Hear, See, Believe

A couple of weeks ago I said 'Alexa, ask the bible to read the book of Revelation.' Around 1hr 20mins later, David Suchet had finished reading aloud the book of Revelation. It was wonderful to listen too, something which I would encourage everyone to do. In order to persuade you to listen to this book, I want to share some of the impressions and impact my listening had on me.

These are difficult, unprecedented days. We don't really need to say that, as we all are living in them and feel the difficulty daily! Our lives have changed so much. Some people are living with real fear over their own chances of surviving COVID-19? Others, wonder more generally if we in what the bible calls the end times or last days? As I listened to the book of Revelation, I didn't discover a timescale or learn a secret date. Rather my imagination was shaped. I was given a set of corrective lenses which helped me to see and understand what is going on in this world better. The book did so as they pulled back the curtain into the spiritual realm.

The blessing and impact of hearing the Book of Revelation, shouldn't come as a surprise. It makes a massive claim right in the opening words.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud 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.

Revelation 1:3

Revelation is a book which is meant to be heard. The word comes at you, through your ears, and form images in your mind. Theses images shape your imagination and enable you to see the world we live in, in a new way. Above all, they enable us to see Jesus. And as we see him, we believe.

There are lots of unique, even bizarre images in the book. Things which you don't see every day. Things which don't make sense. Naturally you want to questions these images - what is going on? What do they mean? Don't! Don't ask those questions, at least not immediately - rather, go with them, let the narrative flow, let the picture form in your mind. Allow your imagination to be shaped. Hear the word, and take to heart the impression it leaves you with.

Here's a few things, I was impressed by.

We are not a victim of circumstance.

Everything looked different in January. A new year, packed with new opportunities. News of COVID-19 was around, but it was distant and didn't seem to affect us. Yet, the tiny virus spread, and the whole world is not the same. We all seem to be victim to an organism too small for us to see. We have been outwitted by something which doesn't even have a brain!

Into all that is going on, the book of Revelation declares, you are not a victim of circumstance - God is in control. We discover this right from the opening chapter. There we hear that God is one who is and was and is to come. He is eternal. He will not be defeated or crushed by this virus.

Then our focus is turned to Jesus, who looks powerful and glorious, standing in the midst of the lampstands. For John, who first heard and seen this vision, when he was imprisoned in an Alcatraz style jail, seeing Jesus must have been a knock down moment. He must have rubbed his eyes. He knew Jesus, he had spent so much time with Jesus when He walked on the earth. However, John had never, ever seen Jesus like this. He is glorious. He is magnificent. Nothing could over power him. No-one could be better than him. Even the keys to death are in His hands. He has not forgotten his people. He is there, right in their midst.

Yet what struck me, is the book doesn't just start well. It ends well. And it ends, when Jesus says it ends. The whole of history is wound up, not by war, or virus, or meteorite, but by Jesus returning to earth. So don't believe the prophets of doom. This virus will not end the world. The world ends, when Jesus says so.

We further discover Jesus control, in the way in which all the action centres around the throne. In chapter 4, we are brought up into the throne room of God. And the first thing John notices - there is someone sitting on the throne. It is not empty, this world is not running out of control. The King is on his throne.

In chapter 5, our attention is drawn to a sealed scroll - who is able to open it? Only one person - the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, who approaches the throne as a slain lamb! He takes the scroll and as he opens it the drama of history unfolds. In the following chapters, we hear of seals, trumpets and, bowls - all this action happens because Jesus opens the scroll. He is in utter control.

As an aside, listening to the whole book, one gets the bigger picture. We hear what seems to be an end, only to go back to the start again. And so we realize that the book is a series of cycles, or passes over world history, each one adding detail to the other. Understanding this frees us from trying to pinpoint events on a timeline, and allows the image to fill our imagination and shape our understanding.

So, we are not the victim of circumstance, because the Jesus reigns over all time and space.

For many reading this blog, that won't come as a surprise. In fact, we could call that a basic Christian truth. However Revelation tells you that basic truth in an entirely different way. That is the way the book of Revelation works, it doesn't tell us anything the rest of the bible hasn't already told us. Yet God in his wisdom gave this book, to declare these truths in a fresh way. The images Revelation paints in your mind, impress the truths you already know deep into your heart.

So, when you hear the descriptions of God and sense how utterly unapproachable he is; when you listen to Jesus (or his angel) calling the next piece of action to begin, you cannot doubt, that he is in utter control. In this way, the Book of Revelation strengthens and encourages our hearts.

There is a beautiful detail at the start of chapter 8 which illustrates this further. It concerns prayer. One may ask, if God reigns, can my prayers make a difference? We may wonder if there is any point in praying. Then we hear

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

Revelation 8:3-5

Our questions melt away, as we hear that our prayers are a fragrant offering to God. He enjoys, even savours them. Then you hear the response from the throne, and we know that our prayers are effective!

The second big impression I got is that we are called to endure.

The book of Revelation is clear - life is difficult. We cannot escape that difficulty, rather we are called to endure. I think it is true to say the difficulties that Revelation describes can be split into three streams. You can discern a general tribulation that comes over all of the earth. Then, there is a further hardship and persecution for Gods people. Beyond these, there is also judgement which comes on those we are not God's people, including Satan and his cohort.

The images which the book paints for us are gruesome. The creatures who are let loose on the earth are fearsome. The authority they are given is scary. The worst description is left for Satan, the enemy of Gods' people. You can be in no doubt, Satan is angry and in his anger, he is out to destroy!

Yet, in the midst of these images there is hope. Here's how the Book of Revelation impresses that hope on our hearts.

First, it does so through all the precise numbers. I have often struggled with expressions like 'a third of the sea turned into blood' (8:8) What does that mean? Why is it so exact? Then, as I listened, it struck me, there is a limit! With all the precise numbers - either for the amount of something, or the length of time - each is saying there is a limit! God is in control, he has supreme authority - and he has said, only this far and no further. This won't affect everyone. This won't go on for ever. How encouraging is that!

Throughout the book God's people are called to endure. In the opening letters (Chapters 2&3), they are encouraged not to compromise in belief or behaviour. Later we hear the cry of the martyrs who wonder 'how long?' This paints an honest picture of the Christian life, we are under no illusion - following Jesus is not easy. So much so, we may wonder - how can we endure?

The answer rings out in chapter 12, which contains the wonderful drama of the dragon seeking to destroy first Jesus, and then his church. However the dragon is defeated - 'by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.' Through Jesus, we shall endure. And we shall win. No matter how gruesome the enemy; no matter how powerful they seem; no matter how much influence they gain in the world - we know the end. They loose. We win. And when you know that, it enables you to endure the hardest battles.

As I listened it struck me that God wants us to know enduring is worth it. So much so that on two occasions he tells us to pick up our pens and write!

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Revelation 14:13; 19:9

So, do it - write it down - and be encouraged, the night may be long, but we shall overcome. Our victory is secure in Jesus Christ. Take heart, we shall endure, until that day when we shall feast with Jesus.

The final thing that struck me as I listened to the book of Revelation is this book is full of praise!

As the curtain is pulled back, we struck not by the sight but by the noise of heaven. Heaven is full of endless, deafening praise. Praise is the sound track to the drama of Revelation. The song of praise is constant, yet on occasion in the book the song comes to the fore and we are encouraged to tune our ears to the new song that is being sung.

We are encouraged to listen in at strategic points. They mostly come at the end of each cycle, where we are told listen to this praise ringing out from heaven. No matter how dark the night got. No matter how much misery there is described, it always ends in triumph. And that triumph is a reason to praise.

Our hearts are renewed. We know there is a reason to sing. The praise is unending, because Jesus has triumphed.

By listening to Revelation that is the deepest impression we gain - Jesus has triumphed. Having gained that impression our hearts will turn from doubt and fear to praise.

Here again, we should not be surprised - this book is from him and all about him. That's what the opening words, which give the book its name mean. 'The revelation (apocalypse ~ unveiling) from (or about), Jesus Christ' (1:1). It was given to John, when he was enduring horrendous persecution, and sent to churches who where going through the same. Down through the centuries many Christians have also known the benefit of hearing the words of this book in the darkest of times. And it will do so today, as you hear and take to heart these words.

So, I hope I have encouraged you to listen to or read this book ALOUD. Hear it, and allow the words to paint an image of Jesus and his triumph. As this image fills your imagination and is deeply pressed in on your heart, may you hear and join in with the unending, eternal praise of heaven.

That is not just my desire, but the invitation of God himself, who says.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17

May we respond to his invitation, join in singing the new song of heaven.

Until that day, watch and pray, in hope, for the return of King Jesus.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Revelation 22:20,21

PS - Two small notes, by way of confession... this really did begin as impressions from listening, but they have grown, as I have mulled them over. I hope that as you too listen, you will gain impressions from hearing the word, which don't fade but grow. And on a technical note - Alexa no longer is supplying me David Suchet's recording of the NIV. I think I managed to get a free sample, which lasted the whole of the book of Revelation. His reading is excellent, so much so I may invest in buying his recordings. YouVersion is available for free on Alexa, my personal preference on it is the ESV recording.