PREACHING ON PROPHECY

 

Do you want to rob yourself and your flock of God’s blessing?  Then ignore prophecy—and in particular do not preach from Revelation. Our Lord has assured us to read and hear these words is to receive God’s blessing (1:3).  This is THE NECESSITY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION. 

So, why do many pastors rarely deal with this book?  There is THE DIFFICULTY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION. Granted, there are interpretive challenges. Yet, we must not shirk our duty because of the difficulty.

Yet, we must be motivated by THE URGENCY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION. We are assured that “the time is near,” for the fulfillment of these passages. Jesus is coming soon!  We must help prepare people. What if it were today?

Do not miss THE CENTRALITY OF PREACHING FROM REVELATION.  It is foremost a book about Jesus. He is the central figure. Do not get so bogged down in the details that you forget to shine the spotlight on Jesus. The Gospel is the primary message. The church is the audience.

I love how Jesus walks among the seven golden lamp stands—the seven churches. This is the vital interest of Christ—for His church. We may be assured that when we assemble, wherever that local body gathers in this wide world, that Jesus is in our midst!  Pastor, if there are two or three in the congregation—there will be another, for Christ has promised to be there. What you do is big business, no matter the size of the congregation; be faithful, for the Lord is listening!

He also holds the seven stars in His hand. Those are the angels of the churches—one for each. The Greek word means, “messenger,” and mostly it is used to describe a heavenly being, but in this case, I understand it to be a human messenger. This is the pastor who will preach God’s Word. The message is addressed to him first—to assimilate and apply—so he might become the one who stands and speaks on behalf of Christ. What a privilege!  What a responsibility! 

No matter the critics we face or the challenges we find in ministry, always remember that Jesus holds you in the palm of His hand—and there is no safer place to be!  John was banished for his faithful preaching of the Word, suffering in isolation on a rocky island, surrounded by a stormy sea.  Yet, Christ was with Him, and we may be assured He knows where we are, and will manifest Himself to us and speak though us.

THE DEPRAVITY OF HUMANITY

Psalm 14 declares the depravity of humanity. Every person is born tainted with sin (cf. Rom.3:23). The Psalmist says, “there is none who does good,” (v.1b), “there is none who does good, not even one,” (v.3b). This does not mean that all are as bad as they might be, but that even what men call good in comparison to others is still contaminated by sin in comparison to God’s perfect standard—falling short of His glory (Rom.3:23). 

This depravity affects OUR COMPREHENSION (v.1a, 2). So that the question is, “Have they no knowledge…?”  They are fools who deny God’s existence. The word does not mean people who are mentally deficient (they may be highly educated), but morally deviant. They choose to reject the evidence for God in order to avoid thinking of judgment. They are free then to pursue their own wicked ways—to eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow they die, and that’s that.

Depravity produces OUR CORRUPTION (v.1b, 3). The rottenness of who we are permeates every facet of our being. It perverts our thinking and it pollutes our passions.  From a wicked heart flows vile conversation and vicious conduct. Sin is woven into the fabric of our fleshly existence.

Such depravity is seen in OUR CONSUMPTION (v.4). We use and abuse others—chewing them up and spitting them out when we have consumed all they can do for us. We are by nature takers and not givers. Life revolves around us. We craft our own plans and refuse to call on the name of the Lord. 

William Henley’s poem, “Invictus,” displays this attitude:

Out of the night that covers me,

      Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

      I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

      Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

      How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

      I am the captain of my soul.

Depravity leads to OUR CONDEMNATION (v.5). The fear of death hangs like the shadow of a gallows over humanity. The terror of hell awaits all sinners.

Yet, we read of others that God calls, “My people,” (v.4), “the generation of the righteous,” (v.5), and “the poor,” (v.6). Who would these be?

Depravity is overcome by OUR CONVERSION (v.6-7). While we cannot fix ourselves, God can convert us from sinners to saints. From what we all are as, “the children of man,” (v.2a) we can become the children of God through regeneration (cf. John 1:12-12). It is the discarding of the filthy rags of self-righteousness (cf. Isa.64:6) and being clothed in the righteousness of Christ by faith through repentance (cf. Phil.3:7-9). We run to God for “refuge” (v.6b) and trust Him for “salvation,” (v.7a). 

The converted acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy as “the poor,” (v.6) for Jesus promised, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matt.5:3). To those God then “restores the fortunes of his people,” (v.7) by the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus (cf. Eph.1:7). Rather than everlasting regret and grief in hell, there can be eternal rejoicing and gladness in heaven (v.7b)!

In connection with conversion, it is fascinating that the names, “Jacob,” and “Israel,” are used here. Those were the names of the same man. Jacob  (meaning supplanter) was a cheat, a scoundrel, a man always seeking to climb the ladder by pulling others down—a model of depravity. Yet, he met God and surrendered to Him. The Lord changed his name to Israel (prince with power with God) indicating his conversion.  Has that happened to you?