Author: Administrador

Prior to the opening of the dreaded seventh seal, Revelation delivers an amazing and hope-filled surprise: a “salvation interlude,” assuring God’s people they are protected. Just when we are expecting even more destruction with the opening of the seventh seal there is a delay. The scene shifts. Four angels stand at the four corners of … Continue reading “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary by Barbara Rossing”

Each year around All Saints Sunday, I’m reminded of Lawrence Hull Stookey’s writing about this Feast Day. Stookey tells the story of a friend of his who explained to a Protestant class about the meaning of All Saints Day. A student abruptly stood up and replied, “Protestants don’t have saints!” The professor, in a moment … Continue reading “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary by Eric Mathis”

The theology of baptism is given depth of meaning in the book of Revelation, especially in chapter 7:9 – 17 and in this chapter, the reader is drawn to the central message of being a Christian and that is the sealing of the saints. Revelation calls Christians to remember that they are not sealed or … Continue reading “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary by Israel Kamudzandu”

Certain questions in life we ask repeatedly. “Who is in charge?”  “What’s for dinner?” “How are you?”  Revelation 5 helps us ask–and answer–a lifelong question, “Who is Jesus?” The setting for the answer given by John the Seer is heaven.  Following the letters to the seven churches (chapters 3-4), Revelation shifts in 4:1 to heaven.  … Continue reading “Revelation 5:11-14 Commentary by Walter F. Taylor, Jr.”

Where can we hear the Lamb’s “new song” (Revelation 5:9) being sung in the world today? Revelation makes vibrant connections between worship and justice, between liturgy and political transformation. Singing is a profound source of hope in the book of Revelation, as Kathleen Norris writes: I am attracted to the Revelation also because it was … Continue reading “Revelation 5:11-14 Commentary by Barbara Rossing”

Easter is a season of prayer, praise, and worship. Revelation summons its readers to manifest their loyalty to God, the Lamb, and the Holy Spirit to a life of worship. This is a way for them to demonstrate the Lamb’s example as narrated by John in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 5:11-14, John hears … Continue reading “Revelation 5:11-14 Commentary by Israel Kamudzandu”

Notes for a seven-session  preaching series on the book of Revelation. Week 1 Rev 1:9-2:7 John, the Risen Christ, and the Churches Revelation begins by locating John, the seer, in the realm of time and space. Although many people assume that Revelation is all about the end of the world, the first vision is one … Continue reading “Revelation Commentary by Craig R. Koester”

The book of Revelation, called in Greek the Apocalypse, exercises a peculiar fascination for many folks, and repels others with its violent imagery and coded language. Thus attending to its original context is essential for interpreting it properly; if we do that, however, we find a revolutionary message that speaks directly to our own “apocalyptic” … Continue reading “Revelation 1:4b-8 Commentary by Susan Eastman”

On “Doubting Thomas” Sunday, it is hard to entertain the possibility of preaching on another text. Revelation 1:4-8, however, gives us three good options. 1.  The Second through the Seventh Sundays of Easter (Year C) provide the preacher with the longest string of consecutive lessons from Revelation anywhere in the Revised Common Lectionary. Okay, there … Continue reading “Revelation 1:4-8 Commentary by Walter F. Taylor, Jr.”

In the opening of the book of Revelation, grace (charis) and peace (eirene) are given to the churches to which the author of Revelation writes. The gifts themselves are interesting. Charis recalls the patronage system of the early Roman world, in which a patron displayed generosity to his clients, and expected loyalty in return. Eirene … Continue reading “Revelation 1:4b-8 Commentary by Valerie Nicolet-Anderson”