Awaiting Advent / Advent; Second Coming / Revelation 22:10–13
George Orwell’s parody of Communism, Animal Farm, basically provides an outline of how certain dictators have responded to COVID. In chapter five, Napoleon decided to end Sunday meetings where all the farm animals would vote on various decisions. He began making decisions for the farm among a small private committee. Squealer shared the news of this transition with the rest of the animals.
No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?
It is easy to feel defeated when it appears the wicked are able to accomplish their will without any hindrance or retaliation. While the Church struggles to survive, businesses with godless motives thrive. We see the same thing in our personal relationships. The frustration that results can lead to a compromising approach to our Christian calling and sanctification.
Oftentimes, we experience these frustrations and doubts because we actually envy what the wicked are able to get away with. We think that we are missing out on some superior way of living. But, we rarely see the fearful emptiness that accompanies the wicked.
We all have an important lesson to learn: Your longing for perfect justice will never be satisfied in this fallen world. It is quite possible that faulty expectations have compounded our frustrations in 2020.
This morning we will further analyze our condition and consider how Scripture leads us toward a hopeful response.
We will see our critical need for God’s revelation in order to rightly understand and respond to the frustrations of living in a fallen world. We must live with a view towards the final judgment at the end of this present age. Ultimately, the revelation of redemptive history prepares us to face our future judgment with hope.
Read https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Re22.10-13 (Revelation 22:10-13).
Act According to Your Age (10-11) Although I’m playing off the saying that all parents give to their oldest child, “Act your age!”, I’m actually referring to the present age of redemptive history. There is a certain level of freedom to live in ways that are contrary to God’s revealed will, but the time of judgment is near. This reality ought to temper any expectations we have prior to Christ’s Return and encourage our perseverance to the end.
The Old Testament prophet, Daniel, was told to seal up the words of his prophecy until “the time of the end” (https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Da8.26 (Dan 8:26); https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Da12.4 (12:4), https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Da12.9 (9)), but John is encouraged to keep the words of his prophecy unsealed (https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Re22.10 (Rev 22:10)). Revelation is meant to be read and understood by the Church throughout this present age, “for the time is near.” A time that was distant for Daniel has arrived for John.
The fact that these words remain unsealed indicates their importance for our present condition. Revelation is a critical component to our ability to persevere.
The Church is supposed to consider Christ’s return as an imminent possibility. The events portrayed in Revelation have already begun, but they are not consummated until Christ’s Return.
Those living in this present age have gained a great deal of insight into the detailed plan of God’s redemptive purposes. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide confirmation that we are living in the latter days where the fulfillment of OT prophecies has been inaugurated. It also reveals an ongoing expectation of tribulation.
George Ladd’s comment on this passage is helpful for our present struggle.
A Commentary on the Revelation of John VI. Epilogue (22:6–21)
John’s prophecy outlines the spiritual struggle...
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gracefresno.substack.com
