Beyond the Gospels: Revelation

Today's Reading: Revelation 6:10-17
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

The opening of the sixth seal brings some scary stuff. Earthquakes, darkness, stars falling from the sky... mountains, islands, and even the sky are all blown by a gale turning everything as we know it upside down. It leaves people hiding in caves, no matter their wealth or power, they call out for their own death.

“Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne,--vs 16

If I'm honest I wonder, will anyone be safe? Is there protection for those who believe? It says everyone... does it mean me too? I don't have the entire answer, but here's what I do see. The people hid themselves. In fact, they would rather die than see Jesus face to face. Fear does that... sends us hiding in caves of our own making so we don't have to face the Savior.

Elisha was found hiding in a cave once. After a great victory he ran in fear to a cave.

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”  And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.--1 Kings 19: 9-12

Elisha thought he was alone, the only one left. Wind, earthquake, and fire passed in front of the cave, yet God was not in them. Elisha heard God in the small whisper, in the quiet after the storm. Have you been hiding somewhere lately? Shaking in your shoes from the strong gales of life? Hiding is not the answer. Standing and listening for His voice at the mouth of the cave is.

And maybe on the final days this is exactly what Believers will do too. They'll watch the created world change and as the wind dies down they'll move to the mouth of those caves and listen. Maybe like Elisha they'll hear Jesus calling and go out to meet Him face to face. Oh what a glorious day it will be!

Lord, I choose to practice trusting You, Your love, Your promise,

Your presence. With each small storm of life I will cast my anxieties on You

by prayer and with thanksgiving. May I know the peace You promise now,

so I may experience it no matter the storm. (Philippians 4:6-7)