Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

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”

Lighting Up the Apocalypse 16:  Silence, Trumpets, and Suspense Revelation 8;  Exodus 7-12; Ex 19; Ezekiel 33; Isaiah 19; Zech 9; Zech 13:8-9; Eccl 3:7 In Revelation 7, we witnessed the opening of the first six seals, beginning with the White Rider, and capped by a twin vision of the people of God, first numberedContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 16: Silence, Trumpets, and Suspense”

Chapter 7 of the Apocalypse presents us with a divinely orchestrated interruption of the sequence of the seven seals that slows down the inevitable action of judgement.  In this moment of calm, we are reminded that, in the center of tribulation, God is with His people. John sees a double vision, in which the peopleContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 15: God’s Sealing and Going Beyond”

Revelation 6; Zechariah 1, 6; Isaiah 64; Psalm 84 (85) Chapters 4 and 5 of the Apocalypse are awe-inspiring, but also lift up our spirits. There we hear of God’s loving sovereignty over creation, and give thanks for this along with the heavenly hosts.  There we hear also of God’s faithful sovereignty over history, andContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 14: Wrath and Deliverance”

Revelation 5, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 43 One of the glories of a God-given vision is that, by it, we can be shown matters that seem logically contradictory, but remain true in their paradox, and demand to be kept together.  Chapter 5 of Jesus’ Apocalypse to John is famous for the picture of a slaughtered-standing Lion-Lamb.Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 13: The Lamb in Two Places”

Revelation 4, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, Daniel 7 Chapters two and three of the Apocalypse concentrate upon the words of the Word of God, though we have seen glimpses also of how He “looks” in John’s vision of him prior to the seven messages, when he turns to “see” the Voice.  The exalted Jesus thenContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 12: Sitting, Flying, and Falling Down”

Revelation 3:14-22; Isaiah 65:16-19; Ezekiel 36-37; Jeremiah 31 Finally, we reach the end of the glorified Jesus’ messages to the seven Churches, and to us.  The final word is a sober one, which nevertheless retains hopefulness for the people of God.  The hope that is offered lies in the character and plans of the OneContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 11: From the Amen to the Apathetic”

Rev 3:7-13, Ex 19:6, 1 Kings 7:21, Zec 4, Hos. 2:24; Is 44:5 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works.Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 10: Victor’s Crown, Temple Pillars, and the New Jerusalem”