Hearing Revelation
Coming back from Nashville yesterday, I listened to Revelation on my iPod. It’s one of those pieces that must be heard as much as read.
Revelation begins with a vision of Christ. And what a vision it is for believers in the late first century who need to summon their courage in light of the power and pressure of Rome. (Note here: The United States isn’t the best place to try to understand Revelation. Since Christianity is the majority here, it’s hard for us to understand the underdog language of apocalyptic. We keep wanting to flatten the imagery and kill the symbolism.)
Words go out to the seven church. Jesus knows! He knows their situation, their strengths, and their weaknesses. They are commanded to be loyal — refusing to buckle even with pressure and persecution.
Then we are whisked up to God’s throne where he is worshiped by 24 elders and by 4 living creatures. John sees a scroll with seven seals, but he’s crushed that no one can open the seals. Then he’s pointed to the Lion . . . the lamb who was slain . . . the one who is worthy to open the seals.
One by one the seals are opened; and one by one the calamities are unleashed. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse gallop forth and suffering is everywhere. When the sixth seal is opened, it seems as though all hell has broken loose: stars fall, figs drop, the sky recedes, the sun becomes black, the moon is blood red. “Who can stand?” people cry?
But if we’ve just seen the world “from below” — with all the evil and pain — we are now given a chance to see “from above” (chapter 7). We learn that hell hasn’t broken loose. And who can stand? Well the four angels sent by God are standing (7:1). God knows his people! John “hears” them, and it sounds like 144,000 (a symbolic way of saying, “God sees every last one of you!”) Then he “sees” them and realizes the number is beyond counting. From heaven’s perspective, we are safe. Not necessary protected from evil; but “safe” in a deeper sense.
Finally there is silence in heaven: a time to contemplate the full measure of evil.
You’d think the end has come. But this isn’t a prophesy conference; it’s an apocalyptic call to courage — in light of the fact that God is in control (despite appearances to the contrary).
Seven angels now appear with seven trumpets. More catastrophes ensue. Then we meet the three great enemies: the dragon (in a rather unconventional Christmas story . . . try performing that little scene next December . . . “Ok, kids. Who wants to be the dragon who tries to eat the baby when he’s born?”), the beast of the sea, and the beast of the earth. Satan — along with the power and prestige of Rome — seems too much. But really, he’s no match for the Lamb and his people.
Seven more angels pour out the contents seven bowls — the seven bowls of God’s wrath. Seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls. That’s a lot of devastation!
We learn that the great “whore of Babylon” (Rome) isn’t a match for God. Some will cry (18); while others will rejoice (19). But “our Lord God Almighty reigns!”
Now it’s time for the final battle: Armageddon. But it doesn’t really live up to its billing. It’s a boxing match that ends with a KO after 2 seconds. Because God is one of the ones in the battle. Satan is thrown into the pit for a thousand years. Then he’s released for a while until God’s final judgment. Then Satan, death, and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire.
But are we ever going to get to “the end”? Or, the beginning of the end? Oh, yes. In Revelation 21-22, we see the “new heaven and new earth” which the prophets had anticipated. Those who’ve long prayed “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” will finally see that prayer answered in full. God’s dwelling place descends out of heaven. Eden is restored. Tears are wiped away.
“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will given them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (22:20)
I have been pouring over Revelation 6 (really 6-16) today for teaching Revelation 6 tonight…thanks for sharing this. So, so powerful and relevant!
I have been into Revelation lately myself. It seems the more I hear about it- the more I want to figure it out- then the less I understand but more I feel at peace–weird huh?. My interest spurred from the beautiful description of the New Jerusalem. I even went straight to Hobby Lobby for an extra large canvas to paint my vision! I feel like God has been using that scene to remind me that this world is not my home and it’s all temporary. It’s even brought me to a place of repentance and renewal. Amazing all the ways God’s word speaks to us. He is amazing.
Best synopsis on Rev I’ve ever heard. Hands down. Thank you.
Now to download it so I can listen for myself. Teaching it in the fall…
We forget that the people to whom Revelation was addressed probably experienced it for the first time by hearing it being read in a semi-public setting. Great inspiration here for a Christian theatre artist like me, THANKS!
“Now it’s time for the final battle: Armageddon. But it doesn’t really live up to its billing. It’s a boxing match that ends with a KO after 2 seconds. Because God is one of the ones in the battle.”
I love that description; it hearkens to the language of Romans 8: we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ.
Great Overview… Thanks! Eugene Peterson’s small book, “Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John & the Praying Imagination,” is another wonderful look that doesn’t “flatten the imagery and kill the symbolism” but rather sees the apocalypse as a whole. I love that he reminds us that we have to go through the church before we arrive at the vision because the Revelation is as much pastoral as it is apocalyptic.
Dan – That’s my all-time fav book on Revelation.
Mike, a very, very good summary of Revelation. Thanks very much.
Gena Killen – you are experiencing the first of seven blessings in Revelation. Exciting isn’t it!!
3Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
I can hear the preacher coming out as you summerize Revelation.
When Christians raise the question of the relationship to earthly governments, how come Revelation (e.g., ch 18) never comes into the discussion?
Grace and peace,
Rex
Mike – do you think Revelation should be read and not studied? Just curious – I’ve never been involved in a study that worked after the 7 churches part.
So good to hear you in Nashville on Tuesday. Thought I would get to speak to you, but alas, you were surrounded by other adoring friends. Your message sucked the breath out of The Gathering–there was not a rustle, not a whisper, and no sounds of keys being tapped–just attentive listening. Thanks for your attention to the scars in our lives.
“The United States isn’t the best place to try to understand Revelation.” I agree. I’ve also found that life in another context has deepened my understanding of other biblical teachings, Ecclesiastes, for example.
Thank you for a hopeful summary of a hopeful message.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven is for now . His will should be done on earth. It is being done in heaven. If it to be considered to be eschatological then it fits in with the new perspective and Wright. But some questions… What does Paul mean when he writes about being caught up with Jesus in the air and being with Him forever – Thess. 4 : 13- 18 ? Where is the eternal house built in heaven – 2 Cor. 5 : 1- 5 ? Where is the place that Jesus is preparing ( Yes, in the historical context , Jesus is speaking to His apostles ) – John 14 : 1-4 ? What is it that will be destroyed by fire – 2 Peter 3 ? Just some questions in light of the current discussions about Sanders , Dunn , Wright , new perspective on Paul , justification , Second Temple Judiasm , etc.
Excellent! Having preached and taught through Revelation several times over my 30 years in the pulpit (before leaving for work in the secular market), this is about as good a summary of that wonderful letter as I’ve ever read. Makes me want to teach it again.
Ray,
NT Wright addresses some of those passages here
http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_BR_Farewell_Rapture.htm
Justin, Thanks for the links. Ibelieve Wright is wrong in his use of metaphors in I Thess. 4 , Phil 3 and I Cor 15. I believe it is a stretch of the text but fully understand why he must to fit it into his new perspective.
I think you’re confusing Wright’s eschatology with the new perspective. My understanding is that you don’t have to be a proponent of the new perspective to believe that there is a resurrection into a “new heavens and new earth” rather than souls being taken into some sort of heaven in another realm of existence.
Justin ,
No , Iam not confused , just stating that to fit into Wright and his new perspective you have to believe in his eschatology. The passages I made reference to earlier do speak of another realm. I find it difficult to believe that the Christians in Thessolinica read Paul’s letter and decided that what he wrote in I Thess. 4 : 13 – 18 made reference to the three stories Wright mentions in his book, Surprised by Hope. Therefore , he only speaks metaphorically. And no , the Left Behind Series is just sahllow , sensational hype. Rapture is not found in scripture.
I think he comes to that interpretation though based on reading other “apocalyptic” texts in Jewish history. Language like “stars fall from the sky” or things of that nature are, in all other contexts in literature of that period (including the Apocrypha) are not meant to be understood literally.
But let’s say for a moment that these few passages should be interpreted the way you interpret them.
What do you do with passages like Revelation 21, or Acts 3:21, or the many others that support this eschatology?
I assume you’re aware also that Wright believes that there is something between death and final resurrection… when Jesus says “in my Fathers house there are many rooms” the greek word for rooms is most literally “motels”, like a temporary dwelling place.
Justin,
In answer to your question , I would ask what parts of Rev. 21 do you take literally ? Will the eventual eternity we experience be everything as it is mentioned in Rev. 21 ? It is apocalyptic literature. Does Acts 3 : 21 mean the physical restoration of earth?
There is a place between death and judgement called Paradise.
John 14 is a reference to an abiding place , not temporary. There will be room for all who have believed
Ray, don’t be too quick to say “Rapture is not found in scripture.”
I seem to remember hearing about a young preacher who said that on a radio show once. A caller asked him what the Latin term for “caught up” was in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
(But the kind of rapture that’s being purveyed at $49.95 per “Left Behind” complete boxed gift set … no, you won’t find that in scripture!)
Keith,
That was my reference , the rapture as used in the left behind lit. and I do not find it in the english translations , as of yet . Also , the false shallow hype connected with the left behind books, movies, etc.
In light of the fact that so many people are confused about rapture and other things–what exactly should we be doing? Should we stockpile food? What if we are on a fixed income and ill? How do we prepare to ride out the storm? A lot of God’s children are confused.