http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+8:7&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+9:7&version=NIV1984
I am in the book of Revelation in my yearly read through the New Testament. Right where I should be. The other day I read a passage that reminded me of Christmas. Sort of. In an evil, twisted, perverted way. (Some would say that this is the way our culture currently celebrates Christmas.) Actually, to call it ‘Christmas’ is a misnomer. A better name might be Anti-Christmas. Let me explain.
In Revelation 11 there are 2 witnesses who appear on the earth in the last days. At this point in time there aren’t very many godly people on the earth. The majority of the world is mad with pleasure. Rife with selfishness. Full of rebellion. Downright disobedient to God. Into this very hostile and evil environment God sends these 2 witnesses. They speak for Him. Now while the text doesn’t state exactly what their message is we can figure it out. It is of God’s impending judgment. And a call to repentance. This is the message that God always brings to the world when He is about to act. Quickly and decisively.
Of course, the message of the witnesses isn’t going to be received very well. But the witnesses continue to preach anyway. They preach for 1,260 days. Using the 360 days of prophecy, that works out to be 3 ½ years. During this time, these witnesses perform great signs that will prove they have been sent by God. Like Elijah, they will have the power to keep it from raining. This will cause drought and crop failures all over the earth. Also like Elijah they will have the ability to call fire down from the sky. To consume anyone who tries to harm them. Pretty impressive. Also they have the power to turn water into blood. Making it undrinkable. Unusable. Just like Moses. This is where it gets interesting.
At the end of the 3 ½ years, these 2 witnesses will be killed. By the beast from the Abyss. Their bodies will lie unburied for 3 ½ days. During this time the entire world will be able to view them. Meanwhile people will be so happy over the death of these 2 prophets of God that they spontaneously start giving gifts to each other. Just like at Christmas. Only this will be an anti-Christmas. Instead of being overjoyed at God’s entrance into the world they will be overjoyed at God’s exit from the world. That’s how twisted things will be. Their joy, however, will be short-lived. After 3 ½ days the witnesses come back to life. And ascend to Heaven. At that very moment an earthquake will occur destroying 1/10th of the city of Jerusalem. The survivors will be terrified and give glory to God.
What can we take away from this? That the act of giving gifts to others can be either good or bad. Depending upon the motivation. If we give from a heart of love and selflessness, to help others, to show our appreciation for them, then our giving is good. If, however, we give gifts to others simply to impress them, or in an attempt to manipulate or control them, then our gift-giving is evil. After all, what is a bribe? A gift given with the wrong motivation. An evil motivation to get one’s way.
So this Christmas season let’s focus less on the 'how' or 'what' of giving and more on the ‘why’. Because when the motivation is pure, the gift will be as well.
Lord, I thank you for the great gift of Your Son that 1st Christmas. Given with love. For me. As I give my gifts this year help me to focus on my motivation for giving. The ‘why’. May it not be from ritual or expectation but from a heart of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Revelation 11 there are 2 witnesses who appear on the earth in the last days. At this point in time there aren’t very many godly people on the earth. The majority of the world is mad with pleasure. Rife with selfishness. Full of rebellion. Downright disobedient to God. Into this very hostile and evil environment God sends these 2 witnesses. They speak for Him. Now while the text doesn’t state exactly what their message is we can figure it out. It is of God’s impending judgment. And a call to repentance. This is the message that God always brings to the world when He is about to act. Quickly and decisively.
Of course, the message of the witnesses isn’t going to be received very well. But the witnesses continue to preach anyway. They preach for 1,260 days. Using the 360 days of prophecy, that works out to be 3 ½ years. During this time, these witnesses perform great signs that will prove they have been sent by God. Like Elijah, they will have the power to keep it from raining. This will cause drought and crop failures all over the earth. Also like Elijah they will have the ability to call fire down from the sky. To consume anyone who tries to harm them. Pretty impressive. Also they have the power to turn water into blood. Making it undrinkable. Unusable. Just like Moses. This is where it gets interesting.
At the end of the 3 ½ years, these 2 witnesses will be killed. By the beast from the Abyss. Their bodies will lie unburied for 3 ½ days. During this time the entire world will be able to view them. Meanwhile people will be so happy over the death of these 2 prophets of God that they spontaneously start giving gifts to each other. Just like at Christmas. Only this will be an anti-Christmas. Instead of being overjoyed at God’s entrance into the world they will be overjoyed at God’s exit from the world. That’s how twisted things will be. Their joy, however, will be short-lived. After 3 ½ days the witnesses come back to life. And ascend to Heaven. At that very moment an earthquake will occur destroying 1/10th of the city of Jerusalem. The survivors will be terrified and give glory to God.
What can we take away from this? That the act of giving gifts to others can be either good or bad. Depending upon the motivation. If we give from a heart of love and selflessness, to help others, to show our appreciation for them, then our giving is good. If, however, we give gifts to others simply to impress them, or in an attempt to manipulate or control them, then our gift-giving is evil. After all, what is a bribe? A gift given with the wrong motivation. An evil motivation to get one’s way.
So this Christmas season let’s focus less on the 'how' or 'what' of giving and more on the ‘why’. Because when the motivation is pure, the gift will be as well.
Lord, I thank you for the great gift of Your Son that 1st Christmas. Given with love. For me. As I give my gifts this year help me to focus on my motivation for giving. The ‘why’. May it not be from ritual or expectation but from a heart of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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