May 2, 2004
Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
The story of the miraculous resurrection of Tabitha by Peter in Joppa is intended to indicate that the Apostles had miraculous power similar to that demonstrated by Jesus. Healing the sick and raising persons from the death was an important feat and served to persuade people that the specific religion (in this case the young Christianity) through which such miracles could be performed was the true religion and there were many in that part of the world in that day. Given the medical expertise of that day there is little doubt that some, if not all, of those supposed to be raised from the dead had a malady which made them seem dead when in fact they were not. Many episodes are experienced today in which persons appear to be dead but are not. More important is the fact that through a long process of learning how to tap into the healing powers of the body which our Creator has incorporated in each of us, many "healing or raising experiences" are so commonplace that they are taken for granted today and far out number the biblical stories of such incidents. The "God of process" is certainly much more active today in "healing" and "raising" than was the "God of instantaneous miracles" in biblical times.
The passage in Revelation should be viewed in the same manner as the rest of Revelation--as a symbol of hope which revealed the extent to which the imaginary capacity of the brain can function in the face of hopelessness. In no way should any part of Revelation be interpreted as prediction of history. Instead Revelation in its parts and entirety should be understood to be images and visions which were intended to bring hope to a people who could find no real reason for hope in this life in this world.
With time following the crucifixion of Jesus, it became easier for the disciples to attach themselves to the idea that Jesus was really God who appeared in the form of a human body. Thus with the passing of many years it was not difficult for the author of the Gospel of John to have the words "I and the Father are one" coming from the mouth of Jesus. In other words, the assertion is that not only is that what disciples believed about Jesus, but now they could easily imagine that this is what Jesus thought about himself.