HIDDEN WORKERS

 

HIDDEN WORKERS John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true. — John 10:41 You may be very discontented with yourself. Maybe you think you’re no genius, have no brilliant gifts, nor any special ministry. Mediocrity seems to be the law of your existence. Your days are remarkably the same, day in and day out. Yet you may live a great life in the midst of all that! John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there was no one greater than John. John’s main business was to bear witness to the Light, and we can do the same. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ. Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says, “The dawn! the dawn!” and then dies away. Do the small, everyday things as if God Himself were watching; because He is! If you must live with uncongenial people, determine to love them anyway. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it cloud your future; God will help you turn your weakness into strength and sweetness. We are doing more good than we know: sowing seeds, starting streamlets, giving people true thoughts of Christ. One day they will tell you it was those very things you said or did, that got them seriously thinking about Jesus.   As for me, I shall be satisfied if no great monument is raised over my grave, if people will say, “He was a good man; he spoke words about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself.” —George Matheson God calls many of His most valued workers from the unknown multitude. Luke 14:23

 

THE FIFTH TRUMPET

 

THE FIFTH TRUMPET Continuing a study of Revelation REVELATION 9.1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 9.2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a great burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 9.3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 9.4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 9.5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 9.6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 9.7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 9.8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9.9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 9.10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 9.11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon” (or destruction), but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”, which means “Destroyer”. 9.12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.  -WEB Bible. John describes something that was difficult for ancient illustrators to imagine. The top illustration (above) is from 1320 A.D. and the artist tried his best to imagine the vision. But we know more than that artist did. John seems to describe modern airplanes and air warfare in his vision. And the torment caused by the locusts might be chemical warfare. The hair could be exhaust from warplanes, streaming across the sky. Even 100 years ago it would have been hard for the readers of Revelation to understand. It wasn't until World War II that fighter planes were used extensively in warfare. (We did use some fighter planes in World War I, but planes were still very new.) Or, St. John may have seen drones in flight. Armed drones are being used extensively in the current war in the Middle East, as well as Ukraine. The star that falls from heaven is Lucifer, the rebellious angel (Satan) who is also depicted as the great dragon in Revelation. This event is described in a later chapter of Revelation. The 5th Trumpet is the “first Woe” predicted by the Eagle in last week’s lesson. The study of Revelation will continue on Thursdays. IMAGE CREDIT: The ancient manuscript illustration is from the Welles Apocalypse, by English artist Peter of Peckham, circa 1320 A.D, depicting his interpretation of the locusts.  The photo beneath it shows the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy, public domain image.

 

TRUTH ESTABLISHED

 

TRUTH ESTABLISHED Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:19 Truth endures. Though time may test it, truth withstands the trial. If I have spoken the truth and must suffer for it at present, I must be content to wait. If I believe the truth of God and endeavor to share it, I may face much opposition: but I need not fear, for in the end, the truth will prevail. How fleeting is the temporary triumph of falsehood! “A lying tongue is but for a moment!” It is like a plant that springs up overnight and withers just as quickly; the more it grows, the more obvious its decay becomes. On the other hand, how noble is defense of THE TRUTH: the Holy Word which never changes—the everlasting Gospel, grounded in the unchanging Truth of our Holy God who does not change, cannot change and has no need to change! Dearest friends, be sure that you are always on the side of God's Truth, both in small matters and in great ones, but especially on the side of Him through whom grace and truth have come to humanity! Mankind fusses and frets over many things but those who focus on Christ will have peace that rises above the affairs of this world. Do not neglect reading the Word of God because it was given to us for this purpose: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 By Charles H. Spurgeon, updated.

 

THE MOST DANGEROUS ILLUSION

 

THE MOST DANGEROUS ILLUSION What is the most dangerous illusion? Those who believe they cannot be wrong. Social Media, source unknown. An unteachable spirit is a great tragedy, especially when it comes to matters of faith; because we can't possibly have clear discernment without the ability to listen carefully. Careful listening requires us to slow down, stop our own thoughts and focus on what others are saying. This is true whether we're listening to people, or listening to God. The conspiracy groups are the most unteachable people I have encountered. That includes the far left as well as the far right: their stubbornness is exactly the same. People are listening to extreme interpretations of what's happening in our world, and they seem to love those extreme interpretations. They love the self-righteous anger, the hate, the intense emotions that those conspiracy gurus stir up. Never mind that what they're saying is not quite true, or an outright lie: it just feels good to hear the bitterness that flows from such sources. Perhaps this is because people are feeling angry and fearful, and the conspiracy theorists give them hope that something is being done. When in fact, NOTHING productive comes from any of that chatter. What it does is drive a deeper wedge between people, including families and friends, as well as citizens. Unfortunately, our major news outlets aren't any better than the off-road conspiracy websites. They're making things up and inventing their own "truth" also. Satan (the great Liar) is obviously taking an active part in all of these things.  People are being hardened until they lose the ability to be reasonable, temperate... or even considerate. For them, everything exists in black-or-white, for-or-against, good-or-evil, us-or-them. But Jesus didn't divide people like that. He didn't regard ANYONE as disposable or deplorable. He came to save everyone. Each one. Anyone. He came to reconcile people to God, to soften hearts, teach humility and show us the better Way to live. Jesus is the only hope we have in this world, because ANY other path is loaded with bitterness that leads to despair. Pride makes people stubborn and unreasonable. The humility that Jesus teaches enables us to learn moderation, patience and gentleness. Humility makes it possible for us to hear.

 

EPHESIANS 2:1-8

 

EPHESIANS 2:1-8 1 It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. 2 You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. 3 We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. 4 Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, 5 he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! 6 Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. 7 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. 8 Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! From THE MESSAGE version of the Bible, by Eugene H. Peterson