Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 22 September 2024
Where you Feast depends on Who you Know
Scripture References: Revelation 19:6-21, Revelation 20:1-15, Psalms 80:1-19
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseWe come to a section of Revelation that has caused immense debate and discussion and division (Rev 20:1-6). It is a striking fact because it immediately places a huge weight on six verses that deal with something mentioned nowhere else in the Bible, as well as throw out the consistent way we have handled Revelation so far (remember apocalyptic imagery?). As people get entranced and distracted by Revelation 20:1-6 and the question of ‘chiliasm’, they forget the clarity around this section: there will be a judgement day, and how are we preparing for that day? From another perspective, there are two feasts to which all humans are invited, and the key is how they deal with Jesus – will you be at the feast as an ‘eater’ or as the ‘eaten’?
Scripture References: Revelation 19:6-21, Revelation 20:1-15, Psalms 80:1-19
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
In Matthew 26:1-35, Matthew transitions us from Jesus’s final sermon on the Mount of Olives to the events leading up to his crucifixion. As he has done since being revealed as the Messiah (Matt 16:16-21), Jesus prepares his disciples for his crucifixion. He does this by teaching them that his crucifixion fulfills the covenant promises of God captured both in the Jewish scriptures and festivals instituted by God, especially the Passover. How different people respond to Jesus shows whether they truly understand who he is or the significance of his crucifixion.
I think many of us struggle in the face of Jesus’ teaching in this, his last sermon to his disciples. It is urgent, it is blunt, it is confronting… and there is immense comfort. In this last moment, he turns from metaphor and parable to clear statement—this is what it will be like on judgement day. And there are some very significant, and deep, theological truths revealed here (the identity of Jesus, the reality of judgement, the nature of Jesus’ relationship with his people, the foundation for judgement). But there is also immense comfort—the entry into the kingdom remains the forgiveness of sins by Jesus (Matthew 1:21); the practice of the kingdom is so simple and obvious (caring for those in the kingdom); and there will be a day of judgement!
The logic of Jesus’ last teaching time with His disciples is clear: the end is coming; no-one knows that day; be alert, working… and now, in two clear parables, He teaches what that looks like. In the parable of the virgins (vs.1-13), to be alert is to be prepared. And what does that look like? Well, I suspect it is to know Jesus and His words deeply, it is to know Jesus and His mob consistently, and I suspect it is to live Jesus and His truth daily. In the parable of the talents (vs.14-30), to be alert is to wholeheartedly work with everything God has given you, for Jesus. And what does that look like? Well, I suspect it is not pew-warming, but pew-working – it is not just wafting through life as one of Jesus’ disciples; it is to be actively using whatever gifts, resources, and faculties (and opportunities) for the sake of Jesus, and the proclamation of His good news.
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