My attendance at the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization might well be my once-in-a-lifetime experience.

       This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Lausanne Movement launched by evangelicals’ forerunner Rev. Billy Graham. More than 5,000 delegates from 222 countries and territories gathered in Seoul Incheon, Korea, for the movement’s fourth congress in 50 years. It touched my heart the moment the congress officially opened. Praising the name of God with so many saints from various places was like a foretaste of what is to come when, as portrayed in Revelation, saints of every nation, people and language gather before the throne and the Lamb to worship and praise God.

       This quarter, we will be studying Revelation 1-5. The word “reveal” in the original language means “disclose.” I have heard a very good analogy before: “Revealing” is like someone who, for the first time, tries out the acclaimed claypot rice at a restaurant. Just before he enters the restaurant, he can already see the chef cooking the dish on a red-hot furnace on the sidewalk. And when the server brings the pot, the aroma of the crust comes seeping out from small openings on the lid. When the lid is opened, he can hear a sizzling sound from the rice and other ingredients. “Reveal” would be like the act of lifting the lid of the rice claypot.

       The writing style of Revelation is unique in the sense that the author used symbols and signs to represent what would happen in future, and he did not portray events strictly according to the chronological order. Therefore, it will be dangerous if someone uses Revelation to interpret major current affairs. Two thousand years of church history has taught us that reading the Book of Revelation like one of prophecies and matching the scenes with current events can only end up in a deadlock.

       Simply put, God the Father is revealing His plan through Christ. For all the scenes where there is no turning point, which are the worst-case scenarios, they are all known to God and under His reign. From the beginning to the end, God knows everything. Although the followers of Christ see turbulent times and their faith meets with trials and tribulations, the Book of Revelation exhorts us to fix our eyes not on the scenes of the last days but on Jesus Christ who is speaking to the church.

       Just like claypot rice, none of the toppings, the sauce or the rice are prepared by us. It will not change the preparation process if we know in advance what will happen when we lift the lid. Open the Book of Revelation, and the first chapter clearly states that it is what the Lord Jesus Christ says to the churches, that is, you and me. The promises, the reminders and the admonitions are what the churches today still need to listen to. With humble hearts, let us “Obey Christ and Walk Out His Words.”

       Ever since the Lausanne Congress in 1974, the Lausanne Covenant, with Rev. John Stott as its chief architect, continues to challenge the churches and believers worldwide to be faithful with perseverance, and to endeavor with one heart to spread the name of Christ the Lord throughout the nations, the peoples and the frontiers. It will be the NPAC family’s anniversary next week. May we not be engrossed in some small fruits in one place but with broad-minded vision take on the unfinished gospel mission together with all churches.