A Vision of Church Comes to Life

A Biblical Vision of Church Comes Alive

Revelation 5:6-10

Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. ⁸ When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ They sing a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
    saints from^[b] every tribe and language and people and nation;
¹⁰ you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving^[c] our God,
    and they will reign on earth.”

            In Revelation 5, John of Patmos shares the vision he has of Heaven.  There he sees “the Lamb,” Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, reigning in Heaven at the right hand of the Father.  He sees “living creatures,” strange, Heavenly beings.  He sees 24 elders.  And the prayers of all the people who have been a part of God’s church, “the saints” are held in golden bowls. 

            The Heavenly witness declare that the Lamb, Jesus, is worthy to reveal the secrets of Heaven because he has died on the cross and in doing so provided salvation (“ransom”) for God’s people.  God’s people comprise the church and come from “every tribe, language, and nation” (5:9d).  The international community of Christ worshipers will become a kingdom of priests reigning on earth.

            Digest this image as you think about your own experience in church.  My church is currently examining God’s call on us as a community united in the name of Jesus.  From the picture in Revelation we lay hold to certain realities about our community.  First, we are absolutely dependent upon Jesus.  These “saints” were in Heaven because Jesus shed his blood for their sins. These saints are us.  We are who we are because of what Jesus did.  We are united by what Christ has done for us and by our faith in Him.

            Second, the church comes from “every tribe and language and people and nation.”  The very first Christ followers were Palestinian Jews (brown-skinned Middle Easterners).  However, with the coming of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2), the church has expanded in all directions.  Today, people from every nation are included in God’s church.  No group is privileged.  Our church and every church must bear witness to the vision of church cast in Revelation.  If a church exists in an ethnically diverse place, that congregation must reflect the diversity in the community in its membership.   

            Third, the crucified, risen Lamb give purpose to the church.  “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God” (5:10).  Our church’s (and church’s) purpose is to help people who are not following Jesus know of his love and grace. We tell the Gospel story and help people move from being unbelievers to salvation to becoming disciples.  We fight for the poor and persecuted because we see throughout scripture God’s care for and advocacy for those who are disadvantaged and marginalized.  To be “priests” is to stand as a mediator between a fallen, lost world and the Holy God.  We tell the truth about the sin but also, we announce the hope that we have in Christ. 

            In identifying ourselves as a church, we know we are saved, we know we welcome and all are intentional about diversity and universal welcome, and we know that we are sent to share the good news of Jesus with the people who make up our surrounding community.  United in this mission, we see the picture of Revelation 5 come to life in our gathering.  In our prayers, our worship, our fellowship, and in our acts of service and mercy, Revelation 5 becomes our lived reality.