A Revelation of Oz

A century ago, money issues filled the headlines. Older citizens recalled the way Lincoln’s greenbacks, fiat paper currency printed up to finance the war between the states, had generated a fraudulent illusion of wealth. Although the reappearance of the gold standard had paved a safe highway for business, a bombastic orator known as "the lion of the prairies" crusaded for a bimetallic standard. Silver, he said, would provide the way home to a longed-for era of security.

Even if you don’t know the political trends L. Frank Baum satirized so gleefully, The Wizard of Oz is still a fun book to read. Dorothy’s slippers were silver, you see.

Strange thoughts cross your mind when you worship with an active imagination. As I joined our church in hymns that magnified the One who sits upon the throne to receive worship from humanity, and from all of creation, I thought of another book, a book of the Bible that can be exegeted as a worship service. A book that dealt with political trends of its own day – an arrogant empire, suffering from the political chaos of wars of succession. An apostate people who’d once known God’s favor, but decided instead to throw in their lot with that empire. A desperate remnant, struggling to deal with pressure from pagans and apostates on the outside, and corroding corruption inside its own doors. A mad emperor, named by name in a clever anagram.

You don’t need to know the historical background of the Book of Revelation to enjoy its celebration of the reigning and conquering Messiah. But knowing the context does add depth, richness, and joy to the worshiping saint’s experience.

(for the record -- 90+% of John's Revelation was current events to its first readers, and is ancient history to us now.)