Fr. Jacob's November 2014 Newsletter Message

"God wins"

It might as well be the subtitle of the final book in the grand narrative of Scripture. The Book of Revelation shows what the reign of God looks like in heaven and upon earth and it looks like Victory. The Lord is Sovereign in Heaven and upon Earth. On high, the enemies of God are cast down and defeated and on earth the kingdom is established through the conquering Messiah.

If you want to put it crudely: we see how this great story ends. God wins!

I don't preach this enough and November is a great time for me, and perhaps you, to remember this. For in November we celebrate the victory of the Lord over death and sin as we commemorate before Him the faithful departed (All Souls). In November we celebrate the way in which the church - both those under way on earth, and those in heaven in glory - already shares in Christ's victory (All Saints). And finally in November we begin Advent - the season in which we remember that Christ will come at the end of time and the world that is His, victorious over sin and evil.

In the face of a world where sin and death remain powerful realities, remember God wins! In the face of your own sorrow or grief, your own fear or loss of nerve, remember, God wins! In the face of Satan, or the Powers of Principalities, remember God wins! In the face of the horrific injustices, the cry of the poorest and the prayer of the martyrs, remember, God wins!

Never forget this -

Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has conquered....' (Revelation 5: 5)

But look very, very carefully at what John the Seer is shown. Not only does he hear that Christ has conquered, it's true and wondrous and the best news that there has ever been, but he is shown the way that Jesus conquers.

Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered (Revelation 5:6)

John hears about a mighty conquering Lion. Johns sees a slaughtered Lamb. Both together show us what the victory of Christ is like. He is real and powerful, make no mistake - He is like a roaring, mighty Lion - and He conquers by giving His own life away - He is like a bloody, sacrificed lamb. It is precisely in His sacrificial death on the Cross that the Lord wins His victory. A victory that is boundless in its reach so that all Creation, visible and invisible, might give glory to the living God.

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living
creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of
thousands, singing with the full voice,
'Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!'
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all
that is in them. singing,
'To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might
for ever and ever!' (Revelation 5: 11 - 13)

We too can share in this Lion/Lamb conquering: bearing witness to the sovereign reign of God by living and dying according to the Lamb/Lion Christ-shaped victory. That is, by holding fast to the Lord's word as we give away our lives and our deaths in love.

So never forget - God wins! Lift your heart up and quicken your step, repent of your sins, and return to the Lord for "He will reign for ever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15). Trusting in this, know that you can share the victory that is His by giving your life away in a love that is obedient to His will.

Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelation 3: 19-22)

Love,

Fr. Jacob