St. Anthony's Catholic Church

·        During this first session the book, The Lamb‘s Supper was handed out and we watched the first session in T3 Revelation: the Lion and the Lamb, presented by Mark Hart.

·        The Book of Revelations is often the most feared, talked about, misunderstood, and misinterpreted book in the Bible. Yet Jesus’ first words to John in Rev 1:17 are, “Fear not.”

·        As Catholics, we have 2000 years of history in understanding this book.  There are still areas that remain a mystery, however through the eyes and mind of the Church the book of Revelation can be revealing.

·        One of the first things to understand is Revelations is written in apocalyptic literature (sometimes this book is also called Apocalypse). This form of literature uses symbols to communicate a specific idea. It was needed during times of persecution.  Daniel used this type of literature during the Babylonian exile.  Historically it was commonly used from 200BC-100AD. 

·        The key to understanding the book of Revelations is to realize John is witnessing a heavenly liturgy: The Mass is the key to understanding Revelations and Revelations is the key to understanding the Mass.

·        John, the beloved disciple, is the author of Revelations.  He probably wrote it around the 60AD range; sometime before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem which happened in 70AD.

·        There are some who try and interpret this book by saying it was a completely past event that John wrote about.  Others try to make it into a prophetic vision of future events.  The Catholic understanding is to say some of what John says refers to past events, some events will occur at the end of the age, and some of what he says is describing how Christ comes into our presence NOW. (in Greek Parousia means presence; and Jesus is present at every Mass in the Eucharist)

·        Chapters 1 – 11, in the book of Revelations, are revealing the groom.  Chapters 12-22 reveal the bride. (The Greek word apokalypsis means unveiling)

·        We read Revelations 1:9-20 where we find Jesus clothed as the high priest holding the seven churches in His hand.  He identifies Himself as the Alpha and the Omega (He is true God) and that he died (He is true Man) but is alive forevermore.

·        Chapters 2 – 3 are addressed to those 7churches.  Jesus is encouraging and/or challenging each.

·        Then in chapter 4 John is brought into a door in heaven to see the 24 elders (representing the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles – the old and new) and the four living creatures (the four evangelists: Matthew – human, Mark – Lion, Luke – ox, and John – eagle) all surrounding the throne of God and singing; “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord GodAlmighty, who was and is and is to come!”

·        In chapter 5 there is weeping because no one is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. Until one of the elders tells John not to weep because the Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered. The next thing John sees is a Lamb standing as though it had been slain.  Let’s stop and think about this.  We went from a conquering Lion to a Lamb –STANDING as though slain (all the animals I’ve seen slain are lying down)Christianity is full of paradoxes (Jn 11:25 “He who believes in me, though hedie…shall live.” Mt 16:25 “Whoever loses their life will find it.” Lk 9:48 Ifyou wish to be the greatest, you must become the least.”) Power is through sacrifice and love. 

·        The following are some of the symbols and their respective meaning: The numbers one = primacy, greatness, God himself; two =two witnesses needed to judge a crime; four = cosmos, creation, creatures; six= imperfection; seven = completeness, covenant; ten = shortness, incompleteness, limitation; 1,000 = long time, but still a finite time; 144,000= 12x12x1,000 are all God’s people in union with Him.  The colors white = victory, purity, dignity; black = death, disaster, distress; red = bloodshed, violence; green = impending death; purple/scarlet = immorality. Some other symbols include crowns =authority; eyes, full of = all-seeing, all-knowing; horns = power; jewels =unique, rare, precious; Key of David = Power to open or shut God’s kingdom; right hand = power, authority;  seals,trumpets, bowls = Liturgical images used to call for repentance, to announce and dispense judgment; spirits = angels; thunder = God’s voice.