Follow the Lamb - 21 Day Study on the Book of Revelationနမူနာ

Day 14: Visions of Final Justice

Scripture Reading:

‘So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

- Matthew 20.16 (NRSV)

Jesus’ teachings turn the world on its head. He gives us a transformational perspective on the priorities of life. In the Sermon on the Mount, we are told that the blessed ones are those who are poor in spirit, are meek, are mourning, those who hunger and thirst after justice, are merciful, pure of heart, are peacemakers, and suffer persecution. This is the opposite of the qualities that society sees as successful. Rather, we are encouraged to be the reverse: to be Type As, confident, in party mode, putting ourselves first, ready to compromise our values, to be confrontational enough to seal the deal and be the toast of the town. Jesus speaks of banquets where the A-List guests don’t turn up, and the street kids get to enjoy the feast instead, and of people who work for an hour getting paid the same as those who’ve worked all day (because they deserve to eat too).

In Revelation, we find that, again, God is nothing if not consistent. At the end of times, the martyrs will be redeemed and, instead of being reviled and tortured, will be elevated to glory. The tawdry false glory of kings and slave traders and those who thrive on economic abuse will be nothing compared to the glory of God. Kings will come and cast their crowns before the throne of the Almighty. We’ve been talking about reading the Revelation with the gift of our imagination. Imagine what it would be like to read these words, that justice will prevail, if you were an African American slave, if you were an Ethiopian mother holding to her breast a baby dying of malnutrition, if you were one of the young Asian women in slavery in Australia today, forced into prostitution to survive, passport stolen. The destruction of Satan and the end of evil on the earth is not about punishment or vengefulness, but about the joy and freedom of living in a healed earth of plenty, under the reign, not of tyrants, but of an all-loving God.

Some things to think about:

1. Looking at the 8 qualities Jesus calls ‘blessed’ above, which is the quality you find it hardest to want?
2. What quality do you think our society thinks is the most important in a leader?
3. What quality do you think is most valuable in a church leader?

Prayer:

King of Kings, Lord of Lords, I thank you that you will restore justice to your creation. I thank you for the godly and honest leaders in my community. I pray that your Spirit will melt the hearts of leaders and help them to act according to your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.