October 17: HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20
Having faith is likened unto being a ship. In fact, the church herself is likened unto a ship. The popular phrase of encouragement – “Stay with the ship!” – springs from this Biblical metaphor. A more literal way of expressing the idea: “Hold on to hope!” Christ, our only hope, invites us to step aboard in faith. He is likened to an anchor, sure and steadfast. The Bible uses ships to symbolize people—individually and collectively—who have faith and are anchored in the truth. First century Christians were thoroughly warned by Paul that warfare was already (2 Thessalonians 2:7) being waged against them in a more subtle way than the bloody persecutions of pagan Rome. This kind of warfare is designed to lure believers away from the truth and into false beliefs, by appealing to the use of our senses to seek security. But to desire anything over and above a desire for the LORD – such as worldly honor, popularity, material comforts, conveniences, entertainment, music, traditions – reconstitutes idolatry in an ever-widening array of disguises.
The seven trumpet judgements of Revelation outline major events from the days of the Apostolic Church all the way to the return of Christ. The first trumpet signaled judgement on the city of Jerusalem where the church preached the gospel and many Jews came to Christ. After these Christians were safely outside the city (Matthew 24:15-16; Luke 21:20), the Roman army under Titus inflicted complete devastation and all green grass was burned up (Revelation 8:7 - meaning wicked people: see Psalm 37:2; 92:7; 129:6). Thus, judgement [began] with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). Rejection of the Messiah preceded ruin: not one stone [was] left upon another (Matthew 24:2).
The second trumpet sounded the destruction of pagan Rome. The swirl of events that toppled the pagan Roman Empire included compromises: paganism walked straight into the church. Our sworn enemy works incrementally, over time. Open persecution had only caused the church to grow. This subtle form of attack was (and is) infinitely more dangerous and deadly to souls.
“The great adversary endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to secure by force. He laid his plans to war more successfully against the government of God by planting his banner inside the Christian Church. Idolators were encouraged to be receptive to certain parts of the faith while being taught to reject other elements of essential truth. They professed to accept Jesus, His death and resurrection, without any conviction of sin (breaking His law), the necessity of repentance, or the need for a change of heart.” (adapted from THE GREAT CONTROVERSY by E.G. White, p.42)
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ… Their mind is set on earthly things. Philippians 3:17,18,19b (NIV)