Page 6...1 he Portland Observer...February 19, 1992 •Portland Observer RELIGION Scripture o f the V W i Romans 2:1-4 Insight on the Word: The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth! BY MICHAEL LINDSEY, Dean of North Portland Bible College The Bible text fo r next week's Sun­ day School lesson comes from two pas­ sages: Revelation 15:2-4 and 19:4-8. 1 his is the last in a series on Prayers and Songs o f the Bible, which has taken us on a quick tour through the whole Scripture.B eg inning next week, through Resurrection Sunday (eight lessons), we will review events in the life o f Christ from the Gospel o f Mark. Did you know that there are a host of hymns and songs in the Book of Revelation? We often avoid preaching or teaching the Revelation because of its difficult symbolic passages, and be­ cause Christians seem to be so divided on the proper framework for interpreta­ tion, not to mention the meaning of particular scripture passages. But the Revelation is attested very early in Church history as a divinely inspired book. Its message was intended to teach us and encourage us in the midst of trials and persecution,and we shouldn’t ignore it. It is exciting to focus on the songs of praise in the Revelation, and medi­ tate on their truths. In fact, the songs and hymns serve to explain some of the difficult symbols in the rest of the book, and give us a clear understanding of its meaning for today. Before we look closely at our texts for this week, let’s review the songs in other parts of Rev­ elation. In the vision of the throne of the Almighty (Rev. 4-5), there are five songs recorded, each with a larger “choir” than the one before. First, the “four beats” or “living creatures” (NIV) sings acontinual chorus of “Holy, holy, holy. Lord God Almighty” (4:8). Then the “24 elders” declare "Thou art wor­ thy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power...” (4:11). Both these songs have become hymns and scripture cho­ ruses for ourchurches. They declare the greatness of our heavenly Father, the Creator. In the fifth chapter, the Lion/Lamb appears to unseal the book (actually a scroll) of human destiny (this is my interpretation of it). Before he begins to break the seals, John hears a series of praises to the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. The singers of the first two songs combine to praise the Lamb: he is worthy, like the Father on the throne, of praise and worship. The Lamb’s death was the neces­ sary atonement sacrifice, to purchase people for God’s Kingdom, who would come from every ethnic and linguistic group on the whole planet (5:9-10). We can trace this concept from Genesis 12 through the whole Bible; those who are committed to bringing the blessing of salvation to every people group around the world are known today as “World Christians.” Are you one of them? These living creatures and elders are then joined by myriads of angels in a wondrous chorus (which modem be­ lievers have also set to music): “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain...” (5:12). Then John “hears” every creature in all creation praising both the Father and the Son, lifting them in glory together (5:13). Such praise is worthy for the Lamb of God, because he shares the divine essence of God. Later we read of John’s vision o f an innumerable multitude of people, saved out of every people (7:9), faithful mar­ tyrs of the final persecution of the people of God (7:14). John heard them singing (7:10), the response of the heavenly hosts (7:12), and a hymn of one “elder” concerning the Christian multitude at peace in heaven (7:15-17). This last song is not obvious to readers of the King James Version; I would suggest the NIV for comparison. In Chapter 11 we hear (with John) two more hymns of praise from heaven. These resound from the seventh trum- pet ( 11:15,16-18), and declare the end of “the kingdoms of this world” and the establishment of “the kingdom of our Lord [the Father] and of his Christ [his Son, the Messiah].” In phrases which recall Psalm 2, the heavenly elders re­ joice in the breaking down of the politi­ cal forces of the world, the establish­ ment of the Kingdom of God, and re­ wards for the faithful servants of God in all ages (11:18). In chapter 12 another hymn cel­ ebrates the victory of Christ over Satan, a victory which includes the overcom­ ing power of the saints (12:10-12). It explains the timing and meaning of the “war in heaven” between Satan and Michael the archangel (12:7-9). Christ’s death and resurrection have judged Satan and brought an end to his ability to accuse the saints in heaven (Job 1-2; John 12:31). But that doesn’t mean he is not still very active on earth (1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:12). And this brings us to our first text on the lesson, Rev. 15:2-4. Here we stand on the brink of the final judg­ ments on the nations of the earth, the seven vials of God’s wrath (15:1; 16:1). But before the vials (bowls) are poured out, we hear the victory song o f the redeemed. Each line seems to recall a phrase out of the Psalms and Prophets, praising God’s works and character. It could well be that this passage relates to a time after the saints have been martyred for their faith, or caught up out of the earth by the Lord. It is hard for us to relate to their rejoicing, for many things in the world seem to be morally neutral, useful or even beautiful. We hate to think that all nature and human cultural achievements will be burned up and destroyed (com­ pare 2 Pet. 3:7, 10-13). But that is the whole point of the final judgments. This whole planet is so infested with evil that it must be finally destroyed, in order for God’s judgments to be truly just. This theme is reiterated in the midst of the vial judgments (16:5-7) in more songs of praise for the Lord’s righteous judgments. The final passage of hymns of praise North Portland Bible College Jesus Loves You! A l l en Tem ple C M E C h u r c h Second Annual Musical Saturday, February 29, 7:30 p.m. Psalm 34:3 v i n c e u p o n ■ t r \ » •••;’• ' J •J •* » 9:45am 11:00am 7:30pm Sunday School Morning Worship Inter-racial Congregation Denise B. Bell. Pastor t Portland, OR 97211 t (503) 288-5173 J ía itl fflissianary ^ B a p t i s t ( Æ J j u r c If 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 Church Pho.ie: 2 8 9 -0 1 4 7 - V.* . » V« • : , t. f . ; f e t-? .• * ¿ ' «- * w l f » /• i s Study Phone: 2 8 9 -1 9 1 1 Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School 9 :3 0 Bible Study 6 :0 0 Evening Service 7 :0 0 - ’Ì Vinyl Siding Installed on Your Home by Experts \m .iil» \ \ i i i i \ K«•sn< mut in t ti’' huvin | m iiplt in (lain ui i ( Hain > , h i lali/cil *ki,l>. In n tiun. \\< n uillmu (i> In lp p.i\ u lia <|ualihc |5 . im h i |. .| « ullcyv c \ |n lix " - ali lm pali l i l l u " i l M u . tKii.ilh uiic n ci k.m l .un,,liiti pii I" lu u u i i k» \iiiiual liainiiiu Call ABS Inc. I l i in k a ltm il il I In n th in k .ilm til u*t. T l n n « a ll. 283-0348 282-2120 or 223-6734 BB#9291 BI ALL YOU CAN BI ARMY RESERVE Jesus Christ Is Salvation Union Avenue Baptist Church 5029 N. E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97211 Telephone Number - 287-8344 allory C hurch 3908 What A Friend We Have In Jesus Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you want Jesus to be your friend? We want to be your friend and would love to have you as our Themes W h a te v e r you're g o ing to do fo r th e Lord, do it now To the editor: The potential sentencing in the Michael Tyson case surely shows the inestimable superiority of the Biblical laws over typical secular ones in all such circumstances: “If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lays with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels o f silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has vio­ lated her; he may not put her away all his days.” (Deut. 22:28-29). This is fair; decades of imprison­ ment is not. It would be hard to find a more telling example of the urgency of our returning to the Biblical perspec­ tive. Shalom Always! Dr. Paterson Brown Eugene, OR of C hrist NE M A L L O R Y AVENUE SUNDAY SCHEDULE Bible Study 9:30 am. Morning Worship 10:45 am. Men’s Training Leadership Women’s Bible Class 5:00 pm. Evening Worship M inister Gregory Fobbs 6:00 pm. Attended nursery for all services Wednesday prayer meeting and bible study 7:30 pm. Radio Ministry Each Sunday, 11:00 AM - KBMS 288-1092 R E S TO R IN G M t O livet baptist C hurch H a s m oved Sunday services to friend. Everyone is welcome to this church, (the body of Christ). There is a place and a work here for you. I Peter lv.11 ,• A « » ; 3V* * ' i f j . > ? . .«• — ' - * M Biblical Laws Superior N E W TESTAMENT C H R IS TIA N ITY Rev. A. G. May, Pastor , y * . “Keep Your Head to the Sky: From the Beautiful Women with Love” February 29,1992 Portland Community College, Cascade Campus For Project Independence 705 N. Killingsworth Cascade Hall Auditorium 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Suggested Donation: $5.00 students: $8.00 General Public The HeavenBound Gospel Music Ministry is sponsoring their first annual “Youth On Fire Crusade” as an effort to save the youth of our communities. The crusade will begin Tuesday, February 25, 1992 and conclude Sun- day.March 1,1992 at7:00p.m.nightly. All services will be held at the Greater Solid Rock COGIC, 1705 N JE. Dekum. Bishop A. R. Hopkins is the host pastor. The closing service on Sunday will begin at 3:00 p.m. Saturday night is designated as the City-Wide Musical night with guests from all over the area. The speakers each night are also from various con­ gregations throughout the city. The theme for the week is “Reaching Forth For The Prize.” If you need further information, you may contact Min. Lonnie L. Hosley or Bro. Fredric Warren at the church (503) 283-1524. Financing Available He that is too good to realize that he need to be saved, cannot be helped. But he that recognize he has a need, can be helped. Pastor Rev James C E. Faulkner ‘/ • V ■-■ Revised Announcement Fashion Show Tuesday Bible Study and Prayer 126 N.€. Riberta . “Let us exalt His Name together.” Psalm 34:3 at Bethel A.M.E. Church 5828 N.E. 8th Avenue Rev. Dorsey McCullough, Host Pastor with Choirs, soloists, ensembles, including: Vancouver Ave. First Baptist Children’s Choir Immanuel Christian Fellowship Youth Choir Julia Black, “Lifters of His Name,” Tamara Barnett Rev. and Mrs. Dorsey McCullough Bethel A.M.E. Cathedral Choir, with Virginia Champion Allen Temple Men’s Chorus A freewill offering will be received for the benefit of the college. For further information: Call Lillian Jenkins, 285-0089, or the college, 288-2919,287-0885 This event is sponsored by North Portland Bible College Our community’s own center for Biblical studies and practical ministry training Temporarily located in Berean Baptist Church, 4822 N. Vancouver are the real Hallelujah Choruses of chap­ ter 19:1-8. First, the Lord is praised for bringing to an ignominious end the “great whore,” called “Babylon the Great.” I believe this represents the counterfeit forms of Christian faith, both inside and outside of established churches, which have compromised their obedience to Christ by alliance with the political powers of the world. But after that judgment is all over, the wedding feast of the Lamb can take place. The wife of the Lamb (the saints) stands ready to meet her Lover. She is arrayed in “fine linen, clean and white,” a beauty which comes from her righ­ teous deeds. Unlike the false religious system, adorned in purple and scarlet, symbols of riches and exploitation of the poor (18:16), the true bride of Christ wants only to please her Lord. Indeed, the Lamb should be glorified even in his bride, for he purchased her with his own precious blood, and her garments of righteous deeds would be filthy rags (Is. 64:6) without his atonement. All these songs of praise character­ ize the glory of heaven, and give us a sense of the excitement o f our eternal destiny in heaven. All our praises here on earth are only a little taste of the glory of heaven. If you don’t enjoy singing praises and testifying to the goodness of our God, maybe you wouldn’t enjoy heaven! Do you really know who he is? He is worthy to be praised, and praising the Lord is excit- mg! Greater Solid Rock COGIC Presents Youth Crusade ■ ' .. •- Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E. Schuyler 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Radio M inistry each Sunday, 8:00 a.m. on KBM S A Teaching Church W ith A Reaching M inistry Dr. James E. M artin, Senior Pastor C hu rch O ffice 116 N .E . Schuyler St. (503) 284-1954