Today’s author is Interim Pastor, Walter Still.
Dear Faithful of Prince of Peace,
The study of Revelation has been a great adventure—some will rejoice to hear that we are getting close to the culmination of the prophecy of John to the seven churches of Asia Minor. I agree that digging into the Book is blessed by an appreciation for the myths and prophecy of the Hebrew Bible, love for the mission of Jesus Christ and a critical eye to the issues of life and politics. I have found it so rewarding to work with folks that have been steadfast in their resolve to learn about the prophecy of John of Patmos.
Many have wondered how John would employ the image of our modern world to express his witness that God is in control and that evil can be confronted. One way that I address such a solid inquiry is to suggest that people read contemporary witnesses of the faith. God continues to speak Christ in our world today in the messages that address the pains of life and the world with renewal and promise.
Pr Peter invited the congregation to read Alan Graham’s Welcome Homeless: One Man’s Journey of Discovering the Meaning of Home. As I read the book, my mind settled on Graham’s comment:
Most of the men and women in this book leave home because they believe they do not yet have a home, and therefore must look far and wide to find one. But home is the center of all of our being, where we can hear the voice that says, “You are my beloved. On you my favor rests.”
It was a couple weeks before Christmas—a difficult tie for Ellis, given the memory of his mother’s death—the day he moved into his new RV. Thirty of us gathered around to throw a big welcome home party. Ellis started crying because this didn’t just represent this moment of going from a sidewalk to a bed, from a curb to a couch, from a trash can to an icebox; it represented forty-nine years of homelessness—of not knowing his father, of loneliness, of aimlessness, of desperation. He cried because of all the people who celebrated this homecoming, thinking, Wow, I must really be loved. The welcome home party was a celebration of Ellis realizing who he is in light of God’s love and human community. (178)
The story of Ellis sounds like John in Revelation 19: 6-8: “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
The story of Revelation has a historical context of the early first century. The impact of its and many other messages of Christ continues to resound today as the saints serve our neighborhood with love and mercy. Alleluia!
Pr Walter
Let us pray: Gracious God, your Word continues to bless our world with a message of hope and community as the faithful serve others in love. Move us beyond our fears to the sharing of your love. Amen.