Campfire Scripture: A dose of man-Bible every weekday, for the thoughtful, manful Christian.

Book Author and Date:

John, the longest surviving apostle of Jesus Christ (the longest lived eyewitness of the man Christ Jesus?). He spent his last days on a barren island called Patmos. John wrote Revelation before Nero’s treacherous persecution of the church began, so between A.D. 94-96. John was very old at this time.

Tags:

End times, Christ, Badassery.

Context:

John was writing to seven major churches around the Mediterranean world. He was writing with a message of hope. He foresaw the intense persecution they were about to face and was letting them know that God had their backs. All things would take place according to his will, not just in their time, but for all time.

What I Reckon:

John was painting a picture of the mighty King Jesus Christ, King of kings. Jesus Christ is our conquering hero, not some mild-mannered diplomat. What kind of hope and edification would that have been to Christians  being gored by bulls? None.

No they needed the confidence to know that no matter what, God was in control. John doesn’t just say it plainly though, he describes an overwhelming vision of the omnipotent God coming on the clouds where all would see him. Even those who pierced him.

It’s a wonder there are not more fantasy and sci-fi fans who are Christians, and that Christianity doesn’t have maybe a more mainstream popularity in fantasy fiction. The Bible is a dream boat of imagery for fantasy lovers. Books like Revelation are the perfect example. Christianity has undoubtedly been the inspiration for many fantasy writers in the past, including most famously, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

As men though, these images us should serve as a reminder that we do not follow a pacifist, progressive, hippie. Instead we follow a mighty sword wielding, death crushing King…

References

All Campfire Scripture passages are taken from the New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise stated.

John MacArthur, 2006, The MacArthur Study Bible,  New American Standard Bible (1995 edition).