Advent: Unveiled

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen… “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:5-6, 8).

Over the past several months, drawn by the Spirit, I have been tiptoeing my way into The Revelation, seeking to know more deeply the one who is and who was and who is to come. Revelation, in fantastical, often foreboding, and hopeful ways, is a fitting place for us to wrap up Advent.

Our Advent journey began with hope. Ultimately, we discovered that our hope is in a Person—Jesus Christ. He is our anchor amid the catastrophic, the uncontrollable, and unimaginable craziness in our world.

Week Two of Advent focused on faith. We looked to the writer of Hebrews who reminded us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb 11:6). Our yearly celebration of Christmas expresses and displays our faith in God’s existence in tangible and visible ways.

Peace was the focus for week three of Advent. Peace between here—wherever here may be for us—and there, beyond the horizon, as we anticipate the second coming of the Prince of Peace who makes all things new.

This fourth Advent post takes us to the first chapter of Revelation and reminds us who it is that we follow. While Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ—God, draped in human flesh, born of a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem, the book of Revelation reveals in full, God’s comprehensive authority over the entire realm of the universe.

The Greek word for “revelation” is apokalupsis, which literally means, “to uncover,” and throughout the twenty-two-chapters of Revelation, God lifts the lid, pulls back the curtain, and reveals the rest of the story to John, who in turn, is called by God to record what he hears and sees, touches and smells, and he does so, in epic proportions.

John employs word pictures to describe this revelation of Jesus. He is the Christ, a faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, ruler of kings on earth, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lord God Almighty.

Then, there is this electrifying passage that sets the tone for this unveiling…

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength (Rev 1:12-16).

Remarkably, an important reminder is tucked inside of this same chapter. God, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe came to the earth he created because he loves us and, by his blood, frees us from the bondage of anger and anxiety, shame and scandal, boredom and meaninglessness, poverty and fear. He infuses our lives with meaning and commissions us for a purpose. We are kingdom priests called to be his witnesses.

Advent reminds us that the story has just begun.

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who have pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’ (Rev 1:4-8).