The book of Revelation in the Bible is one that has puzzled us for centuries. It is intense and disturbing, like a vivid dream of crazy images! If you'd like to get some insight into what it might mean, this series is beautiful and easy to listen to and understand. I've struggled to come to grips with it, and this has been the best presentation I've seen.
I was listening to the one on chapters 4 and 5 this morning. Central to its theme here is a scroll that no-one in heaven or on earth is worthy to open! And I'd always thought that odd! Because I thought worthiness was to be pure and perfect! And surely heaven held those!!! But he explains that worthiness in this context was one who had proven themselves in battle - had overcome the threat to his people's lives and saved them!! And at the comment that no-one was found worthy, John (the writer), broke down and swept bitterly.
I'd always thought that was strange too! That he wept so deeply over something like not being able to open the scroll - to see the future as it were. Afterall, not being able to see into the future is normal for us!!! Why would it cause such distress?? And then I realised something - something the preacher himself then brings out.
This was John!!! One who had walked with Jesus and believed in his mission!!! One who saw this man as his messiah!! Who's heart had been broken as he watched him die, only to soar again when he saw Jesus walking free of the grave!!! He'd watched him drawn heavenward!! Poured out the rest of his life into carrying on what Jesus had started here - despite the hardship it had caused him here!! Because he saw in this man, the hope that we all do desperately needed!!!
And in this one line in his vision, his hopes were dashed!!! And he broke down in absolute misery!!! Because he thought somehow, Jesus had failed!!! That it had all been for nothing!!! That there was now no hope for the future - for anyone. And he wept bitterly.
But then he's told - wait! One has been found who is worthy!!! Who has fought courageously for his people, paid with his life! and won victory for his people!!! This has made him "worthy" to open the scroll!!! And John realises that Jesus had accomplished what he came for afterall!!! And his tears of grief are replaced with absolute awe at what his Lord has done!!
Slowly, slowly, I'm piecing together what this book holds to tell!!! And in this series, I sense more of a mesh between the God of love I know and see in Jesus here on earth, and the deeply disturbing images portrayed in Revelation. If you get the chance, check them out.
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