Sunday, August 24, 2014

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Revelation 4:1-11 

One of the most challenging elements in the study of Scripture is

the quest for meaning in the Book of Revelation. It is not that the

content of the last book of the Bible is devoid of significance, it

is because the book of the Revelation of John is chock full of

signs and symbols which are laden with meaning, that the reader

is often left with the question, “What does this all mean for me ?“

The opening verses of the fourth chapter are filled with images of

a vision of Heaven. The writer is in awe of what he senses being in

the presence of God could be like. The reader is presented with a

scene where God is surrounded by, and is the focus of worship.

The elders and the heavenly creatures who are engaged in worship are described in detail. They focus their attention on a being whose presence is described in dynamic and bright images of colourful light.

In all probability, the images which we know best, are the

four living creatures. Their familiarity to us, here at St. John’s, is

simply because they are depicted in the reredos and on the kneelers at the High Altar. Linked with the Four Gospels, the images have their unique connections with the Gospels they represent. Matthew, is the lion because of the depiction of Jesus in scripture as the Lion of Judah. Mark is represented by the figure of the man , because of that Gospel having its focus on the human and earthly ministry of Jesus. Luke’s Gospel is linked with the image of the ox, as Jesus is presented as a sacrifice for

all. Finally, our parish’s patron saint, John, is represented by the eagle, because of the lofty concepts of the divinity of Jesus offered in that Gospel record.

In recent days a number of books have been written by those who have gone through what have been called,” near death experiences”. As they have shared their stories people have wondered what Heaven truly is like.

Is it the place of worship described by John ? Is it the place of reconciliation and peace which others describe ? Or is it………?

In a world where we like to have everything outlined for us in stark and graphic detail, I suggest that Heaven continues to be, a mystery. The Revelation of John allows us to view Heaven through the eyes of a writer whose use of sign and symbol gives us a glimpse into a place which is beyond our experience

or imagination.

We yearn for Heaven to be a place of reunion with those we love. We pray that Heaven is a place where all will be freed from the pains and anxieties which beset us in this life. We have faith that as much as we use words to describe it, the reality of God and the reality of Heaven will never be able to be encapsulated or captured within a net of words. Even if those words

are the words of Holy Scripture.

- The Reverend Canon Christopher Pratt