This past summer, I finished up the first half of a study in the book on Exodus, and while I plan to finish the second half eventually, I felt compelled to skip to the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Because so many controversies and questions surround those final chapters of Scripture, I was hesitant to dig in. What if I didn't understand the apocalyptic language? Would it be a waste of my time? Maybe I should just stick to more approachable books!
I couldn't shake the fact that it would be a great time to study the coming judgment with Egypt's plagues fresh in my mind so I began by listening to the audio version on my phone as I cooked and cleaned around house. I found myself stopping in the middle of my chores, captivated by the descriptive picture John paints about the future of our world. I was thrilled to find that my husband owned a copy of Dr. James Hamilton's commentary on Revelation. I could use it to clarify some of the verses that still stumped me.
At the time I am writing this, I am a bit more than half way through the book and have been struck over and over again by beautiful gospel themes that have brought a new purpose to my living. I am convinced that every busy mom needs to study Revelation.
Here's why:
1. Revelation offers a bigger perspective on mundane concerns.
Meal prep, laundry, kindergarten reading homework - a mom's day-to-day life is full to the brim with the mundane. Repetitive tasks can make the most resilient of mothers want to lose her mind. Worries about money, educational choices, and car repairs run through our distracted minds all day long. Revelation offers a bigger view. It's impossible to read about trumpets, seven headed dragons, and eternal rejoicing without seeing that God is coordinating something much greater than my little daily problems.
2. Revelation reminds us that the mundane matters.
God is the master story weaver. Nothing escapes His attention or care. This is true even when we label our lives as "boring" or "unimportant." Think of it this way. Our call as humans is to be image bearers of our God. This has been true ever since the Garden of Eden. While we fail often at reflecting His glory, goodness, and love, the daily responsibilities we accomplish bring organization to an otherwise chaotic world. In that, we are bearing God's image just as he created order out of nothing in the beginning.
Our mundane duties also have a future purpose. Courtney Reissig explains it this way in her book, Glory in the Ordinary.
"Our work is preparing us to rule and reign with Christ in a new earth, where the curse is gone, and we will work for God's glory, always."
I might scrub the dirty skillet little harder or complain a bit less about the smelly trash when I think about the eternal objective of my work. What I practice now will be used forever!
It's not just our work that matters, however. He is using the interactions, struggles, and joys I experience each day to further the reach of His kingdom. In other words, my story is combined with your story to complete His story.
3. Revelation gives us a renewed sense of Jesus' glory and power.
A thousand things demand our attention during a twenty-four hour period. It can be hard to know which task or person should receive the focus of our limited time and energy. I reach the end of most days exhausted and uninspired, and I'm sure you can relate. Before long, our obedience is fueled by guilt and duty, and we find ourselves mindlessly plugging away with no passion or excitement. We turn to our phones or computers for comfort and encouragement, but instead find comparison and conflict.
Revelation begins with a description of Jesus in chapter 1. John says He was clothed in a long robe with a golden sash around his chest. He had white hair and eyes like fire. His feet were like "burnished bronze" and his voice roared like many waters. Can you imagine seeing your Savior like this? John immediately fell at Jesus' feet at the sight of His glory. His power is overwhelming and His love is immeasurable, yet the next words recorded are, "Fear not!"
Because of Jesus' sacrifice at the cross, we do not have to fear the judgment of a holy God. Because Jesus overcame our slavery to sin, we can obey the call to faithful living in these last days. James Hamilton describes this passage,
"The incomparable glory of the risen Christ motivates John's audience to heed what John has been commissioned to write. The matchless splendor of Heaven's King attracts the attention and compels the obedience of the churches John addresses. The risen Christ in glory summons forth obedience from his churches."
The book of Revelation causes us to wake up from the apathy of mindless Christianity. It renews our hope in an ultimate victory against Satan and his followers. It comforts us in the midst of deep suffering, and gives a greater calling to pursue.
We can rejoice and obey on even the most difficult days of motherhood because of the words proclaimed in Revelation 11:15:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."
Amen.