BASIN MISSION MOMENT

This last weekend Nancy were on mission trip to the Columbia Basin. We stopped in at Moses Lake, near where I grew up, to visit Eric and Mary Sakuma. Eric was with our Gabe when he was killed in Iraq in 2006. Since then Eric has come to Christ and has a vibrant testimony. This is partially a result of Gabe’s testimony to him. Eric is now a sergeant himself and an Army recruiter for the Columbia Basin. We toured Eric’s recruiting office and the new police/fire dispatch center where Mary is a dispatcher. I am reminded of how God continues to work through us even after we are gone.

Next, we visited Nancy’s blind brother, Mark, in Soap Lake and went to First Baptist with him. Pastor Andrew Schopf has done a great work there in leading a building expansion recently and is a great preacher also.

Last, we visited Quincy where Juan Carlos Magallanes, whom DBC supports, leads Multicultural Baptist Church. It was a snowy evening but there was a good 65 out for the 5 PM service in the building they rent from First Baptist. The service was in Spanish so I had my first privilege of preaching with a Spanish interpreter.   

Quincy has grown over 45% in the last 15 years and is now about 80% Hispanic. The population currently is about 7,000+. Juan also works directly with immigration officials as he teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship Classes. Hispanics come to Christ through these classes. Pray for health issues he faces with possible blindness and an unknown heart issue. They are working on plans for a VBS this summer and would like to have DBC help. More on that later. Finally, Juan and his wife praise the Lord for news that the they will soon have their first grandchild.

Foundations of Faith is the new adult Sunday School series that I will be teaching starting this Sunday in the auditorium. Dr. Al Mohler says “theology is always important.” We will cover the key areas of Biblical truth that are our foundations of faith.  Join us at 9:15 for a pastry and coffee fellowship time each morning for the first fifteen minutes. Then we'll get into this foundational study that is critical to the Christian life. 

-Pastor Mark

BULLET TRAIN TOUR OF REVELATION

“I don’t understand Revelation!” is often said. Yet it is the only book that promises a “blessing” to the reader (1:3) and often exhorts us to “hear” what is said about Christ’s “quick” return. The book is a full “revealing” of who Christ is to encourage believers as we await His return.

 Last Sunday we did an express train tour of Revelation. But, here is a bullet train tour. “All aboard!” The three-part outline of the book is given in 1:19. The past (ch. 1) tells briefly of the John being given this vision while imprisoned as the last of the apostles.   

The present (ch. 2-3) deals with the seven churches in Asia minor. Christ addressed their problems with His advice. They represent the spectrum of problems churches might have. Being in the church age this applies to us also.

The future (ch. 4-22) reveals the second coming of Christ. This is mentioned eight times as often as His first coming in the Bible. First, we see a glimpse of heaven with worship around the throne. Angelic figures and 24 elders that seem to represent the church. Then Christ appears with a sealed book that only He can open (ch. 4-5).

Next, we see three series of judgements God brings to cleanse and bring men to repentance (ch. 6-18). Each series is successively more intense. Each has seven parts with the seventh introducing to the next series.

The first series (ch. 7) are seal judgements that begin calmly and mainly deal with things caused by man. During this time, God seals 144,000 Jewish evangelists that results in a great revival. This shows the Jewish nature of Revelation as Messiah brings Israel to Himself (cf. Dan. 9:24).

The second series (ch. 8-14) are the trumpet judgements. They are more intense and deal with divine judgements on the earth. In some cases, demons are unleashed to effect this. However, few repent.

God ordains two witnesses who are divinely protected and empowered for 3.5 years. They continue the work of evangelism in this tribulation period (cf. Mat. 24:9-29). The witnesses are eventually killed but are resurrected after three days which amazes the watching world.

Then Satan is thrown down from heaven and two men emerge who are the anti-Christ and false prophet who work with Satan. These three are a counterfeit of the true trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (cf. 16:13; 20:10). The mark of the beast, 666, is also Satan’s counterfeit of God’s identifying mark on those who are His (cf. 7:3).

Next a powerful angel in the heavens to proclaims “the eternal gospel” to all on earth (14:6). Our Lord in His grace repeatedly calls men to repentance even though few repent.

The third series (ch. 15-18) are bowl judgements that are the most intense as God’s wrath over sin is poured out on the earth which is totally devastated. The greatest earthquake of all rattles the entire planet (16:18) and Satan’s empire, depicted as Babylon, falls. It pictures the collapse of a worldwide financial system.

Finally, four heavenly “Hallelujahs” herald Christ’s return in power (ch. 19). His saints from heaven follow as He defeats and imprisons Satan and sets up His earthly kingdom in Jerusalem for a thousand years (ch. 20). This is a prelude to eternity.  Finally, Satan is released briefly and instigates a rebellion against God. He is thrown into the Lake of fire. Then the great white throne appears and the dead are judged by their works from the “books.” Works are never enough to pay for their sin so they are also thrown into the Lake of Fire. Only those whose names are in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” have His complete forgiveness because of their faith.

The culmination of the book is the New Jerusalem coming down (ch. 21-22). It is the “Grand Central Station” of our train tour. This massive and beautiful place is square like the Holy of Holies and could cover almost half of the USA if it sat on it. Christ is the center of worship and all glorified believers of all the  ages have access. The curse of Adam is gone. Therefore, it is a place of perfect worship like never before. 

In the last chapter, Christ reminds of His sudden return. We are to be living in light of this return. We can’t just sit on the tracks as the train comes or we’ll be destroyed. This is the message to the church today (22:16,20). Repent and have faith in Christ who died as the Lamb of God for your sin. Don’t let the concerns of this world, your uncertainty about things or spiritual confusion delay you.  He is “coming quickly.”   So “come” anyway.  (Hear this full message on Livestream for 2/19/2017).

I am excited about this Sunday as Chris Rogers, my pastoral assistant, begins a new series in Nehemiah.  This is appropriate as we look forward to doing some building as we prepare to reach others in these last days. Don’t miss the first his first. If you can’t be here, then watch on Livestream.

Later Sunday I’ll be visiting one of our mission churches with Juan Carlos Magallanes in Quincy. Keep us in prayer.

-Pastor Mark

OUR STANDING BEFORE THE JUDGE

Recently our family went to court. We waited in the hallway as other people arrived also. The seriousness of the moment was punctuated by a policeman escorting a prisoner in an orange jump suit and handcuffs.

Finally, the doors opened. We were told we would be first on the docket so we went into the court chambers. The others folks would wait in the court viewing area behind glass.

Soon the judge appeared and our family was called to the bench. There was a happy mood as the judge asked questions about finalizing the adoption of little Samuel. His siblings were asked if he could play on their basketball team, etc.? They answered “yes” with smiles. Then the magistrate declared the adoption done and “Samuel” as his name. There was joy as we stood with the judge behind the bench for pictures. There was even a jar of candy on the bench for anyone.

As we departed I was struck by the large group in the viewing room waiting to appear next. They had been watching the happy event through the glass. I assumed their appearance before the judge would not be so joyful. 

I was quickly reminded of the closing words of Revelation where Christ says He comes “to render to every man according to what he has done.” (22:12).

I am thankful for Christ’s shed blood that washed the robes of our sin so we can stand before Judge of all the earth with joy (Rev. 22:14). We do stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ to be rewarded for ministry well done or wasted but will “be saved” (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). However, the unbeliever faces a very different situation before the great white throne of God.  He will judge their works, find them wanting and cast them into the lake of fire. Before which judgement seat will you stand?

-Pastor Mark

P.S.  This Saturday at 8 AM our Men's Discipleship Breakfast will meet as I to talk about the character of one of the men who inspiredthe most missionary minded churches in history. Who do you think he is?

This Sunday we'll finish the Book of Revelation with a special Express Train Trip Through Revelation as we conclude with a warning about His second coming. The following Sunday pastor Chris will begin an exposition of the book of Nehemiah that you won't want to miss also.