Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 25 August 2024
Being a Faithful Witness
Scripture References: Revelation 8:1-13, Revelation 9:1-21, Revelation 10:1-11, Revelation 11:1-19
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseThe next set of seven unfolds before John. The sealed scroll is now fully opened. The prayers of God’s people are heard. And now, reflecting the judgement of God on Egypt in Exodus, God now judges the idols of the world. As God does, He reveals their powerlessness in the face of His power, He reveals their damage in the face of His care, and He calls people to return to Him. God also reveals, in the interlude, the place of His people in all this. His people are to proclaim and prophecy. His people are kept safe, spiritually. His people will triumph, in exactly the same way Jesus did. As all things come to an end, we must recognise that what takes place here is both future-focused, but with wisdom and clarity for God’s mob now. We must call the world to turn from giving devotion to anything but God; and, as we do, we must know that the world will lash out but we are safe.
Scripture References: Revelation 8:1-13, Revelation 9:1-21, Revelation 10:1-11, Revelation 11:1-19
Related Topics: Revelation | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
John Chapman
Revelation 1:1
John Chapman
Revelation 11:1
John Chapman
Revelation 17:1
John Chapman
Revelation 19:1
The psalms were written across the history of God’s people. But they were composed as God’s people returned from the Exile. And Psalm 107 poses this question: what were the words on their lips? At the heart of their time under judgement was their coming to know two truths: only the LORD rescues because only the LORD transforms. And this meant that they could return with thanks on their lips and in their hearts – because of the LORD’s work. Jesus himself knew this truth, lived this truth, sang this psalm. And this means we can, too. And so, what words are on your lips today?
On first reading, it seems fair to ask why Lamentations 4? It’s a fair question to ask because, for the most part, the poet simply rehashes chapters 1-3. But upon further meditation on the poem, one comes to appreciate its value for God’s people in helping them process and respond rightly to his judgement in repentance and faith. In his judgment against Judah, God is not only reversing their fortunes but also restoring their hope in Him alone.
‘I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath’ (Lam.3:1). In the third poem of lament, we hear from the poet himself – and his description is striking. He is a man. He is obviously in the middle of this tragedy. He has experienced it personally, and yet he also seems to speak representatively. Who is this man? I think it is most likely Jeremiah – the prophet who had laboured for 40 years calling God’s people back. And he did experience all this personally (just compare Jeremiah 38 with Lam.3:52-57) – and so, he can also speak representatively. As he experiences the immense dissonance of, for example, the ‘rod’ of God that guides him safely (remember Ps.23:4) through the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ which now brings affliction, where does he turn? What does he consider? Jeremiah turns to the bedrock theological truths of the LORD – and so, he waits patiently on Him, and trusts that His ‘faithful love’ will bring deliverance.
13 Dewhurst St, Narrabri NSW 2390
Ph: (02) 6792 2151
Email: Click Here
8:30am & 10:30am each Sunday
9:00am each Sunday in January
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in