My hubby spreads the newspaper out on his desk every
morning. I was there today and read the headlines as he turned the pages. Our
world is in a mess. Locally, on Christmas day, there were shootings, robberies,
terrible accidents, the usual political conflicts and wars far worse. People
hurt people. Selfishness steals common sense and common courtesy. Yes, good
things happen, but for a newspaper “if it bleeds, it leads.” This indicates how
media appeals to the worst in us, thinking that no one cares about what is
true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and excellent. (Philippians
4:8) The assumption is that readers crave lies, muck, and sensationalism.
I usually read the comics first (and skip some strips that
are always downers) and do the Sudoku puzzle. If time permits, I’ll maybe hit a
few stories if the headline holds promise, but mostly am stressed by the mess.
Reading Revelation helps me remember that one day it will come to an end; the
mess will be no more.
At the end of this last book in the New Testament, God
reveals to John the fate of the one who is responsible for much of the
deception in this world. This section describes a time of a thousand years. Is
it literal? Bible interpreters disagree. It could be, or it could be a symbolic
description:
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1–6)
The time and sequence do not matter to me as much as what
Jesus Christ will be doing. He stops this Liar and Deceiver from messing with
people and nations. He raises from the dead those who have been martyred for
their faith. He reigns over the world with His people and for us there is no
second death! Try to imagine the headlines in the news when this happens — or
the next events . . .
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:7–10)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, there is such contrast between the world’s
description of events and Your words, or even the words of Christmas carols.
Right now we have no silent night, no peace on earth, no lasting goodwill to
men, no resounding joy. We also have nations engaged in treating one another
without consideration, only exploitation and the attitude of “what’s in it for
me.” Though the wrong seems oft so strong, I know You are the Ruler yet, and
You are not done with this planet or the evil that grips it. You give us great
hope and anticipation because You will return and set it right. That old Liar
will be punished for all eternity. We have Your promises and Your track record.
My heart leans toward You and Your grace for I know that Jesus wins.
Today’s thankful list . . .
- God gives us a glimpse of the end when all wrong is put
where it belongs.
- God’s care for my sister who now must deal with a broken
hip and not being able to talk.
- much talk and texting with family and much prayer for
our concerns.
- a big God who can do great things.
- a lighter note (pun intended) I didn’t gain a pound
after feasting so much this past few days!
- thoughtfulness of our children and grandchildren.
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