Days 308 & 309: Revelation 1-10

People have a strange fascination about the book of Revelation. I also think there's some fear involved. What's interesting to me is that this is the only book of the Bible (as I recall) that says that those who read it will be blessed:

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)

I notice that the blessing is specifically for those who read it aloud. I suppose there was a time that the only way a person would ever be aware of the contents of this book was if someone were to read it aloud to them. But the blessing is for both the reader and the hearer. It crossed my mind to maybe take this literally and give it a try. That is, I was considering reading this book aloud. I do believe there is something to be gained from this. I have often experienced how a text comes alive when it read aloud, and is filled with meaning and nuance that may be missed when read silently.

Anyway, I am prepared to be blessed as I read.

One of the trees in the garden of Eden that Adam and Ever were allowed to eat from was the Tree of Life. When they decided to disobey God and eat from the one tree that they were not allowed to eat from part of their punishment was that the Tree of Life was removed from them. Genesis 3:23-24 says: "So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." It's exciting to know that access to that tree will be restored when we get to heaven.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

I love reading chapters 4&5. This is a passage that I do recommend reading aloud. It is a powerful description of the worship that takes place in heaven.

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
   “‘Holy, holy, holy
   is the Lord God Almighty,’
   who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

Notice that this is taking place "day and night" and that they "never stop". What's interesting to me is that even though this is constantly taking place the next verse says that "whenever" they do this the elders respond:

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.” (Revelation 4:9-11)

In chapter 5 there's a new development. There's a scroll that no one seems to have the authority to open. But wait...a Lamb appears...a lamb that looks as if he's been slain! Who could this be but the one and only Son of God who gave His life for all of us? So now the song changes...

And they sang a new song, saying:
   “You are worthy to take the scroll
   and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
   and with your blood you purchased for God
   persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
   and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

I can't help but notice the diversity of the crowd. There are people "from every tribe and language and people and nation". This is a picture of the church.

Then it gets crazy...

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
   “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
   to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
   and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
   “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
   be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
  The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:11-14)

Wow! Now that's a worship service!

Once again in chapter 7 we're reminded that the message of the gospel is not limited to Americans, or Jews, or "good" people. It's for everyone! I don't think this indicates the "universalism" that has gotten so much attention this year because of Rob Bell (that everyone will be saved in the end) but that the church is world-wide and God's relationship with people is not restricted by the social and political divisions that affect so much of our world-view.

And they cried out in a loud voice:
   “Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

No matter who you are or where you live or how you've been raised "salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." In Acts 4 Peter says that "salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." I believe this puts the responsibility on us to reach across all those social, political and economic barriers to take the gospel message to all people!

One more very interesting (to me) sentence in today's reading:

And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” (Revelation 10:4)

I don't know exactly what to make of this but it strikes me as interesting that some of the things John was shown were not meant for all of us to see. The prophecy of the book of Revelation is fascinating and ultimately encouraging for Christ-followers but when we attempt to interpret this strange and apocalyptic text we need to remember that we don't have all the information. God has intentionally kept some things from us. I can't help but wonder what it is!