Revelation – The Roaring Lamb

Matthew Vander Els, a pastor at Founded in Truth Fellowship, introduces a series on the book of Revelation, titled “Hope Revealed.” He welcomes those present and watching online to the fellowship, emphasizing that it is a community founded on truth and love, a place to worship Jesus, whom they call Yeshua. The community describes itself as Bible-loving, Sabbath-celebrating, Hebraic-emphasizing, and eclectic, with a central desire to focus their lives on Jesus.

The teaching emphasizes that Revelation is not primarily a book of doom and gloom but a message of encouragement for believers to remain loyal to King Yeshua. It also serves as a call to repentance for those who have compromised their faith by conforming to the ways of the world’s empires, referred to as “the beast.” Furthermore, Revelation offers hope that God has not forsaken churches that stand firm against worldly influences and that justice will ultimately prevail. The historical context of Revelation, written by John to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) during a time when being a Christian in the Roman Empire was dangerous, is also highlighted. Believers faced potential loss of property, rights, exile, and even their lives for their faith.

The importance of experiencing Revelation as a whole is underscored, with a recommendation to read the entire book in one sitting, preferably aloud, mirroring how its original audience would have encountered it. This approach allows for an appreciation of the overarching narrative and themes without immediate focus on detailed symbolism. The central theme of Revelation is identified as Yeshua is King, with the specific theme for this teaching being witness.

The Greek word for witness, martis, which is also the root of the word martyr, appears seven times in Revelation. In the first century, martis primarily meant to bear witness, not necessarily to die for one’s faith, although bearing witness to Yeshua as Lord and God often led to persecution. This declaration was seen as a direct challenge to the Roman Empire and its emperor, who also claimed such titles. Consequently, Christians faced punishment like loss of property, wealth, and exile for proclaiming their allegiance to the kingdom of God.

Bearing witness in the first century went beyond mere verbal affirmations; it involved a way of life that actively challenged the established Roman social order. Christians disrupted the social hierarchy by welcoming slaves to the same table as the wealthy, affirming the rights of women, and rejecting the divisions of slave and master, Jew and Gentile, male and female, aiming to reflect the unity of Eden. Instead of seeking retribution against enemies of Rome, they advocated for love, forgiveness, and acts of service like feeding the hungry and praying for their persecutors. Their approach to helping the poor differed from the patron-client system prevalent in Roman society, as believers offered aid without expecting anything in return, thus subverting the existing power structures.

Christians also turned away from the temples where sacrifices to Roman gods were made, impacting the local economies. They adopted abandoned children, demonstrating mercy and grace in contrast to the Roman practice of amoral abortion and exposure. This growing movement, attracting many marginalized individuals, was perceived as a threat to Roman society and led to widespread persecution and oppression. While the Roman Empire under leaders like Nero had previously engaged in systematic persecution, the time when Revelation was likely written saw more localized persecution driven by communities outing Christians. Pliny the Younger’s account details how individuals were tested for their faith by being asked to sacrifice to Roman gods and curse Christ, highlighting the pressure to conform. Despite the hardships, churches faced the internal struggle of compromise and accommodation to avoid persecution.

The messages to the seven churches in Revelation provide insight into the challenges faced by early believers. Most of these churches received both commendation and criticism, reflecting their struggles in maintaining a faithful witness amidst societal pressures. The letter to Laodicea speaks of the need to conquer or overcome, using the Greek word Nike, which was also the name of a female deity personifying victory, often depicted with wings and a crown. This imagery is significant as Revelation contrasts worldly notions of power and victory with God’s way.

Chapters four and five of Revelation present a pivotal throne room scene in heaven, which serves as the foundation for the subsequent visions of judgment and redemption. This scene emphasizes God’s ultimate sovereignty over history. A sealed book or scroll, representing God’s plan of judgment and redemption initiated through Yeshua’s death but not yet fully realized, is introduced. No one in creation is found worthy to open this scroll and execute God’s plan. John weeps at this realization, as it signifies a delay in divine justice.

However, an elder reassures John, proclaiming that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered and is worthy to open the scroll. This imagery evokes the powerful, conquering Messiah of Jewish tradition. Yet, when John turns to see the Lion, he sees a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, appearing as if it had been slain. This paradoxical image reveals that the Lion of Judah’s victory was achieved through the sacrifice of the Lamb. The Lamb, though slain, possesses seven horns (representing the fullness of power) and seven eyes (representing the fullness of spirit and knowledge). The Lamb’s worthiness to take the scroll stems from being slain and purchasing redemption with his blood for people from every tribe, language, and nation.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Prioritize allegiance to Yeshua above earthly powers: Recognize that your primary citizenship is in God’s kingdom and live accordingly.
• Embrace the “here and not yet”: Live out the values of the coming new creation (love, justice, mercy) in your daily interactions and decisions.
• Resist the “beast” in its various forms: Identify the worldly systems and values that contradict God’s kingdom ethic and actively resist them without resorting to violence.
• Bear witness through your actions: Let your life demonstrate the love and justice of God, challenging societal norms where necessary.
• Seek alternatives to fight or flight: When facing conflict, look for creative, non-violent ways to respond that reflect God’s generosity and humility.
• Address internal struggles: Be aware of personal sins and weaknesses (lust, envy, bitterness) that can compromise your witness and actively pursue repentance and transformation.
• Be discerning about cultural and political influences: Avoid blending worldly ideologies and practices with your faith, maintaining a clear distinction between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world.
• Cultivate hope in God’s ultimate victory: Remember that the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice, and persevere in faith despite current challenges.
• Engage in community: Support and encourage fellow believers in their journey of bearing witness and resisting the ways of the beast.
• Reflect on the example of the slain Lamb: Understand that true power and victory come through self-sacrificial love and service, not through domination and force.