Maranatha

Reading: Revelation 8-11

The chief meteorologist for the Weather Channel was being interviewed this morning. He was asked about the most significant weather that happened during 2011. He mentioned several things, referring to these as being of “almost Biblical proportions.” I wondered if he really knew what “Biblical proportions” were? It’s an interesting phrase, considering that many in his audience would not know the meaning of the statement.

As I’m reading through Revelation, I am reminded of “Biblical proportions” as John describes some of the events of the times about which he prophesied. Whatever one believes about when all these terrible things are going to happen, the truth is that they are terrible and terrifying.

I wonder if somehow the end of a year triggers in people that fear of events to come. I noticed that a lot of the movies scheduled to be shown on television during this coming weekend have to do with terror. No one would admit that somewhere back in the recesses of their minds, lies some thoughts of “Biblical proportions,” some sense that when the end comes it will be terrible and terrifying even though the content of these movies is far from Biblical.

One thing few seem to focus on is the flip side to the terrifying coin.

“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: ‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.’” (Revelation 11:15-17, NIV).

As I read these verses this morning, part of a song kept running through my head.

“Come, Lord Jesus, come,

Come, Lord Jesus, come,

Come, Lord Jesus, come.”

The song itself is an invitation to repentance, but this one line, repeated three times, if also an invitation to the believer to embrace, not terror at the final events, but inexhaustible joy at the promise of a time when there is absolutely nothing more to be afraid of because Christ reigns.

Maranatha! O Lord, come.