Monday, January 9, 2006

Good Morning!

 

We had a really good turnout on Sunday for the kick-off of our study, so I'm excited.  This week we are going to cover the introduction and the first couple of entries, so there is still plenty of time to get on board.  If you need a book dropped off at your house or mailed, just send me an email and I will get one to you.

 

Also, note that tonight starts the first of four stewardship meetings this week.  You should have received a letter about which night, but the short answer is that you are welcome any night that you can attend.  Meetings start at 7P each night, Monday through Thursday.

 

Today's Reading

 

For the first three days of this week, we are going to cover the introduction to the study:

 

Monday - pages 1 - 7

Tuesday - pages 7 - 15

Wednesday pages 15-23

 

In the first reading for today, we cover some of the same ground we discussed on Sunday.  Three or four key points:

 

-- The difference of Revelation from the rest of the New Testament - which has led some church thinkers/leaders over the years, such as Martin Luther, to exclude Revelation from their versions of the Bible.  In fact, Revelation does not appear in the Greek Orthodox church's version of the New Testament.

 

-- The description of Revelation as apocalyptic literature, and what that means.  While Revelation is the best known example of apocalyptic literature, and we might think that the Apocalypse is specific to Revelation, in fact there is a great deal of apocalyptic literature, most of it rising from the Jewish tradition and writings that fall between the Old and New Testament.

 

-- The differences between apocalyptic and prophetic literature.  Prophetic writings are straightforward accounts about what is to come in this world and time, and what good things must happen if the bad things are not to happen.  Apocalyptic writings are not about the opportunity for this world and time to redeem itself; apocalyptic writings write about the end of this world and the coming of new, better world.

 

The main thing that we get from the first section is that Revelation is -- surprise, surprise -- difficult book to understand.  That said, that is common for apocalyptic literature.  But that is the reason that many church leaders wanted to exclude it from the Bible -- they didn't see the fairness of the book that promised difficulties for those who didn't heed the warnings in the book, but then deliberately made the warnings so obscure and hidden that no one could figure them out.

 

The other thing about Revelation that makes it difficult for many to embrace is that they don't recognize the God or the Jesus that is portrayed in this book.  There is vengance; judgments are made; punishments are handed out. There is very little love or redemption or forgiveness -- the time for those have apparently passed by, and we can see what the other side of that time is going to look like.  In much of the New Testament, as well as our lives, the question is "Whose Side Are You On?"  In Revelation, sides have been chosen, we get to see how the game plays out.

Today's Scripture

Instead, they will serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

Jeremiah 30:9

Today's prayer request:       Saundra Aaron

 

This is Valerie's brother's mother-in-law, who is being treated for breast cancer.  Need to continue to remember her as she continues her treatment and her family.

 

Today's class member prayer:

 

Kelly Thaxton

Have a great day.

Jay