Sunday, December 21, 2014

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Revelation 21:9-21

The book of Revelation is probably one of, if not the, most notorious books of the Bible. It is easy to see why there were debates about its inclusion into the canon. Full of violence and strange imagery, Revelation is a book that seems to offer more questions than answers, leading to two reading strategies: over-interpretation and under-interpretation. 

For those who ‘over-interpret’ Revelation, it is a book that contains the secrets to the future, secrets which must be unlocked using what, frankly, amount to interpretations that sound like conspiracy-theories. Unfortunately, this strategy does little to help the PR record of the Church in the eyes of the unchurched, leading to bizarre caricatures and misunderstandings of orthodox Christian beliefs at best and preemptive rejection of the gospel at worst.

On the other hand, there are those who wish to avoid Revelation altogether, particularly given the interpretative abuses to which it is subjected by the ‘over-interpreters’. The strategy is to either relegate Revelation to a distant Christian past, effectively silencing its voice within the canon or to simply avoid it altogether, assuming its inclusion in the canon the result of human fallibility.

Neither of these strategies does justice to the book of Revelation.

Whether we like it or not, Revelation is part of Holy Scripture; therefore, we must read it as an integral part not only of the biblical canon, but of the gospel itself.

Revelation 21 & 22 is the denouement of the book, which, up to this point, is riddled full of violent and unsettling imagery. If we are to speak of an interpretive ‘key’ to Revelation, it is found in these two chapters. In his vision, John is pointing his readers, both then and now, to God’s promised future.

The picture John paints in 21.9-21 is one of absolute beauty. While our contemporary aesthetic tastes may vary from those of 2,000 years ago, the picture is, nevertheless, stunning. John is attempting to describe perfection; the perfect dwelling place for God and God’s people, where they will enjoy the eternal marriage feast of the Lamb and his Bride.

Neither Babylon nor Rome in their splendor can come close to the New Jerusalem, the place where God will make his home, the place where heaven and earth are joined and creation is renewed and redeemed, the place where God’s kingdom is established and God’s rule of shalom is extended over the entire cosmos.

When we get lost in various theories about unlocking the ‘code’ of Revelation or when we cover our ears in an attempt to bring the bliss that is ignorance, we miss the profound message of hope that is ultimately the overarching message of Revelation; the message that God promises to live among his people in a renewed heaven and earth, where tears and suffering, pain and death are no more.

This profound message of hope is good news regardless of whether we live in the 1st or 21st century.

Moreover, it is good news especially for those who cry out for justice and an end to suffering, longing for the day when their voices will finally be heard.

As we prepare for the coming of the King, may we place our trust and hope in Christ alone, and may we experience the beauty of his presence among us.

Hallelujah, Come Lord, come!

- Jason Postma

[Jason Postma is a student in the M. Div. program at Wycliffe College, and a postulant with the Diocese of Huron]