SEPTEMBER14,2005JourneyIntoRevelationHavingfinishedJohn’sGospelinourfaith-community,wehaveturnedourattentiontowhatIfeelisthemostchallengingbookinthecanon–Revelation.AsMarkstatedlastnightinourmeeting,Ilovethefirstfewchaptersandthelasttwochapters,buteverythinginbetweenisjustplainconfusing.Forme,readingRevelationislikelisteningtomodernjazz.It’sfilledwithdissonance,syncopationandunfamiliarnotesthattipmeslightlyoff-center.Rememberthatpartygamewhereyouputyourheadonabatandspinaroundseveraltimesandthentrytowalkinastraightline?That’showIfeelwhenIreadRevelation.IfeellikeI’mconstantlystumblingsidewayswhenIhaveeveryintentiontomoveforward.MyequilibriumisconstantlyaskewasIcareenfromthebarrageofimages,metaphors,symbolsandpoetry.ReadingRevelationislikereadingahybridofapoliticalcartoon,fairytaleandpoetry.Thisisn’ttosaythatRevelationisn’trealortrue.Rather,itsrealityisshroudedinaliterarystylethatcommunicatesmorewithimagesthanwithwords.IcameacrossagreatquotebyG.K.ChestertonthatIthinkappliestoRevelation:“Fairytalesaremorethantrue:notbecausetheytellusthatdragonsexist,butbecausetheytellusthatdragonscanbebeaten.”That’sthepowerbehindRevelation.It’sanartformthatusesfictionalimagestoexpressultimatereality.Yet,whenIthinkofartIimagineanartmuseumwherepeoplemeanderthroughanarrayofcreativity,lingeringateachimage,whisperingquietlyinadmirationandponderingabouttheartist’sintentions.However,Revelationcouldn’tbefurtherfromthisimage.Itsartistryisexplosive.Itcompelsustoaction.Imaginethesameartmuseum,butbehindeachpaintingisastickofdynamitewithalitfuse.Thelastthingyoudoisstrollordiscussthedetailednuancesofbrushstrokes.ApproachingRevelationthiswayisprovingverydifficultforme.MyspiritualbackgroundistheonethatspawnedworksliketheLeftBehindseries.AsayoungChristian,IreadbookslikeTheLateGreatPlanetEarththatviewedRevelationfromafuturistperspective.IwasfrightenedintoChristianitybythe“threat”oftheraptureandtheprospectofbeingleftbehind.VirtuallyeverysermonIheardsomehowweavedtheraptureorJesus’returnintoitsapplication.Duringmyearlyyearsasayouthpastor,Iusedtoshowthe“classic”rapturemoviestoevangelizekids.Ihavesincerepentedofthosetactics.Andalongwiththesweepingchangesthathaveoccurredtomyoveralltheologyandspirituallifeduringthelastseveralyears,Ihaveexperiencedsignificantalterationstomyeschatology.However,whenallyou’vecutyoureschatologicalteethonareideasliketheRapture,theTribulation,theMillennium,theAntichrist,theMarkoftheBeast,andtheSecondComingofChrist,it’sverydifficulttosilencethosevoicesasIreadandrereadRevelation.

Andyet,aschallengingasRevelationcanbeasaliteraryformandasdifficultaslayingasidemypreviousinterpretivegridcanbe,IeagerlyanticipatethejourneythroughRevelationanditsdepictionoftheunfoldingofGod’sNewCreationinfullnessuponGod’searth.

SEPTEMBER17,2005Revelation:TheRisenKingTheRevelationisaboutaworldbeingreborn.Johnwritestostrugglingchurches,encouragingthemtostandfirminthemidstofacultureswarmingwithtyrannyandevil.Whatdoesheusetoencouragethem?AvisionofEaster.AvisionofGod’sNewCreationbirthedintothisone.Avisionofthekingdomsofthisworldinalloftheiroppressionandinjustice,beingsweptupinGod’stidalwaveofhisgoodworldbeingrenewedandreborn.Andwhatbetterwaytobeginthispowerfulandterrifyingvisionbydrawingeveryone’sattentiontotheonewhoisattheverythecenterofthevision—theEasterJesus.JohnwillfocusonJesus’cosmicroleinthevisioninchapter5.Thatmomentisahugewide-angleshotofGod’sdimensionofrealitywithJesussurroundedbyallofcreation.Chapter1,however,isanintimateencounterwiththerisenChrist.It’sabackstagepass,achancetomeetandspeakwiththisJesusbeforehetakescenter-stageincreationandhistoryandunfoldsGod’splanofre-creationupontheearth.IlovehowN.T.Wrightsummarizesthispersonalencounter:“RevelationbeginswithavisionoftherisenJesus(1:12-16).Snow-whitehair,eyesoffire,feetofpolishedbronze,voicelikeawaterfall,andhisfacelikethesunitself—nowonderJohnfellathisfeetasthoughhewasdead.Thisiswhereterrorandjoymeet:thisistheEasterJesus.‘Don’tbeafraid,’hesays;‘Iamthefirstandthelast,andthelivingone.Idied,andlook,Iamaliveforevermore.’‘And’—andthissoundsalmostconspiratorial—‘I’vegotthekeys—thekeystoDeathandHades’(1:17-18).Whateveryou’velost;whoeveryou’velost;whateverbitsofyourlifearelockedawayforsorroworshame,I’vegotthekeys…Tyrantsbasetheirpowerontheirabilitytokill.Whetherit’stheinvisibletyrantofsinorthevisibletyrantsthatstalkourworldstill,theirpowerliesinthethreatofdeath.Theyclaimtohavethekeysofdeathandhell,butthey’relying.Wherethetyrants’powerrunsout,God’spowerbegins.Heraisesthedead.”N.T.Wright,FollowingJesusIt’sintheEasterJesusthatourstrengthandhopelie.Notbybefriendingthetyrantsinourculture,adoptingtheiragendas,becomingtheirconstituency,andtrustingtheirinfluence.Tyrantsonboththeleftandrightofthepoliticalspectrum(andthoseinbetween)areultimatelyopposedtotheunfoldingofGod’sNewCreationnomatterhowmuchtheyseeminalignment.Rather,asGod’speople,strugglingtocontinueincarnatingGod’spresenceinadistortedandhurtingworld,weneedfreshretellingsandencounterswiththeEasterJesus.WeneedtoberemindedthatdespitethepainthatthetyrantsofsinorSatanorselfishnessorconsumerismorcapitalismorcommunismoranyothersocietalevilhaveinflicteduponus,ourallegianceisinthismajesticpersonweencounterintheopeningchapteroftheRevelation.Weneedtoseehim.Weneedtobeterrifiedandcollapseasifdead.Weneedtohearhisvoice,“Don’tbeafraid…ofmeorofanythingouttheretryingtohurtyou.”Weneedtofeelhisrighthandupon

us.Weneedtoseethekeysoflife’sgreatestbarriersswingingfromJesus’hand.ThatencounterwiththeEasterJesuspreparesustohearhiswordstousasinchapters2and3—wordsofcommendation,correctionandexhortationtoovercome.AnditpreparesustowatchandtrusthowhewillfaithfullyunfoldGod’splanupontheearthasinchapters4and5.WeneedRevelation1’sencounterwithJesus.BecauseiftherestofRevelationisanyindication,itwillgetalotworsebeforeitgetsbetter.Likeanybirth,thejoyofNewCreation’sfinalconsummationinRevelation21and22areprecededbysevereanddevastatingbirthpangs.“Sodon’tbeafraid.IdiedandI’malive.AndIholdthekeystoDeathandHades.”

SEPTEMBER21,2005Revelation’sRelevancyInthecommentsonarecentpostonRevelation,BenaskedhowhasmychangingperspectiveonRevelationbeenimpactingmylife.PriortoengagingtheRevelation,Iknewthisbookhadsomerelevancytomylife.However,exceptforthelasttwochaptersandafewselectpassagesrippedfromcontext,Ididn’tknowhowtoaccesstherelevancyoftheRevelation.IthinkthegreatestobstacleformehasbeenthefuturistinterpretationthatI’veinheritedasanevangelical.Overthelastseveralyears,I’vebegantosuspectthatinterpretativegridwasafalseone.Yet,becauseI’vebeensoformedbyit,Ihaven’thadanyideahowtogetbeyondit.SoeverytimeIwouldreadthroughtheRevelation,mymindwouldautomaticallybeginassociatingthefuturistinterpretationtothespecificsymbolsandtheoverallflowofthebook.Itcausedfrustration,becauseIintuitivelyknewtherewasabetterwaytoreadtheRevelationotherthanwiththe“end-time”chartsandinterpretationsIlearnedasayoungerChristian.Andtheotherthreeinterpretativeschools(preterist,historicist,andspiritual),althoughofferinghopeofanotherwaytoreadandunderstandthebook,didn’tprovideanamplesolution.Ididn’tfeelanyoftheviewssingularlyengagedtheRevelationproperly.ButI’vebecomeusedtothiskindofinwarddissonance.I’vefacedithead-onoverthelastseveralyearsasotheraspectsofmytheologyhavechanged–whatistheGospel,whatistheChurch,whatisdiscipleship,whoistheSpirit,whatisScripture’srole,etc.SoI’macquaintedwiththisinwardjourneyofongoingconversionandwelcomethenewlifeitwillbring.SowhatistheRevelation’simpactonmylife?Ithinkit’sstilltooearlyformetounderstandthefullnessoftheRevelation’srelevancy–thejourney’sonlybegun.ButIanticipatethis:theRevelationwillhaveasmuchimportancetomydailyapprenticeshiptoJesusasI’vecometoexpectfromtheGospelsandtherestoftheNewTestament.AndIhopeIcansharewhatIdiscoveronthisblogforanyoneelsewhomaybeinterestedindialoguing.Fortoolong,theRevelationhasbeenlikeashyJr.Higherataschooldance.Withherbacktothewallandwatchingfromthemargins,shehaswaitedpatientlytobeaskedtodance.I’veignoredherfortoolong.AndeventhoughI’mclumsyandawkwardmyself,IknowwhatIhavetodo.Youwanttodance?

SEPTEMBER23,2005Revelation:TheSevenChurchesAsImentionedinapreviouspost,Revelation1isalikebackstagepass.AlongwithJohn,wegettheopportunitytomeettheEasterJesusinpersonbeforehetakescenter-stageinchapters4and5tounleashGod’splanupontheworld.BetweenRevelation1and4,chapters2and3—themessagestothesevenchurchesinAsiaMinor—actasasortofliterarycorridormovingusfrombackstagetofrontstage.TheRevelationisa“circularletter,”designedtobedeliveredbymessengertoeachofthesevenchurches.Byaddressingthesevenchurches,Johnaccomplishesafewthings.First,eachchurchbecomesawareoftheparticularissuesfacingtheotherchurchesintheregion.Bydoingthis,Johnbeginstheprocessofenlargingthelocalchurches’perspectivesfromtheirownstrugglestoavisionofthelargerChurchanditsroleinGod’sunfoldingplanforcreation.InordertoobserveallthatisrevealedintheRevelation(1:3),eachchurchmustviewitslifeandstrugglesinthecontextofthelargerChurch.Thelocalchurchesarenotisolatedcommunities,butintimatelyconnectedtooneanotherbytheResurrectedChristashisonebody.Second,JohnrevealstoeachlocalchurchhowJesus,astheLordoftheChurch,ispersonallyconcernedwitheachlocalfaith-community.ThemajesticLordthatwemetinRevelation1iswalkingamongthelampstands(thechurches).HeistheLordoftheChurchaswellasthelocalexpressionsoftheChurch.Heseesandknowstheirdeeds.Hefeelstheirstruggles.Hecallshiswaywardpeopletorepent.Hewillvanquishtheirenemies.Regardlessoftheseverepersecutionfromwithoutorthesinistercompromisefromwithin,Jesusisalwaysintheirmidst.Third,despitethespecificissues,Jesuscallsallofhispeopleto“overcome,”whichisamilitarytermforvictory.NotonlyisJohnenlargingthelocalchurches’visionbeyondtheirowncommunities,heisalsorevealingthateachchurch’sissuesarepartofalargercosmicbattlebetweengoodandevil.ByovercomingandremainingfaithfultothegospelofChrist,eachpersonandlocalfaith-communityperformstheirpartinthecosmicbattle.ThesevenseparateexhortationstoovercomegiventothelocalchurchesaredrawntogetherbyonefinalexhortationtoovercomeattheendoftheRevelation.ThosewhofaithfullyparticipatedinthebattleagainstevilbyremainingfaithfulandovercomingwillultimatelyinherittheNewCreation(Revelation21:7).Asmentionedearlier,themessagestothesevenchurchesactasaliterarycorridormovingusfromthevisionofChristastheever-presentLordoftheChurchinchapter1tothevisionofChristinGod’sthroneroomastheLordofCreationinchapters4&5.TheprimarythemeoftheRevelationisaholywar.WequicklydiscoverthatthesameEasterJesuswhocallshispeopletoovercomeistheLionofJudah(amilitaryimage)andtheonlyonecapableandworthytoexecuteGod’splanupontheearth.SonotonlyhasJohnexpandedthelocalchurches’visionbeyondtheirowncommunitiestothelargerChurch,butJohnisalsohelpingthelocalchurchestoseetheircurrentstrugglesfrombothaheavenlyperspectiveandaneschatologicalperspective.Theyareinvolvedinaholywar,onebeingwagedbytheLordofheavenandearth

andonethatwillultimatelyusherinGod’sNewCreationinthefuture.Sohowtheylivetheirlivesnow—theirfaithfulnesstothegospel—istheircontributiontothecampaign.Withpropheticinsight,Johnrealizesthatthestrugglesofthelocalchurchesarejustthebeginningsofwhatissooncoming.AndtheurgencyofthemessagestothesechurchesrevealsJohn’spastoralconcernthattheymaynotbereadyfortheensuingbattle.SotheResurrectedChristcallshispeopletorepentandtoovercome,eventothepointofdeath.Thatistheironlyhopeinwhatisabouttooccur.ThecosmicbattledepictedintheRevelationisexpressedonthegroundbetweentwoopposingideologies—thekingdomofheavenandtheRomanEmpire.Likemanyancientempires,politicalloyaltywasenforcedthroughreligiousmeans.BythetimeoftheNewTestament,Romevieweditselfasdivine.Itwasthe“eternalcity,”whoseprosperityandmilitarymightofferedsecuritytoitspopulace.ThissecuritywasknownaspaxRomana,thepeaceofRome.AndRome’sideologywasfurtherenforcedbytheEmperorcult,whichviewedCaesarasthe“sonofGod.”LoyalcitizenswouldproclaimthatCaesarwas“LordandSavior.”ThechurchesaddressedbyJohnstruggledattwopoints–persecutionastheyresistedRomanideologyorcompromiseastheyweretemptedtoembraceRomanideologyandthesecurityandprosperityitoffered.SoJohnofferspropheticinsight,exposingRomeasasystemofviolentoppressionmaintainedbypoliticaltyranny(thebeast–Revelation13&17)andeconomicexploitation(theharlot–Revelation17-18).Byofferingboththeheavenlyandeschatologicalperspective,theRevelationmakesitabsolutelyclearthatGod’speoplemustchooseeithertheideologyofRomeorGod’sperspective,seeingRomeforwhatittrulyis.ThebattlelinehasbeendrawnandGod’speoplemusteitherchooseloyaltytohiskingdomortheRomanEmpire.Sohowdoesthisapplytoustoday?WritingfromtheperspectiveasanapprenticeofJesuslivingintheU.S.,IpersonallybelievethattheChurchintheU.S.livesintheNewRome.TheU.S.embracesits“manifestdestiny”intheglobalcommunitymorethanever.Ourleadersusebiblicallanguagetojustifyourroleinthewaronterrorismandthepropagationofdemocraticfreedomaroundtheworld.Wehaveestablishedourglobaldominancethroughmilitarymightandeconomicexploitation.Weviewourselvesasadivineinstrumentintheworld.Andwejustifyouractionsbecauseofthenew“paxAmerica”webring.Andfromthisexaltedposition,wethumbourcollectivenoseatmostopportunitiesforglobalcooperationinthepursuitofournationalself-interestsandcontinuetoconsumemostoftheworld’sresources.IftheRevelationspeakstoustoday,IthinkoneofitsmessagestotheChurchintheNewRomeistorepentandovercome.WecannotallowourimaginationsasGod’smissionalcommunitytobeshapedbyournation’sideology.Thisworldandthiscountryarenotafriendtograce,nomatterwholivesintheWhiteHouseorwhichpartydominatesourlegislativebody.WhatmotivatedandenergizedtheRomanEmpireatthetimeoftheRevelationfuelstheU.S.Don’tmisunderstandme,I’mnotsimplypickingafightwiththeU.S.IthinktheRevelation’smessageisequallyrelevanttotheChurchinvirtuallyeverynation.ButtheU.S.,havingbeen

birthedfromaChristendomperspectiveandnowenjoyingtheprivilegeasthedominantglobalpower,wedsitsideologywithChristianlanguageinawaysimilartoRome.AndGod’speoplemustnotblindlyacceptthisdistortedideologyandliveasiftheU.S.isGod’sinstrumentintheworld.Ifwedo,wemayfindourselvesatthecuttingedgeofJesus’double-edgedsword.Likeitornot,weareatwar.Ipersonallydon’tlikethatimagery.ButPauluseditandJohnusedit.YetPaulsaysthattheweaponsweusedon’toriginatefromthisworld’sorder.Instead,weovercomeevilwithgood.AndaswewilldiscoverinJohn4&5,ourCommander,God’svanquishingLion,actuallywageswarasaslainlamb.Thatisourstrategy—across-shapedlifeofself-sacrifice,allowingeviltodoitsworsttousaswecontinuetoembodytheloveandlifeoftheNewCreation,eventothepointofdeath.

OCTOBER12,2005Revelation:God’sThroneRoomRevelationistheultimateanswertotheLord’sprayer—hallowedbeyourname;yourkingdomcome;yourwillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven.God’sglory,kingdomandwillarecomingfromheaventoearth.Thequestionis“How?”Revelation1depictsJesusastheLordoftheChurchonearth.HewalksamongthechurchesandholdsthekeystodeathandHades,theenemiesofGod’speopleonearth.AstheChurch’sLord,hethenaddressesthelocalchurchesinchapters2and3.Hecommendsandcorrectseachcongregationinawaythatisuniquetotheirlocaleinordertopreparethemforauniversalexhortation—toovercome.Thisisamilitarychargefromacommandinggeneraltohistroops.Thelocalchurches’situations,whetherexternaloppressionorinternalcompromise,arepartofalargercosmicbattleagainstultimateevil,whichJohnwillrevealshortly.AkeytounderstandingtheRevelationisthatheavenandearthareinterlockingdimensionsofcreation.Theyarenotdistantlocations,butinterminglingandcoexistingaspectsofthesamerealityofcreation.Chapters1to3havefocusedonJesus’presencewithhispeopleintheearthlydimension.Butchapters4and5openourperspectivetoGod’sheavenlydimensionassimultaneouswithchapters1to3.Itisapictureofthe“asitisinheaven”portionoftheLord’sprayer.Remember,JohniswritingtheRevelationtoencourageGod’speopleastheyenduresuffering,martyrdomandtemptations.Jesus,theLordoftheChurchhasspokenfrom“ontheground.”NowJohnrevealsseveralthingsarehappeningrightnow“fromabove”thatdirectlyimpactourearthlydimension.OneofthefirstthingswenoticeisthatGodisonhisthrone.Eventhoughitmayseemcontraryintheearthlydimension,Godreignssupremeandallcreationacknowledgesthisthroughworship.God’splanisbeingaccomplished.Thisleadstothenextobservation.TheworshipofGodshiftsintheme,focusandintensitytomirrortheclimacticunfoldingofhisplantobringhiskingdomfromheaventoearth.Inchapterfour,creation(thefourlivingcreatures)declaresGod’sholiness(cf.Psalm19).Aquicksidenote:Godisdescribedas“whowas,andis,andistocome.”Noticethechangeinverb.God’seternalbeingisnotdescribedas“whowas,whoisandwhowillbe.”Hiseternalfuturityisdescribedastheonewhoiscoming.God’scomingwasalwaysassociatedwithhissalvationandjusticetohisdamagedcreation.Inotherwords,God’seternalfutureisnowintimatelyconnectedwiththeverycreationhehasmade.God’speople(thetwenty-fourelders)witnessesthiswonderandarticulatesandharmonizescreation’sworship.GodisworthyofallglorybecauseheisthegoodCreatorofallthings—aCreatorwhohasnotjustmadeeverything,butisforeverconnectedtohiscreationinlovingsalvationandreconciliation.Chapterfivepicksupthisthemeinanewway.Thesongofcreationisreplacedbyanewsong—thesongofredemptionandNewCreation.AndthefocusoftheworshipshiftsfromGodtotheLamb—worthyistheLamb.Why?BecausehealoneisabletounlockandimplementGod’s

planforNewCreation.Andheaccomplishesthisbypurchasingpeoplefromeverytribe,language,peopleandnation,whowillinturnreignintheearthlydimension.Thisisapoliticallychargedstatement.Caesarreignsthenations.Heisthe“lordandsavior”oftheworld.Butinthispropheticmomentofworship,JohnrevealsthatGodwillbringhiskingdomtoearththroughthereignoftheverypeoplethatCaesarisoppressing.Caesarwillbeoverthrownandreplacedbytheveryonesheisoppressing.ThesongoftheNewCreationisjoinedbymusicandprayers.Thentheangelsjoinintheworship.ThentheworshipshiftsfocustobothGodandtheLambandfinallycrescendosascreationresoundswithaloudandlonging“Amen”(cf.Romans8:19-21).AnotherobservationisaliterarydevicethatJohnwilluseagainintheRevelation.Atfirst,noonecanbefoundworthytobringGod’skingdomfromheaventoearth(thescrollinGod’srighthand).ButJohnhears,“theLionofJudah,theRootofDavid,hastriumphed.”The“LionofJudah”isamilitarytitlefortheMessiah.AndJohnlooks,expectingtoseeagreatconqueringmilitaryleaderwhohastriumphedorovercome(thesamewordusedinallsevenexhortationstothechurches).Butwhatheseesisvastlydifferentthanwhathehasheard.Heturnsandseesasacrificiallamb.Inotherwords,God’skingdomcancometoearthnotbecauseofmilitarymightorworldlyinfluence.Instead,Jesus’crucifixionandresurrectionaretheclimacticeventsinhumanhistorythatalonemakeitpossibleforGod’skingdomtocometoearth.ItisnoinsignificantthingthatJesusovercomesthroughsacrifice,andnotpowerorinfluence.Hehasletevildoitsworsttohim,andhehasemergedvictorious.AsJesus’hasovercome,heexhortshisChurchtoovercome.God’speople,livingintheshadowofamightyEmpire,mustovercometheevilembodiedintheEmpirewithgoodnessandsacrifice(Romans12:21).ThismeansthattheChurch“ontheground”doesn’texistforitself.Rather,itexiststoparticipateintheimplementationofGod’skingdomcomingfromheaventoearth.God’speoplearetheimplementationofJesus’victorythroughthecrossandemptytomb.WearethemeansinwhichGod’skingdomcomesfromheaventoearth.AndthishappensasweovercomeasJesusdid—throughlivesthatembodythesacrificialloveofGod,eveninthemidstofthedarkestandmostoppressiveevil.AndaswelearntoovercomeasJesus,welearntoreignasJesus—again,withsacrificiallove.AnotherimportantobservationfromRevelation4and5istheSpirit.TheHolySpirithastwodesignationsintheRevelation.WheneverJohndepictstheSpirit’sworkintheChurch,hecallshim“Spirit.”ButwhenJohnshowstheSpirit’sministrytotheworld,hecallshim“thesevenfoldSpirit.”AkeypassageinRevelation5isthedepictionoftheLambwithsevenhornsandseveneyes,whicharethesevenfoldSpirit.Itisimportanttokeepinmindthatsevenisthenumberforfullness.Hornssymbolizepowerandeyessymbolizediscernment.WhatJohnissayingisthatthesacrificiallamb,whoaloneisworthytoimplementGod’splantobringhiskingdomfromheaventoearth,hasthecompletefullnessofpowerandauthority(Matthew28:18)andthecompletefullnessofdiscernment(Zechariah4:10).AndthisfullnessofpoweranddiscernmentisthroughthecompletefullnessoftheSpirit(Zechariah4:6;Isaiah11:1-9)senttotheearthtobringGod’skingdomfromheaven.

HowistheSpiritsenttotheearth?Eachmessagetothesevenchurchesendswith“Hewhohasanear,lethimhearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches.”Inotherwords,thefullnessoftheSpiritissenttoearthinordertoimplementGod’splanofbringinghiskingdomfromheaventoearth.AndtheSpiritaccomplishesthisbyhispropheticministrytoandthroughtheChurch(Revelation19:10).Finally,Revelation4and5lookforwardtoRevelation22:3-5.AttheendofJohn’sgrandvision,God’sthronefinallycomestoearthfromheavenintheNewJerusalem(Revelation21:2).Thisissignificant.Histhronehasfinallyshiftedfromtheheavenlydimensiontotheearthlydimension.Whenthathappens,God’speoplewillseehisface!ThroughoutScripture,thishasbeenanimpossibility.NoonemayseeGod’sfaceandlive.EventhroughtheRevelation,JohndescribesGod’stranscendencethroughthetitle“theonewhositsonthethrone.”Inchapter4,JohnalsousesthetraditionalJewishmethodofdescribingGod’stranscendencewithpreciousstones.ButwhenGod’sgloryfinallyfillstheearthandhisthronerestsintheearthlyNewJerusalem,humansmayfinallyenteralevelofintimacywithGodthathaspreviouslybeenimpossible!AlongwiththisintimacywillbecompletecontinuitybetweenthecharacterandmindofGodandthecharacterandmindofhispeople.TheywillhaveGod’snamewrittenupontheirforeheads.Thiswillinturn,allowGodtoreleasehispeopletoreignalongsidehiminfullhumanfreedom.ItisthefullreconciliationoftheongoingtensionbetweenGod’ssovereigntyandhumanfreedom.DallasWillardsaysthatonthatday,humanswillbefreetotrulydowhateverwewant.Wewillbefreetocommitasmuchmurder,adultery,fornication,andgreedaswelike,whichwillbeabsolutelynone,becausewewilltrulybelikeGodinourcharacteranddesires.Rather,wewilllove,giveandservefullyandfreelyasGod.WewilltrulybeimitatorsofGodinthefullestsense(Ephesians5:1-2).ButasRevelation6through20willshow,itwillgetalotworsebeforeitgetsbetter…

OCTOBER28,2005Revelation:Chapter6&7(part1)Revelation6and7beginthefirstofthreeseriesofsevenjudgmentsthatoccupyalargeportionoftheRevelation.Eachseriesofsevenjudgmentsescalatesinseverity.Thefirstseriesaffects1/4oftheearth.Thesecondseriesimpacts1/3oftheearthandthefinalseriesimpacttheentireearth,leadingtothedestructionofBabylonandtheestablishmentoftheNewJerusalemandtheNewCreation.Eachseriesofsevenisbrokenintoacommonpattern—fourvisionsfollowedbytwovisionsfollowedbyatwo-partinterludefollowedbyaclimacticvisionthattransitionsintothenextseriesofseven.Thispatterndrawsoutsignificanttheologicalmeaning.Sevenisthenumberoffullnessandcompletion.EachseriesofsevenrepresentsthefullnessofGod’sactionsinbringinghiskingdomtoearth.Also,thenumberfourrepresentstheearth,sothefirstfourvisionsineachseriesrevealtheirearthlyimpact.IhavefoundRichardBauckham’scommentsregardingJohn’svisionstobeveryinsightful:“John’simagesechoandplayonthefacts,thefears,thehopes,theimaginingsandthemythsofhiscontemporaries,inordertotransmutethemintoelementsofhisownChristianpropheticmeaning.ThusitwouldbeaseriousmistaketounderstandtheimagesofRevelationastimelesssymbols.TheircharacterconformstothecontextualityofRevelationasalettertothesevenchurchesofAsia.Theirresonancesinthespecificsocial,political,culturalandreligiousworldoftheirfirstreadersneedtobeunderstoodiftheirmeaningistobeappropriatedtoday.Theydonotcreateapurelyself-containedaestheticworldwithnoreferenceoutsideitself,butintendtorelatetotheworldinwhichthereadersliveinordertoreformandtoredirectthereaders’responsetothatworld.However,iftheimagesarenottimelesssymbols,butrelatetothe‘real’world,weneedtoalsoavoidtheoppositemistakeoftakingthemtooliterallyasdescriptiveofthe‘real’worldandofpredictedeventsinthe‘real’world.Theyarenotjustasystemofcodeswaitingtobetranslatedintomatter-of-factreferencestopeopleandevents.Oncewebegintoappreciatetheirsourcesandtheirrichsymbolicassociations,werealizethattheycannotbereadeitherasliteraldescriptionsorasencodedliteraldescriptions,butmustbereadfortheirtheologicalmeaningandtheirpowertoevokeresponse.”(Emphasismine)RichardBauckham,TheTheologyoftheBookofRevelationSoasweexaminethevariousvisions,itisimportanttokeepinmindthattheydonotnecessarilyfinddirectone-to-onecorrelationtospecificeventsthathavealreadyoccurredorwillsomedayoccur.Rather,John’svisionsareanchoredinthereaders’/listeners’historicalcontext,drawingfrombothcontemporaryimagesandrichOldTestamentallusions,butalsotranscendtheliteralhistoricalcontexttocreateafreshpropheticimaginationforGod’speople.John’svisionsspeakdirectlytoGod’speopleastheyliveinandconfronttheRomanEmpirewiththeembodimentofGod’skingdomintheirpersonalandcorporatelives.Infact,atitsheart,theRevelationisapropheticcritiqueoftheRomanEmpire.ButbydoingthisJohnalso

laysafoundationforapropheticcritiqueofallformsofhumanempirethroughoutthespanofhistory.Thisfirstseriesofsevenjudgmentsisdepictedasthesevensealsthatbindthescroll,whichisGod’splantobringhiskingdomtoearth,uniquelyinauguratedbyJesus,God’ssacrificiallamb.Thesevensealsare“preparatory”visionsfortheremainderoftheRevelation.Thefirstfour(againsymbolicallydemonstratingtheimpactofopeningGod’sscrollupontheearth)arefourhorsemen—conquest,war,famineanddeath.Ironically,inpreparationforGod’skingdomtocometoearth,humanityisallowedfullexpressioninitsdistortedcorporatewillforconquest.Inotherwords,humanfreedomisallowedtorunrampant.Anditsfullestearthlyexpressionishumanempire.ItwastrueofRome.Anditistrueofeverynationthathasexistedupontheearth.Everynationhasaninherentagendaforconquest,whichisquicklyfollowedbyconflict,povertyandultimatelydeath,regardlessofitsnoblestintentions.Wheneverthewhiteriderofconquestridesforth,theotherthreeridersaresoontofollow.AndnoneofthesefourridersareGod’sinstrumentsinimplementinghisNewCreation.Theyaretheconsequencesofhumandepravity.Theycannotbeusedbyanynation,organizationorpersonintheattempttobringforthGod’skingdom.Butbeforeweshakeourheadinjudgment,wemustrememberthatsocietalsinsaresimplytheamplificationofourownpersonalsins.Ourpersonalsinsofgreed,lust,anger,prejudiceandfearfindtheirexpressioninthenationalandcorporatesinsofconquest,war,famineanddeath.Jamesoffersthefollowingcritique:“Whatcausesfightsandquarrelsamongyou?Don’ttheycomefromyourdesiresthatbattlewithinyou?Youwantsomethingbutdon’tgetit.Youkillandcovet,butyoucannothavewhatyouwant.Youquarrelandfight.Youdonothave,becauseyoudonotaskGod.Whenyouask,youdonotreceive,becauseyouaskwithwrongmotives,thatyoumayspendwhatyougetonyourpleasures.”OurruinedpersonallivesthatJesuslongstosaveusfromarefraughtwiththeverysinsthatfeedhumanity’scorporatesins,whethertheyfindvaryingdegreesofexpressioninthedevastationoftheNaziregime,thewesterncolonialismofChristianmissions,thevisionofManifestDestinyintheU.S.,thegenocidesinRwandaandDarfur,Walmart’sstrategyforglobalexpansionorthebuildingprogramatalocalchurch,tonamejustafew.Yet,ashumanhistoryhasdemonstrated,humanempirescanbebothblessingandbane.ThisistheconfusionthatJohn’soriginalaudiencefaced.SomefacedoppressionandmartyrdomwhileothersfacedthetemptationtoyieldtothebenefitsofferedbythepaxRomana.I’mremindedofahumorousscenefromMontyPython’sLifeofBrian.AtoneofthemanymeetingsofthePeople’sFrontofJudea,Reg(thegroup’sleader)askshisresistancegroup,“WhathavetheRomanseverdoneforus?”Althoughhisquestionwastobetherallyingpointforhistroops,infineBritishhumor,themembersbeginlistingallthebenefitsbroughtbytheRomans.Shaken,butnotdeterred,Regposesthenextquestion,“Allright,butapartfromthe

sanitation,medicine,education,wine,publicorder,irrigation,roads,thefreshwatersystemandpublichealth,whathavetheRomanseverdoneforus?”Someonethenanswers,“Broughtpeace?”towhichRegresponds,“Ohpeace—Shutup!”IfwetuneourinternalradiostoWII-FM(What’sInItForMe?),wecaneasilybeseducedbythemanybenefitsthatempiresbring.Andtherearemanybenefits.Forexample,asacitizenoftheU.S.,Ibenefitfromthemanyfreedomswonthroughthefourhorsemen.ButJohn’sRevelationforcesmetoask“Atwhatcostandtowhom?”AndtheanswerstothosequestionsmakemerealizethatalthoughtheU.S.isoftenlabeleda“Christian”nation,itshistoryandtacticsfindlittleaffinitytotheLambandhisstrategy.Pleasedon’tmisunderstandme.Anycritiqueofanationororganizationisacritiqueofitspeople,myselfincluded.IamfullyawarethatmydistortedlifecontributestotheverythingI’mcritiquing.AndthereinliestherelevanceoftheRevelation’scentralmessagetoGod’speople—overcome!ThatistheexhortationJohnprovidestoGod’speople.Notcursingtheempire.Notfightingtheempirewithourownpoliticaloreconomicpower.ThatwouldbefightingtheBeastwiththeBeast’sweaponsandontheBeast’sterms.Rather,God’speoplemustembodyGod’sway,truthandlifeasChristdid.John20:21saysthatJesussendsusjustashisFathersenthim.AswewillseenexttimeandthroughouttherestoftheRevelation,thepropheticwitnessofJesustoandthroughtheChurchistheprimarywaythatGod’skingdomcomestobringthenationstorepentanceandtorenewcreation.

NOVEMBER4,2005Revelation:Chapters6&7(part2)AsthefirstfoursealsinRevelation6havebeenopened,we’vewitnessedtheconsequencesofdistortedhumanempirerunninguncheckedupontheearth—conquest,war,famineanddeath.Nextinthepatternaretwomoreseals.ThesetwosealspresenttwokeyquestionsthatsetthedirectionfortheremainderoftheRevelation.ThefifthsealdepictsGod’speoplewhohavebeenmartyred,crushedunderthemachineryofhumanempire.TheycryoutforGod’sjustice,asking“Howlong,SovereignLord,holyandtrue,untilyoujudgetheinhabitantsoftheearthandavengeourblood?”NoticehowtheirconfidenceisinGod.Theyawaithisjustice,whichisholyandtrue.Theanswertheyreceiveistwofold.Theyaregivenwhiterobes,whichdeclareGod’svindicationupontheirfaithfullivesandsacrificialdeaths.Thentheyaretoldtowaitlongerbecausemorewillbemartyred.Inotherwords,itwillgetmuchworsebeforeitgetsbetter.Thesixthsealopens,revealingGod’sjudgmentfallinguponrebellioushumanity.AsGod’skingdomcomesintocataclysmicconflictagainsthumankingdoms(Romeinparticular),itisasifallcreationshudders.Andinthemidstofthethroes,humanitycriesoutwiththesecondquestion,“Forthegreatdayof[God’s]wrathhascome,andwhocanstand?”Andlikethepatternthatwillrepeatlaterintheseventrumpetsandsevenbowls,theseventhandclimacticsealisprecededbyatwo-partinterlude.Thisinterludeanswersthesecondquestionof“Whocanstand?”BeforeGodpoursouthiswrath,hepreparesthosewhowillovercome.JohnhearsanangelannouncingthatGod’speoplemustreceiveGod’spossessiveandprotectivesealedupontheirforeheads.Thisannouncementisfollowedbyacensusrole-callofIsrael,onethatwasoftenusedasIsraelpreparedforbattle.Twelvetribesof12,000formtheultimateexpressionofGod’speopleinfullandsplendorousmilitaryarray.ThisarmyisreadytofollowtheLionofJudahintohismessianicwar.ButwhenJohnturnstoseeIsraelpreparedforbattle,hediscoversaninnumerablemultitudegatheredfromthenationswhoworshiptheOnewhositsonthethroneandtheLamb.ThismultitudestandsbeforethethroneandtheirwhiterobesarewashedinthebloodoftheLamb,aphrasemeaningmartyrdom.JohnhasjustusedthesameliterarydeviceheusedinRevelation5.Inthatchapter,JohnhearsthatonehasbeenfoundworthytoopenGod’sscroll—theconqueringLionofJudah.ButwhenJohnturnstoseethismilitaryhero,heseesonewholookslikeasacrificiallamb.Similarly,inthisvision,JohnhearstheannouncementofGod’sconqueringarmy,nationalIsraelreadytofollowthemessianicLionofJudah.Butwhenheturns,hediscoversamultitudefromthepagannationswhoareworshippingtheLamb!JustasthevisionoftheLionofJudahandthesacrificiallambarethesame,thesetwovisionsofmilitaryIsraelandtheworshippingmultitudedepictthesamereality.God’speoplearenowdrawnfromallthenationsandreconstitutedaroundJesus.ButwhatisthesealthatmarksthismultitudeasGod’speople?Itistheirworshipandthewhiterobestheywear—thesamewhiterobesgiventothemartyrsinthefifthseal.Inotherwords,

thismultitudebelongtoGodbecausetheyfollowandemulatetheLambuntosacrificialdeath.Theyaretrulyhispeople,imitatinghislife,characterandevendeath.Theyovercomenotbymilitarypower,butbytruewitness,worshipandsacrifice.ThosewhocanstandinthedayofwratharethosewhoaresocompletelygiventoGodthattheyarereadytogivetheirlivesforhim.Thisisanamazingtwist!ThosewhowillstandandovercomearetheonespreparedtosacrificeanddieonbehalfoftruewitnessfortheLamb!WehavealreadyseenthatGod’speoplehavebeencalledtoovercome.AndwehavealsoobservedthatJesushasovercomeasthesacrificiallamb.Nowthesetwostrandsarewoventogether.ThearmyofGodthatisreadytofollowtheLionofJudahintoamessianicwarisanarmyofmartyrswhowillovercomeastheLambhasovercome—byparticipatingthroughtheirowndeathsinthesacrificialdeathoftheLamb!Thesearethepeoplewhocanstandinthecomingconflagrationoftitanickingdomsinconflict.AstheearthheavesfromtheconfrontationofGod’skingdomcomingagainsthumankingdomsandasrebellioushumanityattemptsinvaintofindsomesortofrefugefromtheonslaught,God’speople,whotrulyfollowtheLamb,willstandandshineandovercome!Andlikeanygoodstory-teller,Johnleavesusinsuspense,waitinguntillatertorevealhowthiswillhappen…

NOVEMBER5,2005Revelation:AuthorialIntent&BiblicalAuthorityAcoupleofpostsago,IquotedRichardBauckhamregardingJohn’suseofvisionsintheRevelation.Aswepreparetomovetochapters8&9andtheseventrumpets,IwanttoofferanotherquotefromBauckhamthatIbelievehelpsuskeepourcoursethroughthebarrageofimagesweencounter.“Consider,forexample,thedescriptionsoftheplaguesoftheseventrumpets(8:6-9:21)andthesevenbowls(16:1-21).Theseformahighlyschematizedliterarypatternwhichitselfconveysmeaning.Theircontentsuggests,amongmanyotherthings,theplaguesofEgyptwhichaccompaniedtheexodus,thefallofJerichotothearmyofJoshua,thearmyoflocustdepictedintheprophecyofJoel,theSinaitheophany,thecontemporaryfearofinvasionbyParthiancavalry,theearthquakestowhichthecitiesofAsiaMinorwereratherfrequentlysubject,andverypossiblytheeruptionofVesuviuswhichhadrecentlyterrifiedtheMediterraneanworld.Johnhastakensomeofhiscontemporaries’worstexperiencesandworstfearsofwarsandnaturaldisasters,blownthemuptoapocalypticproportions,andcasttheminbiblicallyallusiveterms.Thepointisnottopredictasequenceofevents.Thepointistoevokeandtoexplorethemeaningofthedivinejudgmentwhichisimpendingonthesinfulworld.”RichardBauckham,TheologyoftheBookofRevelationIthinkthisquoteisworthexploringbeforewemovefurtherintotheRevelationbecauseitraisesacoupleofsignificantquestionsthateasilyformobstaclestoU.S.Evangelicalism’sapproachtotheRevelation.OnequestionBauckham’squoteraisesis“IstheRevelationtheresultofJohn’sabilitytosimplydictatewhathe‘saw’orhisabilitytocraftwhathe‘saw’intoatheologicalandliteraryworktoservehispastoralpurpose?”Anotherquestionraised,andwhichisintimatelyconnectedtothefirst,is“WhatistheRevelation’spropheticpurpose?IsitapredictionofthefutureorisitapastoralrefashioningoftheChristianimagination?”Unfortunately,theanswerstothesequestionsarenoteasytoarriveat.BecauseformanyChristians,thesequestionsboreintothebedrockofauthorialvalidityandbiblicalauthority.Simplyput,manyChristiansmergeanextremelyliteralinterpretationoftheinstructionsJohnreceivesfromtheresurrectedJesusinJohn1:19,“Write,therefore,whatyouhaveseen,whatisnowandwhatwilltakeplacelater,”andfaultyunderstandingofthepropheticroletoformadictationtheoryoftheRevelation’sorigin.Here’showthereasoninggoes:IntheopeningchapteroftheRevelation,JohnistakenintoheavenandinstructedbyJesustowritedowneverythinghesees.ThenparadedbeforeJohnareseriesofvisionsthatpredictfutureevents.Anddependingonone’sinterpretativegrid—future,preterist,historicalorspiritual—thesepredictivevisionsfindsomelevelofone-to-onecorrespondencetohistorical,contemporaryorfutureevents.However,IbelievethatthisapproachdoessevereinjusticetotheliterarystyleoftheRevelationaswellascreatesvariouscontradictionsbetweenthevisionsthatrequiresuperhumantheologicalgymnasticstoexplain.

AsI’vepostedaboutpreviously,theRevelationcombinesthreeliterarystyles—epistle,prophecyandapocalyptic.TheRevelationflowsfromJohn’spastoralheartasheattemptstobringencouragementandcorrectiontothestrugglingchurchesinAsiaMinor.Todothis,heshareswiththemapropheticmessagetohelpreshapetheirChristianimaginationfromaheavenlyperspective.HewantsthemtoviewtheirlivesfromtheultimateRealitythatGodisonthethroneandJesusisunfoldingGod’skingdomandNewCreationthroughtheChurch’sministryintheworld.ButGod’spurposeismetwithviciousoppositionbydistortedhumankingdoms,epitomizedbytheRomanEmpire.TheemergenceofGod’sNewCreationisamessianicwarfoughtnotbymilitarypower,butbyfollowingJesus’ministryoffaithfulembodiment,demonstrationanddeclarationofGod’struth,evenuntosacrificialdeath.InordertoshowthatallofGod’spurposesarebeingaccomplished,JohncastshispropheticmessageinanapocalypticstylethatdrawsheavilyfromtheOldTestament(over250allusionstotheOldTestament)andthecontemporaryrealitiesofJohn’sreaders.Sothevisionsthemselvesarenottobeinterpretedliterally.Theyserveassymbolicandartisticportraits.Theyarenottobemasteredbyourbrilliantattemptsatdecipheringallofthedetailedsymbols.Rather,theyaretomasterusastheyreshapeandremoldourimaginations,thoughtsandfeelingsaroundGod’strueReality.TheyaretohelpformthemindofChristinusasweliveinaworldhostiletoGod’skingdomandthereforehostiletous.However,ourcurrentChristianimaginationshavebeensoformedbyafuturist“LeftBehind”perspectivethatadifferentapproachtotheRevelationisdifficulttoacceptandcanbeeventhreatening.LikeImentionedearlier,ittouchesuponmanyChristians’unspokenandoftendistortedvaluesofbiblicalauthority.Attheextreme,manyChristiansviewtheBibleasGod’sinstrumentofexertinghisauthoritytocontrolandsupervisesinfulpeopleonearth.Godisholyandhumanityissinful.Therefore,inordertocommunicatehismindandwill,Godworksthroughhumanauthorstorecordhiswillforhumanposterity.Thisusuallydivergesintotwoseparate,butequallydistortedviews.Becausehumanityingeneralissinful,inordertofullycaptureGod’sholywillinhumanlanguage,humanauthorseitherhadtodictatewhatGodtoldtheminordertokeepitfreefromhumaninfluenceortheauthorsthatGodusedhadsomehowattainedanelitelevelofholinessthatallowedhimtousetheirmindsandwordstorecordhiswill.Inthefirstview,ifMatthew,Mark,Luke,Paul,andPeterarehumanslikeus(i.e.sinful),theymostlikelydictatedwhatGodtoldthem.Intheotherview,ifwhatthehumanauthorswrotewasahumanendeavorthatGodinspired,thentheymustbesoholythattheyarenolongerlikemeremortals.Personally,Ithinkbothperspectivesareflawedonmanylevels.Idon’tthinkGod’sauthorityisaboutexertinghiscontroloverpeople.Ifitwere,whyismostoftheBibleinnarrativeformandnotsimplyarulebook?Astoryisnotthemosteffectivemeanstocontrolpeople.NordoIbelievethattheBiblecontainstimelesstruthsthatmustbedecipheredandextractedformodernreaders.Ifso,thenweareimplyingthatGodmadeahugemistakeingivingushisWordinitspredominantlynarrativeform.ByreadingandinterpretingScripturefromitscurrentformintoanothermore“accessible”formofprinciples,truthsandapplication,wearestating

thattheBible’scurrentformisflawed.Anyway,thisismovingintoterritorythatrequiresalotofthought,timeandenergythanthispostcanallow.Ifyou’reinterested,spendsometimereading“HowCantheBibleBeAuthoritative?”byN.T.Wright.It’sagreatintroductionintotheissuesofbiblicalauthorityandwhetstheappetiteforhisforthcomingU.S.releaseof,TheLastWord,whichhasalreadybeenreleasedinEnglandasScriptureandtheAuthorityofGod.

NOVEMBER7,2005Revelation:AuthorialIntent(part2)IrealizeIleftalotofthreadsdanglinginmylastRevelationpost.AndIcan’tguaranteeIwilltiethemalloffinthisone.AsourgrouphasbeenmovingthroughtheRevelation,aprimaryissuecontinuestosurface.It’sexpressedindifferentways,butatitsheart,itdealswithauthorialintent.DidJohnsimplydictatetheseseriesofbizarrevisionsordidheutilizetheliterarystylecommoninhistimeperiodtocraftapropheticmessage?ManychoosetobelievethatJohnmerelydictatedwhathesaw.Andforthosewhoholdthisview,itusuallymeansthevisionsmustbeinterpretedliterallyanddecipheredintoone-to-onecorrespondencewithreal-timeevents,eitherhistoricorfuture.Formany,thisistheonlywaythisstrangeandpeculiarbookhasanyrelevanceorauthority.ButtheevidenceseemstoweighheavilyinfavorofviewingtheRevelationasaproductofcreativetheologicalreflectionandliterarycrafting.Itutilizesthestyleofapocalypticliterature,whichreliedheavilyonangelicvisions,cataclysmicevents,monsters,numbersandsymbolstopredominantlycommunicatetheologicalsubstance.Forexample,thedetaileduseofnumbersaswellasthenumberofoccurrencesofspecificphrasesrequiregreaterreflectionthansimpledictationwouldallow.Inaddition,thereareapproximately250allusionstotheOldTestament.JohnhascraftedaworkthatiscompletelysaturatedwiththeOldTestament.WhateverelseisgoingonintheRevelation,JohnisobviouslydemonstratingthatthemajorOldTestamentthemesarefindingtheirconsummationinthispropheticmessage.DidJohnreally“see”thesevisions?DidheactuallyseealambwithseveneyesandsevenhornsandtheotherwondroussitesoftheRevelation?Ordidhereceiveapropheticmessageandafteratimeofreflectionandprayer,craftthismessageintoanapocalypticstylethatwouldcommunicateitsuniquesignificanceinawaythathisoriginalaudiencewouldunderstandandreceiveencouragement?It’sdifficulttosay,butpersonally,Ileanheavilytowardthesecondalternative.ButdoestheuseofJohn’stheologicalreflectionandimaginationlessentheRevelation’svalidityandauthority?Idon’tthinkso.Jesususedimaginativestories.Infact,manyofhisstorieswerefictional.TheprodigalsonandthegoodSamaritanstoriesareprimeexamples.Theyweretheproductofcreativeandwisetheologicalreflection.AndtheycarryasmuchvalidityandauthorityforGod’speopleashisSermonontheMount.Yet,doesn’ttheauthor’sagendaeventuallytaintthecoremessage?IfJohnreceivedadivinepropheticmessage,isn’tthatmessagedistortedifhecraftsitaroundhispastoralagenda?Doesn’thumanparticipationotherthandictationautomaticallyassumedistortion?Ifthat’sthecase,thenmostoftheNewTestamentwouldbedistorted.Let’stakethefourgospels.EachwriterusesJesus’wordsanddeedstocraftanhistoricallyaccurate,yettheologicallyunique

message.Infact,Luke’sGospelisanhistoricalandtheologicalreconstructionfromeyewitnessaccounts.Hewasn’tevenaround.AndeventhoughheaccessesmaterialverysimilartoMatthew’sGospel,heobviouslyusesittotellhisstorydifferentlyfromMatthew’s.AndthenthereisJohn’sGospel,whichattimesseemstoactuallycontradicttheotherthreegospels.Forexample,whilethethreesynopticgospelsplaceJesus’temple-cleansingepisodeattheendofJesus’ministry,Johnplacesitatthebeginning.Also,thesynopticgospelsplacetheLastSupperonthePassover,whileJohnplacesitthedaybeforePassover.Yet,John’sGospelisprobablyquotedmorethantheotherthree(i.e.John3:16).ThepointI’mtryingtomakeisthatGodisaboutrenewinghiscreation.Andhe’sdoingitinthewayheintendedfromthebeginning—throughthecooperationandparticipationofhumanbeingsmadeinhisimage.Thisiswhattheincarnationwasabout.JesusisahumanbeinginthefullnessofGodaccomplishingthepurposesandwillofGod.AndthisisthecoremessageoftheRevelation.God’skingdomandNewCreationarecomingthroughthecooperativeministryandwitnessofGod’speopleontheearth.AndthiswouldincludetheauthorshipofthedocumentsthatprovidethefoundationalcharterofGod’sNewTestamentpeople.

NOVEMBER7,2005Revelation:It’sRelevanceEventhoughtheRevelationhasinspiredGod’speoplethroughoutChurchhistory,IbelievethisbookhasuniquerelevanceforwesternChristianity.MissiologistshavestatedthattheChurchisinaprocessoflimanlityasweshiftfromthepreferredpositionofsociety’scentertoitsmargins.WefindourselvesinaplacesimilartoJohn’soriginalaudience.Existingonsociety’sfringes,theywereperseveringthroughexternaloppositionwhilesimultaneouslyresistingtheinternaltemptationtoyieldtosociety’svaluesandbenefits.Infact,IthinktheRevelationcanspeakfreshlytotheEmergingChurch,whichfindsitselfbothonthemarginsoftheChurchandsociety.ScotMcKnighthasrecentlypostedhisobservationsthattheEmergingChurchcanbedefinedaspraxis,protest,andpostmodern.IbelievetheRevelationspeakstoallthreeaspects.Regardingpraxis,theRevelationrefashionstheChristianimaginationsowecan“overcome”throughourpropheticwitnessinsociety.ItisarevelationaboutJesusthatcanfuelourlivesforJesus.Secondly,theRevelationshowsthatourpropheticwitnessisprotest.WeconfrontboththesurroundingcultureaswellasthehereticalteachingwithintheChurchtoembracetheculturebyembodyingthetruthofJesus,evenuntosacrificialdeath.Finally,theRevelationspeakspowerfullythroughitsliteraryandtheologicalformtothepostmodernvaluesofstoryandmystery.TheRevelationhasbeenheldhostagelongenoughbytheliteralfuturistinterpretationthatstripsitofitsbeauty,meaningandworth.AstheEmergingChurchfocusesuponfollowingJesus’life,wordsandministryascommunicatedthroughtheGospels,weshouldalsoembraceandintegratetheRevelation’sportrayaloftheResurrectedJesus,whoistheLordofcreation,historyandtheChurchandwhoholdsthekeysofdeathandHadesandhasovercomebybeingthesacrificiallambofGod.

NOVEMBER7,2005Revelation:It’sRelevance(part2)ChrisErdmanhasagreatpostaboutPreachingAsAnAlternativetoViolencethatfocusesonbothJesus’andhisChurch’sresponsibilitytowagewaronevilnotmilitarily,buthomiletically.Inhispost,hediscussestheRevelation’sdepictionoftheChurch’spropheticministryasbringingaboutGod’skingdom:“TheonlyweaponJesususedwastheWord.TheonlyweaponthechurchistouseistheWord(Eph.6.17).Wearetoldthatthe“weaponsofourwarfarearenotworldly,buttheyhavedivinepower”(2Cor.10.4).Wearetoldthat“throughdeathJesusdestroyedtheonewhohasthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil,andfreedthosewhoalltheirliveswereheldinslaverybythefearofdeath”(Heb.2.14-15).AndwehavethewholeofTheRevelationasasustainedtestimonyofthechurch’sunderstandingthatJesushaschangedeverythingandischangingeverything.ItwitnessestothefactthatthefirstChristiansrealizedthatjustasJesus’preachingwasthepoweraboveallpowers,sotoothewordoftheirtestimony,theirpreaching,hadthepowerto…undoandredothewholeworld.Itwasawordthatcouldmaketheempiresoftheworldtremble.ItwasawordthatwouldshaketheempirestotheircoreandtoppletheirarrogantusurpationofGod’sauthority.TheyknewthatfollowingJesusmeantthattheywouldconquertheworldforGodnotmilitarily,buthomiletically—”theyconquered[theviolent]bythebloodoftheLambandbythewordoftheirtestimony,fortheydidnotclingtolifeeveninthefaceofdeath”(Rev.12.11).”Aswehaveseeninpreviousposts,JesusisthemessianicLionofJudahwhohastriumphed(overcome)bybeingGod’ssacrificialLamb.Hispeopleconstituteanarmythatfollowshimintohismessianicwaragainstevilbyjoininghiminhisfaithfulwitness,evenuntosacrificeanddeath.Inthislight,IbelievethattheRevelationteachesusasJesus’apprenticestoembracethespiritualdisciplineofnon-violence.ThisisespeciallysignificantforUSAmericanChristianswholiveascitizensoftheworld’ssuperpower—anationthathasformulatedatheologyofwartosupportitsrenewedsenseofdivineappointmentandManifestDestinytoridtheworldofevil.

NOVEMBER9,2005Revelation:Chapter8&9Revelation8beginswiththeopeningoftheseventhsealthathasboundthescroll.Thisistheclimaxofthefirstseriesofjudgments.Andthetensionmountsastheseal’sopeningisfollowedbyaperiodofsilence.Itisasifheavenisholdingitscollectivebreathinanticipationofwhatwillcomenext.Asthesilenceends,sevenangelsaregiventrumpets,reminiscentoftheJerichostory.Butbeforetheangelssoundtheirtrumpets,Godrespondstotheprayersofthesaintswithadramaticepiphany,similartowhatIsraelexperiencedonMt.Sinai.Asthenextseriesofjudgments(whicharemoreseverethanthefirst)areabouttofallupontheearth,Godispowerfullypresentincovenantwithhispeople!Theseventrumpetjudgmentsfallintoasimilarpatternasthesevenseals—fourjudgmentsthatdirectlyaffecttheearth,followedbytwomorejudgments,followedbyatwo-partinterlude,followedbyaclimacticjudgment.Theangelssoundtheirtrumpets,heraldinginJericho-likestyletheimminentjudgmentupontheearth.Butthesejudgmentsareactuallywarning-judgments,intendedtobringrebellioushumanitytorepentance.Tocommunicatethis,JohndescribesthefirstfourjudgmentswithimagessimilartotheplaguesthatbefellEgyptinordertobringPharaohtorepentance.Also,eachjudgmentonlyaffects1/3oftheearth.Interestingly,JohncombinesimagesfromtheExodusstorywithcontemporaryimagesthatwouldevokestrongemotionsfromhisreaders.Forexample,thehugemountainthatfallsintotheseaisanimageofMt.Vesuvius’eruptioninAD79,whichbroughtuntoldchaostosectionsoftheRomanEmpire.Also,thefifthandsixthjudgmentsdescribeinapocalypticstylethebarbarianhordesfromnorthernEurope,castingthemasademonicarmywithallusionstothelocustswarmfromtheBookofJoel.Whatisparticularlysignificantaboutthesewarning-judgmentsistheirresults—althoughdevastating1/3oftheearth,these“actsofGod”havenoeffectinbringinghumanitytorepentance(Revelation9:20-21).SomethingmorethanthesedivinedeedsareneededtoturnheartstoGod.Andthissetsusupforthetwo-partinterludeinRevelation10&11,wherethecontentsofGod’sscrollarefinallyrevealed.Revelation8&9haverelevanceforustodayasweliveandprayforGod’sworld.ManyofusarecryingoutforGodtomovepowerfullyinourfamilies,neighborhoods,relationships,nationsandworld.WeareprayingthatGodwouldmovepowerfullyandbringrevival.Evenaswewitnessthecatastrophesofnaturalandhuman-initiateddisasters,wepraythatsomehowGodwouldusetheseeventstoleadpeopletorepentance.Butthesechaptersshowusthatthisisnotenough!ThesechaptersrevealthatthecomingofGod’skingdomfromheaventoearthdoesnotoccursolelyfromGod’send.Somethingmoreisneededintheequation.TherenewalofhiscreationoccursasGodworksintandemwithhispeople.Aswewillseeinthenextchapters,thisisthemysteryofthescroll.

NOVEMBER10,2005Revelation:Chapters10&11Revelation10&11describethetwo-partinterludeprecedingtheseventhtrumpet.ThisinterludefinallyrevealsthecontentsofthescrollinitiallyshowninRevelation5.Sowhatisthisscroll?ThescrollrevealsthewayinwhichtheLamb’svictorywillbemadeeffectiveupontheearth.ItrevealshowGod’skingdomwillcomefromheaventoearthbecauseofJesus’triumph.Morespecifically,thescrollrevealshowChrist’sapprenticesaretoparticipateinthecomingofGod’skingdombyfollowinghimandembodyinghiswitness,sacrificeandvictory.ThefirstpartoftheinterludefocusesonJohn’spropheticministryandthesecondpartfocusesonChrist’sfollowers’propheticministry.Whenwefirstencounterthesealedscrollinchapter5,itisrevealedbya“mightyangel.”Nowinchapter10,another“mightyangel”bringstheopenedscrolltoJohn.Revelation4,5&10closelyparallelEzekiel1-3.Inthatpassage,EzekielreceiveshispropheticcallviaavisionofGod’sthroneroom.ThisvisionprepareshimtoreceiveapropheticmessagefromGod,whichheinturnmustdelivertoIsrael.ThepropheticmessagecomestoEzekielintheformofasealedscrollwithwritingonbothsides.GodopensthescrollandEzekielisinstructedtoeatit.Ezekielobeys,symbolicallyabsorbingandembodyingthedivinemessagethathewillcommunicate.AsJohnseesGoduponthethroneandultimatelyingeststheopenscroll,hisvisionsvalidatehispropheticministryinamannersimilartoEzekiel’s.ThemaindifferenceisthatGoddoesn’topenthescroll,Jesusdoes.SothescrollistakenfromGod’shandbytheLamb,whoopensit.Itisthentakenfromheaventoearthbyanangel,whogivesittoJohntoeat(c.f.Revelation1:1-3).SotheRevelationcomesfromGod,toJesus,toanangel,toJohn,andfinallytotheChurch.SoeverythingthathasoccurredfromRevelation1to10hasbeeninpreparationfortheactualrevealingofthescroll–howGod’skingdomwillcometoearth.Whythedelayintherevelationofthescrolluntilafterthesixthtrumpet?Simply,itflowsnaturallywiththerestofthebook.Thesealsbindingthescrollareopenedinpreparationforrevealingitscontents–humankingdomsrunrampant,thesubsequentoppressionofGod’speopleandGod’simminentjudgmentuponthisevil.Thesesealsthentransitionintowarning-judgmentsuponhumanempire–judgmentssimilartotheplaguesthatfelluponEgypt.Thesejudgmentshavetheintentionofproducingrepentanceinrebellioushumanity.Bythesixthtrumpet,however,itisclearthatthesedivinejudgmentsalonedonotproducerepentance(Revelation9:20-21).Thefailureofthejudgmentstoproducerepentanceiswhytheseventhunders(mostlikelyanotherseriesofmoreseverewarning-judgments)areaborted.Whatfollowsistherevealingofthescroll’scontents,thenfollowedbyagreaterdescriptionoftheensuingconflict,lastlyfollowedbythefinalseriesofjudgmentsthatultimatelydestroyevilandfullyusherGod’skingdomtoearth.

Thescrollunfoldswhatistrulynecessarytobringthenationstorepentance–thefaithfulwitnessofJesus’apprenticesinconjunctionwithGod’sjudgments.Thisisnotasmallthing.God’spowerfuljudgmentsareunabletoproducerepentance.Instead,itisthecooperativeworkofhispeople,asweimitateChrist,thatdrawsthenationsbacktoGod.ThescrollrevealsthatitisthefaithfulwitnessandsacrificialdeathsofGod’speople,inthemidstofhostilityandviolence,thatwillbeinstrumentalintheconversionofthenationsbacktoGod.ThelifeanddeathoftheChurchisthesalvationofthenations!AswesawinRevelation8,God’smessianicarmyisamultituderedeemedfromthenationsandgivenarobeofmartyrdom.Revelation11revealsthatthishasbeendoneinorderthattheybearpropheticwitnessbacktothenations.TheLamb’sarmyhasbeenredeemedfromthenationstowitnesstothenations.ThetwowitnessessymbolizestheChurch’sfaithfulwitnesstothenations(theyaredescribedaslampstands,thesymboloftheChurchinRevelation1).Johnusestwowitnessesinthisimagebecauseofthebiblicallegalrequirementthatevidencemustbeestablishedbyatleasttwowitness.Wemustkeepinmindthatthisvisionisnotaliteralevent.Rather,itisapropheticparabledramatizingthenatureoftheChurch’sministryontheearth.LikeElijahandMoses,theChurchwillfaithfullyembodythetruthandpowerofGodinthemidstofhostilerebellion.ButtheChurch’sministrywillsurpassthatofElijahandMosesbecauseitwillbefaithfulevenuntosacrificialdeathliketheLamb.AndGodwillusetheChurch’sfaithfulwitnesstoconvertrebellioushumanity.ThisvisiondemonstratestheChurch’sfaithfulnesstoJesus’witnessbydramaticallylinkingitsvindication(theChurch’sresurrectionandexaltation)withJesus’vindication(hisresurrectionandexaltation).Thisisanotherwayofsaying,“AstheFatherhassentme,Iamsendingyou”(John20:21).TheChurchisGod’sinstrumentasitcontinuestoembodyJesus’lifeandwitnessandparticipateinhisdeath(i.e.inthebloodoftheLamb).Butourpowerdoesnotcomefromourownstrength.OurlifeandwitnessdrawspowerfromJesus’lifeandwitness.TheresultsoftheChurch’switnessareremarkable!First,anearthquakestrikesrebellioushumanityasanotherjudgment.ButforJohn’sreaders,whoaresteepedinOldTestamentimagery,theresultsarestartling.IntheOldTestament,atenthpart(Is6:13;Amos5:3)orseventhousandpeople(1Kings19:18)areusuallysparedasthefaithfulremnant.ButJohnreversesthis.Ratherthannine-tenthsperishing,onlyatenthsuffersjudgment.Inotherwords,thefaithlessmajorityaresparedsothattheymaycometorepentance!ItisasiftheChurch’sfaithfulwitnessblanketshumanitywithgracesothemajorityaresparedjudgmentinorderthattheymayrepent.Followingtheearthquake,theseventhangelsoundshistrumpet,followedbyaremarkabledeclaration,“ThekingdomoftheworldhasbecomethekingdomofourLordandofhisChrist,andhewillreignforeverandever”(Rev11:15).BecauseoftheChurch’sfaithfulandpowerfulwitnessofembodyingtheway,truthandlifeofJesus,thekingdomisspillingoverfromheaven

toearth!AndrebellioushumanityisrepentingandbeingrenewedunderthebannerofGod’sleadership.BecauseitistheChurch’sfaithfulwitnessthatisinstrumentalinaccomplishingGod’splanofbringinghiskingdomtoearth,itisessentialtodiscusswhatthatwitnesslookslike.First,ithasrepentanceasitscentraltheme.Thetwowitnessesareclothedinsackcloth,symbolicofrepentance.TheChurch’switnessmustbeaninvitation,liketheoneofferedbyJesusintheGospels,toexamineone’sruinedlifeincontrasttoanewlifeinGod’skingdom.Itisaninvitationtolaydownone’sself-destructiveagendaandenterintoanewlifeconstitutedaroundtheever-livingChrist.Second,theChurch’switnessremainsfaithfultotheentirebiblicalnarrative.It’snotamerecoincidencethatJohnchoosesMosesandElijahasrepresentativeoftheChurch’switness.TheyrepresentthefullstoryofGod’speople,nowclimaxedinChristandbeingimplementedafreshbyJesus’people.Theirstoryisourstory.AnditisinthemidstofthisstorythattheChurch’switnessfindsitspower.IpersonallybelievethattheChurch’switnessfindsexpressioninfouravenues.Inthesefourways,thefollowersofChristplantflagsofGod’skingdominenemyterritory.First,weexpressGod’struththroughourownpersonalspiritualformationintoChrist’slikeness.Christcoachesandteachesustodenytheinwardcoreofourruinedanddistortedlivessothatwemayembraceanewlife.Christ’slikenessinourlivesisthehumanexpressionoftheNewCreation!Second,weincarnateJesus’presencethroughauthenticcommunity.Jesusstatedthatheispresentwhentwoormoregatherinhisname.Thisappliestofarmorethanworshipservices,prayergatheringsandcommitteemeetings.Thisisadescriptionofkoinonia,thesharingandparticipatinginoneanother’slives.AswebuildcommunitiesoflovethatmodelJesus’love,Jesusisembodiedandmadeknownupontheearth.Third,wedeclareGod’struthviasocialjustice,challenginginjusticeandoppressionatalllevelsthroughouttheworld.God’skingdomcomingtoearthisGodmakingthingsright.Itishisrenewingofallthatisdamaged.ThiswasinauguratedbyJesus,whoreconciledeverythinginearthandheavenbacktoGod,andisnowimplementedbyhisapprenticesasweengageallformsofbrokennessintheworld.Fourth,weembodyGod’struthaswecreate.WeareGod’simage-bearers,createdtobeco-creatorswhocontinuetoinventandnurturenewformsofgoodnessandbeautyfromtherawmaterialsoflifeonplanetearth.Sowhetheritisscience,writing,dance,music,painting,numbers,study,space,etc.,wearetoengagelifeasanartist’sstudioinwhichwecreatemasterpiecesoflove,joy,peaceandcompassion.AndfortheChurchtobepowerfullyfaithfultoGod’struth,allofusmustengageallfouravenuesofwitness.TheChristianvocationistofollowJesusintothepersonalembodimentof

hischaracterandpower,thelifeofauthenticlovingcommunity,theimplementationofsocialjustice,andthecontinualcreationandnurturingofgoodnessupontheearth.