Book review - 666 and all that

This really is a very helpful book that guides us through some of the scary and confusing issues that come up when we start thinking about the future and God's plans. John & Greg do a fair bit of 'mythbusting' especially regarding some of those vexed and much argued areas of the rapture, the tribulation, the millenium, the anti-Christ, the end of the world,...and of course that particular number. There's some great stuff on how to be reading apocalyptic literature properly without having to do some theological degree.

I especially appreciated chapter 9 'The fate of those who have never heard the Gospel', which is no doubt an issue we've all struggled with. Also there is some wonderful stuff on the hope we have in Christ, the reality and expectation of heaven and what happens when we die.

This book is a great companion to our current series on Revelation and it covers the breadth of the Bibles teaching on some key issues we perhaps don't always talk about really succinctly...the book is only 200 pages. It will give you great confidence in the future....and probably clear up a whole heap of areas you often 'muse' over, but don't quite know what to do about. Get yourself a copy!

Letting Jesus reign...now!

In Revelation 11:17-18 the 24 elders worship God and say:

  “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.
The nations raged, but your wrath came,
and the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
and those who fear your name, both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

     I wonder, how often do we really give some time to thinking through how good it is that Jesus reigns on the heavenly throne? 

     How often do we really look forward to fully experiencing the new creation according to Jesus? 

     Can you imagine a world where things work, where true authority is expressed and followed as it should be, where whatever the King says, everybody willingly follows?

     There are so many aspects of heaven in view in Revelation but the good, powerful and just rule of Jesus is one that we really need to come to terms with. In heaven no-one can or would ever want to argue with the perfect will of Jesus. There is no heavenly suggestion box as to how things could be run better. Heaven is relentlessly and joyously good because the forever king rules both for and over his precious people.

     But here’s my thought: if the heavenly reign of the King is enjoyed forever, what are we doing to ensure he reigns right now in our earthly experience? Yeah I know we are not in heaven yet, but do we perhaps fail to appreciate how the reign of the King is to reign in our lives today?
     When Jesus speaks through his word to us today, should we not be as quick to respond in joy and thanks as those in heaven? How so many problems and struggles we face would be avoided if we simply trusted what our King said in the first place.

    So here’s the challenge: are you prepared to really let him reign, to let the gospel set the direction and agenda for your life? Would set your sights and your heart on the glorious end point in heaven, and make decisions in your life that affirm and point to what will be happening for your eternal life?

Have a read of Rev.7:9-17 again, and then read chapter 21 and 22. Be excited by John’s heavenly vision….and let Jesus reign in your life…he’s very good at it.