Book eaten by John
Key Verses: 4, 7, 9,
Why would God not tell us everything?
I have the feeling that we couldn't handle knowing more than He has revealed.
John is told NOT to write down what he heard. This is in contrast to his
previous job of recording what he sees and hears. These thundering voices said
something, and John had to live with the knowledge of what they said. He was
the only one on earth who knew. This can be a lonely spot.
Something very special, unique in
fact, is about to happen. What God has promised is going to come to completion.
No more waiting. Since the Beginning, God promised that the sin problem would
be solved and now the fullness of that solution will be known.
We know the mystery is about our
redemption. Sin marred creation, and creation is going to be cleaned up, all
traces of sin and its consequences will be removed. Jesus made this possible
when He died as our substitute. Sinless for sinful. Righteous for wicked.
Innocent for guilty. His death makes it possible for us to again become
intimate with God.
It will sound like good news, but it
will end up making us sick. I think this is because those who don't respond to
the message end up in judgment. The free gift is rejected and the loss is
great. This would sadden anyone who has received forgiveness for themselves.
The message is such good news, that rejection of the message doesn't make
sense.
I don't know if you have ever been to
a Time Share sales event. Many years ago my wife and I went for a four hour
presentation and got some free luggage. The luggage has long since become a
permanent part of our landfill infrastructure. In the presentation they were
selling us something that seemed too good to pass up, but we did. It was free vacations
for the rest of our lives (insert the small print here). That's right, there
was a catch.
With salvation there is no catch,
only good news. So why would someone reject good news without a catch?
Accepting the good news requires us to accept the bad news as well, the news
that we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves. And all too often pride gets
in the way of admitting that truth.
John has the task of delivering that
message to the nations of the world. It is great news, but news that will be rejected.
Such a shame. Jesus died for them, but they will reject that free gift, and
hold onto their guilt and shame. No wonder it makes John's stomach sour.
We all know people who need
forgiveness, and yet when forgiveness is offered, they reject it. It saddens
our hearts, and God's heart. Our job is to share the love of God, even though
some will reject it resulting in their condemnation on judgment day. We must
lovingly share, even though it will put us in the cultural cross-hairs. We must
share.