6/7/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“The beast I saw resembled a leopard but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13.2)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

There is truth to “can’t see the forest for the trees.” And while we do well to pay attention to detail, we can also get lost in the details as well. What I mean by that is too much focus initially, especially with our penchant for sensory perception, blurs our vision and insight to the bigger picture and higher purpose. This is one of those time in place, our sitz im leben, where we must practice the axiom “keeping first things first.” If we do not, then we can easy get off the “straight and narrow” road and get lost in the wilderness of weeds. So many scholars and self-appointed “experts” (staying at the Holiday Inn Express is not a validation!) would like for us to assume we know what the general meaning is. Based on that assumption, they jump right in attempting to interpret all the “signs and wonders” presented. Jesus was confronted by this same group of people when asked “Show us a sign so that we may know the time.” He responded simply, “An adulterous and evil generation demands signs [of the time.] No sign shall be given except for that of the sign of Jonah.” Jesus was speaking of the sign that Jonah was to Nineveh as God’s prophetic utterance of mercy. What a story he must have been to the Ninevites! Seeing how Jonah was not too concerned for the exertion of much effort, I can easily see him still making the journey to Nineveh with seaweed and whale vomit covering him. If I was a Ninevite, I might agree immediately to whatever was said just to get that disgusting little man out and away! But, they did not run him out of town. Instead, before he could make it halfway through the town the word was out about Jonah and the message he preached. Jonah was the “whale man.” His reputation virtually preceded him. He was not only the “whale man” but someone whose message melted down even the king of Judah. Jonah was “God’s man.” Now this is a real fish story and no one doubted it at all. So, Jesus gives the story of Jonah, this fish story (and Jesus must have loved fish stories), as the sign of the time when the Messiah would come into “His own.” It would happen when people, those who denied the truth of God, would confess their sin and profess the faith in God, God’s Word and God’s “man.” It is a powerful message that needs to be preached today. From leaders in the house, in the community, in the state, in the nation and in the world, the confession of sin and profession of God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven is a much needed voice. And quickly absorb this take on “on earth as it is in Heaven.” Could it not be a challenge to Satan the Accuser, the Lucifer of Heaven, who had been cast out of Heaven and sent down to earth? Taking our lead from Satan about anything short of “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” would be more like saying “do in Heaven what we do here on earth.” Wait, it would seem to me that is the message that is being spewed across the world. Without being “named” yet, we are being introduced to the Anti-Christ in all its manifestations.

So here in chapter 13, we have a “Jonah” story being offered for our consideration. The dragon, as self-proclaimed ruler of the world, watches as a beast rises up out of the water. The beast is given power, a throne and the accompanying authority from the Dragon to do his bidding, his will on earth as it should be in Heaven. This is not a calling out to God and God’s people. This is a calling God and God’s people out. All the heads [of state], all the crowns of authority [rulers and governing leaders], had one thing in common. Their commonality is their name: BLASPHEMY. What is blasphemy? It is saying one thing with the intent to convince others of something else. Jesus taught that “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” was the only unforgiveable sin. How can that be, you ask. Because if you deny the Holy Spirit’s presence, purpose and calling then how can you accept Jesus as the Christ who is the only means of gaining Heaven and eternal life? Even when Jesus was accused of blasphemy, He responded “How can Satan cast out Satan?” Oh, you didn’t see that story as a testimony against Jesus calling Him a blasphemer? Well, when the ruling authorities confronted Him with “By what authority do you do these things?” they connected it to “No one but one of us can do these things and You are not one of us!” The presumption was “If you are not one of us then you must be of Satan.” You have to love it when Jesus reminds us from time to time, as He did Pilate saying “I can do nothing that is not given to Me by My Father.” He also reminded Pilate, “You can do nothing to me that is not commanded by My Father.” So, here will are given a vision of the anti-Jonah who comes into the world with a powerful message of “repent of righteousness and deny God.” All those who do not, shall be eliminated. Dare we allow the echo of such voices through history to enter into our heart and mind? It is a voice that speaks loudly today even in this country. But, let us not forget it is a counter word and goes against the truth. What are we commanded to do as mighty ones of God but to counter the lie and do so loudly. This is one of those ah-ha moments for me in chapter 13. The mouth of the beast is that of “a lion.” It looks like a lion, sounds like a lion, but it is not the true Lion of Judah, the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. He is Lord, let Him roar! (Oh, how I wish I had the time to share about the impact of a similar song from our recent history in this regard. But, that is for another day!)

A PRAYER FOR TODAY:

You are our God and we shall be Your people in spirit and in truth. Continue to dwell among us. Let the revelation by Your Holy Spirit inspire us to greater service in a more refined identity. We do not live as ourselves for ourselves. Rather, we live in Christ as He lives in us. We declare it with all the elders and angels in Heaven, saying “Holy, holy, holy is He who was and is and is to come.” In Jesus’ name we live, serve and pray. AMEN.