What do you see when you look at the world? Do you see it in relation to history or in light of what is to come? Have you thought about the influences which shape how you see the past, present, and future?
As John formally begins his letter to the churches of Asia he tells them where he is (“on Patmos…in the Spirit on the Lord’s day”), what he hears (“a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet”) and what he is to do (“write what he sees…and send it to the churches”). The directions are clear and concise, exactly what many of us want from God! And yet, two verses later we realize, as John must have, that what he sees is anything but clear or concise. However, despite the vivid and often confusing imagery, when we read and hear it well, the Revelation of Jesus to John for the churches, reshapes what we see by reminding us there is a better way to see it.
