The Messengers, Their Message, and an Enduring Rest for All Times

 

 

Larry R Evans

September 25, 2021

 

Introduction

 

Last week in our Vancouver church, Pastor Bryson shared an excellent sermon about rest.  His key text was Matthew 11:28,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)

The Message paraphrased it this way,

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.

The words of Jesus were in contrast with the prevailing thoughts of the Romans then and Secularism today. Stoicism, for example, taught that thoughts mattered most while feelings should not be expressed.  Epicureanism taught that the purpose of life was to experience tranquility.  This was accomplished by making sure that a person had more pleasure than pain. The purpose of life was then to have fun, to have pleasure. What mattered most with this approach was self and doing whatever would bring personal satisfaction and pleasure to yourself.

 

In contrast, Jesus did not ask his followers to do mind control, nor did He ask them to camouflage pain by having seeking more pleasure.  (A remedy that is still practiced by many today.)   He simply said, “Come to me.”  In Him, we find real meaning and purpose. Finding rest in His presence, however, was not a new idea. 

 

In Exodus 33 we find Moses struggling with a crisis.  The people that Moses had been commissioned to lead had just made a golden calf to worship while Moses was talking with God on the mountain. The people became impatient. They could not endure the wait. To make matters worse, Moses’ older brother even said of the graven images, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt” (Ex. 32:4). This break with God created a crisis. There was no tranquility, no rest, no hope for a people wandering in the wilderness. What does a leader do?  We find out in Ex. 33:12-16

Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

The rest that God gives comes with the full assurance of being in His presence. It was His presence that led them out of Egypt, led them to water, fed them with mana, and eventually would lead them to the Promised Land. There is no genuine substitute. Moses knew that. Aaron should have known. Jesus knew and He could say with assurance and authority, “Come to me” and be my disciples and you will find rest during your most challenging times.

 

 

 

Insights From the Messenger on Patmos

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (Rev. 1:9)

John described himself as a brother who was patient in his endurance of suffering. His suffering had come because of his faithful proclamation of and faith in the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. One commentator describes testimony as John’s testimony for and about Jesus, not a testimony given by Jesus.  

 

The testimony for and about Jesus was in the context of suffering and likely was the result of his testimony about Jesus and his confidence in God’s Word.  John was on the small island of Patmos—about 8 miles long and 4 miles wide.  Victorinus, the first commentator on the Book of Revelation, stated that John worked as a prisoner in the mines on this small island.   This likely meant hard labor in quarries. John knew firsthand that trials and the kingdom go together. The Greek word for suffering means severe mental or physical pain. It is linked under one article (the) with kingdom and patient endurance.  The word endurance means “an active and manly endurance not a negative complaining.”  However, John was clear. His message was not about himself.  He began with the words, “The revelation from Jesus Christ . . . He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” (Rev. 1:1)

 

We have learned several things so far,

·      We find rest by coming to Jesus.

·      Suffering can come by sharing our faith in the Word of God and about Jesus.

·      Resting in Jesus does not eliminate suffering.

·      During times of suffering God still speaks with and through His servants.

·      The servant’s faith carries him or her forward despite unfavorable circumstances that may arise.

·      The focus of the servant remains on Jesus.

 

In this connection, the following statement by Ellen White is of special interest.

Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel's message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. (Gospel Workers, 156)

The Messengers’ End Time Message

 

It has always been God’s plan for his people to be His witnesses. The divine election of Israel was a gift of grace. God clearly expressed His purpose for Israel when He said, “You are my witnesses . . . and my servant whom I have chosen” (Isa.43:10) Every sincere Christian is gladly a servant of Christ. When Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:10) He expressed the motive for service. Love is a word that speaks of a deep and caring relationship. It is from this relationship that the Christian loves those whom Jesus loves.

 

Revelation 10-14 contains Jesus’ message for His witnesses living at the time of the end. In Revelation 10:6 the solemn announcement is made that “there will be no more delay.” The messages of the three angels of Revelation 14:6-12 develop more fully the brief declaration of Revelation 10. The gospel message is always God-centered and reveals the deep yearnings of Him who created mankind in His own image. To bypass the character of Jesus while sharing the gospel in its unique end-time setting neither does justice to God nor to the kind of preparation needed.

 

If someone were to ask you, “What is the last day message for the world?” what would you say?  Would you even think of saying “the 3 Angels Messages”?  Do you know what they are?  How would you describe them?

 

Right now, the General Conference is encouraging all of its various ministries to give special emphasis to the Three Angels’ Messages.  With one of my task force groups, in shared  a theological explanation that I found from the Biblical Research Institute. It was good. It was biblical. However, one of the members of the BRI who was on the Taskforce for Bereavement (widows, etc) asked me,  “How would that would speak to someone who had lost a spouse!”  That was the perfect question. I needed to be challenged on that.  So, after more study, reflection, and prayer I chose not to alter the 3 messages of Revelation 14 but rather develop what I call “bridge words” that help lead into the full message for the end time—God’s last day message to the world. 

 

Three Bridge Words to the Last Day Message

 

The first angel’s message gives focus to the “everlasting gospel” which calls for an even greater revelation of Jesus. It gives emphasis to who Jesus is as Creator and Redeemer, what He has done and is doing. The time for a decision for or against Him is now. The judgment time has come. The first angel’s message recalls Christ’s lifetime of caring ministry, teaching and healing on earth. The bridge word that we suggest is “Compassion.” The first angel easily conveys, from the perspective of compassion, the necessity to prepare for His soon coming.

 

A key point to the message of the second angel is that Babylon is fallen. Babylon has been portrayed in Scripture as an enemy of God.  From the very beginning, Satan has sought to rob men and women of God’s ideal for them. Babylon has become symbolic of Satan’s attempt to counter God’s purposes through a variety of deceptions. Jesus came, however, to pull away from the deceptive influence that has demoralized those created in God’s own image. No social stigma has blinded the eyes of God.  The second angel announces that God is putting an end to Satan’s destructive efforts to rob God’s people of the plans He has for them. The bridge word here would be “Purpose” – God’s purpose for each person will be restored. 

 

This leads to the message of the last of the three angels. The destructive and deceptive works of Satan must end. It is a message of accountability. Those who have had a part in the demonic deception of Satan will be revealed. The third angel announces that the time has come. Social and religious coercion will come to an end. Justice will prevail.   The patience of God’s people has not gone unnoticed.  The bridge word here could easily be “Hope” — a confident hope based on the trustworthiness of God’s own character.

 

Compassion, Purpose, and Hope are bridges that can provide an introductory approach to a more complete message. These are meaningful words to those who have faced disability, adversity, and stigmas. They bring a unique and meaningful focus to the character of God, the assurance that His people have not been forgotten, and that all are motivated to live and share God’s love. The disabled, and all others, become living witnesses of the power of God! Compassion, purpose, and hope are reminiscent of the three words with which the Apostle Paul ended 1 Corinthians 13:  

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.(1 Cor. 13:12,13)

 

Resting in Peace (RIP)

 

So far, we’ve seen that the messenger who clings to Christ and His righteousness can remain faithful. Christ’s righteousness is more than some judicial pronouncement. As with Moses and John the Revelator it is God’s presence with us, enabling us to bear the testimony about Christ despite what is said about us or done to us.  This leads us to the reality that not all of God’s people will be living when he comes but their faith has not been in vain. Hebrews 11 gives a beautiful promise that we must never forget.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Concluding Thoughts

 

The Apostle Paul reminds us of a vital truth that is relevant for all of us as we face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-6)