Notes on the texts for Reformation Sunday-Revelation 14
10/28/06 09:09
For Reformation the
lectionary appoints Revelation 14:6-7 as the epistle
lesson. These two verses are found in the midst of
what Siegbert Becker identifies as 7 visions
beginning with the vision of Dragon in chapter 12 and
ending with the vision of the Seven Plagues in
chapter 15. The text for this day is found in the
vision of the Three Angels/Messengers. Both the place
of this vision in the midst of these seven visions
(context), and the theme of the book of Revelation
are important to keep in mind as one considers this
text.
Revelation 14:6-7 is the fifth in a series of seven visions. The first vision (Rev 12), speaks about the battle which ensued after the fall. One needs to remember the proclamation in Genesis 3, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and hers." Revelation 12 is a picture of this battle, as it goes on throughout history, beginning with the desire and intent of the devil to strike at the Messiah (seed of the woman Gen 3:15), through his attempt to destroy the Church (Rev 12:13ff), to his constant attacks on individual Christians (Rev 12:17ff). Chapter 13 speaks of the two allies that the Devil employs to attack and destroy faith in Christ, i.e. secular government and a seat/personage within the Church herself. (With respect to the latter, cf the description of the second beast in Rev13:11 as being "lamblike" and the Words of Christ in Matthew 7:15, along with 2 Thessalonians 2:5ff). These enemies would fight against the Church until the end of time.
In Revelation 14 the 4th vision, the vision of the 144,000, reminds the reader of Revelation, even and especially as the reader cycles through pictures/visions of history, in which it appears that the devil, the world, etc seem to get the upper hand, that God's mission will not fail. The Lord will keep His Church, the 144,000 (which is a picture not of a literal number of believers, but of the one holy Christian and Apostolic Church which has existed throughout history), safe even in the midst of battles.
The 5th vision, the vision of the 3 angels/messengers begins with the given text and reminds the hearer that God will continue to make sure that the Gospel is proclaimed, no matter the enemies, and that this proclamation will bring forth from the Church a confession of praise and thanksgiving. Some Lutherans see the 1st angel as referring to Martin Luther, who confessed the Gospel in the midst of a state and church attack on the same. Nothing that the Pope or the Emperor did or could do would stop the Gospel from going forth. Luther stated that while he and his associates drank Wittenburg beer, the Holy Spirit was turning the world upside down. While it is true that Luther certainly fits into this context, one cannot limit the promise of this angel/messenger to Luther, for God has, is and will use many such messengers to continue to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ until the last day. The other two angels/messengers begin to warn of the failure of and of the judgment against God's enemies.
The last two visions of this section of Revelation carry through what apocalyptic literature does so clearly and beautifully, move on to describe the Last Day/Judgment. Apocalyptic literature paints history with a very wide brush, running from creation/fall to certain critical/important events in history and then on to the Last Day/Judgment. Other apocalyptic works do this very nicely. Joel, e.g., starts with a locust plague and moves on through the coming of Christ, Pentecost and on to the Last Day.
Revelation 14:6-7 is the fifth in a series of seven visions. The first vision (Rev 12), speaks about the battle which ensued after the fall. One needs to remember the proclamation in Genesis 3, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and hers." Revelation 12 is a picture of this battle, as it goes on throughout history, beginning with the desire and intent of the devil to strike at the Messiah (seed of the woman Gen 3:15), through his attempt to destroy the Church (Rev 12:13ff), to his constant attacks on individual Christians (Rev 12:17ff). Chapter 13 speaks of the two allies that the Devil employs to attack and destroy faith in Christ, i.e. secular government and a seat/personage within the Church herself. (With respect to the latter, cf the description of the second beast in Rev13:11 as being "lamblike" and the Words of Christ in Matthew 7:15, along with 2 Thessalonians 2:5ff). These enemies would fight against the Church until the end of time.
In Revelation 14 the 4th vision, the vision of the 144,000, reminds the reader of Revelation, even and especially as the reader cycles through pictures/visions of history, in which it appears that the devil, the world, etc seem to get the upper hand, that God's mission will not fail. The Lord will keep His Church, the 144,000 (which is a picture not of a literal number of believers, but of the one holy Christian and Apostolic Church which has existed throughout history), safe even in the midst of battles.
The 5th vision, the vision of the 3 angels/messengers begins with the given text and reminds the hearer that God will continue to make sure that the Gospel is proclaimed, no matter the enemies, and that this proclamation will bring forth from the Church a confession of praise and thanksgiving. Some Lutherans see the 1st angel as referring to Martin Luther, who confessed the Gospel in the midst of a state and church attack on the same. Nothing that the Pope or the Emperor did or could do would stop the Gospel from going forth. Luther stated that while he and his associates drank Wittenburg beer, the Holy Spirit was turning the world upside down. While it is true that Luther certainly fits into this context, one cannot limit the promise of this angel/messenger to Luther, for God has, is and will use many such messengers to continue to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ until the last day. The other two angels/messengers begin to warn of the failure of and of the judgment against God's enemies.
The last two visions of this section of Revelation carry through what apocalyptic literature does so clearly and beautifully, move on to describe the Last Day/Judgment. Apocalyptic literature paints history with a very wide brush, running from creation/fall to certain critical/important events in history and then on to the Last Day/Judgment. Other apocalyptic works do this very nicely. Joel, e.g., starts with a locust plague and moves on through the coming of Christ, Pentecost and on to the Last Day.
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