A couple of years ago I struck up a conversation with a stranger who happened to be a Christian. At one point she paused and looked concerned. “The church needs to be teaching more about the end times”, she said. “I don’t think believers are prepared.” Having gone to a church where the book of Revelation had been taught in a way that frightened me, I could empathize. At the same time, I thought, “Jesus coming back is really good news!” I silently wondered if learning more about the “end times” would make people better equipped to serve Jesus or just more anxious. Mulling over this week’s devotional assignment, I thought about the importance of remembering the book’s context in the Bible. We’re tempted to be overwhelmed and to think “one of these books is not like the others” but, in fact, Revelation is part of a seamless tapestry.
“Revelation” means, something hidden is revealed. It’s Jesus who is revealed in this book. At first glance (and second and hundredth), this book seems more like a mysterious pronouncement than an unveiling. It is majestic and often unintelligible, and the characters are outsized and unusual. It reminds me of opera in a foreign language. Take it or leave it, but good luck understanding it. It’s so difficult to understand that even questioning is difficult. Revelation is categorized as apocalyptic literature and it’s written differently than most of the Bible. As a result, it’s usually presented almost as a stand-alone book. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, gave hard teachings, but at least he presented them in person. Revelation seems worlds away. It takes effort to remember that we aren’t just passive onlookers watching a grand and mystical show, but that our lives are part of the gospel story.
What if we stepped back and created a genre for the whole Bible, “Epiphanic Engagement”? The Bible is the only book where the living God reveals Himself as we read in faith with the desire to obey. We need to remember that Revelation is part of a larger context, that it won’t contradict what we know we need to be doing – trusting God, not being afraid, and loving our neighbor. We can then be more open to seeing this book as part of a vast revelation of the nature of God and Jesus throughout the Bible. We don’t have to understand all of Revelation, but all of one’s self can benefit through engaging with it more fully.
While Revelation can be mysterious and daunting to understand, we can rest assured that it will reveal deeper insights into Jesus’ sovereignty, and his promise of being with us in this life and into eternity, where He has prepared a place for us. It will help us be more firmly grounded in our identity in Him and in the obedience in love he wants us to live. I love these scriptures that tell us how Jesus and God are able and willing to care for us:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… John 14:15-17
Application
Think back to revelations, inspiration and epiphanies you’ve had in your faith journey. Remember what you’ve learned about the character of Jesus. Pray that God will add more insight to what you’ve already learned about God and Jesus as we explore the book of Revelation.
by Sherry Sommer
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