In this passage we find that there is a lot about singing. We often have different motives for singing. It might be because it is a catchy tune or it might be because the lyrics speak to us in a special way. Here, however, the reason is quite different … the people are commanded to sing and the people are described as the ‘whole earth’.

This then raises the question … What are all the people commanded to sing? We are told that it is to be a ‘new song’. It is a song of salvation. In one sense this could be because of a military victory. Here, however, it has particular reference to the victory which God has accomplished in and through his son, Jesus Christ.

This singing is to have an upward focus to God alone. What we could not do for ourselves, because we are a fallen race, Jesus has done by becoming a sacrifice and substitute on the cross. Now risen, he has paid the price which we could never do and provided us with a free gift. This gift is received only by the hand of faith. Especially sing to the Lord if you have received this gift, turning away from your sins and tell others about this wonderful ‘good news’.

 

 

 

During the Second World War prisoners were forced to build a railway bridge in Thailand. On one occasion a count of the tools at the end of the day showed that a shovel was missing. The guard said that all of the men in that work party would be killed unless the culprit was found. One of the men stepped forward and was beaten to death with a shovel. A subsequent tool count showed that none of the shovels were missing. An innocent man died to save others.

In this passage we find that Jesus, even though he was innocent, was handed over to be crucified. There was a man in prison at the same time, named Barabbas, who was guilty of murder and insurrection. He was also awaiting the death penalty. There was a custom however, at the Feast time. The Jews could ask for someone to be set free. They chose Barabbas. Jesus, the innocent one was handed over to be crucified. Barabbas the guilty one was freed.

There is a wonderful gospel picture here. The Scripture says that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ and also ‘the wages of sin is death’. We are like Barabbas. The only way out for us is through the death of an innocent substitute. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross releases us from the prison of our sins through the free gift of forgiveness received by faith alone.

The movie ‘Vantage Point’ uses a technique which ‘rewinds’ and shows the same events from a different perspective. This is an unusual, but highly interesting, way of capturing the attention of those who are watching it. Something similar is true of the book of Revelation. The readers of this, however, are being informed about the most vital matters of our existence.

This passage commences at one of the ‘rewind points’ in this book. The woman represents the church, God’s people, and the dragon represents their enemy, Satan, who attacks God’s people because he opposes God. The battle is not between two equals. Satan is not a free and independent person and his powers can only be exercised within God’s purposes.

The war in heaven and the war on earth result in success for Michael, the angels and God’s people because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Satan can bring no accusation against Christians because Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins. Satan tries to stop the church from proclaiming the gospel message by pouring out false teaching. Faith in Jesus Christ overcomes him … Jesus is the ‘Vantage Point’.

 

 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation which seemed to have no way forward and been surprised at the outcome? You may have reflected on how you got there, that you hadn’t done anything wrong and didn’t deserve what happened. Then the unexpected occurs and you feel relieved that justice, as you understand it, has been done.

In this well-known passage about Daniel in the lions’ den we find something that seems similar. Daniel along with the people of God had been taken captive by their enemies. Instead of resisting the situation, Daniel, who had been appointed as an administrator of the foreign nation, distinguished himself in his work. The jealousy of the other administrators caused them to devise a scheme against Daniel which resulted in him being placed in a lions’ den … seemingly a death sentence. God, however, wonderfully delivered Daniel and it was his enemies who were then killed by the lions.

This true story also helps us to see some aspects of the gospel. Jesus suffered cruelly on the cross at the hands of his enemies even though he was completely innocent. His death, however, was not the end. He was raised to life again and now reigns as ‘the King of kings and Lord of lords’. The other aspect is that no-one since Adam’s fall is ever completely innocent  like Jesus was and is. In his death as a substitute though, all who trust in him are wonderfully delivered from the ‘lions’ den’ of our sins.

 

All people have an identity. We all have names which are given to us and family connections from birth. There are also the things we accomplish in our lives such as academic qualifications, the type of work we do and positions attained. All of these things are good if viewed with the right perspective but can be very harmful when they become an end in themselves. What happens, for example, when someone who is dear to us dies, or we lose our job or retire from work?

Denial may affect us in these situations and for some it can be serious. How effectively this is dealt with, in many ways, is a result of how we find our identity. For example… where our relationship to a departed spouse has been very close, both in terms or affection and duration, the sense of loss can be very severe and ongoing. This is because our identity has become tied to that loved one.

It is here that the ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ is an immense comfort for those who trust in Him. The one who created us, and knows us intimately, has become our Saviour. When we are in this everlasting relationship with him, he becomes our identity. He has said that he ‘will never leave or forsake us’. The other things in which we previously found our identity take on a different meaning and importance. The loss of them is overshadowed by the relationship we have with Jesus.

 

 

The presidential election in America has had a lot of people troubled. For one of the most influential nations on earth, it appears the choice is really only between two very flawed candidates. Both of these candidates have attracted a lot of negative comment and personal criticism. People may well be asking the question … who is worthy?

The book of Revelation is hard to understand because it is written in apocalyptic language. It is not a literal description but a picture of the end times. Here we get a glimpse of the worship of God. It is he alone who is worthy of worship, not any earthly ruler. The scene is in heaven where we see a picture of a throne with a rainbow around it. These symbolize the majesty and mercy of God.

God’s majesty is seen in his activity as sovereign Creator, Ruler and Judge of all things. His mercy is seen in the symbolism of the slain Lamb who IS worthy. He is the symbol for the kingdom of God which focuses on the cross. This reminds us that the way to triumph is through suffering, just like our Saviour. Through Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension, God’s plan is being executed. As we focus on worshiping and praising God all our needs are met.

There is often a lot of debate about who is wrong and who is right in a whole range of things. It can lead to damaged relationships, legal battles and sometimes physical violence. It even goes to the question of our identity. We like to think of ourselves as being basically in the right … a ‘good’ person.

This passage, however, tells a completely different story. It begins by showing that no-one, in and of themselves, is right in God’s sight. The Jews thought that they were in a secure position because of being Abraham’s descendants and also because of their relationship to God’s law. The passage though goes on to say that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’.

When it comes to our standing before God, there is only one way that anyone can be declared to have right-ness and that is not because of who they are or what they have done. It can only ever be because of what Jesus has done on the cross. By this atonement God can declare sinners, who trust in Jesus, righteous and, in doing this, also remain just himself.

The question about justice is a very common one today. People cry out for justice and often grieve or become angry when they find that the outcome does not fit their understanding of the situation. In many cases they look to God and even blame him for things that they see as wrong. The apostle Paul anticipated this question about God’s justice in relation to why he chooses some people and doesn’t choose others in the matter of salvation. They ask the question ‘Is God unjust?’

Paul, after answering this question with a very strong negative, gives a comprehensive explanation to this in these passages. He says that God in his sovereignty is free to extend or withhold his mercy or compassion. He also shows God is free to create new life according to his purposes and thirdly, that God is free to call a people to himself from both the Jews and the non-Jews.

After having spoken about God’s sovereignty, Paul then goes on to show that God is not unjust from the point of view of man’s responsibility. Once again there are 3 reasons for this. Firstly, because it is by faith in Jesus Christ that people have their sins forgiven and this is open to both Jews and non-Jews. Secondly, ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ and thirdly, the good news of salvation by grace through faith has been there since the very early times.

God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility are like two parallel lines which meet in eternity.

 

 

The book of Revelation for most is a mystery … the book where they try to crack the code. So what do you do with this book. Well, first and foremost, it is a letter with echoes from the beginning to the end. It is a pastoral letter to encourage God’s people in a time of persecution and suffering. But what about its relevance for today? It is both for now and it is also a book of prophecy.

Apocalyptic images contained in the book are not to be taken literally. It is not a puzzle book to be solved but a picture book to give encouragement. It is a blessing … but only if we take what it offers to us. In Chapter 1 we find that Jesus is the ruler over all God’s creation just as he said … ‘I am the Alpha and Omega.’ He is also the one who has freed his people from their sins by his blood. What was once applied to Israel is now applied to the church.

What’s your picture of God? The God who is described here is awesome and overpowering but, as his people, we should never be afraid. This book is about the suffering of Christians for the kingdom of God. It is also about Jesus’ care for his people in the midst of their suffering. He is the one who controls death and Hades and rules from the midst of his churches. Jesus wins.

 

 

Have you ever thanked someone for what he or she would do for you in the future? This seems strange to us when we think in human terms but it is very important when we consider the outcome of our relationship with the one who created us. The passage gives some insights as to what the future holds in his eternal purpose and plan. Those who know and love him are to live thankfully in the light of his promise for the future.

This future thanksgiving has a number of implications. It looks forward to an immortal body which has been raised to eternal life and the everlasting worship of God because of who he is and what he has done in the past. Also it looks forward to a new heaven and a new earth where there is right living which honours God. There will be no more suffering or pain.

Thirdly, in this new world, God will reign forever unopposed. The conflict and strife which we see all around us, and sometimes inside us, will be done away with. His perfect rule will be the delight and joy of all those who have rightly responded to his free offer of mercy. God’s past actions, in Jesus Christ, shape believers today so that they can look forward, with thanksgiving, to an eternal future with him.