The New Testament in 90 Days

As we enter Chapter 16 of Revelation, what I notice most is not just the plagues, but the fact that it seems that no matter what plagues are unleashed on the earth, people do not repent.  (This reminds me of the story of the Pharaoh and the people of Israel in Egypt.  God sends many plagues, and yet Pharaoh does not repent.  It also reminds me that the book of Revelation was written during a time of great persecution, and was written for a people who were being persecuted.) (Although I do think Christians have some challenges in the United States, as there are more people who do are hostile to the church or just apathetic, I define persecution in times of imprisonment, abuse and being killed for being confessing faith.) We are nearing the end of the Book of Revelation, and I can't say that I'm unhappy about that.  It's hard to read, for a number of reasons:  1)  the symbolism, some of which is pretty easy to follow, some of which is impossible to discer...

In Chapter 10, the scene shifts to heaven again, and the most awesome angel imaginable appears on the scene.  John is not allowed to record what he hears from the roaring of the voice of the angel.  And he orders John to eat the scroll, and he finds it both bitter and sweet, like the Word of God contains both promises and commands, both comfort and judgment. This section of scripture is filled with strange and fearsome images.  We're no longer talking about famines and wars and plagues, but both worship and wars in heaven.  There are beasts and dragons.  So it's obvious that all of this is symbolic, not literal.  What are these visions about? In Chapter eleven a temple is being measured, and there are prophets.  Many people think this refers to the literal rebuilding of the temple.  other believe the the measuring and rebuilding of the temple refers to the growth of the church, until the end of the age.  Prophets will come who will testif...

In chapter seven, we switch, and again we see visions of heaven.  There are the 144,000 (okay, this is not a literal number, but it is 12 X 12 X 1000, which is a way of saying the fullness of those who will be saved -- and remember that 12 is the number of the tribes of Israel and of the disciples). And again, there is worshipping.  Especially the people who are worshipping are those who have come through persecution. Chapter seven closes with a promise:  "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Remember this.) But back on earth, the seventh seal is broken, and things begin to happen that no one prays for and no one hopes will happen.  Seven trumpets are ready to be blown and each will unleash a new plague on the earth.  The first four plages have to do with things that will happen in creation, and the last three will be plagues on the people.  And incredibly, the plagues do have something to do with the incense, the prayers of the saints. ...

So, in Revelation, chapter 4, we start getting into the nitty-gritty of John's vision.  (One of my friends says that she's not sure what John was smoking, and yes, what he sees is strange, but...) Please note that the vision begins in heaven, not earth.  When we think of the book of Revelation and its visions of destruction, it's important to remember that there are other, alternating visions as well:  visions of worship, visions of the throne of the Lamb.  Those visions are just as important as the other ones (perhaps more so). So the scene opens with the throne of God (and seven of all sorts of things again).  If you can close your eyes and imagine, it's not only strange, but awesome, with a rainbow like an emerald, and a sea of glass.  There are creatures worshipping around the throne, and they are singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" (sound familiar?).  Many of our hymns come from the book of Revelation. In chapter 5 there is a scroll to be opened, and n...

The Book of Revelation (notice the singular) elicits strong reactions -- some people are absolutely fascinated by this book:  its strangeness, the visions and the violence.  Maybe it's the fact that it seems like a code they have to crack is what hooks them; perhaps it's the idea that this book holds keys (sort of like Nostradamus) to the end of the world There are others that think that it's the last book of of the Bible for a reason.  It is the last book they are interested in reading.  A few years ago when I offered a course in Revelation to our adult forum during the adult study, a few extra people showed up, just because it was the Revelation.  But one of our Bible presenters, a retired pastor and great theologian, asked me, "Why are we studying THAT?" Yet, here we are, and I hope that along the way we can clear up a few misconceptions about that book.  There are things to be decoded in it, and there are things that (contrary to what you may have h...