Exploring the Scripture
The day following All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is All Saints’ Day, a celebration of all the saints, martyrs, and spiritual mentors who influence us. Today we recognize with gratitude all those, past and present, who have touched our lives with their faithful commitment, humble example, and compassion.
The book of Revelation was probably written during the reign of Roman emperor Domitian (81–96 CE). The text strengthened and supported persecuted Christians, many of whom became martyrs. Like other apocalyptic literature, the visions in the Book of Revelation assert that God set a limit to the present evil age. The new age will be ushered in with birth pangs of cataclysmic destruction, unrivaled conflicts, and terrifying omens. The end is merely the beginning of God’s victory and realizing a new creation.
The old heaven and Earth will pass away with the primordial sea of chaos that existed at creation’s beginning. God will replace them with a new heaven and new Earth, as declared by Isaiah in 65:17 and 66:22. Balance and harmony will be re-established. All life will be perfected and find its purpose in fulfilling the potential for which it was created.
Jerusalem was often a symbol for Israel—or in the Christian community, the church, and the people of God (Galatians 4:26). A New Jerusalem, the “holy city,” will descend from heaven, adorned as a lovely bride. Revelation 21:9–27 elaborates on the image of the New Jerusalem as Christ’s bride, highlighting its purity, perfection, completeness, accessibility, and inclusive nature. The Reign of God that Jesus preached and modeled during his lifetime has come to fruition.
In fulfillment of the old covenants, God’s presence will live among humans, who will be known as God’s people. There will be no more death, pain, sorrow, or grief. Those words comforted followers who were facing persecution or lost loved ones to martyrdom. God personally will wipe away all tears while the first creation, broken and shattered, passes away.
God (the one seated on the throne) speaks personally to the author in the vision. First, God calls John to witness what is happening. “See, I am making all things new” (v. 5). But it is not enough to be a silent witness. God commands the vision be written down for others to read and affirms the experience as genuine and trustworthy.
In words that echo Jesus’ cry on the cross, we hear the voice declare, “It is done!” (v. 6). What God intended from the beginning has come to a glorious end. God adds a signature, a confirmation of identity: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Ibid.; also Revelation 1:8). Alpha was the first letter of the Greek alphabet; Omega was the last letter. God is the source of all things and the completion to which all history has been pointing.
Note, however, the first and last letters are ineffective in carrying meaning unless the letters between are also used. Between the beginning and the end, God moved in history, calling, enticing, revealing, and finally incarnating the Divine in Jesus Christ to bring about fulfilling and completing the broken human race.
Project Zion Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- God will build a new heaven and a new Earth, balanced, harmonious, and whole.
- There will be no death, pain, grief, and sorrow; all will be made new.
- God is the source of all and the completion to which all history has been pointing.
- Between the beginning and the end, God moved in history, finally incarnating the Divine in Jesus Christ as the completion of humankind.
Questions to Consider
- When has God done something new in your life and “old things” passed away?
- What would the world be like if there was no death, pain, sorrow, or grief?
- What are signs your congregation is moving toward “perfection,” that is, fulfilling the purpose for which it came into being?
- Where have you seen God moving in history? In your local community? In the call to bring about peace and justice where you live?