As days pass into weeks, and those weeks now pass into months, many of us are trying to get acclimated to a “routine” that is far from routine. Maybe you too have felt this upending of life and, even though most of us at Mission Fellowship know that we are blessed beyond reason in comparison with much of the world, there is still a host of negative emotions that come with life under COVID-19 restrictions. I have had to admit to myself a series of sadness, frustration, anger, depression, anxiety, and the like, all the while recognizing how blessed my family is. The state of life right now is confusing both externally and internally. My hope with this series of blogs has been to give some thought to the fact that, even in confusion and chaos, we are firmly on solid ground with our hope in Jesus Christ.
In our first and second blogs on the topic of “last things,” I walked through seven key ideas we should keep in mind when thinking through eschatology. In part three of this series of blogs, I went into detail regarding Matthew 24, and how much of the “end” that was being discussed was actually a commentary on multiple events, including the downfall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. Towards the end of his discourse on “last things,” Christ did discuss his second coming, but with a lot less detail than many of us would like. Overall, however, Christ left the discourse with a clear application that regardless of what is occurring in the world, our focus in life should remain the same…”we are instructed to walk in obedience, serving Christ and one another, loving the church (the household the Master has given us charge over), proclaiming the gospel (to the four winds of our sphere of influence and throughout the world), and caring for those who need care (See Matthew 25:31-46)” And this should give us solid ground in a time of confusion.
But maybe you read all that detail, and maybe the seven summary statements were helpful to you, but you can’t help shake the lingering question, “Are the current events that seem so bleak a sign of the ‘end of days’?” Or maybe, more pressing is the question, “Where is God in the midst of all this heartache and brokenness?” To the first question, I can honestly and humbly say, no one knows for sure. Be careful of anyone who is leaning towards the idea that they do know for sure, or is overtly theorizing that any one current event points more to the “end of days” than any of the similar events of the past 2,000 years. What we do know for sure is that if it is the “end,” then it is only the end of a world ensnared in sin and brokenness. If this is the end of the current age, then we can be assured we will soon see Christ’s return to usher in the fullness of His Kingdom that is without end. This should be cause for rejoicing and give us great hope. But again, no one knows for sure, Christ intended it that way, and we will only know for sure when we see Christ’s physical return.
But that second question is the one I want to look at in today’s post. “Where is God in the midst of all this heartache and brokenness?” To do so, I want us to look at the first few chapters of the book of Revelation, and specifically, Christ’s message to the original audience, the seven mentioned churches of Asia Minor.
The book of Revelation is named so because it is the “revealing” of Jesus Christ to the early church. The word “Revelation” comes from the greek word ἀποκάλυψις or Apokalypsis, which is where we get the word Apocalypse in English, which often means the end, or destruction, of the world. But that is not at all what the book of Revelation is about. It is about revealing Christ in the midst of a world that was completely turned upside down. Let me explain by way of establishing the context of the book.
The Context Of The Book Of Revelation
There is not a complete consensus on when the book was written, but the range is from somewhere directly prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, all the way to 96 AD. In any case, the circumstances in which the fledgling Christian church found itself were (1) Roman oppression, including martyrdom of saints (2) The original disciples were beginning to die, leaving a leadership chasm in the church, and insecurity about the future and (3) either the impending, or recently occurring destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. This greatly increased the schism between what was known as the “Christian sect” of Judaism and their Jewish heritage. Pax Romana, or the peace and security of Rome, was rolling out across the empire, which meant that many were turning to the ever increasing Roman Empire for their religious worship. This, in turn, caused greater negative sentiment against Christians. Rather than Christ’s kingdom enlarging in the forefront, many saw only Caesar’s kingdom expanding. Wars were increasing across the borders of the empire. Then, depending on when Revelation was penned, a second huge fire had engulfed Rome in 80 AD, and Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, destroying Pompeii and the surrounding areas. 81 AD brought an epidemic, killing many in the empire. Christians were dying from plague, martyrdom on crosses, and in gladiatorial stadiums, and it seemed as though the enemies of Jesus were growing in power.
In one way, this would not have been such a huge shock to Christians, except for the fact that they were following a risen Savior, a conquering King, and one who was imminently returning for them. For many evangelicals in 2020 who have been taught certain strains of theology, this may not make sense. Many might think, “Of course it is the case that bad things are happening, Jesus will not come into His kingdom until He physically returns.” But that is where many do not understand the historically orthodox position of Christ’s Kingdom. For the majority of the last 2,000 years, the orthodox position of the church is that Christ has come into His inaugurated Kingdom, is ruling over His people the church, and will come again to put it fully in place over all the earth directly after the final resurrection and judgment. The part about Christ currently and actively reigning over His kingdom was the part that was hard for the first century Christians to grasp. It was as if there was a collective question: “If Jesus is ruling and reigning as the conquering King, why is all this happening? Where is He?” Revelation was written, in large part, to give an answer to these questions. Revelation teaches the truth that…
Jesus Is On The Throne, Even If It Doesn’t Seem Like It
The book of Revelation can largely be thought of as a commentary, through a New Covenant lens, on the prophecies of Daniel. The book of Daniel outlines a number of different sequences of increasingly more powerful kingdoms that will overtake the known world at the time. These are discussed in symbolic dreams regarding a statue (Dan. 2), a tree (Dan. 4), events discussed by handwriting that comes from a divine hand (Dan. 5), mysterious beasts (Dan. 7), a ram and goat (Dan. 8), and then in more explicit terms of kings and armies in the remainder of the book. In chapter 7, there is a discussion from 7:9-28, of a kingdom that comes after what is largely agreed upon as what symbolically stands for a Roman Empire that has become somewhat brittle. ‘This last kingdom will have dominion over all earthly kingdoms and peoples, and shall never be destroyed.
““I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13–14)
What the gospels present, even as we are looking at Mark on Sunday mornings, is that this enthronement occurred as the outcome of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. His reign over His citizens was established in the pouring out of His Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, at the beginning of the book of Acts. This present enthronement is what Peter declared to the Jews that cut them to the heart and called them to repentance: “Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.” (Acts 2:30–31) This present enthronement is what Stephen proclaims in Acts 7:56 that gets him stoned: “And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”” (Acts 7:56). This present enthronement is what the author of Hebrews was referring to in His spiritual language: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22–24)
And so, in the first chapter of Revelation, if you compare it with the language in chapter 7 of Daniel, you will see that the author of Revelation, largely agreed to be John the apostle, is using language to reinforce for the seven churches of Asia Minor that Jesus is indeed on the throne, ruling over His Kingdom, because He is indeed God Himself, the Ancient of Days, the Almighty, the First and the Last. Notice the present enthronement language: “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:4–5)
But then also notice the present state of his people: “and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6). Compare this to the language of Daniel 7:27: “And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’”
John is trying to assure the early Christians that even though it doesn’t seem like it on earth, Christ is indeed enthroned in His heavenly abode. And even though it may not seem like it now, He will return at some point to settle all accounts, resurrect the dead, judge all mankind, and put an end to all sin and evil. His death, resurrection, and ascension, witnessed by hundreds of disciples is proof that this is truth. This being the case, John wrote the next few chapters to give encouragement to the churches until that should occur. He has two main points…
During This Age, You Will Still Endure Hardship
Right from the beginning of the book, John told the early disciples to not be shocked that bad things will continue happening until the very end. Let’s look the collection of things that Christians then, and now, will have to fight against: Apostasy and false teaching (Rev. 2:1-3, 6, 14-15; 3:9), a tendency to fall away from Christ (Rev. 2:4-5), false believers causing havoc in the church (Rev. 2:9), imprisonment and martyrdom (Rev. 2:10, 13), toleration in the church of false prophecy, idolatry and sexual immorality (Rev. 2:14-16, 19-23), false religiosity that is dead in true faith (Rev. 3:1-3), trials in the midst of the whole world (Rev. 3:10), and prosperity that leads to a uselessness and spiritual arrogance (Rev. 3:15-18).
The Christian Church has long realized that while we must read these statements in the context intended to the original recipients, they are intended to be passed down through the rest of Christian history to encourage and convict Christians through the remainder of the current age, until Christ returns to establish the fullness of His ongoing Kingdom. John’s point was that we should not be shaken when these things are taking place because they are hardships that the church has dealt with before and we will deal with again. They should not cause us to doubt that Christ is enthroned at the right hand of the Father.
The remainder of the book of Revelation acts as an unfolding of how the fullness of Christ’s kingdom will come about over the course of the rest of this age. John uses a repetitive cycle of of various “apocalyptic” events that would cycle throughout kingdoms, primarily focusing on the Roman Empire of his contemporary era as the symbolic beast that would fight against the saints of God. The principles explained regarding that beast can then be applied across earthly kingdoms that wage war against Christ and His dominion until the events of Revelation 20:7 through the end of the book take place. This hope of the resurrection, renewed heaven and earth, and consummation of the relationship between Christ and His Church were given so that we can look towards the eventual fullness of Christ’s Kingdom that will indeed come. Until then, we will endure hardship, even with Christ on the throne. And this view of the church during this current age meant that John wanted to call Christians to one thing…faithful endurance in the midst of hardship.
In The Midst Of Hardship, We Are Called To Endurance In Christ
Having painted the picture of Christ, seated on the throne in authority, and then stating clearly what the original recipients of the letter were fighting against, John then gives a call to endurance in faithfulness to the seven churches. Let’s look at some of these encouragements and see how they should still apply to us today.
To the Church in Ephesus: “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary…To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’” (Revelation 2:3, 7)
To the Church in Smyrna: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life…The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’” (Revelation 2:10a, 11)
To the Church in Pergamum: “ [Y]ou hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells…To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’” (Revelation 2:13b, 17)
To the Church in Thyatira: “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first…Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.” (Revelation 2:19, 25–27)
To the Church in Sardis: “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:3–5)
To the Church in Philadelphia: “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” (Revelation 3:8, 11–12)
To the Church at Laodicea: “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)
Read through chapters two and three on your own and look again at these highlights. You will quickly see the repetitive call to endurance in the midst of hardship, faithfulness to Christ and His Word, repentance from sin in the midst of the body, and assurance for those that are Christ’s that they will one day conquer in fullness with Christ at His second coming. In the midst of all of it, Christ calls us to endure in faithfulness, regardless of the circumstances.
We will indeed see hardship and heartache, like generations of faithful saints before us. But in the midst of that, we can be assured that Christ is indeed on the throne, He is sovereign, and in the midst of what Satan means for evil, He will take and turn for good in some way that is beyond our comprehension. Knowing this, and being assured of His coming, He calls us to endurance in the midst of hardship, knowing that we are, and will be, more than conquerors in Christ. Consistent, faithful proclamation of these truths in the way we live life, and in the reason we give for the hope within us, will proclaim to the world that Jesus is risen, enthroned, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Regardless of if that return is in the immediate future, or generations from now, these truths should be at the forefront of our faith.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)