CLM 207 Caesar is NOT Lord

Sun, 16 Jun 1996

Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list No. 207 


     Here's another daily meditation from my recent book of devotions
     'Sunrise Sunset' (HarperCollins/Harper San Francisco). Feel free
     to use/adapt it. These appear regularly on our mail-list.



                            CAESAR IS NOT LORD


Whoever conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life
that is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7.


The Revelation of John is very meaningful to Christians suffering for
their faith.  It was written to comfort and encourage the persecuted,
not to satisfy prophetic bloodhounds, who believe it's their mission to
fossick out references in the book to contemporary happenings.

John's Revelation is a book worth studying.  Every generation needs the
assurance that ultimately 'Caesar is not lord'. In various parts of the
world today Christians are confronted with an absolute choice between
Caesar or Christ, and it was to encourage people in like these that the
Revelation was written.

John did not close his eyes to the terrors; he saw dreadful things and
he saw still more dreadful things on the way; but beyond them he saw the
bliss and the glory for those who defied Caesar for the love of Christ. 
The age of Domitian (AD 81 - 96) was one of the most heroic in the
history of the Christian Church; and the Revelation is the clarion call
to be faithful unto death in order to win the crown of life.

Followers of Jesus are being seriously persecuted, tortured or killed in
fifty of the world's countries: let us not forget them.


If my turn should ever come, Lord, may I always be true to you. Amen.


     Shalom!

     Rowland Croucher

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                     Director, JOHN MARK MINISTRIES
                Resources for pastors/leaders & spouses
                Tel: 613 9729 2517   Fax: 613 9729 2494
                     Email: rowlandc@werple.net.au
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