Comments on: Revelation 5-6:Sometimes God Says, “Wait.” http://giveattentiontoreading.com/2009/06/23/revelation-5-6sometimes-god-says-wait/ Read through the Bible with friends Tue, 15 May 2012 22:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Edwin Crozier http://giveattentiontoreading.com/2009/06/23/revelation-5-6sometimes-god-says-wait/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Edwin Crozier Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:23:49 +0000 http://giveattentiontoreading.com/?p=635#comment-438 Good points, Robert. I especially like the part about not wishing for a long life or a short life, but being able to fight the good fight. That gets to the heart of it all. Then, whether long or short, dying will mean going to be with Jesus. I always struggle with saying our goal shouldn't be a long life, because I don't want to sound like I'm saying we should start asking for early deaths. Your point deals with that well. Good points, Robert. I especially like the part about not wishing for a long life or a short life, but being able to fight the good fight. That gets to the heart of it all. Then, whether long or short, dying will mean going to be with Jesus.

I always struggle with saying our goal shouldn't be a long life, because I don't want to sound like I'm saying we should start asking for early deaths. Your point deals with that well.

]]> By: Robert Ogden http://giveattentiontoreading.com/2009/06/23/revelation-5-6sometimes-god-says-wait/comment-page-1/#comment-437 Robert Ogden Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:03:39 +0000 http://giveattentiontoreading.com/?p=635#comment-437 On the other hand, I wonder if sometimes we emphasize 'other-worldliness' so much that we sometimes forget that life on this earth is more than merely treading water in anticipation of life after death. Whether God gives us long life or short life here, we are to be using it to His glory. I thought this quote from Wilson's "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" was interesting: <blockquote>They did not view the earth as an alien place but as a part of creation. It was on earth and on earth alone that human beings’ highest duty and calling could be performed – namely, that of bringing glory to their Maker through the praise of their lips and the work of their hands. (p. 59)</blockquote> In a sense, we shouldn't really wish for a long life OR a short life, but simply that we can "fight the good fight" and bring glory to God each day that we are given. <blockquote> . . .Yes, and I will rejoice,  for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,  as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. (Paul, Philippians 1:18b-23a</blockquote> What I always enjoy from Revelation 5 is the emotion of it all. John weeps and is then overjoyed by the changes that take place in chapter 5. The Lamb is worthy to do something that no other person in heaven or on earth can do - approach the throne of God and take the scroll. Even the Cherubim, the royal guard of God, bow down and worship this Lamb. What sharp imagery! On the other hand, I wonder if sometimes we emphasize 'other-worldliness' so much that we sometimes forget that life on this earth is more than merely treading water in anticipation of life after death. Whether God gives us long life or short life here, we are to be using it to His glory. I thought this quote from Wilson's "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" was interesting:

They did not view the earth as an alien place but as a part of creation. It was on earth and on earth alone that human beings’ highest duty and calling could be performed – namely, that of bringing glory to their Maker through the praise of their lips and the work of their hands. (p. 59)

In a sense, we shouldn't really wish for a long life OR a short life, but simply that we can "fight the good fight" and bring glory to God each day that we are given.

. . .Yes, and I will rejoice,  for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,  as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two. (Paul, Philippians 1:18b-23a

What I always enjoy from Revelation 5 is the emotion of it all. John weeps and is then overjoyed by the changes that take place in chapter 5. The Lamb is worthy to do something that no other person in heaven or on earth can do – approach the throne of God and take the scroll. Even the Cherubim, the royal guard of God, bow down and worship this Lamb. What sharp imagery!

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