The Savior Reigns

NOTE: Revelation chapter ten is a weird one, even for Revelation. First there is a giant shouting angel, then there is some thunder that says something but John tells us he was not allowed to write it down (well then, why did you even mention it in the first place?) Then John is told to take a scroll from a second angel and eat it. It will taste good, the voice tells him, but it will give you an upset stomach. So what does he do? He eats it, of course! It tastes good, but he gets an upset stomach! And that's what happens in the chapter!

Apparently this chapter hasn't been a huge inspiration to Christian artists, so why don't we take a break today and sing a Christmas carol instead? Let's pick one that is more about Jesus' second coming than His first...

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Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy!

I was listening to some Christmas music this morning, and this verse came on. I thought, when that artist sang the words "joy to the earth, the Savior reigns," I wonder if she thought about the significance of those words. When you sing this, you are proclaiming Jesus as the king over all of creation. That's BIG! It's a basic cornerstone of Christian Theology, but it's important.

It's also very controversial. Revolutionary, even. There are plenty of people in the world right now who would argue against that idea. Maybe even in Christian circles, on days when we're feeling pessimistic. But it's the truth! The book of Matthew quotes Jesus as saying "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV) Without the kingship of Jesus, we have no power to fulfill His commission to make disciples for Him. So this Christmas season when you sing those words (You know you will! You cannot escape!) - think about the importance of what you're saying. Jesus reigns and rules over this earth, and that's what empowers us to bring the people of the world to Him!

He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love!