Last week, I shared a favorite book of mine that had connections back to my college and seminary days. This week isn't just one I read back in college, it was written by one of my professors.
Plowshares and Pruning Hooks helped me understand biblical prophecy and apocalyptic literature in a much deeper way. Like Walter Bruggemann before him, Sandy carefully asks some relevant questions about the way we read prophecy in Scripture:
What was the purpose of prophecy?
How literally should we take these passages?
Are we using a consistent hermeneutic?
What does past fulfillment teach us about promises we're still waiting to be fulfilled?
I've gotten the sense that this book received criticism from some theological circles, but I know it has been widely affirmed in many others. Personally, I always found Dr. Sandy to be a humble, engaging, and encouraging teacher. He was more apt to ask us questions than feed us answers. Even if you differed with him, he was willing to listen and engage you. That is no doubt why I appreciate this book like I do, I know the heart behind it. In the end, I highly recommend this somewhat obscure book for anyone interested in being better equipped to handle prophecy and apocalyptic parts of the Bible.
Sometimes a song will come along that may not be your style, but you recognize how good it is. You can appreciate it's excellence and value. I'd put today's Music Monday selection in that category. I came across it when a few Facebook friends shared it. The artist, Andrew Peterson, is someone I'm only vaguely aware of. The song, Is He Worthy?,probably won't end up on any Christian radio charts. But wow is it hauntingly good, taking us to the scene of Revelation 5:
Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
The creative inclusion of question and response along with the unique visuals of the video make this one of my favorite songs to consider as we head into this Easter season.
UPDATE: It appears as though Peterson's video created a small social media firestorm for featuring no actual diversity for a song that is inspired by the heavenly picture of those "from every tribe and tongue and people and language". Peterson published a lengthy apology and explanation of the glaring oversight. Though some may read it differently, I find it very honest, contrite, and sincere.
You'll have to forgive me for having Revelation on the brain, but we're just wrapping up a sermon series in that book. And as I've been preparing for it, I've come to a greater appreciation for how the book unfolds and what it is communicating. We finished the book yesterday, looking at 22:6-21. Even if you take just a cursory glance at that passage, it's hard to miss the fact that three times, Jesus declares "I am coming soon!" And the Church responds at the very end "Amen. Come Lord Jesus." While there are important specific responsibilities based on this key overriding message, this week's song selection ties directly into the fact that Jesus is coming again soon.
This is a new song from Passion 2015 that I've already heard on the radio multiple times. It captures the essence the conclusion of Revelation, expressing a desire for His return and a commitment to be ready.
"What will heaven be like?" That question is just as likely to be asked by an adult as it is a toddler. We all are fascinated with the afterlife. The Bible actually speaks very little of it. In fact, Revelation 21-22 is the only major one to describe heaven in depth.
If I were to answer that question biblically but succinctly, I would say, 'new'.
New.
We love getting new phones, new clothes, new furniture, and what's better than a new car smell? Heaven will be new in every way. In fact, as Revelation describes it, heaven is not merely a 'new' dimension. It is actually a "new heaven and new earth" (21:1). Depending on how you read it, it will either be a totally new world or a renewed earth. But it will be transformed and transforming, either way. Everything will be new, and perfect, and right, and good. All that is bad about our human existence will be gone. All that is good will be magnified. And best of all, we will be with God.
We have had tastes of this - the tabernacle and temple, Jesus, the Holy Spirit's presence. But it will be complete and unfettered communion with all of the Trinity all at once. There is so much more that will characterize heaven and I invite you to come Sunday to discover it (or wait til the recording is up). But for now, let's ponder the hope all believers have of a new existence in a new world.
Handel's Messiah oratorio is widely recognized as one of the finest pieces of music ever composed. One of it's most famous and well-revered parts is it's Hallelujah Chorus. It is directly inspired by Revelation including Revelation 19 which we studied last Sunday. Revelation 19, in context, is a vision of the future worship given to God when Christ returns to judge sin and evil. For a belated Music Monday, I thought I'd feature a top-notch rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus to give us just a taste of what it will be like on that glorious day.
Last week's National Championship Game was the most watched since I was a sophomore in high school. I am thirty-four years old, almost thirty-five. My favorite team wasn't playing, but I was pulling for the Wisconsin Badgers. By the end of the game, Duke pulled out the win. As is typical in such contests, the Blue Devils were overjoyed in the end, while the Badgers were despondent.
It was one singular event with two vastly different responses, depending on your point of view.
Such will be the case with the long-anticipated and dreaded battle of Armageddon. Unlike the aforementioned basketball game, this future battle will be no contest. T Revelation 19 captures the two vastly different responses to the return of Christ and the clash at Armageddon. Both responses are pictured in terms of a "supper". On the victorious side, those of God's Kingdom, it is a wedding supper filled with jubilation and celebration. On the defeated side, it is a feast of terror as birds are invited to feast on the flesh of the defeated kings and powers (19:17-18).
We will look in-depth at this contrast tomorrow and how we can live today in light of these future realities
