I said that I would never do it, that I really didn’t like the book, and that I’d rather not preach it: period. Never say: never. As many of you know one of my guideposts for preaching is this, if it sticks in your head for more than a month, then you probably need to preach about whatever that ‘it’ is. Thousands of books have been written about the book of Revelation, millions of sermons have been preached. Most of us hear ‘Revelation’ and think it’s a strange book that none of us will ever get so why even bother.
I hear the word ‘Revelation’ and I think about one of the funnier bumper stickers I’ve ever read:
“If the Rapture really happens, can I have your car?”
Good question. If one is taken and one remains then which one do you want to be? Cases can be made for both sides.
During Lent we’ll be taking a closer look at this last book in the Bible, not in a speculative or rhetorical way but rather in a historical critical approach. The “Seven Letters to the Seven Churches” can be demystified and given some interesting context. Revelation does not need to be a scary book or one that is used to determine who is going to heaven or who might be going to hell. In fact, this book has more of our liturgy within it than any other book in the Bible.
Barbara Rossing, author of the book The Rapture Exposed suggests that we “Embrace the message of hope instead of fear. Jesus the Lamb has already won the victory, through his death and resurrection. God already reigns. Even at its most fearful, the assurance of hope in Revelation is always near. This book was not written to terrify people but to wake them up, to encourage them, and to sustain their hope when things seemed the most bleak. Hope is the most important message of Revelation.”
Come and join us for an interesting and faithful conversation throughout the season of Lent. During Wednesday night worship we will focus our time upon the seven letters. On Sunday mornings during the season of Lent, between worship services, we’ll try to make our way through the entire book of Revelation.
Ash Wednesday is February 22nd. We will have a meal from 5:00-6:30pm with worship at 6:46 pm. The following Wednesdays a light meal will be served from 5:30-6:30 pm with worship at 6:46 pm and a Bible Study to follow.
