Apocalyptic

This week the Book of Revelation has reappeared in our Morning Prayer readings. I led a bible study on this most amazing piecve of inspired literature several years ago. Let's be clear, the church has always been divided on the best approach to understanding this often confusing work and from earliest times it has been seen through different lenses (as prophecy, history in metaphor, about the future, the present, etc.). One thing is clear, there are tons of similes (the word "like" occurs over 50x) and no one has worked out all the details yet.

The images of Revelation are also found in two other locations: the Old Testament and other apocalyptic works written by Jews and then Christians in the centuries before and just after Christ. The book follows a pattern set down in these other works and they are fascinating reading. While most mainline churches do not have an active component of "prophetic" ministries, today there are places where vision and apocalyptic signs are a part of every day experience. I have followed a couple of websites where the author has written about such things. This is one which I used to read regularly, but he writes much less frequently. http://theagetocome.wordpress.com/

The 8th & 9th chapter of Revelation, which we are reading now, contain the infamous Seven Trumpets. Seven angels with seven trumpets appear, as each one blows we hear of ruin and destruction. The first wipes out 1/3 of vegetation (trees and grass), the second 1/3rd of the sea creatures and ships, the next 1/3rd of the rivers become wormwood, and finally 1/3rd of the light (star, moon and sun are 33% less luminative). Such wide scale destruction is terrifying to ponder, but the blood runs cold with the fifth trumpet: the loud voice of an eagle who cries, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth..." as he announces there is more to come.

Woe...woe...woe. Not a popular message. We prefer to ignore such things and hope for the best. Yet the message of the Book, however literally or figuratively interpreted, is a stunning reminder that we are not in an upward cycle. The three woes begins with a key which unlocks the bottomless pit. Along with the sulphur smoke arise horrible creatures, composite of several worst nightmares. They torture humans, we read, for five months. And there is no death. One of the recurring themes of revelation is the "anti-" (most familiarly seen in the anti-Christ). This is the demonic replication of the divine. So there is The Lamb (Jesus) and there is the Ram (satanic). There is the Bride (Israel//Church) and there is the Whore of Babylon (sinful humanity). Now we see the demonic twist on resurrection and life eternal. People cannot die, but they beg to die. The horror and pain are so bad they wish for death as an escape. There is a message here, life without end is blessing or curse, depending on what kind of life it is. For those outside the confines of God's people (those not rescued from human institutions run amuck) life without death is a curse.

Now reading these dark images are sobbering. But truth be told no more so than the morning news. We are all free to whistle in the dark and ignore the pending realities. History reminds us that there are always problems with which to contend. While our political leaders figure out which strategy will get them the office and businesses try to squeeze every last cent there is a real world with real consequences. You can fool people with empty promises but eventually reality rears its head. Maybe not today, maybe not next week, but eventually it happens.

The bad news is that things are not well and there may well be very bad things on our near horizon. Economic collapse and war and famine and widespread disease are constant companions which may visit our American neighborhoods some day soon. Some of you reading this may say, "already here!" But the message of Revelation (what has been unveiled for us) is the face of God. He is there, outside looking in, inside working, around us and within. He calls His people to faithfulness in the face of great struggle. He reminds us that the Savior is Jesus and He already stands ready to return. And so, even as we ponder the challenges ahead, we do so in hope. Salvation is a promise we can count upon.

This weekend at the Memphis Marriott East (2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Memphis 38118) we are gathering for a time of prayer, praise and teaching. There will be several occassions when we will pray for healing (in all senses of the word). There will be many hours of instruction by four different speakers. I will give a talk on Salvation and also have a workshop on Prayer and Praying. The latter includes some 'how to' pratice with a special focus on meditation. Other speakers will address core Christian teaching. If you are in Memphis, Friday and Saturday night at 7 is a service open to all. (if you aren't drive in!!!) Saturday costs $30 (includes lunch) and there is the bulk of the general sessions and workshops. You can even spend the entire weekend with rooms and meals (though you need to move quickly--go to the St. Andrews website for details http://www.standrewscollierville.org/ ) It will be a time to celebrate God among us even in days when the trumpets seem to thunder bad news. Is God pushing you to join us?