We began last week by talking about injustice. That it’s what makes people most frequently question God. Seeing or experiencing something unjust – it makes us ask ‘why’? In particular, why does God continue to allow injustice to be done against himself, and against his people? It makes us ask if God really is in control of his world. And if he is in control, what’s he doing about it?

We then looked at Revelation chapters 4 and 5, which gave at least part of an answer to these questions. Is God in control of this world? Chapter 4 gave a resounding ‘yes!’ It presented a picture of God on his throne, and every other source of power and authority a mere pale, shadowy copy of the heavenly emperor.

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This week we’ve been working our way through the throne room scene in Revelation 4 and 5. Yesterday, we learnt two things from the image of the slain-yet-victorious lamb:

1. He is victorious: bringing justice for God’s people.
2. He was slain for a purpose: the redemption of God’s people.

Today, we look at a third:

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The second half of the throne room scene begins in Revelation chapter 5. If chapter 4 reminded us that God was in control of his world, chapter 5 answers the next logical question: if he is in control, what’s he going to do about all the injustice in the world? And the answer is – he’s already doing something about it. Let’s take a look.

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If you missed the last two days’ posts, make sure you’ve read Revelation chapter 4. Because we’re looking at this vision of God on his throne in the heavens. Yesterday, we saw the Jewish background to this vision – how it’s described using the words and images of many of the Old Testament appearances of God. It was designed to impress upon John’s hearers that his vision stands in continuity with Israel’s God, who reveals himself through human prophets, and who’s still very much in control of his world, judging evil and protecting his people.

Today, we look at this chapter from a different angle, where we see that some of the language and imagery John uses is drawn from the Roman imperial court.

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If you missed yesterday’s post, make sure you’ve read Revelation chapter 4.

Because what we saw was a vision of God on his throne in the heavens. A throne surrounded by bizarre creatures covered in eyes, accompanied by flashes of lightning and the roar of thunder, and attended by continuous praise: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”

Although it’s pretty standard stuff, really, when you look at the other visions of God recorded in the Old Testament: Daniel 7; Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1. Clearly the one on the throne in John’s vision is not just any god. By using very similar images and terminology, he can be identified as the God of Daniel and Isaiah and Ezekiel; the God of Israel; the God of the Old Covenant. This is Yahweh we are seeing, in all his glory.

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For middle-aged nerds like me, one of the great defining works of twentieth-century literature is, of course, Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy.

If you haven’t heard of it, then either you’re too young, too old, or you’re the sort of person who relies on other people to fix your computer. Either way it doesn’t matter. For now, all you need to know is that it was a popular book and TV series about 30 years ago in the comedy Science-Fiction genre. A true nerd can quote it chapter and verse, like the Bible.

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