The end of the world, part 1.
Message to the church in Sardis
Revelation 3:1-6
In Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
In Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22
The throne of God
Revelation 4:1-11
The sealed book
Revelation 5:1-8
Worship of the lamb
Revelation 5:9-14
The six seals opened
Revelation 6:1-17
The sealing of the 144,000
Revelation 7:1-8
To Sardis, Jesus has stern words. Are they asleep, or even dead? Wake up! he tells them. Philadelphia are doing well. Jesus has nothing but encouragement for them, and condemnation for “the synagogue of Satan,” false teachers who aren’t even good Jews. Then Laodicea, the most famous of the letters, who are criticised for being lukewarm. Yuck!
All these little letters incorporate some local detail, and in Laodicea there was an aqueduct bringing water from a hot spring. But it was tepid by the time it arrived - quite a disappointment.
So to all the seven churches, Jesus has stirring words. Keep going, be faithful, don’t buckle under pressure, in the end you will be rewarded.
The scene changes then, to the throne room of heaven. We see God worshipped by angels and elders. And coming into the midst of the gathering is Jesus. But Jesus in power and glory this time, Jesus resembling a baby lamb slaughtered and sacrificed. His weakness is on display. But in his weakness he is able to do something that no one else can do - open the seals on the mysterious scroll in God’s hand. Only through the weakness of sacrifice was the precious wqay of salvation opened up for God’s people.
More symbolic events follow, as the lamb opens the seals one by one. Disaster is poured out on the earth. The end of all things is near. But in the midst of calamity, a perfect number: 12 times 12 times 1000 from all the tribes are rescued, showing that God’s chosen people will not be forgotten in the end.
Message to the church in Sardis
Revelation 3:1-6
In Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
In Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22
The throne of God
Revelation 4:1-11
The sealed book
Revelation 5:1-8
Worship of the lamb
Revelation 5:9-14
The six seals opened
Revelation 6:1-17
The sealing of the 144,000
Revelation 7:1-8
To Sardis, Jesus has stern words. Are they asleep, or even dead? Wake up! he tells them. Philadelphia are doing well. Jesus has nothing but encouragement for them, and condemnation for “the synagogue of Satan,” false teachers who aren’t even good Jews. Then Laodicea, the most famous of the letters, who are criticised for being lukewarm. Yuck!
All these little letters incorporate some local detail, and in Laodicea there was an aqueduct bringing water from a hot spring. But it was tepid by the time it arrived - quite a disappointment.
So to all the seven churches, Jesus has stirring words. Keep going, be faithful, don’t buckle under pressure, in the end you will be rewarded.
The scene changes then, to the throne room of heaven. We see God worshipped by angels and elders. And coming into the midst of the gathering is Jesus. But Jesus in power and glory this time, Jesus resembling a baby lamb slaughtered and sacrificed. His weakness is on display. But in his weakness he is able to do something that no one else can do - open the seals on the mysterious scroll in God’s hand. Only through the weakness of sacrifice was the precious wqay of salvation opened up for God’s people.
More symbolic events follow, as the lamb opens the seals one by one. Disaster is poured out on the earth. The end of all things is near. But in the midst of calamity, a perfect number: 12 times 12 times 1000 from all the tribes are rescued, showing that God’s chosen people will not be forgotten in the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment