Headmaster Anon (@headmasteranon)

Sabbath Day Reflections - Christ's Work and Our Rest We should note how inseparable our theology is from our view of the world. Our beliefs and assumptions are the lens through which we interpret all events, whether personal or political. These strains of philosophy and theology are inevitably present in our thinking, albeit, not always consciously. Some look at what is happening now as a sign that we are near the end. A literal view of Revelation, often understood as Pre-Millenialism, suggests that a time will come when all human institutions fail, evil wins, and Christ, apart from any of our works, comes in a flash to take back His throne. Alternatively, a historical view called Post-Millenialism, suggests that Christ is currently sitting on his throne, and that in and through the work of His people, good slowly and ruggedly overcomes evil on this earth. Our view of the end, our eschatology, shapes how we interpret the present circumstances. I know this is a controversial statement, but the Pre-Millenial view, consistently held, creates a disincentive to engage fully in the spiritual war before us. Why fight when we are meant to lose? Let's just hunker down and wait for Christ to come. In the Post-Millenial view, Christ will win, no doubt, but this is done through his people, not in spite of his people. I believe the hope for this can be found in the Sabbath. "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his." - Hebrews 4:9-10 What is the work that we are called to do? How does this connect to the Sabbath? God called man to have "dominion over the earth and subdue it." The fall of man has not changed that command. Christ, who is "the new Adam," is to not only undo the death brought in by Adam, but lead us in doing what Adam failed to do. "He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet." This is the Post-Millienial vision. Like the stock market, there are depressions and setbacks, times of darkness, but there is, inevitably, growth. The worst is behind us - the Flood, Babel... Christ has come. "But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." Christ as King reigns in and through his people, in and through history, and all nations of the earth will bow down and acknowledge him as God. Whatever the outcome of this next week, whether judgment or mercy, the hope of the Sabbath remains. I pray that Q's plan is executed without fail, but we must acknowledge the possibility it fails, or more simply, was never really there. God's plan is as certain as anything can be, as clear as 2+2=4. God, who is infinitely wise and good, permits evil only to deepen the revelation of his infinite wisdom and goodness. Whatever the outcome of this next week, let us put our hand to the plough, trust in the Lord, and by his grace, work to “fill the earth with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.”