Things That Go Without Saying part 5 Needless to Say

 "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to Heaven." (Revelation 10:4, emphasis mine)

I could tell you, but...

There was a point in my life where I was really curious about what was spoken by the "seven thunders". Not, like, a season of three or four months where all I could do was seek out rare and esoteric texts (as in uncommon, and Christian, of course) and try and work them into the context starting from the beginning and then work out and into my life and... why? It was more along the lines of neglecting what had already been said. Unsealed, as it were. Take Revelation for instance. That very name implies something "revealed". Something as yet unknown. The mere fact that God would tell us the end from the beginning shows He has our best interests at heart and when you factor in hell and damnation and eternal judgment (assuming you believe those things are), best to have a trace of peace to keep us steady even as we walk, God's hand in ours, shrouded in mist. Without the peace that tells us everything's going to be okay, the easy answer of "take me home now, God" begins to formulate in our troubled mind. And God, says "I could tell you, but I... am not going to." He asks that we trust Him. Life is not about "getting through" but "getting God". Knowing Him.

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." (John 16:12)

Okay, so I still wonder about what was said by the "seven thunders" that day in Revelation. But there's one passage from said book that is of utmost importance and that must be laid to rest in our hearts prior to even getting to the point where we could hear such privileged information from God (because I believe He'll tell you certain things of grandiosity should you be called in a line that extends that high—and everyone is). That passage is as follows.

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." (Revelation 2:4-5)

A place for everything

Always a hot button issue as the notion of faith versus works sidles into the argument. And just so you know, being led of the Holy Spirit throughout our day is the answer to that. But when Jesus speaks in the above passage to the "Church of Ephesus", (2:1) that they had left their first love, it kind of goes without saying that any work beyond that wouldn't be the right thing anyway. Fast-forwarding to the notion that there are unmentionables we dare not listen to, think about how you'd be affected if you heard privileged information and your heart wasn't "rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17b)? It's dangerous. You can understand how Christ would leave off teaching His disciples in the verse from John above, seeing they weren't quite ready to hear what He had to tell them.

And everything in it's place

Before I go any further, the idea of "removing [a] candlestick" is a scary one. A candlestick has one function. Yes, it can be ornate or simple—your choice. But it's here to hold a flame. To herald the coming of Jesus and diffuse His light onto this world. Focus in on Him and what He's telling you now and any other ancillary (read: superfluous) information will come when you need it. Notice how Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as Comforter:

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be trouble, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

Suiting Ourselves (Cloaking Devices part 2)

Ipsissima verba