Assembling on the Great Day of the Lord

This meditation is based on a passage for November 4, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Revelation 16:12-21

Reflection and Question: There are at least three levels of meaning at work in this description of the angels pouring out bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth. There is the historic level of reference to Babylon, the oppressor of Judah; John’s listeners would be familiar with this. There is the contemporary level of Roman oppression of the peoples, like the Jews, across their Empire; Christians would have rejoiced at God’s wrath destroying Rome. And there is the meaning of this condemnation of imperial power for us in this time right now. Where do you want to be on this Great Day of the Lord?

Prayer: Holy Spirit of God, Babylon rose and fell as You established Your will in the world. And Rome rose and fell just as the empires of our time rise and fall in due time. Show us the place You have for us in this great scheme of things, we pray. Amen.