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| Jean and Alexander Heard Library: Vanderbilt Art in the Christian Tradition "Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator" |
We begin a series at First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla, on the book of Revelation expanding on the lectionary readings. This series is an abbreviated look at the message of the book as a whole focusing on key themes that help to dispel misconceptions and highlight important truths from this book that celebrates the Victory of Christ. The themes will be broken down as follows:
INTRODUCTION
Theme 1: Worship
Theme 2: Witness
Theme 3: War
Theme 4: Warning
Theme 5: Winning
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK
The title in the Greek reads, "the apocalypses" of Jesus Christ. The words means something or someone that is revealed. The translation then, of the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" introduces the book. Because the word is often translated "apocalypse" some tend to understand that book is about the "end of the world." At times when there are wars, famines, and disease, it looks like the end of the world. Yet we should remember, that the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" means that this is the beginning of the new good world begun and revealed in Jesus that has not been accomplished and is breaking out into our world. This book is not so much about the end of the world, as it is about the beginning of God's new world.
A reference list of resources on the book of Revelation will also be included below.
Worship is the first theme we will describe. The book of Revelation is filled with scenes of heavenly worship. The worship is due to the victory of the lamb that was slain and is worthy to ascend to the thorn of the world. The book of Revelation is a deeply symbolic book. Perhaps this was because of the persecution of the church and the need to be subversive. Either way, Christians should understand that symbolic interpretation should not be taken literally. The scenes however depict worship in symbolic terms such as the vision of heavenly worship with the twenty-four thrones and twenty-four elders. These represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. The emeralds, rainbow and golden colors are also representative of God's glory. The picture of heavenly worship either reflects the worship of heaven as reflected in the earthly worship of the church, or the earthly worship of the church as reflected by the heavenly worship. There are banners, processions, liturgy, incense, altars, and worshippers arrayed in white albs. This pictures the worship of the church in heaven and in earth giving praise to God for the victory in Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of God.
The second theme is that of Witness. Christians were facing persecution. Many were killed for their faith. The word "martyr" means to bear witness. These Christians died as a witness to their faith in Jesus Christ. When Christian face difficult times and face persecution or are tempted to deny their faith in the face of death, this book encourages Christians to stand fast. The church goes through times of "tribulation". It is these times that test what the faith of the church.
The third theme is that of War. We face times in the life of the church when there is a kind of spiritual warfare. The armies of heaven are arrayed against the armies of Satan and the evil one. These are forces in our world that are the spirit of anti-christ. That is, the exact opposite of everything Jesus is and stands for. There is even a world leader that is symbolic of the way the world sees power. Where Jesus was humble, kind, compassionate, and restores and heals, the anti-christ is the opposite. The spirit of the anti-Christ it that of power, oppression, subjugation, wealth, pride, and arrogance. This spirit was embodied in the Roman Empire and in the emperors of the day which tried to bring about a kind of peace. The Roman peace was much different than the kind of peace brought by Jesus. These forces are at war and when God's new world breaks, it will destroy the arrogant cruelty of humanity.
Warning is the fourth theme. Over and over the book warns the readers that God will ultimately judge the world and the intentions of the hearts of all people. This warning culminate in the scene of the judgment of the nations. Too often, people misunderstand the justice of God. N.T. Wright has written brilliantly about this concept. He challenges us to see judgement as the justice of God. When we see examples of injustice we inherently understand the unfairness of the situation. When large trawlers over fish the seas and a fishing village can no longer provide for their community, these villages and communities begin to suffer. It is an injustice that their way of life and their fishing rights are ignored. A village that once was thriving can easily be destroyed. Justice would see the rights of these people honored. When God returns in judge the world it will be a time when the world will be put back to right (in the words of N.T. Wright). Revelation calls us to remember that God will come to restore what is broken and to hold accountable those that take advantage of the weak for their own self interest.
Winning is the final theme. The winning is that of the victory of Jesus Christ over the forces of Satan, the evil one. In the crucifixion and resurrection a great victory was won. The images that picture the scenes in heaven are symbolic of the victory won in Jesus Christ. Revelation celebrates the victory of Jesus over the enemies of God. Sin, death, and evil will finally be destroyed. In one sense, this victory is already attained in the victory of Jesus on the cross. In another sense, we await the final consummation of this victory. The work that Christians engage on this earth is in anticipation of the day when God's kingdom will dawn in its fulness in the world, and justice, peace and mercy will overcome evil. The final picture in the book is again intended to be symbolic. Two pictures are given. Each is intended to be a separate symbol. The first is in Revelation chapter 21. It is of a new heaven and a new earth and that of the new Jerusalem coming from heaven. The evil doers are consigned to a burning lake of sulfur. This is again symbolic of the final destruction of evil and sin. In Revelation chapter 22 there is another picture given of the heavenly city. While it is walled, but has open gates. Outside the open gates are evil doers. The image is that of a place where self interest, deceit, cruelty and inhumanity is banished and cannot enter into the city of God.
Christians should never be tempted to interpret this symbolic book in order to figure out when the world will end or when the end of the age will happen. Jesus already said that it is not for us to know the times and seasons. Anyone who claims they know that world events will predict the coming of Jesus is simply wring and not faithfully reading this book. It is in the mystery of God as to when the end of time will happen. We are called instead to put our hope in the finished work of Jesus and in the mission of the church. In the letter to the churches in the beginning of the book, John sees an open door. That open door is the opportunity that the church has to proclaim the message of Jesus' revelation. That Jesus has overcome sin and death and reigns in glory as the victor!
References for further study:
The Word Biblical Commentaries Vol 52A,B and C. David E Aune. Zondervan
Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation within Orthodox Christian Tradition; Vladimir Seminary Press
Revelation for Everyone. N.T. Wright. John Knox Press
What Presbyterians Believe About the Future; Robert Bohler Jr. The Presbyterian Outlook.
Presbyterian Outlook
Eugene Boring. Revelation: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. John Knox Press.
