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

by Michael J. Gorman

Hope separated from faith is blind, self-help optimism, the heresy of Pelagianism. But hope separated from love is narcissism, the error of antinomianism (abandonment of ethical responsibility). It is effectively a rejection of the Christian faith.

This is nothing other than another form of faithful witness, of faithful resistance, for to resist Empire and its effects in the world is to live according to the empire (reign, kingdom) of God, and vice versa.

But the word spirituality in a Christian context simply means the lived experience of Christian faith,1 that is, life for God and God’s kingdom, life in Christ, life empowered by the Spirit.

It is not accidental that Revelation, as a book of worship, is filled with songs, or that so many Christians through the centuries have composed hymns and songs based on Revelation. Those who follow the Lamb are a singing people.

Our praise is joyful, but also serious, because singing something like “Worthy is the Lamb” is “a political act, and the political power of the act is greater because it is sung, for others can join the chorus and fix it in aural memory.”

Most of us do not like such either-or propositions when it comes to “religion.” We especially do not like choosing between “civil religion” and “Christian discipleship.” It is easier to have it both ways. What makes the “both-and” approach especially attractive is that it seems so right, so noble, so pious. Why is it so seductive? Because, according to Revelation, it is the deliberate, deceitful, demonic work of the propaganda mechanisms of the idolatrous imperial powers (19:20; 20:3). Nationalistic allegiance or devotion, especially when dressed in religious garb, may not feel like idolatry, but Revelation makes us face the issue head on

Syncretism is a powerful, subtle device. It makes sense.

Revelation says “yes” as well as “no” to the world. The church that is both in and out of Babylon will not be able to sit still. Perceiving idolatry leads us to evangelize. Perceiving injustice leads us to action.