August 9, 2007
Revelations on LovePosted by Bryan
(The following is an edited update from an early blog post, dated Oct 1, 2002)
I'm constantly amazed at the "Jewishness" of the book of Revelation.
For example in the first chapter alone, I see at least fourteen Old Testament terms, allusions, or references. I'm becoming increasingly impressed on the emphasis of this book for the nation of Israel to identify Jesus as their Messiah.
It seems like this book is so captivating to so many people because it seems so mysterious. But it's interesting to note if you read it closely, its really not as "hidden" as people like to think. For example (again) people want to debate about the stars and lampstands in chapter 1 -- what they mean, whether its literal, figurative, eschatological, or allegorical. Verse 20 says in a very straight-forward way -- the stars are the messengers and the lampstands are the churches.
End of debate.
The same thing is true about these "seven churches." After each church, the Word says, "he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." So that tells me this -- there is a message to the church (since it was the one to get the letter), but there is also a message to every church ("says to the churches"), and also to every person in those churches -- including you and me ("let he who has an ear" -- I have two ears, so there must be something there for me.)
Ephesus is criticized for having left its first love. It made me think about my first love -- there were many times growing up that I thought I was in love -- Becca in middle school, Mary Beth in high school. But then when God gave me Kelli, I really understood was love was. Its taken me several years to get to this point. I'm a slow learner. And I know I still have much to learn. But this concept of "leaving your first love" is really convicting. When Kelli and I were first together, love was manifested in silly notes, cassette tapes with Brown-eyed Girl, picnics to the mountains, etc. Now, "I love you," is said by paying bills on time, getting up with the kids in the middle of the night, taking out the trash, and remembering to turn the fan on in the bathroom.
Some would want to argue that "love matures" and becomes manifested that way. I don't disagree that my love for my wife has matured, but I confess I don't want to be guilty of it becoming complacent. While expressions of love don't have to be grandiose in their presentation, they should be consistent. I'm convinced that ongoing, subtle affirmations of affection and devotion (and even passion) are appreciated and even needed by both bride and groom through the years. And while a failure to communicate that love doesn't necessarily equate a failure to love it certainly allows for a perception of this tragedy.
Then I think about it in terms of God's message to me -- Am I guilty of "losing my first love for him?" Is my relationship with Him as real and exciting as when I first experienced it? Do I talk to Him as often as before? Do I trust Him as much? Do I honor Him as regularly? Or has my love "matured?" Am I guilty of having my attendance and memberships serve as my "love expressions?" Have I told Him I love Him, or do I just expect him to know it? Oh, that my desire for God would magnify through my life, and would be reproduced in all my other relationships.
May we never lose our first love.
August 9, 2007 12:21 PM | TrackBack