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Revelation 11
16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.
The twenty-four elders...fell on their faces and worshiped God
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!" (Revelation 4:4,10-11) (Context – early throne room)
Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
The four living creatures said, "Amen!" The elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:8,14)
(Context – introduction of the Lamb hero)
All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:11-12)
(Context – after the revealing of the 144,000 and the great multitude)
The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, "Amen! Hallelujah!" (Revelation 19:4) (Context – response to old version of the Song)
There doesn't appear to be any instance recorded of where the 24 elders worship without falling down. It appears this is their natural way of worshiping God, or at least this is their way of reacting every time they encounter fresh exposure to amazing revelations about the trustworthiness of God and the Lamb. They even go further and throw their golden crowns down before the throne of God, though I am curious as to how they retrieve them. But when it comes to giving thanks, it is not quite as consistent.
We give you thanks
When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, (Revelation 4:9-10)
All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:11-12)
You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that the 'I AM' was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes. "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God's salvation to him." (Psalms 50:21-23)
The first time thanks is mentioned in the book of Revelation is when the 4 creatures who give thanks elicit a response of worship on the part of the 24 elders, though they don't appear to do it themselves.
The second time thanks is mentioned, this time the elders join everyone else around the throne in an overwhelming song of praise that also includes thanksgiving. The next and last time thanks is mentioned in this book is in this current passage we are looking at here. These are the only 3 instances that I can find that reference thanks or thanksgiving throughout the entire book of Revelation. I think this may indicate a pattern of a growth progression that parallels the growing emergence of the New Song as the book moves us toward the grand finale scene at the end. But notice something interesting here; what are the elders thankful about in this passage?
because you have taken your great power, and reigned
First we should note that the word 'taken' here can be translated as 'received' or 'accepted.' I find this fitting more closely with the methods of God as revealed by the Lamb who takes away the sin (mistrust) of the world. How God relates to power is one of the main issues of dispute in this war.
The key question to hold in our thinking as we review the following verses is this: what power is received and what makes it great. How does Jesus use power to reign? These are crucial to unpack if we desire to be synchronized with the exclusive warfare style and methods used by the Lamb.
Therefore in one day her plagues will come: death, mourning, and famine; and she will be utterly burned with fire; for the Lord God who has judged her is strong. (Revelation 18:8)
I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! (Revelation 19:6)
I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. (Revelation 19:11)
I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time. (Revelation 20:1-3)
All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done. The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him! (Psalms 64:9-10)
Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him. Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Psalms 98:1-3)
Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn't it you who did cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster? Isn't it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:9-11)
Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Don't be grieved; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:10)
These passages convicts me that the methods of the Lamb are in sharp contrast to how God has been portrayed as fighting against evil throughout history. Keep in mind that God is no different than the Lamb, but rather the Lamb is the explicit revelation of God's heart, Gods' motives and only uses God's methods down to the minutest detail. The New Song properly understood and practiced, constitutes and releases the kind of power that God relies on to defeat all His enemies. History is about His-story, a progressive unveiling of God's radical love, not a protracted struggle by God to put down His enemies effectively using one tactic after another until something finally works. That is how we often imagine it, but God's perspective is entirely different from how we view things from our narrow and biased opinions and misconceptions about the nature of this war.
I find these last few passages significant as to the ways and means by which God defeats the powers of evil without being complicit with them or giving them credibility. The light of love alone defeats evil, and it is this truth that must be embraced before one can hope to participate with the elite special ops forces who synchronize with the Lamb to bring this war to its final victory. This is a plot line throughout this book and is the filter for interpreting links found throughout the rest of Scripture. In verses from Isaiah 51, notice particularly the key words in the last part, then plug them in to discover how God's righteousness and salvation are to be shown openly.
The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing...everlasting joy... they shall obtain gladness and joy....
What if these ransomed ones are the ones who have learned to synchronize with the Lamb's heart so closely that they can act in concert with Him to finally overcome the false version of power through the pure power of love, praise, heavenly music and thanksgiving? At first it may appear absurd to think that rejoicing in the goodness of God can defeat the raw power of evil set against the apparent helpless and vulnerable children choosing to remain loyal to God and His ways. Yet there is plenty of evidence throughout history that this is indeed the way God defeats evil forces. Here is one of the clearest examples.
The context for this next story is an imminent threat of extinction for king Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. A massive multinational army had amassed to wipe them out, but instead of attempting to figure out how to fight back or find allies to save them, Jehoshaphat made a very unusual choice that opened the way for God to demonstrate His methods instead of what usually transpires in most of the other stories. The king gathered all the people together into Jerusalem to call upon God as their only hope and to put their trust entirely on God to save them without seeking for any alternative plan. This put the entire responsibility on God alone, and the hearts of everyone present, which included all the men, women and children, became united in turning away from the overwhelming pressure of fear to focusing their attention on God as their only means of deliverance. In this context Jehoshaphat poured out his heart to God in a most eloquent prayer worthy of close emulation, a prayer similar to other ones in Scripture that produced similar results. When he was finished and bowed in surrender to worship and trust in whatever God would choose to do, we pick up the story at this point.
All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Yahweh in the midst of the assembly; (2 Chronicles 20:13-14)
Pay close attention to how Yahweh chose to respond. He did not send His answer through a prophet or directly to the king or anyone of human importance. By this account, the answer was sent by way of one of the singers who was part of the regular praise team for the services of the temple. I believe God did this to demonstrate something very important for us in our day. God's way of disarming the threats of force intended to paralyze us in fear of death is found in praising and worshiping God, not by any other venue. It was a lowly singer out in the middle of the people who was suddenly overcome with the passion of God's Spirit, not a leader standing up front in charge. I find this enlightening as to how God's methods are entirely different than what we normally imagine.
The rest of this story is like an oasis of light in a sea of confusion about the way God does things in this war. This story finds few parallels in history and thus stands out in stark contrast to all the others that lead us to question whether or not the methods of the Lamb are actually viable or effective to defeat evil. This story stands out uniquely, and I believe it reveals the decisive way that will be relied on to defeat the empire of evil in Revelation 15-16.
and he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says Yahweh to you, Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. [This is most important in order to reset our mental context when we are terrified and cannot think straight. In most instances when heavenly messengers come to convey important things to humans, they have to first get the human to choose to put aside their fear in order that they may receive the power of truth that displaces it.] Tomorrow go you down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and you shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; [Don't miss here that it is Yahweh's salvation that we are to see, not just ours. This truth has too long been ignored or even denied by religion, but is central for understanding the true nature of the war and how we fit into it.] don't be afraid, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them: for Yahweh is with you.
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Yahweh your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper.
When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who should sing to Yahweh, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks to Yahweh; for his loving kindness endures forever. When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck.
(2 Chronicles 20:15-22)
It is high time we begin to question our assumptions and presumptions rather than trying to keep God confined to our small opinions about how things should be done to win the war against evil. It has been demonstrated in the past, yet those demonstrations are themselves skewed because of confusion by people who participated in them. If we would allow God to do things entirely His way and stop interfering and second guessing Him, the victory could be completed and salvation could come to God's reputation as His children allow Him to be vindicated fully by cooperating in every way with what He chooses without resistance on from us.
I am fully convinced that this story is key to unlocking the mystery that enshrouds the true meaning of the 7 last plagues as they are referred to. This story demonstrates just how the angels described in detail in chapter 15, unleash the kind of power that results in those plagues. When one allows the Lamb to define that story, it becomes clearer what happens in the plagues is like what is seen here. Those angels pour out praises and thanksgiving that elicits violent reactions among God's enemies who end up ambushing each other rather than carrying out their plots against the people of God. This unveils the 'how' for understanding that you have taken your great power, and reigned.
He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11)
The nations were angry, and your wrath came
As we move through the following examples of how nations are angry and God's reactions, pay close attention to the contrast, for God's anger or wrath is not at all what most make it out to be.
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion." (Psalms 2:1-6)
To see the fuller meaning of this passage, let's look at how the believers soon after Pentecost applied it in their situation of severe threat on their well-being.
Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.' "For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus."
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31)
This prayer is strikingly similar to the prayer of Jehoshaphat in our previous story, and the situation was not that much different. Both prayers have the same pattern: turning the attention to God and His works in the past, praising how great and wonderful He is and how nothing takes Him by surprise. The passages from David were applied as the context to bring perspective to those sharing in this prayer. Likewise, our prayers are not to inform God of what He already knows, but to remind ourselves of His perspective and His constant care and concern for us in every situation.
In both stories, the anger of the nations was intent on harming followers of God who chose to rely entirely on Him, however He chose to work in their situation. In both stories we are also shown what it means for God's wrath to come. This is where it is easy to miss the most important part, for unless we see that God's wrath is not like human anger and wrath, we will not be able to see the real issue in these stories or in prophecy, and we will remain unable to synchronize with how the Lamb overcomes because we will be tuned to the wrong system with wrong definitions of the words.
How is God's anger and wrath entirely different from man's anger?
He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered. They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. He said to the man who had his hand withered, "Stand up." He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?" But they were silent. When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:1-6) But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus. (Luke 6:11)
In this story we see opposite versions of anger and wrath. The anger Jesus was feeling was entirely rooted in intense grief over their stubborn resistance to a revelation of God's heart of compassion being demonstrated through His life. In stark contrast, the rage of His opponents was against the very One whose spirit and example was exposing their selfishness, hypocrisy and evil nature, yet instead of repenting of their dark opinions about God, they chose to channel their passions into looking for ways to destroy the very One who alone could save them from their sins.
The response of Jesus to their bitter rage against His compassion and act of kindness was what Scripture calls God's wrath. This is a sad commentary on the mindset of translators of the Bible, but it is what we are stuck with unfortunately. In each version of this story we see Jesus respond by doing what Romans 1 defines as God's wrath which is to release, to let go, to pull back, to disengage to leave others to have what they insist on doing.
But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, (Matthew 12:14-15)
In researching this action of Jesus, I came across an interesting insight. Jesus instructed His disciples to do the same thing He did in this story, to leave where they were not welcome.
You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come. (Matthew 10:22-23)
This word flee means to run away. It is used in an analogy of Jesus of how it applies in relation to those who are following Jesus in contrast to how it operates in those who follow the enemy.
Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers. (John 10:4-5)
He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep. (John 10:12-13)
When Jesus left those who reacted with violent rage over His act of compassion for a man with a disability, was it out of fear or was it out of respect for their freedom of choice? This makes all the difference. Perfect love displaces all fear, and Jesus was the ultimate example of fulness of love at all times. Jesus is also the good shepherd, so He will not act like a hireling who doesn't care for the sheep. He never made choices based on fear but always on what was best for everyone and in line with the will of His heavenly Father.
When opposed and hated, rather than remaining longer in the presence of those who rejected Him (that would only antagonize them even more), He always chose to move on elsewhere where He would be more welcome. This is extremely important to appreciate and practice ourselves, for followers of the Lamb must be motived by the same principles the Lamb demonstrates if they are to participate in helping to move the kingdom of this world into becoming the kingdom of God's Christ. They are not to act out of fear but out of respect just as Jesus did, leaving enemies free to do whatever they choose and trusting in God's care for them instead of trying to force a situation. This is the meaning of what is inappropriately termed as God's wrath.
The anger of man, the anger of the nations of this world, is anger that drives them to commit violence against others and against God. This is satanic anger and we were not designed for it. This anger is a sure sign of Satan's spirit manipulating us; it is never the spirit of Christ.
Let's consider other passages that expose the difference between the methods and motives of God to how we have too long imagined Him to be altogether like us. It is already becoming clear that the anger of the nations is linked with God letting go which is what has been translated by scholars as the word wrath. I want to pursue this more fully so this vital truth about the Lamb and the One on the throne becomes firmly settled in our thinking before we move on. Having this securely anchored in our mind and heart is key for understanding the rest of the book.
I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him. (Hosea 11:4)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
Run you back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places of it, if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her. Though they say, As Yahweh lives; surely they swear falsely. O Yahweh, don't your eyes look on truth? you have stricken them, but they were not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they don't know the way of Yahweh, nor the law of their God: I will get me to the great men, and will speak to them; for they know the way of Yahweh, and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. Therefore a lion out of the forest shall kill them, a wolf of the evenings shall destroy them, a leopard shall watch against their cities; everyone who goes out there shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, and their backsliding is increased. (Jeremiah 5:1-6)
Recall what we read earlier from Psalm 2. The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us."
Let's look at some more examples here.
Have you not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it in ancient times? Now I have brought it to pass, that it should be yours to destroy fortified cities, turning them into ruinous heaps. Therefore their inhabitants had little power. They were dismayed and confounded. They were like the grass of the field, and like the green herb, like the grass on the housetops, and like a field before its crop has grown. But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me. Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came. [Note how God will turn back those who are bent on destroying. It is not pitting force against force like we are so prone to imagine about Him.]
This shall be the sign to you. You will eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs from the same; and in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. The remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah will again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go forth, and survivors will escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.' (Isaiah 37:26-32) [This zeal is the same emotion as what is called wrath when it comes to how God expresses it. Wrath for God means intense passion, not anger bent on hurting or destroying others. God's wrath includes respecting people so much He allows them to go their own way without forcing them to do things the right way.]
There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they don't serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (Daniel 3:12-22)
Sadly, many presume and teach that God is no different than the heathen king who relied on fear, intimidation and compulsion to command worship. Most people imagine that God threatens to burn alive all who dare to disobey His commands and will forcibly throw them into the fires of hell where they get their just punishment for not accepting His offer of grace. This actually summarizes the main teachings of Christianity today, yet we fail to see that in this story the reverse is actually the truth.
Here is one more example of how God acts when His wrath burns hot.
Moses said to Yahweh, "Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Yahweh said to him, "Who made man's mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn't it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak." He said, "Oh, Lord, please send someone else." The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Moses, and he said, "What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he comes forth to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. (Exodus 4:10-15)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn't return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do. (Isaiah 55:8-11)
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his lord.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they don't know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my Father also. If I hadn't done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn't have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father. But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.' (John 15:18-25)
We are immersed in a study of the book called The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of the Father's heart, so if we properly see the truth about the Lamb of God we also see the exact same thing about the heart of God. It is this radical and even scandalous revelation of the nature of God's heart that arouses such hatred among those who refuse to let go of their demands to have punishment and vengeance executed against those they view as evil. They reject the gospel of love which is the light of God in whom there is no darkness at all. They will persecute any and all who not only teach this light about God, but who allow that light and love to transform them to respond the same way the Lamb responded when He was persecuted by those with that same spirit of hatred.
This is the context from which we move to the next phrase, for it is important to realize what is happening and the real issues under contention before we can appreciate the broader nature and effect of truth and light that exposes hatred, lies and what hides under the darkness of evil. As we shall soon study, the enemy of our souls is being unmasked for who he really is by the light brought into this world which has been his headquarters for so long. The contest over who this world belongs to rightfully is intensifying to a fever pitch as we are each called to choose which side we will align with and reflect.
