Revelation - Part Twenty Seven: Smoke on the Water. Today, Mike and Tim discuss the concept of the lake of fire and its symbolism in the book of Revelation. Merry Christmas!!! What are the origins of this imagery in the Old Testament, particularly in the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah? Does the lake of fire represent destruction rather than eternal conscious torment? What is Hell??? Does the text really advocate for an eternity of torment and separation for "unbelievers?"
- The lake of fire in Revelation represents destruction rather than eternal conscious torment.
- The imagery of burning sulfur and smoke rising is borrowed from the Old Testament, particularly the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Being left outside the city symbolizes exclusion from the New Jerusalem and the consequences of practicing vices associated with empire.
- Understanding the symbolic nature of these images is crucial for interpreting the book of Revelation. Revelation challenges us to ask hard questions and reckon with our complicity with empire.
- The book of Revelation is not about predicting the end times, but rather about reflecting on our own actions and the actions of the church.
- The themes of injustice, making all things new, and leveling empires are consistent throughout the Bible.
- The Bible is intentionally provocative and invites us to question and wrestle with its teachings.
- Permission is granted to ask hard questions and wrestle with our faith and beliefs.
Yowza.
As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy
457 - To Be Human - Part Nine: Fight The Power
456 - To Be Human - Part Eight: The Two Powers
455 - Mental Illness & Spiritual Formation - with Lauren King, Dave Verhaagen and Kevin Dixon
454 - Power in Weakness - with Pastor Suzie P. Lind & Dr. Timothy Gombis
453 - To Be Human - Part Seven: Not So With You
452 - To Be Human - Part Six: Power Over vs. Power With
451 - How Should We Be Political? - with Dr. Timothy Gombis
450 - To Be Human - Part Five: It Is Good
449 - To Be Human - Part Four: Woman & Man
448 - To Be Human - Part Three: The Royal Dignity of Seth Erre
447 - To Be Human - Part Two: Statuesque
446 - To Be Human - Part One: In The Beginning
445 - Chapstick for the Soul - with Suzie P. Lind
444 - Strange Religion - with Dr. Nijay Gupta
443 - Growing Kids God's Way?
442 - Revelation - Part Thirty One: The End of the End
441 - For the Good of the Field
440 - Gospel & Gombis: Part Five
439 - The Spirit of our Politics - with Michael Wear
438 - Revelation - Part Thirty: To Hell and Back
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
BardsFM