Measurements in Eternity
I came across this amazing statement today: “And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements” (Revelation 21:17). I suppose that God has made human and angelic measurements the same for the sake of communicating His message to us. No matter, there is a concrete reason, still to be known, that causes me to stop in my quiet time and reflect before God with wonder that He would have it such.
D.A. Carson says, “In our generation, which reflects too little on the future and almost never on eternity, it is distressingly obvious that we need help from God, so as to be able to know the hope to which we have been called. Only then will we become more interested in living with eternity’s values [perhaps measured by angels as well] constantly before our eyes. What we will have to show before the great King on the last day will be infinitely more important to us than what we leave behind” (A Call To Spiritual Reformation, p. 176).
Though we may not be able to conceive at this time, the width and breadth of God’s love, does it or should it ever stop us from thinking about it? Just because we cannot fathom something with certainty, it does not mean that it is not worth admiring. Such is a good thought for the agnostic today, who longs for certainty, and demands it be his or hers. Certainty is often given in measure, but when certainty is not given, and the measurement is not as we see comprehensible, there is still much purpose; purpose aimed toward worship. Whether we are given a morsel of something about God and Eternity, or a large portion of certain measurement, the goal must be the same, to admire and bow before God, in awe.
Read MoreThe Biblicity of Weekly Communion
There are certain objections that I have bought in the past, concerning not having Communion on a weekly basis. The most predominate objection of its frequency, is that its frequency causes the Supper not to be special. But that objection is weak, just as we could say having church weekly would be not as special. Furthermore, the issue is with our hearts, not with the Scriptures.
The Scriptures teach that the church gathered weekly for preaching, collection of funds for ministry, and Communion. Concerning Communion, 1Cor. 11:18 says “When you come together as a church…” When did the church come together? According to 1Cor. 16:2 the church came together “On the first day of every week…” Therefore, when the church came together, they had communion.
Furthermore, Acts 20:7 testifies to this fact saying, “On the first day of the week, when we were together to break bread…” Breaking bread is an expression that includes Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Acts 2:42 says the early church gathered in loving devotion to the Apostle’s teaching, the breaking of bread, the fellowship, and the prayers.
We have no other or better example than that of the Scriptures, concerning when to have church and how to have church. Gathering on the Lord’s Day (cf. Rev. 1:10) commemorated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and inspired the church to die more and more to sin, and live more and more to righteousness. This dying and living is called sanctification, being made holy. The church is made holy through certain means of grace, namely–The Word of God (including study and preaching of It), the Holy Spirit illuminating our eyes of our heart to hear and obey, and Holy Communion, which strengthens us in community by remembering that church is about Jesus. Where the spoken sermon is imperfect, the visible sermon of the Supper is a perfect portrayal of the love of God in Christ. We need to remember Jesus more often, and therefore, the desire should not be, “As often as we want to have Communion, but As often we can (c.f. Luke 22:15; Acts 2:42, 20:7).
Furthermore, it is the model of Jesus, who on the night he was betrayed took bread. When Jesus faced his hardest trial, the Cross, he longed to have Communion, setting an example for the churches. Every week is a trial for someone, and Communion, observed rightly, that is remembering Jesus dying for our sins and the sins of others as well, can and will make us live differently, if we believe.
Let us be like Simeon every week, after the Word is preached in church, and take Communion saying with Simeon, that we are ready to die now, because we have seen Jesus. Or in Simeon’s own words:
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples…” (Luke 2:29-31)
Read MoreHypocrites in the Church, should not keep us from coming and communing
“The church includes not only the saints presently living on earth, but all the elect from the beginning of the world. Often, however, the name “church” designates the whole multitude of men spread over the earth who profess to worship one God and Christ. By baptism we are initiated by faith in him; by partaking in the Lord’s Supper we attest our unity in true doctrine and love; in the Word of the Lord we have agreement, and for the preaching of the Word the ministry instituted by Christ is observed. In this church are mingled many hypocrites who have nothing of Christ bu the name and outward appearance. There are many ambitious, greedy, envious persons, evil speakers, and some of quite unclean life. Such are tolerated for a time either because they cannot be convicted by a competent tribunal or because a vigorous discipline does not always flourish as it ought. Just as we must believe, therefore, that the former church, invisible to us, is visible to the eyes of God alone, so we are commanded to reveree and keep communion with the latter, which is called “church” in respect to men.” Calvin, Institutes, Book 4, Ch.1, #8
The above quote is helpful in the matter of resting in the measure of error we have on earth in identifying Christians. And even, let us rest in that, we cannot always see things dealt with as we wish. We may be frustrated that men have not rebuked this person or that person because it is obvious to one’s self. Yet, we can rest in that God sees all these things, and commands us to stay faithful in communion with the church, despite her weaknesses and hypocrites that sit amongst the multitude of believers. This is not to say that a rebuke is not in order, but only when we feel our own hands are tied to the matter, we may not have to be filled with anxiety that God may not know, because He does. Our part is simply to obey the Lord, in the manner He has revealed to us, as we study and pray, and learn to love. And may we not forget how much He has loved us in Christ.
Read MoreHow God Raises His Children
“Believers have no greater help than public worship, for by it God raises his own folk upward step by step.”
(Calvin, Institutes Book Four, Ch.1, #5)
Read MoreBecome a Fan on Facebook!
