The End of the World: A Reflection on Revelation, Part 4
Scripture Reading:
“Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come”
Things are not always as they seem. In this lovely, peaceful setting of southern Italy and subtropical beauty lives a telling parable.
In the distance stands the graceful form of Vesuvius, gentle slopes descending into thick foliage and cultivated crops of lush, fertile land. Unseen, and too often forgotten, is the pent up and unpredictable power of this great mountain.
Climbing it a few years ago, a friend and I were able to peer down into the cinder cone.[1] Steam rises from dark vents inside of the crater and the smell of sulfur is ever-present. It is easy to understand Roman fascination with Vulcan, god of the underworld.[2]
One of the points of Revelation was to present in dramatic form, the ways of God versus the ways of the powers and principalities of that world.
Previously, Christians had appreciated the laws, highways, trade, and successful global economy of the Roman Empire. Under the emperor Domitian, however, fear, corruption, and abuse of power became endemic. Christians, in particular, were targeted for their refusal to speak the phrase dominus et deus (Lord and God) in reference to Domitian.
This served exactly the same purpose as our present-day “pledge of allegiance.” It was a demonstration of loyalty to the empire and became a crucial test to uncover suspected subversives and insubordinates.
Remember this today. Glory in God and the good in your life. Give thanks for a free country in which you can practice your Christian faith without fear of abuse.
Footnotes:
[1] It was early November and was snowing as we made our way to the top. The temperature in nearby Naples and Pompeii was in the upper 50’s.
[2] Later, this evolved among Christians in feeling that hell surely must be “down there” in a place of fire and sulfur. One visit to a volcano will demonstrate why, and how the thought gives pause.
David Jordan is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Decatur. He contributes regularly to our devotions and blogs. Dr. Jordan is also a regular contributor for Baptist News Global.