Refreshingly Other

Revelation 5:1-10 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

     Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals, and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
     Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to break its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.”

Reflection

     You gotta give it to John of Patmos that when you need to have a moment of spiritual wonder, a devotional reading in Revelation is refreshingly other. It is like leaving this world into another. Daily struggles and to-do lists seem so far away when you are contemplating what the Holy Spirit is revealing to John (and thereby us). In this joyful Eastertide, it reads like zoom into a hopeful place that is beyond where we are and where we would like to be. Even if we aren't sure if we want to be too close to the terribly strange creatures, we can tell that it is not a horror story to be feared. It is a revelation of what will happen and what is happening.

Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Ghent

     It also continues to give anew. Even though we sing together in worship, "the Lamb who was
slain..." many Sundays, I was still struck again by the image of the standing and slaughtered Lamb. My mind at first imagined a rather gory and gross image. As I refocused, though, my mind realized that it was standing. This is not typical for a slaughtered animal. I have never seen a hunter or farmer's picture of an animal still standing after the kill. You also don't see someone who has been lynched come walking back into your dining room.

     Then there are the seven spirits. What are we to make of them? They are sent out into all the earth. They are also in a complicated description that links them with seven eyes and also possibly horns. I am pretty sure at one point I saw an artist depiction of eyes at the end of horns on the Lamb. I am not sure if it helps, but there is that definitively other worldly interpretation. The seven spirits before the throne of God are also mentioned in 1:4, 3:1, & 4:5. They connect to prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 11, which Jesus claims as his own. They are the Spirit filling words proclaimed during the laying on of hands in Holy Baptism--The spirit of the Lord (1), the spirit of wisdom (2) and understanding (3),
the spirit of counsel (4) and might (5), the spirit of knowledge (6) and the fear of the Lord (7). Yet, there is one Holy Spirit. It also seems as though these seven spirits could be non-corporeal and yet angelic beings. Other worldly vision and imagination is required! Could this little verse explain why there are good things and good works done by others throughout the world, "outside" of what we see as the church.

Almighty God,

You are the source and the inspiration for all that is good and full of hope in this life. We give you honor and all the glory. Let all creation sing and cry along with us that you are our God. We fall down before you and await that day when we will fully and bodily join into the song circle around your throne! Alleluia and Amen!