August 11, 202

The Book of Revelation starts with a very clear introduction: Jesus has a message for the Church. That message will be revealed (revealed is the actual meaning of the word apocalypse) to John. Jesus is portrayed symbolically in his glorified form  – he has a sharp sword coming from his mouth and he stands among the seven churches. For Christians in a time of distress could there ever be a more encouraging image? The Lord Almighty is among you, watching over you. From this perspective Jesus begins his message by addressing the Churches. Jesus knows, he knows his churches intimately and nothing is hidden from him. 

“I know” is how Jesus begins his address each time, whether the message is one of encouragement or one of reprimand, “I know” carries a lot of weight. To the child who has been up to no good, “I know” brings him or her up short. To the one suffering loss, loneliness and fear, “I know” brings comfort and assurance and the connection that can only exist with someone who has walked the same road that we are walking.

Jesus knows what we are dealing with:

• Rev 2:2 I know your works, your toil, and your patient endurance…I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake and you have not grown weary
• Rev 2:9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not.
• Rev 2:13 I know you dwell where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast to my name.
• Rev 2:15 I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance.
• Rev 3:8 I know you have but a little power and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
• Jesus knows when we are struggling he knows when we feel beaten and alone he knows how long we have been holding on and he wants us to know that he is with us.

Jesus knows who and what we really are, there is no fooling anyone:

• Rev 3:1 I know your works, you have the reputation of being alive but you are dead.
• Rev 3:15 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot, you say I am rich… not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
• It’s easy to put on a good show and tell the world that you have all the answers to claim your good and righteous. You may fool some people, maybe even yourself, but you can’t fool Jesus, so time to give up the charade.
• In all we do as Churches we must remember that we belong to Christ and can only live if we live in Him. If we do then nothing can extinguish our light. If not, we are just dead branches to be gathered up and burned (Jn 15:6). 

In all times and circumstances Jesus knows, he is with us he is watching us and encouraging us. In every moment, victory of defeat, temptation or determination, Jesus is there. May we be blessed and encouraged by always keeping this truth in our minds

~ Kevin Cleary

 

August 4, 202

     Anyone who has owned a dog can appreciate the sentiment of the statement above. One of the great and sad things about dogs is their devotion. Many pet owners have experienced their dogs looking up to them, trusting them, and following them anywhere without hesitation. This positive regard goes a long way in cementing the relationship between a dog and it’s master. 

     I recently experienced the tenacity of my dog’s devotion. I was carrying a large armful of groceries and trying to get in the back door. I didn’t notice that Apollo was trying to get in with me. When I worked my way through the door I let it slam right onto the dog. He yelped and ran from the door with his tail between his legs. I set down the groceries and wanted to make sure he was okay. I kneeled down and called him. Even though I had just slammed the door on him he came without hesitation. I gave him a pat and looked at his back leg which was fine. 

     Many pet owners could tell similar stories about how they were forgiven immediately by their pets even after doing worse things than slamming a door. These experiences help us to appreciate the sentiment of the saying from the title “Lord help me be the person my dog thinks I am.” However there is another statement we take from our interactions with dogs, “once bitten twice shy.” This expresses there very human tendency to avoid painful situations. 

     In our lives we will often encounter people that for various reasons will do the equivalent of slamming the door on us. The slight may be on purpose or by mistake, but the hurt is real either way. It’s tempting in situations like that to write people off and avoid them. To give up on them and avoid the possible hurt coming at our next interaction. 

     Imagine what a state we would be in if Jesus took that approach. During his ministry he was repeatedly rejected, challenged, and even attacked. He could have simply given up on humanity and left us to our deserved fate. Instead Jesus endured greater pain and further rejection on the cross and then through history as the bulk of humanity has continued to reject him. 

     In the famous Love chapter, the Holy Spirit reveals that love is paramount, and then describes it as bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. Let’s adopt the attitude that our dogs have about us but apply it as Jesus did to all those around us. Let’s commit to doing that even when we are hurt and there is potential to be hurt again. Let’s allow the scriptures’ description of love be a description of us.

Perhaps we could learn something about love by considering our pets, but especially by considering the scriptures.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

July 28, 202

Preterist, Rev 1:1 “The revelation of Jesus Chirst which God gave him to show his servants the things that mut soon take place.” The Preterist view is generally the one which is earliest in time and shortest in duration. The contents of the book are thought to apply primarily to the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.            

Futurists Rev 20:6 “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” The Futurist approach to revelation is just about how it sounds. This view states that Revelation details the events immediately leading up to the second coming of Christ. This view holds that before Christ returns there will be a very specific series of events which will begin with certain political events and the rapture. 

Chronologists Rev 4:1 “After this I looked and behold a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I heard speaking to me like a trumpet said “Come up here and I will show you what must take place after this.” Sometimes called the continuous historical view. It basically says that the book of revelation covers all of history from the first century until the end of time. Those who hold this view believe that key historical events and leaders can be identified in the book from the first century up to today. 

    Generalists, Rev 1:1b-2 “He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ even to all that he saw.” This view is often called the philosophy of history, Idealist, Spiritual or Symbolic approach. Many good people have taken this approach and it’s appeal is obvious. The book does lend itself to a repetitive approach as the seals, trumpets, and bowls are certainly related and repetitive. This view essentially says that the book describes in symbolic form the general struggle between good and evil.  

 Historicist, Rev 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had born. They cried out with a loud voice O Sovereign Lord, holy and true how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Often called the historical background approach (or sometimes considered a variation of the Preterist approach) This view sees the book as having a message to the saints under persecution during the reign of Domitian. It sees the book as primarily describing the fall of Rome through a theological lens. Most of the book then is fulfilled in or before the 5^th century AD. 

     By considering certain key known points we can determine which of these views best captures the message and purpose of Revelation. 

~ Kevin Cleary

 

July 21, 202

     We have all been there, maybe at a family function, maybe at work, maybe in a bible discussion with a friend. Someone expresses an idea that we know is wrong. Maybe it’s a moral issue like abortion or sexuality, maybe it’s a theological issue like how to be saved, or how we should worship. We think to ourselves how can I disagree without causing offence or getting into a heated argument? We may also think I know that’s not right but I’m not sure if I can effectively show why. 

     Often times the result of this situation will be we don’t say anything. This is not desirable for a number of reasons. First, if we love people we don’t leave them believing something harmful. Second, we have a command from the Lord to share the truth, and to be able to speak up for what we believe (Eph 4:15-16; Mat 28:18-20; I Pet 3:15-16). We leave the situation wishing we would have handled it differently. We may dwell on the event wondering what we could have done or said and imagining various scenarios both good and bad. 

     In our Wednesday evening bible study we have been discussing exactly this situation and learning ways to respond. The key theme has been responding in ways that don’t cause offence or lead to heated disagreements but instead lead to productive conversations.

     There is far to much to cover here but let me share just one principle.

     Instead of leaving the situation, or allowing someone to remain in ignorance there is a simple thing we can do. Just ask a question. Not just any question but specifically “how did you come to that conclusion?” or “why do you think that is the case?” 

These questions show respect to the person we are talking to. They indicate that we likely don’t agree but are open to learning. They also help us to better understand where the other person is coming from. 

     Beyond these initial results, asking why a person believes what they do can challenge them to examine their beliefs. Sometimes just asking the question is enough to help them see the error of a weak position.

     In addition, other good things can happen. We may be able to invite this person to further discussion. We may be able to simply ask more questions leading them to see an error in judgement or thinking. We may be able to offer a book or pamphlet or article that addresses the subject. 

     The beauty of asking a question is that it doesn’t lead to any kind of fight or dramatic confrontation. It doesn’t put either party in a defensive situation, at least at first. 

     Finally it allows us to exit the conversation without embracement to either party. Once we get an answer we can simply say,  “I had not thought of that, let me do a little research or let me look into it a bit and ask you about it again later.”

This is just one of the basic tools we have learned in our Wednesday study. There are many more and anyone is welcome to join us. 

~ Kevin Cleary

 

July 14, 202

     I have a friend who I heard tell a little about his life. This friend is now a preacher and a very capable one. That being said he has lived a life which included some bad stuff. When he was younger, he lived in a famously rough city in the US. To supplement his income he began to sell drugs. First it was not a lot, just a little pot to make ends meet. But he soon learned that harder drugs brought a bigger pay day. With that knowledge he moved into selling cocaine and methamphetamine and other things. 

     During this part of his life his description is challenging. He was making lots of money driving a nice car and able to do and have whatever he wanted. His description of this time was “It felt great.” In fact he says he can remember thinking to himself “how could his parents religion (Christianity) be right when his life was so good without it.” 

     This reveals something critical about the heart and mind of man; It is not a reliable guide for life. The wise man warns us of this truth, “There is a way that seems right to a man but it’s end is death.” Jeremiah reveals this same truth when he says, “It is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” 

     Our own life and desires illustrate this truth very well. What person craves green vegetables or omega three fatty acids? When have you ever thought wow I could really go for some lean protein right now? What we crave is fat and salt and sugar. The things doctors tell us lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and all kinds of health problems.  When it comes to finances is our first thought boy I should put this away for retirement? No usually we think what can I spend this windfall on? 

     And so good common sense tells us that we are not often very good at knowing what’s right even in our physical lives. That being said, one of the most prominent ideas among religious people today is I am looking for what feels good. What they should be doing is looking for what is good. 

     Only God is truly good and only he can tell us what is good in relation to our religious belief and practice. God has done that very thing. Paul describes men groping for God in Acts 17 but goes on to point out there is no need for doing so. He tells Timothy that scripture provides all we need to live a life that is good and pleasing to God.

     My friend now looks back on his time selling drugs (which ended in a prison term) as a terrible time in his life. Not because he feels different but because he knows different. He will even explain that until he knew right he had no guilt about his past actions. 

     Will we continue to pursue what feels right? Or will we take our direction from God as given to us in the New Testament and actually do right.

~ Kevin Cleary