Readings for today: Revelation 1-5
I always find it strangely appropriate to end each year with readings from the Book of Revelation on the 2nd coming of Jesus even as we celebrate His first coming on Christmas Eve. Today is Christmas Eve eve. The day before the day. The day before God invades time and space and history. The day before eternity enters our temporality. The day before the Almighty comes to dwell with us. Even the idea of “revelation” is a shocking one when we stop to think about it. Why would God reveal Himself to us? Why would God cross the universe to be with us? Why would God become one of us? Before we get past the title of this book, we need to pause and reflect on the remarkable nature of a God who wants to be known. A God who wills be to known. A God who makes Himself known.
Too often we brush past these important questions. We approach the Book of Revelation as a roadmap or a timeline for the end times. We want to know when things will happen. How things will happen. When will God come again and make all things new. But the reality is no one really knows and the Book of Revelation is notoriously difficult to decipher and understand. So as you wade into this final book of the Bible, here are some basic ground rules. First, Revelation is written by John while in prison on the island of Patmos. In order to get this letter out to the churches, John had to write it in code. The Roman authorities would have screened every piece of communication coming in and out of the prison so John had to be careful. Second, the writing is “apocalyptic” which is a very specific style of writing known to many in the ancient world. The fantastic images and visions are hallmarks of this type of literature. Third, the churches John is writing to are under persecution. They are facing the prospect of torture and death on a daily basis. This book is meant to encourage and equip them so they can endure in the rough days ahead. Fourth, many different Christians approach this book from many different interpretive angles. There is no one way to read this book and we want to make sure to extend liberty and charity to one another as we go. Wherever you land on the “end times” theological spectrum, what’s most important is that we all agree Jesus will come again.
Revelation is written to reveal God. That may seem obvious but it’s easy to forget. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8 CSB) God spoke the first Word in creation and God will have the last Word in consummation. He who began all things, will bring them to a close according to His will and good pleasure. God is. This is all we know. This is really all we can say. God stands outside the time and space continuum He created and will remain there looking in until He determines when it is right for His return. As John said in His Gospel, God revealed Himself to the world but the world did not recognize Him. He revealed Himself to His people, His family, and they rejected Him. When He comes again, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7 CSB)
These are important words to reflect on as we end the year. They provide a good spiritual barometer to help us discern how ready we truly are for Christ’s return. Have we abandoned our first love? Are we facing persecution for our faith? What idols do we cling to? Do we tolerate sin? Are we ambivalent towards the gospel? Is our faith lukewarm at best?
Readings for tomorrow: Revelation 6-10