Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, special ones.

It didn’t rain on us while we did our walk/jog on our own place this morning—5 circuits on our driveway—about a mile. Good news from the weather is that it’s been dumping snow in the mountains.

Becki will be going soon to her Bible Study in Woodburn…then dropping off the car at our mechanics shop on the way back…to do the brake job he didn’t do last week due to some unforeseen setbacks on his side.

I have a lot to keep me busy for the day—but not necessarily enough to keep me out of trouble. Ain’t nothin’ easy!—or absolutely trouble free! The only real security we have as dumb sheep walking through this “valley of the shadow of death” is to stay close to the Shepherd. Amen?

Remember, tomorrow is the day for determining the updated recipient list. Only those requesting by then to remain will remain.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Once again, it’s like we are allowed to be spectators of a huge theatrical production. The opening of the six seals are like six scenes in an unfolding global drama. The players are representative of the spiritual super-powers behind the scenes of world affairs. And the frail wimpy worldlings are finally brought to that recognition, with most not liking it one bit—that they are simply not as much in control of the world as they had thought they were—not personally, not physically, not morally, not intellectually, not spiritually, not socially, not technologically, not economically, not politically, and least of all, not meteorologically (climate change)—not to mention the very origin and longevity of their existence as living human beings (life itself).

I am reminded anew that THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of this end-times drama is also THE EXECUTIVE SCREEN WRITER AND DIRECTOR. He is the Sovereign Super-Power Who initiates this series of ugly events. Notice that the four living creatures before The Throne function like stage hands who call forth the main players for each of the first four scenes. Each player is told, “Come!” In other words, “You’re on! It’s time! This is your spot!” Notice too that there is a kind of violent death quota to be filled as determined by the PRODUCER/DIRECTOR as mankind acts out the natural consequence of their rebellion against The Most High—“Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed” (6:11).

We’ve touched on the matter of “God’s unconditional love” before. I see reason here to do so again. Of course I understand how the phrase is intended, but the final scene in this chapter confirms to me that His love is anything but unconditional in a technical sense. “They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come and who can stand?’” (vv. 16-17). Did you hear that? “Wrath of the Lamb?” (Don’t miss the point that the “Lion” of 5:5 is the same as the “Lamb” of 5:6.) To be sure, the exclusive boundaries for GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE are only IN CHRIST—seeking Him, believing in Him, receiving Him, and living to please Him.

Stay in His love. And stay out of His wrath—you won’t like it!