Elemental: S2 - Day 22
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
There are many things I treasure about having grown up in the Seventh-day Adventist faith community. There are a few I don’t. I’ve always found it irritating that groups like ours begin to feel closed over time. No one intends it. But slowly, fluidly, we develop a culture that feels less than welcoming. One of the ways this happens is through specialized, insider language. We develop catchphrases and acronyms, including them in conversation and programming in a tone that silently suggests you either know what we’re talking about or you should probably leave. Guests are on their own to figure out this verbal secret handshake.
One such phrase for Adventists is “Third Angel’s Message.” There was a day when its visual depiction was used to identify an Adventist church on our signage. This is because our tradition suggests that God has a special purpose for our community, to articulate a particular message to our neighbors in the surrounding world. But I doubt many of us have shared it.
Can you imagine, say, next fourth of July, as the family feasts on picnic fare in your backyard, you notice the neighbors over the fence grilling and seize the moment? Summoning your courage, you start with small talk, “Say Fred, those burgers smell great. In fact, your barbecue reminds me of something I’ve been
meaning to share.” And from there, you’re off and running. You mention that God has given you a special message to deliver. And then, as you gesture toward the smoking burgers, you quote Revelation 14 with a fair amount of gravel in your throat:
A third angel… said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.” (Revelation 14:9-11)
Woof. Who decided we were the ones to deliver this to the neighborhood? What a ridiculously awful task. Or is it? What if, buried in this apocalyptic language, we discovered the DNA of God? The God who is love? What if this message is all about freedom?
Ok, this is going to take a minute to unpack. So, I’ll hit pause on that cliffhanger until tomorrow.
1. Have you ever been asked to deliver bad news? What was it?
2. If I told you there is good news and bad news and asked which you wanted first, what would you say?
3. Do you think Jesus would ever ask you to deliver a difficult message? Like what?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
There are many things I treasure about having grown up in the Seventh-day Adventist faith community. There are a few I don’t. I’ve always found it irritating that groups like ours begin to feel closed over time. No one intends it. But slowly, fluidly, we develop a culture that feels less than welcoming. One of the ways this happens is through specialized, insider language. We develop catchphrases and acronyms, including them in conversation and programming in a tone that silently suggests you either know what we’re talking about or you should probably leave. Guests are on their own to figure out this verbal secret handshake.
One such phrase for Adventists is “Third Angel’s Message.” There was a day when its visual depiction was used to identify an Adventist church on our signage. This is because our tradition suggests that God has a special purpose for our community, to articulate a particular message to our neighbors in the surrounding world. But I doubt many of us have shared it.
Can you imagine, say, next fourth of July, as the family feasts on picnic fare in your backyard, you notice the neighbors over the fence grilling and seize the moment? Summoning your courage, you start with small talk, “Say Fred, those burgers smell great. In fact, your barbecue reminds me of something I’ve been
meaning to share.” And from there, you’re off and running. You mention that God has given you a special message to deliver. And then, as you gesture toward the smoking burgers, you quote Revelation 14 with a fair amount of gravel in your throat:
A third angel… said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.” (Revelation 14:9-11)
Woof. Who decided we were the ones to deliver this to the neighborhood? What a ridiculously awful task. Or is it? What if, buried in this apocalyptic language, we discovered the DNA of God? The God who is love? What if this message is all about freedom?
Ok, this is going to take a minute to unpack. So, I’ll hit pause on that cliffhanger until tomorrow.
1. Have you ever been asked to deliver bad news? What was it?
2. If I told you there is good news and bad news and asked which you wanted first, what would you say?
3. Do you think Jesus would ever ask you to deliver a difficult message? Like what?
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