I am surprised that this verse gains so little attention from Christian apologists. It is an argument for peace. It has been my purpose to retain the verse for this date through the volumes of daily devotional/educational Pages looking toward a mature, practical, and satisfying Christian life and culture – especially so as to engage thought of life experience for readers. I am here engaging Christian collegians, and my family’s emerging generations, in a context I believe served me after a lifetime of study, (both secular and biblical) – travel of the world; family experience to nearly five generations; counseling for years as well as being counseled; and, engaging persons (some eminent), who I believe were both poorly and well-conditioned in their lives. There is not space enough to record all my thoughts and summary conclusions, nor is there likely to be sufficient patience in readers to read it if space were afforded. I do believe this verse is a starting point for evaluating life balance for Christian and non-Christian to make daily living practical and worthy of human mortality, which life is a magnificent gift and project. Christian Scripture calls for decency in earth life, for both the Christian and the non-Christian. There is common grace for all, and divine grace overlaid for those who choose it in Christ. If a person does not make that choice, he or she has that right of omission, and should not be perceived in any other context than Christian love. The Christian response may not be found in kind from the secular context. The Christian is creative to find cultural ideal from Scripture, and in practice with others of like precious faith – only partly found secular culture. Much in the secular (common grace) is like that related to Christian (divine grace). We expect large similarities in that survival for mankind depends upon some mutual factors, like values. If Christians understand this passage from The Revelation, they will give their beliefs and conducts to the commitment of obedience to Christ and the kingdom of God as revealed in Scripture and practice – registering on conscience.
When understood, the matter is simple enough, requiring acceptance of the world in peace, at least on the part of the Christian. All the fight, if there is to be any, is in mankind’s corner. In Scripture this is often shown in the response of nature as in a flood, or drought, or some natural event. This approach becomes quite practical in protecting the secular public (which includes religions) from excesses of delusional, perhaps aggressive, unbalanced persons who say they believe in God, even some Christians. We admit that some persons do not know the balance of faith and natural life. We admit our embarrassment at conducts which are unbiblical, carried out by those who distort the source book of Christianity, and the model of Jesus Christ. We have the gospel of God’s forgiveness and good will to persons of good will.
One of those embarrassing contexts relates to a Revelation theme: the end of the world, as we know it. It is a burden for Christians that reporters lump Scripture with other predictions. The difference between other scenarios and Judeo/ Christian Scripture is that God’s judgment is not concluded in earth. It is transition to another creation, improved over the present. It is something that is not accidental to nature, but deliberate in the plan of God. Since God is loving, a problem solver, and concerned for the good of his creation in any context, all will be well even if the process brings temporary sorrows and sufferings to those present in violent changes. This Page is being written in, 2011. Centuries ago, the Mayans predicted 2012 as the end of time. Interested historians will note how society responds in 2012. Scripture makes the end victorious. But for general society, guided by science, the end is that energy will dissipate and life will close. For them the world began with a bang, and may close with a bang, perhaps from a meteorite. Scripture informs us to let be and live life fully in what one can find in faith that there is a God who cares and will make sure all is well for those of faith leaving the big stuff to his management. He is friend to those who want a divine friend. However, as a loving parent to a recalcitrant child, God is concerned for the person who lives out life independent of him. Whatever the final judgment may be related to persons, God prefers the earthly sojourn of all to be valued – and fulfilling for our vision. To make that sojourn secular only is accommodated, but his love provides so much more in forevermore. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020