Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth … (Revelation 8:13).
Read Revelation 8:1-13
Today the Revelation story continues and intensifies.
Again, I sit and ponder. Silence. The images revealed in this text, flash before my eyes, like a cinema blockbuster – all the thrills and screams. But this is no movie.
The description is so unpleasant that I struggle to believe it’s true. But it is true because it’s God’s word. ‘All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3:16). What we have here is a holy calamity.
‘Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth …’ (verse 13).
Who can be saved from this desolation? Our hearts turn to those we love and care for, who do not live lives that honour God. We grieve. What can we do to be saved? We read in verse 4, that our prayers are valuable to God, so valuable that they are held. ‘The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand’. This is the second time this week that we are reminded that our heartfelt prayers are precious to God.
We have read and meditated upon many extraordinary topics and themes: angels, incense, prayers held in golden bowls, the four living beings, the elders, the throne of God, and the Lamb of God. Binding seals, the heralding of trumpets, the golden censer of the Kings of kings, the response of nature as thunder peals, fire mixed with blood … but we need not fear what is to come, as Christ has made us co-heirs with him in his heavenly kingdom.
‘But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we eagerly wait for him to return as our Saviour. He will take our weak mortal bodies, and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control (Philippians 3:20,21).
We pray: all-powerful God, we come humbly before you, seeking to understand your works and all your ways. Help us, Lord, to believe, so that we may stand before your throne in heaven, with the multitude, before the Lamb. Have mercy on us, Lord. We especially pray for our loved ones; that they may also believe in you. We seek you, to grow in faith, to stand atoned before heaven’s throne, together with you. Amen.
Tatiana is married to Jim, and they live in Largs North, a seaside location in Adelaide. They have two adult children and six grandchildren, who are a wonderful blessing to them both. Tatiana teaches full-time as an English, History and Religion teacher; she gained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Australian Lutheran College in 1996, and in her spare time, she enjoys knitting, gardening, singing for church, writing and swimming. Her home congregation is Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide.
Worthy is the Lamb … praise and honour and glory and power, forever and ever (Revelation 5:12,13)!
Read Revelation 5:6–14
The Lamb of God, at the centre of the throne of God, is surrounded by the four living creatures, and the elders, representatives chosen by God, holding bowls of incense filled with the prayers of God’s people. What an extraordinary picture these holy words paint for us today!
And we hear that these chosen ambassadors sang a new song: for Jesus makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). The lyrics of this ‘new song’ voice the sacrifice of the Lamb, he who is worthy because of his blood shed for us – his people! These lyrics include something about us too: ‘… persons of every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God …’ (verses 9 and 10). We, too, are ambassadors in relationship with, and serving, our Triune God.
Our prayers are acknowledged here. They are collected and held like incense rising to God. A holy stockpile – have you ever considered this? God hears our prayers; God listens to the person who does his will (John 9:31). Our prayers are, therefore, not pointless. What do we pray for then? In our church community, our prayers come together to rise as incense to his holy throne. And what of our personal prayers? Let us not ignore their value and importance to God, who is pleased by them (Proverbs 15:8).
We have been given biblical instruction to pray for all people: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people … this is good and pleases our God and Saviour’ (1 Timothy 2:1,3).
So may we offer our prayers, and together with the angels, a multitude of angels, who already encircle the throne of God, and who worship in a loud voice, together with them proclaim ‘… honour and glory and praise to the Lamb who was slain … forever and ever … Amen’ (verses 12 to 14).
O holy God, we stand in awe and humility before you, as you reveal such wondrous things to us through your holy word. May the prayers that we offer be pleasing in your sight. We pray that our eyes be opened to your majesty. Lord, help us to worship Jesus in spirit and truth; He who is the holy Lamb of God. In your holy name, we humbly pray. Amen.
Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory, honour, and power. You created all things, and by your decision they are and were created (Revelation 4:11).
Read Revelation 4:9 – 5:5
It’s Australia Day today. It’s the day we are invited to celebrate all things Australian – slap a prawn on the barbie and slip a lamb roast in the oven. We might go watch a game of tennis or possibly cricket. We might even attend an Australia Day ceremony to witness and congratulate new citizens as they make their commitment to Australian citizenship.
I wrote a song for the Berri Barmera Council Australia Day ceremony that had this chorus:
We are Australians – Australian
Working and playing in this great, great land
We are Australians – Australian
Loving life in Australia.
What a privilege it is to live in Australia.
Let’s turn back to the aged-care service I mentioned earlier in the week. When it came time for prayer, I asked what we might include in our prayers. We had quite a conversation about how blessed we are to live in Australia. In our prayer, we gave thanks to the Lord for the freedom and blessings of life in Australia.
But even as we celebrate our land, Australia, and thank God for it, living creatures praise the Lord around his throne – perpetually.
Yes, it is good for us to celebrate our nation and thank the Lord for all the blessings we enjoy and appreciate. We should never take for granted the freedoms and abundance available to us. But more importantly, we should always remember that all we have, every blessing, and every good thing we enjoy in this place is there by God’s grace. As we read in Revelation 4:10, ‘You created all things, and by your decision they are and were created’.
And so we join with the living creature and elders around the throne of God in giving him who created all things: glory, honour, and power.
Dear creating and life-giving Father. We thank and praise you with angels, archangels and all the company of heaven for who you are: our gracious and redeeming God. Keep us always thankful to you for all we enjoy in this life. Keep us ever hopeful for the life with you to come. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
Day and night they never stopped singing, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming’ (Revelation 4:8).
Read Revelation 4:1–8
As teenagers in Perth, we would gather every Friday night at one of our group homes for fellowship and worship. We would read the word and reflect on it. We would pray and sing … sometimes well into the early hours, till sleep won us over.
So when I read and try to imagine the vision John was given about the incredible scene that opened up to him and the living creatures around the throne of God who never stopped singing, I can only marvel at what is happening there. This is an extraordinary revelation and expression of the kingdom that waits for you and me.
But in the meantime, we are limited. So, what do we listen for here in these verses?
Perhaps our foretaste of heaven is to be reminded of the complete holiness and awesome reality of God’s glory as described in this revelation and to grow in worship. And that’s what God wants. He wants us to worship him – to acknowledge his majesty, to be in awe of him. He wants us to live our lives with this sense of the imminent presence of the Lord so that our lives – our whole lives – are acts of worship!
They sing it over and over again: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming.’
They are describing and honouring our God – the maker of heaven and earth, our Redeemer, the one who gives us life every day – perpetually. Can we join with them so that our lives are truly perpetual lives of worship? I would like to hope for that. As a sinner, I know I fall down on the job – like those teenagers in Perth who fell asleep. But I know, too, that the Lord comes to me, forgives me, picks me up, and, with his Spirit, continues to inspire my life as an act of worship of our awesome God.
Almighty God, our minds limit us. We cannot fully grasp the immensity of your holiness. Nevertheless, keep inspiring us as your people in everything we do so that our lives honour and worship you in every circumstance. Amen.
Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together (Revelation 3:20).
Read Revelation 3:14–22
My congregation loves to sing ‘Shine Jesus Shine’ (by Graham Kendrick). There is a great line in the chorus: ‘Set out hearts on fire’. However, like remaining seated to sing ‘Stand up for Jesus’, I suspect our hearts are not always all that ‘fired up’ as we sing to the Lord: ‘Set our hearts on fire.’
As a pastor, my heart is gladdened when we (including me) respond with grace, mercy and generosity to the needs of other people. On the other hand, my heart is sometimes saddened when people (myself included) seem to ignore others or treat them poorly. That’s our humanity – our sin – we pick and choose. We can be both hot and cold for the Lord at the same time.
And that’s why we need to listen up today to Revelation 3:15,16 and take the Lord seriously when he says it:
I know everything you have done, and you are not cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other. But since you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Do you want to be that lukewarm person, spat out from the Lord’s mouth? I don’t. Here’s our conundrum, which Paul expresses well in Romans 7:21–23:
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but 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.
Thank God that not only is he serious about how he wants us to live, but he is also serious about saving us: ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8).
Another thing we love in our congregation is the Lord’s invitation to dine with him at the table. We gather, we confess, we are forgiven. He invites us to the table, and we eat together! It’s realised eschatology at work. Hallelujah! We are in the kingdom now!
Dear Lord and Saviour, thank you for your grace that forgives us lukewarm people. Keep working in us – don’t give up on us. Use us in your mission to reach beyond our self-imposed limitations to seek the lost, the lonely and the least. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
I am coming soon. So hold firmly to what you have, and no one will take away the crown you will be given as your reward (Revelation 3:11).
Read Revelation 3:7–13
Again, comes this invitation to listen. So, what might we hear today from the Lord?
At an aged-care service this week, we reflected on Isaiah 60, focusing on verse 1: ‘Jerusalem, stand up! Shine! Your new day is dawning.’
Have you heard the phrase ‘realised eschatology’? It says, ‘end time things are being realised right in the here and now’. If you are a baptised child of God, then you, with me and other baptised people, are in God’s kingdom right now! That’s built into Isaiah 60:1!
We live in two kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light! Both are spoken of in Isaiah 60 (and other places in the word). ‘The earth and its people are covered with darkness, but the glory of the Lord is shining upon you’ (Isaiah 60:2).
As baptised children of the Lord, we have been gifted with a rock-solid promise – life in the kingdom of God. It’s our crown – the crown of eternal life. Here. As we listen, we are told to hold firmly to what we have. If we want that promise to be fully realised in the eternal kingdom of God, then we need to hold on to it – firmly.
What can we do then? Let faith be our daily practice; read and reflect on the word of God and listen to what he is saying. Allow his Spirit to guide our daily lives: our decisions, hopes and dreams. Let the Spirit focus our hearts and minds on Christ – our ultimate reward. In faith, do as Isaiah says: stand up and shine in this new dawning day to which we belong. Smile into the dark places you encounter. Share with people in darkness – give them some light. Serve in those dark places, just as the Lord has done for you and me. Finally, sing to the Lord a new song.
Lord, we know well the whelming darkness all around and even within us. Give us your strength to hold onto the promised crown of life. We thank and praise you for shining your light with mercy and forgiveness into our hearts. Use us now to shine your light into the darkness around us. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:6).
Read Revelation 3:1–6
Today, and for the next two days, you will read this admonition from the Lord in Revelation: ‘If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’
If you are a parent or grandparent, or even when observing children generally, you will be very aware of their capacity to listen to or ignore your voice. We have good reasons to call out to our children. It might be a word of advice, instruction, or even a warning. Sometimes, my children were not quick to listen and pay attention. One of my three children would sometimes respond, ‘I know’. Another was sometimes quick to debate with us. The other sometimes pretended deafness. We see similar traits in our grandchildren and others – even in grown-up children.
It’s important to listen to what the Spirit is saying to us in the church today. Today’s word contains both a warning and a promise. We need to listen and pay attention to both.
Here’s the warning: Sometimes, we don’t fully listen to the Lord. We might pretend to listen. We might even give lip service to what he asks of us. But sadly, the less we listen, the weaker in faith we become and the more likely we are to succumb to sin. We need to listen and hold fully to what he has taught us. It’s truth. It’s good for us. It blesses us.
Here’s the promise: Those who listen and follow the Lord’s word will be blessed to ‘wear white clothes’ – clean clothes. We will be blessed to walk with him, and our names will remain in the Book of Life.
In our relationship with the Lord, sometimes we can be like little kids – either listening or not listening to him. It’s far better for us to listen and pay attention, truly be his followers, listen to his word and live.
Dear Heavenly Father. We thank you for the gift of ears and that we can listen to your voice and follow you and what you say. Thank you for your life-giving word of forgiveness: of mercy and grace. Keep us listening for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
The time has come! God’s kingdom will soon be here. Turn back to God and believe the good news (John 1:15)!
Read Mark 1:14–20
The older I get, the more aware I am of the need to not just believe but also share the good news. I wonder, is that true for you too?
For around 30 years, Jesus grew up and participated in life as a son, brother, fellow worshipper, and member of his local community. He lived and learned all about life and faith as a person. Inevitably, Jesus listened to and observed how life was for all those people he encountered. He also experienced and learned about relating to other people. He grew in his knowledge and understanding: Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favour with God and all the people (Luke 2:52).
All this, so far, was Jesus’ time of preparation. When ‘the word took on flesh’, it meant Jesus had to be fully prepared as a person for his task as God’s Son. That meant knowing and understanding what it meant to be human – as well as what it meant to be the Messiah and Saviour for all humankind.
Finally, the preparation was over! It’s time! Time to get going. Time to put faith, knowledge, experience and wisdom to work. Time to focus now on telling the world about the imminent presence of God’s heavenly kingdom.
So, Jesus goes about choosing his team and getting on with his life’s mission.
You and me – we are part of his team. We share his mission to bring the good news of the kingdom of God into the hearts and lives of all people around us.
Our preparation time is over. Now, it’s time for us, like Jesus, to get going and share the good news of Jesus.
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for those who shared your kingdom with us. Thank you, too, for preparing us for your purposes. Use us. Use me now to announce the imminent presence of your kingdom. Amen.
Tim has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Australia and New Zealand and is currently at Faith Warradale in South Australia. Husband to his wife, father of three, and grandfather of more than nine. Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of over 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.
Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion, in the balances they go up … If riches increase set not your heart on them (Psalm 62:9a,10b).
Read Psalm 62:5–12
In front of us is an antique set of measuring scales. The thing we want to measure is placed on one plate and the standardised weights on the other until an equilibrium is reached. Imagine on one side we put the weight of a single breath. Scientists tell us that a single breath weighs about 0.5 to 5 grams, depending on your definition and the size of your lungs. Enough to say it is exceedingly light. The other side of the scales is piled with the weight of all those of ‘low estate’. Variations of that word are prolific in the Old and New Testaments. It can mean humility (as in the opposite of arrogance) but also a low social, emotional or financial state.
When weighed in the balance, those of low estate are almost nothing; they weigh the same as a breath. People of high estate are less than nothing, and ‘in the balances they go up’. Putting our hope in riches is foolishness. And should our wealth increase, we are stupid to trust in that to make us happy. Neither state is better than the other. Trust in God alone and his steadfast love. When we look in the mirror, can we honestly say that the bent of our lives is not towards earning more, increasing our status at work, on Instagram or at the pub – or avoiding shame and ridicule perhaps by spending hours practising our golf swing or getting our kids into the best schools?
God says, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house the labourers labour in vain’ (Psalm 127:1). Whatever state we are in, it is the Lord’s doing. Have a look at this from the King James Version, which is particularly vivid: ‘The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill … For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s … by strength shall no man prevail’ (1 Samuel 2:6–8).
We don’t hear the word ‘dunghill’ anymore, but it’s a powerful image of being up the creek without a paddle. Rich or poor, without Christ, we are all up that same creek. Let your work be trusting him and his strength, fleeing to him for refuge, pouring out your needy heart to him.
Dear Lord, only your steadfast love can bring us to a place of rest, refreshment and security. Everything else is chasing shadows. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. May the work of our lives be the rich and weighty vocation of being in your rest and living in your love. Amen.
Kirsten enjoys working as a Medical Rural Generalist in the remotest part of Australia – from Warruwi to Ramingining and Ltyentye Apurte to Lajamanu, to name a few. Her favourite thing is showing her husband, Noel, around the communities and coming home to him and their two ragdoll cats (Courage and Perseverance). Kirsten says she does not like flying sideways in a tiny Cessna in bad weather or having to run away from grumpy buffalo, red-belly black snakes or crocodiles.