<> Ask the Pastor Pastor Walter Snyder Q: I believe that Jesus will actually have a sword in his mouth during this period of Revelation. Others believe that it represents the word of God. How do you interpret Revelation 19:15? A: The passage reads, "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Other parts of the Apocalypse (Revelation) that speak of the sword (or spear) in Christ's mouth are 1:16; 2:12, 16; and 19:21. I believe and teach the infallibility of the Bible as God's Word. I read it for its literal meaning. In Revelation, the literal sense of the book is one of prophetic vision. The book isn't history or biography but words of promise and warning couched in epic poetry. As with the winepress (will Jesus really come back to stomp grapes?) and other picture-language, the sword is a sign of who and what Jesus is. It's an image of power. It looks back to when he himself was pierced--now he symbolically holds the very weapon that testified to his death as a sign that life has triumphed. It also looks forward to his return in judgment--the Father has made him Ruler and Lord over all creation, and the sword brings terror to unbelievers but hope to those who believe in his power to save. Q: Is the tithe for the local church or for the work of the church worldwide? Not your opinion or your churches, but what does the Bible say? For example, Deuteronomy 26 speaks of the year of the tithe. Every three years the tithe was used for the local community (Levite, alien, fatherless, widow). Does this mean that one third of the tithe should be used for the local church? The remaining tithe was sent to the temple, the focal point for God to reveal himself to the world and to meet the world's needs. So should two thirds of the tithe be used for reaching out to the world from and through the local church? A: First of all, the tithe is not commanded in the New Testament. Many Christians tithe, but there is no mandate from Christ or his apostles. I personally tithe, then give gifts over and above that amount. Israel's tithe is an example and a starting point because it worked well for God's people for many centuries. As for the division of the offering, what you suggest is certainly consistent with what the Lord says about concern for others and care for those who are in need. Still, there are some differences. The temple was not only for the Lord's glory to be revealed to the nations, but was especially where the sins of Israel were forgiven. Thus, the two thirds tithe was mainly for the support of the 'whole' church. There is no longer a sacrificial system in place, since the final Sacrifice has been offered and accepted as payment for all sins. Now, teaching the faithful and outreach to the perishing are emphasized. Our offerings support the spread of the Gospel, training pastors and teachers, sending missionaries and evangelists, and doing works of mercy. Likewise, we still have local pastors and teachers continuing in the tradition of those Levites who were dispersed throughout Israel. The Levites did not have farms and flocks, but were dedicated to the service of the Lord as priests and teachers. Those who worked locally were supported by the local tithes. They received a portion of the third-year tithe as their due reward. The locals were also responsible for the well-being of those who couldn't support themselves. Widows, orphans, and foreigners received part of the third-year tithe to keep themselves alive and their families together. Even with the two types of tithes, the exact division was left up to those involved. No one would go hungry, no priest or teacher would be shorted nor the temple neglected, and new generations of Levites would be trained in the priesthood. We have even greater freedom and flexibility under the Gospel. This also places a greater responsibility upon us to weigh the needs of the local church versus whatever national and international work there is to be done. We need new pastors and teachers, unbelievers at home and abroad need the Gospel, the poor and the oppressed need clothing, food, and shelter. God grant us the wisdom to divide the gifts so as to glorify and serve him best. God also grant us the strength to continue to give richly to him and to his work through his church. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.