A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM US?
Grace and peace to you,
This week we continue our exploration of the Book of Revelation with a focus on Revelation 4:1-11. I invite you to read it or better yet, find an audio version of it and let yourself see what John of Patmos might have seen.
What is the point of all of this imagery? What are 
we to make of the invitation to John to open the door and take a spiritual journey directly to the throne room – the throne where God is. Why is John invited in the first place?
Notice the characteristics describing God (The one seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and surrounding the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald). Is this how you would describe God? Notice too some of the other images from this throne room vision: 24 elders, seven flaming torches, a sea of glass, and the four creatures. What in the world?!
How do we get from this vision of John’s that the only one worthy of worship is God and that when we are faithful witnesses and worshipers to and of that God, the empire will strike back. In other words, the seven churches John wrote to who John will go on to describe the vision and the subsequent cosmic battle face the decision: who is worthy of our worship? God or Caesar. And, if we choose God, are we ready to face the consequences of that witness and worship.
Think about it – what do empires want from us: complete loyalty, putting Caesar front and center, never questioning that rule, and above all else doing everything to be faithful worshipers of the small “g” god – meaning the current Roman Caesar. What does God want from us? To live our lives worshiping God and imitating the faithful witness of Jesus Christ.
Which means to worship God as the true Lord of the world. To imitate Christ by loving God and loving neighbor as self. Caring about the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the imprisoned, the sick, the immigrant, the orphan. Acknowledging our need for that God and that Jesus.
How would empire react to that? And, what does all of this mean for us today?
Come and see! Come and explore!
Blessings,
Pastor Karen