We often treat the book of revelation like a version of Dan Brown’s ‘DaVinci Code’. A series of puzzles that, if interpreted correctly, will reveal long hidden secrets. It’s a book for the last generation so they don’t get caught out.
The truth, however, is very different from this. John (it’s author), was writing to his people. His own churches whom he loved deeply. He wanted to encourage them during troubling and confusing times. He wanted to remind them of the bigger picture. He wanted them never to lose hope and never stop being the church. He wanted them to be a light in the darkness, and to be a source of hope for our word until Jesus returns.
I wonder what he would write to Godstone? If one of those letters came our way, what would it say? I think he would encourage us, because there are things about this church that Jesus loves. But I think he would also challenge us, because although he loves us as we are, he loves us too much to leave us that way.
This is my best shot at what I think He might say:
“To the church at Godstone Baptist, from the God who cherishes you. I love your devotion to community. I love to see you gather around new folks and make them feel like they’ve come home. You understand that maturity isn’t about what you know, but how well you love. I love how you’ve learnt how to trust me with your money, and you’ve become joyful givers and made so many things happen through that. I love how you are willing to try things you have never done before.
But I give you two warnings. First, never stop loving the lost. Never stop, because the day you get content, the day you sit back on your laurels, the day you start to care more about catering to church people than loving lost people is the day you will begin to die. And I have such plans for you if you’ll just keep trusting me and love the lost more than you love yourselves and your own comfort.
And second, you are being tempted to be like the world and settle for a comfortable life without sacrifice. Will you once again say with my friend king David “I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing” (2 Sam 24:24). Return to a selfless faith. One that is willing to be inconvenienced, interrupted, and put out for the sake of each other and the world. Your salvation was meant for the benefit of more than yourself. You are not your own. You were bought at a price (1 Cor 6:20).
And then the promise: “To the one who endures, to the one who overcomes, I will make you a greater family than you are now, and I will give you new brothers and sisters and I will be your father forever.
