Reading for May 12th

Read Revelation 18.20-19.10 In 18.20-19.10: This passage is a disturbing call to rejoice at the destruction of Babylon, indicating a deep hostility. In 18.20: They rejoice like someone who has won a lawsuit: God has given judgment for you against her. In verses 21-24: The millstone was a common image of judgment (see Mk 9.42); such prophetic-symbolic actions were common. This is now the third image of Babylon's desructon: 17.16; 18.2; there will be a fourth at 19.3. The blood of all the prophets is found in one city, but it is found in the great city. In 19.1: In response to the command of 18.20, the heavenly multitude shout hallelujah, joined by the 24 elders (see 4.4; 11.14), The scene echoes the throne scene in chs. 4-5; see also 11.15-18. In verse 6: The Lord ... reigns echoes 11.15. In verse 9: The angel said to me introduces a short exchange between John and the angel, in which John tries to worship the angel and is rebuked (see similar scene at 22.8-9). In verse 10: The spirit of prophecy or the spirit that inspire prophecy; john must not worship the messenger because the source of the message is the testimony of Jesus (Jesus' life and word). Comments or Questions..