Good evening, Zane.
I’m sending this a good deal later than intended. I’ve met lots of congestion in the day.
Yesterday late afternoon I decided to lay aside my pile of work and do a run to the mountain mainly to let the dogs play in the snow. Lots of new snow up there—enough to allow the two main ski areas to be up and running—Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows. Tazzy and Smokey sure loved the snow scene. I’ll stick on a photo. I drove on to Mt. Hood Meadows where I was successful at acquiring a season pass—free for old geezers 75 and older. The season pass at Timberline has shot up so high this year that I can’t justify paying--$489!
Here’s a good homework assignment for you, Zane: Read again Proverbs 4:23. In fact, read it so many time that you memorize it.
Good night. Love and prayers—Tua (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!