Revelation 19 - Waiting on God
Waiting is part of the human condition. Our moms had to wait for us to be born (and some are still waiting for us to grow up!). In hospice care one waits to die. Christian waiting is distinct from unfruitful inactivity. Waiting on God is a time of fruitful growth where we are recharged, strengthened, and motivated to charge on. Waiting is living by faith in Jesus; it's a mindset of trusting the Father, through the Spirit of Christ to complete our hope. As we wait we grow in Christ through doing the good deeds God has prepared for us to do today.
God knows what you are going through today. It may be serious sickness, or anxiety over national politics (some of us have been waiting 20 years for peace, order, and good governance in Ottawa and some have counted the months over the last four years as we approach the American federal election). We suffer never-ending culture wars, obvious injustice, wars, bad leadership in the church and her organizations, oppressive work environments, poverty, empty harvests caused by bad weather, frustration with lack of opportunity to apply our gifts, or a seemingly impossible environment to get ahead in life. God knows. God hates sin, injustice, and every sort of evil. God desires the best for all of us. Trust in Him. The Father asks us to patiently wait on Him.
The Bible talks of endurance and actively and intentionally waiting on God. Waiting is hard - let’s not pretend it’s not. Our job - as servants of our God - is to give a clear witness for Jesus in every situation. We can imagine the first-century church - persecuted by the Sanhedrin (the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem) and by the Roman Empire - similar to Christians today in Saudi Arabia - real persecution, genuine danger for faith in Jesus. Yet, just like the church growth is exploding today in countries like Iran, the church in the first four centuries (the last four centuries of the Roman Empire) exploded with the making of disciples. The church grows as she steadfastly and actively waits on the promises of Jesus.
We read in chapters 17-19 of Revelation about the fall of the great prostitute; the great city where our Lord Jesus was crucified was punished by God just as Jesus said she would be (Matthew 23:35). God avenged the murder of the prophets and the Messiah. Far be it for us or anyone to claim that Almighty God’s judgment against those who crucified His Son was not fair, true, and just (Revelation 16:7 and 19:2). Jesus’ judgment on the wicked farmers was indeed true and just. We hear too in Rev. 19 about the judgment of the “beast” and his armies - those who reject God and His offer of Salvation can expect the reward that God promises to everyone who rejects Him (Romans 6:23). We rightfully fear God because of His goodness and holiness. We praise God because of His justice.
Men and women of faith in Jesus Christ are blessed beyond measure. We have reason to be glad and to rejoice. We are indwelled by the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus. We have the ability and responsibility to understand the enormity of who Jesus is and what He did for us on the Cross. We are instructed to grow in God and to do good deeds as we wait for God’s will to be fulfilled on this earth. You will know Christians by what we do - by our love in action, the world will see our sincerity and the conviction of our faith in Christ.
Do we believe what Jesus did for us on the Cross? Do we believe that the curtain in the Temple was torn in two - never to be resewn? Do we believe that Christ obliterated the old Covenant (Hebrews 8:13) with a new covenant sealed with His blood? Do we believe that Jesus' judgment against Jerusalem occurred just as Jesus said it would?
“Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns” (Revelation 19:5). Christ is King! Today we share not just fellowship with the King through the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s Supper. We also share fellowship with other believers in Christ. We are God’s family, called to live and work, and grow together in unity. One day in the future we will share together the wedding supper of the Lamb (19:9). On that day, Jesus bride, His pure people through faith (Luke 22:15-18) will be united in fellowship with the Bridegroom. That will be judgment day, the day of Christ’s return when He judges each of us and makes a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1-2).
So we wait. Yes, it’s counterintuitive. The believer’s strength, endurance, self-control, and godly insight all come from trusting and waiting on our Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:31). Our prayer lists are long. Our kids need help. So do our elderly parents, and our friends. Our nations need help; they need much prayer. The North American church seems adrift with weak leaders - frauds who profit off the sheep bereft of righteousness. Wait on God. He sees it. And He will deal with it. Wait on Jesus. He will come through just as He did in the early church days, in His way and His timing.
Pray. Pray to our loving Father. He knows the church’s every need. Pray for your kids, grandkids, wife, and family. Pray for healing from sickness. God has not lost power. He never changes. God’s more than capable of healing, to providing a good job for our kids and godly spouses. Let’s ask Him today for His will - let’s ask Him in faith. Let’s ask Him to mend broken relationships, bring peace, and remove wicked evil leaders.
Let’s wait on Jesus today. Dear Father in Heaven, we are an impatient and imperfect lot. That we know for sure. You know us. Thank you for loving us. Please help us to wait well today. Please bless our family and friends today. Please provide our every need so that You are glorified and so that genuine disciples of Christ are made. Please show us plainly the good deeds You have prepared for us today. By faith, we trust and wait on You. To You, our King, be honor and glory forever. Amen.
Comments