Tuesday 22 April 2014

Background

How many times do we jump straight to reading Jesus into thetext when reading a prophetic vision? Particularly when readingthis vision in Easter week with the resurrection of Jesus fresh inour minds, the temptation is strong to jump in and immediately seethis "human being" as Jesus. With snippets of the language of theBook of Revelation in our heads a human figure coming from heavenand being given kingship seems a clear fit - surely it must beJesus.

While we are generally encouraged to read the Hebrew Scripturesin the light of Jesus, some caution about our motivations behindreading Jesus into this vision seems sensible. Are we doing so toshore up our faith in the resurrection and return of Jesus? Are wedoing so as part of an argument to convince others of the truth ofthe resurrection or the second coming of Jesus? How well can thisvision do either? It is quite frequently used this way in argumentsbut do we know anyone brought to faith by this evidence that Jesusis the Son of God, that he lived, died and was raised from thedead?

However, not seeing the human being as Jesus does not takeanything away from this vision. If we read it again resisting thetemptation to put Jesus in there, it can make it easier to engagewith the way this vision forms part of a challenge to an oppressiveregime. We see that oppressive regime may follow oppressive regime,but they are challenged and eventually there is the hope that thekingdom of God will appear.

At a time when it is easy to get discouraged by the state of theworld, about growing inequality and about the multitude of ways inwhich we see people oppressed perhaps we need a new vision ofoppression challenged and the coming of God's kingdom.

To Ponder

• What forms of oppression are you most aware of and whichbothers you most? Why?

• How does any oppression you have experienced compare to theoppression you see elsewhere?

• What is your vision for God's kingdom beyond the oppression yousee today?

• What helps you challenge oppression? How might you help andencourage others to also challenge oppression?