I remember walking our youngest daughter to school in the days when she was a bit shy and nervous. She would ask me to get her sweets in the shop because she was afraid to talk to strangers. I used to tell her, ‘Raw strength and courage Wee Pet, you can do this!’
Fast forward to when, at 17, she took part in a student exchange programme and I found myself waving her goodbye at airport security for a flight to Japan! I confess I spent that day and the next few with a knot in my stomach until she was home safe.
We like to tell each other, ‘Don’t worry’ but it’s natural as human beings in an imperfect world to be concerned at times. Our family, our work or health, the economy, the environment etc, etc, there are some fair enough reasons.
The Apostle John would have had reasons also. He was the last of the original disciples living near the end of the 1st century. The Church was still growing and spreading but there was bitter opposition. The latest Roman Emperor seemed determined to wipe out the Christians. His fellow apostles including Peter and Paul had all been martyred years before this and John, now an elderly man, was in lonely exile on a tiny island. Anxious times indeed.
And that is the context for the last book of the Bible. Revelation is John’s inspired record of a vision granted him by His Master Jesus to reassure him things really would be alright.
That despite the worst attempts of evil powers, beastlike human dictators and worldly systems that seek to exert sinister control, the world is ultimately still in good hands.
In Revelation ch1 John is at worship when he suddenly sees Jesus in heavenly splendour, standing among lampstands which he’s told represent the Church. This vision of divine glory is intimidating but the Lord speaks to His servant and says, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades!’
In ch 4 John is invited into the very throne room of Heaven where he is given a privileged glimpse of God, ruling in exquisite majesty. All nature is seen to be subservient to Him, as are mighty angelic beings who see everything and declare His eternal holiness and power.
It gets even better in ch5 where John sees his risen Master Jesus sharing the throne! We sometimes sing with the children, ‘He’s got the whole world in His hands’ and passages like this is where those ideas come from.
How reassuring in any age that threatening dictators do not have the final word. Our present and future are secure in good hands. Strong hands. Hands scarred by love!
Revelation culminates in a vision of a garden city, ‘all things’ being ‘made new’ with people from all backgrounds finally united in peace under one heavenly King. A river flows there bringing life and healing.
Of course we will have some worries and concerns in the short term but Jesus offers those who trust Him the comfort of a powerful promise that is forever.
Fast forward to when, at 17, she took part in a student exchange programme and I found myself waving her goodbye at airport security for a flight to Japan! I confess I spent that day and the next few with a knot in my stomach until she was home safe.
We like to tell each other, ‘Don’t worry’ but it’s natural as human beings in an imperfect world to be concerned at times. Our family, our work or health, the economy, the environment etc, etc, there are some fair enough reasons.
The Apostle John would have had reasons also. He was the last of the original disciples living near the end of the 1st century. The Church was still growing and spreading but there was bitter opposition. The latest Roman Emperor seemed determined to wipe out the Christians. His fellow apostles including Peter and Paul had all been martyred years before this and John, now an elderly man, was in lonely exile on a tiny island. Anxious times indeed.
And that is the context for the last book of the Bible. Revelation is John’s inspired record of a vision granted him by His Master Jesus to reassure him things really would be alright.
That despite the worst attempts of evil powers, beastlike human dictators and worldly systems that seek to exert sinister control, the world is ultimately still in good hands.
In Revelation ch1 John is at worship when he suddenly sees Jesus in heavenly splendour, standing among lampstands which he’s told represent the Church. This vision of divine glory is intimidating but the Lord speaks to His servant and says, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades!’
In ch 4 John is invited into the very throne room of Heaven where he is given a privileged glimpse of God, ruling in exquisite majesty. All nature is seen to be subservient to Him, as are mighty angelic beings who see everything and declare His eternal holiness and power.
It gets even better in ch5 where John sees his risen Master Jesus sharing the throne! We sometimes sing with the children, ‘He’s got the whole world in His hands’ and passages like this is where those ideas come from.
How reassuring in any age that threatening dictators do not have the final word. Our present and future are secure in good hands. Strong hands. Hands scarred by love!
Revelation culminates in a vision of a garden city, ‘all things’ being ‘made new’ with people from all backgrounds finally united in peace under one heavenly King. A river flows there bringing life and healing.
Of course we will have some worries and concerns in the short term but Jesus offers those who trust Him the comfort of a powerful promise that is forever.
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