Introduction
I am not a big fan of movies with a “Christian” message because they are often thinly veiled propaganda. However, since my wife and I were part of the Jesus Movement when it reached Australia, we went to watch Jesus Revolution together. Many things have transpired since I first came to the Lord in those days 50 years ago. Looking back half a century, I can still sense how turbulent and disturbed I was emotionally in coming forward at a John Smith (God’s Squad fame) rally. The follow-up included a number of body-shaking episodes which at the time were reasonably attributed to demonic powers (cf. Mark chapter 9 verses 20 to 27). Unlike many of my peers, by divine grace I have avoided being ensnared in the heart subduing control of institutions, Church, commercial or civil, and have kept, and even intensified, my prophetic edge, measured by the criterion of, “the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy” (Revelation chapter 19 verse 10). Given that I experienced a powerful renewed call watching Jesus Revolution, what is the Spirit saying to the churches today (Revelation chapter 2 verse 7 etc.)?
Glory upon Glory
The deepest of revelations are usually the simplest. Einstein is reputed to have said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world…the most powerful force in the universe.” This magnifying natural reality points us (1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 46) beyond the mathematics of investment to “the eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 17) accumulating in us to “the praise of God’s glorious grace in Christ.” (Ephesians chapter 1 verse 6). Jesus died on the cross as the God-man giving his life for the world. In the language of Hebrews chapter 1 verse 2, the Son is “the heir of all things” through whom God “made the ages”. The death of Jesus means the death of the whole space-time cosmos as we know it, subject to decay and progressive dissolution (Romans chapter 8 verses 20-23). Jesus becomes Lord of the Second Law of Thermodynamics (entropy/disaggregation) by subjecting himself sacrificially to its rule of universal decay. Most simply, on the cross Jesus bore God’s curse producing inevitable breakdown on a fallen world (Genesis chapter 3 verses 16-19; Galatians chapter 3 verse 13).
A Whole New World
Paul’s declaration of the gospel is not, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17), but “if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; what is old has passed away; behold, what is new has come!”. The first translation, though traditional, is grossly human-centred and individualistic, the second conveys the majestic dimensions of the universal transformation in Jesus (cf. Acts chapter 3 verses 20-21). Christ’s resurrection from the dead declares a triumph over the old creation and a revelation that the new universe has been birthed in him. What he called “the regeneration (of all things)” (Matthew chapter 19 verse 28). Your rebirth by the Spirit (John chapter 3 verses 3,6) is contained within the rebirth of all creation that has already come in Christ!
Blind to the Glory
Our problem is that we are stuck in sense perception, as such Paul’s words to the rebellious Christians in Corinth apply to us, “do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 5). If Jesus lives in you the entire new cosmos is yours, if he does not indwell you, your fate is with the godless in “outer darkness” stripped of all the glories for which the world was made (Matthew chapter 8 verse 12; chapter 27 verse 43; Colossians chapter 1 verse 16; Revelation chapter 21 verse 23). We are blinded to God’s “precious and very great promises” (2 Peter chapter 1 verse 4,9) to the degree we disbelieve in the total forgiveness of all sin in Christ: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John chapter 1 verse 29 cf. 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 19).
Conclusion
“We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 18). In looking tothat unseen spiritual realm where all things are already complete in Christ (John chapter 19 verse 30; Ephesians chapter 2 verse 6; Hebrews chapter 12 verse 22 ff. etc.) we presently experience more and more of the glory of the Lord Jesus. The one who prophesied for us, “when these (dread) things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”” (Luke 21:28)