Revelation
QUESTION
I have heard accusations that the United States might be a candidate for “the woman” who rides the beast in Revelation 17. Is there anything supporting or conflicting with that assertion that you can think of? (Anonymous)
RESPONSE
I don't doubt that some make a case for the United States as "the woman," even as others have made a case for a variety of other nations and institutions over the last two millennia. I'm sure that one could find similarities in the United States vs woman comparison. For that matter, one could find similarities in any number of other nations or institutions in comparisons to the woman. That unavoidable truth coupled with man’s natural inclination to love his own ideas means that we are at risk of becoming overly-enamored with our own novel and fanciful notions, irrespective of any resemblance they may have to the truth. In all candor, I don't know precisely what is meant by all the imagery we find in Revelation. It is perhaps the most cryptic book of the bible, filled with apocalyptic symbolism. I am mindful of Alexander Pope’s oft quoted truism, “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” At times the whole matter feels an awful lot like an argument over the body of Moses which I have little to contribute and no hope of profitably addressing (Jude 1:9). I have often said that anyone who reads or studies the book of Revelation and comes away saying, “I know precisely what that book means,” is kidding themselves. From fallen human nature I conclude that zealous ignorance is common and insight is rare. What is more, I’m convinced that the former dominates the interpretive landscape of Revelation in Christendom. While I admit that I do not know the exact meaning of many things in the book of Revelation, and at the risk of sounding dismissive, I don't lose any sleep over it. If we step back from the all the prophetic particulars, two observations seem unavoidable and comforting:
1. Ain’t any of us gonna prevent any dreadful aspect of God’s plan for the end times.
2. The Lord’s people emerge victorious in the end.
As Paul said, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:18)
FOLLOW UP
I really enjoyed your recent preaching. Your analogy of a little child crying out for their father really resonated with me. I feel so weak and dirty when I consider how good God is. I have little doubts of God's existence, but when I look at myself I can't help but admit that by my deeds I have NOT loved God as I should. I feel seething fear of God's anger against me after I commit sin and feel furious with myself for failing to control myself. I sometimes feel like the misunderstanding child, crying out for his Father to tell me that He loves me; hoping. (Anonymous)
RESPONSE
I really enjoyed your recent preaching.
I can only chalk that up to the Lord’s ability to encourage the flock through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I often feel as though I have made a right mess of things when I am done preaching. “God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.” Nevertheless, I appreciate your words of encouragement.
Your analogy of a little child crying out for their father really resonated with me.
That is one of the aspects of the Father/Son relationship that I think most people innately understand. I am sure that I came to understand it better when I had children of my own. It seems that many in Christendom would insist that a child in the womb, seemingly devoid of any real cognition of natural truths, should nevertheless have the dignity of human life bestowed upon them. Yet when it comes to a “spiritual child” they insist that unless a clear manifestation of cognition regarding core doctrinal truth that it is evident, then there is no spiritual life nor any evidence of being born from above. That is an astonishing inconsistency, IMO. While Fathers delight in their children growing and learning things, they do not regard the child’s understanding as a prerequisite to their parental love. In a proper family relationship, the Father’s love ever and always precedes the child’s cognition, learning, growth, and understanding. The Father’s love is a platform from which the child’s love and understanding of his Father may grow. So it is in the spiritual realm also.
I feel so weak and dirty when I consider how good God is.
Me too. While my relationship with God has been instrumental in avoiding some major sins that I once practiced, it has also made me so much more keenly aware of my sinful nature, that I realize that my personal performance in righteousness is still so woefully inadequate and stumbling, that I’m utterly beholden to the grace of God for my salvation. I think this is the sincere state Paul refers to in Romans 7.
I have little doubts of God's existence, but when I look at myself I can't help but admit that by my deeds I have NOT loved God as I should.
None of us have, brother.
I feel seething fear of God's anger against me after I commit sin and feel furious with myself for failing to control myself.
I feel the same way. Though I’ve come to realize that the anger that God has toward me is that of a loving Father toward a son. It is not the eternally abiding wrath that consigns one to hell, but a concern for what is best for me. At the end of the day, God wants what is best for us and when we rebel against that it creates a rift in our fellowship with God. Christ has put our sins away and we are eternally forgiven so far as the covenant of eternal salvation is concerned. Still, God promises to forgive us as we commit sin and as we confess these things to him, by which is intended a restoration of fellowship that arises from our renewed commitment to walk in truth. When I disobeyed my earthly father, it did not overturn my “sonship.” I was a son in disobedience even as I was a son in obedience. But it radically affected the fellowship I had with my father. Restoration of fellowship is the purpose of confession and forgiveness in the life of a disciple of Christ (I John 1:7-9).
I sometimes feel like the misunderstanding child, crying out for his Father to tell me that He loves me; hoping.
Be of good cheer, I don’t think that is unusual. It is the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15) The bible regularly refers to us as “little children” (Galatians 4:19) and I don’t doubt that this is an accurate depiction of a disciple’s experience and of the nature of their relationship to God.
God bless and thanks again for the encouragement.
- Elder Daniel Samons