2 Chronicles 27-8 Revelation 14 Zechariah
10
Jotham
(king of the southern kingdom
of Judah
It’s
all too easy to find history boring! Kings and Chronicles (originally both just
one long book rather than divided in two) can seem an endless list of long-dead
kings and the brief details of their reigns. But the chroniclers are making a
very important point. God’s people prosper and flourish – or do not – as a
direct result of their response to his Word – faithfulness or disobedience.
Note the stark reversal in fortunes for Judah
Zechariah
was a younger contemporary of Haggai, and encouraged the Jews returning from
Exile to rebuild the Temple
In
Revelation 14 John relieves the horror
of chapters 12 & 13 by showing us those who do not follow the Beast (the
name or mark they bear contrasts sharply with the mark of the Beast). 144,000
is a symbolic number: they are only the ‘firstfruits’ (implies martyrdom) of
those ‘purchased’ for God (a clear reference to the price paid by Jesus).
The
remainder of the chapter is taken up with a procession of 6 angels of
judgement, who warn of the terrible consequences of submitting to the rule of
the Beast, which means sharing his fate (20:10 – compare the Christian’s hope
‘in Christ’). The link between wrath, blood & wine throws a poignant light
upon Gethsemane (which means ‘wine or oil
press’ from a root meaning ‘crushing’). Right at the heart of God’s judgment of
our world lies the key to its salvation. Even in the middle of the Book of
Revelation, stands the Cross.
Verse
12 (repeating 13:10) is the heartbeat of Revelation, certainly as we apply it
to our lives. The Christian life is ‘a long obedience in the same direction’
and no bed of roses. When persecution comes to us, may God grant us patient
endurance and faithfulness.
(member of the clergy)