Journal Rev 19 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Then I fell down at his feet to worship hem, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.”
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev 19:9-10
Observation: An oft quoted pair of verses. Why?
Analysis: As I get into the end of Revelation, the picture gets brighter.
Good guys vanquish the bad guys, and the bad guys are consigned to hell. It is where Christians assert, “Jesus wins in the end!”, and Christians take solace in that. No matter who is in the White House, what political party is in power, Jesus Wins!
Of course, that was asserted from Genesis, and didn’t need Revelation for that particular fact. But God gave Revelation just the same and encouraged reading it for edification and encouragement—and I imagine, to break it down so that God’s purposes are further revealed.
Both Paul and Peter recognized that God’s purpose was to create for Himself a people for his own possession:
“…who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession…” Titus 2:14
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession…” 1 Pet 2:9
This is his purpose and for a reason: 1) a people zealous for good works (Titus 2:14b), and; 2) that they may proclaim the excellencies of Him (1 Pet 2:9b)
Therefore, I can feel good about being “invited” to dinner with Jesus. Not only invited but chosen to be there (see previous chapter Rev 13:8). Can I have confidence in that? The angel says these are the true words of God.
What about the testimony of Jesus being the spirit of prophecy? For those prophetically inclined, think about it: the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 12-14; also c. Acts 9, 11, 21 and a guy named Agabus) is given because of the Church and the Gospel as part of the toolbox called the gifts of the Spirit.
I just finished a Sunday session with my wife beginning a study of “Bible Doctrine” by Wayne Grudem. We are on Chapter 1 “Why study Systematic Theology?” As I have gone through this year and are now in Revelation, I see better how the whole Bible is woven together, not haphazardly but systematically. There is rhyme and reason found.
Today’s post seems a stretch of context even to me, but somehow it works.
Prayer: Father, thank you for “juicing” me this morning. I am excited about your Word.
Keep it bubbling inside of me, O God.
Bring revival, AMEN.