A LIFE-GIVING TREE

            One of my dearest relatives called recently inquiring as to the meaning of the book of Revelation.  So many people have a faulty understanding of this prophetic scroll - - they mistakenly read it as a predictor of current events.  To those who have sat at our feet through numerous classes and sermons, it will come as no surprise to hear me declare that the book of Revelation has nothing to do with the COVID-19 virus.  One of the fundamental rules of healthy hermeneutics (the study of how to interpret Scripture) is to begin by asking key questions:  WHO wrote it? … WHEN was it written?… WHERE was it written? …  TO WHOM was it written? … and perhaps most importantly, WHAT was written and WHY?.   Asking these primary questions will help provide the proper setting for comprehending any and every book of the Bible.

            In this case, John was the author of this revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev.1:1 & 9-11); it was written in the first century concerning things shortly to take place in John's lifetime (Rev.1:1 & 3 and 22:6-7 & 10); it was written while John was exiled on the isle called Patmos (Rev.1:9); it was written to the seven churches of Asia (Rev.2-3); and last, but not least, it was a prophetic utterance addressing the soon-coming fall of Jerusalem (Rev.11:8 & 17:1).  A thorough study of The  Revelation is best begun by a careful analysis of Mt.23-24.  In Mt.23:38, Jesus declared to the leaders of Judaism, Behold, your house is being left to you desolate.  This somber denunciation follows a series of devastating "woes" (cf. Mt.23:1ff).  Jerusalem was to have been a light to the nations, but she became corrupt and her moral atrocities precipitated God's judgment.  Read Jesus’ prophetic utterance in Mt.24:2 regarding the destruction of the temple (not one stone  shall be left upon another, which will not be torn down).  The “house” being left desolate (abandoned) was Israel's temple in the once-glorious city of Jerusalem.  To be left desolate was the equivalent of God’s withdrawal of His holy presence.

            The book of revelation is all about God’s judgment on the great city (Rev.11:8).  That great city is identified as Jerusalem, where also their Lord was crucified.  Because of her wickedness, three ignoble names are symbolically applied to her:  Sodom, Egypt and Babylon (Rev.14:8; 16:19).  Jerusalem is accused by God of being a harlot who had become habitually unfaithful to her covenantal vows (see Rev.17:5 & 18 with Josh.24:19-27).  As one scholar has aptly summarized, the book of Revelation is God’s divorce decree against a reprobate and apostate Jerusalem!

            Although filled with grim news of dire judgment, the apocalypse is also a harbinger of good news.  In judging Jerusalem God was making all things new (Rev.21:5).  This newness included the establishment of a new and eternal covenant.  It signaled the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).  What John witnessed in the aftermath of God’s crushing judgment was the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (Rev.21:2 & 10).  This new and living way which Christ inaugurated for us through the veil (Heb.10:20) is none other than the NEW COVENANT centered upon the church of the living God (Heb.12:22f).  In the midst of this new covenant world we find paradise restored.  Notice that the tree of life, from which Adam & Eve were banished because of their sinfulness (Gen.2:9 & 3:24) is once again thriving (Rev.2:7 with 22:2, 14 & 19).  The tree of life represents mankind's willingness to accept his position as "created ones" in contrast to being “the Creator".  For the church now and forever more, this means a renewed and determined allegiance to leaning on the wisdom of God.  This is why it is so vitally critical that we become people of THE BOOK.  As a wise Solomon has written (Prov.3:5):  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

                                                                               Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ