Musical Prelude and Service.

Revelation 22:1-5 & Matthew 28:1-10
What are we supposed to do with Revelation?
I am sorry to say I was first introduced to this book of scripture in a Sunday School class when I was
about 12 or 13. It was presented as part horror story and prediction of things to come. It was
troubling to say the least. I did not learn more about what this strange book actually was until many
years later.
The Revelation of John is part of a genre of writing referred to as Apocalyptic. There are several
pieces of Apocalyptic literature found in the Bible. The second part of Daniel is apocalyptic.
Chapters of Mark and Luke are Apocalyptic.
That word Apocalypse is Greek and roughly translates as unveiling or revealing. They are stories that
reveal something hidden from us. They are getting at a hidden truth or understanding of our reality.
They are not so much a prediction of the future or description of things to come, as they are an
evocative, metaphorical description of the world we already live in, and an acknowledgment of the
anxieties and fears the readership is experiencing here and now. And biblical Apocalypses offer the
reassurance that God sees us, hears us and intercedes on our behalf. Then they conclude with a
vision of a new heaven, a new earth. A world filled with life and beauty and love.
Apocalyptic storytelling remains popular to this day. Examples can be found in movies, television,
books and graphic novels where the world is invaded by aliens; is threatened by asteroids,
pandemics, or climate change. The most popular of these end with some sort of miraculous rescue,
but the world is changed by what it has endured.
John ends his Revelation with the image of the river of life running through God’s city, trees teeming
with life and life-giving fruit.
In ancient Mesopotamia, the part of the Mediterranean world so much of what we read in scripture is
set in; major rivers were a crucial part of those civilizations. And the cycles of the river bring life and
nourishment alongside the threat of destruction and death. The river floods, and in doing so spreads
water and silt and sand from that river throughout the floodplain. This creates a fertile zone when the
flood water recedes. This is where people are able to plant their crops which prosper and feed the
whole community for the coming year. So as much as those rivers; be they the Nile, the Tigris, the
Euphrates or the Jordan are treacherous at certain times of the year, they are also the sources of
great civilizations because they do indeed bring life.
John’s vision of a renewed life-giving city of God has a river of life central to it, because that river is
necessary for abundance and life. It feeds many trees. In his vision, that becomes one particular tree
of life that produces an abundance of nourishing fruit and the leaves that heal the nations.
Twelve different types of fruit. Our Bible study wondered about that number last Monday:
Is the number 12 significant?
Yes, the number 12 is significant.
The number 12 holds real importance in Jewish tradition. Twelve is the original number of the sons of
Jacob, or Israel. Twelve is the number of tribes of Israel named after those sons. And so, 12 is a
number that represents the fullness of God’s reign, or God’s abiding presence in our world. And,
remembering that Jesus is a part of that Jewish tradition, he selects 12 students or followers as his
inner circle. Those surviving disciples initially decide that it must be 12 Apostles that will carry the
Good News of Jesus out to help heal the nations.
Twelve is a symbol that God’s presence amongst us is complete. It is a message that God’s all
encompassing and ever-present love and strength is indeed in our world; feeding us, healing us and
loving us.
John of Patmos wrote this Revelation on that island off the coast of what is now Turkey, sometime in
the decades after the execution and resurrection of Jesus. While there is a debate as to exactly when
it was written, it is generally accepted to be around 100 CE (Common Era).
The people in the church in or around Asia Minor, those most likely to read John’s letter of
Apocalypse, would be struggling with the anxiety or uncertainty of their relationship with the Roman
Empire. This is in the decades just following the rebellion in Jerusalem and Rome’s brutal and violent
response. How do they remain faithful and live peacefully in a violent and oppressive world that is
demanding absolute loyalty and obedience?
John’s provocative imagery and storytelling asks a number of questions.
Where is God?
What does God want of us?
Where do we stand in this chaos?
And how do we stay strong in the midst of so much terror?
The imagery is vivid. It can certainly be frightening, but John takes care to reassure his readers that
God is here and present with us even when we struggle to see God. And God also promises that a
new and better world awaits us if we hold faith with God. If we hold onto the values God keeps
telling us are important. If we remember who we are and whose we are we will be part of building
that new world. One that is illuminated by God, not relying upon anything crafted only with human
hands.
I find it interesting to look at Matthew’s recounting of the resurrection alongside the book of
Revelation. The story starts in darkness as the two women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,
approach the tomb containing Jesus. We are suddenly witness to earthquakes, thunder and flashing
lights that leave the guards unconscious. An angel appears to these two startled, and I am sure,
terrified women and told ‘don’t be afraid’.
The shock and awe that opens this encounter is transformed into something tender and reassuring.
Jesus is alive. Take this news to the disciples. And Jesus then appears to reassure Mary and the other
Mary. They are filled with gratitude and joy.
These two women; in the fear and anxiety following the crucifixion, remain faithful to their dead
friend and teacher. They brave the night and the guards to carry out the duty of caring for the body
of Jesus. They respond in their fear with love and compassion, and in doing so they encounter the
risen Christ. And they glimpse a vision of the new world that is opening up in front of them.
We live in uncertain times. There is so much that can tempt us to give in to the fear we are certain to
experience – to let that fear govern our lives. We are often encouraged to pick sides and declare our
loyalty to someone or something.
We can be tempted to follow what appears to be easier paths for security, and sometimes we do
need to choose a side or who we will follow. But as people of faith, we know who we choose.
The person and the teachings, the values of Jesus.
And I am not saying all of those messages and offers are wrong. But we do need to keep close to us
the reminder of who we are. What we are called to be. To never forget whose we are. We are
followers of Jesus the Christ. We are called to keep love, hope, peace at the core of who we are.
God wants us to work with them in creating a world of peace, a world of mercy, of life and love for
all. We are urged to remember that Jesus will meet us in Galilee. Galilee is where he gives his
followers their new mission.
So, as we as we set out on a journey to work with God in creating a new earth, a new heaven, may
we never forget who is calling us to make that journey. We have been invited by the Risen Christ.
Let us journey together. Supporting one another, strengthening one another, encouraging one
another, loving one another. That we may be part of seeing that vision of a new heaven and anew
earth, built on justice, on peace, on mercy and love, become the reality we are assured is coming.
Thanks be to God. Amen
Rev. Warner Bloomfield

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789