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Holy Week resources and reflections

The Lord God Almighty (Apr. 22, 2018)

UNIFORM LESSON FOR April 22, 2018
Scripture passage and lesson focus: Revelation 4:1-11

The last book in the New Testament is the Revelation to John. It is also known as the apocalypse, a Greek word for a revelation. Early Christian tradition identified the recipient of this revelation as the author of the Gospel of John and the epistles of John. He was also thought to have been one of the sons of Zebedee and one of the 12 disciples. These identifications are not confirmed in the document itself, however, since the author does not claim any of these traditional identities. Instead he simply says that he is a servant of Jesus Christ who has testified to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ shown to him in a vision mediated by an angel.

Most interpreters date this document to the last decade of the first century A.D., although some consider it to have been written earlier during the reign of Nero, who was the emperor of Rome from 54-68 A.D. The author writes in Revelation 1:9 that he was on the Aegean island of Patmos, probably as an exile because he had prophesied about Jesus, which may have been a cause for his persecution.

This document is classified as apocalyptic literature, a genre with distinctive characteristics that is found in Jewish, Christian and Greco-Roman literary traditions. An apocalypse usually contains descriptions of a vision revealed by an angel to a prophet. Apocalypses contain highly symbolic and dramatic language that reveals hidden or secret information understood to be about the future. Apocalyptic literature is believed to convey coded messages to an in-group in order to encourage persecuted or marginalized communities. It was often written pseudonymously under the name of a revered figure from the past.

Revelation 4:1-6a — The heavenly throne-room
The book of Revelation is a message from the resurrected Jesus, “the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (1:5). From the heavenly throne-room of God, he announces “what must soon take place” (1:1).

The resurrected Jesus appears to John and says, “Do not be afraid … I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever” (1:17-18). Jesus gives John a series of pointed messages to send to seven churches in Asia Minor. Then John sees an open door into heaven and he is transported “in the spirit” into the heavenly throne-room.

In the presence of the “one seated on the throne,” a circumlocution for the name of God, John is dazzled by brilliant colors and loud sounds associated with precious stones and powerful natural phenomena. There are 24 other thrones occupied by elders clothed in white robes. They have crowns of gold on their heads. A sea as smooth as glass and flames of seven torches representing the spirits of God are in front of God’s throne.

Revelation 4:6b-11 — Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Four living creatures surround the throne of God. Their appearance is described in a bizarre fashion as “full of eyes in front and behind,” but they also have recognizable shapes that appear to be a lion, an ox, a human being and an eagle in flight. Later Christian tradition has identified each of the four Gospel writers with one of these images. Mark is the lion, Luke is the ox, Matthew is the human form and John is the eagle in flight.

More important than their appearance is their function. They sing praise to God day and night without ceasing:

“Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty,
who was and is and is to come.”

The most important thing that happens in heaven is the unending worship of God. When the four living creatures offer praise to God, the 24 elders prostrate themselves before God in worship and sing, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

These words have been repeated by faithful and adoring Christian worshippers for centuries around the world. Certainly one of the most moving expressions of these words (especially for Reformed Protestants) is found in Handel’s “Messiah.” The resurrection of Jesus and his abiding presence are celebrated in worship and experienced in faithful service to the glory of God.

For discussion: How does your idea of heaven compare to John’s vision of heaven? What does it mean to you that God is holy? What concrete actions give God glory, honor and power?

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