Revelation 21:1-6
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:1-6 (NRSVUE)
"Revenge is a dish best served cold," a line attributed to the Klingons from Star Trek, captures a sentiment deeply rooted in human history. The author of Revelation appears to share this longing for his own justice, anticipating the moment when the Roman Empire—which dominated the known world while dismissing "barbarian" lands—would finally face its reckoning. At its core, Revelation explores the human desire for vengeance.
When we are wronged, anger can surge like a powerful wave, making it tempting to lash out with violence or harsh words. While such reactions rarely fix the underlying issue, there is a certain human satisfaction in seeing someone "pay" for their actions. Understanding this feeling is key to understanding Revelation. The writer, facing the severe atrocities of an autocratic Roman monarchy where safety was reserved only for high-class citizens, envisions God's return as a means of vindicating the oppressed and the martyred.
In contrast, Jesus champions reconciliation. He rejects “Lording it over” others in favor of serving the needs of others. Jesus teaches us to absorb the pain inflicted by others rather than retaliating, effectively breaking the cycle of vengeance through healing. His is a long term solution based on trust (faith).
(When it comes to domestic abuse or certain mental illnesses in a relationship one must get to safety first and bring the community of professionals to help. This is the loving grace filled thing to do for all involved.)
Questions for Reflection:
- When is the last time you’ve felt slighted by another’s action? How did you respond? Did it work? What’s the most difficult thing to overcome to address it? Did prayer help?
- How does reading the Gospels lead to better understanding and ways of dealing with our anger?
- What happens when someone brings up their hurt by an action you did or think you did not do but are being accused? What worked and what reaction escalates the conflict?
Prayer:
Almighty and Gracious God, when I am angry or when I think I’m being falsely accused, fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can handle those times as you would in Christ. Amen.
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