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Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. …9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 9-11

Advent is a season that tends to call us to look in the rearview mirror at the manger and the birth of Jesus; the first “Adventus” or coming of Christ.  The readings at the beginning of Advent however remind us that we’re not just called to look back – but to look ahead to Jesus’ second “coming,” not in meekness like a child, but in judgment.

Now, I’m not one to spend much time focusing on the details surrounding the second coming of Christ.  One reason is that biblical details on the subject are nebulous and a matter of great debate.   The other reason I don’t focus on the details of the second coming is captured in the passage above from today’s readings.  It’s because, “God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation.” We who trust in Jesus Christ have nothing to fear in his second coming.  We don’t have to worry about what it will be like. We don’t have to worry if we’ll be early or late for his arrival.   He’s coming for us… we’re not going to him.  All we have to do is trust; and live lives that bear out that trust.  The rest will work itself out.

So – Advent is not just a time to look backward – at Jesus’ first coming. It’s also a time to look forward to the promise that he will come again. It’s a reminder that as Christians we have something to “look forward” to with excited anticipation.

Prayer:  God:  Help us to live and speak today as those who excitedly expect you to come to take us home at any moment.  Amen.

I mentioned in my previous post that I would engage other voices in our journey through the Book of Revelation.  To that end, I’ve invited our resident expert on Revelation, Don Foster, to share his thoughts on the daily readings.  Look for Don to be posting under his own name in the days to come, but for today, here is Don’s offering:

There are many approaches to Revelation, but the main schools of thought agree that Apocalyptic literature is a class of Jewish and Christian literature found mainly from 250 BC to 100 AD.  It usually reflects a negative view of this world and expresses hope for salvation in another life.  Its content always involves eschatology, which is predictions about the final outcome of human affairs.  It deals in dualism, that is with the present age and the one to come.  At present human history is under the domination of evil, but God has set a limit and will intervene at the appointed time to execute judgment.

Revelation is both an epistle intended to be circulated and a prophecy.  It follows a Jewish theme and is couched in terms of sevens, the perfect number:  Seven sections, seven beatitudes, seven churches, seven doxologies, seven trumpets, seven bowls or cups, and so on for 52 times.  It is important to remember that numbers mainly convey concepts rather than units.  There is much drawn from the Old Testament in Revelation, especially Exodus.

As to 1:1-20

In Chapter 1, note that verses 1-3 are in the 3rd person and were probably added by an editor.  The same happens at the end.

Verse 4 is the beginning by John.  There were more than 7 churches in Asia (modern Turkey), at least 10.   Then follows a traditional greeting, that is already a little clouded.  Peace from him who is and who was and who is to come is God.  The seven spirits is the Holy Spirit (see Isaiah 11:2 where the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit  are listed) and Jesus. Verse 7 does not mean he is coming at that moment, but will do so.  It is the theme of the book.

John’s vision starts at verse 9, which was while he was in prayer on a Sunday.  Each of the 7 acts in Rev, have 7 scenes and they each open in a vision.  The 7 lamp-stands represent the 7 churches (see v. 20).   He then describes Christ symbolical in verses 13-16 and very close to the description in Daniel 10:5-6.  The golden band is high rank, the long linen garment is priestly, white hair is age  and honor, flaming eyes is piercing vision that sees all, feet like brass is the irresistibly of his judgment, the two-edged sword is the word of God. In v 17  Jesus identifies himself as in v. 8 (See Dan 10:8-9)  In v 18 Jesus has keys to Hades and of death because of His own resurrection, which secures the resurrection of His followers.  You will note throughout that reassurance comes first before any of the following bad things.  Seven stars are angels of seven churches who most agree are the ministers of those churches to whom each letter is addressed.

12/9 Readings from the One Year Bible Online

FIRST: Allow me to simply repeat today’s reading from the Proverbs.  It requires no comment:

18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

I thank God for your willingness to look to God for divine guidance.  May it bring you great joy!

SECOND: Forgive me for being so long between posts.  I’ve been under the weather.  Fortunately – the weather seems to be improving

THIRD: I’m conflicted.  Today we begin reading Revelation (Notice it’s not “Revelations.”  The book is a singular revelation to John; thus the singular title).  This final book of the Bible is perhaps the most perplexing.  It’s interpretations are broad and varied.  It’s true meaning is illusive.  It’s for all these reasons that I find myself tempted to overlook these readings in my commentary.  On the other hand, John’s Revelation is a powerful word of hope to the faithful.  In that regard, I don’t see how I can pass up the chance to emphasize this important text.  Thus, my dilemma.

I’ll do the best I can, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and words.  I will engage the help of others as well, that together we might clearly hear the word of hope God offers through this important, if not illusive work.

So – here we go.  Today I want to focus on this one verse…

9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

What do we learn from this?  We learn the author’s identity and context: 

His identity is John.  Is it the author of the Gospel of John?  Is it the Apostle John?  We can’t be sure. What we can be sure of is that he is a follower of Jesus Christ, which leads us to his context:  His faith has resulted in his exile.  Persecution of Christians began in force under the Emperor Nero.  John writes during this time of suffering for those who proclaimed their faith in Jesus.

John says he is a partner with his readers in suffering.  It’s hard for us to relate to the severe persecution that John and his contemporaries suffered because of the faith in Jesus, but this comment surely resonated with his original readers.

He is also a partner with his readers “in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us.”  There are two words here that catch my eye.  The first is patient.  John and his first century readers are patiently awaiting something.  That something is the return (or 2nd coming) of Jesus (a most appropriate topic during Advent).  If John is also the author of the gospel of John, then he is the one who documented Jesus’ promise, “I’m going to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will return that where I am, there you may also be.” John 14:2-3 (my rough paraphrase).  That being the case, he is patiently awaiting that promise to come true.  He’s waiting for Jesus to return and take him away from his exile on Patmos, and all other believers away from their suffering, away from the kingdoms of people like Nero, and to the Kingdom of God, to that place specifically prepared for the faithful – away from all life’s trials.

John’s word of patience is important for the modern reader as well.  Jesus’ return didn’t happen in John’s lifetime, but the promise brought him hope in the midst of his suffering, and his patient faith secured the promise.  Chances are it won’t happen in our lifetime either, but the promise that Jesus has prepared a place for us to spend eternity in the presence of God brings us hope in our otherwise terminal & hopeless lives, and our faith secures that hope.

The other word that catches my eye is endurance.  The patience described above refers to waiting for something beyond our control.  Endurance on the other hand refers to that which is in our control.  Jesus’ return was beyond John’s control and therefore all John could do was have patience.  John also realized that remaining faithful meant that he must “endure” his current suffering – and the constant temptation to renounce his faith to escape that suffering – in order to receive the promise.  He is writing his letter to encourage his contemporaries to do likewise – to endure whatever persecution they might be suffering – that they too might have their part in the coming Kingdom of God.

As compared to John & his contemporaries, we have it easy.  The PC Police coaxing us away from Merry Christmas towards Happy Holidays is about the most severe “persecution” we experience.  Nonetheless, we still find ourselves tempted to scuttle our faith, and it’s for that reason that John’s words continue to resonate today.  Be “patient” in waiting for the promises of God.  They will come true.  And “endure” whatever temptations you might face to scuttle your faith – hang in there.  God has something better for you down the road!  Don’t lose your partnership in God’s Kingdom.