Sharing an earlier post while away…

I’ve been listening to recordings of Revelation through Open Table Conference, that have been a tremendous help in understanding the Book of Revelation. I loved the explanation that Revelation is a book of worship for the Lamb who is revealed; and an unveiling of what is not to be worshipped…the beast which is empire. Think of how many empires have risen and fallen and the destruction left in their wake.

It has been timely in the sense that we humans are drawn to power and violence. Empires definitely represent power and violence and if we’re not careful we can fall into worship of them.

That was one of the very things satan tempted Jesus with in the desert…empire…Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus never took the way of the beast. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:8-10.

Jesus never took the way of violence though He could have called down thousands of angels to save Him at any time. That was such a surprise to His disciples. They, like all of Israel, were expecting the Messiah to come and defeat their enemies and reestablish Israel’s rule. They couldn’t understand why He spoke of being turned over to the religious leaders and authorities and killed to be raised again. How could they? They had lived with Him for three years having frontt row seats to the most amazing time in human history…God with us…which is what Immanuel means. God with us. He was foretold in Isaiah 9 and was repeated to Joseph, Mary’s husband, in a dream and continues…All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22-23.

They experienced first hand what it means to be loved by God. He loved them and they loved Him. I can’t imagine what it was like when they lost Him, when He was no longer with them and the terrible void that must have been. I can imagine the joy they felt when He appeared among them after He had risen. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Luke 20:20. That I can imagine! Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22.

During the Revelation discussion, one of the presenters said the Holy Spirit is in us so that we can look at Christ and see the Father. I love that. Have you ever experienced the Holy Spirit within you showing you the love of Christ and the Father? Ask.

Jesus never came to conquer in the way of empire. He came to conquer sin and open our hearts to the love of the Father and through the Holy Spirit empowers us to grow in love and understanding of so great a gift given by so great a love. Jesus willingly became the lamb sacrificed for our sins and was the only sacrifice that could take away our sins. The Lamb of God unveiled for us.