Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

Rev 22:8-21; Deut 30:19; Genesis 1-3; Deut 30:19; Daniel 8:26, 12:14 And so we come to the end of this fascinating and daunting book.  In these final verses, we see combined elements that we have noticed throughout the book of Revelation—an assurance of its trustworthiness, a glimpse of the connection between our world and theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 39: Invitation to Worship and Life”

Rev. 22:1-7, Genesis 1-3, Psalm 1, Psalm 35/36, Daniel 7 Finally, we reach our goal in reading the Apocalypse. Some will say that we find ourselves “back in the garden.”  But that would be to simplify the final vision.  Yes, the garden of Eden has returned, for there is no longer a curse on things,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 38: The River, The Tree, and The Face”

Rev 21:9-27; Ex 28:15-21; Dan 2:34-35; Ezekiel 40-43; Is 2:2-3, Is 54:11-14; Ps 48:13-15 In cinematography, significance is signaled by panning in to the object being observed, and panning across it so that everything can be seen in detail.  The same procedure can be used in describing a vision, and John does this for usContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 37: The Bride, the City, and the Eternal Light”

Rev 21:1-8;  Is 65-66; Col 1:19-20; Eph 3:10; 2 Pet 3:12-13;  Heb 11:10, 16; 12:22: 13:14 The last two chapters of the book of Revelation bring us to the eschatological mystery, showing us, so far as we are able to see it, our great hope. They concern heaven and earth, the past giving way toContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 36: New Heaven and New Earth”

Rev. 20:1-15; Psalm 85:10-11; Isaiah 66:24 Revelation 20 leads us not only into the vivid climax of the Apocalypse, but into two heated debates among those who name Christ. The chapter describes the subduing, the final hurrah, and the total demise of Satan (with those who adhere to him), the living rule of the saints,Continue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 35: The Thousand Years and “Unto Ages of Ages””

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”