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?