An Ad Council

Acts 19:10

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

We interrupt our regular scheduled little teaching with an important update on the whole Corinthian situation. Remember the sorry note on which the text was left when 2 Corinthians was done and how much Paul regretted it. For out of all the churches, he probably spent much of his apostolic time writing them and ministering to those scattered abroad. Think of this if you will as a brief advertising break on your regular programming. Here he interrupts the ministry to those not found and the ones to whom he had been too late with an update of another sort. Speaking of the ministry of too late, how many of you know that God is never too late. He is always on time. So then no one or nothing is ever too far gone for him to reach. Such was the case with the church of the Corinthians. For all who turn to him will he in no wise cast out. Now I know some of you that know Scripture are probably saying 'what of the angels to the seven churches?' Yes, I know that Corinthians is also mentioned nowhere in Revelation 1:11. Indeed, the sole focus of the text is on the seven churches of Asia. Have you not wondered why that is. There seems to be a striking connection between this angel and that command of Daniel 12:13. For those of you that have been following along, remember how Daniel must stand in his place at the end of days. I had raised the question then of what became to the fourth missing angel. This is why some of you ought to be careful what sorts of things you ask the Lord. You might not like the sort of answer you get. I am afraid in this case the answer you seek will be neither pretty, long, or sophisticated. Instead it is a Word that comes to your house where you live and affects each and every one of you. Some of you like to speak of a certain one called Alice and Wonderland. In reality the truth is far far darker than even that. Is this not why we hold the testimony of the angels in such high regard. See Galatians 1:8 and the mystery which comes after. Look now with me at the testimony given by 1 Corinthians 16. In what follows, let this be a reminder to you all. No matter who or where you are God feels and knows your pain. So intimately does he know you that he would tear apart all Heaven and earth to find you. For such would he do it all again. There is delivery come to the place that once nearly took Paul out. From the text he despaired even of life. What had once been a closed door is now standing wide open. The things once unfathomable are now standing before us in our very living room so to speak. The people once despised are now called his daughters and his sons. Note the overarching call of God upon this place. Everybody heard for so must the gospel be preached unto all as after the fashion of Matthew 24:14. For then will the end to all things be come. There is no need worrying about the things you cannot help. It is of little use to lie awake at night about tomorrow. The situation here is only temporary. Soon it will give way to someone greater. For behind it our Redeemer comes. Just as the believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds of the situation, the fires of judgement, and the air of great trouble so will we ever be with the Lord. Some of you really ought to remind one another of these things. I know as human it is all too easy to get caught up in the emotions, feelings, wants, and desires of things. But we serve a higher created order of things as the one appointed unto the seven churches of Asia shows. Therein God is seen as over all. It is not until Revelation 1:20 that he is seen delegating his authority to the angels of the seven churches. Whether as one or as the many, the believers answer to God himself who walks among the lampstands of his churches and as such knows them intimately. Now to the one who keeps the many, may he also preserve you faultless against that day.