pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: horror


by Leave a comment

Endure and Remain Faithful

Reading: Revelation 12-14

Revelation 12:12 – “But oh! The horror for the earth and sea! The devil has come down to you with great rage, for he knows that he only has a short time.”

Photo credit: Micah Tindell

In today’s chapters the story of God’s people is retold – this time from a cosmic perspective. It begins with a woman giving birth to a son. Her crown has 12 stars (tribes of Israel) and her child is saved from the dragon (evil), snatched up (resurrected) into heaven. A battle is waged in heaven. Michael and his angels defeat Satan and his angels, who are thrown down to earth. In 12:12 we read, “But oh! The horror for the earth and sea! The devil has come down to you with great rage, for he knows that he only has a short time.” Woe to the earth. Woe to us.

Satan chases the woman but cannot catch her. So Satan makes war on her children (the church.) Next a beast emerged from the sea. It is a parody of the Lamb. The head that was slain is healed, awing the whole earth, drawing followers. The beast then makes war on and defeats the saints. Verse 10 speaks into John’s readers’ present reality of arrest and martyrdom, calling on them to remain faithful and to endure.

A second beast emerged from the land. It deceives many and forces them to worship the first beast. People are made to wear the number of the beast. Without this they cannot buy or sell. This beast is a parody of the Spirit. The Lamb then appears in heaven with the 144,000. They are pure and blameless. A series of angels comes next. They announce the “eternal good news” and the downfall of Babylon (evil.) The earth is harvested – first the righteous and then those who end up in “the great winepress of God’s anger.” The end is drawing near.

Prayer: Lord God, as the story unfolds from the heavenly perspective, the choice to live for you or for the world becomes clear. Evil continues to tell lies in attempts to deceive and draw us away from you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help us to endure and to remain faithful. Amen.


by Leave a comment

What Days They Will Be

Reading: Revelation 8:6-11:19

Revelation 11:18 – “The time came to reward your servants, the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, both great and small, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Much of our reading today tells of the destruction that follows six trumpet blasts. With the first three blasts, hail/fire, a fiery mountain, and a blazing star fall from heaven. One-third of the earth is burned, one-third of the sea turns to blood, and one-third of the rivers turn to wormwood. The fourth blast darkens one-third of the sun, the moon, and the stars. An eagle flies over and decries, “Horror! Horror!” concerning the next trumpet blasts. The fifth opens the abyss and locusts terrorize the earth’s people, making them suffer for five months. Those with the seal of God on their foreheads are spared. The sixth blast releases the four angels and God’s army, two million strong. Another third of the earth’s population is killed. Yet the people refuse to change hearts and lives.

A powerful angel then comes to earth and announces that the time is up. The angel gives John the scroll, which he eats. He will prophesy using the words on the scroll. He then measures the temple, altar, and worshippers. Next, two powerful prophets appear. Armed with great power, they witness to God for 1,260 days. A beast then arises from the abyss and kills the two prophets. The people of the earth rejoice over the dead bodies for three and a half days – until God breathes life into them and takes them up into heaven. The people give glory to God.

The seventh trumpet blasts and it is announced: the kingdom of the world is becoming the kingdom of the Lord. The 24 elders worship, declaring, “The time came to reward your servants, the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, both great and small, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” The temple in heaven opens and the chest of the covenant is revealed. What a day this will be!

Prayer: Lord God, as I read demonstration after demonstration of your power, I am amazed at how stubborn and hard-hearted we human beings can be. Signs and wonders, detestation and death – nothing can move hearts and change lives. O Lord, move our hearts and lives with the simplest of acts, attuning us to your presence in our lives. Amen.


by 3 Comments

God at Work

Reading: Esther 9: 20-22

Verse 22: “Mordecai wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving of presents of food”.

Our passage today begins with Mordecai recording the recent events and sending this out in a letter to “all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerses, near and far”. Mordecai is writing to all the Jews for two purposes. In Esther 3 an edict had been sent out to all the provinces that on the 13th day of the month of Adar, all the Jews were to be killed. Imagine the horror and fear that must have swept through the Jewish communities spread “near and far”. The date would have felt like a ticking bomb. So the first purpose of Mordecai’s letter was to let the Jews know that they had been spared.

As important as this information was, the bigger purpose of the letter was to tell the story of how God had acted to save His people. Yes, being spared is super important, but the “how” is much more important. The letter must have detailed Mordecai’s faith and trust in God to act. It must have spoken of Esther’s course and trust in God. In both cases, it speaks of people willing to step up and stand up for God and for their faith. Thus, it encourages to do the same should necessity or opportunity arise. The letter also tells, more importantly, of how God was faithful too – guiding and orchestrating the events to rescue His chosen people from sure death. The letter ultimately reminds the Jews of God’s love and care.

In his letter, Mordecai declares the 14th and 15th days of Adar to be “days of feasting and joy and giving of presents of food” as the people celebrate God at work. These are the days immediately after the former date of their destruction. Mordecai directs the people to give gifts of food not only to each other but also to the poor. Just as God had cared for His people in a time of need, so too will they care for those in need among them. This act is also one more way to tell the story of God’s saving hand.

This story reminds us of times when God has been at work in our lives. These times are part of our story of faith. Like Mordecai, may we also share the story.

Lord, I recognize and give thanks for the many times that you have guided and cared for and even rescued me. May I use each opportunity today to tell the story of your love and care and faithfulness. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Holy Marriage

Reading: Psalm 45: 1-2 & 6-9

Verse 7: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy”.

Wedding, baptism, or funeral? Based on the conversations that I have had with fellow clergy, a wedding would be their last choice. A baptism could involve a crying, unhappy baby when those waters run down their faces. A funeral could have some tension if the families do not get along, but that usually does not spill over into the celebration of life service itself. But a wedding… Oh the wedding horror stories. You have perhaps heard some. Maybe you’ve been a part of one yourself.

Myself, I like officiating weddings. Perhaps that will change. I’ve been blessed by all of the weddings that I have done. Meetings with the couples have been both fun and fruitful. There has not been a crazy mother of the bride or groom. No bride-zillas. The worst thing that has happened at a wedding was the three-year-old ring bearer who refused to walk down the aisle. (He did not have the rings though). Perhaps I am due for a doozy.

In today’s Psalm, a wedding is the focus. It sounds like a wonderful wedding – almost ideal. In this wedding, God is present and central to the event. The wedding covenant that Christians hold to understands that God is part of the covenant being made. The essence of a Christian marriage is captured well in verse 7: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy”. The couple promises to love no matter what, practicing righteous love in their marriage. The vow is one if exclusivity – setting aside all other companions, the spouse becomes the center of the others love and care. God anoints the new union with the oil of joy. What joy is experienced in the love consummated in Christian marriage!

Father God, today is a day when many will celebrate a wedding. God, please pour out your anointing oil of joy on all who join in holy marriage today. Bless them this day and forever more. Amen.