April 1st, 2019

One of our favorite things to do when we lived close to Kansas City was visit the World War I museum. The museum itself was a fascinating example of creative architecture as the museum was literally in a bunker beneath the WWI memorial tower.  Inside, the walls were lined with case after case of artifacts.  Interactive trenches allowed visitors to catch a glimpse of the horror of trench warfare.  But what always captured my attention were the materials at the end of the museum.  Having endured a horrific war in which millions of lives were lost and millions more lives forever altered by devastating injuries from new destructive technology, the world at large convinced itself that this war was the war to end all wars.  Now, having learned our lesson humanity could go forward into the future in peace, hammering all our spears in pruning hooks.  Little did they know that a mere 21 years later, an even bloodier war would wreak havoc around the world again.
 

In Revelation 19:1-8, the war to end all wars has truly come once and for all.  God has been victorious over the Enemy and powers of destruction.  The evil that has run amok in creation has been dealt with.  The author draws uses the image of a prostitute or whore from the preceding chapters, a metaphor for evil and its devastating powers that have corrupted the earth.  God has achieved the victory!
 
A roar begins to rise but this time it is not the roar of evil; it is the roar of rejoicing.  The realm of heaven erupts into praise.  All the saints worship God for God alone has triumphed over the Enemy.  We the reader are getting a glimpse of the future in which all things have come together under the lordship of God and God’s Christ.  Hallelujahs ring out three times over; they just cannot contain their praise for God has done for all of creation.
 
It is finally time for the “wedding of the Lamb.”  We, the bride, are ready because we have been given fine linen, bright and clean, to wear. We are robed in the righteousness of Christ, nothing that we have done.  Hallelujah, the Lord reigns.
 
Reflection Questions:

1. It seems strange to read about the consummation of all things and the demise of evil in the midst of Lent, when we are still journeying toward the cross.  How might we benefit from taking pause and reminding ourselves of this future hope?
2. While the Lamb provides us with “clean robes” of righteousness, the text makes clear that the “bride makes herself ready.” How are we making ourselves ready for the return of Christ?  Are we living into our Kingdom citizenship or living into the ways of Babylon?

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Grace and Peace.

Pastor Stephanie