7/2/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20.4)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

I saw another query proposed by some onlookers at many Christian worship services conducted in predominantly evangelical churches. Their question focused on a “dark worship” service. They did not mean that the dark power, dark arts or lord of the darkness was being worshipped. They were wondering about the use of lighting, or the lack thereof, as a worship expression and expectation. I can have some understanding of this practice as it creates an audience focus on “the stage” and the message presented. I suppose there may be some intentionality to not make those in “the audience” feel inadequate or singled out because they do not know all the practices, policies and procedures of that community of faith. There may be some hope of creating a sense of inclusion. Of course, when it is a “meet and greet” time, the lights come up and we are seen just as we are but not in the practice of worshipping. Does this mean that socializing is not an act of worship? I think, too, that such “highlighting” of the worship leaders may serve to eliminate distractions from the message being presented. The garnering of attention to communicate and model, is this discipleship?, the Christian faith and practice may be another intention. I also see the concern for a “show and concert” mentality which some may see as a “look at me; do as I say and not as I do” presentation. Every worship leader and worship service must speak for itself. I am just sharing viewpoints and perspectives of what might be. My response to all such dialogues and discourses falls back to a word in “the Lord’s Prayer.” That word leads humanity in the presence of God with a hope-filled intentionality requesting “Your will be done and Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.”

How might that apply to the reflection above and to the scripture from Revelation, chapter 20? Well, to answer the first, I would offer that a service of worship ought to reflect more of the worship service which happens in Heaven even at this moment. I would pray that Christ followers would recognize that the worship of God in Three Persons, the Holy Trinity, is a “24/365” lifestyle. Of course, we have already been told of “a day is as a thousand years” definition of God’s time. I am not sure we, as human beings can fully grasp “forever.” But, we can strive to embrace 24/7 and maybe 24/365. It is a difficult thought to embrace as a daily regimen to be sure. But, the point is that if our earthly worship services truly reflected the Kingdom of Heaven worship services and not the current worldly worship services, then perhaps more people (seekers and finders alike) would want to come and be a part! As it is now, we may create more of the opposite effect. By that I mean we may actually be presenting more of a “Your will be done, Your Kingdom come as we on earth have defined how it should be in heaven.” There might be little wonder, if we confess it this way, why so many don’t “go to church,” “drop out of church” or “present a distorted gospel which might promote more entitlement, requirement and overarching authoritarianism.” If I have stepped on toes and intruded on someone’s “church politics,” I might apologize. I will apologize if those who are offended will be as open to dialogue about the perspective and their true intentionality. Regardless, it brings me to the vision of leadership during the one thousand year reign of Christ’s rulers and those who are being led in earthly living as priests of God and Christ among those who have not yet died and still live on earth. Remember, the Beast and the False Prophet have been “locked up, down and away.” Those who sought to lead the insurrection against “the Lamb of God” and the army of Heaven have become “foul food” and their blood stains the earth. It is then that the “ancient Serpent- Satan, the fallen/cast out Lucifer” has been locked up and sentenced to a thousand years in the deep, dark Abyss so that the nations could not be lied to or deceived. I wonder what they would see and hear in those one thousand years if there was no one to lie and deceive them? I have a feeling many of us would consider a similar proposal today of our multimedia in light of the current culture and climate. What would things look like and feel like and be like if not for the inundation of “world and worldly” news?

I have no doubt that confusion would be the call of the day in their conversations among themselves. They would have only themselves to consult about “what was, what is and what will be.” We know what was. We are living in the midst of it. We now are given parameter and description of “what is.” We are also given the insight as to “what will be” as the New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem are presented for general contemplation. But, let’s consider for a moment the “what is.” In that one thousand years (whether a day, a thousand years or a period of time that feels like both) there will be “rulers on thrones” and those martyred in name of Jesus as priests (a true priesthood of all/only believers.” From that perspective we can return to a teaching which Jesus left on His disciples (Matthew 20.25+ and Luke 22.25+). We also have a sense of the order and instruction from Paul (Romans 11.25+ and Ephesians 4.17+). The gist of those teachings is “do not rule and live as the Gentiles who conducted themselves according to the ways of the world apart from the ways of the Kingdom.” Jesus said that the disciples would be given that opportunity to rule (lead and guide). Perhaps those mentioned in Revelation 20 are the disciples empowered by Christ with the Holy Spirit who were called then “apostles.” We also then understand the role of “priests” as those who lead and conduct the worship of God. Who better than those who put their lives and faith on the line before all the world. They did not do so in the cover of darkness. They dwelt in the light, the light of truth, faith, hope and love. It was unbridled and untameable. It was unstoppable. Their witness was never silenced by the world try as the world might. And that, mighty ones of God, is how I believe that worship today in all the Christ-following communities of faith should be conducted, presented and intended. We are not to entice the world to come to Jesus. We are to show the world what it means to follow Jesus and be Jesus-led. We should live and serve/worship in such a way that the world cannot deny the message we present. They may not accept it. They may not reject it. But, they will definitely know there is no luke-warm. We are God’s people, the sheep of His pasture, and He is our God, the Good Shepherd. In Him we have no want. In Him we shall dwell forever in life, through death and in life to come forever and ever. AMEN.

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.