Week 26, Day 1: Measuring Up
Today’s Reading: Revelation 13:1-14:20
Some thoughts from Friday’s Reading…
Before getting into the post for today, I want to say, “Thank You!” to all who have been reading the blog. It is hard to believe that we are in the last week of reading the New Testament. But, if you have been on board since the beginning, you will have read the whole New Testament in the last 26 weeks. I have enjoyed reading along with you, and writing the posts to go with the readings. I appreciate Chad being willing to help me with this project, and have enjoyed reading his posts as well. We are going to try and continue with the daily reading, moving on to the Old Testament. I think we will cut back to one chapter per day, except when the chapters are very short. I hope that you all will continue to read along with us, and comment on the readings!
Now, on to today’s post…
In Revelation 11:1-2, John was given a reed and told to measure the temple of God and those who worship there. This is an image that is similar to a scene that was witnessed by Ezekiel in his apocalyptic visions. It is very interesting to see the image of the measuring of those who are the servants of God. This indicates that there is a standard by which one will be measured, or judged. In Ezekiel’s vision, it seems that the measuring of the temple relates the need for it to be built exactly as God instructs, without deviation from the plans. This would be very similar to Moses’ building of the tabernacle. He was not permitted to change what God had given at all. Of course, the building of the temple that Ezekiel saw was not a physical, stone temple, but rather the spiritual temple, the household of God. That is, it was the building up of the church under the New Testament covenant. That being the case, it is important to realize that there was a need to build that temple in the manner that God instructed, without deviating from the plan. The vision as seen by John (in which he was a participant) seems be conveying the very same idea. There is a need to measure the temple and those who worship there to see if they are “measuring up” to God’s standard. If we are not measuring up, then we are not a part of God’s temple, and we are not among those who are worshiping at His temple.
The only way to measure up is to be obedient to what God has said. We cannot substitute our own will, and then claim to be serving God. When we add to what has been revealed, succumbing to our own pleasures rather than abiding in strict obedience to God, then we are not measuring up. If we decide that we don’t have to do something that God has demanded (perhaps submitting to the act of baptism?) then we are not measuring up. We must conform our lives to His will in every way. To hold on to our own will ensures we will not measure up, and that we seal our eternal fate as being outside of the temple of God.
So, if John were to approach you with his measuring reed, what would he find?
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