Episode 847
Singing Justice into Being: A Reflection on Revelation 19. | 847
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
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Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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The discourse embarked upon in this enlightening session delves profoundly into the themes of justice and liberation as articulated within the sacred text of Revelation 19:1-8. The speaker articulates a compelling narrative that transcends mere spiritual interpretation, positing that the resounding 'Hallelujahs' echoing through the heavens signify a clarion call for political resistance against prevailing systems of oppression. By examining the traditional representations of the 'Great Whore', which symbolize the oppressive empires of our world, the discussion provokes a critical inquiry into contemporary structures of exploitation that demand our challenge. What are the modern-day empires, be they economic, political, or social, that necessitate our vigilant resistance? The speaker's reflections invite us to consider the broader implications of praise as not merely a spiritual exercise but a potent act of defiance and communal solidarity in the pursuit of justice.
Moreover, the conversation transitions into a profound exploration of the concept of collective liberation, highlighting the interconnectedness of all beings in the divine narrative of freedom. As the praises ascend from heaven to earth, they encompass all entities, underscoring that true liberation is not an individual endeavor but rather a cosmic imperative that binds humanity, nature, and the divine in an intricate tapestry of interdependence. The insistence that 'no one is truly free until all are free' resonates deeply, urging listeners to engage with pressing issues of environmental justice, racial equity, and systemic inequality. This collective vision of liberation serves as a catalyst for action, inspiring individuals to reflect on their roles within these larger societal movements.
Finally, the episode culminates in a revolutionary interpretation of the marriage of the Lamb, subverting conventional patriarchal imagery by emphasizing active justice rather than passive morality. The speaker challenges us to reframe our understanding of our relationship with the divine, suggesting that it is rooted in our commitment to fostering a more just world. The bright and shining linen of the bride symbolizes the righteousness borne from acts of compassion and justice, urging us to engage in what is termed 'resistance rejoicing.' Listeners are invited to identify justice issues that resonate with them personally and to celebrate the small victories that signal progress amidst the struggle. Through this call to action, the episode not only seeks to inspire spiritual reflection but also mobilizes a community dedicated to enacting change in the world around us.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of singing justice into being as a form of resistance.
- It presents a vision of cosmic liberation that encompasses all beings and the environment.
- During the episode, we reflect on Revelation 19:1-8, exploring its implications for contemporary justice movements.
- We encourage listeners to engage in an action step called 'resistance rejoicing' to celebrate justice efforts.
- The discussion highlights how collective liberation is an essential theme throughout the biblical text.
- Finally, the podcast asserts that our celebrations of hope can serve as acts of holy defiance against oppressive systems.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Singing justice into being.
Speaker A:A vision of cosmic liberation.
Speaker A:A reflection on the Revelation 19:1:8 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:That's me.
Speaker A:Thanks for joining me on this mission.
Speaker A:To get the audible word of God into 2 million ears.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:We do so by a daily reading of the Scripture taken from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:That's a three year cycle of reading through the Bible.
Speaker A:We're in year C, the Lenten season and we are talking about reading the Bible.
Speaker A:That is a way that is understandable.
Speaker A:We read from the New Testament, the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We have some points to ponder applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step.
Speaker A:We have a prayer and we do it all in under 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our website voiceofgodaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:Let's get in our reading for the day from the Revelation 19:1 8 reading for the message.
Speaker A:The sound of alleluias I heard a sound like masked corps choirs in heaven singing Hallelujah.
Speaker A:The salvation and glory and power are God's.
Speaker A:The judgment's true, his judgments just.
Speaker A:He judged the great who corrupted the earth with her lust.
Speaker A:He avenged her on her blood of his servants.
Speaker A:Then more singing Hallelujah.
Speaker A:The smoke from her burning billows up to a high heaven forever and ever.
Speaker A:The 24 elders and the four animals fell to their knees and worship God on his throne praising Amen.
Speaker A:Yes, Hallelujah.
Speaker A:From the throne came a shout, a command.
Speaker A:Praise our God to all your servants, all you who fear him, small and great.
Speaker A:Then I heard the sound of masked choirs, the sound of mighty rapids, the sound of strong thunder.
Speaker A:Hallelujah.
Speaker A:The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign strong.
Speaker A:Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, Let us give him the glory.
Speaker A:The marriage of the Lamb has come.
Speaker A:His wife has made herself ready.
Speaker A:She has given, she was given a bridal gown, a bright and shining linen, the linen of the righteousness of the saints.
Speaker A:So we're talking here in this today's reflection about really a vivid imagery from the revelation about contemporary movements that are related to justice and transformation.
Speaker A:So let's get into some some points to ponder here.
Speaker A:One is the politics of praise.
Speaker A:When we read Revelation through a progressive lens, we see that these alleluias aren't just spiritual songs, they're political statements.
Speaker A:The Great Whore traditionally represents Rome's oppressive empire, suggesting that praise can be an act of resistance against systems of domination.
Speaker A:Today we might ask what empires of exploitation need challenging.
Speaker A:What systems of oppression call for holy resistance?
Speaker A:Another point is about collective liberation.
Speaker A:Notice how in the praises here it moves from heaven to earth and involves beings of all scales and species.
Speaker A:The elders, the animals, small and great.
Speaker A:This vision suggests that liberation isn't just personal, it's cosmic.
Speaker A:Environmental justice, species interdependence and human equality are all woven into this picture of celebration.
Speaker A:No one is truly free until we all are free.
Speaker A:One more thing.
Speaker A:It's about this revolutionary wedding.
Speaker A:The images here of the marriage of the lamb subverts patriarchal wedding imagery.
Speaker A:The bride's linen represents the righteousness of the saints.
Speaker A:Not passive punity, but active justice.
Speaker A:Making this suggests that our relationship with the divine of God is less about individual morality and more about collective commitment to creating a more just world.
Speaker A:The bright and shining linen it speaks of is woven from acts of justice and compassion.
Speaker A:Let's talk about an action step.
Speaker A:I would invite you to think about doing something we might call resistance rejoicing.
Speaker A:That is, choose one justice issue that weighs heavy on your heart.
Speaker A:It might be climate crisis or racial justice or economic inequality or political upheaval.
Speaker A:And each day, alongside your work for change, celebrate a sign of hope or resistance in that area and create maybe a journal or a way to record this with hallelujahs or praises and document both the struggle that we have and the signs of transformation.
Speaker A:Remember that celebration can be a form of resistance.
Speaker A:All right, let's.
Speaker A:Let's.
Speaker A:We're gonna have a closing prayer here in just a minute, but I did really want to let you know that we have a great resource for you to do your own Bible study.
Speaker A:We love it when you listen in here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We want to have you.
Speaker A:We want to invite you to have your own Bible study by going and picking up a resource we have for you@voiceofgoddaily.com that's our website and you're going to find there the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It's a free resource.
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Speaker A:You hear the Word of God here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
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Speaker A:Pick it up@voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the source of justice and joy.
Speaker A:And sometimes it feels impossible to sing hallelujah in a world that's full of pain.
Speaker A:Help us to understand that our celebrations can be acts of holy defiance.
Speaker A:When an empire seems overwhelming, remind us that you stand with the marginalized and the oppressed.
Speaker A:And when our justice work leaves us weary, let us draw strength from the mighty chorus of all who work for liberation past, present and future.
Speaker A:Thank you for the glimpses of hope we see in movements for change, in communities of resistance, in small victories and persistent vision.
Speaker A:Make us people who dare to imagine and celebrate the world as it could be, even as we work to transform the world as it is.
Speaker A:May our hallelujahs be both praise and protest, both celebration and commitment to change.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:So great to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We love it.
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Speaker A:We're here every day.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6:00am Eastern Time, so please join us.
Speaker A: million people, by the end of: Speaker A:And you can do so by joining me and bringing a friend.
Speaker A:Thevoiceofgoddaily.com for the daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Until tomorrow, friends.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:And remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
