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The
Sharp Sword With Two Edges The
Revelation to John: 2:12-16 There have always been lots of differing interpretations, myths and misunderstandings surrounding The Book of Revelation. That's because the writer clearly intended it to be an "encoded" writing that would make little sense to outsiders but would serve to bolster the faithful in a time of apostasy and persecution. Throughout Revelation, the writer challenges seven early Christian communities not to give up hope-telling them to "shape up" and hold fast. The book opens with a brief word for each of the seven Christian communities in the major cities of the ancient Near East-Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The writer indicates a pretty solid and detailed understanding of the current political and religious situation in each of these locations. His message is very direct and practical about the way in which the church in each place is falling short in its pursuit of God's agenda for them. Each has settled for a safely uncontroversial faith in which they can keep a low profile in troubled times. What we have here is an unflinching, hard-hitting indictment-a set of well-documented charges against each of them. In short, Revelation starts with a critique that, while loving and empathetic, is nevertheless clear in its conclusion that these folks are simply not getting the job done. If you had to summarize the beginning portions of Revelation, you might turn to the words of a bumper sticker that I've seen recently here in Memphis. It says, Jesus is coming…look busy! That's the basic message of Revelation's initial chapters. And of course, the same sort of messages could very well be written right now--today--to the Christian community of Memphis or the United States, or the whole world. None of us is doing the work of the Kingdom of God so perfectly that we don't need an occasional reminder of the high standards we are called to within the Body of Christ by virtue of our Baptismal vows. But before we turn to that, let's go back and see what can be learned from the Biblical text itself. I'd like to consider in some detail only one of the seven specific messages to those cities in the ancient Near East--the one written to early Christians in the city of Pergamum. Why Pergamum? Because that particular city's message seems to me to contain some uncanny resemblances to our own situation--as our world seems these days to teeter on the brink of international warfare. First, let me give you a little background information. The part of the world that we're talking about here is now known as Turkey--the same country where the US is currently flexing its military muscle by building all sorts of airfields for launching bombers and missiles into Iraq. In Biblical times it was something of a backwater along the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea. Pergamos or Pergamum was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia. As such, the population was very much under the influence of the political and military power of Rome and of the Caesars. Roman soldiers, parading constantly through the streets, were a constant reminder of that international domination of which the sword has always been a symbol. Pergamum had, as early as 133 BC, surrendered all independence, becoming a vassal state, a Roman satellite. At the time of the writing of Revelation, their earlier choice to align militarily and politically with Rome must have been the object of considerable rethinking. The Empire was crumbling with every passing day. The once universally respected and feared might of the Roman Legions was now being openly defied by the neighboring states. Violence and terror were now daily occurrences throughout all of Asia. No one was sure what tomorrow might bring. Would their whole world be caught up in death and destruction? Given the social and psychological setting I've just described to you, I guess it isn't too surprising to learn that Pergamum was also a very religious city. On the acropolis there stood a grand temple dedicated to Augustus Caesar. It is precisely because of that enthusiastic adoration of the Emperor-god that the writer of Revelation refers to the city as "Satan's Throne." But Pergamum was even more religious than just following the Cult of Caesar. It was also the chief center for the worship of Asclepius, the God of Healing. Just at the gate of Pergamum stood an elaborate curative establishment to which invalids were brought from every part of the Roman Empire to consult the god and his priests. Soldiers in the streets, daily rumors of war, they were a conquered people caught between conscience and political realities, searching wildly for some kind of assurance and comfort from any religious practice at all. In the midst of that confusing and frightening situation a man named John sat down to write a message to say something really important to the Christians of that time. What can he possibly say that would make any difference? We need to pay attention to his effort, you and I, for we too are called to relate the Christian Gospel to the events of our own time--world events that, perhaps, aren't all that different in terms of the issues and questions we face right this minute. The first thing that this man, John, tells the struggling Christian community in Pergamum is that the words he's writing are not just another human opinion. He makes a bold claim: "These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword." The symbol of the sword--raw power, authority, might, rulership--this overwhelming status, John tells us, outranks Caesar, Asclepius and any other earthly option. Everything that the people of that time had assumed to be the prerogative of Rome, this man John unabashedly claims for Jesus. He begins his message by announcing that this Jesus is the ultimate Lord who molds and shapes all human history--not Rome, not Caesar, not George Bush, not the UN, not Saddam Hussein, not Iraq--no one but Jesus Christ, the one who is "Lord of Lords and King of Kings." Whether we know it or not, whether we like it or not, John asserts, Christ is the one to whom all the nations and powers of this earth belong. In any dark days that face humankind, then or now, we need, before anything else, to recognize that he alone is the one who has the sharp sword with two edges. Otherwise there is no meaning or hope for any of us. The fall of nations, the decline of civilizations, the collapse of cultures, the death of all philosophies do not spell defeat nor are they indications that God either doesn't care or doesn't exist. Rather, these seemingly devastating upheavals are the direct result of his wielding of the sharp sword with the two edges. It is a sword of justice that cuts both ways, unable to be manipulated to anyone's personal or national advantage. I believe that this most basic assertion is not just the product of arrogance or boasting on John's part. It is more than just the claim of this text alone. It is the same claim that runs though every book and chapter of Holy Scripture. Christ is the one to whom the keys of heaven have been given. He is the one who wills and works for the unity, peace and reconciliation of all. That is the essential faith and hope that alone is able to hold our reality together when the events of history--then or now--threaten to shake the whole known world until its' teeth chatter. So it is this fundamental Christian claim that I want this morning to explore with you, seeking to identify several important implications for us to ponder, whatever the future may hold. First, IF IT IS TRUE THAT GOD IS ULTIMATELY IN CHARGE, WE CAN LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE IN SPITE OF THREATS AND PROBLEMS. I think we need to learn from all this that the Christian Gospel is not always positive and "constructive" in terms of our own personal or national view of how things "ought" to be. Christ is not the protector of any status quo. God is not on anybody's "side." God is able to break every bond with which we seek to tie Him up. God will be about His own agenda and that may or may not correspond to what you or our President sees as the Truth. Jesus tells us very clearly in scripture, "I have come to bring not peace, but a sword." And the meaning is apparent: there can be no peace until and unless all of the forces of injustice have been conquered-every remnant of racism, intolerance, enslavement and exploitation thrown down. Good and innocent people will be caught in that struggle, right along with treacherous and guilty. Patience will become frayed. Many will be hurt and lost. Our only hope is that the one who is wielding that mighty sword is none other than the One who, ultimately, will somehow bring this world to unity, harmony, and peace…with us or in spite of us. Secondly, IF GOD IS AT WORK SHAPING THE FUTURE, THEN THE ONLY THING FOR US TO DO IS TO GET INVOLVED. To be followers of Christ can only mean getting involved. Religious people are primary players in the process of change and renewal. Our business is not to hide out and try to play safely at worship, but to carry our Faith outside these walls into the actions and decisions of history. A Christianity that is indifferent to or merely condemnatory of the daily news headlines is nothing more than a religious cult, no different really than Emperor worship or the fake healers of Aesclepius. The church as a whole and each one of us needs to take human events seriously, to be fully informed about international relationships and disarmament, terrorism, peace initiatives, Al Qaeda and everything else that's going on. Anyone who thinks that this is a time for the Church to keep quiet or refuse to take a stand radically misunderstands whose servants we are. If the Biblical witness says anything at all, it is absolutely eloquent on this point: Jesus Christ lives right here and now. He is no ancient healing god or dead Emperor. He is right in the middle of this very moment, the one as contemporary as the hourly breaking news. If you want to know and serve the One who really is God you need to go and meet him where he is. Finally, BECAUSE CHRIST IS THE ONE WHO CREATES AND SUSTAINS ALL THINGS, WE HAVE TO BE READY TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH EVEN WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL. It's tough to accept that our nation may not always be right. It's hard to admit that terrorists may see themselves as faithful martyrs. We'd like to force others to see things our way. We're not good at giving events and leaders time to get things sorted out. But think what that says about us: To jump to conclusions, to settle for quick and easy answers or solutions would be to admit that we really don't think that God will be able to bring things together in the end. Do we think that we have to resolve international disputes immediately by destroying those with whom we disagree? Do we avoid even thinking about international conflicts, the sagging economy, the possibility of nuclear war because these things "are just too difficult?" Are we afraid to have an opinion and to speak out in support of it, even if others--even the majority--are committed to another course of action? Of course it's more pleasant and easier to confine ourselves to what is "helpful" and comfortable," but as the writer of Revelation tells those ancient Christians in Pergamos, don't think that by doing so you are seriously witnessing to the God who came among us in Jesus Christ. John wrote these words two thousand years ago and they're still just as true today: "These things says the one who has the sharp sword with the two edges." That is the one who is Lord of All. But the authority of Jesus, unlike that of Rome or of the United States, or of Osama Bin Laden, is not a power to be feared. It is a power that we can, along with the writer of Revelation, proclaim with gladness. The throne of our God is neither a missile silo nor a Pentagon. His throne is a cross of solidarity, sacrifice and servanthood. It is a source of wonder, courage, and strength in the midst of our doubt and fear. It is a power that leads us to a glad, prophetic hymn, "Lo, the Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ." Let us pray:
Copyright 2003 Calvary Episcopal Church Revelation
2: 12-16 |
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