4/05/2003
4/04/2003
adressing a concern
recently, a loved one expressed concern that I write more about my son than I do my daughters. I now, [wink wink]in an incredibly defensive tone[/wink wink], justify my behavior.
Kelsi can't speak yet. Her 'charming moments' rarely translate well to the written word because they tend to be nonverbal, and consist primarily of drooling on my face, incidentally hitting me in the crotch, or displaying diva behavior in creative expressions.
Kaylyn continues to be a model of compliant enjoyability. I could brag on her excellent reports from school (reading at a third grade level), but that would be prideful. I could mention how she cried when I told her I was upset with her friend for drawing on her shirt (she's really quite sensitive), but that might paint the wrong picture. Instead, I have to find those rare moments like yesterday, when she came home with a large scrape from forehead to lip, and explained herself by informing me that she (sic) "hit the ground with her face."
I'd hate to see how the ground looks from their little tussle.
Meanwhile, Cotter continues to be a trove of concerning creative expression. Just this morning, he complained about his feet feeling pokey because he sat on the toilet too long, which was preceded by my having overheard this between the boy and his mother.
She: No, Cotter. Those pants you are wearing can be baseball pants. And they can be football pants. But you can't call them 'capris.'
He: Not capris. Right. Football pants.
Kelsi can't speak yet. Her 'charming moments' rarely translate well to the written word because they tend to be nonverbal, and consist primarily of drooling on my face, incidentally hitting me in the crotch, or displaying diva behavior in creative expressions.
Kaylyn continues to be a model of compliant enjoyability. I could brag on her excellent reports from school (reading at a third grade level), but that would be prideful. I could mention how she cried when I told her I was upset with her friend for drawing on her shirt (she's really quite sensitive), but that might paint the wrong picture. Instead, I have to find those rare moments like yesterday, when she came home with a large scrape from forehead to lip, and explained herself by informing me that she (sic) "hit the ground with her face."
I'd hate to see how the ground looks from their little tussle.
Meanwhile, Cotter continues to be a trove of concerning creative expression. Just this morning, he complained about his feet feeling pokey because he sat on the toilet too long, which was preceded by my having overheard this between the boy and his mother.
She: No, Cotter. Those pants you are wearing can be baseball pants. And they can be football pants. But you can't call them 'capris.'
He: Not capris. Right. Football pants.
when the story-getter becomes the story
Washington Post Columnist Michael Kelly has been killed in a humvee accident, the first 'embedded journalist' to die in the war.
The shoe has fallen on this inevitability.
Rest in peace, and God Bless America.
The shoe has fallen on this inevitability.
Rest in peace, and God Bless America.
the petco puppet's new gig
much buzz about the latest video of a cowardly killer. Is it really him, because he mentioned a quasi-recent war event? I'm a little speculative, since his voice didn't match his mouth and sounded frighteningly similar to Don Pardo's.
Kelli thinks he's alive, as do many others. Some, though, think this was another of his body doubles. I personally think that this is merely an animatronic Saddam relocated from HusseinWorld's Hall of Tyranny and re-wired to propigate propaganda.
4/03/2003
tomorrow, the world!
I've joined the growing ranks of bloggers who have enlisted in
this is an online diversion somewhat like fantasy football, but instead of overpriced athletes, we're swapping shares of out-of-shape dorks sitting entirely too long in front of their computers (well, the product of said dorks -- among whom I am chief, I may humbly add).
Anyway, so far I've purchased shares of the blogs for Blogs 4 God, I am always Right, and Avoiding Evil. I'm not afraid to put my fake money where my blogroll is.
Now, bloggers, go buy me.
this is an online diversion somewhat like fantasy football, but instead of overpriced athletes, we're swapping shares of out-of-shape dorks sitting entirely too long in front of their computers (well, the product of said dorks -- among whom I am chief, I may humbly add).
Anyway, so far I've purchased shares of the blogs for Blogs 4 God, I am always Right, and Avoiding Evil. I'm not afraid to put my fake money where my blogroll is.
Now, bloggers, go buy me.
speaking of animal animosity
here's a clip of two fighting felines.
This film, to me, paints the picture of the Iraqi/American conflict. Let's just say that we're the kitty to the right (as it should be).
This film, to me, paints the picture of the Iraqi/American conflict. Let's just say that we're the kitty to the right (as it should be).
Smackdown
I don't really know what this means, but its been on about ten other blogs. So, succumbing to peer pressure, I typed in my name, and this was the result.
so do you think you want a peice of me?
bring it on.
UPDATE: I'm 3-0. Undefeated. Rising in the ranks of the FEBMA. Can anybody defeat me? I think not.
UPDATE Pt. 2: I'm 7-0, having whupped everyone in my immediate family. I am Alpha Male!
so do you think you want a peice of me?
bring it on.
UPDATE: I'm 3-0. Undefeated. Rising in the ranks of the FEBMA. Can anybody defeat me? I think not.
UPDATE Pt. 2: I'm 7-0, having whupped everyone in my immediate family. I am Alpha Male!
what makes an American
though I loathe even going to Military Subversion Network Broadcasting CommunistsMSNBC, they do continue to post this handy dandy rolling death toll scroll that allows me to see the amazing success of our troops given the relatively low loss of life we are incurring for liberating an oppressed people.
anyway....
buried in this page is a great story of two men who exemplify the American ideal. Read their story:
anyway....
buried in this page is a great story of two men who exemplify the American ideal. Read their story:
CITIZEN SOLDIERS
U.S. Marine Cpl. Jose Angel Garibay and Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez became U.S. citizens posthumously on Wednesday, with the help of their families and fellow Marines. The acting director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services signed the papers Wednesday without fanfare, without the men’s families or the media to watch.
Garibay, 21, of Costa Mesa, Calif., died March 23 in Nasiriyah, south of Baghdad. He was a native of Jalisco, Mexico, whose family moved to the United States when he was a baby. Garibay joined the Marines three years ago.
Gutierrez, 22, of Lomita, Calif., died March 21 at the port city of Umm Qasr, one of the first casualties of the war.
When he was 14, Gutierrez crossed into California after taking trains from Guatemala through Mexico. The orphan found a foster family, attended high school in Southern California and then joined the Marine Corps.
prayer request update
some time ago, I requested prayer for my former high school principal, for a brain tumor and cancer. The last report I had was that he was doing well. Last night, I received news that he has taken a severe turn for the worse, and that he may have had a stroke amidst his chemotherapy treatment. His youngest daughter has moved up a wedding to this weekend, because of concerns that he wouldn't live to the date originally scheduled.
I know he was a member of the local Catholic church, but am unsure of his spiritual condition. Please pray for him, his wife, and their three adult daughters.
I know he was a member of the local Catholic church, but am unsure of his spiritual condition. Please pray for him, his wife, and their three adult daughters.
no comment
A long time ago, Britain and France were at war. During one battle, the French captured an English Major. Taking the Major to their
headquarters, the French General began to question him.
The French General asked, "Why do you English Officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"
In his bland English way, the Major informed the general that the reason English Officers wear red coats is so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.
And that is why from that day until now all French Army Officers wear brown pants.
headquarters, the French General began to question him.
The French General asked, "Why do you English Officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"
In his bland English way, the Major informed the general that the reason English Officers wear red coats is so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.
And that is why from that day until now all French Army Officers wear brown pants.
sometimes the truth is funny
A large group of Iraqi soldiers are moving down a road when they hear a voice call from behind a sand dune. "One United States Marine is better than ten Iraqis!"
The Iraqi commander quickly sends 10 of his best soldiers over the dune, whereupon a gun battle breaks and continues for a few minutes, then silence.
The voice then calls out "One United States Marine is better than one hundred Iraqis!"
Furious, the Iraqi commander sends his next best 100 troops over the dune and instantly a huge firefight commences. After 10 minutes of battle, again silence.
The American voice calls out again "One United States Marine is better than one thousand Iraqis!"
The enraged Iraqi Commander musters one thousand fighters and sends them across the dune. Cannons, rockets and machine guns ring out as a huge battle is fought. Then silence.
Eventually one wounded Iraqi fighter crawls back over the dune and with his dying words tells his commander,"Don't send any more men, it's a trap. There's two of them!"
The Iraqi commander quickly sends 10 of his best soldiers over the dune, whereupon a gun battle breaks and continues for a few minutes, then silence.
The voice then calls out "One United States Marine is better than one hundred Iraqis!"
Furious, the Iraqi commander sends his next best 100 troops over the dune and instantly a huge firefight commences. After 10 minutes of battle, again silence.
The American voice calls out again "One United States Marine is better than one thousand Iraqis!"
The enraged Iraqi Commander musters one thousand fighters and sends them across the dune. Cannons, rockets and machine guns ring out as a huge battle is fought. Then silence.
Eventually one wounded Iraqi fighter crawls back over the dune and with his dying words tells his commander,"Don't send any more men, it's a trap. There's two of them!"
4/02/2003
a weakening regime of terror
BSPI -- US soldiers show newfound allegiance to beloved President -- Praise Allah -- Saddam Hussein, by creating original artwork portraiture and prominently displaying in highly visible locales. Here, two infidel gun-wielders apply sticky-tack in an effort to have the image of the handsomely smiling benevolent leader adhere to sand-covered brick, encouraged by the unpictured cheers of the populace of the people.
pass the bean dip, please
BSPI -- Clearly trying to capitalize on infidel propaganda, the US has realized photographs of what it claims are US soldiers preparing for impending chemical/biological attacks by the Iraqi Elite Rupublican Guard. Undercover operatives who actually spoke with the men in the photograph have discovered that this is another deception intended to tear the very fabric of unity of the Iraqi people.
These British soldiers simply explained that their battalion was known for odiferous flatulence, a common malady amongst the godless curs. The soldier in the foreground is raising his hand as part of the well known the one who smelt it delt it confessional.
captured freedom seeker
BSPI -- A terror stricken US soldier was taken hostage after escaping her tyrannical oppressors and finding sanctuary in one of Iraq's hospitals. PFC Jessica Lynch was carried away despite her cries of eternal loyalty to Iraq's brave regime, and promised to return as one honorable President Saddam Hussein's concubines, as soon as her broken limbs healed and she could again free herself from the imperialist clutches of the Satanist US government.
an assumption on my part
I must have received spam for this product because I am pro-liberty of Iraq.
Seeing Christ as He is Today
When I was a sophomore in high school, Kelli was a senior. And while our real relationship didn't begin until much later when we were both in college, during her senior year, she and I did go to Homecoming together. She thought we were going as friends, but little did she know that was merely a preliminary step in my extravagant plot to win her affection and lead her to one day accept my offer to become my wife.
A couple of years ago, we were in Denver for the holidays, at her folks' house. Kelli's brother and sister were there, along with their families. My sister-in-law Amy was looking through the photo albums, and came across a picture from our homecoming date together. Amy looked upon the photo and asked innocently, "who is that scrawny guy you went to homecoming with?"
Sitting right next to her, I could see the picture, and knew it was of our date. Sure, I had put on a few pounds since then (about 60), but scrawny? "That's me," I said.
She did a double take. "No, it isn't."
"Yes, it really is."
She sat in silence for a moment. And then said, quite profoundly, "wow."
There have been many times where I've been surprised at the appearance of a person not matching up to what I've expected or remembered. Many times, people I've spoken with on the telephone have completely surprised me when I've met them 'in real life.' A "Chris" I've talked with, and imagined to be a slim, tall blonde man, would turn out to be a short, stocky female, and Chris was short for "Christine."
Going to my ten-year reunion was a shocker. Men age less gracefully than women, at least in the first ten years following high school, I've determined. We were all fatter, balder, and altogether more unpleasant, whereas most of the women were thinner, prettier, and more refined. But half the fun of the reunion was being surprised at who looked nothing like they did just one short decade earlier.
Now, if we are so apt to incorrectly perceive other people based on what we hear, read, or know about them, how much more so are we to do the same in our perception of Jesus Christ? Let's take a moment just to explore this possibility.
Now, I'm going to ask you each to close your eyes. Don't be afraid, I'm not trying to trick you, and I'm not going to ask you to take part in anything new-age or psychic. Now, visualize the image of Jesus that is most common to you. Try to imagine His face with as much detail as possible. When you have the image of Jesus, just raise your hand. I'm not going to call on anyone, I just want to see when everyone has a mental picture of Jesus firmly drawn in their minds.
Now, compare your mental portrait of Jesus with the ones we have up here. Does what you see in your mind's eye look similar to what you see here?
Some think of him as the babe in the manger. They think of him as the infant that received the worship of the magi. There He is, wrapped in swaddling cloths, cooing softly in the night. This is a very comforting image of the Savior. Who wouldn't want to pick Him up, coddle Him, and cuddle Him? The problem is, we know that Jesus didn't stay an infant. He grew up, became a man, went to the cross. Perhaps some people like to keep this image of Jesus because He is so non-threatening in this form. It's very nice, very easy, very peaceful to have a god who can fit in a little wooden box and needs to be wrapped in blankets to keep warm. Probably most of us here would never admit to worshipping this manifestation of the Christ.
However, most of us would have little problem acknowledging that this image is the picture of Christ that comes to mind when we are called upon to imagine our Savior. This is the Christ we recognize. He is the man who walked on the shores of Galilee. He fed the masses. This is the Jesus who stripped to a loincloth. And this is the Jesus who went to the cross. And because He bears the illuminated glow, we have little problem imagining this as the resurrected Christ who made numerous appearances before being assumed up into heaven.
If this is your image of Jesus, you are in good company. This is a very common, very much-reproduced imagery of the Christ. And in many ways, it too, is a safe image that brings comfort and peace. But just for a moment, I want to tell you that I believe this image is just a bit dangerous, too. It's not dangerous because it's 'Americanized' Jesus. It's not even dangerous because it's pretty familiar to the well-known historically catholic representations of Jesus. It's dangerous because:
1. We don't know this is what Jesus looked like.
2. It's not based upon the Word of God.
3. Even if it is accurately portraying how He appeared while He looked, this doesn't adequately show how He looks today.
Now, the Bible says this about the appearance of Jesus:
When we have in accurate view of Jesus, it allows us to have an inaccurate sense of our relationship to Him. It allows us to inappropriately relate to Jesus. It allows us to live in an inaccurate manner, dishonoring Him in the process. And I believe the most dangerous aspect of all is that virtually every act of disobedience, every ungodly act of indulgence, every fleshly act of division becomes possible when we are comfortable with an inaccurate concept of the reality of Jesus Christ. Tonight, we will rely upon the Word of God to invade our incorrect perception of who Jesus is, that He may shine His light of truth upon us, so that we may walk in the light of that truth, for the glory of His name's sake.
If you turn to the book of Revelation, chapter one, we go to our final recorded instance of a moment of darkness in Scripture. In chapter one, we are reunited after a long absence, with John, the beloved apostle of Jesus. He has been exiled to the island of Patmos, to live out his remaining days in isolation. He alone of the original apostles left, having outlived each of his brothers in faith, having received the testimony of each one dying a martyr's death around the world. I'm confident that John had spent much time, many a day thinking about Jesus. He knew how Jesus appeared. He walked with Him, spent countless hours at His feet, listening to Him and talking with Him. He, certainly better than any of us, had a clear image of Jesus in his mind's eye. But, in Revelation 1, we see John give account about being surprised by the appearance of Jesus (10-17):
Let's take just a moment to take in the appearance of Jesus, as He really is. The first thing we need to know is that is how Jesus is today. Verse 19 says that Jesus commanded John to recorded the things that he has seen, the things that are, and the things that will be. The 'things that he has seen' are verses 1-18. This is the last, most current scriptural picture drawn of Jesus. He is no longer the infant, wrapped in swaddling cloths and reliant upon his mother for every need. But He is also no longer the long-haired, brown robe-wearing itinerant rabbi, with no pillow for which to lay His head. He is now wearing a white robe, girded with a golden band around His chest. His hear is white as wool His eyes burn like a flame of fire. His feet are like fine brass, refined in a furnace. His voice no longer is soft and calming, it rushes mightily like a multitude of waters. From His mouth comes only His word, which is a two-edged sword. He holds the seven stars, which verse 20 tells us, are the angels, or messengers, of the seven churches, and His appearance is like the sun shining in its strength!
Friends, this is an incredibly discomforting view of Jesus because we no longer can just picture him easily as the guy we'd sit next to at the ball game, or invite in for a cup of coffee. Now, here, Jesus looks altogether godly. And we are to make no mistake about it, this is how Jesus is today! This is what we need to understand about His appearance today:
1. He is Holy. From His countenance to His Hair robe to His feet, He radiates the holiness of God. There is no impurity to be found upon Him. There is the only bright, shining glory of God. In this presence of Jesus, there is no room for ungodliness, there is no room for sin, there is no room for anything that would stain or smudge the righteous purity of the Savior.
2. He is the Judging King. He bears the gold chest gird of royalty. There is no King above Him. He alone is Sovereign. He alone has authority. In the presence of Jesus as He truly is, there is no challenging His reign. He will judge all people, all nations, all of creation. It will be just, and it will be final, and it will be perfect.
3. He is the High Priest. He walks amongst the churches, represented by the seven lampstands. He holds the messengers in His right hand. He, even as we speak, is performing the responsibility of the Highest High Priest, which is tending to the churches. He is walking amidst the church - this church - at this very moment, evaluating it, judging it, and ministering to it.
This is how Jesus appears today, and look at the apostle John reacted. He fell at the Messiah's feet as though dead! This was a guy who probably had a lot figured out, and all he could do in the presence of Jesus as He truly is, is fall at His feet as though dead! He couldn't even stand in His presence. He couldn't face Him in His presence. He couldn't even function in His presence!
I'm worried that we have lost our awe of the Messiah. I'm afraid we've compromised our understanding of His holiness, His righteousness, His purity, His royalty, His perfection, at the expense of His friendliness, His comfort, and His tranquility. But God's word has recorded the truth that even one such as John who is a hero of faith, who was entrusted with recording testimony of His glory, couldn't even stand composed in the presence of Jesus as He is today. How much more so is that for us, now?
And though this is the true appearance of Jesus as He is today, He encourages John with this comforting assertion. He says:
Notice this: He doesn't tell John to relax. He doesn't tell John to lose His awe. He doesn't tell John to forget His true nature and appearance. Instead, He says, don't be afraid. Well, why not? Not because His judgment and holiness aren't fear-inducing. This statement to not be afraid wasn't just for this moment. It was for everything that was about to follow. John was about to be exposed to the full revelation that would take place to culminate the terminal human existence. He was about to see things He wouldn't comprehend. He would see things that would blow your mind, and that could only be communicated symbolically because they were so immense. But His statement to "not be afraid" was not permission to lose sense of the awe and wonder of Jesus as He truly is. In fact, it was just the opposite. Here, Jesus is making the assertion that John, one of the elect of Jesus Christ, should not be afraid because He (Jesus) was about to accomplish all John would witness because Jesus is the only one who was alive, died, but now is alive forevermore. Jesus alone, as the High Priest and Judging King, holds the keys to Hades and Death. And this assertion should comfort those who exist in the grace of God's Fatherhood, and should cause those who do not to tremble for their impending doom.
Remember verse 19 shows that Jesus tells John to write down that which was, that which is, and that which will be. The 'that which will be' is signified by the Greek term 'metatauta.' Interestingly, Chapter 4, verse 1 begins with the words "after these things, which is a translation of the Greek term "metatauta." So that tells us that chapter 4 is the beginning of "that which will be." Logically, then, we understand chapters 2 & 3 to be John's recording of "that which is."
In the interest of time tonight, we're not going to read chapters 2 & 3 together. But here's what you need to know about these two chapters, and hopefully, you will read further when you get home tonight. First, you need to understand that in these two chapters, Jesus makes assessments of seven churches. You need to understand that these churches were all real churches. But you also need to remember that Revelation is a very symbolic book, and, in Scripture, seven is a number that is representation of completion. In this regard, we discover that the seven letters accordingly, are a complete assessment of the church, historically. In fact, a strong argument can be made for the prophetic presentation of the history of the church because of the order of the churches listed, related to the assessments of each. Finally, there is also a personal application for each believer in each of the seven church's assessments.
So you have a local level of application, you have an admonitory level of application, you have a historical level of application, and you have a personal level of application. With each church, you find some interesting parallels. First, you find each church is named. Second, you find that Jesus has a distinct name for Himself that is related to His description in chapter 1 that is relevant to that church. Third, you find that Christ then gives the commendation of good works (except for the case of two), and then (fourth) he gives the criticism of bad works (except for two). Fifth, he offers an exhortation to the church. Sixth, he gives a promise to the overcomer, and Seventh, he provides a post-script.
What does all this mean? Several things. First, it means that Christ alone thoroughly judges the church. You find that every church has an incorrect perception of itself. Second, it means that He is assessing you, and He is assessing your church, even at this very moment. (Let he who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches). Third, it means that there is hope in overcoming what you are not doing wrong - the promise to the overcomer). Fourth, it means He takes seriously the work of judging that which belongs to Him.
This had better shape our perception of what we're doing here, tonight, and as we go. We must live in the reality that Jesus is assessing us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We must quit telling Jesus what we are going to do, and start asking Him to show us. We must look to our scriptural forebearers and recognize where we are personally & corporately in each of the seven churches. We'd all like to think that we are the church of Philadelphia, but the reality is, there is some of Thyatira, Pergamos, and Laodicea in each of us, and in each of our churches, as well. And Jesus, the Holy High King, will not let ungodliness go unjudged.
Before Jesus allows John to proceed into the events of chapter 4 and beyond, the end of the beginning, He tells John to record this advice and assurance, linked to the lukewarm church in Laodicea, but advice and an assurance to us as well (3:18-22):
He tells us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, to be clothed in His white garments, and to anoint our eyes with His salve. Simply stated He wants us to pursue His purity, live in righteousness, and seek Him with eyes of faith. He offers it to us as a gift of grace because He loves us. He urges us today to flee from the blindness, nakedness, and filth that has come to define carnal Christianity - corporately and personally.
And if we do this, we will overcome.
I don't know if we really appreciate what it means to overcome, because we are so inclined to use this verse of Rev. 3 as an evangelistic verse. But the reality is, this verse is for the church. Jesus recognizes the church is struggling, and it needs to overcome itself. And He says, the only way to overcome your self, believer, and to overcome yourself, church, is to quit looking at your self, and begin looking at Jesus as He truly is. And if you do this, you will overcome.
This is the assurance of Jesus. He stands at the door and knocks. He knocks on the door of your heart, believer. He knocks on the door of the corporate heart of your church. If you will answer the call, open the door now, He will come in and dine with you. He will again have fellowship with you. He will again bless you. He will again grow you. He will again use you. And you will sit with Him on His throne, as He does with His Father on His throne.
Let he who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches.
I close tonight by once again asking you to close your eyes and try to comprehend Jesus as He really is. With hair as pure white as wool. With eyes burning with fire. Wearing a pure white robe, girded about the chest with a band of pure gold. His feet are blazing like burnished bronze. His voice sounds like a tumult of waters, delivering the Sword of truth. And about His entire countenance is radiance. The radiance of God Himself.
Do you see Him as He truly is? This is the Jesus who speaks to you. This is the Jesus who is calling you to repent. This is the Jesus who is calling you to be renewed in your spirit. This is the Jesus who comes to assess you, but also to reward you. It is this Jesus to whom you respond as He calls you to follow Him.
A couple of years ago, we were in Denver for the holidays, at her folks' house. Kelli's brother and sister were there, along with their families. My sister-in-law Amy was looking through the photo albums, and came across a picture from our homecoming date together. Amy looked upon the photo and asked innocently, "who is that scrawny guy you went to homecoming with?"
Sitting right next to her, I could see the picture, and knew it was of our date. Sure, I had put on a few pounds since then (about 60), but scrawny? "That's me," I said.
She did a double take. "No, it isn't."
"Yes, it really is."
She sat in silence for a moment. And then said, quite profoundly, "wow."
There have been many times where I've been surprised at the appearance of a person not matching up to what I've expected or remembered. Many times, people I've spoken with on the telephone have completely surprised me when I've met them 'in real life.' A "Chris" I've talked with, and imagined to be a slim, tall blonde man, would turn out to be a short, stocky female, and Chris was short for "Christine."
Going to my ten-year reunion was a shocker. Men age less gracefully than women, at least in the first ten years following high school, I've determined. We were all fatter, balder, and altogether more unpleasant, whereas most of the women were thinner, prettier, and more refined. But half the fun of the reunion was being surprised at who looked nothing like they did just one short decade earlier.
Now, if we are so apt to incorrectly perceive other people based on what we hear, read, or know about them, how much more so are we to do the same in our perception of Jesus Christ? Let's take a moment just to explore this possibility.
Now, I'm going to ask you each to close your eyes. Don't be afraid, I'm not trying to trick you, and I'm not going to ask you to take part in anything new-age or psychic. Now, visualize the image of Jesus that is most common to you. Try to imagine His face with as much detail as possible. When you have the image of Jesus, just raise your hand. I'm not going to call on anyone, I just want to see when everyone has a mental picture of Jesus firmly drawn in their minds.
Now, compare your mental portrait of Jesus with the ones we have up here. Does what you see in your mind's eye look similar to what you see here?
Some think of him as the babe in the manger. They think of him as the infant that received the worship of the magi. There He is, wrapped in swaddling cloths, cooing softly in the night. This is a very comforting image of the Savior. Who wouldn't want to pick Him up, coddle Him, and cuddle Him? The problem is, we know that Jesus didn't stay an infant. He grew up, became a man, went to the cross. Perhaps some people like to keep this image of Jesus because He is so non-threatening in this form. It's very nice, very easy, very peaceful to have a god who can fit in a little wooden box and needs to be wrapped in blankets to keep warm. Probably most of us here would never admit to worshipping this manifestation of the Christ.
However, most of us would have little problem acknowledging that this image is the picture of Christ that comes to mind when we are called upon to imagine our Savior. This is the Christ we recognize. He is the man who walked on the shores of Galilee. He fed the masses. This is the Jesus who stripped to a loincloth. And this is the Jesus who went to the cross. And because He bears the illuminated glow, we have little problem imagining this as the resurrected Christ who made numerous appearances before being assumed up into heaven.
If this is your image of Jesus, you are in good company. This is a very common, very much-reproduced imagery of the Christ. And in many ways, it too, is a safe image that brings comfort and peace. But just for a moment, I want to tell you that I believe this image is just a bit dangerous, too. It's not dangerous because it's 'Americanized' Jesus. It's not even dangerous because it's pretty familiar to the well-known historically catholic representations of Jesus. It's dangerous because:
1. We don't know this is what Jesus looked like.
2. It's not based upon the Word of God.
3. Even if it is accurately portraying how He appeared while He looked, this doesn't adequately show how He looks today.
Now, the Bible says this about the appearance of Jesus:
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. (Is. 53:2)
When we have in accurate view of Jesus, it allows us to have an inaccurate sense of our relationship to Him. It allows us to inappropriately relate to Jesus. It allows us to live in an inaccurate manner, dishonoring Him in the process. And I believe the most dangerous aspect of all is that virtually every act of disobedience, every ungodly act of indulgence, every fleshly act of division becomes possible when we are comfortable with an inaccurate concept of the reality of Jesus Christ. Tonight, we will rely upon the Word of God to invade our incorrect perception of who Jesus is, that He may shine His light of truth upon us, so that we may walk in the light of that truth, for the glory of His name's sake.
If you turn to the book of Revelation, chapter one, we go to our final recorded instance of a moment of darkness in Scripture. In chapter one, we are reunited after a long absence, with John, the beloved apostle of Jesus. He has been exiled to the island of Patmos, to live out his remaining days in isolation. He alone of the original apostles left, having outlived each of his brothers in faith, having received the testimony of each one dying a martyr's death around the world. I'm confident that John had spent much time, many a day thinking about Jesus. He knew how Jesus appeared. He walked with Him, spent countless hours at His feet, listening to Him and talking with Him. He, certainly better than any of us, had a clear image of Jesus in his mind's eye. But, in Revelation 1, we see John give account about being surprised by the appearance of Jesus (10-17):
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,'' and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.'' Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
Let's take just a moment to take in the appearance of Jesus, as He really is. The first thing we need to know is that is how Jesus is today. Verse 19 says that Jesus commanded John to recorded the things that he has seen, the things that are, and the things that will be. The 'things that he has seen' are verses 1-18. This is the last, most current scriptural picture drawn of Jesus. He is no longer the infant, wrapped in swaddling cloths and reliant upon his mother for every need. But He is also no longer the long-haired, brown robe-wearing itinerant rabbi, with no pillow for which to lay His head. He is now wearing a white robe, girded with a golden band around His chest. His hear is white as wool His eyes burn like a flame of fire. His feet are like fine brass, refined in a furnace. His voice no longer is soft and calming, it rushes mightily like a multitude of waters. From His mouth comes only His word, which is a two-edged sword. He holds the seven stars, which verse 20 tells us, are the angels, or messengers, of the seven churches, and His appearance is like the sun shining in its strength!
Friends, this is an incredibly discomforting view of Jesus because we no longer can just picture him easily as the guy we'd sit next to at the ball game, or invite in for a cup of coffee. Now, here, Jesus looks altogether godly. And we are to make no mistake about it, this is how Jesus is today! This is what we need to understand about His appearance today:
1. He is Holy. From His countenance to His Hair robe to His feet, He radiates the holiness of God. There is no impurity to be found upon Him. There is the only bright, shining glory of God. In this presence of Jesus, there is no room for ungodliness, there is no room for sin, there is no room for anything that would stain or smudge the righteous purity of the Savior.
2. He is the Judging King. He bears the gold chest gird of royalty. There is no King above Him. He alone is Sovereign. He alone has authority. In the presence of Jesus as He truly is, there is no challenging His reign. He will judge all people, all nations, all of creation. It will be just, and it will be final, and it will be perfect.
3. He is the High Priest. He walks amongst the churches, represented by the seven lampstands. He holds the messengers in His right hand. He, even as we speak, is performing the responsibility of the Highest High Priest, which is tending to the churches. He is walking amidst the church - this church - at this very moment, evaluating it, judging it, and ministering to it.
This is how Jesus appears today, and look at the apostle John reacted. He fell at the Messiah's feet as though dead! This was a guy who probably had a lot figured out, and all he could do in the presence of Jesus as He truly is, is fall at His feet as though dead! He couldn't even stand in His presence. He couldn't face Him in His presence. He couldn't even function in His presence!
I'm worried that we have lost our awe of the Messiah. I'm afraid we've compromised our understanding of His holiness, His righteousness, His purity, His royalty, His perfection, at the expense of His friendliness, His comfort, and His tranquility. But God's word has recorded the truth that even one such as John who is a hero of faith, who was entrusted with recording testimony of His glory, couldn't even stand composed in the presence of Jesus as He is today. How much more so is that for us, now?
And though this is the true appearance of Jesus as He is today, He encourages John with this comforting assertion. He says:
Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Notice this: He doesn't tell John to relax. He doesn't tell John to lose His awe. He doesn't tell John to forget His true nature and appearance. Instead, He says, don't be afraid. Well, why not? Not because His judgment and holiness aren't fear-inducing. This statement to not be afraid wasn't just for this moment. It was for everything that was about to follow. John was about to be exposed to the full revelation that would take place to culminate the terminal human existence. He was about to see things He wouldn't comprehend. He would see things that would blow your mind, and that could only be communicated symbolically because they were so immense. But His statement to "not be afraid" was not permission to lose sense of the awe and wonder of Jesus as He truly is. In fact, it was just the opposite. Here, Jesus is making the assertion that John, one of the elect of Jesus Christ, should not be afraid because He (Jesus) was about to accomplish all John would witness because Jesus is the only one who was alive, died, but now is alive forevermore. Jesus alone, as the High Priest and Judging King, holds the keys to Hades and Death. And this assertion should comfort those who exist in the grace of God's Fatherhood, and should cause those who do not to tremble for their impending doom.
Remember verse 19 shows that Jesus tells John to write down that which was, that which is, and that which will be. The 'that which will be' is signified by the Greek term 'metatauta.' Interestingly, Chapter 4, verse 1 begins with the words "after these things, which is a translation of the Greek term "metatauta." So that tells us that chapter 4 is the beginning of "that which will be." Logically, then, we understand chapters 2 & 3 to be John's recording of "that which is."
In the interest of time tonight, we're not going to read chapters 2 & 3 together. But here's what you need to know about these two chapters, and hopefully, you will read further when you get home tonight. First, you need to understand that in these two chapters, Jesus makes assessments of seven churches. You need to understand that these churches were all real churches. But you also need to remember that Revelation is a very symbolic book, and, in Scripture, seven is a number that is representation of completion. In this regard, we discover that the seven letters accordingly, are a complete assessment of the church, historically. In fact, a strong argument can be made for the prophetic presentation of the history of the church because of the order of the churches listed, related to the assessments of each. Finally, there is also a personal application for each believer in each of the seven church's assessments.
So you have a local level of application, you have an admonitory level of application, you have a historical level of application, and you have a personal level of application. With each church, you find some interesting parallels. First, you find each church is named. Second, you find that Jesus has a distinct name for Himself that is related to His description in chapter 1 that is relevant to that church. Third, you find that Christ then gives the commendation of good works (except for the case of two), and then (fourth) he gives the criticism of bad works (except for two). Fifth, he offers an exhortation to the church. Sixth, he gives a promise to the overcomer, and Seventh, he provides a post-script.
What does all this mean? Several things. First, it means that Christ alone thoroughly judges the church. You find that every church has an incorrect perception of itself. Second, it means that He is assessing you, and He is assessing your church, even at this very moment. (Let he who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches). Third, it means that there is hope in overcoming what you are not doing wrong - the promise to the overcomer). Fourth, it means He takes seriously the work of judging that which belongs to Him.
This had better shape our perception of what we're doing here, tonight, and as we go. We must live in the reality that Jesus is assessing us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We must quit telling Jesus what we are going to do, and start asking Him to show us. We must look to our scriptural forebearers and recognize where we are personally & corporately in each of the seven churches. We'd all like to think that we are the church of Philadelphia, but the reality is, there is some of Thyatira, Pergamos, and Laodicea in each of us, and in each of our churches, as well. And Jesus, the Holy High King, will not let ungodliness go unjudged.
Before Jesus allows John to proceed into the events of chapter 4 and beyond, the end of the beginning, He tells John to record this advice and assurance, linked to the lukewarm church in Laodicea, but advice and an assurance to us as well (3:18-22):
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
He tells us to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, to be clothed in His white garments, and to anoint our eyes with His salve. Simply stated He wants us to pursue His purity, live in righteousness, and seek Him with eyes of faith. He offers it to us as a gift of grace because He loves us. He urges us today to flee from the blindness, nakedness, and filth that has come to define carnal Christianity - corporately and personally.
And if we do this, we will overcome.
I don't know if we really appreciate what it means to overcome, because we are so inclined to use this verse of Rev. 3 as an evangelistic verse. But the reality is, this verse is for the church. Jesus recognizes the church is struggling, and it needs to overcome itself. And He says, the only way to overcome your self, believer, and to overcome yourself, church, is to quit looking at your self, and begin looking at Jesus as He truly is. And if you do this, you will overcome.
This is the assurance of Jesus. He stands at the door and knocks. He knocks on the door of your heart, believer. He knocks on the door of the corporate heart of your church. If you will answer the call, open the door now, He will come in and dine with you. He will again have fellowship with you. He will again bless you. He will again grow you. He will again use you. And you will sit with Him on His throne, as He does with His Father on His throne.
Let he who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the churches.
I close tonight by once again asking you to close your eyes and try to comprehend Jesus as He really is. With hair as pure white as wool. With eyes burning with fire. Wearing a pure white robe, girded about the chest with a band of pure gold. His feet are blazing like burnished bronze. His voice sounds like a tumult of waters, delivering the Sword of truth. And about His entire countenance is radiance. The radiance of God Himself.
Do you see Him as He truly is? This is the Jesus who speaks to you. This is the Jesus who is calling you to repent. This is the Jesus who is calling you to be renewed in your spirit. This is the Jesus who comes to assess you, but also to reward you. It is this Jesus to whom you respond as He calls you to follow Him.
a sincere question or two
why are you a democrat (if indeed, you are)?
why aren't you a republican (which indeed, you should be, if in fact, you are not)?
why aren't you a republican (which indeed, you should be, if in fact, you are not)?
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