why I love Revelation...

So for the past few months I've been leading a small group Bible study on the book of Revelation with the Sr. High youth at Saint Mark UMC. In the midst of the confusing and violent imagery, I was reminded of why I loved this book so much. Near the end of the study I was invited to write an advent devotion for a compilation our church was putting together. Though we are now strong into Epiphany, I thought I'd share it here:

Rev 4:1-8

The Advent theme for this week is “Watch.” Among all the texts in scripture, Revelation is perhaps most apt for this imperative. The final book in our Bible is a report of a vision that the author experienced while in exile, presumably suffering persecution for his faith. John is one who watches and who invites us to watch with him. In this chapter John is given a glimpse of the heavenly court in which God, surrounded by the divine entourage, is worshipped and glorified. In one sense, John invites us to witness the glory that is the Lord. In another he invites us to see the worship of our earthly Church as participating in the life of Heaven. The meaning of this participation is glimpsed within the scope of Revelation’s narrative. John watches not merely God’s detached existence among the singing angels; he witnesses, through powerful and evocative symbols, the consummation of God’s reign upon the earth. This reign is brought about through the exultation of the crucified Christ and those who follow him and the humbling of the powers of this world. For a man exiled for his faith, this is a powerfully hopeful vision. For a Church that feels itself embattled against a world that does not know—nay, even crucifies!—its God, this vision gives strength and assurance that we are not alone. And it is in worship, as we emulate and participate in this heavenly scene, that we keep watch, not passively observing but vigilantly anticipating. We watch, not as naïve dreamers but as expectant witnesses to what God has done, bearing the promises of what God will do in our world.

Holy God, Keep us vigilant! Keep us hopeful! Keep our eyes ever upon your vision for our world that we might conform ourselves to your love and the world to your kingdom. Amen.

There is a lot more to be said, I think, about the role of liturgical practice in participation/anticipation of the already/not yet of God's reign effected in the slain lamb whose wedding feast we attend at the eucharistic table... but I'll save that for another time...