...He who sat upon the throne said, "Behold! I am making all things new!"
-- Revelation 21:5 (NEB)
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
-- Luke 23:34 (RSV)
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Revelation 21:5 hardly seems like an appropriate text to mix with the Good Friday words of Jesus about forgiving those who are crucifying him. The Good Friday verse focuses on the death of Christ. Revelation 21:5 focuses on the ultimate reign of Christ. Good Friday is gory. Revelation 21:5 is about glory.
Yes, but in a sense, the cross of Christ is his throne. Jesus, the king of the universe, rules as the Suffering Servant. Good Friday is a time to think about our sins which put Jesus on the cross, but the cross also tells us that Jesus conquers our sins, and makes "all things new." Victims b…