Thursday, January 5, 2006

Good Morning!

 

Some more quick thoughts as we get ready for starting our study:

 

In my study Bible, they identify five "mega themes" that are touched on in Revelation.   I've cut and pasted those comments below

 

God's sovereignty -- God is greater than any power in the universe, and not to be compared with any leader, government or religion.  He controls history the purpose of uniting true believers in loving fellowship with him.

 

Christ's return -- Christ came to earth as a "Lamb" the symbol of his perfect sacrifice for our sin.  He will return as the triumphant "Lion", the rightful ruler and conqueror.  He will defeat Satan, settle accounts with all those who reject him, and bring his faithful people into eternity.

 

God's faithful people -- John wrote to encourage the church to resist the demands to worship the Roman emperor.  He warns all God's faithful people to be devoted only to Christ.  Revelation identifies who the faithful people are and what they should be doing until Christ returns.

 

Judgment -- One day God's anger toward sin will be fully and completely unleashed.  Satan will be defeated with all of his agents.  False religion will be destroyed.  God will reward the faithful with eternal life, but all who refuse to believe in him will face eternal punishment.

 

Hope -- One day God will create a new heaven and a new earth.  All believers will live with him forever in perfect peace and security.  Those who have already died will be raised to life.  These promises for the future bring us hope.

 

In the descriptions of those themes, there are the seeds of why people find this a scary book -- the idea of Christ "settling accounts"; God's anger being fully unleashed; eternal punishment -- a lot of people hone in those themes in Revelation, and for good reason.  But that view overshadows a lot of other messaging, and that it what we need to get at in our study.

Today's Scripture

At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in an cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Luke 21:27-28

Today's prayer request:      Our troops in Iraq and Afganistan

Again, just a reminder that this story has been somewhat pushed off the front pages of the media, but we still have a lot of troops in harm's way overseas, and we need to pray for their continued safety and strength for their families back home in the US.

Today's class member prayer:

Danny Walker

Have a great day.

Jay