June 13th

As you are probably aware, Israel launched a preemptive strike with the hope of removing Iran’s plan to develop nuclear weapons that would give its leaders the ability to carry out what they have been public about, wanting to destroy Israel.  Ironically, yesterday morning I was thinking of Revelation 1:7 and why it is that all the nations and tribes of the earth will mourn when Jesus comes again; consider what we read in the first chapter of Revelation: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.”  Jesus said of his return something very similar but with an additional two words: “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30).  When Jesus comes again, He will come with “power” and “great glory.”

Why are the nations restless? Why do the peoples plot in vain? Why do the kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together? According to Psalm 2, it is to free themselves from their Creator.  What inspires one nation to build nuclear weapons and another nation to defend itself from the potential of such attacks?  At the heart of it is the motive of the kings and rulers who govern such nations, and that motive can be summed up with two words: “power” and “glory.”  Well, there is only One to whom belongs power and glory, and it is He who “...changes the times and the periods; who removes kings and appoints kings” (Dan. 2:21a).  The first of those who will weep, wail, and mourn at the appearing of Jesus will be the kings and rulers who hold onto the glory and power they foolishly believe is theirs to keep. 

What the tension in the middle east and the posturing and violence of the kings and rulers of the world remind me of is that we are closer to Jesus’ appearing than ever before!  The fragile world we live in and the glory seeking and power-hungry people who seek to rule it encourages me to long and pray for the rightful King whose title is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16) who is coming with power and great glory.

This Sunday we will turn our eyes, minds, and hearts towards the above hope as it is given in Isaiah 45:18-25.  I cannot think of a better passage to consider together on Father’s Day than one that promises a day when every knee will bow and ever tongue will swear allegiance to the One to Whom belongs power and great glory!   I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in our 9AM and 11AM worship services.

Grace,

Pastor Keith