April 2 - The Whole Point

Revelation 1:7-8

You know those times when God has a funny way of dropping bunch of small things in your path that all seem to connect to each other, all seem to point to him in the same way? And you know they're not coincidences, but it's pretty crazy that you're hearing that one scripture so many times in one week or that one person has been brought up and you know you should do something about it?

Well for me, this passage was the cherry on top of one of those experiences. As the Director of Middle School Ministry here at UALC, I've been working to provide online content for my middle schoolers during this time. I've been filming a devotional every week studying the stories leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection. Just this week I studied the passage from John 19 where Jesus is crucified. I chose this gospel in particular because it references several prophecies fulfilled, I wanted to talk about metanarrative.

The metanarrative of the Bible is God's big story. When we read the Bible, we don't just think about each individual story, but how all of the Bible tells the larger story of Jesus, and how it even continues today with us through the Holy Spirit. In the stories of Jesus last few days on earth, several prophesies from the Old Testament were fulfilled, such as soldiers casting lots for his clothing, Jesus not speaking before Pilate, and the wine-soaked sponge. 

So what does all of this have to do with Revelation 1:7-8? Well, this scripture is also all about metanarrative. Looking deeper into this passage, I saw references to both Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10. Both of those Old Testament passages are prophesies about Jesus' second coming. The Daniel verses in particular caught my attention: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven...He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14).

This reminded me of another well-known passage that speaks of Jesus' authority: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders...Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:7-8). It amazes me that, throughout the Bible, even over hundreds and hundreds of years, Jesus is still the center of it all. The whole Bible is just one big story that points to Jesus. Jesus is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the story, of our story. 

So no matter what story you're living right now, Jesus is in it. Jesus is your beginning, your middle, and your end. He is the whole point of the story, and we have hope because of him.

Waiting … Anticipating … Rejoicing

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

Zechariah 2:10-13

Zechariah penned these words inspired by the Holy Spirit an estimated 470-480 years before the coming of the Messiah. If I were Zechariah, I think I would’ve asked a few follow-up questions, maybe tried to pin God down on a date for the fulfillment of all these promises.

Wouldn’t you?

“Will you marry me?” A high-pitched squeal. “Oh, of course, you hunky stud! This is the happiest day of my life!” Six months go by. “When are we getting married?” “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven …” (O the trials of the bride of Christ!)

And so we wait. And wait. And wait. For the fulfillment of promises. For the return of Christ. For the marriage supper of the Lamb. For the perfection of Heaven. 

But here’s the interesting thing about this text: It tells us to shout and be glad (present tense - now!) because he is coming and will live among us (future tense). The wait God gives us is not one of drudgery, but one of anticipation and excitement.  

So shout for joy, my friend! For you are loved by the God who created the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them! You are the bride of Christ, and he is coming for you! Every tear shall be wiped from your eye, every provision shall be made for you, and you will dwell in the presence of God forever!

Rejoice today in your tomorrow!

Consuming Fire, 2 Peter 3

Have you ever watched a fire? My husband and I were watching the news tonight report a fire in San Bruno which has consumed at least twenty homes. Fire is destructive; it consumes everything in its path. 2 Peter 3 talks about how when Jesus comes again the world will be destroyed by fire. Many people had been scoffing Christians for their continued faith in Christ, ridiculing them for believing the second coming will still happen.

They don’t realize that it was for their very unbelief that God exercised patience by not destroying the earth. God displays that same patience today. He desires everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The only reason we are still here today is that there are more who need to know. There are still people in the world whose hearts are open to the gospel, but who haven’t submitted to the salvation offered.

Our job is to, “live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” Fire is destructive and it is final. Once it consumes there is no turning back, let’s not waste any more time, but spend every day sharing God’s love with the world before it’s gone.

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway 2 Peter 3