Rev. 10:8-10                      Bethel                                   1-17-10

Bittersweet Truths

Intro.  Some scriptural truths are easier to take than others.  There are many great and profound truths that come across like a well prepared desert. These scriptural truths make us feel good and soothe our troubled souls.  The sweetness of these truths draws us to the scriptures and makes reading the Bible feel like a comfortable blanket on a cold night.  These are the scriptures we underline and turn to time and time again when we need inspiration and comfort.  Psa 37:4  “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

However, there are other scriptural teachings, equally true, that are bitter truths.  They hurt us on the inside.  They bring no comfort or joy.  Instead, these truths may cause us pain of heart.  We may feel guilty or sad.  We may even shed tears.  No, God’s Word is not just one emotional high after another.  Some truths are hard, cold, and bitter!  Psa 9:17  “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”  We don’t usually see that verse on a devotional calendar!

There are also some truths that could be described as bittersweet.  They carry a dual flavor.  They bring mixed emotions.   I believe that these bittersweet truths are the ones that place us closest to God.  These are the truths that hallow the ground we stand on and cause us to take off our shoes and meet with God in true communion.

Such was the instance of our text.  John was not the first to experience this mixed flavor.  Ezekiel of old was also told to eat a scroll of scripture than contained lamentations, and mourning, and woe.  Yet, in his mouth it tasted as sweet as honey!  It is pleasing to get a Word from God.  Even a message of judgment brings to the righteous heart the knowledge that God will have his honor and He will punish evil.  Yet our human emotions grieve at the thought of our fellow human beings lost, condemned, and suffering the wrath of a holy God.

Bittersweet Truths:

1.  Judgment - God will judge sin.  2Co 5:10  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

It will be a glorified Jesus Christ who judges all the earth.  Act 10:42  “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”

Rev 16:7  “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.”

All those who are truly worshippers of God desire to see Him exalted.  We rejoice to see the Lord high and lifted up.  We long to see Him rule in the universe.  Yet, this knowledge also brings pain of heart because we know that his judgment, though righteous and just, will bring suffering to some that we love. 

2.  Atonement - Jesus died for our sins.  Gal 6:14  “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”  1Co 15:3  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

Those who walk with God in righteousness love Jesus, and glory in the cross of Christ.  We see this as the great victory over sin death hell and the grave.  We see our own sins atoned for and purged away never to be remembered against us again.  Yet, we also weep as the price Jesus had to pay.  We weep over the agony in the garden where he was so repulsed by the bitter cup set before him that he sweat as it were great drops of blood!  We cringe at the thought of every swing of the cruel lash.  Our hearts ache at the thought of him falling under the weight of the cross.  We are brought to bitterness of heart to contemplate the sufferings or the cross.

3.  Salvation - John 3:36  “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

1Jo 5:11-12  “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 

All who place their faith in Christ will be saved.  This is good news!  Could there be any message more sweet than this?  To know that heaven is secured for us by the Lord Jesus who paid our debt and gave us eternal life.  To think that we are no longer condemned, but blood washed and heaven bound is a wonderfully sweet truth.

Yet, this news is bittersweet for the same truth bears witness to the reality that not all will be saved.  The same passages that bring the sweet assurance of salvation to us who have accepted Christ also bear witness to the bitter reality that all those who are not in Christ are lost, doomed, and destined for eternal fire!  This truth compels us to both love and fear God.  He is on the one hand, the Savior and Deliverer of fallen souls but he is also the righteous Judge of all the earth and will not extend his patience and mercy beyond the grave.  As certainly as he saves souls, he also will condemn souls.  

4. Service - Rom 12:1  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” 

Yes, scriptural teaching on our service to God can sometimes be bittersweet.  A sacrifice is a bitter thing.  It involves giving up self.  It involves dying, dying to the old nature which still longs to be in control.

Yes, to declare the “whole council of God” means that I must sometimes teach and preach the negative, uncomfortable truths.  Worship must mean we meet with God in his fullness.  We feast at His table and we eat what he gives us.

To face these bittersweet truths is the duty of every serious student of scripture.  To accept all the Word of God is the goal of every Christ follower.  We cannot pick and choose what we will believe.   Does the gospel bring joy to your soul, or does it bring conviction?  Becoming a true follower of Christ is bittersweet, but this is what brings us most close to God. 

We must face our sins and admit we are unworthy of heaven.  We must accept the verdict of God upon our souls and come to Him for forgiveness and atonement.  When we do this the sweet joys of love, hope and peace come over us and we can be truly right in the sight of God.

Is there some truth you are running from?  Is there some area of God’s Word that you are avoiding because it is bitter?  If so, take it into your soul anyway.  Allow God to heal you on the inside and bring you to surrender and joy.