A Study of Revelation

In the book of Revelation there are three major judgments that come to the earth. The first wave is called the seal judgments. They unfold as the Lamb breaks the seals of the scroll. As each seal is broken, it unleashes a new barrage of God’s judgment against an evil and Christ-rejecting world. Then, in chapter 8, another round begins as the angels blow the seven trumpets. Finally, the bowl judgments begin in chapter 16, as the final measure of God’s wrath is poured out on a world which refuses to budge from its position of willful unbelief. Each series of judgments is worse than the other, and the bowls complete the work during the great Tribulation, just prior to the return of Christ.

It is not pleasant to read about the carrying out of God’s judgment on the world. There are plagues, famine, war, and death. There is great suffering in the world as a result of what God is doing. There are many questions surrounding God’s activity and his purpose in all this. It all seems so terrible. Why would God do these things which cause such misery and pain?

The purpose of these judgments is redemptive. It is an effort to get people to turn from their sin and turn to God — so that they might live. We need to remember that the Lord has said, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die. . . ?” (Ezekiel 33:11).

As these judgments are being carried out, it is the express purpose of the judgments to turn people from their sin so that God can turn from carrying out from his judgment against their sin and forgive them. He wants to save, not to harm. The purpose of the judgments is redemptive, not punitive. God seeks through these measures to correct, not merely to punish. God desires reconciliation, not retribution. In fact, the word for punish if found only one time in the entire book of Revelation (17:1), and then it is speaking about the punishment of the great prostitute who represents the evil, one-world government of the end times.

What is interesting is that there is a sense of wonder on the part of the inhabitants of heaven that the people of earth are experiencing all these judgments and still remain willfully and stubbornly rebellious.

It says in chapter nine: “The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood — idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 PM AS WE CONTINUE OUR STUDY IN THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

What About the 7000 Who Haven't Bowed?

Everytime a scandal breaks loose in the mega-church, mega-ministry, tele-evangelist world, people rush to pass judgment on the ills of Christianity and Christian ministers.  Recent events have once again set the wheels of destructive finger pointing in motion.  In a recent article entitled, What Is Happening To Clergy In America?, the author equates the root cause of all clerical problems to unaccountable, sinful actions.  He writes,

It seems today that the church and its leaders are experiencing a genuine and increasing attack by Satan. Why is this? It might be due to stress or burnout in the lives of clergy, or it could just be carelessness. Whatever it is, it is sin and it must be addressed. What we have found most often is that moral or ethical failure can be partially categorized in three phrases.

     1. A lack of accountability and too much power.
     2. Unresolved conflict at home.
     3. Limited time spent along with God.
Failure to address any one of these three challenges can lead to great sorrow and ministerial failure.

While the general premise of these statements may be correct, one cannot help but wonder why society seems to lump every minister into the same category.  Just because some superstar minister becomes entagled in a scathing scandal does not mean that the whole of American clergy has gone to pot.  Ministers are human and they fail, but that doesn't mean that the total sum of ministry is somehow susceptible to sinning. 

The story of Elijah is educational.  This great anointed prophet withstood hundreds of idolatrous priests, called fire from heaven and punsihed a wicked nation for turning from God.  However, in a moment of weakness he ran from his persecutors and hid in a cave.  When God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" he responded with a self-absorded whine, "All of Israel has forken Your covenant .... and I alone am left" (1 Kings 19:10).  God reminded him that while the wind, earthquake and fire are ominous, He is able to speak comfort through "a still small voice."  He reminded Elijah that there were 7000 in Israel who had not bowed before idolatry and wickedness. 

We would do well to remind ourselves that when a minister falls, or a superstar burns-out, there are still thousands around the world preaching the gospel, sacrificing their lives, and taking the Kingdom of God into the far corners of the world.  There are men and women, who may never receive noteriety or fame, that are humbly walking in the paths of righteousness and are ministering continually to the hurting and dying world around them.  What's happening to the clergy in America?  The majority are fulfilling the Great Commission, without any fanfare, without any prosperity, and without any superstar status.  Those are the ones that we should  focus our attention on and recognize them for their tremendous labor of love.  Paul urges us to, recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord ... and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

The fall of the super-nova in the Christian world should not be surpising to anyone.  One only needs to look at the pattern of their lifestyle to be able to discern that they sometimes set themselves up for a fall.  The Scriptures plainly tell us that whoever humbles himself will be exalted and whoever exalts himself will be brought down.

Great Day!

Special thanks to Teresa Crawford and the Food Pantry staff for their excellent work this past Saturday.  There were over 100 families served and lots of ministry took place as people sought prayer and encouragement from The Care Package Ministry. 

Special Thanks

We would like to extend a special thanks to Cottondale United Methodist Church for their recent Fish Fry which was used to support the Cottondale Community Church's Food Pantry.  The total amount of proceeds donated to the pantry was over $3500.

Our gratitude goes out to Pastor John Hassell and all the folks at CUMC.  We deeply love you and appreciate your support.  What a great testimony for the kingdom of God when churches come together and do the ministry of Christ in love and unity.

The Care Package

Come and join us this coming Saturday morning, September 25th at 8:00 a.m. for our Food Pantry Distribution.  We need as many volunteers as possible to help us distribute food.  Come and be blessed by the Lord and minister to those less fortunate than you.

Thank God for Grace!

I recently read an article by the Vice President of Pastoral Ministries for Focus on the Family. The title of the article was, "Playing By The Rules Is Not Legalism." The writer used the illustration of Dustin Johnson's heart-breaking mistake at this year's PGA championship. His premise is that though Johnson's mistake was an error of judgment, he still violated the rules by grounding his club in one of the 1200 sand traps littered throughout the course.

Everything he stated about Johnson's mishap is true. However, the sad facts remain that the sand traps were left unprotected, and as a result, thousands of spectators trampled through the trap and violated the ingretity of the course. In hindsight, someone should have informed Johnson of his position in the trap (his caddie for instance) or Johnson, himself, should have asked for position clarity. However, in the heat of competition no can fault the young man for his lack of understanding. Johnson did not purposefully violate the rule.

No one can suggest that Johnson's grounding of the club gave him an unfair advantage. His next shot landed in an extremely high rough and only by his excellent play was he able to finish the hole with a bogey which cost him one stroke and left him tied with two other players. And who was waiting at the end of the course to deliver the good news of his impending penalty - THE RULE KEEPERS.

Several arguments have been made that the rule was unfair and that the course conditions were unclear, however, the fact remains that Johnson violated the rules and he had to be penalized. That is a cold hard fact of life. When men make rules they will do their best to judge and punish those who violate them, whether they do it willfully or unwittingly. Johnson's mistake was not on purpose however, he handled himself gracefully through the whole incedent. Congratulations to him for being a champion without a trophy.

To the author's premise that rules are not legalistic, I would suggest another thought. While the article is directed to the clergy, it's final paragraph is a telling sign of the stark reality that when men make rules they will do everything possible to enforce it, even if it means applying God's Name to the gavel. He wrote, "As God's called-out men and women, we must play between the lines. When we venture outside, it will usually cost us. . . .The camera may not be watching, but the One on the throne who calls us is -- and He wrote the "rule book."

May I suggest that God has never written a "rule book" in His life. What He gave to us is a "New Testament" (covenant) which offers grace, mercy, love and forgiveness of our transgressions. Those who want to live by rules will ultimately become SERVANTS OF THE SYSTEM, RATHER THAN SERVANTS OF THE SAVIOR! I am thankful that God forgives me when I fail and does not penalize me for my transgressions of man's rules and regulation.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17)

Revelation 4 & 5

Our study in the book of Revelation continues tommorrow night as we get a glorious glimpse of John's view of the Throne of God. Revelation 4 and 5 are the greatest descriptions of heaven in the whole Bible. As G.K Beale said, “The main point of Chapters 4-5 is God’s punitive and redemptive purpose for the world beginning to be accomplished through the death and resurrection of Christ, through whose reign God’s purpose for creation will be consummately executed and divine glory accomplished. The pastoral purpose is to assure suffering Christians that God and Jesus are sovereign and that the events that the Christians are facing are part of a sovereign plan that will culminate in their redemption and the vindication of their persecution.” The purpose of Revelation 4 & 5 is to give us a glimpse into God's domain. Revelation 4:1, “Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said,”Come up here and I will show you what must happen after these things.”

Daily Promises Devotion

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3: 6

We must not simply believe that there is an all-powerful God, but we must also live a life of confidence in this hope. We must continually ask for His perfect guidance and immeasurable wisdom throughout our time on this earth. As Christians, we have a distinct honour: if we call upon His great name, He will make our paths straight. If we place ourselves to be under His wonderful direction, we will always benefit from His great kindness and goodness. What a wonderful promise to enjoy!

Daily Promises Devotion

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15: 2 - 5).

We cannot do anything without the Lord. He is the vine; and just as the branches receive their life-giving nutrients through the vine, so we as Christians receive the things we need for life from Christ. When a branch is apart from its source of life, it is dead. And so it is with us—until we are grafted onto that eternal and life-giving vine of Christ. We abide in Christ by our faith in Him and the salvation he offers. By this faith, even we shall bear fruit.

Men's Fellowship Breakfast

The monthly Men's Fellowship Breakfast will take place this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. at Cottondale Community Church. We are looking forward to a great time of food, fun and fellowship. Immediately following the breakfast we will engage in a short period of work on the Upper Room Project. Come out and make this a great day of Christian fellowship.

The Church at Laodicea

Laodicea was a very, very wealthy city, founded by Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodice. The city was strategically located where three highways converged, thus it was highly commercial. It was well known for its banking industry, its manufacture of black wool and a medical school that produced eye ointment. The wealth in the city had been used to build theaters, a huge stadium, lavish public baths and fabulous shopping centers. Sound familiar? Sounds like any typical American city. So wealthy was this city that when an earthquake almost entirely destroyed it in 60 AD, its wealthy citizens refused help from Rome in rebuilding the city. If you were a real estate agent at the time it wouldn’t be hard to sell Laodicea. It was a great place to live. The land of opportunity. Sound familiar? The only real negative about the place was its lack of an adequate water supply. The church in Laodicea was most likely founded by Paul. He actually wrote a letter to them that was lost (cf. Col. 4:16). It is quite evident from historical accounts that the Christians in Laodicea had become victims of their environment. Indeed, a valuable lesson for us all today!

The next Food Pantry distribution will be Saturday, September 25th from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Please come out and participate in this wonderful ministry. You will be blessed abundantly!

Mortgage Burning Ceremony

Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. will be a special day to celebrate the relief of our mortgage indebtedness. There will be special guest, music, dramas, worship and ministry on that day. We invite friends and family of CCC to join us for this special celebration.

Enough is Enough!

I'm not sure which is worse a rogue, religious leader who is trying to grab 15 minutes of fame through despicable acts of religious candor or the dotes that feel the need to respond to his foolishness and, thus, prolong his ill-gotten notoriety. We now have a general, a president, numerous religious leaders from around the world, and at least two church organizations that have felt the need to make a public statement calling his actions unwise and un-Christian. The simple facts of this whole fiasco should make the average Christian shake his head in disgust. Here are the facts: there is an insignificant, independent church group in a small corner of the world planning to burn some paper and as a result all hell seems to have broken loose. If the media had not been alerted and the extremists had not been informed and the politically correct had not been aroused, no one would have paid attention to the folly that was planned for September 11, 2010 in Gainsville, FL. NO ONE! But, because someone took issue, this small group of rogues now have an audience on the world's stage. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ ..." (Romans 16: 17 - 18). The Greek word for avoid is ekklino which means "to shun, turn away from and ignore." Had someone been wise enough to ignore the folly of these foolish people, their 15 minutes of fame would have died before it started. But no, our president and politicians and religious leaders felt that their opinions were so important they just had to say something. God forbid that we should quietly go about our business and just do the right thing.

The folly continues, however, as two Pentecostal organizations have now undoubtedly paid money to release a large ad in two insignificant newspapers which will, no doubt, prolong the fleeting fame of this foolish-hearted group. The mere reference to the planned actions in FL only adds credence to their irresponsible cause.

What is so frightening is that the leaders of the world who are responding to this idiocy are supposed to be among the world's intellectually elite. It's enough to make poor simple-minded people like me totally frustrated. What's the world coming to when the best and brightest lower themselves to this level of irrationality.

So here's my plan. The next time you think you need to spend money on a newspaper ad to prolong the fame of someone who believes that "good grammer" is nothing more than a loving grandparent, stop for a moment, take a deep breath, think wisely and then send your excess finances to "The Care Package" c/o Cottondale Community Church, POB 192 Cottondale, AL 35453. We will take your money and spend it on feeding the poor, the hurting and the hungry, and by "visiting the fatherless and widows and do our best to keep ourselves unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). James calls this pure and undefiled religion!