Well, sort of. I’ve never been a huge fan of the book of Revelation for several reasons. One, I’m not a huge proponent of “end times” prophecy. Apocalypses and dooms-day literature don’t exactly satisfy my literary sweet-tooth. Secondly, the book of Revelation – when interpreted literally – gives rise to bad theology and biblical scholarship. Issues like the rapture and a visible, manifestation of a giant Jesus in the sky become problematic. People begin to “predict” the end of the world, and see modern, contemporary catastrophes (such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11) as “signs of the time”. Some Christians see global climate change (i.e. global warming) and environmental stewardship as non-issues since God will magically escape us from such a dirty place. People interpret Revelation in ways that foretell people being cast (literally) in the pits of hell for things such as being of another religion, being homosexual, being a Democrat, being a soldier at war, making allies with other nations (specifically Muslim), etc. In light of all of these ridiculous things, it should be easy to understand why I am hesitant to apply Revelation to ministry.
But, I’ve slowly started to understand how and why the book of Revelation fits in the New Testament with the Gospel of Jesus, and that the underlying message of Revelation (although probably written by a lunatic in a solitary cave on a remote island) is actually one that I find to warm my heart and soul.
In particular, Revelation 7:15-17 expresses (what I think to be) the core of the prophecy and of the message of Christ.
For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
I think that Revelation is trying to express a time of fulfillment in which their is no need, no hunger, no poverty, no greed, no malice, no envy, no hatred, no discrimination, no animosity, no despair, no depression, no loneliness, no crying. This fulfillment may or may not be a physical “second-coming” of Christ, but I do believe that it will occur. There is a time in which all will join in fellowship at a common table. A time when peace, justice, mercy, love, generosity, and laughter rule. A time when friendships blossom between the conservative and the liberal, the black and the white, the Christian and the Muslim, the gay and the straight, the lame and the able-bodied, the Israeli and the Palestinian, the aristocrat and the redneck, the Democrat and the Republican, the Baptists, the abuser and the abused, the rich and the poor, the hungry and the well-fed. God’s ultimate love will triumph over hatred (satan, if you will) that God’s creation has within itself.
Ultimately, the book of Revelation is not a book of apocalypse (as the original title may suggest), but a book of hope. The prophecy of John is not being fulfilled by terrorist attacks, terrible storms and earthquakes, division among U.S. politics. The prophecy of John of Patmos is being fulfilled in the Church reconciling people to themselves. It is being fulfilled by the work of spiritual people trying to make a positive impact in a creation gone astray.
Seen in this light, Revelation is no longer a book that I avoid. It is beautiful, mysterious, and ultimately true.
