A Blessed Vision

This morning, with some trepidation some might say, we are exploring a passage from the Book of Revelation, a section of the Bible that can be, at various time, challenging, confusing and inspiring.

To give our reading a historical context, Revelation was written by a man named John, not John the evangelist, the author the gospel but someone who was, in all likelihood, sort of an ordinary man, a fellow traveler in the faith, if you will. It is thought that he used the name John because he admired the gospel writer, and wanted to affirm that his composition also represented the truth faith.

Ancient tradition said that it was written some sixty years after Christ, although some scholars argue for other possible dates. No matter what the timeframe is, it is safe to say that the writer did not live in the time of Christ.

In the end, no matter how we understand the origins of this writing, the book of Revelation continues to be a unique composition unto itself. For some, it might be perceived as a straightforward account of the end of the world. We sometimes use the word apocalypse to describe this scripture because that is the root meaning of the word Revelation. We use powerful words like judgment day or end times. In a gentler way, we also talk about the dawning of God's kingdom.

Our reading might also be examined in the context of the history in which it was written. Were there, in fact, certain historic events that the writer wanted to address through this writing? In a more philosophical vein, the Book of Revelation could be a vision of the struggles the human soul encounters as it makes its way to GOD. Or, it can be seen as a way of interpreting human history as it has unfolded, and will continue to unfold when the kingdom arrives.

There are so many different and unfamiliar images in the Book of Revelation that it may be easy to say with an assurance, "this is what it is all about." as is so often true, the final interpretation often rests with the person who is reading it.

For today, we are focusing upon a passage that, to my mind, is entirely hopeful and uplifting. It is a vision, a promise, really, of renewal.

"then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…the home of God is with mortals. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples."

Until now, God had been experienced only in faith, viewed from the constricted perspective of ordinary daily life. The focus in this passage shifts from the ethereal realm of heaven to a new earth, an earth which God desires to personally share with us, not as an unseen divine presence, but as someone who can be experienced in all his fullness.

For generations, people have affirmed that, through Christ, the world experienced a foretaste of God’s power and presence. This man who was fully human and fully divine made GOD's gifts real. And palpable to a needy world. Then, after having completed his earthly ministry which was crowned by his redeeming sacrifice on The cross, he returned to live forever with the GOD who had sent him. What our reading from Revelation is telling us that there will come a day when GOD will bring to reality a life and a world which were only partially revealed through Christ.

Returning to this theme, here is what the writer of Revelation says:

"GOD himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away."

When I read those words, I think about the funerals I have conducted over the years and the many times I have read those very words. As it should be, this passage is meant to offer comfort to those who mourn the death of a loved one or friend. "Your beloved are not suffering any more," it says.

As I repeat these words again today, I think particularly of my mother and my brother, as well as Joanne’s mother, all of whom suffered major health crises that left them incapacitated. Eventually, their earthly journey came to an end as their bodies gave out under the strain. Like anyone else, we had our own feelings of loss and grief, and we said our own tearful goodbyes. In every instance, it was a difficult time for us. But in faith we knew that whatever our loved ones had experienced in this life was now behind them. Their trials and tribulations were really just one small first step toward eternity with the GOD who had lovingly given them this life, and who now embraced them into eternal life.

Harking back to our reading from Revelation, isn't it nice to hold out the vision of a day when people will no longer have to endure the tragedies of this world?

That is the hope we continue to cling to, my friends. We have this fervent hope that there is coming a day when, indeed, all will be made new, once and for all. The question is: will we, in fact, experience the dawning of the kingdom that the scripture promises? Well, that remains to be seen, doesn't it? Clearly, it would be a thrill beyond words. To paraphrase the words of one particular Christian song say, "we can only imagine." if, in fact, it is not possible for us to witness this grand event in our lifetime, we can continue to live in the courage and conviction of our faith that tell us that one day it will become a reality for some future generation of believers.

That's the kind of thought we need to keep in mind, that one day all of GOD's promises will become a reality.

We want to keep that hope ever before us because each day we are assaulted by news stories and situations that leave us wondering what this world is coming to. This world in which good people die early and unnecessary deaths. This world in which children and young people suffer and are exploited. This world in which anger and retribution and war are alternatives to peace and reconciliation and healing. This word in which people struggle for the same necessities of life which so many others take for granted. This world in which some people wonder if they can trust those who lead them to use their offices for the common good rather than self-satisfaction and power.

As we look toward that wondrous day when all the promises are fulfilled, let us firmly hang on to this grand and blessed vision we find the Book of Revelation. Despite the situations and events that would wear us down and fill us with despair, let us never lose hope in believing that the God who created this world has not abdicated power to the darker forces and powers that seem so prevalent. Let us dare to believe that light will prevail over darkness because the love of God can overcome whatever threatens us. And finally, let us have confidence in the words we pray each week, privately and when we come to worship: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.