A Bit Demanding . . . But Worth the Effort

The Book of Revelation can be a real challenge to read. Most of us aren't used to "apocalyptic" writing, as it is called, and so we don't quite know what to make of even the basic story line. Yet many of the first Christians were very familiar with apocalyptic writing, so when Revelation came along, they knew how to read it. They knew that it was not meant to be a prediction of exactly how the world would end but a message of assurance for all of those who stayed close to Jesus.

We don't usually think the way the first-century Christians thought. So if we want to find meaning in the Book of Revelation, we have to read it with "ancient eyes." We have to imagine ourselves in the world of the first believers as we try to mine the treasures contained in this book.

Father Joseph Mindling, one of our theological advisors, has tackled the challenge of Revelation in our first two articles. His insights and explanations can go a long way in helping us "decode" this book and read it for what it is: an inspired piece of writing filled with confident encouragement. As Fr. Joe wrote: "Revelation is indeed concerned with the future-but not with laying out concrete dates and details. Rather, the author of Revelation sought to present the future as a guaranteed reality that will come about as a result of choices made in the present."

Can Revelation speak to us today? Yes. In many places, the world is marked by persecution and suffering similar to the trials that the first Christians faced. In other places, there is a significant push to remove God from the public square. Can the Book of Revelation help us? The answer, again, is "Yes." Praying through Revelation confirms that God is with us and that he knows about our trials. It highlights the promise that Jesus will come again to bring us into his eternal kingdom. And finally, it urges us to join with the Holy Spirit and call out, "Jesus, you are the bright morning star. Come and fill your bride with the water of life" (Revelation 22:16-17).

Finding the Lord's Protection. I hope you enjoy reading the story entitled, "Finding Protection in the Shelter of the Lord," as much as I did (page 54). It was written by a deacon named Geza Balassy. Geza survived the 1956 Hungarian uprising against Communism as well as persecution, betrayal, and imprisonment for his faith. And yet throughout this dark period, he never lost his faith. In fact, he even found the grace to forgive his captors!

Geza's story reminds me in many ways of people like Edith Stein and Maximilian Kolbe. Like them, he trusted in God even when he was treated unjustly. And like them, he too was able to overcome evil with good. Whenever I read about people like Geza, I can see that the wrongs that happen to me are really small. May his witness, in conjunction with the message of the Book of Revelation, help all of us stand firm whenever we are faced with persecution or undeserved suliering.

Your Brother in Christ,

Joe Difato

Publisher

(joe@wau.org)

Joe Difato

Publisher

(joe@wau.org)

Copyright Word Among Us Nov 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved