’αποκαλυψις (revelation) reveal something hidden
When you hear the word “apocalypse” you probably think of something terrible happening. “The complete and final destruction of the world.” is the first definition my computer’s dictionary gives for the word. But that’s actually not what the word used to mean. In the 1st century ’αποκαλυψις (apocalypse) meant to: “reveal something hidden.”
As an example, think of buildings. Many Roman structures were built of brick, concrete, or limestone, and then covered with a thin layer of more expensive stonework, like marble, to appear more impressive. Often this outer layer would include carvings and other decorations. But it is was all just a mask—a façade—hiding the real “bones” of the edifice. An ’αποκαλυψις (revelation) of a building would show a portion of the full façade, (what we see) alongside a portion with the façade removed so we can see what really comprises the building.
That’s the job of the last book in the New Testament: Revelation. When we look at the world around us we see a lot of façade and very little true reality. In the 1950’s there was an architectural movement called “brutalism” that built structures without “hiding” the bones. Such buildings are often largely unadorned concrete and exposed steel. The ventilation system is often visible, as is wiring conduit. Whatever else Brutalism is; it is intentionally “apocalyptic.” It’s designed to “reveal” the truth of buildings by showing us the reality that lay hidden in other buildings.
This fall (beginning Wed. Oct. 9 from 10:00-11:30) we’re going to have a Bible Group that will delve into the Book of Revelation, a book many Lutherans have ignored for a long time. And we’ll study it sticking to the tradition of the Reformers (and most Christians) up until the early 20th century. In fact, everything I said above is meant to describe how I’ll approach this book. Revelation is a revealing of things that are already true—& have been for the last 2000 years.
God’s Kingdom has been here since the time of Jesus’ resurrection and the 1st Pentecost. But the world has placed a thin façade over it. The Devil has tricked most people into believing that the façade is the truth. As we move through the book we’ll see the magnificent reality that has been lying under the Devil’s lies all along. Jesus is reigning in heaven…now!
The book of Revelation (the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ) is NOT about something that will happen, someday in the future. The book is mostly about the present—things that have been true since Jesus ascended to the Father, nearly 2000 years ago. The “frightening” and weird images included in the book are metaphors, meant to add pizzaz to the text—they do that! But they are only symbols intended to help us see past the façade which has mesmerized and tricked us. Those symbols point us toward the truth that lay out of sight, hidden under the fallen world’s façade.
Come and see this book as a source of hope and peace! Bring a curious friend! And bring your questions…a blessing awaits all who study this book —> “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Rev 1:3)
Peace,
Pastor Derek
