Despite my best intentions of keeping up with regular writings in this space, I have now come to the end of the year without posting anything since the beginning of the year. A few weeks ago, I had started on an end of year reflection and hope to have that out soon. But in the meantime, this quote struck me as something to seriously reflect on as we head towards a new year.
As I’ve finished up another chronological reading plan, naturally the year ends on the book of Revelation. I decided it would be good to read through Triumph of the Lamb by Dennis Johnson. I love how the commentary is written in a narrative style and is so doxologically rich. As I wrote here several years ago, my perspective on the book of Revelation has changed drastically. I no longer see it as a chronological rendering, where are events and times are literal telling of what will happen in a defined end period of time that includes a pre-tribulation rapture and seven year tribulation period. Rather, I see the rich symbolism pointing out cycles of activity and judgements, the forward movement of Christ’s church amid cosmic tensions, turmoil and outright opposition, and Jesus’ ultimate triumph to bring everything back to the right order as was intended from the beginning of Genesis.
Regardless of your interpretation, one thing should be crystal clear–Jesus is at the heart of it. He wins! This is after all “a revelation of Christ” given to John about God’s ultimate outworking of his creation. I’m actually coming to the conclusion that ending the year with this reading, regardless of the reading plan, is a worthy endeavor especially as I observe the landscape of our current culture and it’s pulls on the Christian faith in varying ways.
In my next post, I hope to get into the pulls and distractions that can so easily beset us (especially for social media users). I remain increasingly convinced that striving for a pure faith (as much as possible) divorced from earthly agendas with their tribal affiliations has to be a high priority for the Christian even those that are claimed to be a “Christian perspective”. That means keeping Jesus and HIS kingdom agenda front and center. So Johnson’s statement here provides some good encouragement;
The Magic Eye phenomenon provides a parable for Christian thinking about the world: to see the pattern that counts, you have to focus beyond the surface, to see the shape of deep realities not accessible to the casual observer. Like everyone else, Christians spend much of every day with eyes and minds focused on the surface of things–details about deadlines, delays, dollars, dress, food and shelter, going and coming, work and recreation, politics and more. Attending to everyday issues is necessary and right, but our hearts long to see the big picture, the meaning that lies behind the details. The Revelation shown to John unveils this deep pattern beneath the surface of history. How appropriate that before all else John sees the One who makes sense of history on a grand scale and of our experience.
We need to see Jesus–to meet his blazing eyes of heart-searching holiness, to wake up at the trumpet blast of his voice, to respond to his jealous demand for exclusive and passionate loyalty. Shocked insensible by the impact of his splendor, we need then to hear his words of compassionate comfort, quelling our fears and quickening our hopes. Every congregation, whatever its struggle at its post on the battlefront, needs to fix its eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:2).
Indeed! One thing Revelation shows us is that there is a cosmic war against Christ and his church full of deception that even the elect will be fooled (Matt. 24:24). So dear Christian, we do well to keep a good grip and focus on Christ, with eyes wide open, looking beyond the surface of even well meaning intentions that seem noble but in the end distract or deviate from his kingdom agenda. We do well to prioritize the local church that honors him and does not capitulate to current cultural pulls that lead the church into syncretistic belief and practice. We shall have no other gods before the Lord! (Ex. 20:3). That doesn’t mean we neglect the application of our faith to bring his kingdom shalom to the various sectors in society. But it does mean being prepared to be an outlier when a majority go away from his direction. We can navigate the complex landscape with much hope in the victory he has secured and consummation of all things according to the Father’s will that he has purposed for his creation.
Happy New Year!
TheoThoughts 