Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

There is some sunshine and blue sky being viewed from this window at present. Nice. I’m trying to get off to town where I will have some studded tires installed on the mini van. We have a plan to take the little boys up to the snow for night tubing tonight as their early Christmas present. A two-hour session there with a tube lift and all is not entirely cheap.

Have a blessed day—as you maintain the PEACE OF GOD THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Have you noticed in the scriptural record that people who have been specially chosen and greatly used by God seldom face a comfortable life and a natural death? Besides Jesus Himself, take, for example, the person Jesus declared to be the greatest man who ever lived—John the Baptist. Of him Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). Yet he got his head chopped off! Yippee! It makes you want to be just like him—right? Naturally speaking, is that the kind of outcome you would expect for this outstanding guy?!?

Our reading presents two special “witnesses” who are predicted to emerge in the middle of the tribulation period with a mighty ministry—specially empowered to communicate the Gospel and perform supernatural signs and wonders. But then they finally meet a violent death!—attacked and killed by the antichrist who is allowed (by Sovereign God) to be specially empowered by Satan. But then the witnesses are soon supernaturally resurrected to life and soon given a sensational public rapture (as contrasted with a secret one)—yet they still had to die a violent death.

May I remind you of how very BIG and transcending (eternal) are God’s plans and purposes over those of natural mortal men? May I also remind you that you have been called and chosen to be a communicator of the Gospel of Christ and a representative of the Kingdom of God? Furthermore, may I remind you that the same diabolical power that governed Herod (who beheaded John the Baptist) and empowers the antichrist is also against you—meaning, you could be severely persecuted and even die as a direct result of your faith in Christ and His saving grace? Are you scared yet? Well, you shouldn’t be. Because I remind you that when you seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and choose to follow Christ, you, like those two witnesses, become invincible and indestructible until your assignment is complete? And when it’s complete, God’s not done with you yet. Paul’s exclamation is worth repeating: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). But death?—even a violent one? Hey! Get it straight! It’s no big deal for the child of God! Besides, death is going to happen one way or another anyway. Let’s remember that none of us are getting out of here alive (physically). And let’s remember Jesus’ words: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). Our Biblical faith affirms that death for the believer, by whatever means, is simply the unavoidable passageway to a place He has prepared for those who love Him—a place of eternal joy—an option given by the only One Who Knows—the only One Who transends sin and death.