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The Mysterious Messengers of the Apocalypse |
Revelation 6 and 7 |
One of the most difficult things I ever tried to do was to preach a series of sermons through the book of Revelation. It was also, though, one of my most rewarding pulpit experiences. I love metaphor and believe that metaphor is central to all good preaching. Since Revelation, for me, is the epitome of metaphor, why wouldn't I love tackling it? That's how I reasoned. The problem was getting some kind of handle on what the central metaphors of the document were about. This sermon was probably the most challenging of all, based on the two "messengers." But the very idea that there roamed the earth these two messengers was a rich vein to think about. Who were they? Who are they? Who might they stand for? It turned out to be a fruitful way to think about all of the countless Christian and quasi-Christian leaders who fancy themselves God's "messengers." To preach without notes is to plan carefully and think very hard through the subject one last time while one is actually preaching. This sermon was, for me, a terrific challenge. It is worth your hearing if you work on subjects like this in your preaching. |