Friday, March 31, 2006

Good Morning

 

-- Don't forget -- We are going to have a Sunday School Class meal on Monday, April 3, at 6P at the home of Ron and Michelle Ray.  All you need to bring is a dessert and your soft drinks.  We just need to let Michelle know who is coming -- email her at mray@vulc.com by today to let her know, and to get directions.

 

Today's Reading:  Revelation 7:1-3; Pages 20-21 in Barclay, stop at "The Winds of God"

 

-- short reading today as we start chapter 7.

 

-- note that we are still, for the next several days, going to still be at the point after the opening of the sixth seal.  The seventh seal will not be opened until chapter 8.

 

-- Barclay's commentary for today is about setting up the bigger picture of chapter 7.

 

-- Chapter 7 is a bit a the lull before the storm -- it talks about God preparing/marking the faithful prior to the next wave of tribulation and difficulties.  Barclay lists three elements to this view/theme of this chapter -- a warning to all of what is to come; assurance to the faithful that no matter how difficult it gets for them, God has sealed them; and a promise to those faithful that the times after the tribulation will be peaceful and joyful.

 

-- That said, this is an example of the dual nature of Revelation.  There is a reason we have a fear and a hope meter in class -- or at least why Brad does -- fear is the primary thing we focus on with Revelation, and this chapter is another example as to why.  Part of that is that we overlook or gloss over the elements of home in the book, and this chapter is a good example of this -- we don't see the elements of assurance and promise in this chapter, we certainly get the warning.

 

Today's Scripture

 

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him.

Colossians 2:6

Today's prayer requests:   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:

Krystle Hatton

Jay