We are so glad you are joining us this week! Please note our next episode will release in two weeks time on Thursday October 23rd and we’ll be covering Revelation Chapter 12-16.

Both Sage and Ted were ordained two decades ago, Sage as a Swedenborgian Minister and Ted as an Episcopal priest. Sage is currently the visionary founder of the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative, author of the Substack Worship is Life, and producer of the Be Love Podcast. Ted serves as the rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Sage and Ted live in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston with their two sons Theo & Zach, their cat Miso and their newly adopted dog Princess.

In today’s podcast we reference two books Apocalypse Revealed by Emanuel Swedenborg and After the End of Time: Revelation and the Growth of Consciousness by Robin Roberston.

keywords Revelation, spiritual transformation, love, Swedenborg, discomfort, repentance, cycles, trumpet blasts, human condition, two witnesses, kingdom of God

summary In this episode, the hosts explore Revelation chapters 8 through 11, delving into themes of love, discomfort, and the human condition. They discuss the stubbornness of humanity in the face of suffering and the cycles of transformation that occur throughout the text. The conversation highlights the significance of the trumpet blasts as symbols of divine intervention and the call to repentance. The hosts also reflect on the role of the two witnesses and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom, emphasizing the need for a lived faith that transcends mere belief.

takeaways

* Revelation reveals the importance of love and honesty in spiritual engagement.

* Discomfort is a necessary part of spiritual growth and transformation.

* Human stubbornness often leads to repeated cycles of suffering.

* The interaction between earthly and heavenly realms is crucial in understanding Revelation.

* The trumpet blasts symbolize divine intervention and the call to repentance.

* The chaos in the world is often a reflection of humanity’s disconnection from the divine.

* Faith must be lived and embodied, not just professed.

* The seventh trumpet signifies the coming of God’s kingdom on earth.

* Transformation requires a deep connection to both the spiritual and material realms.

Sound Bites

* “Where was love coming out of this passage?”

* “We are a stubborn species.”

* “The prayers of the saints ascending.”

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Revelation: Energy and Engagement

07:51 Cycles of Transformation in Revelation

16:06 The Symbolism of the Trumpets

24:41 Faith and Transformation: A Lived Experience

25:59 From Fear to Fascination: A Journey with Insects

27:00 The Depth of Experience: Understanding Suffering and Connection

28:44 The Swarm of Outrage: Social Media and Collective Mentality

29:44 Witnessing the Unfolding: The Sixth Angel’s Trumpet

33:39 The Call to Repentance: Humanity’s Response to Suffering

34:37 The Measuring of the Temple: A Symbol of Transformation

38:54 Hope Amidst Despair: The Two Witnesses

41:35 The Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom of God Revealed

This episode’s theme music is “Ephesus and Smrynna,” by the Rev. Ken Turley www.turleymusic.com

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