Revelation 12 Who is this Woman, and who is this Child? And who is the Dragon who wars against them both? As always, we should start with what’s certain, and that’s the Child, or the Son, and the Dragon. The Child is a male Child, and therefore a Son, who is to rule the nations with a rod of iron (Psalm 2). This Son is obviously Jesus Christ: it can be no one else. So far, so good. Already we’ve... Read more
Revelation 11 In Revelation 11, St. John continues his theme of the destruction of the Old Covenant and the birth of the New Covenant. The Mystery of God has been accomplished (or revealed), as the gospel is preached (Revelation 10:7). What is this Mystery? It is the revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. According to St. Paul, it is the tearing down of the dividing wall between God and man and between Jew and Gentile, and it is God... Read more
Revelation 10 Revelation 10 is a fascinating passage in Revelation – so are they all fascinating passages. But I find Revelation 10 to be of great interest because in it, Jesus Christ is revealed to be the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament, that is, Old Covenant. If one has read the Old Testament well, then Revelation 10 comes alive, and if not, then you will be trapped inside it like one of Ezekiel’s wheels, running around in futility like... Read more
Revelation 7 Revelation 7 is the Christian Exodus. I don’t mean that Revelation 7 is teaching us about the Rapture of 144,000 saints at the end of the world: I mean that the meaning of Revelation 7 for every Christian, regardless of when they live, is the Exodus. In other words, I believe it’s possible to read the book of Revelation and encounter Jesus Christ in our lives today, regardless of our eschatology. If not, then maybe we shouldn’t read... Read more
Thursday of the First Sunday in Advent – Revelation 6 Sitting here in Fort Worth, Texas in 2009 when I’m originally writing this, upstairs in my study, looking out my window and seeing the nice new houses on my block, Revelation seems almost like a work of fantasy or science fiction. If I believe it’s related to Christ’s opening the seals of the New Covenant, which violently judged Israel and destroyed the Old Covenant, the figurative language jars me. But... Read more
Revelation 5 I wish I knew more songs. Actually, I probably know a few thousand (and probably 200 or so just from the Beatles), and at home, I’m always seizing a shard from some song I know and mutating the words weirdly to fit something one of the kids has said. They say to me, “You have a song for everything!” To which I reply, in song, “To everything (turn, turn, turn) Daddy has a song (turn, turn, turn).” But... Read more
Revelation 4 In a sermon on Trinity Sunday given in the middle of the 19th century, the Anglican priest, poet, and professor, John Keble, said the following: “Suppose that by your own fault you were a friendless wanderer and outcast [homeless person on streets], turned out of your home, and not knowing where to lay your head: and suppose that in your wanderings you should come suddenly to a place, from which you heard strains of the sweetest and most... Read more
Revelation 3:7-22 It’s very tempting to write today about the Laodicean church. I think there’s a common perception that today’s church is the church in Laodicea and is a lukewarm church. In truth, parts of the church have always been like this. But I am persuaded of better things for us, and so today I want to learn more about the incredible blessings Jesus Christ offers us today. Today He tells us that if we overcome the difficulties and obstacles... Read more
2 Peter 3:11-18 Have you heard the news? Jesus Christ is coming again! This is one of God’s sure promises. But if it’s true (and it is), then what kind of person should you be as a result? This is St. Peter’s great question to us today. Some in Peter and Paul’s day thought that because the coming of the Lord was imminent that they should sit around and wait and do nothing. Others, because He tarries so long,... Read more
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Wednesday of the Second Sunday in Advent – Revelation 13
Revelation 13 Be honest. What are your first thoughts and feelings when reading Revelation 13? Are they to walk away dazed and confused, as if just accidentally exposed to some powerful narcotic? Are they to shift into Encyclopedia Brown or Sherlock Holmes gear and fancy yourself ______________ (your name), Apocalyptic Detective! While it’s true that the book of Revelation is a cryptographic masterpiece, I hope it inspires more than frustration, hallucinations, or cheap science fiction stories in your soul. We... Read more