Rev 19:11-21, Psalm 72/71:2, Psalm 44/5:3-5, Isaiah 63:1-3 Our passage for today, Rev. 19:11-21, begins with great drama. So far, as we have beheld wonders through the eyes of John, we have seen a door open in heaven, the tabernacle of witness opened, and the temple opened. Now we hear that heaven itself is opened,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 34: Open Heaven, the White Rider with Many Names, and the Lake of Fire”
Author Archives: edithmhumphrey
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 33: Hallelujah Choruses, the Bride Who Clothes Herself, and the Invitation
Rev 19:1-10, Isaiah 61:10, Genesis 3:21, Matthew 16:27, 1 Peter 5:5 After two chapters focussed upon the sordid state of Babylon and her condemnation, we move on in Revelation 19 to joy. The passage includes three “hallelujah choruses,” a description of the glorious Bride of Christ to come, and an invitation to the blessed whoContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 33: Hallelujah Choruses, the Bride Who Clothes Herself, and the Invitation”
Liberty, Welcome, and Pastoral Wisdom: In Gratitude to our Fathers of the OCA Holy Synod
At the recent All American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, a resolution was put forward that fell under the purview of the bishops, rather than the entire enclave. Many of us (not only in the OCA, but in other jurisdictions) are enormously grateful for the quick response of the bishops regarding these questionsContinue reading “Liberty, Welcome, and Pastoral Wisdom: In Gratitude to our Fathers of the OCA Holy Synod”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 32: Babylon, Three Woes and a Funeral
Revelation 18:9-24; Amos 3:15-4:2 In the beginning of chapter 18, we witnessed God’s judgment upon Babylon. Now, in verse 9 and through the rest of chapter 18, we hear the response of those who colluded with her, and the response of those who are loyal to the LORD. Much of this chapter presents itself toContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 32: Babylon, Three Woes and a Funeral”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 31: Three Speeches About Babylon
Revelation 18: 1-8, Is 13:21-22, 47:7-9, Hosea 2, Malachi 3 Many of the disturbing scenes viewed in the Apocalypse give the sense that this is “just the way the world is:” godly people, as well as faithless people, can expect suffering. The devil has “come down,” after all, in wrath, with the intent to destroyContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 31: Three Speeches About Babylon”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 30: Dark Mystery, the Dirty Deal, and Double-Dealing
Rev 17; Jeremiah 51:6-10 Most of the mysteries unveiled in the Apocalypse have to do with God’s glory, worship in heaven, the Lion-Lamb, and the Church who is the Bride of Christ. However, the curtain is also drawn back so that we can see something we might prefer to ignore: the dark “mystery” of Babylon,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 30: Dark Mystery, the Dirty Deal, and Double-Dealing”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 29: The Seven Bowls, the Word of the LORD, and Remembering Babylon
(Rev 16; Ex 7-12; Hag 2:6-7; Mat 24:42-44; 2 Peter 3:10) The sixteenth chapter of Revelation contains a sequence that is difficult to read, a word of the LORD that is enshrined within it, and the assurance that God remembers what He has planned to do for the sake of righteousness. This passage echoes theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 29: The Seven Bowls, the Word of the LORD, and Remembering Babylon”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 28: The Sign of the Seven Angels, the Song, the Sea, and the Smoke
(Revelation 15; Ex. 40:35; 2 Chronicles/Kingdoms. 7:2-3; Is. 6:4; Ezek 1:22;10:4; 44:4) Chapter fifteen of the Apocalypse leads us into the final sequence of judgment, in which Babylon is ultimately overthrown. All the players in this short chapter are righteous—God, the Lamb, the angels, the four cherubim, and the redeemed worshippers. Any who think thatContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 28: The Sign of the Seven Angels, the Song, the Sea, and the Smoke”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 27: Wheat, Wine, and Judgment
Rev 14:14-20; Psalm 1; Joel 3:11-16, 18; Isaiah 63:1-6 I begin with apologies to those of you who have been looking for this podcast or blog since the middle of March. I had a book manuscript to complete, with a deadline of just after Pascha, and concentrated upon only that during the past month—it isContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 27: Wheat, Wine, and Judgment”
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 26: Many Waters, Right Worship, and Solemn Words
Rev 14:1-13, 2 Kings 6, 2 Sam 11:6-13, Genesis 2:1-3 The last few chapters of the Apocalypse have sketched for us, from different perspectives, and with different images, the persecution and hardship that must of necessity plague all those who follow the Lamb. In chapter 14, however, we come to the end of this gruelingContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 26: Many Waters, Right Worship, and Solemn Words”