning the source of this loud noise. All that we need to know is that it is a multitude in heaven; it is a raucous outpouring of praise of the righteous judgments of God. Four times we hear the cry “Hallelujah”; three times in heaven and once on earth. This is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word that means “praise Yahweh”. It is found several times in Psalms 104-150, sometimes in the title and sometimes at the end of the psalm. This is an outpouring of praise for the conquering hero; the one who has judged the Great Harlot; who has avenged the blood of the saints. The second “hallelujah” praises the eternal fiery destruction of Rome. This is a quote from Isaiah 34:10 which is a prophecy about the judgment against Edom. There, as here, eternal fire is a symbol for a complete judgment. The twenty four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, proclaiming, “Amen. Hallelujah!” This scene of the praise of Yahweh has come to an end.

In vv. 5-6 the scene shifts to the praise of God from earth. A voice from the throne tells the servants; all who fear God, to praise him. We don’t know who this voice belongs to, but we can be sure that it speaks with authority. It comes from the throne, after all. The servants respond with such exuberance that it sounds like the roaring of waters or like the sound of thunder. And they shouted out “Hallelujah!” Praise Yahweh! He is the Almighty and He reigns. If there was any doubt, it has been swept away along with the filthy harlot. Then the scene switches to that of a wedding feast. Don’t read too much into this. A wedding feast was a symbol for many things. Here it is a symbol for rejoicing. The Lamb is victorious and his bride; his church has been avenged. Can you see her there dressed in her fine linen? Ah, when the harlot traded in fine linens it was filthy opulence, but here, on the bride, it is the righteous deeds of the saints. The bride is clean and ready; the battle is over.

So, a voice tells John, “Write, Blessed are those who are invited.” This is the fourth of seven beatitudes found in Revelation. Man, to be invited to the wedding feast. You can’t get more blessed than that, can you? John is so overwhelmed with emotion that he makes a very human mistake: he falls at the feet and worships the angel. This is not acceptable and John receives a mild rebuke and is reminded that angels are servants of God and his message, just like we are.

Let’s go back to the feast and linger there. We are all of us waiting anxiously for that perfect table in the house of our Father, aren’t we? But aren’t there feast moments on this earth as well? When Rome fell, the saints gathered around the table and feasted with the Lamb. Jesus is the ultimate hero and all time will culminate with his final victory, but isn’t he also the victor in our lives right now? So, why not sit at the table in between the fighting? Why not laugh and sing and praise God as we recover from this week’s wounds? There is healing here at this table. With watering mouths of anticipation, let’s join the wedding feast and do some riotous praising. In Christ, Walter