Revelation 15:3-4
They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Revelation 15:3-4 (NKJV)'This song is originally from Exodus 15 and repeated several times in scriptures, a song sung in synagogues to celebrate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. It is also one of the few passages in the book of Revelation that is not steep in imagery, secret codes, numeric double meanings, and apocalyptic symbolism. Revelation pulls material from more books within the bible than any other while leading towards the final battle between God and Satan, summarized by seven (symbolic for completeness) beatitudes, 7 churches, 7 spirits, 7 lampstands, 7 stars, 7 seals, 7 horns, 7 eyes, 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, 7 hills, 7 kings, etc. The number 7 is actually used 52 times in Revelation. If you’re not confused yet, you may need to get your secret biblical decoder ring (remember the ones found in cracker jack boxes in the 60’s) out because all the “sevens” have special double meanings. The stars are angels, lampstands are churches, the harlot is Babylon, the wife of the Lamb is Jerusalem….well, you probably start to form a fuzzy picture.
Revelation is often depicted in studies in conjunction with impressionist art which leaves the viewer to build their own interpretation. I recently came across Van Gogh’s painting “Starry Nights” for an astronomy program I was working on. It showed an apparent night sky with swirls of colors depicting stars and galaxies. Not what we see in our telescopes. His million-dollar painting is suspiciously similar to the one my 3 yr old granddaughter left on my desk calendar when she disappeared and found my pen laying out. I wonder if Van Gogh had a 3 yr-old granddaughter. Hmm.
Throughout the New Testament Jesus came to simplify our understanding of God’s desired relationship with us. There was no need for priestly interpretations of old Laws or special ceremonies. Jesus demystified our relationship with God – Grow in our Love of God and Others. No decoder ring required. In the middle ages Luther became frustrated with Rome’s interpretations of God’s relationship focused on purchasing our access to God’s Love. He rebelled against the directions towards earthly endeavors vs God’s absolute love and Grace. We celebrate that Grace daily.
Revelation seems out of place to the rest of the New Testament, or is it just reminding us that our futures are not yet written. Maybe the fuzziness is intentional. Maybe our futures are not “locked in”, but open for our growth and development. The only constant is God’s abiding Love and Grace that assures our battles will ultimately be won.
Question for Reflection:
- What in your life are you so thankful for that you want to break out in song (as the Israelites)?
Prayer
If you have your special Revelation decoder ring handy, here is our prayer in numeric symbolism.
Palms out, Palms folded, 1260; 66; 7; 77; 42; 8; 777; 144,000; 88; 1260; 42; 8; Amen.
For those without your decoder rings:
(Palms out) Blessings to us according to our needs, and to those who accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior; (Palms folded) Give praise to him through prayer; (1260) In search of knowledge and understanding; (66) I, who am not yet completed; (7) Yet seek during this day; (77) a sense of completeness and finality; (42) in spite of difficulties, challenges, and confusion; (8) I trust that though Christ the Risen Lord; (777) That I will be able to use my actions and words today, in a clear and thoughtful manner; (144,000) and share them with my fellow believers; (88) As I move on to a new beginning (week); (1260) in search for knowledge and understanding, (42) help me to avoid confusions, difficulties, and misunderstandings of others, and the temptations of Satan; (8) by asking my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to help guide me through my actions this day. Amen.
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