The sermon in Middelburg
In recent weeks, everyone has taken note of the sermon that Rev. Paul Visser on October 10 in Middelburg. About Revelation 13, yes and especially about that he saw a possible connection between what is written there with what is now going on in this country and in the world.
Many people – both Christians and non-Christians – thought it was a good sermon. When you see that a few versions (the entire church service, but also just the speech) on YouTube have already been viewed more than 500,000 times, that says a lot about the appreciation.
The pastor himself says – I believe somewhere in the beginning of the sermon – that perhaps it is 'link' to preach on this subject. Well, it was link, because it has loosened many tongues and writing pens. Just about all Christian opinion makers have fallen over him and proclaimed with gusto why Visser's story was wrong and you could not or should not say it like that.
Laurens van der Tang dared to go in Damwoude to talk about the same subject. But that also evokes similar counter-reactions in the media, for example in the ND, which states “Keeping open the possibility in a lecture in a church that there is evil intent behind the Great Reset - that greatly stimulates polarization?”.
'Preaching about prophecy' is apparently something that many Christians also stumble upon. It seems that most of the criticism and resistance stems from a failure to accept that the Bible speaks very concretely about our human world. It is not a religious book with beautiful examples and wise life lessons, but it is the message of God Himself for a lost world and a call to every individual person to repent to God and accept the Lord Jesus Christ.
That is why I was pleasantly surprised with the sermon of Rev. Visser, for he did just that: connecting part of Bible prophecy to the world we now live in and calling on the hearer to entrust their lives to Christ in all circumstances.
The first Christian sermon
To be honest, I've been watching all the commotion over the past few weeks with amazement. But this morning I was struck by a portion from Acts 2. It's the reason for just sharing that now.
In Acts 2 we read 'the first Christian sermon'. The Holy Spirit has just been poured out on the believers and leads, among other things, to Peter giving a speech. All comments now on the sermon of Rev. Visser is poured out, you could easily pour over Peter's sermon. If Peter the fisherman had preached this sermon in Middelburg, the same would have happened to him, I'm afraid.
Peter quotes from the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32). It's about the outpouring of the Spirit of God through which people will prophesy—that is, transmitting the words of God. After that the prophecy says that miracles and signs will happen, the sun and moon will be changed dramatically and after that comes the great (judgment) day of the Lord. Finally, the prophet says that whoever turns to the Lord God for salvation will be saved.
Then Peter's sermon continues (verses 22-36) and makes clear Who it is through Whom they are to be saved. It is Jesus of Nazareth whom they crucified. He is the one who is Lord of all, the Christ of God. This made it clear to the hearers that He is also the one who will judge on 'the great day of the Lord'.
It was the reason that one day about 3000 people converted to the Lord and were saved.
How many critical comments could the hearers make about Peter's sermon and especially his unabashedly applying Joel's prophecy to his own day?
- Peter, Joel's prophecy is spiritual, for the Jews of that time. How do you come to apply this literally at this time?
- Peter, don't you know that this prophecy is for the end times and not for now? You can't just bring this to us. That's a bad explanation!
- Peter, what Joel says happens at the outpouring—prophesying, visions, and dreams—is very different from the drunken talk we see around us now, isn't it? What a nonsense to put that together.
- Finally, Peter, doesn't it look like those terrible signs Joel is talking about will now take place? How do you get around to scaring people so much?
- Oh yes, this too: is it really necessary to bombard the community with such conspiracy theories? They have better things to do, right? Peter!
It is not inconceivable that many have said such things to each other. But Peter has preached on biblical prophecy and preached the gospel. In his sermon he paid a lot of attention to recent events, which they could all know. Things that had happened to Him Who was called Jesus. There were also things that happened invisibly, but about which Peter spoke. And also about things that people might call a "conspiracy," but which the Bible refers to as "the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God' (Acts 2:23).
Fortunately, for many it was the earnest reason to repent and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
It pleased the Holy Spirit that Peter preached this sermon and that he also ended up in the Bible in this way. It's amazing how the Bible also sheds light on things that are happening today. Like a sermon on Revelation 13 in a church in Middelburg. As far as I am concerned, Peter's sermon on the 1st Pentecost in Jerusalem is a confirmation from God on the sermon of Rev. Visser in Middelburg on October 10, 2021.
Furthermore, we continue to pray that more and more people will discover in these exciting times that the Bible is also there for now and speaks very concretely about the world in which we live. He invites all to repent to God and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.
"... and all things [are] of the God who has reconciled us to himself by [Jesus] Christ, and given to us the ministry of that reconciliation: how that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their offences; and putting in us the word of that reconciliation. We are ambassadors therefore for Christ, God as [it were] beseeching by us, we entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God. Him who knew not sin he has made sin for us, that *we* might become God's righteousness in him.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
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Beautiful! Thank you. I'm so glad there are finally more people willing to speak out about this.
As you indicate; the bible is not a religious book. What is written in it is truth and not conspiracy theory. As difficult as they are to understand; the things that are written will come to pass. Fortunately, as this world is now, it will not last forever.
It is necessary to name things; both good and evil, and also injustice.
As long as your life is still bobbing along pleasantly and you go with the flow, it is possible to close your eyes to this. Those of us who see the injustice and suffering in the world and who have experienced or are experiencing it ourselves will probably 'see differently'. That Jesus gives us that we see well and gives us the courage (and the words) to speak when necessary.
It's great that you named it that way. Totally agree and glad there is finally a pastor who says these things. Even in their own family/friends circle there are few who think that we live in the end times and they look at me in disbelief when I start talking about that. People are still too well off and as long as that is, they see no need to think differently. I pray that God will open many more eyes and ears as only He can. We have a great God and He is coming back and giving another opportunity to repent to Him.