Friday, October 4, 2013

Believe in...


Revelation 2:12-29 (NRSV)
Call to faithfulness

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:

"I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze:

"I know your works -- your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call 'the deep things of Satan,' to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; only hold fast to what you have until I come. To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end,
I will give authority over the nations;
to rule them with an iron rod,
as when clay pots are shattered --

even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. 


As I said yesterday, Revelation is not my favorite text.  One of the reasons I think is explained by my looking something up this morning on it.  I was looking for something on Luther and Revelation and Google did that thing where it guesses what your question is going to be.  And what Google said was this:  Did Luther believe IN Revelation?

Did Luther believe IN Revelation?

Therein lies my problem with Revelation.  You don't often hear folks saying "Do you believe IN Acts?  Or IN Ephesians?  Or IN Philemon?"  Revelation is given an idol-like status that unfortunately rivals that of believing IN Jesus Christ.  

However…that all said.  There are some beautiful texts in the book of Revelation.  There are images of glory and right worship and there is both command and promise.  So, I wouldn't throw it out and do think it needs careful study.

So…my suggestion?  The texts pulled out of the entire context for daily reading by the ELCA aren't all that helpful on their own.  Read the entire book with others.  Talk about it.  See what it meant for the people if was written for.

But believe IN Jesus Christ.  Not the book.

Gracious God:  You command and promise.  You destroy and you resurrect.  Help us to see that pattern in our lives and be swept away by it into a glorious relationship of life with you.  Amen

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