Review of Revelation for the Rest of Us: Part 2

Rev. McKendree Robbins Long, Sr., Vision from Book of Revelation, 1966

Introduction:

In this second part of the blog, I will share my observations and reflections on, Revelation for the Rest of US: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple. Personally, I found it to be refreshing a much-needed work that defends against speculative readings of Revelation. For this reason, I highly recommend this text to anyone seeking a grounded reading of Revelation within its original context, along with a focus on its overall purpose and its relevance to the Church.

1-This book diverges from speculative readings of Revelation and instead focuses on understanding its major purpose within its historical setting. This approach helps readers to approach the text on its own terms. One of the most damaging things contemporary readers can do is collapse the context of the first century into our own context, creating one monolithic backdrop. The 21st century Western world is probably the most dislocated from the first century Jewish and Greco-Roman world than any other culture that has ever existed. Our assumptions about almost every single part of life and society are fundamentally different than theirs. Our culture, relationships, language, and societal institutions are vastly different from those that existed in the first century. Recognizing these differences and appreciating the original setting of Revelation is crucial. The authors consistently emphasize that the primary aim of Revelation is not speculation or prediction, but rather to encourage and challenge the Church to be dissident witnesses in the face of Babylon.

Modern-day Christians often lack a clear understanding of their own context. It is not only the first-century world that we struggle to comprehend, but also the world in which we currently live. For example, many Christians fail to recognize that they themselves are the ones residing in Babylon, which is especially true for Western Christians. The prevailing narrative among US Christians often revolves around a perceived attack on their identity, with instances of discrimination and intolerance cited as evidence of victimhood.

One significant issue arises when modern-day Christians in the West read stories of martyrdom, read instances of persecution in the NT, and connect with actual persecuted Christians outside of the West, which leads them to mistakenly perceive themselves as persecuted. This unintentional misunderstanding can have potentially disastrous effects, particularly when those who are in positions of power assume the role of victims. For instance, the US evangelical voting bloc represents an influential and powerful Christian group with significant political, social, and economic influence—unmatched by any other Christian group in history. Even the appeal to evangelical Christian sensibilities has become a vital aspect of many US political campaigns. The overarching concern is that when people who are actually in positions of power perceive themselves to be helpless victims, they may respond by lashing out and causing harm to the most vulnerable members of society.

2- This book provides much needed clarity to a text that has a complex and convoluted interpretive history. The Church is better equipped it has a clear vision and a resolute purpose. Some of the confusion surrounding Revelation stems from our understanding of apocalyptic literature. Being apocalyptic does not necessarily mean we are bracing ourselves for some final judgment, but rather being fully present and aware of the dynamics without our contextual realities. To have an apocalyptic perspective means having a clear understanding of the oppressive systems at work in Babylon, and actively seeking justice and liberation through the power of the Gospel. It involves recognizing the urgency of the Church's role in the world today, keeping in mind the ultimate end and future vision. The future vision of the New Jerusalem offers hope, confidence, and strength to the Church. Revelation is a hopeful text that declares the end and firmly situates it within the course of history. This does not mean we withdraw from the world or succumbing to retreatism, nor does it imply turning a blind eye to the suffering of our neighbors. Understanding the message of Revelation should instead motivate us to fearlessly engage with the world, driven by a sense of purpose and a commitment to justice and compassion.

The book highlights the detrimental effects of the Church becoming entangled in speculative interpretations of history. One example is the concept of the "anti-Christ," which is not language used in Revelation itself. When this concept is applied to modern-day figures as a precursor to the end, it detracts from the Church's true responsibility. This vague and fictionalized figure has been associated with various individuals such as Hitler, Stalin, Obama, Biden, and potentially any future political figure that people dislike. Similarly, the "mark of the beast" has been linked to credit cards, the European Union, social media, and any new technology that people find unfamiliar. This kind of speculation is ultimately frivolous and serves as a distraction. It is important to acknowledge that every single predictive message associated with these interpretations has proven to be false. None of these speculative claims have come to fruition. Engaging in such speculation only diverts attention and energy from the Church's true calling and mission.

In recent history, there have been numerous false prophecies concerning Trump's victory, particularly within the charismatic Church. The charismatic movement, to a significant extent, has allowed and even fostered a culture of irresponsible prophecies. Many charismatic Christians have become enamored with prominent leaders, worship teams, and internet personalities, granting them undue authority to speak into their lives instead of relying on their local church. Unfortunately, many of these "celebrities" and false prophets operate within a speculative framework, contributing to the proliferation of misleading prophecies. While it is worth noting that some of these prophets have acknowledged their errors and repented of their false prophecies, it seems that charismatic Christians have yet to fully grasp the extent of the damage caused by these inaccuracies. The consequences of these false prophecies, both individually and collectively, has been significant.

By refocusing our interpretive lenses to the original context of Revelation, we can gain a clearer understanding of its overarching message. In chapter 19, Worship as Witness, they articulate Jesus’ call to the seven churches in this way, “Jesus calls the seven churches to an allegiant witness to the lordship of Jesus Christ in their various public expressions as they encounter in Babylon a variety of stressors and oppositions to the way of the Lamb” (p. 198). Living a life of worship in the midst of Babylon becomes a powerful way for Christians to demonstrate their unwavering allegiance to Jesus. It serves as a safeguard against the pitfalls of speculation and sensationalism that have often distracted and misled the Church. By maintaining a steadfast focus on worshipping God and honoring the Lamb, believers can navigate the complexities of the world with clarity and integrity.

3-The authors do not hesitate to directly address and identify contemporary expressions of Babylon. In chapter 20, Four Marks of Babylon Today, they describe the marks of empire. Those marks are, (1) arrogance, (2) economic exploitation, (3) militarism, and (4) oppression. These marks of empire reveal the distinct logic that empires operate under, often prioritizing their own interests at the expense of others. It is crucial for Christians to recognize and resist these expressions of Babylon in order to faithfully live out the values of the Gospel, promoting justice, compassion, and the well-being of all.

Many Christians do not clearly recognize how they participate in the logics of the empire. They fail to see how their lives are shaped and affected by these systemic realities. However, many non-western Christians and those in marginalized contexts are often more attuned to the mechanisms of power and the impact of the empire on their lives. It is essential for Christians, particularly those within empire, to critically examine their own political and social context through the lens of the four marks of Babylon. By doing so, they can gain a clearer understanding of how these logics of empire influence both their personal lives and the dynamics within their local communities.

The authors helpfully point out that Pax Romana, or “Roman Peace” instituted by Rome, promised peace for those under its rule but was initiated and sustained by war and violence. They highlight the contradictory nature of this peace, by stating, “Precision in impossible, but we can confidently state that over the centuries millions died in the course of the wars fought by Rome, millions more were enslaved, and still more would live under Roman rule whether they liked it or not. The Romans were imperialists” (pp. 54–55). Pax Romana was a deliberate strategy employed by the Romans to create a semblance of peace, primarily for their own benefit and control. Behind the veneer of peace, the machinery of war and tyranny operated to sustain their imperial power.

Some of their analysis has prompted me to critically examine the notion of freedom within the US context and consider the costs associated with certain freedoms. While Americans highly value their freedoms, it is important to recognize that they often come at a price. For instance, the freedom to possess and wield firearms have resulted in countless deaths. Although Americans enjoy privileges and freedoms, we must not overindulge in those, especially at the expense of others.

In international geo-political contexts, the US empire has destabilized whole regions, displaced countless refugees, and subverted national political elections to insert their own leaders. Often, the narrative with these endeavors is to promote freedom and democracy, but again, like Pax Romana, they come at a steep price, and are often ineffective anyways. The world sees “might as right” but the way of the Lamb is in direct opposite to these worldly ideals.

4-The book is very practical. Often, readers of Revelation find it difficult to apply what they read into their daily lives. They read the vivid imagery and narrative and struggle to discern the relevance and application. By gaining an understanding of the original context, readers can then bridge the gap between the first century and our present-day, identifying shared and timeless realities that resonate with our own experiences. McKnight and Matchett do an incredible job of identifying the shared and timeless realities of the first century and our own day. In doing so, we can seamlessly transition from understanding the original context to recognizing the contemporary manifestations of Babylon and discern how to live faithfully in the face of its challenges.

Chapter 18, Worshipping in Babylon, highlights the practical and transformative nature of worship in the midst of challenging circumstances. The authors state, “And the short answer is that worship changes us—worship as a whole body, whole voice, whole mind, and whole life lived in gratitude to God for redemption and a whole life surrendered to the way of the Lamb” (p. 188). Living in Babylon does not mean living in despair; the text of Revelation reveals that there are solutions to and resources available to navigate the challenges we face. Worship is not confined to a spiritual experience but serves as the impetus for tangible action. The authors helpful list embodied action in Revelation, from singing (5:9; 15:3), shouting hallelujah (19:1, 3, 4, 6), bowing 4:10; 5:8; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4), and tossing their crowns to God (4:10). These actions reorient the reader back to focus on the King who is worthy of our allegiance. Worship as it grounded the seven churches to stand firm in the reality that they can stand against the opposition of Babylon. Like them, we can find comfort in the strength and encouragement that proceeds from a life of worship.

McKnight and Matchett also helpful point to the “theo-political” nature of the book of Revelation, which also underscores the inherent political dimension of our world. That is, we must see how our Christian faith is not divorced from the political realm but calls believers to engage with society and disrupt the façade of political power. The authors draw attention to Karl Barth’s Barmen Declaration, which offers a concrete example of how some churches have historically confronted the tyranny of the State.

Reading Revelation in this way, that is, seeing Babylon in our own context, and identifying concrete examples from history can help guard against problematic tendencies found within certain segments of US Christianity today. One such example is the belief in God’s divine appointment of horrible political leaders which can lead to an uncritical endorsement of those in power, including the systems and policies associated with Babylon. Another example is when prayer meetings target and spiritualize political parties as adversaries. This kind of approach demonizes those that believe differently than you and undermines any engagement in constructive dialogue or understanding.

5- The book is US centric. It is notable that the book has a predominant focus on the US context, which may limit its immediate applicability for readers from other countries or non-western settings. The illustrations and examples provided are primarily US-centric, which could potentially make it more challenging for readers outside of the US to directly relate to the specific contexts and experiences mentioned. However, the authors do include some examples of Christian dissidents outside of the US. For example, they mention a list of dissidents including Aung San Suu Kyi, Nelson Mandela, and Gandhi (ch 2). They also discuss Karl Barth and the Barmen Declaration (ch 22). Yet, despite these examples, those outside of the US might find it difficult to see the book resonate with their own experiences.

Also, for those living in other global realities, one might find it odd that so many examples were given to convince something that they already know, that US is the modern-day Babylon. For Christians living in contexts where they feel the direct impact of US neo-liberal policies, face active US sanctions, or have experienced negative consequences from interventions by global powers, their understanding of Babylon and their role as witnesses may differ from the US-centric perspective presented in the book. For others, their experience of empire might be more directly related to world powers such as Russia or China.

While the book’s primary focus is on the US context, Babylonian realities will still apply to their own settings. The broader concepts and principles discussed in the book, such as the tension between loyalty to Jesus and the demands of the nation-state, the need for faithful witness in the face of oppressive forces, and the transformative power of worship, can transcend specific geopolitical boundaries. Christians in various global contexts can still draw insights and apply these principles to their own situations, adapting them to their unique cultural and political landscapes.

6- Finally, Revelation for the Rest of Us, contends against a major force in Western Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions. This framework has gained popularity among many Christians in the West and offers certain advantages to their faith. One advantage of the dispensational framework is its usefulness for evangelism. It presents a sense of urgency by proclaiming that the end is near, and that God's work can be divided into distinct eras or dispensations. This simplified and structured understanding of the world appeals to listeners and can be an effective tool for evangelistic purposes. It prompts immediate decisions and engages the hearer in making choices about their faith.

The dispensational framework of Revelation, popular in some Western Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions, has a tendency to expand the imagination and dramatize modern political events. This framework presents a narrative of spiritual forces moving toward an inevitable end, where modern political events are neatly categorized as battles between good and evil. An example of this can be seen in the emphasis placed on modern-day Israel within some ministries. These ministries center their eschatological framework around the geo-political state of Israel, viewing every event and conflict in Israel/Palestine through a dramatic and spiritually significant lens. This approach creates a sense of excitement and engagement for believers who see themselves as participating in a cosmic story with immense relevance to their lives today.

Unfortunately, the dispensational framework, with its focus on modern-day Israel, often leads to a dehumanization and demonization of the Palestinian people in the conflict. The binary perspective inherent in this framework often portrays Palestinians as the agitators, bullies, or terrorists, thereby negating their full humanity and disregarding their suffering. The message of Revelation invites believers to stand with the marginalized and seek justice for all. It challenges the narrow and exclusive focus that disregards the full humanity and needs of those affected by conflicts like this.

Conclusion:

The book provides valuable insights for readers at various levels of familiarity with the book of Revelation. Whether one is new to Revelation or has studied it extensively, this book offers a deeper understanding of the first-century context and its relevance to our present context, particularly in the US. While the book primarily focuses on the US context, readers from other regions, such as the UK, Europe, and non-western settings, can still find value in the themes and principles discussed. The parallels between the dynamics of Babylon and oppressive systems in various contexts allow for broader application and relevance. The book presents a balance of enjoyable reading and intellectual challenge, making it accessible and engaging for readers seeking to delve deeper into the message of Revelation. It encourages readers to critically examine their own understanding and interpretation of the text while providing a fresh and ancient perspective of reading Revelation, it is quite appropriate to say it is, “for the rest of us”.