Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation

by Michael J. Gorman

of the earth’s destruction. Immediately after the quake, some women ran around, tearing their clothing and screaming, “The Apocalypse is here.” Not long afterwards, the Gulf Coast oil disaster occurred, leaving an impression on some that the death of a third of the living creatures in the sea (Rev 8:9) was not a far-fetched fantasy. Another sign of the End? Finally, though far more trivially, a slip of the finger at the keyboard while trying to order a movie led me to a website called nexflix.com, one of thousands predicting the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, the imminent rapture (another term—and even concept—absent from Revelation), the appearance of the antichrist, and the unfolding of Revelation’s “script.” The site was meant to inculcate fear and repentance. Had I been a nonbeliever, however, I would have found the whole thing ridiculous, adding its strange perspective to my list of reasons not to take Christianity seriously. All this is to say the following: How one reads, teaches, and preaches Revelation can have a powerful impact on one’s own—and other people’s—emotional, spiritual, and even physical and economic well-being. Therefore, interpreting the book of Revelation is a serious and sacred responsibility, not to be entered into lightly. Furthermore, although Scripture is a living word from God that can bring a fresh message to people in changing contexts, with respect to Revelation it must be clearly stated that some readings are not only inferior to others, t...