The End of the Never Ending Story by Lin Maynard

I am going to be real and admit something about the Book of Revelation that really appealed to me.

It’s not actually written IN the book, it is about the author of the Book.

John, who was exiled to the Island of Patmos, was an original apostle. However, he is the ONLY one who did not die a martyr’s death.

When I realized that, I signed up on the dotted line for his type of natural death. I told the Lord “I don’t think I am martyr material.”

Since then I’ve reconsidered. I don’t say this lightly or without consideration, but I now pray that I would be willing to die a martyr’s death for my faith. I cannot imagine ever denying the Lord who has been my all and given me His all.

I won’t fool you with some bravado stance, because I am not that fearless, but that is my desire. Yielding to the Lord and trusting Him seems to be a better than picking my manner of death, as if from a menu.

Ok, now that’s taken care of. Now, for the content of the Book.

I know some people who, when they begin reading a book, actually read the ending first. I find it rather curious. Why spoil the buildup and the suspense?

Well, if one does read the end of this Book, we know it ends well.

It does end emphatically with the Lord Himself saying that He is coming soon! In the last Chapter, the Lord says it three times. THAT is good glad and glorious news! It should fill us with Hope.

In that same Chapter, the Bride of Christ, (which is all believers), responds to Jesus’ declarations, with the Spirit saying, “Come!”

It may be hard for some to wrap their minds around the fact that we are His Bride (perhaps even more so for the guys). The fact calls us to go beyond our analytical thinking into a faith filled response.

Our Lord is passionate towards us. He died for us. He has never left us or forsaken us. He is for us when others are against us. He protects us. He gives us a hope and a future. He is our best cheerleader and comforter and encourager. He IS the Lover of our Souls.

I love to go to weddings. Even though I am way beyond the age of getting married, WAIT!!! I AM married (sorry Hon!). I still like to look at Bridal Books, the gowns, the flowers and the decorations. I know the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be more spectacular than any earthly wedding could ever be

I had a funny thought. The rage for weddings these days are destination weddings. There is not a more perfect destination and there is not a wedding planner alive who can rival the scenery, the ambience or the promised perfection of the day that the Lord has planned.

Lastly, as I read the beginning of Revelation, in preparation to writing this, I was struck with something I hadn’t considered before.

The Lord speaks to the Seven Churches, which I believe relate to the church of today, He speaks like a loving Father would. For all but one, He mentions their strengths, and again for all but one, He speaks of their weaknesses.

Isn’t that just like a Father to encourage us with what we do right, while at the same time pointing out where we need to improve? It’s clear and concise. It has the tone of “I love you, you please me, but these are the places that need your attention”

It’s a case of “Father REALLY knows best”

I know have highlighted a lot of things that I have some understanding of. I join many of you who have read the jarring, weird and disturbing parts and shake my head and say “Huh???”

I wonder what John thought as he saw what he saw and then penned it?

Perhaps “OK folks, I am just here reporting as an eyewitness!”

Consider this. We too have things that we DO know about the Lord through our relationship with Him that would cause some to, “they are really weird” (remember, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is like foolishness unto man)

Virgin birth?

Need for a Savior?

Jesus died on the cross for our sins?

Throw all that in the Noah’s Ark, Jonah in the whale, the Walls of Jericho falling down and the Red Sea etc...

In the end….

and at the end…

I ask...

 “Do I trust the promises of God?”

"Do I trust the One who promised?"

Revelation: A Call to Worship

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:11-14.

I am a singer. You won’t find my face on an album cover, or my voice on your iPod, but I am a singer. A worshipper. I have been a leader or member of a worship team in churches, special events, and para church ministries. It’s not as easy as it may look: worship, like every other calling in the life of a Christian, demands preparation, prayer, and practice.

But nothing gives me greater joy than to participate in praising God, and to help lead God’s people in worshipping. Perhaps that is why the verses above from Revelation 5, have special significance for me. There will be a time when I and every believer will experience the scene described of the ongoing worship in heaven, by angels, elders and the living creatures.

Verse 12 contains one of the most powerful proclamations ever made, and is found in some of my favorite worship songs, like the “Revelation Song” we sang this past Sunday at Brighton Presbyterian Church. It is a little taste of heaven.

True worship draws us into God's presence in a particular way that cannot be created by man. And when it happens, we should be humbled and God exalted. Isaiah discovered this when God allowed him to see what centuries later the Apostle John would see and then write about in the Book of Revelation: 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6:1-5.

Seriously Peter?! You call that a tip...

I really wanted to agree with Andrea and answer Peter to this question, but...

Peter is one of my favorite people in the Bible because, well, we have a lot of things in common. The biggest being we both react before we think at times. That being said...I'll say John the Disciple would be my choice.

Now, I love the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. But, John's story of Jesus is not only unique by content (90% unique to the other three), I believe the insights of John are also unique to the others who were around Christ during His entire ministry. The Bible is clear about John being one of the 'inner circle' of Jesus. John is also referred to as the beloved one which points to a special relationship with Him.

So what did John know that maybe the other disciples didn't?

That would be the driving question in my conversation with him. John undoubtedly fully understood the relationship of Jesus in the Trinity. Right out the gate in John 1:1, he tries to give us a glimpse of that deeper understanding by saying Jesus always was and always will be. I must confessed...the concept still baffles me a bit, but then again...I'm not meant to completely understand the ways of God. I'm cool with that, but I know John could get me at least a little closer in my quest.

God revealed things to John about the end times that had to be completely astonishing to him. We'd spend a good deal of time on that subject. I don't fear end times in any way, but I am very curious about how matters of eschatology are going down. No way I can be in that boat alone.

Next to possibly Mary, I believe John knew Jesus better than any other human has, including Paul. Now there's absolutely no biblical basis for what I'm about to say, but I can't help but thing John shared much of his insight with Paul at some point. Sure, we know that John was well into his church building when Paul got his life changing face-to-face with Jesus, but that doesn't exclude them from an undocumented chat session or two swapping stories about the awesomeness of God walking among us.

Wow. John could really tie up a few lose ends for me personally. While it wouldn't change the way I feel about my Lord and Savior...I'd sure have yet another thing or two to smile about daily.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday. God bless your weekend too!