Loving God, you have made us your own through your Son, Jesus, and have called us to live as your children.  Strengthen in us this day the gifts of faith and trust in you, and empower us by your Spirit of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            One of the most important things to remember when reading the book of Revelation is that it was written during a time of great persecution and suffering.  Christians were being arrested and tortured and executed – or simply exiled like John was on the island of Patmos.  Thus, it was written to give encouragement to those who are suffering.  As a part of this encouragement, certain things are revealed.

            The chapters of Revelation that we have heard this week and last week give us a grand picture of the heavenly worship – worship that involves not only heavenly beings, but all creatures on the earth and in the sea and even under the earth.  All of them worship the one who is seated on the throne and the Lamb, and they invite us to enter into that same worship.  Thus, in a world in which it seems as though all those in power have turned against God, the readers are reminded that God is the one who reigns and who is in charge.

            Now I am well aware that this can be pretty hard to believe at times.  It can seem as though God is not in control at all.  Yet, Christians throughout the ages who have endured persecution and suffering have discovered that the presence and power of Christ is most evident during those difficult times.  Perhaps this is because of the type of Messiah that we have.  In fact, one of the main things that is revealed in today’s reading from Revelation is what our Messiah is all about.

            It all starts with the one who is seated on the throne and a scroll that is sealed with seven seals, just like somebody’s will would be sealed.  Thus, it is inferred that the scroll contains the will of God.  However, initially, nobody can be found who is worthy to open the scroll and reveal its contents.

            As John begins to weep because of this, he is assured that “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals” (Rev. 5:5).  Lion of Judah and Root of David are titles for the Messiah that come from the Old Testament, and so John turns to look, expecting to see a lion-like ruler who has emerged victorious.

            However, much to his surprise, instead he sees “a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes” (Rev. 5:6).  Isn’t that a strange image to consider!  Lambs have a reputation as gentle animals and have often been sacrificed.  Yet, the seven horns symbolize full power, and the seven eyes, full insight.  As for the seven spirits of God, I have seen at least one commentary that points to the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in God’s presence (cf. Isa. 11:2-3).  Sound familiar?...  These are the same words that we hear at baptism or at confirmation, or even at ordination.

            And so, the Messiah appears not as a Lion, but as a Lamb – a Lamb that has been slaughtered.  The Messiah – who is Jesus – is also described as one who has conquered and one who is worthy.  Oddly enough, he did not conquer by ripping his enemies apart or by leading an invading army, but by dying.  He gave his life and his blood in order to ransom “for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

            The new song that is sung by the heavenly chorus reveals how all nations now belong to God through Jesus.  The song talks about them as “a kingdom and priests serving our God” (Rev. 5:10), which was previously only Israel’s vocation.  Because of Jesus, God’s reign has been extended to all people and languages and nations and tribes, and thus every creature in heaven and on earth joins in the chorus of praise (Rev. 5:13).

            Of course, those who are really astute may have noticed that the songs of praise that are sung to the Lamb and to the one seated on the throne are pretty much the same.  God and Jesus are one – distinct and yet equally worthy of “blessing and honor and glory and might” (Rev. 5:13).  Thus, we are reminded that Jesus is the one who humbled himself – leaving his heavenly home in order to live among us – fully human and yet fully divine.

            We are also reminded that because Jesus suffered and died, he continues to be with those who are suffering.  That suffering is not always taken away from us, but it is often transformed – transformed into victory as the reign of God becomes real to us.  This is not to say that God wants anybody to suffer, but that God continues to be with us in the midst of the suffering that is caused by human sinfulness.

            At the same time, ultimately all things are in God’s hands, and those who put their trust in Jesus Christ will not be overcome by the forces of evil that continue to be at work in our world.  Thus, we are called into faith rather than fear, love rather than hate, and trust rather than despair.  For we, too, belong to God, having become participants in God’s kingdom and priests who serve both God and others.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Pentecost 11 (NL summer)                                                                                    Revelation 5:1-13

August 20, 2017

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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