Return to Revelation

Monday, October 20, 2008 -- Week of Proper 24

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 989)
Psalms 25 (morning) 9, 15 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 4:20 - 5:7
Revelation 7:1-8
Luke 9:51-62

* found in the Apocrypha; also called the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, or just Sirach

We begin today reading from the Revelation of John. The word "revelation" comes from the Latin "revelatio," meaning a "disclosure." The Greek word "apokalypis" means "to uncover," as in removing a veil. The Apocalypse of John or the Book of Revelation intends to reveal or uncover hidden meaning so that we can see the true, underlying significance of history. The genre of this visionary literature includes mediated figures such as angels who guide the seer and esoteric symbols and numerology.

The focus of the meaning of this book has to do with the call to faithful living in the face of the temptations of the glamour and luxury of a powerful and alluring military-economic complex. Do not be seduced by wealth and power, by pride and extravagance, Revelation says. The by-product of Empire is always violence and injustice. The Beast of Empire will bring suffering to the whole earth. The Lamb of God will bring restoration and joy.

As we pick up in chapter 7, the first six seals of the seven-sealed scroll of the Lamb have been opened. These six seals show the destruction that inevitably occurs when human pride and power act out. Here is what Empire produces: war, blood, death, and corruption (the four horsemen); the slaughter of the innocents (who are robed in white beneath God's altar); the devastation of the Earth and its ecology (earthquake, black sun, blood moon, falling stars, and universal fear). These are the fruits of Empire, the consequences of our human systems of domination.

Before we turn to a second set of judgments about the domination system (the trumpets -- a warning like the plagues of Egypt), we shift to a heavenly scene. That is our reading today. Four angels at the four corners of the earth are held back. "Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal upon their foreheads." The twelve tribes of Israel are gathered. From each tribe twelve thousand are sealed -- a total of 144,000. The meaning of the word is "all God's people." Twelve is the number for God's people (the twelve tribes; twelve apostles -- twelve is the product of three (the spiritual order) and four (the created order). Ten is the number for totality.

We see a vision of the totality of God's people being sealed, protected and accounted for by God, before the Lamb's judgment upon Empire. (Tomorrow the circle will widen to include an unnumbered multitude "from all tribes and peoples and languages.)

Although God's people are sealed and ultimately protected, still they face suffering. The domination systems of Empire produce injustice and violence, gross economic indulgence and inequity, and environmental degradation. God's people, God's earth groans and suffers under the hand of the oppressive systems of Empire.

The Book of Revelation calls us to hope and perseverance. Hope, because the non-violent triumph of the Lamb is already assured, and perseverance -- faithfulness to the Lamb's values in the face of the temptations of luxury, glamour and power.

Many commentators see this apocalypse as a book that is appropriate for us today. Will God's church be tempted and seduced by the wealth and luxury of our age and be complicit in its concomitant injustice, violence and environmental degradation? Or will we live by the values of the Lamb -- hopeful living committed to peaceful, loving, gentle generosity?

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas