Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

Deuteronomy 32:1–18 (Second Song of Moses, Part 1) As we have come to the New Year, we have been met by many poignant and wise commentaries upon life, and upon our generation.  Recently a friend of mine posted on FB a citation from St. Basil.  His situation in the fourth century, with the crisis ofContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 2: Remember the Days of Old”

The Song of Moses, Exodus 15:1-19 The singing of hymns, both personally and corporately, has been part of Christian life from the very beginning.  The gospels tell us that as Jesus and his disciples prepared to go to His ordeal on the Mount of Olives, they sang a hymn (Matt 26:30; Mark 14:26). Colossians andContinue reading “Light from the Canticles 1: Gloriously He Has Been Glorified!”

Traveling through the Apocalypse is an arduous experience.  We have been able, in 39 episodes, to trace significant numbers,  themes, images, and patterns , as illumined by the Old Testament, and our Church Fathers. There are seven churches with seven letters, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls.  There are the three female figures associated withContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 40: Revelation Inside Out”

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”