Revelation 1 part B Q&A
Here are some brief answers to our questions from our Sunday evening service. If you would like to discuss more, please call me or email at bruces@stphils.org.au.
Some answers will just be a very brief reiteration of the answers given on Sunday.
1. What is your best trumpet demonstration?
Stay tuned - I believe the best is yet to come...
2. Chp 22:11 “let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong”, is there a point as Christians we let nonbelievers continue in their sin and stop trying?
This is a reminder that all people sin and will continue to sin. We should never give up drawing people to God - his Holy Spirit is the only one who can make that deep change in our lives to desire to stop sinning, even though we cannot ACTUALLY stop sinning. So we don't try and stop people from sinning. We show them God's way, we show them Jesus, so that they might turn to him and be saved from the consequences of their sin.
3. As Christians in Australia should we be concerned that we don’t experience that much suffering - compared with others around the world today or in history?
Many suffer. High teen suicide rates, high homelessness, even for children, increasing poverty and gambling and drug addiction take a huge toll on our society, manifesting in family violence and poverty, and much more. So yes, if you are not suffering, please remember that many are. If you are not, be very thankful, as we do live in one of the richest places in the world and one of the richest times in history. The sadness around us reminds us that worldly wealth does not bring freedom from suffering. Only Jesus brings lasting freedom and hope. If you are doing well, please look for ways to help those around you who are not doing well.
4. Why is Andrew so funny
A question that I hope may be answered over the time to come!
5. How do you avoid letting a good thing become an idol in your life when it's not reasonable to cut it out of your life?
The example given on Sunday was "food"! A great example. We need it to survive but it can become an idol. Either with high-end taste or an inability to stop when we need to. Hints for putting it, or other things that may overtake us, in their right place? Give thanks to God, the creator, for it. Pray for God's help to not let that thing become a master over you. Remember that Jesus is Lord over all and keep the focus on him. The best way to not let something become too much of a focus in your life is to redirect your focus to the correct place.
6. 1) At what point do theological writings become “adding to the scroll”? 2) How authoritative is this command, given this letter is ‘apocalyptic’ literature?
1) Some say this is talking about the whole Bible. POthers say that it is referring to the book of Revelation itself. I believe the latter has a lot of merit. So as we read Revelation and consider the end times, do not add to it. When Christians, preachers, leaders or others add their own things to the end times, that is "adding to the scroll". For example, when someone says, or writes, "Jesus will return in 47 years", that is adding to the scroll. Anytime we make assertions or claim to speak the truth about these things without deferring to the Bible, we "add to the scroll".
2) Revelation is Scripture and is therefore the inspired Word of God and holds his authority. So we should take it very seriously!
7. Why such a strange description of Jesus? (Eyes like blazing fire, a sword coming out of his mouth etc)?
These are symbolic references used throughout the Bible. For example, the sword:
Hebrews 4:12
12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Ephesians 6:17
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The sword is the word of God - it is the Word of Jesus - the Scriptures. See also John 1:1
John 1:1,14
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Eyes, mouth, white hair, etc, are all images used throughout the Bible - such as in Daniel's visions - and they provide us with a framework of reference. That is, this is the same one! Jesus is the one who appeared to Daniel. He is God. The image of the all-powerful judge is consistent through Scripture. You can see other references throughout the Bible, but Daniel is the clearest comparison to Revelation.
8. In what way can we flee from our worship of things that are not Jesus?
The best way to flee from something is to run towards something else! Run to Jesus. In prayer, in his Word, in fellowship with other Christians. Often, it is difficult to move our focus if we keep focussing on the thing that is the problem. Where are you spending your energy and time? Move that time to Jesus. For example, if you're on your phone too much, exchange that time for a chat with a Christian friend or some time to read the Bible, or pray. Or find a way to serve someone. If work is an idol, write yourself a timetable - timetable in time with God first. Make him the focus and priority.
9. How can we be more passionate for Jesus? What are some examples you have to grow in it?
Our passion for God is not from human drive. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7:21-25
21So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
This is a classic statement of the need for God to work to change our hearts. Therefore, prayer is actually number one. It sounds like the same old boring answer, but it works. Pray and pray regularly. Ask God to make a claim in your heart to be devoted to him.
After that, for myself, I keep in contact with non-believing friends wherever I can and remind myself of their need for Jesus. I find ways to connect with them on social media or in other ways to remember God's heart for the lost. And finally, hang around people who are passionate for Jesus! By the work of His Spirit, that passion is contagious!
10. Could you give a practical example to bring glory to Jesus this week in an everyday way?
We glorify God when we honour him, when we praise him, and when we listen to him.
First example: This week, for the whole week, before you get out of bed in the morning, say a short prayer of thanks. Do the same when you go to bed. That brings glory to Jesus. It places him at the front of your mind as your day starts.
Second example: (next level!) Is there a way you can let others know that you are a Christian? It gives Jesus glory when you promote his name. Maybe it's talking about what you do on Sundays, or bringing Jesus into a conversation.
Third example: help someone. Show the love of Jesus in a loving and sacrificial way so that others might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
11. Verse 1:18 is about ‘perseverance, as hinted in the study guide. Many Christians do it cognitively and neglect their feelings. Does it look like we're brainwashed?
The perseverance we can gain from this verse is by remembering a central truth of our faith - Jesus died and IS alive. Today. For Christians then, facing persecution, which often would lead to death, they were being reminded that Jesus has conquered death and that they do not need to fear death. This is a huge truth that gives us confidence in difficult times. Even when you are feeling awful depressed, losing hope, or just feeling alone... knowing that Jesus has died and IS alive is an amazing comfort. The risen Jesus is giving this message of Revelation to John. We follow a living Saviour, not a dead prophet. That is amazing news!
Q and A is from 1:22:18