Gadfly's Muse

Revelation 01: The Object in View

Image: "Rock Solid", 2020, Yellowstone Nat. Pk., Photograph by David Johanson

Revelation 1:1–2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:7–8 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:12–13 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Revelation 1:17–18 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

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The Revelation given to John is one of the most intriguing pieces of literature ever written.  It challenges us, scares us, stretches our minds, and ultimately, when understood correctly, gives us a great sense of peace and a strengthened will to persevere.  All of those things, especially the last, form its basic purpose.  This Revelation was given through John to the church in every age (vs. 1 & 11) and is intended to be understood by the church as applying to itself in every age.  In other words, the Revelation covers the entire span of human history, from the "First" to the "Last", and it reveals to us that in the very foreground of this vast picture, stands the "Rock" that gives meaning to all the other details of our times.  This is Jesus, the One "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty." (vs. 8)

In this one verse, Jesus proclaims Himself as the central feature in every view of history, whether past, present, or future.   That is the "secret" the Revelation makes known.  That is why it is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (vs. 1) which was given first to Him and which He then made known to His servants, immediate of whom was John the apostle.

Thus the central fact of history is Jesus of Nazareth the Christ of God.

We must be careful to not limit this statement to just His earthly life, death, and resurrection.  When Revelation teaches us that Jesus is the central fact of history, it teaches us that every instant of history is about Jesus, either in His pre-incarnate life as the Christ of God in the Old Testament era, or His earthly life, but immediately, His post-resurrection life.  This translates to us as understanding our "now!"  Our life and history are about Jesus.  He is at the center of all things now.  He is yet standing, as John first saw Him, in the midst of His Church, registered in its totality by the "visible church" (lamposts) and the "invisible church"(stars) which surround Him in the vision.  

There He stands, today as He was to John, in brilliant magnificence, clothed in unimaginable splendor, terrifying in His power and authority, and yet, with wondrous compassion telling us "not to be afraid." (vs. 17)  He yet calls to His Church and proclaims the reality behind all things: "I Am Alive Forevermore!"  

Here is the patience and courage of the saints.  No matter what their "age" or "eon" has in store, whether relative peace and prosperity or struggles seemingly beyond endurance, yet this truth is above all else.  He is alive and He is here!  It is He has holds the keys of "Hades and of Death." (vs. 18)  It is He that is waging war against all the demonic enemies that oppress His people and defile His creation with the "sharp two-edged sword" that is His Word.  

He is our "Object in View" through Whom we must gaze at the details of the vistas before us.  He is immovable and provides our fortress as well as our place of rest.  Without Him in our picture, we will understand nothing.  Seeing all things through Him means that we understand all things in their true nature.

This is the Mystery Revealed.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. (vs. 11)  We must not be deceived.  Whatever is, is about Him!

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 13-15: The Fruit of Revival

Image: Grand Tetons, 2015, Photo Credit: Dave Johanson

2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 15:3–4 For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; 4 but when in their trouble they turned to the LORD God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them.

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James Orr is perhaps the leading author among the historians of "Revival".  Reading his book evokes a deep longing in sensitive hearts for the benefits that such a phenomenon can bring about.  The so called "2nd Great Awakening" or the "Great Revival" of the 18th - early 19th centuries has it critics and I agree with many of their complaints.  In many ways the move to "revivalism" in our churches did great harm.  It shifted the emphasis in our churches from a comprehensive, collective, covenantal embrace of Christian calling to an, often, hyper-individualistic, experiential "individual relationship with Jesus".  It fed the already existing "anti-intellectual" suspicions among the common people and set the stage for new Christian "sects" whose teachings and practices often were based on serious error.  Thus, I am not blind to the dark side of the movement.

But there is no denying the good fruits that came from it either.  It aroused a strong desire for godliness... sometimes issuing forth in amazing transformations.  The rough-hewed, hard living, hard fighting, hard drinking frontiersmen of the day were, on many occasions, transformed into serious, godly men who gave up their wicked ways and changed the entire rest of their lives.  Orr, to my recollection, records how a revival began in an upstairs room in a saloon above the bar.  I think it was in Memphis, back when that town was filled with cutthroats, outlaws, prostitutes and corrupt leaders.  I am again relying of my memory, but he records that at the height of the revival, on Sundays, the town was quiet except for the singing in the churches, the bars were closed and even the police officers were in the churches... there was no threat of crimes.  I am probably not accurate in some of this but I know that a similar situation did transpire... and it was the result of a hearty movement of the Holy Spirit working peace in the hearts of an entire town.

How I long to see something similar in our day and time.  How I wish the bloodshed in Baltimore would cease... or at least dwindle to negligible proportions (except, of course, to the individuals who are shot).  What a wonder it would be if a "Christian Consensus" was again established in our broader communities so that we did not have to watch our children like hawks or live in fear of what they might encounter.  "Revival" is devoutly to be desired.

Our chapters in 2 Chronicles today describe how such a revival occurred in Judah under the kings Abijah and Asa.  We read of the mighty works of God in defeating Jeroboam's vastly superior army by Abijah and an even greater victory over the million man Ethiopian army by Asa.  But the major fruit of this time of revival was peace.  Abijah only ruled for a few years but Asa ruled for much longer.  Asa made it his business to lead Judah into "seeking the Lord" and (15:4) we are told that "He was found by them."  The transformation of Judah was such that many in the Northern Kingdom of Israel abandoned their homes there and moved south to join Judah because they saw that the "LORD, (Asa's) God was with him."

Imagine this.  Let the mind soak in the implications.  A people who "enter into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul" (15:12) are transformed in such a manner that they truly become a light unto the world.  The fruits and blessings of revival flow as a spiritual river but produces physical, tangible, beautiful fruit.  Those hearts who are trapped in darkness hunger for the good things they see in a people at rest with God.  They come, not at first because of the teachings, as important as those are.  They come because they want what the People of God have... peace, rest and security (among other things).  "...Be ready to give a defense (answer) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" Peter tells us (1 Pet. 3:15-16).  This is a necessary reminder to us:  If we have this "hope", as it truly is, as it is manifested when a revival of religion unleashes it in our souls, then that "hope" will become visible... and attractive.  Evangelism will flow from one heart to another as "hope" dominates the personalities and transforms the characters of those who are washed in it.

So it was in Judah under Asa.  So it has been in our own country's past.  So it can be again.

All it takes is for the people of God to want enough to pray for it and devote themselves to seeking God in everything they do.

Calm Before The Storm....

[Image: Feathered Friends, 2007, JBergamaschi] 

Philippians 1:29–30 (NKJV)

²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

This very nice capture was taken by our guest photographer with a simple, hand-held point and shoot camera.  Shows what being at the right place at the right time can bring.

The composition is very appealing to me on several levels.  The calm water and the gliding birds portray quiet peace but the dark clouds communicate an impending storm.  For sure, something is going to change, .... and soon.

It's that idea of foreboding that gives the Pelican formation its special significance in my thinking.  How nice it is, riding the calm breezes with friends close by when you know that you might very well need them before very much longer.  Such must have been the case with those Philippian Christians so long ago when the Apostle Paul told them, in his inerrant and infallible words, that God had ordained that they would have the high honor and privilege of suffering for the name of Christ.

How would one prepare for that?  How would one spend the days of calm breezes over quiet waters waiting for the storm clouds to fully arrive and break over them?  Putting our houses in order would definitely be a priority, but so would looking about us for what we will need to stand up to what is coming.  How infinitely precious then it would be to have friends, and more than friends, brothers and sisters in the faith, about you on whom you know that you can depend and they, looking at you, know the same thing about you.  How especially warm it would be to pray together, asking for God's upholding strength, building each other up, comforting those who tremble, begging God for wisdom, warming our hearts with each other's hands.  

What God has promised He will provide and certainly in the face of impending storms, His provision is fully sufficient.  But most often we will find that provision in His people.  It is not the material things that will carry us... it is the spiritual things, and nothing is more important in times of trouble than to know your friends are there, going through it with you in full mutual dependence, trust and respect.  It's worth it all.

When I was a young Navy pilot we had many of our brothers and other service members in the Hanoi Hilton facing terrible days and nights.  Some information got out and it was always the same.  They held each other up, strengthened each other, comforted each other and never, ever gave up on each other.  All broke at one point or another... it was inevitable.  But "breaking" and staying "broke" are two different things and it was the power of the fellowship, the koinonia, the camaraderie of their union that sustained them.  

Such is what the church is designed to be.  God's Holy Spirit draws us together, gives us brothers and sisters to glide with in calm air and who flap furiously with us when the gales hit.  We are together, with Christ, going through whatever He has ordained to be the way His Kingdom is to be built.  "He wills us be... a family, diverse, yet truly one; O let us give our gifts to God and so... shall His work on earth be done."

Praise God for the "fellows" He has provided... Praise God for unity... Praise God for His abounding grace to men in giving us...  each other.

 

 

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- Peace in the Storm -

Be Quiet!

[photo: Nordland, DCJohanson, 2012]

There are occasions when it seems absolutely unholy to disturb the stillness.  

Emerson (not my favorite poet or philosopher but he had a way with words and was a keen observer) said:

'''Tis a queer life, and the only humour proper to it seems quiet astonishment. Others laugh, weep, sell, or proselyte. I admire.''

I think he was on to something.  That which constitutes the largest part of our life should be appreciated with "quiet astonishment."  The 2nd chapter of Genesis teaches us that God created the world, our vocations in it, our very own human constitution (in the image of God), our companions and our own vulnerabilities, as theaters of delight.  Our very finitude is a testament to the Infinite and the only proper expression of finitude is awe.  There is no basis for astonishment between equals... it is only when one sees something that draws the soul out of the immediate and into the transcendent that the anxiety calming, fear dismissing, comfort bringing peace descends.  We were made to look at mountains standing stark against a forbidding sky, colors sharply defined in high contrast, and just soak it in.   Words cannot express the story we experience... so why speak?

The basic reason why God prohibited the use of idols in our worship of HIm is because each representation represents a departure from the truth.  It is a reduction of infinity to something that can be seen, touched and enclosed.  This is a perversion... an abomination.. an insult to His Person.  This is man 'speaking' about God when he ought to be listening... from the heart.

Speaking in the presence of the Holy is somewhat similar.  If God does not command us to speak we should be silent.... it's only polite and ultimately it is the only way we will hear.

Away with this constant barrage of words... away with having to "say something"  - Be quiet!  Sit on the lake, quietly tethered to your Bouy... safe in the harbor of God's love as revealed to your heart and soul in Jesus Christ, and just soak it in.  You will find "rest for your souls. (Matt. 11:29)"

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I Will Lift Up My Eyes .....

(DJohanson, 2008, I Will Lift Up My Eyes)

Psalm 121: I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- From whence comes my help?  2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.  3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.  5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.  6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.  7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.  8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

My friend Dave was visiting the Mt Baker area, specifically at Picture Lake recently when he observed these "Alpine Flowers" at road's edge.  Since taking pics of flowers alongside the road is one of my things I have to approve even if I didn't love the picture, which I do.  Here with the mountains in the background rising out of the haze, the flowers seem to be bending their heads in wonder and amazement at the strength that lies beyond them.  The words of Psalm 121 naturally spring to mind, and of course a word of encouragement that comes from them.

Psalm 121 is a "Song of Ascents", sung by ancient pilgrims as the wound their way from the plains of Palestine up through the hills to Mt. Zion, the fortress city of Jerusalem, where God "dwelt" in His holy temple.  It was a perilous journey but the hunger that lay close to the heart of the Israelite believer, like David himself, yearned for the precincts of God, to dwell in His house forever. Here perhaps we can discover a metaphor for our own life.

We are all on an uphill journey to Jerusalem.  Jerusalem sits high, we enter its gates at the end of an ascent.  The very hills in which it is situated are the realm of the unknown, with dangers on every side.  It is a strenuous climb with a narrow path that requires attention to where we put our feet as we take each step.  Wide and broad is the path that leads downward to destruction but the climb to Jerusalem is different.

Never-the-less, it is not a journey to be feared, only soberly considered.  For at every step there is Help from those very hills.  The LORD, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the source of all providence, the God who Provides, our Shield and Defender and Keeper never slumbers nor sleeps.  He is an Ever-present Help in time of trouble and His promise is that nothing in the day or night, no evil devised by man or spiritual power, can overpower His protection.  He SHALL preserve our soul.  He SHALL preserve our going out and OUR COMING IN.

Eat Your Heart Out Spidey.... "Saw Leaf Daisy and Friend"

(2008, WSVanDevender, click for larger image)

This one was taken by my brother who has the unusual name of Sterrett.  (The name has made the news recently as the USN has recently launched the second USS Sterrett).  The beautiful little green creature is a Green Lynx Spider and for all intents and purposes, it is a lean, mean, green killing machine.  If it had a bit more discretion, and chose to concentrate on just the bad bugs and not honeybees, it would be a very useful addition for pest control in the garden.  But such is not the case.  It can jump with the best of them and has no problem taking down wasps you would think would pose a big problem for it.  Beautiful creature.

Did you ever ponder the intricacy and diversity of God's creation?  Think about it.  Who among us would have thought up a creature like this one?  Many spiders are fascinating but the descriptor "beautiful" doesn't readily spring to mind.  This one looks like a woman's brooch made of finely shaped, delicate emerald with translucent crystal legs.  Yet, the beauty is deceptive.  It can jump many times its length (though not a true jumping spider) trailing a fine strand of web for back up.  Here is God's attention to detail: crafting a creature worthy of contemplation yet one not to be trifled with.  That might be a bit of revelation for us.  God is surpassingly beautiful but He will not submit to being thought of solely in those terms.  He demands respect for His whole range of Being.  The One who can design the Lynx Spider and then pose her on a Saw Leaf Daisy is a God of surpassing aesthetic accomplishment... but beauty for both spider and flower serve other ends... and God knows them all.

Truly The Light Is Sweet

(2008, DJohanson, click for larger image)

To see more of Dave's pics go HERE

Ecclesiastes 11:6-7    In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.  Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun

I've known Dave for nigh on 35 years now and have profited from the friendship in numerous ways.  He's been doing photography for as long as I've known him and is quite accomplished.  This photo is different than his usual in that he specializes in nature shots, especially macro images.  He went to Antarctica  once upon a time and came back with three thousand slides of "white."  (not really)

This picture was taken however at the culmination of a hard day's work in the hayfields and subsequent stacking in the barn.  It particularly appeals to me in its composition and muted contrast.  There is an Autumn feel to the browns and the filtered sun light can be nothing less than the smile of God rejoicing with man in the cooperative work that has been done.  Man plants but God yields the harvest.

Truly, the light is sweet... it seeks out the darkness and penetrates and illumines and encourages and even provides its own beauty.  What better for man to do than sow in the morning and not with hold his hand in the evening, so that together, with God, he may bring the harvest into the store room, and then perceive the filtered presence of God's smile!