Bethel Baptist Church

Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:1-8 In Revelation 7, we have an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The chapter has in mind two groups of Christians … 144,000 servants of God who are given His seal, and a "great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages." A literal and future interpretation of the 144,000 servants sees this as Jewish Christians, who are raised up, and protected from the earthly calamities, in order to proclaim the gospel during the great tribulation. They are chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel and are the "firstfruits for God" (Rev 14:4), indicating that there will be many Jewish people who will turn to Christ during this time. This is God's 'remnant' of the people of Israel, who will be saved during the final season of human history (cf. Rom 9:27,28; 11:25-27). The seal here seems to be a seal of protection from the calamites that befall the human race (cf. Ezek 9:1-8). This group is also mentioned in Revelation 14:1-5 as a redeemed group, who are sexually and spiritually pure … who "follow the Lamb wherever he goes … and in their mouth no lie was found." The 144,000 seem to be a group of Jewish evangelists who are raised up to proclaim the gospel in all the world. This is yet a display of God's mercy to a rebellious world. Even in His horrible judgments during this season, He offers eternal life through the global proclamation of the gospel of Christ. The 'seal' of God is mentioned in Ephesians 1:13,14 and 4:30. The Holy Spirit is God's seal displaying His ownership and protection of His own. Let us rest in this comforting reality.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 Since 1996, one Sunday in November has been designated the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." Exact statistics are hard to determine, but continuing into the 21st century, worldwide, even on the low end of estimates, tens of thousands of Christians are killed every year for the Christian faith … in places like Pakistan, Sudan, North Korea, China, Indonesia, and Iran. Revelation 7 reveals yet another scene in heaven where there is a great assembly of people "from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne" (Rev 7:9). They are "the ones coming out of the great tribulation" (Rev 7:14). Presumably, many of these are martyrs, similar to the descriptions we find in Revelation 6:9 and 13:5-7. We are commanded in the Bible to "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body" (Heb 13:3). There are great benefits in considering, with both mind and heart, that the church elsewhere is suffering. First, it makes us bolder to share our faith with others (Phil 1:14). Second, it broadens our perspective concerning what God is doing in our world and how He is doing it. Third, it sobers us about our own faith, reminding us that we are in a deadly war and must live disciplined lives (2 Tim 1:8; 2:3). "The Voice of the Martyrs" is a free monthly magazine designed to inform us about the suffering church the world over. For a free subscription, call 1-800-747-0085. There are videos for adults in our church library produced by Voice of the Martyrs on the persecuted church in Sudan and also videos for children. The Voice of the Martyrs website address is www.persecution.com

Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:9-17 In this passage, the fifth and sixth seal of the great scroll are opened, and the unleased suffering on the earth continues. The fifth seal reveals that, during this time there will be an extensive martyrdom of Christians. In this heavenly scene these martyrs are praying for God's justice to be brought, in full, on His enemies. The sixth seal releases both cosmic and natural disasters. The inhabitants of the earth, great and small, begin to realize that the horrendous troubles, relentlessly being experienced by everyone, are actually divine in origin. Rather than turn to God for mercy, they simply pray for death … blindly imagining that death is an escape from God's judgment. The wrath of God is on full display in this passage, and in the passages to come in Revelation. God's anger is His holy and controlled response against sin and against those who persist in opposing Him. His wrath rises out of His holiness and justice and, therefore, is not simply emotional, but fundamentally judicial. One definition of divine wrath is: God's holy reaction to sin and His resolve to bring judgment on those who rebel against Him. The more we understand the wrath of God and, given that we deserve it, the deeper our wonder of the mercy of God in Christ and the greater our gratitude to God and our love for Him.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:1-8 The focus in the book of Revelation changes sharply from chapter 5 to chapter 6. Chapters 4 and 5 pictured the throne of God in heaven, but in chapter 6 the scene shifts to the earth. There is a stark contrast between the glories of God's presence and the darkness of His wrath, beginning now to be described in chapter 6. Most of the remaining chapters in Revelation have in view what will take place on the earth during the wondrous and horrible time of tribulation that will befall the earth near the end of history, as we know it. The troubles described in this text have certainly been part of the history of humanity, but they will be concentrated during the great tribulation, especially during the last 3½ years of that period. One purpose of this global tribulation is a display of divine justice on the rebellious nations of the earth. 19th century English pastor, Henry Alford, described this time of divine judgment as "the beating down of earthly power, the breaking up of earthly peace, the exhausting of earthly wealth, the destruction of earthly life" (Alford, The Greek Testament, IV:613). Let us stand in awe of God's power and justice and let us be deeply thankful to be saved, by God's grace, from the fearsome fury of His justice.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 5:1-14 One thing that is revealed to us in Revelation 4,5 is this … at the center of the universe, the Almighty is seated on His throne, ruling over everything He has made. The world we live in is filled with horrors of every kind. And yet, God is governing everything that happens in the world, so that a sparrow does not fall to the ground without the hand of a sovereign God. Revelation 5 is an exaltation of God the Son, as He takes from His Father's hand a seven-sealed scroll. No one, in heaven and on earth, is able to break the seals and open the scroll. But the inhabitants of heaven sing, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals" (Rev 5:9). Interpretations regarding the contents of the scroll differ. In light of the content that is revealed in the book of Revelation, as the seals are opened, it is reasonable to conclude that the scroll represents the consummation of all of human history … including the judgment of the nations of the earth, the glorification of the people of God, the earthly reign of Christ, and the eternal state of all things. The proper response to God the Son, shown in all His glory, is praise, gratitude, and reverence. The inhabitants of heaven fell down, trembling, before the Lion of Judah, who is also the Lamb who was slain … joyfully singing His tribute … "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever." Can we do anything less, all the days of our lives?

Scripture Reading: Revelation 4:1-11 In Revelation 4, the entire focus of the book changes … from the churches that existed during John's day, to the events which will take place in the future, indeed, at the end of human history. Before John writes about what will take place at the end of time, he describes for us the glory of God in heaven, as he saw the throne of the Almighty in his vision. Revelation 4 describes the glory of God the Father and chapter 5 describes the glory of God the Son. What is revealed in Revelation 4 is the worship that is going on in heaven … performed by angels and saints in heaven. They declare the wonders of God in specific statements and with profound humility and great passion. We learn something of the importance of worship from this passage. God is central in heaven in a way that He is not central in the events of earthly life and human history. A brief definition of worship might be "savoring the supremacy of God." To consider who God is, is to come to the conclusion that He is supreme in all the universe, in every way. His power is supreme, His majesty indescribable, His goodness unimpeachable, His mercy everlasting, His wisdom unsearchable, His truth pure and reliable, His sovereignty mysterious and all-encompassing. Savoring all that God is … reveling in Him, enjoying Him, taking pleasure in Him, prizing Him … is worship. Worship is something of an abbreviation of an old English word 'worthship.' To ascribe to God His worth is worship. Worship is not just the act of singing a song on Sunday morning or praying before you go to sleep at night. It is exulting in God, deep in our hearts, because of His value … worth … infinite worth.

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3 Have you ever thought of what preparation might go into meeting someone new? After providentially blessing and multiplying his people for some 430 silent years in Egypt, God re-introduces himself to Moses and to the people of Israel that have now multiplied to some 2.5 million people. How does He describe Himself in this re-introduction? God reveals Himself as a holy God, that is, a God who is pure, unique and supremely worthy of worship. He even commands some preparation for meeting with him so that we physically prepare for spiritual realities. I wonder if more of us might benefit from spiritual times if we did more to physically prepare for them? God reveals Himself as the infinite and faithful God: “I am” the God of your forefathers, not “I was.” The same God who made covenants with the forefathers of Israel and kept those promises, He is still God today. God may appear quiet at times, but He hasn’t left the throne. He won’t abandon His people or break His word. God reveals Himself as the God who sees our pain and hears our sorrows. He isn’t cold and distant. Not a tear goes unnoticed and not a prayer unheard. If you find yourself in a difficult place, if the world around you seems to crush you with oppression and fears, if it seems like you are alone and no one knows or understands your pain, then rest assured, my brothers and sisters: you have a God in Heaven who knows you, and He knows your situation. God reveals Himself as the God who delivers. God will save his people in a way that shows the strength of His mighty arm! He hears; He knows; His heart is touched by our pain, and He will deliver His people in His time. Wait on the Lord for His great salvation. God reveals Himself as the God who delivers by sending a covenant mediator. To Israel there in Egypt He sent Moses—an imperfect, human and even hesitant mediator. But Moses is a picture of the great covenant mediator who would someday come. God would then send Jesus the Christ, the ultimate and final mediator who joyfully endured the cross and is now exalted to the right hand of God, reigning and hearing our prayers. Have you met this God? Do you know Him as your Lord and your Savior?

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22 If ever there was a church in the Biblical setting which mirrors the church in America today, it is the church in Laodicea. Laodicea was a wealthy city, with a clothing industry, a flourishing money changing trade, and a famous medical school which was known for the development of ointment for the eyes and the ears. Banking, industry, medicine, education … Laodicea had it all. But there was a very serious problem in the church in Laodicea. Spiritually they were lukewarm (Rev 3:15,16). There was no fire in their soul for God. And His assessment of this congregation was "you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked" (Rev 3:17). They were blind to their own spiritual lethargy. They thought they were doing well because of their material wealth, but all the time their souls were shriveled up … and they did not even know it. One of the great dangers in America, with our unbelievable wealth, is self-indulgence and self-deception. The gold and the white garments and eyesight the Lord is offering in Revelation 3:18 are spiritual wonders … faith, holiness, insight into eternal truth, delight in God. There is nothing we possess in our house that even comes close to the value of such things. May God keep us from half-hearted affections toward spiritual wealth. By His grace may He help us to be passionate about having our eyes opened to heavenly mysteries and everlasting truth. Everything else is perishing.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:7-13 We live in an age in which profit margins and statistical analyses are the methods by which almost everything is judged. Bigger is better. It is a world of Apple and Microsoft and Amazon … a world in which larger companies swallow smaller companies … a world in which something is deemed wrong if this year’s numbers are not higher than last year’s numbers. Almost everything in life is quantified and evaluated accordingly. The upshot of this statistical environment is that churches have become preoccupied with numbers. But bigger budgets do not necessarily mean spiritual growth. Bigger membership rolls do not necessarily mean more Christians. Bigger buildings do not necessarily mean more sincere worship. Certainly this is one lesson from the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. They were a church of ‘little power’ (Rev 3:8). They did not have the reputation of Sardis, nor the splendor of Pergamum, nor the influence of Ephesus. They were probably the smallest of the seven churches, but, according to this letter, they were the most effective of all the churches. They were obedient to God’s Word (Rev 3:8,10) and saw even some of their enemies repent and worship Jesus Christ (Rev 3:9). God’s evaluation of a church (or an individual) is based on things like faithfulness, purity, humility, perseverance, obedience … not on statistical analyses. Bigger is better? Not in the kingdom of God.

Scripture Reading: Acts 20:17-38 The account of Paul's exhortation to the elders of the church at Ephesus is one of the more moving stories in the Bible. It contains not only the evidence of Paul's love for his Ephesian brothers, but an insight into the ministry of the apostle. What we have here is a detailed description of what Paul did in serving Christ as well as the manner in which he accomplished his ministry. Two activities of ministry are presented in this passage … instruction and admonition. There is a central focus on teaching the Word of God (Acts 20:20,27,32), as Paul declares, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." Second, Paul admonished the people in the church in Ephesus (20:31). This word involves counseling, encouraging, warning, advising. The manner in which Paul carried out the responsibilities of his office is highly instructive to us. He discharged the duties of his office with humility (20:19), tears (20:19,31), courage (20:19,20,27), diligence (20:31,34,35), self-sacrifice (20:22-24, 33-35), and seriousness (20:24). This passage is not simply a model for pastoral leadership … it is a model for every form of service in Christ's kingdom, both inside and outside the church … in all our activities, as people who have taken the name of Christ.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:1-6 The letter to the church at Sardis is the fourth letter of seven letters Christ spoke to these select churches. The problem in the church at Sardis was spiritual deadness, even though they appeared to the observer to be a church brimming with vitality. ". . . you have a name that you are alive, and you are dead" (Rev 3:1). This passage cuts to the very nature of spiritual life in a church. It is possible to have an external appearance of life through forms of worship and programs, while at the same time lack spiritual passion in the heart. God’s evaluation of a church (or a person) is not based on any external forms. It issues from the status of the heart. It is possible to sing songs without any earnest reality in the soul. It is possible to pray without any heartfelt humility or awe or longing. It is possible to go to church without any deep hunger to know God better. True worship is not something we can turn on once per week, like a light switch. Whatever our hearts are like during the week, that is what they are like on Sunday. If there is no thirsting after God on Tuesday, there will be no thirsting for Him on Sunday morning when the forms of worship are employed. Genuine worship is an overall perspective and passion of the soul. Sunday simply gives this passion corporate expression in a church service, but the longing after God is there quite independently of Sunday worship forms. If such spiritual yearning is not present within each of us, our church can look like it is alive, while all the time being dead.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:18-29 Thyatira was not a magnificent city in antiquity and was relatively obscure compared to Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. It was known for the manufacture of purple dyes and the making of cloth. In Acts 16, the first convert in Philippi was Lydia, a seller of purple fabrics, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The commendation of the church in Thyatira is glowing and emphatic. “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first” (Rev 2:19). But there was a serious problem in the church. There was an influential woman (she is referred to as ‘Jezebel’ in Rev 2:20) who had encouraged some of the people in the church toward acts of immorality. The church was tolerating her and these practices. In spite of the sterling qualities within the church, its purity had been compromised. The church in America today faces the same struggle. Moral purity is increasingly difficult to maintain, due to blatant sexually-charged messages everywhere. Pornography is a multi-billion-dollar business in the US alone. Let us guard our heads and hearts, lest we compromise the church’s purity and effectiveness. Let us, like Job, make a covenant with our eyes so we will not dishonor God and we will not deaden our hearts by what we see (Job 31:1). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psa 119:9).

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:12-17 The third church in the letters of Christ to the seven churches was in the city of Pergamum. Like Smyrna, it was a center for emperor worship. There was a temple dedicated to the worship of Augustus (and subsequent Caesars) in Pergamum as well as the renowned Altar of Zeus. Christ lauds the Christians in Pergamum for their willingness to suffer and display fidelity to the Christian faith. The problem in Pergamum was that although the Christians had publicly denounced idolatry, some of the people had privately allowed immorality (Rev 2:14) because of doctrinal corruption (Rev 2:15). Doctrinal corruption always leads to behavioral corruption. It is true of many Christians today. Some condemn public evil … abortion, pornography, same sex marriage … but allow subtle sins in their own lives , like lust, hatred, neglect of prayer. The allowance of subtle sins, often, results from haziness about Biblical doctrine. Wrong thinking always leads to wrong behavior. So many of our churches today need a revitalization of precise, deep-rooted, fervent truth in their programs. Biblical truth is being replaced today, in wholesale fashion and in the name of worship, by entertainment. While we stimulate our senses we are starving our souls. We need clear, demanding truth from the eternal Word of God. This is the only way our lives and our churches will remain pure light in the darkness. He who has an ear, let him hear.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna was a city of 200,000 people in the first century. It boasted a stadium, a library, and the largest public theater in Asia Minor. The sizable Jewish population and the high level of allegiance to the Roman state made it difficult to live in Smyrna as a Christian. The Jews, in particular, led the way in persecuting the Christians there. As a result of this persecution, many of the Christians in Smyrna had been rendered poor and were living in great poverty. Jesus said, "I know your tribulation and your poverty" (Rev 2:8). The letter written to Smyrna in Revelation 2 is one of two letters which does not contain any rebuke from the Lord (the letter to the church in Philadelphia was the other one). Instead, Christ praises the Christians in Smyrna for having a wealth of spirit that has nothing to do with money or possessions ("I know . . . your poverty, but you are rich"). And He reminds them that, in spite of severe persecution, there remains, for believers, an imperishable crown of life. The passage instructs us that true wealth is not material and, in fact, has nothing to do with money. We must cultivate the riches of the soul if we are to understand life at its deepest level. This passage also instructs us as to the glory of suffering for the sake of Christ. We must develop a Biblical perspective of suffering if we are to stand for the truth of God in a godless environment. Earthly suffering, borne with patience and hope, yields eternal fruit and an everlasting honor to the name of Christ.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:1-7 In AD 61 or 62, the apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus. It eloquently plumbed the depths of salvation in Christ and called the Ephesians to zeal and truth. Some 30 years later the apostle John wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus as well, recorded in Revelation 2:1-7. John’s letter included a commendation of the church and a grave warning. The commendation was that the church had maintained doctrinal purity, exposing the error of false teachers (Rev 2:2). The warning was that the people had lost their first love (Rev 2:4) and no longer had a passion for the things that once stirred their hearts. One of the dangers facing the evangelical church in America is a loss of passion for the truth. In many conservative circles the struggle is not that we do not say the right things in our doctrinal statements. The problem often is that the things we affirm do not really have any power in our lives. We have sometimes maintained theologically accuracy, but have lost our love for spiritual truth. It is possible for our heads to be right while our hearts are cold. May the Spirit of God stir our hearts so that the things that we affirm doctrinally will affect the way that we live. May He fill our heads with great truths about Himself and may He inflame our hearts with love for Him and devotion to Him. And may He help us to strive to maintain not only purity in our doctrine, but purity in our lives.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:9-20 The description of Jesus Christ, given in the first chapter of Revelation, is one of the most majestic pictures of our Savior found in the Scriptures. The awesome imagery is taken mostly from Old Testament passages and is meant to evoke from us the same reaction that this vision produced in John. While banished to the island of Patmos, John had the wondrous visions recorded in the book of Revelation. In chapter 1:12-16, he sees Christ and he rehearses what he saw for us. The person John saw was "like the Son of Man" (Dan 7:13). He was dressed in a long robe (Dan 10:5; Exod 28:4) embroidered with gold, a garment of dignity, respect, and authority. His hair was white like wool (Dan 7:9; Prov 16:31), signifying honor (Lev 19:32) and eternity (Dan :9). His eyes were like a flame of fire (Dan 10:6; Rev 19:12), displaying judgment. His feet were like polished bronze (Dan 10:6), representing glory, strength, and stability. His voice was like the sound of torrential, rushing water (Dan 10:6), symbolic of majesty and power. Out of His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword (Rev 19:15), representing judgment. When John saw this man … God the Son in all His glory … he fell at His feet, as if all the life had gone from him. Jesus tenderly touches John and assures him that he need not be afraid. Our response to Christ ought to be both profound awe, on the one hand, and heartfelt comfort and pleasure, on the other. We hear in His voice the roar of torrential waters … and the whisper of a still small voice. "Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast . . ."

Bethel Baptist Church is pleased this Sunday to host Stephan and Ginger Jordan. The Jordans are transitioning from their previous decades long ministry in the Phillipines to a new opportunity with Ethnos360: Ethnos 360 - Stephan Jordan

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:5,6 What glories are contained in the description of the people of God, to whom the book of Revelation is expressly written. In Revelation 1:5,6, we have a declaration of what Jesus has done for those who belong to Him … and some results of what He has done. John reminds believers that Christ "loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood." Because of His love for us, Christ has set us free from the penalty we deserve for our sins. This He did by His substitutionary death. The just died for the unjust that He might "bring us to God" (1 Pet 3:18). In this marvelous work Christ has made us 'a kingdom' and 'priests'. John Calvin says that we are "associates of His kingdom and partakers of His priesthood." As priests we are representatives of God in the world, commissioned to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9). Further, as priests we are to "offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:5). The living of our lives ought to be a daily, perpetual honor to the God whose name we proclaim. Paul says we are to be 'living sacrifices' in Romans 12:1. "He chose us, when he could find nothing in us but filth and vileness; he makes his peculiar possession from worthless dregs; he confers the honor of the priesthood on the profane; he brings the vassals of Satan, of sin, and of death, to the enjoyment of royal liberty" (Calvin, New Testament Commentaries, 12:266).

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-8 From the first line in the book of Revelation, John exalts Christ. Then, in the first chapter, he describes Christ in majestic terms. Christ is the "faithful witness" … the "firstborn from the dead" … the "ruler of the kings on earth" (Rev 1:5). Christ loves us and has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests. This prompts John's heart and pen to surge into a doxology … "to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Rev 1:5). The words "I am the Alpha and the Omega" in Revelation 1:8 are words from God the Father. But those same words are echoed by Christ in Revelation 22:13. To say that Christ is the ruler of kings on earth is to declare His sovereignty, by which He governs everything that rulers do. "Kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations" (Psa 22:27). "The heart of the king is in the hand of the LORD . . . he turns it wherever he will" (Prov 21:1). "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand" (Prov 19:21). To say that Christ is the Alpha and the Omega is to declare His eternality and self-existence. Our response before Christ should be reverential fear and ecstatic delight and thankful adoration. "There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due" (Jer 10:6-7).

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-8 This marvelous book, with which the New Testament (and the Bible) ends, is what its name implies. It is the revealing, uncovering, displaying of the person of Jesus Christ, in all His glory. Though some of the details in Revelation, presented in the form of symbolism, are not always well-defined, the overall message of the book is clear. This book is the prophecy of the end of human history. The end of the age culminates with the second coming of Christ, the final judgment of all things, and the eternal state of all creation. John wrote this book "to the seven churches that are in Asia" (1:4). The number 'seven', occurring over 50 times in Revelation, seems to represent fullness or completeness, and so these seven churches are representative of the universal church of Christ in all ages. The first chapter of Revelation contains an extended, glorious description of Christ. It is so rich and comprehensive, John Walvoord wrote, "If no more had been written than that contained in this introductory portion of chapter 1, it would have constituted a tremendous restatement of the person and work of Christ such as found in no comparable section of Scripture" (Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 40). The book displays the ultimate and final victory of God over Satan … and righteousness over evil … and heaven over hell. To know that human history is moving according to an inexorable divine plan keeps us from deadening pessimism and works in our souls a calm and hope in the face of every earthly turmoil and heartache.