on Rev

Okay, so a couple weeks ago we did a sort of intro to the book of Revelation.  We devised some ‘reading glasses’ to help us look at it more clearly, understanding that it is a writing in the genre of Jewish Apocalyptic literature, and because of that, it had certain characteristics we need to be aware of.

<Catching up…>
Last week we started into the book, understanding that John wrote it to seven churches in the area of Asia Minor.  This is significant because Asia Minor was the only place in the empire where Rome didn’t establish a single military battalion to keep the peace and enforce their rule.  This was because the people in Asia Minor didn’t mind the rule of the empire.  Actually, they liked the presence of Rome in their region — in fact, they wanted the Empire to be more present.  They liked the comfort and luxury it provided.  So in the beginning of Revelation we see seven letters being sent to seven churches in this area, all of them being reprimanded and warned by Jesus that they have gotten too involved with the Empire: “You’re rich and wealthy and have every possible thing you could desire…but your soul is desolate, poverty-stricken.” 

We looked specifically at the letter to Laodicea, where Jesus says: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm–niether hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  We talked about how “hot and cold” doesn’t mean “for God or against God”…but back then, and in that specific region, hot or cold simply meant a contrast to lukewarm.  It wasn’t about better or worse, for or against, simply “different than.”  And Jesus is saying that these people who started to follow him are now no different than the ‘temperature’ around them.  They are indistinguishable from the Empire.  He also says that they have fallen for Rome like a person falls for a prostitute, that they have been seduced…but eventually it will lead to their destruction. 

We ended this by asking the following question: What does it mean to be a contrast community to the world we find ourselves in?  And it’s not about being different for the sake of being different…but actually being different in a way that is a blessing to those around us (even, or especially, those who aren’t like us).
<All caught up.>

So this week we’re going to look at Rev 4-5 and see one of the single biggest keys to reading this book.  John gets caught up in this huge worship scene that is unfolding in heaven, and it’s all centered around something (or someone).  In the 300+ years that the Jewish people wrote Apocalyptic literature, the lion was a pretty commonly used symbol in this type of writing.  But not once, except for here in John’s writing, was a lamb ever used.  This is completely new and original and shocking.  And he is doing it totally and completely on purpose.  John is saying something about power, where it comes from and the difference between how the Empire exercises it compared to the way God does.

A couple things to think about as you read this:

1) What words, phrases, or images stand out to you in the song that the whole host of heaven sings in these two chapters?  What grabs you?

2) Think about the people you would consider to be powerful or have an influence.  How would you describe the ways they exercise their power/influence?  Is it in a selfish or oppressive way…or a helpful one?