THURSDAY OF ADVENT 2

Let anyone who has an ear listen
to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. 

Revelation 2:11

The book of Revelation is the last book in the Bible, but it was not the last book written.

It is also perhaps the most misunderstood book of scripture, a treasure trove of fascinating imagery, full of beasts with multiple heads, and a menagerie of creatures which have given authors and Hollywood screenwriters a wealth of material for books and blockbuster movies.

You may be familiar with the Left Behind series, which, in the 1990’s, made Evangelical Christian author Tim LaHaye a household name. The books focused on the end of time and drew much of its inspiration from Revelation.

But long before Revelation stirred the imagination of modern fiction writers, it was the foundation for the language of Christian worship and music.

I don’t know anyone, at least in my circle of acquaintances, who hasn’t heard the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. You heard words taken from the book of Revelation.

The kingdoms of this world are become
the kingdoms of our Lord,
and of his Christ;
and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev. 11:15 (King James Version)

Many of the anthems that are sung in liturgical churches come straight out of – you guessed it – Revelation.

 “This Is the Feast of Victory for Our God,” for example, is based on passages found in Revelation (5:12-13, 19:5-9).

At funerals, some of the most comforting words we hear come out of this enigmatic book. We are given a vision of a future where:

“[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more”

Revelation 21:4

In spite of this, those who do a perfunctory reading of Revelation often choose to focus on the scary parts, with its language of suffering, persecution, and death. The passage assigned for today is a perfect instance.

“Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction.”  

Revelation 2:10

It’s hard to write about Revelation without avoiding a deep dive into just what all these symbolic figures mean.  

But since the second reading from the daily lectionary will be from Revelation for the remainder of Advent, here’s my simple summary of Revelation, without going too far into the weeds:

GOD WINS!

The books of the Bible were deliberately arranged to make a point. And Revelation, with a focus on the future and what the end of time will be like, is like a happy ending to a good novel, language notwithstanding.

It is, in its final analysis, a book of hope!

It is read in Advent because, in addition to preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Messiah, it is also a time when we focus on Christ’s second coming.

And because of the hopeful nature of Revelation – weird, multi-headed creatures aside – we still read it centuries after its writing.

So we end today’s meditation with the words that began it:

Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Let us pray:
O God, be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore.. Amen*

*(Adapted from prayer 17. “For Church Musicians and Artists,” Book of Common Prayer, p. 819)

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