So yesterday's service was all about the NUMB3R Zero -- as in there will be zero raptures of the kind that Left Behind or The Late Great Planet Earth describe it. It's one of my favorite conversations/debates to have within the church.

It got off to great start as Anjie Carpenter led us in worship. So smooth yet so powerful.

Then came James-Michael Smith's sermon intro video. See it here:



Then it came time for the message. We saw from Matthew 24:36-41 that being "left behind" is actually a good thing -- because that's what happened to Noah and his family in contrast to those who forgot God and were "swept away" in the flood. We also saw that I Thessalonians 4:16-17 can't really be describing a secret rapture scenario because there Jesus' return is loud and obvious. It also can't be his return after the seven years of tribulation because 4:17 refers to "we who are still alive and are left . . . " "We who are left" means Christians. How could they be "alive" on earth and "left" if they've all been raptured away seven years earlier? So that passage suggests a very different Second Coming than the one Left Behind describes.

So if I don't believe in a Left Behind rapture, what do I believe in? That Jesus will return at an unexpected time and in an unmistakable way. He will defeat Satan, judge the quick and the dead, and bring with him a new heavens and a new earth. Up there comes down here in a way beyond our understanding. Until then, Christians will endure all kinds of joys and struggles, blessings and persecutions. We're not supposed to hope for an escape from the world; we are part of God's plan in redeeming it. That's why Revelation tells us to "overcome."

Probably my favorite part was the end. We sang "Sing To The King" which has the best verse:
For His returning we watch and we pray,
We will be ready the dawn of the that day
We'll join in singing with all the redeemed
As Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King.

That's something all Christians -- whether they subscribe to a rapture or not -- can sing together. And so we did.

You can listen to the message here.

I love what we're doing with the NUMB3RS series. Taking a look at Revelation in this way has started so much conversation around the church and the community.


This week, we're looking at the number 666 from Revelation 13:18. You're going to hear some really crazy interpretations people have given to that number, which is ironic since the verse itself says "This calls for wisdom." I am praying that my message will bring the wisdom -- and the passion -- that this verse calls for.


And you'll get another innovative sermon-video-intro-thing from James-Michael Smith, Joe Jackson, and Chris Macedo. Check the post from May 5 to see the first video. The one coming this Sunday is even better.


This series energizes me for a couple of reasons:

• I love challenging people's assumptions about Revelation and the end of history.


• I love preaching today about subjects I wouldn't have touched 10 years ago.


• I love the way the team here has done so much with the visual look and feel of the church and its gatherings. They stretch me and that's why they're good to work with.