Robert Lowery

Photo by Robert Frank in Newsweek

I like to read books on photography, and not just those dealing with the mechanics of taking pictures but especially those focusing on the philosophy of photography. In the June 2, 2008 issue of Newsweek, an article by Malcolm Jones entitled "A Terrible Beauty" accompanied by a black and white photograph caught my attention. The piece introduced me to the work of a little-known Swiss emigrant named Robert Frank. His landmark photography book The Americans turns 50 this year.

Jones informs the reader that when the book of photographs was first published, it was overlooked, selling only 600 copies its first year. But time has proved its important contribution and influence. The book was released at the height of the cold war. Americans were worried about the bomb and juvenile delinquency. The civil rights movement was in its infancy. Prosperity abounded. Describing the work "like a slap in the face," Jones tells us that there are only a couple of smiling faces in the whole book. More often than not, people are distracted, suspicious, angry. The picture accompanying the article is of "a New Orleans streetcar, with white people up front and African-Americans in the back" and captured the nation’s racial divide. (As I looked at the picture, I pondered it in light of the coming election; the scene is still relevant.)

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Last night I met with a very dear friend, a person I have known for more than thirty years. She was in despair because of a family matter and she wanted to share with me some decisions she and her husband had made as well as spend time with me reflecting on a member of the family who is wrestling with many issues on many levels–physical, spiritual, emotional, and psychological. Tears were shed along with laughter as we reflected on how God constantly surprises us with his acts of grace.

I shared with her a portion of a jigsaw puzzle I recently received. Know this: I hate jigsaw puzzles; I do not have the patience to work on them and I only put some together with my grandchildren because the puzzles have no more than twenty-five pieces. Any more pieces, and I would have an anxiety attack.

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Once again in reading through Revelation I came across the little Greek word "dei" (pronounced "day"). It appears seven times and is frequently translated "ought" or "must." Six out of the seven occurrences (1:1; 4:1; 11:5; 17:10; 20:3,6) focuses on God’s sovereignty while only one refers to a person’s responsibility, in this instance, John must prophesy (10:11).

The occurrences of the word in Revelation and elsewhere in the New Testament got me to thinking . . .

Our ancestors had to go to pretty extreme measures to keep from getting lost. They erected monumental landmarks, drafted detailed maps, and learned to read the stars in the night sky or tracks left by a fleeing animal or enemy.

Trying to figure out where we are and where we are going is probably one of mankind’s favorite pastimes.

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Photo by Dean Forbes

My travels to churches, conventions, and campus ministries have blessed me richly this school year. From West Coast to East Coast and from North to South, I have had the opportunity to do a considerable amount of preaching and teaching on the Book of Revelation as part of the work I am doing on my commentary on Revelation. I have taught Christians who are relatively new and Christians who are seasoned Bible students. Let me share with you some of what I have observed . . .

• There are many serious students of God’s Word. I have met individuals who have told me that they are weary of superficial preaching and teaching–you know, the lessons and sermons filled with cute stories but not much substance. They want to get deeper into the Word so that they can grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord.
• There are many Christians who are turning away from the sensationalistic writings on the Book of Revelation; they are weary of the self-styled experts who constantly get it wrong when it comes to date-setting and interpreting the signs of the times.
• There are many who have encouraged me to write clearly and boldly on Revelation as a discipleship handbook and want me to finish my commentary as soon as possible. Such words of encouragement are a blessing to me while they also call me to be humble as I write up my study and reflections. I wish the commentary could have been finished yesterday, but alas, it is at least a year and a half to two years off.
• There are many who have come up to me after the lessons and have told me that they are no longer afraid of the book. As one man told me recently: "Revelation is not rocket science. It is very clear to me that it is a book about how to live as a disciple of Jesus."
• One more comment about people remarking to me that they are no longer afraid of the book once they know how to read it . . . I encourage them that the only fear that should come when reading the book is the fear that they have not been faithful to the covenant.
• After being in a seminary ministry for more than thirty years, I am blessed beyond words to be able to travel to places and meet people who love Jesus and who desire to follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

Photo by Danny.Hammontree

As readers of Scripture we must make every effort to achieve a credible and coherent understanding of a text on its own terms and in its own context. In his marvelous work, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006, p. 30), Eugene Peterson uses an idea from C.S. Lewis to make an important point about how we approach Scripture:

C.S. Lewis, in the last book he wrote, talked about two kinds of reading, the reading in which we use a book for our own purposes and the reading which in which we receive the author’s purposes. The first ensures only bad reading; the second opens up the possibility to good reading.

There is both good and bad reading of Scripture. This is the case concerning any book in the Bible and is especially true concerning the Book of Revelation. Too many preachers and teachers use the book for their own purposes–to predict the end of the world–rather than be receptive to and show respect for John’s intended purpose–a call to obey God no matter when the world ends (Rev. 1:3 and 22:7).

I recently taught a seminar on Revelation in a congregation. One man came for one session and only one. Why? Because he would not let Revelation speak on its own terms and I wasn’t allowing that to happen. And what wasn’t I allowing? I wasn’t allowing Revelation to tell me exactly when Jesus was coming again. I regret that he didn’t like the first session, but he would have liked the following sessions even less.

A question for you, my reading friend: How do you read the Bible?

Photo by notashamed

My seminary students know that I am passionate about many subjects but one stands near the top of the list: We must always be studying the Bible in community. To be sure, I explore Scripture in the privacy of my Study, either at home or at my office on the campus. But I really get jazzed when I am able to study Scripture with other Christians, both in a congregational setting as well as a classroom setting at Lincoln Christian Seminary.

This past weekend (February 29-March 2, 2008) was a precious one for me. I had the privilege of teaching the Book of Revelation (Surprised?!) in Clayton, Indiana. I told the congregation that over the next two years I am trying to teach on Revelation as I continue to work on my commentary. I want to "try out" my study on Christians. I had the privilege of studying with nearly one hundred people at a special seminar on Friday evening and Saturday morning (and to several hundred at Sunday School) on how to read Revelation as a discipleship handbook. Their questions were perceptive; their hunger to know God’s Word encouraging; and their love for Jesus obvious. When I was driving home on Sunday afternoon, I marveled once again at how God can bring brothers and sisters together to feast on the Word. The sister of my third grade Sunday School teacher, Irene Cline, attended the sessions. People who knew my parents and even former high school classmates shared in the time. I marvel at how Jesus, the Living Word, and the Bible, the Written Word, bring and keep us together over the years.

Hats off to such fine congregations as those in Clayton, Indiana, Springfield, Illinois (West Side and South Side), the Christian Church in Mahomet, Illinois, the Atlanta Christian Church just up the road from the Seminary, the Southern Randolph Christian Church in Higbee, Missouri, the LeClaire Christian Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, and others. Your partnership in Bible study is a blessing to me.

In our studying in community we have asked questions and sought answers together. In studying in community, we have laughed and cried at the wonders of God’s grace and Word. In studying in community, we hold each other accountable, we grow in grace and truth, and I pray that we bless God in our efforts.

Thank you. As I read and offered teaching on Scripture, you listened well. May we obey well as a result of our times together. In other words, may we continue to be a commentary on John’s call to worship in Revelation 1:3:

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey the words of this prophecy because the time is nearer than it was when we were last together.

Photo by rycordell

From Good Fri-Day . . .

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood . . . " (Rev. 1:5b)

"But God Almighty declared of old: ‘Surely your blood of your lives will I require.’ Whence it follows that if after such cleansing we give ourselves over to pollution, we become guilty of the Blood of the Lord, and bring upon ourselves destruction. Our sins crucified Him once, and He forgave and cleansed us; if by obstinate sin we crucify the Son of God afresh, who shall again cleanse or forgive us? for there remaineth no more offering for sins." — Christina Rossetti

"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." (Rev. 5:9)

Because Thy Love hath sought me,
All mine is Thine and Thine is mine:
Because Thy Blood hath bought me,
I will not be mine own but Thine.
I lift my heart to Thy Heart,
Thy Heart sole resting-place for mine:
Shall Thy Heart crave for my heart,
And shall not mine crave back for Thine?
–Christina Rossetti

Photo by Divinorum

To the Lord’s-Day

"On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit . . . " (Rev. 1:10)

"Rome and St. John had come to an issue. Rome had power of life and death, chains and sentence of banishment on its side: St. John on his side had the defence of the Most High and the shadow of the Almighty. . . . Immovable as Patmos the rock amid buffeting winds and waves, St. John stood fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made him free."

Earth cannot bar flame from ascending,
Hell cannot bind light from descending,
Death cannot finish life never ending.
– Christina Rossetti

"Do not be afraid! . . . I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! and I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Rev. 1:17-18; see also 2:8)

"He Who was made like unto us knoweth whereof we are made; and that we are but dust well may He remember Who died and was buried, although it was not possible that He should see corruption or be holden of death. He feels with us as well as for us: He died, as we all must die; He lives again, as by His grace we all may rise to life everlasting. Thus He maketh Himself all things to all men, willing by all means to save us. His death and His Life as it were salute us: O yet dead, believe on Me and ye shall live; O ye living, believe, and ye shall never die." — Christina Rossetti

"Then I saw a Lamb, standing as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne . . . " (Rev. 5:6a)

None other Lamb, none other Name,
None other Hope in heaven or earth or sea,
None other Hiding-place from guilt and shame,
None beside Thee.
My faith burns low, my hope burns low,
Only my heart’s desire cries out in me
By the deep thunder of its want and woe,
Cries out to Thee.
Lord, Thou art Life tho’ I be dead,
Love’s Fire Thou art however cold I be:
Nor heaven have I, nor place to lay my head,
Nor home, but Thee. — Christian Rossetti

Oh, what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
I’m a-goin’ back out ‘fore the rain starts a-fallin’
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start singin’
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.

The story is that Bob Dylan wrote "A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall" during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October-November, 1962. I remember the event fairly well. A military confrontation between the United States, the Soviet Union, and Cuba loomed because Nikita Kruschev had ordered the USSR’s military to place surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles in Cuba, supposedly for defensive reasons. Specifically, I remember the night that President John F. Kennedy spoke to the nation, October 22. My parents, sister, brothers, and I sat in front of the black and white television and heard the President announce that should any missiles be launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere, our country would view it as an attack by the Soviet Union and that there would be swift retaliatory action. Seldom did I go to bed feeling afraid, but that night it did, despite my mother leading our family in prayer. I believe those events are the closest the world ever came to nuclear war.

Supposedly Dylan quickly wrote out the lyrics because he did not know if the world was going to come to an end. Clearly "a hard rain’s a-gonna fall" was a symbol, a reference to nuclear missiles dropping from the skies. If you read all five verses of the song, the images from weather abound: "a white ladder all covered with water . . . the sound of the thunder, it roared out a warnin’ . . . heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world . . . "

Many know that my favorite television channel is the Weather Channel. (I know that sounds pitiful, but it really isn’t! And it is not true that I ask my wife to record the channel when I am out of town so I can watch what I missed!)

Dylan was not the first poet-prophet to use weather to describe horrible scenarios. Before him was John the apostle, the receiver of the Revelation, and before him were the prophets of the Old Testament:

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder… (Rev. 4:5)

Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. . . . From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (Rev. 16:18, 21)

The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked… (Ps. 77:17-18)

Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. …Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the Sky so that h ail will fall all over Egypt–on men and animals and on Everything growing in the fields of Egypt.’ When Moses stretched out His staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning Flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. (Exod 9:18, 22-24)

As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. (Joshua 10:11)

Weather is often a powerful actor in the Bible. The images associated with weather remind us of the power of God. Awesome, terror-inducing power are associated with thunder and lightning (see Jer. 10:13; 51:16); Ps. 18:14; 29:3-4). God’s ability to create and orchestrate weather is a sure sign of his power (Ps. 135:7; Nahum 1:3). And, of course, weather not only reminds us of the providence of God (Ps. 147:18), weather symbolizes divine judgment (Gen. 7:11-12; 8:2; 9:12-15).

Revelation does indeed remind us that someday a hard rain’s a-gonna fall. Are you ready?

Tags: bob dylan, hard rain, revelation, war

Late last year my son and I were talking about the Book of Revelation, and he made the comment that he believes that many people are growing weary of self-called prophecy experts who use Revelation to predict the future and are consistently wrong. I pray for that day to come, although certain well-know preachers, teachers, authors, and publishers certainly hope that is not the case because if this did happen retirement programs and profits would be reduced significantly!

On the weekend before Christmas day I was reading an article that focused on a return to tradition with regard to worship style among Christians and Jews (see "A Return to Tradition," US News and World Report, December 13, 2007, pp. 42ff.). I wrote in a margin a question about the tipping point: When did this trend start and who started it?

In his book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell writes a fascinating study of human behavior patterns. He shows us where the smallest things can trigger an epidemic of change. He gives examples where one small change in behavior created a bigger change on a national level. He also studies the type of person or group that it takes to make that change. For example, he shows that word-of-mouth works (as does the way the internet can connect dots). He shows why and how people are pulled this way and that by trends.

Let me be more specific with regard to the book’s main idea. When small numbers of people start behaving differently, that behavior can ripple outward until a critical mass or "tipping point" is reached, changing the world. Gladwell believes (and shows convincingly, I believe) ideas, products, messages, and behaviors "spread just like viruses do" remains a metaphor as he follows the growth of "word-of-mouth epidemics." These epidemics are triggered with the help of three pivotal types. For example, there is the sociable person who brings people together, the person who likes to pass along knowledge, and the person who is adept at persuading the uninformed.

On a grand level, we should pray that this would be the case for the Christian faith and Christ’s call for us to make more and better disciples.

I pray that there will be a tipping point on a larger scale with regard to the desire of disciples of Jesus to study and apply the Word of God more accurately and more deeply. In light of the purpose of this site to discuss the Book of Revelation in particular and the prophetic literature in general, I pray that there will be a tipping point where people will reject on a mass basis those preachers, teachers, and authors who abuse God’s prophetic word given to the apostle John. May the recipients of their materials diminish so that we will honor God’s call to be obedient in light of a future that God only knows. And I guess I should pray that God will use this site and the reflections that I offer to create a small ripple.

Over the months that I have been posting reflections on Revelation, there are probably no other verses in Revelation that I cited more often than the first and third verses of the very first chapter. Allow me to make additional observations on these two foundational verses by contrasting translations:

Revelation 1:1

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John . . . ” (The New International Version)

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (King James Version

Revelation 1:3

“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (The New International Version)

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (King James Version)

There is irony on at least two levels when contrasting the translations, specifically the sections in italics. The KJV make it clear that the book is a book filled with symbols (”signify” is a word which means “to make known in symbols or signs”. I smiled as I wrote this sentence because I am reminded of one of the visitors to my site who believes that all prophecy is to be interpreted literally. Not so, says John!). Unfortunately, the NIV does not communicate whatsoever what the Greek verb meant (”made it known” is simply incorrect and does not convey the meaning of the word)! The modern translation does not get it right but the 1611 translation does!

On the other hand, the KJV translates a word in v. 3 that is not a symbol as “keep” (which means “obey”) whereas the NIV uses a symbol, “take to heart” to translate a word that is very straightforward. What in the world does “take to heart” mean? I don’t have a clue. (It is interesting that the NIV does get it right in its translation of the same word in 22:7 and 9!) Revelation is a prophetic work in the main sense of the word. Prophecy is not primarily about predicting but it is about presenting God’s Word and Will to people and it carries a call to be obedient.

So why do I yet again stress these two verses as we begin 2008? May we listen to God’s call to obedience in this marvelous symbol-filled book!