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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Nature in Commotion

According to Dr. Jeff Masters’ WunderBlog, the United States has experienced seven billion-dollar weather disasters so far this year. The most billion-dollar weather disasters to occur in one year was in 2008, when there were nine. But so far this year, billions of dollars of damage has been caused, not to mention hundreds of lives lost, by the Groundhog Day blizzard, several tornado outbreaks, the Mississippi River flood, and the drought in Texas. And this isn’t the only place where nature seems to be in upheaval. There has been significant flooding in Brazil, Angola, and Australia, and an epic dust storm in Kuwait; Japan alone has experienced close to 1000 earthquakes since March 11. Is the recent increase in significant weather events merely a product of climate change, or is something else going on here?

After reading about several of these events, my thoughts were directed to the 7th chapter of Revelation. In this passage, there are four angels who have apparently been given the authority to harm the earth and the sea. Before they can do their thing, though, another angel comes onto the scene and holds them off: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God.” He then proceeds to seal 144,000 people – 12,000 from each of the tribes of Israel – for some undisclosed purpose or reason.

But maybe their purpose is hinted at in the following verses. Immediately after these things, John sees “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,” worshipping God and giving Him glory. Some have speculated that there exists a connection between the sealed 144,000 bond-servants and the countless multitude. Indeed, perhaps it is these 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel that go into all the world and bring to fruition the Great Commission to make disciples of every ethnos.

How fitting it would be for the people group into which the Redeemer of mankind was born, and was the first to reject Him, became those primarily effective in pushing the Good News to the ends of the earth. Of course, before they can do this, they must, as the prophet Zechariah foretells, mourn, in the spirit of grace and supplication, for Him whom they pierced, and find cleansing in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 12:10,13:1). May this happen in our day.

The Bible has further advice for those facing the uncertainty of climatological distress. “When these things begin to happen,” Luke writes, “straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Let us not be like those who are in dismay, perplexed at the roaring of the sea and waves, or those who are fainting from fear because of their expectations of what might be coming upon the world (Luke 21:25-26,28). Instead let us live in faith for the fulfillment of every step needed to produce that countless multitude, and in glad anticipation of the revelation of Him for whom we have waited.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Look up...and Live

In the band Coldplay’s signature ballad, “Viva La Vida”, the band’s lead singer, Chris Martin, paints a picture of a ruler that has been deposed by revolutionaries and faces the prospects of an uncertain future. Although he had possessed unparalleled sovereignty – “I used to rule the world / Seas would rise when I gave the word” – he’s now the low man on the totem pole: “Now in the morning I sleep alone / Sweep the streets I used to own.” Apparently, he had angered his subjects somehow: “People couldn’t believe what I’d become / Revolutionaries wait / For my head on a silver plate.” Most disappointing – and alarming, though, are his conclusions regarding his fate in the afterlife: “For some reason I can’t explain / I know Saint Peter won’t call my name.”

Although the song isn’t intended to be autobiographical, Mr. Martin has alluded to having strayed from his Christian upbringing in several interviews. And perhaps unintentionally, he has succeeded in capturing the sentiments of many would-be followers of Jesus. Anyone that has ever tried to share the good news of the gospel with someone has no doubt heard the despairing response: “I’ve done too many wrong things…God wouldn’t want to save a person like me.” Of course, this conclusion is not supported by the Scriptures and we recognize it as evidence of deception. But to the person living in darkness, not having yet seen the great light, the desperation is real.

As gospel priests, though, it is our responsibility – and privilege – to be transmitters of that great light and proclaimers of the good news. That good news begins with the heart of God, opened up for us in Ezekiel 18:32: “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone…therefore, repent and live.” A story from the annals of Jewish tradition tells of what happened in heaven when the Egyptian army was drowned in the Red Sea at the time of the exodus. The angels and hosts of heaven began to rejoice and celebrate the miraculous victory, but God rebuked them. He said, “My creatures are being destroyed, and you rejoice?” Indeed, “He is not wishing that any should perish,” and that ‘any’ includes everyone from the most upstanding and moral citizen to a terrorist that has taken the lives of thousands of innocent people. Rather, He wishes for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

The good news goes even further. Not only does God desire that His creatures repent and live, He has provided them with the means to do so. He has made it clear in His Word that whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, between Christian and Moslem, or between American and Chinese; neither are there exceptions for the most egregious of offenders; the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for any – any who so choose – who call upon Him. It really is just that simple: if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Romans 10:9, 12-13).

Would that his truth would see the light of day in all the desperate hearts and dark corners on this planet. Eventually, we know, it will: the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Let us live in faith for that day, and walk in such a way that we shine the light, and the good news of the gospel, wherever we are.