I just finished rewatching the Open Table Conference Zoom discussion of Revelation Chapter 11. John Behr led the discussion and it was amazing especially with the Zoom panel opened up to add to the understanding. There is no way I can do justice to the Chapter but I can share the discussions I found so illuminating and exciting and I’m sharing my notes.

The real meaning of Revelation (the Apocalypse) is the way that it will have been read across the centuries by the whole cloud of Saints. (Cherith Nordling later added a visual that I loved…imagine the wedding feast of the Lamb spoken of in Revelation and imagine all the centuries of us…the 1st Century – that’s us!…the 3rd Century – that’s us!…the 21st Century – that’s us!….rejoicing together with understanding of all things read in Revelation from the unveiling of Jesus to us). The meaning of Revelation is not something written down, a Divine dictation, but living in us through each generation. The Apostle John was given the task of measuring us (the Temple, Altar, people there)…dividing the holy from the profane. We become the word of God by embodying the message – God’s truth holds together throughout all of His word.

They discussed the meaning of Eschatology…I’ve always had a problem remembering what that word means. Dictionary definition: the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind. Very dry stuff and difficult to grasp and retain. John Behr’s understanding: An orientation; the End is shown to us in Christ. This is our end as well but we are not there yet. (We are still living). Our current reality: misery, suffering, poverty, hunger, death. In the light at the end….this is but the start of the birth pains, this is the travail needed toward the end. How do humans grow…a pattern of growth from babyhood to adulthood. Growing into the reality of what it is to live in Christ is what it is to live a Christian life….to anticipate our death. Take up your cross and follow me…Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26.

Continuing…Voluntarily embracing our brokenness, mortality, weakness – but now knowing that’s where the strength of God is made perfect. In voluntarily embracing that we are already anticipating our end. Not living for myself but for God and for others. Dying and rising with Christ.

I marvel at God’s word from Genesis to Revelation. It’s exciting to learn and grow and to be able to listen as Theologians who can put it in language we mere humans can understand is breathtaking. I’m so glad I can share it with you however imperfectly I do that. One word they said and that I wrote at the top of a page and circled was Endure. Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. NLT. There is so much to be worried about today but we know the end of the story. Our future is secure in Christ. Endure. Keep your eyes on Him when everything around you is uncertain. This present world will not last. Christ will bring a new heaven and a new earth. How could He not?