Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

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”

Revelation 13:11-18: LXX Daniel “Bel and the Dragon,” 12b: 1-42 It is tempting, as one born in Canada, to read Revelation 13:11-18 in terms of the political over-reach that has left some of my friends reeling. (And, since the day after this blog was written, the whole world has been transfixed by the cynical arroganceContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 25: The Beast from the Earth and the Mark”

Rev 13:1-10, Dan 7:1-8, 11-12, 1 Peter 1:18-20, Isaiah 14:4-15 Chapter 13 of the Apocalypse is not PG approved. Full of suspense, violence, and bloodshed, it fulfils the picture that many hold generally concerning the book of Revelation.  After the persecution of the noble woman and her children, the Dragon has ensconced himself on theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 24: The Dragon, the Beast, and the Lamb Slain”

Rev 12:13-17; Deut 32:10-18, Psalm LXX 54:7-8 (MT 55:6-7) Because Revelation 12 is the inner core of the book of Revelation, we have spent some concentrated time on it, and finally complete our reading in this third episode.  We have seen already two interspliced scenes:  verses 1 through 6 described the persecution of the QueenContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 23–The War Continues!”

Rev 12:7-12; Wisdom 2:24; Job 1; Luke 10:18-22 In our last study, we saw that chapter 12 comes at the very center of the Apocalypse, surrounded by the sequences of the seal, trumpets, and bowls, which themselves are sandwiched within the promises of the 7 letters, and the grand fulfillment of these promises at theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 22: D-Day in Heaven”

Rev 12:1-6, Deut 1:29-33; Ps 2:7-9, Dan 7:13-14 As we approach chapter 12, which could be called the “inner shrine” of the Apocalypse, it is helpful to remember that our chapter divisions are not part of the originally signaled structure of the biblical books:  the chapters were added in about the thirteenth century, and theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 21: The Woman, the Dragon, and the Child”

Rev 11:15-19; Psalm 2, 2 Sam 6, Luke 1:42-45.  Our last two sessions on the Apocalypse presented a new story embedded within and placed around the sounding of the last three trumpets.  Up until chapter 10, we had been watching in sequence as the sounding of the trumpets heralds tribulation cast on earth—hail, a mountain,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 20: The Seventh Trumpet and the Unending Reign”

Revelation 11:1-14; Ezekiel 40; Zechariah 4 We finished the last session by hearing that the scroll eaten by St. John would be digested, so that he would prophesy concerning many things—including concerning the fate of the nations.  Chapter 11 begins those prophecies catalyzed by the eating of this little scroll, a scroll described by theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 19: On Measuring, Not Measuring, Witnessing, and Woes”

Revelation 10; Ezekiel 3:1-3; Daniel 9-12 We have come in chapter 10 to the point in John’s vision when we expect that we will finally hear the seventh trumpet sounded, and reach a conclusion of sorts.  Instead, for the next few chapters John will tell us about important signs, keeping us in suspense for thatContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 18: The Bitter-Sweet Scroll”

Revelation 9, Job, Ezekiel 9:3-8, Luke 21:18 The second part of the seven-trumpet series does not make for pleasant reading.   Chapter 9 is prefaced with the cry of “Woe! Woe! Woe!”  As trumpets five and six are blown, we infer from the commentary that these  trumpets comprise two of these three woes (9:12).  The firstContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 17: Fallen Star, Bound Angels, and Hardened Hearts”