Moving From Theology To Doxology

Moving From Theology To DoxologyBishop Jim Swilley The title of the Bible's last book, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is also translated as "The Apocalypse," or better said "The Unveiling," specifically, the final unveiling of Jesus, the King! This beautiful book, which describes through prophetic symbols the ultimate triumph of the Christ, is not only a message of hope and reconciliation for the earth, it is also an anointed Psalter. But it has, unfortunately, become primarily associated with doom and gloom and dark, ominous threats of things to come in recent years. This modern concept of The Apocalypse has evolved from a pessimistic paradigm that is the result of a legalistic interpretation of the Scriptures and a misunderstanding of original languages.But John's glorious vision of the Lamb's dominion is actually built around seven joyous doxologies which describe what he saw and heard every time heaven (or the spirit-realm) was opened up to him:Mass Choirs. Loud, exuberant singing. Orchestras with enormous brass sections. And songs of worship sung in unison by countless saints, martyrs, overcomers, angels and every other created thing in heaven, in earth, and even in "Hades!"And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth [in Hades, the place of departed spirits] and on the sea and all that is in it, crying out together, To Him Who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb be ascribed the blessing and the honor and the majesty (glory, splendor) and the power (might and dominion) forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities)! (Revelation 5:13 - Amp)The word doxology is defined as a liturgical prayer or hymn of praise to God and is from the Latin doxologia (a combination of doxa, meaning praise, glory and honor) and logos (which means speech or "to speak"). The verb that is translated into English as "to worship" is found twenty-four times in The Revelation, far more than in any other New Testament book.In fact, these references to worship in John's vision make up almost half of its New Testament occurrences. Also, the word "Hallelujah," which means "to shout the Hallel to Jah" and is the only word that is the same in every language on earth, is only found in The Revelation!And this brings us to the universal purpose of worship: it is the means by which all people of faith are able to move from theology--from studying God, espousing their ideas about God, arguing and dividing over the doctrines of God, fighting and starting wars over their different concepts about God--and enter into the dimension of doxology, where the top priority is simply to join with all creation in fulfilling its purpose of glorifying God.In a word, doctrine divides us, but worship unites us, and the "unveiling"--or the place where we behold nothing but the Lamb of God--occurs through our worship!