The book of Revelation isn’t an easy read. Like a precious parcel you have to handle it with care, hold it the right way up, but, as we come towards the end of the year, Revelation crops up a few times in our lectionary so we can’t just leave the parcel in the garage and ignore it: we have to deal with it.
One of the most helpful introductions to Revelation can be found online at the Bible Project: just type those two words into Google and you should find yourself on a site that uses graphic art and commentary to lead you through any number of bible books and themes. And so the first thing we have to acknowledge is the purpose of the book: why did John write it?…and who did he expect to read it?
Revelation was written to the churches of Asia minor. John wrote it at a time when they were under pressure from persecution and he wrote it as an encouragement to be faithful, to hang on in there and stay true to Christ.
This was not easy. Being a practicing Christian is never easy. Trying to live out a life based on the beatitudes our gospel reading) does not come easy to any of us but, with God’s help through the Sprit of Christ within us it becomes possible…BUT, the churches of John’s time were tiny and scattered and they were fearful of the Emperor’s displeasure…which could mean death. ‘Stay true. Hold firm. Don’t give up. Victory is ours through Him who saved us.’
‘Victory is ours’. Revelation is full of trials and tribulations, there is struggle and difficulty but these battles and difficulties follow from the decisive battle that has been won. This victory is represented by Jesus, portrayed as the Lamb that has been slain. We might find the imagery difficult, possibly repulsive…but it is just that (imagery) and the Truth it seeks to convey is that Jesus, crucified and raised, triumphs over all that opposes God.
Jesus, crucified and raised: God Himself (notice that in our passage the Lamb is at the centre of the throne…the throne that is God’s) has poured Himself out in love for the world that continues to ignore and reject Him. The forces of Death and Hell have tried to overcome Him and failed. The military and economic complex that is Empire (Rome, Babylon…any Empire that lives for itself and its own ends of power and wealth) struts the world stage, looks invincible, appears strong…and yet will be laid low by the word of the prince of peace who rides into battle covered in the blood of His sacrifice at Calvary.
‘Stay true’. Stay true to Jesus who, though He was in the form of God did not seek equality with God but humbled Himself…even to death on the cross. I’m quoting St Paul but this is the pattern of life John’s readers were asked to follow, to observe and live. ‘Take up your cross’ said Jesus ‘ and follow me’. It’s there isn’t it? We can’t ignore the Way of Life that has been offered to us. The Way that leads us to give up ourselves as He gave Himself for us.
‘Who are these, robed in white?’ asks our reading. ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal, they have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb’. ‘These’ are standing before God’s throne with palm branches, signs of triumph, in their hands. ‘These’ are the saints of God, who ran the race to win. They come from all tribes and peoples and languages but unite in their praise and recognition of God’s salvation. ‘It’s true! What we knew in our heart of hearts, what we saw in Jesus we now know for sure, for sure, for sure – salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb’. What He did on Good Friday has saved the world, healed the world, reconciled all things to God, made all things new’.
Our reading begins at verse 9. Verses 1-8 list the tribes of Israel: God’s first covenant people form part of His redeemed people but the vision, the worldwide vision, of the great multitude tells us that God’s work of salvation was not just for one time and one place but for all times and all places. No one is left out and these Christian disciples who have struggled and prayed and been on the receiving end of violence and abuse are sheltered and protected by Jesus, the Lamb is also a shepherd who guides and comforts them. The allusion to Psalm 23 seems clear: he restores their souls.
Who are they? We have heard some of their names already this morning. Apostles and prophets, martyrs, teachers, confessors of the faith. Local saints: Cuthbert, Hilda and Bede. Giants of the world church: Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome, Gregory.
Today we take out the family tree and realise that this is who we are, this is who I am. These people have shaped me, shown me Jesus, shaped the way I understand Him. As with any family tree there are those who are unknown to us, or about whom we know next to nothing. Other names stand out because of the stories told about them. Stories that have grown (perhaps) with embellishments down the years. Some of our relations seem plain wrong, a little (let’s be honest) weird, a tad embarrassing to us in the 21st century West. But this day, All Saints’ Day, says that we live in community, a community that reaches far wider than most of us can imagine and that stretches back down the years and forward into an eternity in God’s presence.
We follow the Lamb that was slain. We are marked with His cross and, whilst a cross shaped life is hard, we are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses cheering us from the heaven of heavens. ‘Keep going, it may well be tough but run this race to the end for a crown of righteousness is waiting for you and Jesus Himself will be the one to give it to you.’