Subverting Power and Empire A study based on the Revelation 5:1 10 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

Hello good people.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

Thank you for joining me.

In my quest to get the audible word of God into two million ears, a million people by 2028.

We do so by a daily reading from the Revised Common Lectionary.

That's a three year cycle of reading through the entire Bible.

We read the New Testament version.

We're in year C of a three year cycle.

We're in the Easter tide season.

We make the Bible understandable.

We read from the message version relatable.

We give you some points to ponder applicable by giving you an action step.

We have a prayer.

We do all of that in under 10 minutes or so.

So it's all brought to you by our website voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.

Let's get into our reading for today from the Revelation 5:1 10 Reading from the message the line is a lamb.

I saw a scroll of the right hand of the one seated on the throne.

It was written on both sides, fastened with seven seals.

I also saw a powerful angel calling out in a voice like thunder.

Is there anyone who can open the scroll who can break its seals?

There was no one, no one in heaven, no one on earth, no one from the underworld able to break open the scroll and read it.

I wept and wept and wept and no one was found able to open the scroll, able to read it.

One of the elders said, don't weep.

Look, the lion from tribe Judah, the root of David's tree has conquered.

He can open the scroll, can rip through the seven seals.

So I looked and there surrounded by throne animals and elders, was a lamb, slaughtered but standing tall.

Seven horns he had and seven eyes.

The seven spirits of God sent to into all the earth.

He came to the one seated on the throne and took the scroll from his right hand.

The moment he took the scroll, the four animals and 24 elders fell down and worshiped the lamb.

Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God's holy people.

And they sang a new song worthy take the scroll open its seals slain pain and blood.

You brought men and women, brought them back from over all the earth, brought them back for God.

Then you made them a kingdom, priests for our God, Priests, kings to rule over the earth.

Well friends, that's a powerful imagery in this scripture here from the Revelation It's a revolutionary vision that kind of upends an understanding of power and victory.

So let's get into some points to ponder.

The first is the subversion of empire.

The text here sets up an expectation of imperial power.

The lion who conquers but reveals instead a slaughtered lamb.

This radical reversal challenges all systems of domination and violence in our time of militarism and nationalistic Christianity.

This reminds us that divine power operates through vulnerable solidarity, not force.

The one who can open the scroll does so through suffering, not by dominating others.

The second point is about collective liberation.

The lamb's action results in people being brought back from all over the earth is what the scripture says.

Not to create individual salvation, but to form a collective priesthood.

This challenges both individual prosperity gospel and exclusion of religious authority.

Liberation isn't about personal escape, but about creating communities of shared power and mutual care.

The third point is about transforming power.

The image of priest kings to rule isn't about reinstating a hierarchy, but about transforming how power works.

Those who have experienced oppression become agents of transformation.

This speaks to modern movements where marginalized communities lead the way in creating alternative systems of justice and care.

Here's your action step for you.

Examine how communities you're involved with exercise power.

What are the ways that sometimes the communities were part of default to domination rather than vulnerable solidarity.

And choose one concrete way to transform these power relationships.

This might mean shifting to consensus, decision making over a top down type of thing.

Or centering and listening to marginalized voices in leadership, sharing resources more radically or supporting movements which are led by impacted communities.

Remember, true power looks more like the lamb than the lion.

We're going to come to a closing prayer here in just a minute, but I did also want to share with you that we have a wonderful resource for you.

It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.

It will help you read the Bible of your own accord in your own personal life.

We want you to listen to the audible word of God through the daily Bible refresh.

But study the Bible on your own.

So head over to voiceofgoddaily.com that's where you're going to find the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide.

It will help you with your personal Bible study.

Let's pray.

Oh God, you are the divine lamb.

And we live in a world that believes in the power of lions, military might, economic, dominant domination, religious authority.

Help us recognize and practice a different kind of power.

When we're tempted to seek control.

Remind us of your vulnerable solidarity.

Guide us in creating communities where power is shared, not hoarded.

Show us how to support liberation movements without trying to control them.

Give us courage to stand with the vulnerable rather than align with empire.

In hope and determination, we pray.

Amen.

Thanks for joining us today.

It's with hope and determination that we will be here again tomorrow to share with you another episode of the Daily Bible Refresh.

We usually drop these episodes before 6am Eastern Time.

Hope that you'll join us and bring a friend.

We have a goal of getting the audible word of God into 2 million ears.

That's a million people by 2028.

And when you join us, you help that to happen.

Until that time, My name is Dr.

Brad Miller, reminding you that God, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.

Every morning.