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December 20, 2019It’s the end
We have arrived at the last book in our Bible, Apocalypse or Book of Revelation. While it wasn’t the last book written, it is placed at the end of our bibles as the only book of its literary genre in the New Testament.
Many have expressed fear or uneasiness regarding the divinely inspired content of this book, and the Hollywood version of its content does not help erase this misunderstanding. When properly interpreted, the Book of Revelation is one filled with hope and joy in the triumph of the Lamb of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Experts say there are about five different ways to interpret this unique divinely inspired book that does need interpretation. First, many experts see in this book the skirmishes between Church and state during the time in which it was written. A second group believe the book describes what life was like in the 1 st century. A third group interpret the Book of Revelation as an outline of Church history throughout the centuries, while a fourth group sees in the book a description of the ups and downs of spiritual life. Finally, there are a few who sadly only see the book as a preview of the end times, the return of Christ and his final triumph.
In my non-expert opinion, the best way to interpret the Book of Revelation is follow the Magisterium’s lead and keep in mind the various views above, since they all contribute something to our understanding of the last book of the New Testament.
Another key in understanding the Book of Revelation – reawakened by Scott Hahn and his best seller, “The Lamb’s Supper” – is to see it as an expression of truths already contained in our liturgical celebration of the Eucharist.
Here is a quote from the Catholic Bible Dictionary, edited by Scott Hahn. I have taken out the chapter references:
“Worship is both part of the plot and the primary action of the book. Revelation presents us with overtly Christian worship: it is directed both to God and to the Lamb. The visions are filled with the sights and sounds of the liturgy of Israel. John sees a Temple in heaven with the ark of the covenant, an altar of incense, golden lamp stands, priestly vestments, sacred gemstones, scrolls, trumpets, palm branches, harps, incense and libation bowls, and at the center of everything the sacrificial Lamb. There are songs of praise: ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty, who was and is to come!’ All these sights, sounds, and even scents are familiar from the worship of ancient Israel: they are heavenly counterparts of earthly realities. The same liturgical actions continue in the Christian Church: Revelation shows us that the Christian liturgy on the Lord’s day is a participation in the eternal divine liturgy that never ceases in heaven.”
I invite you to read “The Lamb’s Supper.” God gave us the Book of Revelation not to scare us, but to give us peace. In this book, God strengthens our faith, gives us a solid foundation to our hope in and through Christ’s final triumph and, above all, he shows us his eternal love and mercy.
As this series comes to an end, I have a lot to be thankful for: I thank God for the Book of Revelation; for having ended this year’s long series on the Bible; and for next year’s series on the Eucharist, our mystery of faith (mysterium fidei).
A blessed 2020 to all! Amen.
