The Preacher's Diary

1.  Radical Holiness

Well, Revelation 18 seems to be one more Bible passage about which some of us will ask questions when we get to heaven.  Meanwhile, it will appear from that passage that some folks will be no less righteous in their private souls and no less deserving of their Holy titles for celebrating the divine termination of an infamous foe.  In fact, to so celebrate will be to obey a heavenly call, but not everyone hears that call, not especially those so focused on the purple and pearls of their Babylon in smoke (like Lot’s wife) that they become unmindful of the cautions from angels; folks so focused on ephemeral earthly sights as to miss eternal heavenly sounds.

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1. Uncommon Scriptures 

Sometimes a common scripture pops up with an uncommon sense that appears to question common perspectives.  I recall Martin Luther’s revolutionary revelation on “The just shall live by faith.”

In Revelation 18, God judges a “great city,” bringing it to an abrupt end in an atomic plume of smoke that announces the disaster distances away.  It is such a global catastrophe that people express their grief visibly with “dust on their heads” and audibly in triple terrible mournful outbursts as they “cried, weeping and wailing” (v. 19).  The sight is so fearful that terrified mourners keep a safe distance – “afar off” (v.10).

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I have come upon many accounts of clinical ‘near-death’ experiences where a believer had found themselves in heaven but were told that they had to return to the earth because it was not yet their time to be there.  Their sudden arrival had to be cancelled even though apparently forced by circumstances.  That would seem to mean that God has a plan for every life (Jeremiah 29:11); that, so long as we live in His will and walk as He leads, no one can send us to heaven before our time. 

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I have come upon many accounts of clinical ‘near-death’ experiences where a believer had found themselves in heaven but were told that they had to return to the earth because it was not yet their time to be there.  Their sudden arrival had to be cancelled even though apparently forced by circumstances.    That would seem to mean that God has a plan for every life (Jeremiah 29:11); that, so long as we live in His will and walk as He leads, no one can send us to heaven before our time.  According to Acts 1:7, there are “times” and “seasons” about our lives and about earth’s events that have been pre-planned by God; times and seasons that He has “put in his own power” – not in the power of our enemies, no matter how bitter they might be or how badly they might try.

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Bible theologians have generally spoken of the lamb and the lion sides of Jesus; one side as representing His meekness and love, the other, respectively, as representing His fierceness and fury.   I have come to see, however, that the meek Lamb is not so ‘meek’ after all, and should never be taken for granted.  According to a revelation that one holy man was exceptionally privileged to see, a lamb can also be furious – such shocking fury and wrath that even the rocks and the mountains cannot withstand.

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King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue made.  It was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide.  He erected it on the plain of Dara in the province of Babylon. 

Daniel 3:1, New English Translation.

An idol is an idol, whether made of attractive gold or of ugly wood.  Idolatry goes beyond the material of the object, beyond the aesthetic appeal or repulsion of it.  It is in the link it has to the human soul.  

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I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace. 

Daniel 4:4.

1. When Kings Speak 

People should listen when great kings speak, especially successful ancient kings who made their contributions to the wonders of their time.  Before us is the insightful confession of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, famed in history also for his contribution of hanging gardens to the wonders of the ancient world.  

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