Saturday 31 May 2008

Background

This passage gives us the climactic vision of the book ofRevelation. Its imagery draws heavily upon the richness of Jewishtheology and faith. Visions from Ezekiel and understandings fromGenesis are crucial in forming the exultant picture of the ultimatecity of God that is offered here.

To those in exile Ezekiel had given a vision of God's glory fillinga renewed Temple (Ezekiel 43). Fromthis flowed a river of life, bringing health, wellbeing andvitality to the land (Ezekiel 47). Alongits banks were abundant fruit trees offering year-round sustenanceand healing. From the creation traditions of Genesis the Garden ofEden is brought to mind. Here there is also a river, and at thecentre of the garden grows the tree of life (Genesis2:8-10).

These pictures would have been familiar and comforting to theJewish Christian communities to whom the book of Revelation isaddressed. Using theological tools that are to hand the authorenables the audience to grasp the magnitude of what God desires interms that they can readily understand. God the creator is thesource of all life. God's purposes and compassion flow through allof life. God is present within every life. God's intention increation will be fulfilled in the here and now, starting withus.

Read in the context of the dominant, oppressive Roman superpowerthe vision is both dangerous and hopeful. The god of the persecutedChristians will prevail. All the divisions and prejudices of theRoman world will disappear. The nations will be healed andreconciled. All will be fed and cared for. The kingdom values ofJesus (whom Rome had executed as a threat) will shape everything,for the risen Christ will be at the centre of the city.

Throughout, the emphasis is on God's extravagant life-giving love.The promise at the heart of this text is that we shall beoverwhelmed by God's compassion. We shall see God face to face.

To Ponder

What should the Church be doing in order to makethe gospel accessible and relevant in Britain today?

How can you turn inspiration into action whereyou are?

Which images from the Bible do you draw on mostfor encouragement and why?