Apocalypse
Revelation, last things, & the surprising rule of Jesus
The following comes from a devotional I wrote for the VCRC blog.
As a church, we’re in the middle of a sermon series on the book of Revelation. As my students learned recently in our Sunday School class, reading apocalyptic literature like Revelation is no easy task. However, I’d like to share the main takeaway from this book as it pertains to the opening vision and the meaning of that misunderstood word, “Apocalypse.”
Ever since we crossed into 2024, so-called “apocalyptic” thinking has been at an all-time high. I’ve never seen such a mix of both secular and religious minds predicting the end of the world. On the Christian end, I hear talk of the immanent rapture, wars, rumors of wars, and prophecies “being fulfilled” in Israel including red heifers and a new temple—all in the hopes of Jesus returning to finally rule the world. On the secular end, I hear the fear-mongering around the steady collapse of the West and nuclear threats. Both strands of apocalyptic thinking have been obsessed with the end of the world. All one has to do is survey the multiple examples of media and movies that are set in some “post-apocalyptic” future. While the modern definition of apocalypse has to do with the end of the world, the biblical apocalypse has to do with its renewal.
Since we are talking about a specific genre within Scripture, let’s get a better grasp. Check out the Bible Project’s video on How to Read Apocalyptic Literature.
All of this talk revolves around Eschatology, or “the study of last things.” I’d like to chime in with what might be known as a “Reformed” take on the topic. But beyond theological corners, I believe it’s the New Testament's message for every perilous time in human history. This message is faithful to the Christian witness in a way that its counterfeits don’t measure up. This message can be stated as follows. While we await his return and the renewal of all things, Jesus is already ruling over heaven and earth.
Pay close attention to how John describes the appearance of the ascended Jesus.
John’s vision of Jesus
Revelation 1:12-18
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
The meaning of the word, apocalypse (Greek, apokalupsis), is all about the unveiling of ultimate reality. In John’s case, ultimate reality centers around the Cosmic rule of Jesus. Let’s see how a renewed understanding of apocalypse will give us hope instead of fear in the last days. And yes, according to the Reformed perspective, we are in the last days. We’ve been in the last days since the ascension of Jesus (see Acts 2).
A good reading of Revelation comes from being steeped in the Hebrew prophets, especially the apocalyptic prophets. From this perspective, the beginning of the book of Revelation could not be clearer. Jesus is the hope of the Scriptures: that God would return to rule the earth. In Revelation 1:12-18, Jesus is presented as the two powers of Daniel’s vision, the hope of God’s rule in the last days.
Daniel 7 is the most central Hebrew text for the New Testament’s portrayal of Jesus. You heard me right. Its focus is the enthronement of a human figure beside YHWH, the Ancient of Days.
The Son of Man enthroned as Cosmic King
Daniel 7:9-10; 13-14
As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened…
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
While I don’t have the space to unpack Daniel’s divine throneroom vision, it bears serious significance here (send me questions). In John’s vision, the Son of Man figure and the Ancient of Days are united in the person of Jesus. The significance of this cannot be understated. The way John sees it, Jesus isn’t waiting to rule the world at his second coming. He already reigns over heaven, earth, and even the grave. This is the true meaning of the apocalypse, according to John. It’s the revelation that Jesus is the one sitting on the throne–the savior and judge of all creation.
To read Revelation properly is not to be fixated on the chaos in the world. It’s to be fixated on the one on the throne. You don’t have to wait for Jesus to rule the world. Paradoxically, Jesus is already ruling the world. Sadly many of us have neglected this central gospel truth. His rule doesn’t look like the rule of powers today. His rule looks like the slaughtered lamb on the throne.