[This is a transcript of a sermon on Revelation 21:1-6 preached by Rod Benson at Lithgow, Australia, in May 2018] When the Apostle John recorded the fantastic visions we encounter in the Book of Revelation, I believe he fully intended the words and images to be understood by ordinary readers in his own time. There …
The return of the King
[This is a transcript of a sermon on Revelation 19:11-16 preached by Rod Benson at Lithgow, Australia, in May 2018] How will the world end? Will it be by means of a global zombie plague, a catastrophic asteroid collision, nuclear war with China, or the effects of climate change? Fortunately, the last book in the …
Light of the world
Have you ever been in a light-filled space, and suddenly youโre plunged into darkness? Or youโve been out driving in a thunderstorm when the traffic signals fail?ย It can be frustrating; it can be frightening; it can quickly lead to chaos. Without light, Gerard Manley Hopkins would never have uttered those immortal words, โGlory be to …
Salt of the earth
When I think of salt, my mind goes to its use in seasoning foods. What would we do without salt in our cooking? Yesterday, I opened my kitchen cupboard and found cooking salt, as you might expect. But I also found rough crystals of rock salt intended for the salt cellar, flakes of Maldon salt, …
How they persecuted the prophets
Persecution for political or religious beliefs is never pleasant. I am grateful that we live in a time and place where human rights are respected and defended, and where persecution is unacceptable in law, and eschewed by the vast majority of our fellow Australians. Sadly, that is not the case generally in our world today. …
