Thursday, May 24, 2007

The "Beginning" of All Things

The Ancient Words from Revelation series has been a thrill! I’ve looked forward each week to unpacking these powerful words with all of you and have heard from so many how valuable it was pealing back layer after layer of this profound book.

Among all the things we discovered together, it seems to me that these were among the most important:

The Book of Revelation …
... is an infinitely accessible book of hope and promise
... uses finite words to describe infinite things
... reveals the depth of God’s love for Christ-Followers in every generation
... points us into the future with confidence and expection

Throughout the series we’ve talked about how the Book of Revelation reveals truths about the “end of all things.” Without a doubt, this letter to the seven churches does point to the end of all things … as we know it.

But the more I thought about that phrase, the more I realized that this is also a book which reveals the “beginning of all things!” At the end of the book, in Revelation 21:5, Jesus makes this amazing announcement:

“See, I am making all things new!”

At the end of all things, Christ makes all things new for the beginning of all things! Just when we think we’ve come to the end, Christ makes all things new! Just when we think our end has come, Christ renews, restores, re-imagines, realigns, remakes, and reestablishes his reign in the world and in our lives. For that, we give all praise and glory and honor to the one who is, who was and who is to come!

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

As always, For the notes from this week’s study, follow this link: http://www.princeofpeaceonline.org/ to the Ancient Words from Revelation button (bottom, center) and you can access the notes from any of the studies.

Peace!
Pastor Paul

Posted by Paul at 9:22 AM

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Join Pastor Paul Gauche at Prince of Peace each Tuesday beginning April 10 and running through May 22 for an exploration the ancient words from the Book of Revelation! This important, yet, challenging and often misunderstood biblical text reveals timeless truths about God’s vision for the church, the people of God, and what it means to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. Often, Christians confidently construct detailed end-time scenarios from the book of Revelation. Others, bewildered by the mind-boggling imagery, believe Revelation is too obscure to understand. Between these two extremes lie truths for today and a message of tremendous hope for followers of Jesus Christ. Craig Koester, professor of New Testament at Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota writes, “The power of a book can be seen in what it does to people, and few books have affected people more dramatically than Revelation. In positive terms, Revelation has inspired countless sermons, theological treatises, artistic works, and musical compositions ranging from the triumphant ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ (Handel’s Messiah) to the gentle strains of ‘Jerusalem My Happy Home.’ “On the negative side, it has fed social upheaval and sectarian religious movements that have often foundered and misguided attempts to discern the date of Christ's return.” (from Revelation and the End of All Things, page 1). You’re invited to a lively study of these ancient words from the book of Revelation!