Revelation Is Not So Hard

January 7, 202

     Revelation 1:3 says “blessed be the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and keep what is written in it for the time is near.” Despite this promised blessing the last book of the Bible is often the one most neglected. There are a number of reasons for this but mostly the perception about Revelation is that it is difficult to understand and apply to the Christian life today.

     I contend that this reputation is undeserved. Revelation is simply a different kind of language than we are used to reading. Further, there are some things in the book that can be difficult to attach a specific meaning to but even without an exhaustive understanding of every verse, the message of the book is definitely something that can be grasped. 

     There are a couple of simple principles that come out of the book which will help to make it easier to read and benefit from. 

  1. Revelation is written in language that is symbolic, in fact the word translated “made it known” or “signified” in verse 1 actually means revealed by symbols. So when reading the book try to imagine the picture John is describing and picture it in your mind. This will go a long way in helping you grasp what is happening in the book.
  2. The book is written to suffering Christians, the context which launches the main story of the book is found in Chapter 6 verse 9 where the martyrs ask how long? Much of the rest of the book is an answer to their question.
  3. The answer that God gives is also a helpful truth to keep in mind while reading the book and his answer is God and his people are victorious over the forces of evil.

     There is more that could be said but even these simple principals will go a long way in helping make sense out of the Revelation.

     Of course like any book beyond all of these is simply to read, read it through in large chunks or even the whole book in one sitting. Read it often; read the book over and over until you are totally familiar with the content. Read it slowly and prayerfully taking time to think about what you find. 

     So now that you have finished reading this little note, go get your Bible turn to the last book and read it, you will be blessed by the effort. Another opportunity to get into the book would be to join us for the Sunday Morning Bible class as we study the book together.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

A Global Pandemic

December 31, 202

     A few years ago, I read an article by Neal Pollard part of it is here along with a number of my own edits, comments and expansions. 

     Covid was a major concern and still has much of the world’s attention, Yet it is the latest in a long line of alarming diseases that have struck fear in people—AIDs, Asian Flu, Spanish Flu, smallpox, bubonic plague, and leprosy, just to name a few.  Whether the horrific presentation, swift action, or painfulness of these conditions, just the names of these diseases raise the shudders of those informed about how deadly they are.  An ailment that commonly brings about mortality gets our attention. Even if mortality is only possible, we are willing to give considerable effort.

     During covid restrictions we were willing to do a whole lot to avoid contracting or spreading the virus. We wore masks, we stayed away from loved ones, we canceled large events. At certain points some were washing groceries and sterilizing with UV lights. Eventually many people took a vaccine the delivery of which took a huge investment of government resources and infrastructure. Regardless of how you felt/feel about the efforts there is no denying that they were significant.  

     Sin, however, often does its work on the individual without the dramatic presentation and many times in a way that feels painless to the “sufferer” until it is too late.  But nothing is deadlier or more serious.  

     This causes me to wonder, how much effort we are willing to undergo to avoid the dangers of sin? Do we exercise care in where we go, what we do, who we do it with? Perhaps as some do with other dangers, we figure it can’t happen to me. We may feel the inconvenience is too much, or maybe we just are not willing to give up things we enjoy.

     God made dealing with sin prominent subject in the only book He ever wrote.  He identifies it in its every form, reveals the symptoms, warns of the potentially deadliness of it, and provides the cure.

     The majority do not recognize sin for what it is, they incorrectly identify it, offer the wrong cures for it, and a great many just ignore what it is doing to them.  They call it by other names, thinking that by doing that they are eradicating it from themselves.  While that may numb them through this life, it will not serve them well in eternity.

     The Bible says “sin is exceedingly grave” (Gen. 18:20), “sin is unhealthy” (Psa. 38:3), “sin is a disgrace” (Prov. 14:34), “sin brings guilt” (Mark 3:29), “sin brings spiritual death” (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15), “sin enslaves” (Rom. 7:14,23), “sin is deceitful” (Heb. 3:13), “sin entangles” (Heb. 12:1), “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), “sin is of the devil” (1 John 3:8), and “sin is unrighteousness” (1 John 5:17).  Yet, despite this, we know “fools mock at sin” (Prov. 14:9).  A vicious disease is at work in them and, unresolved and untreated, it will lead them to eternal pain, but because it afflicts the unseen part of a person they cannot see the damage to their souls.  They often see its effects in their own lives and in others’.

     That’s where Christians come in, servants of the Great Healer.  We are to get healing to as many as are willing to take the cure.  We may be treated hostilely by some of those eternally ill, but we must risk sharing it for their good.  We face a terrible epidemic but we have a cure that is 100% effective when properly applied

     “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means I desire mercy not sacrifice. For I came not to call righteous but sinners” Matt 9:12-13

~ Kevin Cleary

 

Christmas Reality Check

     “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, time for family, friends, fun, food, fellowship and gifts (I know couldn’t find an f-word for gifts). Many this time of year, even with the stress of finding something great then buying it and immediately finding something that would have been better. We love the snow, the busy shops, the cards, all of it. I do know good Christians who don’t know what to do at Christmas. What traditions to embrace, which to ignore and which to have but limit. I want to get some known points out there so that we can at least be honest about the origins and purposes of Christmas.

     Our current traditions are fairly new. The earliest Christmas card known is from 1843. Christmas trees were made popular when Prince Albert of Germany married Queen Victoria and put up a huge Christmas tree in their home. The family posed in front of it and the picture was published in American papers popularizing the practice. Santa Claus derives somewhat from the Dutch Saint Nicholas who was famous for giving gifts to children. Santa was originally portrayed in various outfits until a Coke add popularized the red and green. Christmas poems like the night before Christmas filled in the rest of his image. 

     It is worth pointing out that most of our Christmas traditions are far too recent to have been greatly influenced by ancient paganism. 

     The idea of celebrating Christ’s birth as a Christian practice took a while to catch on. The first observance took place in 336 and December 25 was chosen because it corresponded to a time most people were celebrating anyway. Much of the party atmosphere and immorality that had been a part of older celebrations continued to be a part of Christmas. We still have problems today with over indulgence during the holiday season. This has resulted in a history of certain religious bodies keeping a distance from Christmas. Puritans for example outlawed Christmas both in England and later in North America where you could be fined five schillings ( a large sum at the time) for showing Christmas spirit in Boston. Others have opposed Christmas because observing it as a special day has no mandate in scripture.

     In light of all this what is a Christian to do? The first thing to remember is that scripture makes allowances for personal preference. In Romans 14:5 some wanted to observe certain days in honour of the Lord. Paul says it’s fine to do or not to. Although not a specific reference to Christmas the principle is the same.  Further, acknowledging that Jesus birth is a significant event is something that the Bible does (Mat 1:18-2; Luke 2). There is nothing inherently wrong with observing Christmas, so long as we leave off the overindulgence that is a big part of Christmas for some. We should also be careful that we don’t force Christmas observance on those who don’t think it’s something they want to do. Finally we shouldn’t let Jesus birth overshadow his death and resurrection which we are specifically told to commemorate on the first day of the week (Matt 26:26-29; I Cor 11:17-34; I Cor 16:1). These same principles can be applied to virtually all holidays, unless observing them would specifically send an anti-Christian message. 

     Christmas in our time is largely a culturally derived holiday with some religious connotation. We can observe it and I would suggest should take advantage of the special opportunities if offers for outreach. If Christmas is not your thing, great, if you only observe it as a secular holiday good, if you want to set it aside as a day to honour the Lord that’s good too.

     As for me I will be honest about the origins of Christmas, enjoy its traditions, and always remember the significance that God became man and dwelt among us.

~ Kevin Cleary

It Sounds Really Good

December 17, 202

     We all like to think that we are good, more importantly we want others to think that we are good. Because of this if people can feel good about what they are doing they are more likely to do it. That’s good it’s a part of what it means to be made in the image of God. However, there is a downside. Often if people can be convinced that they should feel good about a behaviour they will do it even if it’s not actually good.

     Away in a Manger started with a clever marketing strategy. When it was first published in the late 1800’s is had the title “composed by Martin Luther for his Children and still sung by German mothers to their children”. The last verse was written by Charles Gabriel who attributed it to Luther as well. Later research has not turned up the actual author but has confirmed that the song was not written by Luther.

     We can see how making people associate the song with Luther caused them to feel good about singing it. They were happy to be tricked because it made them feel good.

     Today there are all kinds of things that we are told we should do or should believe if we are “Good” A more contemporary example of this is paper straws. It has been shown that the production of paper straws requires more energy and involves process that are not that good for the environment. People don’t care about the facts they just want to pat themselves on the back so they happily use terrible straws without question. 

     These are just a couple of examples that we could give. I appreciate people’s desire to do the right thing, especially as Christians we should want to be good Godly people. This desire however must be informed by knowledge. Scripture contains all that we need to know to be effective faithful servants of God. We need to be careful that our good intentions are no co-opted by bad information. 

~ Kevin Cleary 

 

What Did You Swallow?

December 10, 202

     Have you ever spent time around someone with bad breath? It happens to all of us from time to time especially if we like food that is well seasoned. However what tastes great going it is not always as pleasant wafting out. If you want to feel even worse than you do now imagining bad breath google: “what causes bad breath”. The usual culprits include: food that gets stuck in your teeth, tobacco, poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, oral infections, normal mouth bacteria, stomach gasses escaping and a few other things. 

     We all know how bad it can be and most of us actively take steps to avoid it. If you don’t your friends probably wish that you would. 

     There is however something much worse that can come out of our mouths. Jesus says from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. To me it sounds like the cause of our words being bad or hurtful is much worse than anything we could possibly have eaten. 

     Paul uses a phrase in Ephesians 4:29 to describe improper speech.  He says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth…”  That word “corrupt”. Is an interesting word it is from a Greek word meaning “to cause to decay”. The Greeks used the word to describe what offends the sense of sight and smell, but it came to describe even offensive sounds as an ancient fragment from Theopompus Comicus used the word to describe the “unpleasant sounds of flutes” (CAF, I, 746). They used the word to describe bad vegetables and rotting fish.

     Having considered Jesus words and the description given by Paul we can reflect on the impact we can have on those around us through what we say. Unlike the description given above Paul says our words should be gracious seasoned with salt. This is not to suggest that we should be dishonest or manipulative in what we say. Rather we should speak the truth in love. 

     On the other hand we should be careful not to use language that is profane or offensive. Knowing that the words that come out of our mouth have the potential to be much more off-putting than the worst garlic or coffee breath.

     There is a principal that we use to help teach firefighters and ski patrollers do a better job when speaking on the radio. The principle is simple just before you speak take a moment to collect your thoughts and consider the best way to get your point across. Even though we are not using a radio in day to day life many would still benefit to apply this principle.

~ Kevin Cleary