Title: The End
Text: Rev 21.1-8
Today, of course, is a special day. Tonight, many of us will stay up late, focused on our TVs, counting down those last few seconds until Dick Clark descends from Times Square. Then we’ll sing an auld song about something called a ‘syne’ and just start humming the tune and hoping someone else knows the words. Then, we’ll turn off the TV and get to the real work of New Years, coming up with excuses and loopholes to the those impetuous resolutions we probably wish we hadn’t made in the first place. Have I got it about right?
New Year’s, of course, is a completely arbitrary holiday. It doesn’t commemorate anything of any particular importance. It’s just a good excuse for a party. But that’s ok. Our God has long compared what he wants to do to a party. In the text we just read, the entire climax of everything that 66 books of the bible have just led up to, we’ve seen that our God is looking forward to giving us one big blowout. It’s a marriage feast! And we’re not just an invited guest – we’re the stated purpose of the event.
He is going to come to us, marry us, and change us.
That’s about as basic as it gets here. But I want to spend a little bit of time this morning understanding the implications of that – because unlike New Year’s, this is not an arbitrary thing. This is heaven minus the harps and clouds and fluffy pretensions. This is central to who we are and why we celebrate everything we do in life. Very simply, as this passage is going to show us, our God is going to come to us, he will marry us, and he will change us.
In order to see that, you need to understand something about our God. He has a purpose, and he’s preparing us for that. Did you notice that phrase – his bride has been prepared. He has a plan. He is ordered about this thing. Times and seasons culminate in this.
You might be tempted to think its like clockwork – but its way more sure than that. Everything around us changes. Nothing ever stays same.
You’d think something like a calendar would be constant. But as one of those calendar nerds, I can tell you that even calendars change.
There’s a famous grave marker I saw that talks about a baby born in May, 1683 and died in – get this – February of that same year. And yet, its completely logical when you realize that until the 1700s, the year started in March.
Or, you can imagine yourself one of those lucky people back in 1582. They went to bed on September 2nd, and they woke up on September 14th. It’s totally true. Pope Gregory – ala the Gregorian calendar – he just up and decided to not have those days, in order to try to bring the calendar back into line.
Up until 153 BC, we didn’t even have a calendar that lasted the whole year long. Some time in March, they’d decide it was about time to start up a new year, and they’d make it so. There was no such thing as a January or February, believe it or not. They just started in March and that was that. If you don’t believe me, just ask yourself this question. Why is that the ninth month of the year starts with a prefix that means ‘Seven?’
When the Romans finally decided to have those months, they realized that he changing of one year into the next called for a time of transition. And so, they called upon one of their gods, ‘Janus’ to lend his name to that month. If you’ve ever seen that figure of a two-headed guy with faces looking into two directions at once, you’ve seen a picture of Janus. And, before you ask, no he was not the patron saint of politicians.
Janus was the supposed god of doorways. He looked back to the old and forward to the new, just like we do on New Year’s.
Interestingly enough, he was also a god of war. His temple was famous for its doors, as you might imagine, but there was an odd custom regarding those doors. In times of peace, the doors were closed, but in times of war, they were open. The hope was that he might arbitrarily choose to intervene.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I for one am glad that I have a God who is a lot better than Janus. My God is faithful. He always does what he says. Not “if he feels like it,” or at whim, but rather because of who he is.
I’ll tell you another way in which our God is so much better than some Roman god. Remember I said that Janus had two faces – one looking forward, one looking back? Well, that is the exact opposite of God.
Look at what Jesus said, here in verse 6. I am the Alpha and the Omega. If he were speaking in English, he would have said, “I am the A and the Z.” And just in case you didn’t get it, he says it again – “I am the beginning and the end.”
See how completely different that is. From Janus’s standpoint, he is in one place looking in two directions. God is simply already in both places.
He is already there from the beginning, and he’s looking at you. He is already there at the end, and he’s looking at you. Janus might be symbolizing a transition, but Jesus is already there on both sides of it.
Our God isn’t about a transition, he is about a transformation. And these words are trustworthy and true. He’ll finish what he starts.
I know that the most constant tradition of New Years’ is this. Every year, we think, ‘O a fresh start.’ I better lose weight, exercise, stop picking my toenails, or making some other resolution. Then, tomorrow morning we’ll wake up, trying to remember not to do those things we thought we didn’t want to do, and then being console ourselves when we fail, by thinking that we’ve accomplished something because we remembered to put 2007 on our checks instead of 2006.
If you are looking for constancy, you’re more apt to find it in that impulse than in the calendar.
Two hundred years BC, we have manuscripts of Romans making their New Years’ resolutions. And you know what they said? Things like: Stop Drinking, Become more fit, Shape my body. Yeah, the more things change…
Well, our God is in the business of transformation. Behold, I make what? That’s right: All things new! If anyone is in Christ… and then Paul gets so excited he doesn’t even use a verb: New Creation!
As James says, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” 2nd Peter tells us that he has already given us everything we need for life and godliness.
It is true that God acts on his own calendar – a day to him is as a thousand years and a thousand years a day. But the point is still valid. Our God will change us. He will transform us into what he wants.
Now, I will say in the here and now, there are two things that might help if you are looking for short-term change that you are going to try to make.
Two simple principles in scripture apply:
The first is Accountability. In other words, if you are going to try to make changes in yourself, get a partner. As Ecc 4:9-10 says: Two are better than one. For if the one falls, he has a friend to pick him up.
Accountability simply means you have someone else – outside of yourself – who can keep you honest. He won’t fall for that loophole that donuts don’t count because, well, the calories fall out through the hole in the center. If, say, you were a pastor in charge of the bulletin, you might even do things like abuse the printing privilege and occasionally show where you are in relation to your goal. Then you’d have an entire congregation watching. That’s accountability.
Secondly, I’d point out to you that you should be comforted in knowing that it will be a struggle. Remember, even Jesus was tempted. Remember (1 Cor 10:13) no temptation has seized you, except that which is common to man. But remember that God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond that which you can bear.
Or, remember James. Count it all joy, brothers when you are tempted. Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has received the crown! Nobody should say that God is tempting them. But remember this, temptation comes when you are lured away by your own desires. But when temptation has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when it is fully grown sin brings death.
Frankly, when you’re really tempted, just try memorizing Scripture. It distracts you and keeps you too busy to go further.
But the real point is this. It isn’t you. You will fail. That’s just the way it goes, when you live on your own strength. That’s why I bring you back to 2nd Peter – *He* has given us everything we need for life and godliness.
My friends, as his bride, we didn’t do anything. He called us, he proposed to us, and he gave his the gift of himself. I am sure you have known brides who have planned their weddings down to the last detail. For 18 months, they’ll plan and budget and call and organize so that on that day, they’ll get to be the queen they always wanted to be.
Well guess what. If the groom doesn’t show up, what will be remembered? That, oddly enough, it went off without a hitch. Sadly.
Men may fail you, foes assail you – but he will not. He is faithful. He wants you. He’s coming for you, He’s looking at you. You’re his. Just look at what he’s already prepared us – No more tears, no more swirling like the sea in chaos, no more sin – no more death.
He is making all things new. He is the one who will do it. See, these words are faithful and true.
Remember, our God is not a god of transition but of transformation. He changes everything. That can be scary – especially if you think you have something special down here already.
But he has already given you life from the spring, eternal water, his own self. Are you going to resolve to do this on your own, or are you going to be transformed into what he offers?
He’s there, he’s waiting – it’s almost as if he is prepared for you.
Would you pray with me?
Significance / Calendar Issues
o Calendar is an arbitrary thing
§ Until 153 BC, we didn’t even have a January or Feb – the calendar started in March. (Don’t believe me? Ask yourself this question. Why does the ninth month of our year start with a prefix that means 7?)
§ In 1582, September 2nd was followed by September 14th.
o When they decided to make the calendar year round, it made natural sense for a time of transition.
§ Out with the old, in with the new.
§ Evidence of New Year’s Resolutions in antiquity – same as the ones today. Stop Drinking, Lose Weight.
§ Two hints:
· 1. Ecc 4.9&10 (Two are better than one, for if the one falls…) Accountability,
· 2 Pet 1.3 – He has already given us everything we need so that we won’t stumble.
o Janus
§ Before you ask, no he was not the patron saint of politicians
§ god of Doorways, Transitions
§ “Sometimes” could bring peace. Doors to his temple were only open during a time of war. Mostly, that meant they were open
Elusive Figure: He may or may not help. He was two-faced!
Our God is so much better than Janus
He doesn’t look out from one place in two directions – Rather he looking in one direction – at us at us from both ends of time
o From the beginning, we’ve seen his character
o From the end, we know his promises
That faithfulness – he never changes
o He’s faithful and true. Not a “he might” sort of thing.
o He comes to us; he marries us; he changes us.
o He’s the good husband, and we are prepared for him.
Not a god of transition but transformation
o Change is a scary thing – you may have something to lose
o But here we see that his changes are good. Look at what he promises – no more tears, no more chaos, life from the spring abundant and free
So, your New Year’s Resolution? Want to be transformed? Don’t look to the arbitrary god of the calendar but the faithful god.
Long Branch Baptist Church
Halfway, Virginia; est. 1786
Sunday, December 31st, 2006
Enter to Worship
Prelude David Witt
Meditation Isaiah 65:17-19
Invocation Michael Hollinger
*Opening Hymn #465
“I Will Sing of my Redeemer”
Welcome & Announcements
Morning Prayer
*Hymn [See Insert]
“Our God Reigns”
*Responsive Lesson [See Right]
*Hymn #487
“Since Jesus Came into my Heart”
Offertory Mr. Witt
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow / Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host / Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Scripture Revelation 21:1-8
Sermon
“The End” (Or is it just the beginning?)
Invitation Hymn #503
“When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”
*Benediction
*Congregational Response
May the grace of Christ our Savior / And the Father’s boundless love
With the Holy Spirit’s favor / Rest upon us from above. Amen.
* Congregation, please stand.
Depart To Serve
Responsive Lesson
Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all the ages.
Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
No sign or ritual counts for anything, only new creation.
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath that we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain: Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
And he said to them,
Go into all the world and proclaim this good news to the whole creation.
Ps 135:13; 25:6-7;Ro 6:4;2 Co 5:17;Ga 6:15;Col 1:13-18;Heb 6:17-20;Is 65:17-19;Mk 16:15
Revelation 21: 1 – 8
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
[More scripture to help in your resolution:
Ecc 4:9-10, James 1:1-18, 2 Peter 1: 1 – 10]
12/30: 204
Goal: 190 by Easter, 180 by next Christmas
