Thanksgiving - Pt. 2

 

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5 ESV).

 

We all know the story that provides the backdrop of our uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims landed in 1620. They faced brutal conditions and were woefully unprepared. Roughly half of them died in that first year. Then they had a successful harvest of corn. In November of 1621 they decided to celebrate a feast of thanksgiving. Edward Winslow was among those who ate that first thanksgiving meal in 1621. He noted:

 

Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we gathered the fruit of our labors. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want.

 

In addition to the fowl eaten that first Thanksgiving, the American Indians also brought along five deer as their contribution to the feast. Presumably they also ate corn. Over the centuries, Americans continued to celebrate feasts of thanksgiving in the fall. Some presidents issued proclamations. Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation for a perpetual national holiday set aside for thanksgiving. In 1863, the nation torn apart by the Civil War, gave thanks. So we have a holiday of thanksgiving born in and further nurtured during times of great adversity and struggle. We might think that times of adversity and challenge would spawn ingratitude, while times of prosperity would spawn gratitude. Prosperity breeds ingratitude. Human nature trends toward ingratitude. Another culprit breeding ingratitude is our entitlement culture. Simply put, why should we be grateful for what we think we deserve and what we have a right to? A third cause of ingratitude concerns what Robert Emmons calls the “to whom” question. In his scientific study of gratitude, Emmons came to the realization that gratitude raises a singular and significant question: When we say thank you, to whom are we grateful?

 

The interesting thing here is that if we trace this “to whom” line of questioning back, like pulling on the threads of some tapestry, we find a singular answer at the end of each thread. The answer is God. He does “good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Theologians call this common grace. God as creator cares for all His creation and provides for our needs. He gives us our very lives and our very breath. He also does good by giving His most precious gift, the gift of His Beloved Son. Theologians call this saving grace. This gift was the costliest. It cost Jesus the suffering and death of the cross. This ought to be the beginning of all our celebration and gratitude, especially at this season of the year.

 

Thanksgiving - Pt. 1

 

Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 117 ESV).

 

This is the week of Thanksgiving. We may forget that gratitude is the heart’s response to grace. Our reading today is the shortest psalm in the Psalter and thereby the shortest chapter in Christian Scripture. The psalmist cannot help but be overcome by gratitude and praise. And this is because of God’s never-ending, covenant love which endures toward His people forever. Two elements of this psalm should be apparent. First, “all peoples” should shout in acclamation. The psalmist in a moment of jubilant thanks seems to peer from the old covenant into the future where this “great multitude” from every race and people will join in grateful praise (cf. Revelation 7:9-12).

 

As the plan of salvation comes to fruition, all, including the heavenly host, cannot help but fall down in praise and thanks to almighty God. It is the instinct of redeemed creatures when they receive blessing without merit. And that is the second element which is apparent. That for which the psalmist is so grateful is not something which he earns or deserves. It’s not something he believes he is owed. In fact, it has nothing to do with him, other than the reality that he is a recipient of this matchless gift. It is God and what He has done, without reference to our worthiness, which elicits such incredible and intense proclamations of thanks.

 

Gratitude is not merely passive and reflexive. It is also active and willful. According to Paul, when we willingly choose to focus on those things for which we are thankful in the Lord, it has a heart-shaping effect. Even when our hearts and minds would rather be focused on the negative. And, when we focus our minds to meditate on the gracious gifts of God, then peace from God, which surpasses all ability to cognitively work out, seems to rule in our hearts.

 

I often tell people that “Help!” is a perfectly acceptable one-word prayer. So too is the twice as long “Thank you!” The former is for the languishing soul, the latter for the exultant. One begs for grace, the other acknowledges grace already received. This is a wonderful week to do just that. In the next few days we’ll examine some of the specifics about our reasons for gratitude. Today, being making yourself more aware of the grace God has given to you in this life and the one yet to come.

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The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:17-19 ESV).

 

Have you ever received an invitation that contained a request to respond with your attendance choice? Well, Jesus’ final words to readers in the book of Revelation include a reminder that our Savior is coming soon (v. 12). Just a few verses later, we read what seems to be a response, when “the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’” (v. 17). Clearly, the Spirit and the bride are the Holy Spirit and the church. So, we can see that Jesus wants us to respond.

 

Of course, both the Spirit and the church long for the coming of Christ. This longing finds clear expression in the next verse after our reading today. Yet, that does not seem to be what is expressed in today’s passage. Instead, it seems to be an evangelistic invitation, calling unbelieving readers to come to take “the water of life without price” before it is too late. Salvation through Christ is the only way to eternal life (cf. John 14:6), and this salvation is entirely free. We do not merit the water of eternal life or otherwise take possession of it by our works. All we do is receive it. It is a pure gift received by the empty hand of faith (cf. Ephesus 2:8–10). The gift is offered to anyone, no matter what they have done, no matter how great their sin. Jesus stands ready and willing to embrace all those who come to Him in faith, trusting in Him alone (cf. Matthew 11:25–30).

 

After this evangelistic invitation, John issues a stern warning not to add to or take away from the words of his prophecy lest one become subject to the curses of the book (vv. 18–19). Essentially, he calls for a preservation of what he has written exactly as it has been written. This warning has much in common with other enjoinders in Scripture. It is also a necessary consequence of the book of Revelation’s being a revelation from God Himself. As the supreme and inherent authority over all, the Lord must be obeyed when He speaks. To try to alter His words in any way is to deny His authority and wisdom. Such an attempt at alteration, in effect, says that we know better than the Lord. Thus, while the warning here applies first to Revelation, it must ultimately apply to every word of divine revelation, to every word of the Lord.

 

Without a doubt, intentionally adding to or subtracting from what God has revealed is among the most blatant expressions of unbelief and arrogance. Therefore, it is vital for the church to be led only by those who are committed to the Word of God, and indeed, to all of the Word of God. It is also incumbent upon all Christians to do their best to understand and apply all Scripture. Make that your priority.

 

And Now in Closing

 

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” (Revelation 22:12-16 ESV).

 

Every professional speaker has a unique way to draw his audience’s attention to the conclusion; and Jesus is the perfect example of conclusions as He comes to the end of John’s vision. An angel delivers some closing statements from God to John in the earlier portion of this chapter. In today’s passage, however, the angel stands aside, and Jesus speaks directly to John and thus, through John, to his us. He begins with a powerful restatement of His deity and a reminder of His coming to judge creation. In Revelation 22:13, He emphasizes that He is “the first and the last” as well as “the beginning and the end,” comparing Himself to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (“the Alpha and the Omega”). Of course, this does not mean the Son of God had an actual beginning to His existence or will one day cease to be. These phrases, based on Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; and 48:12, mean that as God, He is before all things and is after all things. He is eternal and self-existent, depending on nothing else for His being.

 

Because He is God, He is “Judge of all the earth” (cf. Genesis 18:25), so He is coming to repay all for what they have done (v. 12). Since all have sinned, falling far short of the Lord’s glory (cf. Romans 3:23), this is bad news for everyone who has not washed “their robes” to have the right to enter the new Jerusalem and eat of the Tree of Life (v. 14). We find here a reference not to our ability to somehow make ourselves worthy of salvation but to faith in Christ. Those who have washed their robes have done so “in the blood of the Lamb” through the great tribulation (v. 14). In other words, believers persevere because their names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life for all eternity. Outside the New Jerusalem are those whose names are not found in the book of life (v.15). The list of their sins is not exhaustive, as other New Testament lists of those excluded from God’s kingdom show us (i.e.:  1 Corinthians 6:9–10). Probably the sins listed here indicate the transgressions of those who compromise with persecuting regimes such as Rome against the church. We can believe these words because they come from Jesus the Messiah (v. 17). In fact, because they come from Him, we must believe them (cf. John 5:36). Do you believe?

 

The Greatest Question

 

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.  And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” (Revelation 22:6-11 ESV).

 

Appropriately so, the vision of the new heaven and earth constitutes the final vision of the book of Revelation. What remains are various closing words of instruction from the Lord, delivered first through the mediation of an angel and then by the Lord Himself. Today we are looking at the closing comments from God that come to John through the angel. First, we have a reminder that Jesus is coming soon (v. 7). This reminds us that consummation of God’s plan is imminent because we are living in the final era of redemptive history. All the work necessary to bring the new creation has already been done by Christ; we await only the consummation. The time before all things is finished is indeed short from God’s perspective, so we must be ready for it. Second, God pronounces a blessing on those who hear and keep the book of Revelation (v. 7). The book of Revelation came to us not to encourage eschatological speculation but to warn us of the coming judgment so that we will be prepared to repent and cling to Christ until the very end. Only those who do so will experience life in the blessed new creation.

 

Once more, the glories of the moment overwhelm John and he is tempted to worship the angel, and once more, we see that this message is truly from God because the angel who represents Him commands John to worship the Lord alone (vv. 8–9). John is told not to seal up the book he has written, “for the time is near” (v. 10). Earlier in redemptive history, Daniel had to seal up his vision of the end, for the final part of God’s plan of salvation lay far ahead of him. With the coming of Christ, this is no longer the case, so John’s vision must be published and kept (cf. Daniel 12:4). In this final era, Jesus and His gospel form a dividing line between the unrighteous and the righteous. He forces people to decide as to whether they will be on God’s side. Those who choose against Him become more confirmed in their evil (v. 11).

 

He is coming soon… are you ready? There really is no greater question in our lives than that!

 

The Tree of Life

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but ethe throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-5 ESV).

 

One of the oldest trees on the campus of Texas A&M is the Century Tree (pictured here). There are many traditions that have developed around this tree. It may not be the oldest tree on campus though there is photographic proof that it is at least 135 years old. We were given a sampling some years ago grown from one of the acorns of this tree. I must say it has great genetics. During the winter of 2021 we had an unusually cold and snowy spell that lasted more than a week. Our tree was planted just the year before and we were concerned that it would not survive the ice and snow, with temperatures below freezing for over a week. Spring came and sure enough it looked dead above the ground. However, within a few weeks we witnessed shoots sprouting from the ground. Now it measures nearly seven feet tall! It is a wonderful example of the life God brings through His creation.

 

When Adam sinned against God by eating from the forbidden tree (cf. Genesis 3:6), the Lord punished him, sending him and Eve into exile from the garden and the tree of life (vv. 22–24). At that moment, Adam and all of those in him lost eternal life in a good land. However, this curse was not pronounced without any hint of blessing. God promised that the seed of the woman would defeat the serpent (v. 15), providing hope that paradise would one day be regained. The rest of Scripture simply narrates how the Lord restores Eden. John’s apocalyptic vision as recorded in the book of Revelation offers a glimpse of the consummation of our salvation. As described in our reading, the final destiny of all those in Christ is not merely an ethereal existence in heaven; rather, the people of God will dwell forever in a new heaven and a new earth (cf. Isaiah 65:17–25). There will be a cosmic renewal of the physical universe, and we will live in a new Jerusalem that will descend from heaven to earth after the final judgment.

 

Today’s passage tells us this new Jerusalem will be like Eden, only much better. No unclean thing will ever enter the city, telling us there will be no temptation or desire for evil (vv. 22–27). Trees of life will also be present, and we will have free access to them (v. 2). The abundance of both trees and fruit indicates life in the restored creation will be far more bountiful than what Adam enjoyed in Eden. Finally, the river of life will flow from the throne of the Father and the Son (v. 1). John here alludes to Ezekiel 47:1–12 where the river flows from the eschatological, or final, temple. This is another guarantee of the eternal nature of our life in Christ. This is the wonder of the grace of God!

  

The Beauty of Heaven

 

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth swill bring their glory into it, and tits gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:22-27 ESV).

 

If you have known me for anytime, you know that the Smoky Mountains are my favorite place to be. We all have those places in our lives. The memories we have made, the experiences we have enjoyed, and the time spent in these places eclipses any other place we have seen or heard about. I’ve chosen just one of the hundreds I’ve taken through the years of Cades Cove in the fall of the year to give you a glimpse of my experience in this wonderful place. It truly is beautiful; however, compared to heaven it is nothing.

 

Of course, we know that nowhere in the New Testament are we given a clear, precise description of heaven. We get glimpses of what heaven is like, but we don’t see a detailed picture. Most of what we are given is visionary, highly symbolic, figurative, and full of imagery. This is because of the utter newness of heaven. Heaven is like a glorified version of the good things of this world, so we can have some idea of what it will be like. Because of the transcendent newness of heaven, however, we would not be able to understand a literal description of it.

 

We get one of these visionary glimpses in the last two chapters of Revelation. We are told that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. While some believe that the present heaven and earth will be destroyed, most believe that they will be redeemed and transformed into the new. Just as we get glorified, resurrected bodies, so this old world will be renewed and transfigured. We are also told that there will no longer be any sea. In the Old Testament the sea is often an image of death. The next image is that of a New Jerusalem, replacing the old one that will be destroyed. John saw this city as a bride, an image of God’s people prepared for Him. As she came, John heard a voice saying that God’s tabernacle is with men and He will dwell with them. This is imagery drawn from the Old Testament, where the tabernacle was always pitched at the center of the camp of Israel.

 

John also sees the shekinah glory that shone in the Old Testament around the person of God Himself. He sees the glory manifesting itself as a precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal—symbols that focus on the idea of light radiating through transparent and translucent materials. The city is described as huge, 1,400 miles on each side, and as symmetrically balanced, the perfect edifice built by the Ultimate Architect. This is what God has done for our eternal home. No wonder that this becomes the very foundation for wonder and joy in the believer’s life! I pray you see a glimpse of that in all the beautiful places you cherish!