Revelation 8:6-13

Revelation 8:6-13

Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.  The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.  The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.  The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Today we meet the seven angels with the seven trumpets.  We don’t know for certain who these angels are, but church tradition holds that these angels are the seven archangels spoken of in Tobit 12:15. These angels are: Uriel (Fire of God; also known as God’s Keeper of the Light), Raphael (Healer of God), Raguel (Friend of God; also known as the Bringer of Justice), Michael (Who is like God; also known as the commander of God’s army), Sariel (Command of God; often also mentioned as Arazyal, the Angel of Death – though not all sources agree with this) Gabriel (Strength of God; also known as the Messenger of God), Remiel (Thunder of God; also known as the Compassion of God).  The important thing to keep in mind is that God’s angels serve God’s purpose.  However, such purpose is not always pleasant.  God’s purpose is always righteous, but His righteousness sometimes implies dealing out judgment.  This is why we can have God’s angels throwing down fire and hail and things that corrupt the sea and the fresh waters.  That’s how we can have the angel of death being one of God’s angels.  We should not lose sight of the fact that while God desires love, grace, and mercy, He is also a righteous God who will hold us accountable for our sins.

Why is it sometimes difficult to desire to see God in term of righteous judgment and not just grace and love?  What happens when we lose sight of both sides of God’s righteousness?

Second Thought:

When we read through the first of the four trumpet blasts, we find that they are eerily reminiscent of God’s displays of power in the Exodus story.  In the plagues of Egypt, we find God’s incredible control over nature.  Here in this story, we find that theme is repeated.  This time, however, it is on a global scale.  God is in control over nature.  God is capable of having His way with the earth.  God is the dominant presence in universe.  Furthermore, we can see that John is tapping into imagery that the people of Asia Minor would understand.  They would be familiar with the eerie red rain that comes when the conditions are right and winds pick up red sand out of Egypt and deposits it in the atmosphere.  As I’ve mentioned often, with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius the people would be able to relate to a mountain falling into the oceans and making the water bitter.  John is truly trying to remind the people that God is in control of nature and our existence.

How does God demonstrate His control in your life?  When have you seen incredible displays of natural power and witnessed God’s ability to control forces that we cannot?

Third Thought:

We also come to the eagle’s interlude.  This is an ominous interlude.  It is as if the eagle is summarizing the natural destructiveness around it.  Nature comes to warn us when we stray against God.  How many times in the course of human history has our human greed and power over nature caused us to exploit nature until it fights back?  Often, nature itself is our greatest reflection of our sinful impulses.  What we need to remember, though, is the point of this whole passage.  Nature can reflect our sinful impulses because God is in control of it.  This is why the eagle cries his woe three times.  God uses nature to cry out to us and get our attention.  Our nature is fallen and corrupt.  The creation desires for us to see our nature and repent before it is too late.  But he also gives us a greater warning.  If we do not heed nature, then we will be forced to face the spiritual consequences.

Why do you think humans push against nature and exploit it?  When can you recall nature pushing back against our human greed and self-indulgence?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 9:1-11

Revelation 8:1-5

Revelation 8:1-5

And whenever he opened the seventh seal, silence became in heaven as a half an hour.  And I saw the seven angels who have set in the presence of God and seven trumpets were given to them.  And another angel came and was set upon the altar while having a golden censer.  And much incense was given to him in order that he will give the prayers of the all holy ones upon the golden altar – the one in the presence of the throne.  And the smoke of the incenses went up out of the hand of the holy to the prayers of the holy ones in the presence of God.  And the angel has taken the censer and filled it out of the fire of the altar and he threw it into the earth.  And thunder, voices, lightning, and earthquakes became.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Do you hear what happens in this chapter?  This is the completion of the seven seals.  Did you remember that we had only done six of the seven seals?  This chapter deals with the completion of the seventh seal.  What happens when the seventh seal is opened?  In a nearly anti-climactic way, the only thing that happens is silence.  But there is much we can learn about the silence.  Remember the story of Elijah in the cave?  God isn’t found in the earthquake, or the thunder.  God is found in the silence.  Furthermore, remember that in Jewish thought that the number seven represents completion.  What is John saying, especially considering that so much of the chapter between the sixth and the seventh seal had to deal with Christ and the salvation that comes through Him?  The breaking of the seventh seal brings forth the complete and full presence of God.  The breaking of the seventh seal shows the completeness of God’s plan as salvation is fully revealed to those who are in God.

How often do you think about the completeness of God in the fullness of salvation?  How does it feel to think about the Bible’s portrayal of silence as the place where God can be found the most present?  In what way is this challenging?

Second Thought:

Do you see the angel that comes forth?  He is given a censer to approach the altar.  There is a really neat continuation from the last chapter here.  Do you remember what the altar was used for in the Old Testament?  It was used for making sacrifices for the remission of sin.  In the temple of God in heaven, though, there is no mention of sacrifices being made!  Of course, there is no need of sacrifices because Jesus is the final sacrifice!  The plan of salvation is complete.  So this angel that approached the altar is given a censer so that he can present the prayers of the people.  In the completion of God’s plan, the altar becomes a place of hope as our prayers come before the presence of God.

How does our worship today represent the fact that the altar s no longer a place of sacrifice but a place of prayer?  What difference does this make to you and your salvation?

Third Thought:

Make sure that you understand the pattern being taught to us in this section.  The prayers rise up and fill the temple where the presence of God is.  Then, God’s response to the prayer comes out of the altar before God.  I don’t mean this to say that we can control God’s action.  We do not force God to act.  However, God responds to our prayers.  As a compassionate and righteous God, He is aware of our needs and aware what human beings are doing to one another.  His response comes to us from His altar.  What can we learn?  When we are in need, our most powerful tool is prayer.  When we have reason to rejoice, our most powerful means is prayer.  Our most useful way of connecting to God is through our prayer.

How do you use prayer in your life?  Do you pray more often when you are in need or when you have a reason to give thanks?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 8:6-11

Revelation 7:11-17

Revelation 7:11-17

And all the angels had set in a circle around the throne and the elders and the four living beings.  And they fell upon their faces in the presence of the throne and they bowed down to worship God while saying, “Amen.  Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and strength to our God into the eras of the eras, amen.”  And one out of the elders answered while saying to me, “These – the ones who have clothed themselves in the brilliant robes – who are they and from where did they come?”  And I have said to him, “My lord, you have known.”  And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great persecution and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.  For this sake they are in the presence of the throne of God and they serve him day and night in his dwelling and the one who sits upon the throne will dwell upon them.  Yet they will not hunger, nor thirst, nor should the sun not fall upon them nor all heat because the lamb – the one among the middle of the throne – will tend them and lead them upon a living spring of water.  And God will wipe away all tears out of their eyes.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We turn to the great multitude.  Many people immediate look at these words and think about the return of Christ and the persecution that elsewhere in the Bible Jesus promises will occur.  Certainly there is nothing wrong with this interpretation.  But when we jump there, I think we miss much of the depth of this passage.  Remember when this letter is being written.  The Christians are currently being persecuted by the Roman leadership.  They are just coming out of a great persecution at the hands of the traditional Jewish leadership.  John’s listeners know persecution and they would likely have all known personally someone who has died because they refused to renounce Christ as the true God and instead acknowledge that Caesar is a god.  John’s people would know what this persecution feels like.  Furthermore, Jesus promises us that persecution will be with us at all times.  There isn’t a time or a place where persecution from the world isn’t likely.  John’s message is that when we know persecution we are not alone.  Other people have faced those issues.  God knows about our problems.  God can take care of us.  When we are persecuted for the sake of Christ, we can look forward to the day when we will be washed clean in Christ’s blood and welcomed into eternal life.

Where do you know persecution?  How can the promise of eternal life help you endure and persevere through persecution?

Second Thought:

Look at the function of the multitude.  They are in the presence of God all the time, serving.  They will not hunger or thirst because they have the spring of living water brought to them by the lamb.  This is a great look back to the Levites.  What function did the Levites play in the Old Testament?  They were the people charged with the spiritual health of the nation.  They served the people in their communities.  They served the people in the temple in Jerusalem.  It was out of their ranks that the priests and other religious leaders came.  Clearly what John is saying is that all those who are in Christ are priests under Christ.  Our purpose is to serve God in His calling.

How do you live the fact that you are a priest in Christ?  Why is it important to identify with this designation?

Third Thought:

This passage ends with a focus upon God.  He will wipe away all tears.  How great it will be to know an existence where there is no need to cry.  In God, there is no sadness.  There is no fear.  There is no disappointment.  There is no mourning over the way things could be.  There is no loneliness.  Every reason that we have for shedding tears is cast away in the presence of God.  He is the great provider of all of our needs.

How has God provided for you?  How has God demonstrated in your life that He can cast away the tears of this life?  What do you think life will be like in the eternal when are tears cast away so far that they don’t even occur in the first place?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 8:1-5

Revelation 7:9-10

Revelation 7:9-10

After this I looked – and behold – a crowd, with so many that nobody was powerful enough to count it out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues having been placed in the presence of the throne and in the presence of the lamb, who have been clothed in a brilliant robe and having palms in their hands.  And they cried out in a great voice while saying, “Salvation by our God who sits upon the throne and to the lamb.”

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

There are so many people who make a big deal about the sealing of the 12,000 out of the twelve tribes.  But look!  How does this passage open?  Just as soon as we get all of those numbers, John tells us that an incredible multitude that cannot be counted appears.  It isn’t about the numbers at all!  The crowd is massive.  The people who are in relationship with God throughout all of time and history is an incredible number!  What is really neat about this is that it is proof that God’s promise can be trusted.  God told Abraham that his offspring will be greater than the stars in heaven or the sands in the sea.  Here we see that this promise is absolutely fulfilled.

When you think about a great multitude with Christ, what do you think about?  How can this be a humbling fact to consider?

Second Thought:

Notice that this crowd is pretty motley.  I don’t mean that insultingly.  But they are from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue.  God doesn’t have a preference in who follows Him.  Genealogy means nothing to Him.  What means everything to Him is a willingness to be in relationship with Him.  What means something is a humble faith.  What means something is a desire to glorify God.  These characteristics mean far much more than who we are, where we are, what color our skin is, how much money we make, or what language we speak.

Why is this fundamentally a message of hope?  Why does this message help us understand the love of the Father?

Third Thought:

Look more deeply at these people.  They wear white robes.  White is a sign of purity.  These are people who are forgiven.  These are people who know what it feels like to have their sins cast aside and no longer held against them.  This is why they lift up palms as tribute and glorify God.  These people are grateful for a gift received that they could never have earned.

Where do you feel forgiveness in your life?  Where do you feel God’s purity within your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 7:11-17

Revelation 7:1-8

Revelation 7:1-8

After this I saw four angels having set upon the four corners of the earth while grasping the four winds of the earth strongly in order that a wind should blow neither upon the earth nor upon the sea nor upon a tree.  And I saw another angel while going up from a rising sun while having a seal of the God who lives.  And he cried out by a great voice to the four angels who were being given to wrong the earth and the sea while saying, “Wrong neither the earth nor the sea nor the trees until we should seal the slaves of our God upon their foreheads.  And I heard the number of the ones who have been sealed: 144,000 having been sealed out of all the tribes of the sons of Israel.  Out of the tribe of Judah: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Reuben: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Gad: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Asher: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Naphtali: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Manasseh: 12,000. Out of the tribe of Simeon: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Levi: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Issachar: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Zebulun: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Joseph: 12,000.  Out of the tribe of Benjamin: 12,000

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more, let’s focus first upon God’s identity.  Do you hear the description of God?  God is a living God.  He is not a God that can be contained by images, icons, or statues.  He is not a God whose likeness can even be shaped by mankind.  This is supposed to be a message of hope to the readers.  After all, if we believe in a dead God or we believe in a God that can be housed in stone or wood, then what God is that God?  If God is a God that can be contained, how can He be eternal or omnipotent?  No.  God is living.  He is beyond the bounds we can place upon Him.  He is our greatest source of hope.

What is God to you?  In what ways do you live in a way that testifies to God’s living nature?

Second Thought:

We can learn even more about God by looking at these angels.  First of all, they are strong.  They hold back the winds!  They also are capable of carrying the very seal of God!  What can we learn about God?  God is a God of strength.  But He is also a God of possession.  You put seals on things that you wish to claim or certify as your own.  God desires us to be His.  Through His great strength, He can claim us.  Yet, there is even a deeper imagery here.  Remember that this scene is happening in the midst of the opening of the seven seals.  Don’t forget that we’ve only gotten through six of them!  Before we get to the seventh seal, the seal of completion, we get a glimpse of God’s own seal.  As God is revealing human nature to us, He reveals His own nature, too.  As we see the dark side of humanity, we see that God is a God who desires to claim us.

How do you feel knowing that God desires to claim you?  How have you felt His claim upon your life?

Third Thought:

Finally, we meet the ones to be sealed.  Notice that they are being sealed for their protection.  They are not meant to be harmed.  When we are sealed by God, we are blessed with His protection – an eternal protection.  This is a blessing that cannot be touched by anything.  Once we have His blessing for protection, who can take it away from us?

How has god protected you in your life?  How do you know that God’s protection is indeed eternal?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 7:9-10

Revelation 6:12-17

Revelation 6:12-17

And I looked when he opened the sixth seal and a great earthquake became.  And the sun became black as a mourning garment made of hair.  And the whole moon became as blood.  And the stars of heaven fell into the earth as a fig tree throws its unripened figs while being shaken by a great wind.  And heaven was swept aside as a scroll while being rolled up and all mountains and islands were moved out of their places.  And the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the wealthy, the strong, and all – slave and free – hid themselves into caves and into the rocks of the mountains. And they say to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall upon us and hide us from the face of the one who sits upon the throne and from the wrath of the lamb.”  That the great day of their wrath came and who is powerful enough to set against it?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When we read this section, it is really easy to look into the future.  Certainly this may be a forewarning of times to come.  But let’s not forget the time of John’s life.  In 79 AD, Mt. Vesuvius erupts, killing scores upon scores of Roman citizens.  The earth would have trembled as the volcano gave into the pressure of the magma chamber below.  The volcano spews tons of volcanic ash into the air, darkening the sky.  The pollution in the air no doubt caused the sunsets to be spectacularly red.  It’s likely that the moon looked red through the haze and the ash through a red shift effect.  What’s my point here?  While it is easy to look forward into the end of the world, don’t forget that John is going to teach and preach out of the experience of the people around him.  They would have knowledge of Vesuvius.  As the ash was brought westward in the air, many of them would have seen the effects of the eruption personally.  John is teaching out of the experiences of the people around him.  His message wouldn’t be foreign; his message would have a foundation of truth in their life.

Why is it important to teach out of our known experiences?  Do you understand better when learning more about things you already are familiar with or things that you have no experience with?

Second Thought:

What is John’s point in speaking about this sixth seal?  We all live among natural disasters.  Think about the events in our own time span.  How many tsunamis have we had in our lifetime?  What about major hurricanes?  Tornados?  Floods of major rivers or coastal regions?  Forest fires?  Earthquakes?  Famine?  The reality is that there are always natural disasters around us.  It’s easy to get scared about them.  But God will be with us through them. He is our God.  He can take whatever happens to us and turn it out for good.

Do you ever feel small in the face of the power of nature?  Why is it easy for nature to put us in our place?  How have you dealt with natural disasters in the past?

Third Thought:

Notice the reaction of the people.  The human beings run and hide.  Some even ask the mountains to fall upon them.  The reality is that we talk a big game, but our flight instinct is deeper than our fight instinct.  We do have a threshold where our fight instinct is stronger, but there is always a point when we feel like needing to run.  But look more closely.  To what is the world reacting?  The world is afraid of the judgment of God.  The world is afraid of the wrath of God.  Who is powerful enough to stand?  Again we see that John is actually giving us a human perspective. In the face of God’s judgment, in the light of our own sinfulness, who among us can actually stand?  We are sinners.  We have no reason or right to stand in the presence of God when the only thing we consider is our own merit.

What causes your flight instinct to kick in?  To you look forward to or do you dread the moment you stand before God and are held accountable for your actions?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 7:1-8

Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:9-11

And when he opened the fifth seal I looked underneath the altar at the souls of the ones who have been slaughtered for the sake of the Word of God and for the sake of the testimony which they have.  And they called out by a great voice while saying “How long, holy and true Lord, do you not judge and avenge our blood out of the ones who dwell upon the earth?”  And a brilliant flowing robe was given to each of them and He said to them that they will be refreshed in yet a small time, until they should be fulfilled by even their fellow slaves and the brothers – the ones who are about to be killed just as them.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Do you hear where these martyrs are located?  They are at the base of the altar.  In the Old Testament, this is a substantial location.  Leviticus 4:7 tells us that the blood that is poured out for the sacrifices is poured out at the base of the altar.  What does this mean?  All of these martyrs, who are killed for God’s Word and their witness towards it, are a sacrifice for God.  These martyrs are pleasing in His sight.  Granted, He’s not too happy with the people who martyred them.  In other words, god isn’t pleased that the world rejected them and killed them.  But their death is a pleasing sacrifice to God.  The fact that they are willing to forfeit their life is pleasing in the eyes of God.

What are you willing to give up for God?  What priority do you place on God’s Word and your own testimony?

Second Thought:

These martyrs call for justice.  They ask God how long they will have to wait.  Do you notice God’s response?  God essentially tells them to wait. God doesn’t hear their cry and immediately obey them.  Instead, God reminds them that it is His will, not their will that is obeyed.  This should sound familiar.  The Hebrew people were in oppression in Egypt between the time of Abraham and Moses.  More than 400 years after they went to Egypt, God brings about Moses to lead His people forth.  It is God’s will that is important.  It is God’s righteous timing that we should obey, not our own limited will.

Do you ever have problems being patient and waiting for God?  When are you least likely to be patient?

Third Thought:

Notice the other part in God’s reply to these martyrs.  God tells them that there are more to be added to their number.  In other words, when we believe in something firmly enough, we will be persecuted for it.  Persecution is to be expected, not avoided.  Following God and His ways will put us at odds with the world.

Where have you felt persecution?  Has it come at expected times?  Has it ever come at unexpected times?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 6:12-17

Revelation 6:5-8

Revelation 6:5-8

And when he opened the third seal I heard the third living creature say “Come.”  And I looked and behold a black horse came out and the one who sits upon it has a balance in his hand.  And I heard as a voice in the middle of the of the four living creatures while saying “A quart of wheat for a denarius and three quarts of barley for a denarius.  And do not harm the wine and the olive oil.”  And when he opened the fourth seal I heard a voice of the fourth living creature while saying “Come.”  And I looked and behold a green horse came out, and the one who sits over it the name death was given to it.  Hades was following with him and an authority upon a fourth of the earth was given to him to kill in broad-sword, in famine, in death, and by the wild animals of the earth.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When we look to the third rider, the black horse with a rider who has a scale, we get another glimpse into the ancient mind.  Olive, grapes, barley, and wheat were many of the major crops of the ancient Mediterranean world.  Yet, you will notice that the basic foods eaten by the lower class of people, like wheat and barley, seem to be in short supply while the more expensive food eaten by the upper class only, like olives and wine, don’t seem to have experienced hardship.  We know that it is absolutely possible for a famine to happen among the cereals while the vines and trees are fine.  Grain roots are far more shallow that the roots of vines and trees.  What is John’s point?  Famine is always a possibility.  When famine hits, it usually hits the hardest among the people who are in the lowest class and unable to pay much, if anything, for their food.  God is a God who understands famine.  God is a God who can be with us through times of shortage in our life.

Have you ever had a lean time with respect to your food?  What other kinds of shortages have you had in your life where God has been with you?

Second Thought:

There is a deeper message that this, though.  Do you notice how the directions are given?  A whole days’ wages for a days’ amount of meager food.  In other words, there is no margin for error.  In times of cereal famine, the common people will always be living on the brink of disaster.  Yet, we are told to not harm the olive oil and the wine!  People are starving and in on the brink of death, yet the wealthy and the elite are concerned about turning nutritious food into oil and alcohol!  John’s point is to remind the Christians in Asia Minor about human nature.  Most people aren’t in it for the betterment of the society around them.  Most people are in it for themselves.  When push comes to shove, most people care more about their creature comforts than the true needs of the people around them.  This is especially true as you live in a lifestyle where more comforts are given.

Do you agree that the elite and wealthy are often more likely to be concerned about their wants than the poor are concerned?  Why do you think people can be focused on their wants when other people in the world don’t even have their needs satisfied?

Third Thought:

In the breaking of the fourth seal, we see the fourth rider.  This is a horse, upon which sits death.  Let’s make sure that we remember something.  The angel of death is a servant of God, not Satan.  Do you remember the tenth plague in Egypt?  That was God’s angel of death going from God to perform His will.  In the same manner, these four horsemen don’t sit in opposition to God, they come from God to demonstrate our own human nature to us.  What is the point of this passage?  John’s point is that we all earn the wages of our sin.  The earlier horses demonstrated our desire to conquer one another, to be violent towards one another, and to think greedily of ourselves first. In that context, death comes.  What we have so far in this chapter is a symbolic picture of what Paul tells us in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin are death.”  We earn death through our sin.

Where has your sin caused you pain and suffering in your life?  Do you agree that you deserve death for your sin?  Why is it a blessing to know about Jesus and His sacrifice when confronting this truth?  Why do you think that John started with such emphasis upon the slain lamb before getting to the seven seals?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:1-4

Revelation 6:1-4

And I looked when the lamb opened one of the seven seals.  And I heard one out of the four living creatures while saying as a voice of thunder, “Come.”  And I looked – and behold – there was a brilliant horse and the one who sits upon it has a bow and a crown was given to him and he went out while conquering and in order that he should conquer.  And when he opened the second seal I heard the second living creature say, “Come.”  And another horse – a fiery red one – went out and the one who sits upon it was given to him to take peace out of the earth even in order that they will slaughter one another.  And a great sword was given to him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

From this point on in the book of Revelation, many people immediately jump into a perspective of “the end of the world” or even the Apocalypse.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying that these people are wrong.  I am a firm believer that God can take scripture and make it true in multiple different contexts.  However, I am a firm believer in making sure that we understand the text in its original context.  We can always see backwards into history with 20/20 vision and learn about ourselves.  We don’t usually look into the future very well.  In that light, remember why this book is called “Revelation.”  The English word Revelation is the same as the Greek word Apocalypse (αποκαλυφις).  This word means “revelation” or “announcement,” not “end of the world.”  This leads us to the style or type of writing that we have in the book of Revelation.  Revelation is Apocalyptic Literature.  Apocalyptic Literature is not writing designed to tell the future.  Apocalyptic literature is about giving hope to people caught under oppression.  When John writes this book, He is not writing with the primary premise of foretelling the end of the world.  If that was his goal, then he failed pretty badly because it is a difficult book to use to make accurate predictions about the future!  Instead, John is writing very creatively to remind the people in Asia Minor that when they are under persecution that there is a God who is more powerful than the world that is persecuting them.  That is the perspective out of which I am going to write the vast majority of what remains in this blog for the book of Revelation.

How can this understanding of the word apocalypse help shape your perspective on this book?  Given what we’ve already read in the first four chapters, do you think this understanding makes more or less sense than the “end-of-the-world” perspective?

Second Thought:

The lamb opens the first of the seven seals.  When he does, a rider on a brilliant horse comes forth.  That rider has a bow and a crown, conquering the world.  What’s John saying in this description?  In the ancient world, and especially in Roman culture, when a military general conquered new territory, he would march through the capitol of the conquered area on a white horse.  This explains why the rider who conquers is on a white horse.  So what is the bow?  The Parthians were one of the few nations or tribes who were able to resist and even beat back the power of the Roman legion.  The Parthians were from the same area of the world as the ancient Persians.  People in that part of the world typically fought on horseback with bows.  In fact, they still do to this day!  As the Roman Empire persecutes the Christians in Asia Minor, John is reminding the people that the Romans are capable of being conquered.  Their persecution is not final.  God understands our persecution and He can defeat it.

Where has God been able to bring you through persecution?  How can this passage be useful to you the next time you feel trapped or oppressed?

Third Thought:

When the second seal is opened, we see a rider on a red horse come out.  This rider was sent out in order to take away peace so that he could lead them into war.  He is given a great sword to accomplish this purpose.  What is John’s point here?  Humanity always has a violent streak within us.  We like strife and conflict.  It is not hard to make people mad and control their reactions through their anger.  When we are under oppression, this becomes even more true.  John is warning the people of Asia Minor that when they are being oppressed that the temptation will be for them to turn on one another.  How does this become a message of hope?  God knows our tendencies.  When we are angry, we are not alone.  Others feel the same emotions within them.  God understands this and can help us through it.

When are you likely to lash out in anger against people who make you mad?  Is your anger more easily provoked when you are under stress or pressure?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 6:5-8

Revelation 5:6-14

Revelation 5:6-14

And in the middle of the throne and the four living beings and in the middle of the elders I saw a lamb as having been placed and slaughtered who has seven horns and seven eyes who are the seven spirits of God having been sent forth into all the earth.  And he came and took out it of the right hand of the one who was sitting upon the throne.  And when he took the book, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders – each having a lyre and a bowl of incense which are the prayers of the holy ones – fell in the presences of the lamb and they sing a new song while saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals because you were slaughtered and in your blood you bought for God out of all tribes and tongues and people and nations and you made them a kingdom and priests for our God and they will reign upon the earth.”  And I looked and I heard a voice of many angels encircling the throne and the living beings and the elders.  And the number of them was ten-thousands of ten-thousands and thousands of thousands while by a great voice saying, “Worthy is the lamb, the one who has been slaughtered, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.”  And I heard all creatures – the ones in heaven, upon the earth, underneath the earth, upon the sea, and all the things in them – saying, “To the one who sits upon the throne and to the lamb is praise and honor and glory and sovereignty into the eras of the eras.  And the four living beings were saying “Amen” and the elders fell and bowed to worship.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When we look at the identity of Christ presented in this section, we get a clear perspective.  Jesus is the lamb who was slaughtered.  I always find it interesting that God and heaven can celebrate an event that the word celebrated for an opposite reason.  The world celebrated Jesus’ death because they thought that they got rid of Him.  They think that they won; therefore, they are celebrating.  However, God knows something that they don’t.  Jesus’ death was the sacrifice of God that would cover the sinfulness of those who repent.  God celebrates the event because in accepting loss, He is given the opportunity to distribute grace.  Jesus is worthy to take the scroll because He was willing to accept defeat knowing what God can do with the defeat.  There is a challenge there.  Are we willing to accept defeat, believing that God can and will redeem it?

When has God been able to redeem defeat in your life?  How do you react to the thought that God accepted defeat because it presented Him an opportunity to extent grace?

Second Thought:

Looking deeper into the identity of Jesus, we see that He has seven horns and seven eyes.  These are the seven spirits of God, sent into the world.  Horns are an ancient symbol of power.  Eyes are a symbol of omniscience.  The case that God is making about Himself is that He can see everything and is all-powerful. This message ties in really well to the first thought.  How is it that human beings and God can celebrate the same event for completely opposite reasons?  It can happen because human beings aren’t all powerful and we have a very narrow and limited sight.  God’s perspective is better than ours.

Where have you experienced the power of Jesus in your life?  Have you ever been in a position to see something differently than God and realize that His version is the better perspective?  How can you have that level of understanding in your life?

Third Thought:

The rest of the passage centers on the worship of the lamb.  Remember, Jesus is worthy because He was slain.  Jesus is worthy because He purchased us for God with His blood.  The worship in heaven is centered upon God and Jesus.  This is as it should be.  In our worship, it is very easy to become focused on what is in it for me, how I can change, or even how I can show off my talents.  While none of these things are inherently bad – in fact all of them can be quite good! – when this is our focus we are missing the point of worship.  Worship is about God and His greatness.

What is your worship?  How do you worship?  Where are you in jeopardy of focusing on yourself and what you get out of it instead of letting it be about Jesus?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 6:1-4

Revelation 5:1-5

Revelation 5:1-5

And I looked upon the right hand of the one who sits upon the throne at a book that has been written on the inside and on the back and that has been sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel who announced in a great voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to loosen its seals?”  And nobody in heaven, nor upon the earth, nor underneath the earth was powerful enough to either open the book or look upon it.  And I was weeping greatly that nobody worthy was found to neither open the book nor look upon it.  And one out of the elders says to me, “Do not weep, look!  The lion – the one out of the tribe of Judah, the root of David – conquered to open the book and its seven seals.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I deeply believe that this section opens with as much anti-Roman sentiment as John the Seer gave us at the end of the last chapter.  In ancient Rome, it was common practice among the wealthy elite to seal a scroll with seven wax seals.  Each seal would bear the mark of a legal authority in Rome or the Roman Empire.  The seals would guarantee the legal authenticity of the document to whomever the document was sent.  So what is John doing in this passage?  John is writing to the people in Asia Minor and showing them that the people think that Rome is the strongest entity in the land.  An angel even asks the poignant question: “Who is worthy to open the scroll?”  In other words, who is worthy to open something that is destined for the elite?  Nobody was found.  John is trying to get the people to see the mindset that Rome is the greatest authority.

Why would John look to set up this point?  What is John going after by reminding the people that the world believes that Rome is the ultimate power?

Just for fun, we can also point out that the wax wouldn’t usually be put directly on the document.  Most documents would be made out of papyrus and the wax would ruin the papyrus.  What they did would wrap the papyrus with a cord and the wax seals would secure the cord around the scroll.

Second Thought:

There is weeping when nobody is found.  Many people think that the weeping is because the scroll cannot be opened. I think that there is some legitimacy in that belief.  Clearly, this is an event and we want to see it resolved.  Because this feels like God’s point is going to go unresolved, the world weeps.  Much like the people of God wept when they were waiting for the Messiah.  We weep because we desire to see the plans of God happen, but we don’t always see them accomplished in our time.  We weep because God gives the world time to prove themselves: rebel or repent.  But there is another reason that John weeps.  What John realizes at this point is that nobody is worthy enough to hear and see the mind of God.  Nobody is worthy.

When have you wept because God’s plan seemed to go unresolved?  Why would the heavens weep in this instance?  When have you become aware of your own unworthiness?

Third Thought:

 Then we hear one of the elders make a great point.  The lion of Judah comes forth to open the seals!  The Lion of Judah is a phrase that is reserved for God’s Messiah.  I think that John is making two points here.  We’ll take them in reverse order to how I laid them out in the prior thoughts.  First, only God is worthy to reveal God’s will.  Only God is worthy to invite us, the unworthy ones, to participate in His plan.  The second point is just as valuable.  God is the supreme authority.  God’s Messiah is superior to the elite.  God’s Messiah is superior to the Roman elite.  God’s Messiah, God Himself, is the supreme authority in the land.

How does it feel to be invited into the will of God and to know His purpose?  Do you live as though Jesus is the supreme authority in the world?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 5:6-14