In the third installment of our "Ask Me Anything" series, Rev. Jacqui tackles a perennial question in most of our mainline churches: Why aren't we talking more about the end times?? Or more specifically, what's up with the Book of Revelation? And those horsemen of the apocalypse? As one congregant asked: "Have I just been sleeping through those sermons?"

You're right, we don't talk about the Book of Revelation much - but not because of any inherent problem with it (though many theologians, philosophers, and clergy folk throughout history would argue otherwise). It's simply that it's a complicated book bursting with metaphor and symbolism. Without a grounded understanding of the social/political/religious/economic/cultural context in which Revelation was originally written, the contents of this controversial book can be misused and weaponized.

Does that mean we should just rip it out of our Bibles? Absolutely not. Read through the lens of the historical critical method, the Book of Revelation contains warnings and invitations that still have meaning for us today. And even more importantly, John's vision of God's fulfilled plan for Creation is one that inspires us to keep on keeping on as the church in the 21st Century!

This teaching was preached by the Reverend Jacquelyn Foxall at Knox Presbyterian Church in Oakville, Ontario, Canada on Sunday July 20, 2025 as week 3 of 4 2025 Summer Series “Ask Me Anything”

Associated Scripture: Revelation 1:9-19, 21:1-5, 22:1-7