A message from Pastor Ron

"Reading Revelation With Freedom!"

By Rev. Ron Mahler

Have you ever wondered why you don’t hear the average pastor (other than the more famous type) preach regularly or even remotely from the Book of Revelation, or as it is sometimes referred to: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"?? I will tell you what I think. I believe we don’t hear a lot of preaching on its content because pastors often feel the pressure to preach or teach the Book in a "predictive" way, rather than in the fashion it was written to be taught from - pastorally! That’s right, you’ve heard it here, the Book of Revelation is a pastoral book! Now there are a plethora of books, and I have read a few of them - perhaps you have also - that will tell you - the who, what, where and when about Revelation. Their authors have made billions of dollars (can you say: Left Behind series? I knew you could)! Books like those and others are thoroughly fascinating - but - are they really a proper, geo-political-theological fool-proof depiction of Revelation’s teaching and purpose?

John, the author of Revelation was exiled as a pastor to a Roman penal colony on the Ilse of Patmos (off of modern day Greece). He was pastor to a few churches who were steeped in persecution at the hands of Rome - namely, the emperor Domitian. You think Nero was mad - this guy, Domitian, was one bad dude!!! And John, being the pastor he was - was writing to the Christians to encourage them (see seven churches in Chapters 1-3). More than anything else - John was communicating that in the end - there will be a reversal: God will win in the end, and all His enemies, and the enemies of the church will come to ruin. Revelation is a Jewish-apocalyptic writing - meaning; it has pastoral precedence in guiding and counselling the people it is written to. A Prophetic writing, on the other hand, like the "Minor Prophets" in the Old Testament - was written to cause and call people to "change." Is this how we should read Revelation - as a prophetic book? Evangelicals in the 20th century, said "Yes" - and I feel since then, we have lost its true purpose, which is not to read it in order to "predict" the future. It was not written for that purpose exactly.

The early Christians believed Jesus’ return to earth, was imminent - and so to them, the "number of the Beast" when calculated in Jewish thinking, was connected to the emperor "Nero." They thought everything that John wrote down that he received in the vision from Christ - would happen in their lifetime. Did it? Well, I will give you a hint: we still don’t have "a new Heaven and a new earth" as yet! So, how can we be sure, 2000 years later, that all of our wrangling through the images and symbols in Book, will amount to what we think will happen? Again, Revelation was not meant to be read like that. And I could go on to tell you how the various types of interpretation have come up with how the Book will be played out - but I don’t want to fascinate you more than perhaps what you already have been with Revelation. Suffice it to say, that God gave us His Word not to speculate on, but to be instructed by. If we treat Revelation like a hobby-horse - and not as a teaching tool, we are distorting God’s Word. Perhaps this is why the reformer and preacher John Wesley once said, "I can’t figure out this book!"

Just as a side note, Revelation was the last Book to receive canonical approval for inclusion into the New Testament. In the final analysis, maybe we should look at Revelation and resolve as Billy Graham did, "I saw the last page in Revelation, God wins!" Yes -it is a fascinating and intimidating Book to read, and it is an interesting scriptural exercise to work through all the variables in the images and symbols – and we could even find how they link to other wordings and prophecies in the Old Testament – but let’s read it with freedom, by reading it pastorally, and not with the pressure to predict!

A Message from Pastor Ron

As one reads the New Testament, one can't help but ask some "why" questions. What I am referring to, is, why Paul spoke/wrote the way he did in some of his letters? For the sake of my argument, I will point us to the letter that Paul sent to the church in Galatia. Have you ever read that letter to the Galatians - and thought, "Wow! That is some sharp language he is using!" If you read that letter in one sitting, you are left with a couple of impressions. First, Paul sounds royally "ticked," and second, after doing some biblical study and digging, you can appreciate why Paul was so upset at the Christians at that church, not to mention, you also see his shepherd's heart and pastoral love fueling his concerns. Let me ask you: What would you do if someone came into our (your) church - and told you that there was something you and I were "missing" in our process of coming to faith in Jesus? Imagine being told our salvation wasn't finalized, and that God somehow wanted us to jump through a hoop that we never thought we had to! Imagine being a new Christian - or being someone who is "searching" and considering putting their faith in Jesus, and hearing this. How might you and I react?

Well, the Galatians, apparently a good number of them, went off the beaten track and followed certain people into theological error. Here was the crux of the problem in the first century church of Galatia: a group of Jewish Christians (noted in history as Judaizers) who, even though they advocated salvation in Jesus as Messiah, still held that God reached out to non-Jews THROUGH the law (of Moses) and not APART from it. Therefore, what entailed was that all males who wanted to become Christians needed to be "circumcised", and needed to follow certain Jewish customs as well.

Now I ask you, did Jesus mention anything like this in His three years of ministry? Did He even remotely imply this stuff in the Great Commission? NO! Jesus, the Bible tells us, "fulfilled" the law's requirements - and came to make "one people" (Ephesians 4) out of us - and not keep uniquely separate, the means by which Jews or Gentiles - should come to God. Paul would not have seen the Christian movement as a "new" religion, but rather as the natural extension and fulfillment (in Christ) of Israel's faith and longing for Messiah. Therefore, Paul had every justification to be hopping, mad as it were, at these Judaizers for throwing the people in Galatia into spiritual and scriptural confusion. That is, having them rely on some outward, physical actions - in order to complete their faith in Christ - and fully secure salvation - rather than it being by faith in what Jesus had done for them - alone.

Now think in "principle" how this issue in the Galatian church, could be applied today - in our current context as the church. We must tread carefully - in making sure we are not putting up obstacles and giving confusing signals to those who enter our churches and who may be considering Jesus as their Saviour. By promoting an ecclesiology (doctrinal practice of the church) that elevates such things as rules, tradition, structure, institution, and liturgical rigidity at the expense of the pure gospel - and how people were able to encounter Jesus - and how one came to a saving knowledge of Him, are we not bordering on being modern day "Judaizers"? In some sense, are we not hinting at "preaching a different gospel" perhaps, as Paul writes to the Galatian church? John the Baptist came to make "straight paths in the desert" for people to be able to receive Jesus as their Messiah/Saviour. May it never be, then, that we make them crooked again! May it never be - in our ministries or evangelism, that we present a "different gospel," or erect a "mirage" of spiritual hoops for those outside the faith, in spiritual deserts, to jump through - in order to know Jesus, and trust in Him for their salvation.

A message from Pastor Ron

In my weekly Bible reflections I came across a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, that I would like to reflect on in this space. What struck me was the tension between people asking Jesus for a "sign" that He was the embodiment of God’s "Kingdom" come, and their lack of faith when presented with difficult teachings from the Lord, afterwards.

In other words, there were some, who, after seeing Jesus perform some supernatural act - like a miracle, would seem to exhibit an initial faith in Him. And with that, they would carry on following Him. Then would come the inevitable moments when Jesus would stop and teach the people. If Jesus simply wanted "followers" - all He had to do was just perform great acts of "awe" for the waiting throngs - and seal their allegiance that way.

However, it is clear from any gospel we read, especially in John‘s gospel, that Jesus was more interested in numbers in Heaven - than numbers "in the pews" as it were. He left that ambition to the Pharisees.

You may remember that when the Iraq War commenced in March 2003, that the headlines in the papers read: "Shock and Awe." That was the name of the United States’ military offensive against Saddam Hussein and his imperial guard. Well, Jesus had lots of "awe" value in His ministry, but He also had His bag of "shock" value as well.

In John 6, Jesus pronounces, "I am the bread of life…" and then He says, "…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." This statement, by the way, was taken to heart by the early church. Their tradition shows us, as does that of the Catholics and Anglicans, that upon someone’s deathbed, the request was made to receive "communion." In some people’s theological understanding, that is their way of being sure they have "life" in them. Yet why did Jesus express His identity in such "shocking" terms? For the casual listener hearing Jesus’ words that day, perhaps they thought He was encouraging cannibalism - as was the Romans’ perception of the church’s worship practices. However, all that Jesus was trying to convey by His shocking words, can be clarified and explained, and put into context for us.

Jesus was, in some hyperbolic sense, saying, "Spiritually, I will be the sustenance for your life in me." You see, when people thought it was enough to follow Jesus at the drop of a miracle or sign, John was making sure that the readers of his gospel got the main point. Obviously, asking God to do miracles for us - will not equal our devotion and faith - at least not for too long. If I’ve heard it once, I have heard it a thousand times from people, who have said they would have faith in Jesus and follow Him, if He would only do this "one thing" for them.

Rational faith is based on things we can touch, see, understand and be attracted to. This was not the type of faith Jesus was asking for. If it was, then why did those who saw Him produce miracles end up leaving Him after He spoke "hard teachings"?

Signs are not enough. In order to follow Jesus, we need to accept the difficult things He has to say to us. We need to accept His testimony about what following Him requires of us (sacrifice, suffering, new ideals etc.).

Jesus used shocking statements, as mentioned above in John 6, to weed out those who were casual followers (who were just pining for spiritual theatre and who blindly figured faith was intertwined with religious entertainment), from those who would stick with Him - and still accept Him by faith - on the difficult levels He, Jesus, was communicating His message.

Perhaps we need to rethink who Jesus was, and is. A miracle worker? Yes! A performer of signs? Yes! A worker of great and awesome wonders that defied nature as we know it? Yes! But He is more, and He calls us to embrace a life that turns our world upside down. If we can accept that - we will have "life in Him." That is what the twelve did.

After Jesus asked the twelve disciples if they were "leaving" Him as well, on account of His teachings, Peter confessed, "You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." May that be our response! If we are going to follow Jesus for signs and wonders, that is okay, but He is looking for more than that from us. We must also follow His life-giving words, which are at times, very challenging and "hard." But that is the true disciple. Are you one?

Is the Bible Valid?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.

-1 Timothy 3:16, 17 (New King James Version)

Imagine if you will—
You are out with a friend who is unsure about God and the church—and the topic of the Bible’s validity as God’s Word comes up.
How would you respond to them?
How would you contend that the Bible that you read, hold as sacred and align your life around is really of God?
Is it possible to do?
Is it just faith you need?
~
This is a difficult topic to approach—and one that requires more than a theologically pat answer from a Christian, such as "I just choose to believe!" Sure, we must believe—but isn’t there more to it? Our faith shouldn’t be just a "dart-in-the-dark" exercise. It should be explainable in intelligent ways. In order to answer the question of the Bible’s validity as God’s Word to us, we must give a balanced explanation that makes room for both God’s involvement and the "human" element in the forming of the Bible—which we hold as authoritative "scripture."
~
In one sense, the Bible is a human document—its authors were as fallible as you and I are. They each wrote using their unique personalities, perspectives and ways of communicating. The Bible is a collection of letters and books that express human understanding and reflect God’s working and words, all rooted in history. So, if the Bible is about God’s involvement in human history from the creation of the world, it can be seen as a spiritual document as well. How then can we "believe" the words of the Bible’s authors are really God’s Word to us? Well, even though Jesus is the central person in God’s address to us, threaded through the Old and New Testaments, God chose to communicate His message of redemption in Christ through the critical thinking of human vessels. Some writing from first-hand account, others writing from the memories of the apostles’ teachings, each author had a place in their own historical church setting. God made us able to grasp His self-revelation and to respond to Him. Consequently, in terms of the New Testament, God also chose to make what is known as the "apostolic circle" responsible for recording, preserving and passing on the accounts and events of Jesus’ earthly ministry and message of salvation—as they understood it—through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This comes closer to the meaning of the biblical term "inspiration," of which the apostle Paul speaks of in his letter to Timothy.
~
Therefore, the writings in the Bible are not merely human ideas, nor are they the reckless sovereignty of a "dictating" God overriding and determining the pens of the apostles, as it were. Rather, the Bible reflects the confirmation that its authors, who were accepted and respected by the very first Christian communities after Jesus’ crucifixion, had reliable authority. The early church believed God was speaking through the apostles’ writings and teachings. What that realistically means for us today is that we can accept intelligently that the authors of the Bible were esteemed as having authority. Isn’t it possible, then, that the documents they passed on to us demonstrate God’s voice and truth in them? Isn’t it worth considering?

Having authority:
Ones who accurately and consistently taught God’s will

for faith and life centred in Jesus.

A New Year's Message from our Pastor

Happy NEW YEAR to all! Thank you for visiting our blog. We are just days into a brand new year and already, people are weary. As we all know, it is only the numbers and name of month that change - and not necessarily our circumstances on January 1st. I noticed that a lot of commercials advertising for Christmas this year carried with them a predominant message: hope for peace. Everybody is crying out for peace. Why shouldn’t we? The United Nations says that there are roughly 130 plus known wars (by their standards of what constitutes a war) going on in our world today. The spectre of new wars rises, it seems, with every passing newscast. The season for "peace on earth" may have come and gone - but war, strife, and heartache, for millions of people, continues. In our own country, we are facing an uncertain future - politically. After reading numerous articles over the Christmas holidays concerning our crisis in Ottawa, it is apparent that now, more than ever, people are losing their confidence and faith in government. South of the border, America faces an unknown future as well. Barack Obama, a promising, yet untested leader, will take the reigns of the most powerful office in the world, during an unprecedented time of geo-political and economic turmoil. The sentiment, worldwide, seems to be that things are getting worse for planet earth. We face new, global problems and realities - with little answers, as leadership vacuums abound. What to do? The interlude of peace and hope that comes with Christmas time, as one reflects on its true meaning (the birth of the Saviour) does not have to end on Boxing Day.

In our home, we played carols up until just a few days ago. We wanted to usher in the New Year with a lyrical reminder of just what Christ’s advent to our earth means for us even today. The coming of Jesus to our earth shows us that we, as the human race, are loved by the God who made us and put us here. He was not satisfied with just creating us, nor was He satisfied with leaving us in our fallen, sinful state. He sent Jesus because He loves the world He made. Though man harms it, though wars riddle it, though unbelief prevails, God will return to it. He cares about the future of the earth, not only because it inhabits the crown of His creation - you and me, but also because it involves His redemptive plans for our future. When Jesus returns to earth - and it could be this year - to gather up those of us who have turned to Him in faith, no matter what in the world is going on at the time, it will be God’s statement to a world that has largely turned away from Him, when they need Him the most. It will be a time for people to stand up and notice - that there is a God, that He is in sovereign control, and that He is carrying out His plan on earth as it is in Heaven. My hope is that whoever reads this will choose to receive Jesus and His peace, as they begin this New Year. There is hope! There is a government to come, which will be carried on the shoulders of Jesus Christ, and it shall be established one day - and He wants all of us to be part of it. So - yes, we may be weary at the global prospects facing us this year, but we can filter them through the lens of Jesus, who told us, these things "must happen," and are signs of what is to come. Namely, His kingdom and reign - where there shall be "no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, crying or pain."

Please note the following Bible passages and reflect on them:
John 3:16
John 14:1-4, 27
Matthew 24:1-14
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Revelation 21:1-4

Have you ever considered putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour? He can come into your heart and life today if you want Him to.

A prayer for your consideration:

Lord Jesus, I don’t want to live 2009 without you. I realize you came to earth to rescue me from my own sin and to die for those of the world. Please forgive me and help me to walk with you daily in newness of life. Thank you that you are preparing a place for me in your Kingdom. Give me your Holy Spirit to help me live, as you would have me.

In Your name, Amen.

Pastor Ron's Ordination - March 30, 2008

Rev. Bud Penner, President of the AGC, was on hand to officiate at the ordination of Ron Mahler on March 30 at the Community Centre in Minden.

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