May 19, 2009

Wonders of God

I stood outside and watched the lighting storm. It was far more impressive than some fireworks display I had ever seen. Some of the lightning flashed across the sky in bolts that went on for miles in the skies. Other bolts were short downward strikes lasting but an instant before hitting the ground. It seemed that almost every color of the rainbow showed up in one flash or another.

The thunder was booming. No, that's not right because a boom is a sudden short sound not something ongoing. The thundered rolled across the sky. It rumbled like an oversized, sky-riding, freight train, barely audible in the distance, building to a crescendo as it passed nearby and then fading of into the distance. At times it was hard to distinguish between them as they roared from different places, one clap not yet faded away as the next rushed towards me.

The display was terrifying in one way, yet so fascinating that I had to watch. It was overwhelming, exhilarating and breath taking. I'm not sure I have the adjectives to describe what I saw and heard that night. Somehow the most superlative well thought out terms would fail. A simple photograph couldn't have captured the moment although it might give a taste. An IMAX film with sound surround might come close, but certainly nothing I could say could even come close to matching the wonder of that night's phenomenon.

I'm certain that's how Ezekiel must have felt as he tried to describe his visitation from God. I'm certain that is the way that John must have felt when he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ while on the Isle of Patmos.

Actually, I think their problems in describing what they saw were even bigger, because I saw a small piece of the created universe while they saw the Creator in His natural environment. Maybe that should say ... they saw the Creator in His super-natural environment. In any event, describing God and heaven dwarfs the problem of describing a lighting storm.

Revelation 11:19 NIV
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Did John literally see lightning and hail? Did he literally hear thunder? Did he feel an earthquake? Was the ark of God's covenant that he saw symbolic or was it the literal ark that disappeared after one of the many times Jerusalem fell?

It's impossible for us to say although I see no reason to believe it wasn't what he literally saw. I have no doubt that what he saw and felt was overwhelming to say the least. I know that all the most skilled writers in the world combined could never capture even the essence of God. His power, glory, majesty and beauty are beyond words.

I often speak, somewhat tongue in cheek, about the questions I have for God when I get there. I suspect the reality is that I'm going to be without words as I'm overwhelmed by His presence. Thoughts of earthly mistakes (mine not His) or silly theological debates will just fall from my mind. I can't imagine standing in the presence of someone so ... so what ... just so "God".

It's a moment that will make the worst things we've encountered in this life and the most painful moments disappear in flash. It will make the most beautiful things and the most joyous experiences seem mundane. What a great moment it will be.

Until next time, rejoice if you know Jesus. You've got a guaranteed ticket to the most wondrous sight in all of time and space. You'll get to spend eternity in the presence of God.

Blessing to all,

Darrel Mason

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