THE STORY: Thanks for Being Part of THE STORY!

With the conclusion of chapter 31 we have now come to the end of our study of THE STORY. Thanks for joining with us on this journey. We hope and pray that you have enjoyed our study and that you have been blessed. Stay tune to more great things from this blog in the future. May God be with you all…Michael Cox

Chapter 31 of The Story: The Revelation

The Revelation…..where to begin? It’s possible to say that there isn’t a more controversial or debated book in all of scripture. Revelation is a confusing read, made even more muddy by preachers, prophets, and heralds claiming to have “cracked the code” of this book and declaring all sorts of dates and times for the apocalypse. There is plenty of discussion to be had in regards to the apocryphal elements of John’s Revelation, and they have their place. In my mind, the most meaningful, relevant, and painfully clear words in the book come in chapter 3, specifically verses 14-22. Go read them, and get back to me when you’re done.

I get very uncomfortable reading these verses. They force me to ask some difficult questions. Do I rely on God to deliver me? Am I even living in a way that might require delivery? Have I constructed walls around me for my own comfort and protection – walls made out of a career, retirement plan, social group, or anything else that makes me feel safe? Do I rely on these man-made walls instead of the Father?

“You say, ‘I’m rich, and I’ve grown wealthy, and I don’t need a thing.’ You don’t realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked.”

I am 100% convinced that Satan’s greatest tool in his war against the modern church is comfort and complacency. He’s told us all that the ultimate goal here is to be safe and content and we’ve bought it. The modern American church has become a comfortable, predictable, and undemanding routine designed primarily to make people feel good. Check in on Sundays, drop off your contribution, and try not to mess up too publicly during the week. The passion for a love relationship with the Father has been replaced with faith in our own ability to “appear Christian” to the right people and follow the right set of commands. We give God lip service, but our hearts speak the truth. They say “we’re strong….we can handle most of this, and we’ll get back to you when something really big comes up.” We are lukewarm in so many ways.

“So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth.”

The image intended by “spit” is not a pretty one – consider the last time you had a really bad case of food poisoning, specifically all the retching, heaving, and vomiting involved. That’s the image…my ridiculous self-reliance on my possessions and abilities really does make Christ that sick. Fortunately, there’s a better way. All we have to do is open the door – running to Him with humble and broken hearts, confessing our lack of faith and begging for change. He will change us. It might not be comfortable or easy – “I correct and discipline those whom I love”- but it will be worth it. We will get to sit with Christ on His throne! Christ then immediately reveals exactly what that will look like. Turn to chapter 4 and read the breathtaking description of the throne of God, with all the praise, honor, and glory involved. Incredible. Imagine giving all this up for some measly possessions and a misplaced feeling of comfort. Let’s submit to God – lay everything on the table and offer Him our lives, trading our rags for His gold. Trust in Him – He won’t let you down!

Joe Summitt

Chapter 31 of The Story: The Win Column

W.B. West, Jr., founding dean of the Harding Graduate School of Religion (now Harding School of Theology) used to say of the book of Revelation that we must put on our first century glasses to read it. Its original recipients lived in the first century. For us, the 21st century readers, Revelation, among other things, reveals to us the worthiness of both God and Christ, as well as the true victor.

Often times in a football game, the team with the lead will gain possession of the ball with less than a minute left on the clock, and they will line up in a victory formation. Many commentators will point out that this is the best formation because it means that particular team is only seconds away from winning the game. All the quarterback has to do is receive the snap and kneel down on the ground, thus running the remaining time off the clock and gaining the victory.

God has afforded us the opportunity to line up in victory formation.

Before a football game begins, no one truly can know who will win.

We do know who has won the Great Battle. God’s victory is concrete.

John’s vocabulary in Revelation proves that words can’t describe what we are able to look forward to in the end.

Like Frank Sinatra used to sing, “The best is yet to come.”

Chapter 31: “The Story” Ends – And Yet Continues!

We have reached the end of “The Story”, and I have greatly enjoyed this enlightening journey through the Bible.  But believers know that THE STORY never comes to an end – God has opened the door for us and shown us the way to eternal life.  His mercy and grace go on and on forever and are available to anyone who is willing to receive them.  What a glorious gift our Father has given us!  Let’s continue to share it with everyone we meet as we travel the Way that God has laid out for us.

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!

Angela Gray

Chapter 31: Heaven

The Story, Chapter 31

Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them, and be their God.

 

When John wrote Revelations, he was coming to the end of his life on earth. The revelations that he received from Jesus must have been very comforting to him.

Jesus gave John a small peek into the beauty of heaven and the joy of being with the Lord.

 

All through the book of revelation John wrote about the battle that Satan is waging against God.  There are many things that John writes that I do not truly understand,( these are on my list to ask God about when I get to heaven along with, did Peter have red hair, and did the dinosaurs turn into snakes?).  Through all the symbolism and descriptions of beasts, Jesus told John over and over ” God will win out over evil”.  This is the one thing I do understand, Jesus will return one day and be victorious over evil. Then He will take His people home to heaven for eternity.

 

If you get the chance to read chapter 21 and 22 of Revelation this week, see what your mind’s eye thinks heaven might look like.

 

Have a great week!

Pam Jeter