Wednesday, 27 November 2013

The moon will be dismayed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders—with great glory. – Isaiah 24:23


Today’s Scripture Reading (November 27, 2013): Isaiah 24

It is maybe interesting now that we are just passed the fifty year anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy that we are still learning things about him. Or maybe part of the mystery is that we still care so much about his life (and about his death). In the last week we have seen a renewed fight over the possible existence of a second shooter, a theory that has abounded since the day of the assassination itself. As well, there have been more revelations released concerning the health of former president. Kennedy is thought to have been suffering from Addison’s disease, a chronic endocrine insufficiency, at the time of his election; a fact that was hidden (or according to some, directly lied about) during the 1960 election campaign.

But the real mystery really is that Jack Kennedy is still so prominent in the North American consciousness. Kennedy was very simply a man that seemed to match well with his time. He was a man that the United States seemed to need in the early 60’s. Young and brilliant, he was a different kind of president. And whenever that happens, these people tend to shine like bright lights, eclipsing the other lights around them.

Isaiah speaks of the day that the Lord himself will reign on Mount Zion. For some, this is a direct prophecy about the coming of Jesus, but for others there is a direct connection between this verse and the cosmic disruption (and the elders) that are mentioned in Revelation. But beyond the possible speculations of Bible scholars, there is a story being told here.

As much as we are absorbed by the bright lights of this world, the day is coming when those lights will be absorbed by the one that comes from beyond this world. The moon will be dismayed and the sun ashamed really indicates that in the presence of Lord (Messiah) these lights will dim in brightness. Just like the stars disappear in the presence of the sun, so the lights of this generation will disappear in the presence of God.

The lights of this generation will continue to come and go, they will shine brightly for a while and slowly their lights will grow dim. But in the day of the Lord, even the brightest of these lights will disappear. Nothing can ever shine as bright as the God who created the sun and the moon – and created the Jack Kennedy’s that shine on the earth.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25

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