There is no doubt that the book of Revelation is complex to interpret. A few months ago I was at a fast food joint and the total cost of the “meal” came out to $6.66. The twenty-something behind the counter about had a heart-attack. I had my clergy collar on and I think he thought I must be the anti-Christ or something:) I told him that the number 666 refers to the Emperor Nero - they used letters for numbers so his name just worked out to that number. He seemed relieved.
Another conversation took place a week or so ago. A man I know talked with me about everything that is being uncovered about the Bible. What he meant was all the end time stuff. I said that I have a really different take on Revelation. He said, “Yea, everyone does!”
I explained that my view was so different that because I don’t think Revelation and other Biblical prophecies can be used that way. I said I thought they were written to the people in their day about issues that were important then. For us to read it and think it is speaking about the future is to disrespect the writers and the readers of those writings.
Here is a short video on Revelation. It’s not perfect but then that’s just the way it is.
In July of 2006 as Hezbollah and Israel were engaged in battle, the media was searching for answers. Instead of doing very much in depth reporting on myriad relationships between different groups the news shows were hosting Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. 67 million books sold, they thought, must make it mainstream Christian thinking about the meaning of the book of Revelation and other apocalyptic literature. More deeply, their theology of despair keeps us riveted to all the bad news of the world while encouraging us to do nothing.
This is a sample clip I got from MediaMatters.org. They have a great site! Listen to how Robin Roberts the Good Morning America host presents these two as if they represent the heart of biblical thought. You would think there is no other view available.
Welcome to VideoFaith
There are two questions that all human beings ask:
1) Is human life worth living?
2) Is the world worth risking for?
These two questions are at the heart of the challenges that human beings and humanity in general face today. There are many people who retreat into either denial or despair about the issues that face the human race.
VideoFaith is a community of people who believe that there is hope for our world, and deep meaning for us as human beings as we participate in that hope.
This is a Christian site, but it represents a very different kind of Christianity than you might see on TV, bookstores, or on the radio. We present podcasts, sermons, and of course videos to share how we feel Jesus of Nazareth is still speaking, and still leading us to a new way to be human.
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Terry
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