Tuesday 25 November 2008

Background

This vivid and graphic portrayal of the last judgement seems onthe face of it to be a prediction of the mowing down of thenations, with the flowing of much blood: an act of divine vengeanceon - literally - an apocalyptic scale.

But refer back to verse 4 of chapter14 and we find a reminder that this sort of imagery mighthave a very different meaning - that of the first fruits of theharvest. If we are prepared to work with this idea for a while wemight just see that the chilling spectacle of "blood ... as high asa horse's bridle" (verse 20) could mean simply a harvest so lavishas to defy comprehension, not unlike Jesus' own parable about thesower's hundredfold yield inMatthew 13. This isan altogether more hopeful and joyful prospect than the sight ofone's enemies destroyed - however much we may be tempted to fearand despise them.

Reading the book of Revelation at a deep level we find in severalplaces that its underlying message is more hopeful than at firstglance. Certainly much of the language and imagery is hard tostomach, but it is not about the Christian community findingreasons to cheer at the defeat of its enemies.

Encouragement can be communicated in more positive ways than justknocking the opposition.

To Ponder

Would you like to stand in judgement over otherpeople? Or are you content to let God do that in God's own way?

If you are content for God to be judge, whatshould your stance be towards those who have hurt you or those youlove, or who trash the values you hold dear?

How prepared are you for real surprises whenGod's rich harvest-time comes?