To a battle-weary John, for a battle-weary church, particularly the battle-weary congregations in Asia that John ministered to, Jesus gives a revelation – in the Greek, an apokalupsis, in a style we now call apocalyptic. Similar to the books of Daniel and Ezekiel in the Old Testament, Jesus gives a vision full of fantastic and symbolic imagery, a vision where the meaning of things is at times somewhat obscure, so that the regime censors will not understand it. And the main theme of the vision is this: If you persevere in your foxhole, evil will eventually be defeated – the plan for victory is assured.
And in today's readings, the plan begins with a vision of worship at HQ - in the heavenly throne room of God. The throne room and God himself are described physically using the most beautiful things imaginable – jasper and cornelian and emerald and crystal. And the throne is described using the most powerful things imaginable – flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. The magnificence of the scene is breathtaking.
And just as in the book of Ezekiel, Jesus gives John a vision of cherubim – called here the “four living creatures”. Cherubim are a special type of angel that guard God's presence, and to help with that, they are given extraordinary vision with multiple eyes. And in this case, these four living creatures are called upon to worship God 24/7/365. The fascination of the scene is mesmerizing.
Also participating in worship are the twenty-four elders, whom some have suggested are symbolically the 12 patriarchs of Israel and the 12 disciples of Jesus. In any event, they are willing to place their crowns of authority before the throne of God, submitting all their influence and worldly power under God's direction. The unanimity of the scene is reassuring.
And then, the plan itself is revealed, in the form of a scroll, written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. The plan to final victory over evil is in God's right hand, ready for implementation. All of the suffering, all of the persecution, all of the patient endurance would be worth it for that final victory. But there is a problem that makes John weep bitterly! It seems that no one is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. Then a hero arrives on the scene - Jesus, the Lamb of God. He IS worthy, because he was slaughtered and by his blood he ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation. Jesus is worthy to receive every accolade – the sevenfold, meaning complete package, of power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing. Jesus is worthy to implement the plan of final victory.
Who among us would leave the foxhole under a white flag of surrender, if we knew victory over the enemy was just around the corner? Who among us would give up the freedom of that better life to come, because of a few instances of persecution? Who among us would desert from our mates, because we were bored? We have the great calling to witness to the heroism of the Lamb, and we have the great hope of seeing the Lamb's plan come to fruition – total victory over evil and the new life of everything good.
Gracious God, keep us faithful at our posts. Help us to endure what we must, worshipping you in good times and bad, receiving your gift of grace and hope, in Jesus' name, amen.