ISSL Reflections November 14 2021 Revelation 11:15–19 Post 3

VIII.
As you read this week’s Scripture once again, see if you notice those echoes I mentioned the other day.  Echoes of themes we find in other places in the Scriptural narrative.

If none come to mind, you could check in a Bible (in print or online) that has cross-references to other Scriptures.

IX.
Revelation 11:15-19 (NRSV)

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord
    and of his Messiah,
and he will reign forever and ever.”

Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, singing,

“We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty,
    who are and who were,
    and begun to reign.

The nations raged,
    but your wrath has come,
    and the time for judging the dead,
for rewarding your servants, the prophets
    and saints and all who fear your name,
    both small and great,
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

X.
As I reread this passage I see again and again an emphasis on the presence of the Kingdom.

Did that give the readers hope? Maybe even a profound assurance of the future that awaited  them.

Most commentators on the Book of Revelation begin with the premise that the first readers were under distress and in a place we could easily think hope was hard to come by.

But they are nevertheless and in spite of their circumstances encouraged to hope.  Even to be able to wait with hope.  With assurance that the reign of God’s Kingdom has already begun and will come to full blossom in the future.

Are those themes we encounter elsewhere in Scripture?

And, you might find it near to us as we approach the season of Advent.  A time of both waiting and hope.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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