Christ Church Moreton Hall

Some of you will know that the very last book in the Bible is called Revelation. It concerns a vision given to a man called John who sees heaven and what will happen at the end of time. So vivid are these depictions that it has inspired many artists and writers through the last two millennia, particularly the artist Durer, who shows death, famine, war and pestilence riding on the four horses of the apocalypse in a famous woodcut. In recent times this book has inspired a series of novels about what it would be like to live in the end times. They are so popular that they are now making a film of them.

In every generation moralists and politicians have made direct parallels between events in the book and their situations. They would say Revelation has predicted what is happening. So, if you search the internet right now, you will find plenty of people offering the opinion that the economic downturn, the war in Gaza, and a whole host of other things are sure sign that the end times are coming. The idea of swift and punitive justice has always had a ready appeal. Many on Moreton Hall would like to see punishment for mindless vandals who take delight in ruining public facilities such as burning down our youth seat.

However, the real point of the Book of Revelation is somewhat different. The book is first of all given to somebody who is a Christian who was in prison on the island of Patmos (a small island off Greece). John was a faithful disciple, but during the twenty years since Jesus had returned to heaven, he had seen many of his friends die and he himself was alone and cut off. One could guess that he was close to despair. The book tells that one Sunday when he was praying, Jesus himself appeared to him, reassured him, gave him the visions and then departed. The effect on John was quite significant. He was encouraged in his faith and, as Jesus promised, he left the island and shared his vision with the rest of the world. It ultimately became part of the Bible when it was formed two hundred years later.

But the real message to John was this, that even though he was imprisoned, cut off, prone to despair and having an awful time, Christ knew all about it and, more than that, was prepared to help him directly. That is the message and the lesson that we have just relearned at Christ Church, Moreton Hall. We have renewed our vision in Christ and we have come to understand that even if we are imprisoned by a whole range of problems such as debt, bereavement, addiction, abuse or just bad habits and disappointment, Jesus knows all about them and comes to set us free.

The effect of this message upon our church was quite significant. Many people came forward for prayer and there was a feeling of renewed confidence in our faith and of contentment. I feel this is a message that should be shared across the Moreton Hall estate and indeed, in Bury St. Edmunds as well. No matter what our circumstances God does know and he longs to help. However, we need to be open to His direction and be prepared to have our vision of Him renewed. When that happens we can have a real sense of God’s presence in our lives, we see prayer answered and people healed and changed.

So at a time of darkness, gloom and despair another lesson from the Book of Revelation while there may be many horrible things happening and yet even more horrible things to come, we serve a saviour who can set us free, who is powerful to change and powerful to save, and like John found, He is only a prayer away. So as we continue in what may prove a difficult year of turmoil let us forward confident that Jesus Christ is with us every step of the way. Jonathan Ford