"The First Resurrection"

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.  Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

For me, first and foremost, the Book of Revelation is a revelation of worship in Heaven.  I do not minimize other "studies," other "series" taught and preached and written.  We must do this.  I guess there is a simplicity in me, however, which does not want or "need" super detailed answers about, "things to come."  What I do see in our text is that Followers of Jesus definitely have, "part in the first resurrection."  Jesus' Shed Blood, Death and Resurrection is the guarantee of such blessed reality.  Furthermore, we can live with and in the, "peace which surpasses all understanding," that, "Over such the second death has no power...."

If you and I are walking in Jesus Christ, if Jesus Christ is reigning in you and me, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,..." then you and I have, "part in the first resurrection."  I am not sure about the "scenario" of Heaven, the "after life."  Jesus said that in Heaven we, "neither marry nor are given in marriage...."  One also wonders how or if we will "recognize" one another.  I have often thought it would be an eternity of pain if we noticed that those whom we have known are not there.  Maybe it is a whole "different" existence than we can imagine.  "Friends will be there we have loved long ago," the song says.  I'm sure, but, again, what will the "relationship" be like.  I know; questions could go on and on.

Do not dwell on such.  Why torment ourselves with speculation?  We have, "part in the first resurrection," and, "Over [us] the second death has no power."  For now, I think I will just continue to rejoice in what we do know.  We do know that the Devil, or Satan will be dealt with in a "final blow."  We do know that Eternal Life is much more than everlasting life, and of and in that Life, Who is, "Our Father," Our King and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Our Holy Spirit is, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for, "part in the first resurrection."  Amen. 
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We still need to make housing reservations for the Berlin Mission, October, 2016

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Precious...Is...The Death Of His Saints"

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."  (Psalm 116:15)

I am conducting a funeral service this evening for a relative of a friend of ours.  I don't any more do much of the pastoral duties I used to do.  I found it most interesting this morning, however, that our text is one that I never recall using in a funeral service.  What a privilege and joy to be literally at the "Feet of Jesus" daily in His Words.  There He always has "something" for you and me, every day, in His Words, comfort, direction, encouragement.

So many people do not think of death as, "precious."  But according to our text, "Precious...is the death of His saints."  Jesus takes, "His saints," from this time/space life, ridden with pain, suffering, heartache, evil, strife, into Eternal life, a "realm," an "experience" which we cannot imagine now.  The moment Jesus enters our life, the moment we surrendered our lives to Jesus, we received the Eternal Life which only Jesus is.  What is cliche to many, "they are in a better place," is to you and me, "the Blessed hope," Paul speaks of to Titus.  The "After Life," Heaven is so little spoken of today.  Christendom has become a religion of, "get-it-now-and-I-can-show-you-how." 

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."  Perhaps one reason is that there is "more" and "better" awaiting us than time/space minded people could ever imagine.  Perhaps it is also that we will enter into a relationship in Jesus which our limited bodies and minds could ever know in this "limited" life.  Or maybe it is some of, "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away....I...saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He...Himself...will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying'....Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen."

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

We Are Called To Be The "Good News" To The World

"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-- to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people." (Revelation 14:6)

What the world has witnessed in Brussels this week is a battle of cultures, no more, no less.  If the United States of America does not expect those who immigrate here to accept American culture, then Brussels will be here.  American culture does not advocate the murder of people who disagree with you; Arab/Islamism does.  It goes back to Ishmael. 

Goodness, righteousness is alien to the human race; no ethnic group is exempt from this.  This is one reason Jesus appeared to humanity.  We were a lost sinful race, full of, "envy, strife, and divisions."  We were, "having no hope and without God in the world."  Everyone who does not have Jesus Christ living in them is, "dead in trespasses and sin, American, Asian, Middle East, etc., etc.  World events just continue to be a testimony to Jesus' Words, "Without Me you can do nothing."

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  This is the Gospel.  This is Salvation for humanity, "to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people...."  No need to wring your hands today.  Go forth in the assurance, the confidence that we who, "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," are those who, "shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be "good news" to those around me today.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Church: Make It/Him Known

"....to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places...." (Ephesians 3:10)

It is the Church who has been entrusted with revealing to the world, "....the manifold wisdom of God...."  How well are we doing?

Christendom has largely lost its way.  "....To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known,.." has been replaced by political correctness, you-are-so-wonderful-you-can-do-anything, and meism.  Proclaiming repentance and the Kingdom of God/Heaven has largely disappeared from Christendom.

The West is at war with Arab-Islamism, and has been for nearly 1500 years.  Just today, more Westerners were murdered by Arab-Islamists.  The Church of Jesus is entrusted with the war command to, "ma[k]e known by the Church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places...."  I don't preach much any more, but I continue to "write" the Gospel.  I love the Church of Jesus.  I grew up in the Church of Jesus.  I was mentored by a man and woman who loved Jesus, His Church, His Kingdom.  With all our faults as Followers of Jesus, we are still the only ones who can make known, "....the manifold wisdom of God," because that, "wisdom of God," is Jesus Christ.  

"You are the light of the world."  Jesus spoke/speaks these words to the Church.  Then Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."  Apart from you and me in our environment, apart from the Church, there is no light in the world, only darkness, lies, deception and death.  "Let your light so shine before men...."  In that "shining" they will see, "the manifold wisdom of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help Your Church to see that, "a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."  Amen.

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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Dates Notwithstanding

"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."  (John 13:1)

This is one of those years when "Easter" and Passover do not coincide.  I have read many reasons for this, but don't "buy" a lot of them.  Early "christianity" wanted to distance itself from the Jews; ergo, they took on the pagan calendar and discarded the Jewish calendar. 

Jesus appeared as a Jew.  He was raised to the age of 30 by Jews.  He was "trained" in Judaism.  The Twelve were Jews.  As far as we know, the first converts on the Day of Pentecost were Jews from Jerusalem and the Diaspora.  The Jews did not kill Jesus.  You and I and the whole human race "killed" Jesus.  It was my sin and your sin which took Jesus to the cross.  Catholicism and too much of other "Christian catechisms" through the centuries have used the death of Jesus by the hands of Jews to justify Jew-baiting.

I personally "celebrate" Holy Week, "Good Friday," and Resurrection Sunday at the Passover Season.   My eccentricities aside, we can look at Resurrection Celebration much as I do Christmas.  What does it matter the debated "dates?!?"  We celebrate the Appearing of Jesus.  We celebrate the shedding of Jesus' Blood, Jesus' Death, Jesus' Resurrection, Jesus' Ascension, all that you and I might know the Living Triune God, be, "accepted in the Beloved," have our names written in the, "Lamb's Book of Life."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I so needed and need You, my Savior, my King.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2