That which I find so compelling is they way its rich imagery is drawn from the Old Testament. The rainbow, the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, the language of judgement, and the judgements that fall under the seven trumpets and seven seals reminiscent of the Old Testament covenant curses. Then there are those ancient cities and countries - Sodom, Egypt, Babylon, and Jerusalem.
The Sea Beast of Chapter 11 reminds us of the four beasts of Daniel’s dream in Daniel 7:4-6. The serpent who leads Adam and Eve astray in Genesis 3 appears in Revelation 11 as Satan or the Devil, the enemy of God who is cast out of heaven and wars against God’s people on earth. When Adam and Eve sinned they were barred access to the Tree of Life. Those faithful to God regain access to the Tree in Revelation 22.
As one reads Revelation it is obvious it is universal in scope. It encompasses heaven and earth, the sea and land, and people and tribes from all nations. On the other hand, the Old Testament primarily focused in Israel and the nations surrounding it.
The Old Testament is the ethical underpinning of the New. Its specific, cultural and economic rules reveal principles of justice, fairness and compassion. Israel and her neighbours are continually rebuked for their cruelty, injustice, exploitation of the weak and marginalised, and idolatry. One thing that stands out is the clear association between environmental degradation and the idolatry and injustices practiced.
When I reflect on the promises God made to Israel I know they could only be kept by a supernatural power, one Christians believe in. This leads me to believe the calamities that fell on Israel and her neighbours were the result of God withdrawing His supernatural protection. It is clear the resultant curses were meant to cause reflection and give opportunity for repentance.
I see Revelation in much the same way as the OT. God's promises require a response. If we disobey we reap the results. If we obey, He blesses and protects. In fact, in the OT God states He will not bring harm if the evil repent, or good if the good turn away (see Ezekiel 18). Obviously there are things in there that are unconditional, such as the return of Jesus to usher in the reign of everlasting righteousness. There is also the call to come apart from all that is exploitative, destructive and evil, to follow God’s way and not Satan’s. So we must conclude there is opportunity for universal repentance, for accepting God’s forgiveness, and avoiding the consequences of our rebellion.
God does not change (Malachi 3:6). He always has, and always will, require us ‘to do what is right, to love mercy, and walk humbly with God’ (Micah 6:8).
I believe the symbolism of Revelation is meant to cause us to reflect on those Old Testament themes it reflects. It allows, or even mandates, us to recast the Old Testament prophetic call to all the world. Surely God wants the world to see the sharp contrast between that which He intended and that which we have created by walking away from Him.
It was God’s intent that Israel would be the model for the world, the nation through which the supremacy of His way stood out. We see this in Deuteronomy 4:5-8:
Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?
Has the time come for the the Church, the people of God, to ‘prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings’ (Rev.10:11)?
Quotes from the New Living Translation
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