No melodies of harpists and musicians, flutists and trumpeters, will ever be heard in you again. No craftsmen in any trade will ever be found in you again. No sound of the millstone will ever be heard in you again. No light from a lamp will ever be seen in you again. No voices of bride and groom will ever be heard in you again. Because your merchants were the great ones of the world, all nations were led astray by your magic potion.”
After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying: “Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” They said a second time: “Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.” Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9)
Revelation is an artistic triumph that we read on the day of Thanksgiving (and preceding). Perhaps the ending is best reworded: “Blessed are those who have been called to the feast of the Turkey.” Steam and savory smells will rise from the bird whetting our appetites and reminding us of the need to give thanks to God. This certainly contrasts with: “He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Yikes! This is not the sort of stuff to be discussed around the Thanksgiving table amongst friends and family.
Revelation is read as we end the Church year on November 30, and we begin Advent. For this reason, reading about end times is more about a fresh beginning rather than violence and destruction so graphically described throughout Revelation.
Of importance, Revelation probably was written around mid-90 Common Era (CE), perhaps somewhat later. One explanation for this assumption is its criticism of Christians in seven communities directed towards second- or third-generation followers of Jesus who began to accommodate the norms and values of dominant culture.
A summary of the meaning of this text is provided by Marcus Borg in his 2012 book “Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written.” He said: “The author identified the dragon, the ancient serpent, Babylon the Great, the great whore, the beast whose number is 666. It was Rome – not just the city, but the Roman Empire. The identification is unmistakable in a late-first century context. Because of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70, Jews and Christians spoke of Rome as “Babylon” – because the Babylonian Empire was the previous destroyer of the holy city and its temple.
The woman and the beast live in a city built of seven hills, a designation for Rome that goes back to antiquity. It is the city that rules the world; in a first century context, that could only be Rome. The number 666 is a numerical code for Caesar Nero, the first Roman persecutor of Christians. The beast is the Roman Empire of the first century – not some future beast from our point in time.
The author chastised most of the communities to whom Revelation was addressed for their accommodation to the imperial way of life. They had abandoned their first love, forgotten what they received and heard, and become lukewarm.
Borg goes on to say: Revelation has been used to justify vengeful and violent actions against “enemies.” If God can be this violent, then so can we. Indeed, an increase in violence will be part of the end times leading up to the second coming of Jesus.
Revelation's message for us today is: “Beware of all empires that behave like Caesar’s!” And, beware of false interpretations of Revelation – interpretations provided by those wanting Jesus to come again. Jesus comes to us every day through love, not violence. The end times are not scary; they are when violence ends and kindness rules.
Deacon David Pierce
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