Just Like the Days of Noah

There's this passage in the Gospel of Matthew that's been on my mind lately. The way Christ phrases this sucks me in every time I think about it because it's pretty dark, straightforward, and it's an interesting way of saying do all that you do for His glory, essentially:

"...For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be... (Matt. 24:37-39 NASB)"

This is said in the context of Christ's last major spoken message before His death about what to expect when He returns to the earth. In view of that, is he saying eating, drinking, and marrying are terrible things?

No, of course not! But the people in Noah's day lacked something that will also be scarce when He returns. Their theology is non existent. Though they knew what was right they didn't do it (Romans 1-2), but instead made gods of themselves, food, drink, and marriage. God was out of the picture. His Word was no longer on people's lips.

Examine your life. Inspect your priorities. Ask yourself what you look forward to, what you fill your time with, and what you talk about.

As I came to realize today I was making an idol out of marriage and am allowing the Spirit to destroy that in my life. It's a means to an end, not an end in itself. So, sure we should seek wives and husbands, to raise our kids in the Word and Christ's love, but never should that become more important than glorifying God. You can glorify Him as a single person, divorced person, widow, or wherever you are at in life. Marriage and the 2.5 kids mold is propagated by suburbia and is what we're told is right, but we should always keep Christ first, keeping in mind that we're here for his purposes over and above ours. The world is coming to an end and judgment is coming. This is not a time to indulge ourselves and do whatever we want. God's kingdom is the only one that lasts (Daniel 2:44-45) and the choices we make now resound throughout all eternity.

It's interesting that Christ chose those three things. They're basic. I feel like dozens of other things would do as well, but the ones Christ chose are simple, everyday functions every human being in existence seeks out- just for survival. The only thing not listed that I can think of that's common to every man is sleep- I guess people often don't make a god of that. lol.

So, my question to you is this: Which is your god? At the center of all of these are self. They aren't bad things to pursue, but when you become more important than God, you're turning God's order upside down and inverting His design- and things don't work out well when we're the designers...

Who Are the Overcomers?

If you've ever even just casually read through the first few chapters of Revelation, the term "he who overcomes" is repeated to each of the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Btw, a basic breakdown of the book is given to us in the 1st chapter. As Christ is talking with John, He says,

"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things (Rev. 1:19 NASB)."

Here's another way of looking at it in outline form:

A Basic Outline of the Book of Revelation
I. "Things you have seen (1, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ")"
II. "Things which are (2-3, the letters to the seven churches)"
III. "Things which will take place after these things (4-22)"

A Few Introductory Thoughts
Before I even get started, I have to clarify a few things. Because I'm reading the Scripture asking first what the author's intended meaning is (AIM), not my own, I have to look at these things as having yet to happen (4-22). There are dozens of ways to understand this often misunderstood and confusing book, but the easiest and most normal is to just read it as is: Literally. Usually you're told when something should be read otherwise (the use of "like" or "as", for example, but often Revelation will tell you what a symbol is as well).

That being said, I'm just going to look at the letters to the seven churches and specifically, what is promised to "those who overcome". I think this is an often forgotten and spiritualized piece of doctrine that needs to be reemphasized because of what it tells us about our identity in Christ. My thesis is that these overcomers are all believers in Christ from when the Church started. I don't want to write y'all a research paper on this, but know that I've done the work behind it and wouldn't mind showing y'all how I came to that conclusion, though I pray this post will suffice. I think it simply comes about if you're reading what John's being shown literally and especially if you're looking at the other things he makes clear in his other letter, 1 John.

Setting the Context
But first, what's this in context of? The promise of the overcomers are given in the letters Christ writes to the 7 churches. While I have no doubt that John is writing to literal churches that are actually around at his time, it seems best to view all of these churches as representing the body of Christ as a whole. What Christ says about each of them applies to the churches He's writing to, but it also overlaps and looks forward to those who will one day live with God the Father and Christ, God the Son, in perfection and in their glorified bodies:

"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be His God and he will be My son (Rev. 21:7 NASB)."

Now, look at what's said next. There is being a contrast made between those who overcome and those who don't- And it's stark. Black and white. There are no inbetweens.

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev. 21:8 NASB)."

It doesn't get much clearer than that! Overcomers recieve life, while those who aren't overcomers receive only death. You are either an overcomer or you are not. So, lets ask the question again:

Who Are the Overcomers?
John defines this in one of his previous books, 1 John. But, it's well defined there in Revelation 21 too, that's for sure!

"Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5 NASB)"

So, it seems clear that all believers are overcomers from these two verses (and from what's said about them in Rev 2-3). I want to paint what that looks like aside from the obvious implications of being saved from eternal death and damnation, and living with Him in eternity. But first, we are overcomers not because of anything we've done, but all because of what Christ has done (Eph. 2:8-9). He is the overcomer! I think this discussion plays into our earlier post on the Believer's identity in Christ, because we are in Him and being in Him means that we have died with Him and been raised to walk in Truth and Life (Gal. 2:20, 2 Peter 1:3, etc...).

Basically, He's given us life, and we are forever indebted to Him. We receive a lot of really awesome things by just believing in Him though. This doesn't mean we stop at what we receive however, or that we continue in sin, rather, "we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them (Eph. 2:10 NASB)." Our responsibility is to live "a thank you life" for all that He's done, doing all that we do for His Glory (1 Cor. 10:31).

To reemphasize, the overcomer is the believer in Christ. He didn't do anything to receive that, but instead, because Christ is the True Overcomer, the follower of Christ is considered "righteous", having Christ's "righteousness".

Overcomers in Revelation 2-3 And Their Promises

1. We will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God (2:7)
2. We will not be hurt by the second death (2:11)
3. We will receive hidden manna and a new name on a white stone that Christ will give to the overcomer (2:17)
4. We will co-reign with Christ (2:26-28)
5. We will be clothed in white garments, never have our name erased from the book of life, and Christ will confess our name before His and our Father and the angels (3:5)
6. We will be a pillar in the temple of God. We will have the Father's name on us, the New Jerusalem's name on us, and Christ's new name on us (Godly tattoos much?) (3:12)
7. We will sit down with Christ on His Throne (3:21)

Why Am I posting this?... And Closing Considerations...

1. I'm not a part of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel movement. God is not promising you a wife or husband. He's not promising you great wealth, a nice house, 2.5 kids, and a great local church. He's promised you everything that you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and a whole slew of other things in His Son, but we are never guaranteed great physical prosperity or the ingredients to the American Dream. Paul was promised suffering (Acts 9:16). That's something we can expect as believers standing for absolute truth (James 1:2-4). We are not politically correct. We are not Jewish either: Under the Mosaic Law, Israelites were promised blessing for obedience, and curses for disobedience (DT 28, etc). We are not under that covenant or any covenant.
2. So, I'm not posting this to make you happy or for you to think God will provide for your material happiness. That's not reality.
3. I do want to encourage every Beleiver reading this of our great identity in Christ and the promises that come with that which absolutely do not change based on our faithfulness or unfaithfulness! God isn't angry at you anymore. His wrath was dealt with on the cross!
4. In view of that, we need to live out the Gospel and live in such a way as to communicate this great message! Christ is man's only hope. We are living amongst damned people who need to be delivered from God's wrath for sin and enter His presence as children. If we aren't demonstrating this and communicating this to people, we aren't living as we should and are only ensuring their destruction. It's not our power that makes them believe but living in this way (in the Truth, even in suffering) will bring many people asking (1 Peter 3:15) how we can live with such hope and it is our responsibility to share this with people.
5. Make good friends. Listen to those around you. Speak truth in love. Live the Gospel!
6. Also, I realize I'm touching on quite a few issues in this post which thousands of believers do not reach agreement on. Even at my school (the College of Biblical Studies), there are mixed thoughts on who these overcomers are, if we are under a covenant or not (New or otherwise), and how to read the book of Revelation. That being said, take Rev 21 and the other passages I posted seriously because they are extremely black and white. If we don't receive the promises in Rev 2-3 for overcomers we will be naked, not eating from the tree of life, and hurt by the second death. If we don't receive the promise for the one who overcomes in Revelation 21, we will not dwell with our God and Savior forever, but enter into complete separation and alienation from Him.
7. I want feedback on this post. I know it's somewhat extensive and it is because I found it hard to talk about without going into a ton of introductory issues, but I would like to know if you agree with what I've said and if you do, why? And if you don't, why not?
8. In conclusion, I'm posting this to remind every believer of their great God and savior and His amazing grace which cannot be achieved, only tapped into by believing Christ's death for man's sin and His resurrection as Truth. I'm also posting this that we would realize the seriousness of the Christian life, our role in that, and how sure it is that there is an eternity with God in New Jerusalem or alone in the lake of fire. This isn't a game or a religion. This is ultimate truth and reality.

Father, may we live in light of your presence and your promises. May we never forget that we are built for eternity and your Glory- not our own. You alone are worthy, and it's to you that we owe everything you've placed before us, including what you've saved us from and what you've saved us for.

For His Glory,
-Phil

Theology Isn't Just For Theologians

So, I don't actually have too much to say this post other than explaining that title.

By the way, Brandon's been away visiting his folks for the past month or so, and I haven't had too many ideas lately of what to post on (though I'm hoping we can pick up on our "Identity" series again soon), so that's why it seems like we've been dead or something.

I've mostly been busy with school and work- My cohort is finishing up Hebrews through Revelation for the Summer and will then be taking a break to start a class in the Fall called "Contemporary Issues in Theology"... So I'm stoked about all of that and very much ready to have a few weeks break! (I'm planning on getting Starcraft 2 and jamming thru the campaign and whatnot! =D)

Anyway, introductory comments aside, back to the title:

"Theology Isn't Just For Theologians"...

I think most of y'all know that Brandon and I are Bible College students. But we're not super Christians and never will be. We're there to know the Word of God. Knowing the Bible is very important and will be one of our main goals, as Believers, throughout this life on earth as it not only expands our knowledge, but brings us into the very presence of God by knowing His thoughts, and calls us to love others as He has loved us.

Joshua Harris recently wrote a book called "Dug Down Deep" about this very topic: Theology and why it matters. I haven't read it yet, but the best line of thought I've heard from it is this:

"We're all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God is true"

A.W. Tozer put it this way in his "Knowledge of the Holy":

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God. (1)"

So, why is theology important? How can Tozer say this is the most important thing about man?

For starters, theology just means "the study of God". "Theo" means God, while "ology" means the study of. So, that's what I mean when I say that. While I'm addressing the Christian God of the Bible, everyone has a theology. But obviously, the best way to understand life and God and the only valid one that conforms to reality is through the mind of the God: The Scriptures.

That being said, lets take one more step backward: Foundationally, theology is important because what one believes about Christ (the God-man) will determine his eternal future: Eternal Life or eternal damnation. I covered that in my post on the Gospel, but this post goes one step further for us as Christ Followers:

What you believe about God will affect the way you live too post salvation (sanctification).
If you believe God is a personal God as the Scriptures teach, you will probably live that way as well- loving people as God has loved you- sending His Son to die for you.

If you believe God is about as big as an action figure, you probably won't conduct your life in view of His omnipresence, divine nature, or sovereignty.

If you believe God isn't truly good, you will probably view God's Word differently, look at the people around you through that idea, and have so much less of a reason, and power too, to live in a way that has an eternal perspective.

Anyway, I could go on, but what I'm combating in this post is the idea that laymen are just to attend church and let what the pastor has to say flood their mind. No; God has given each of us a mind to understand Him and has written in such a way that allows us to understand what he has written (in a literal, normal reading of the text) and each of us as believers should be reading and meditating on His Word daily to know Him, continue to know Him, and live in light of that knowledge.

In closing, here's a really cool video that I got that Joshua Harris quote from:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2DUKPUKgAI

"We're all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God is true"