Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Good Morning  

 

Volunteer? 

 

Today's Reading:   Revelation 10:8-11 , read Barclay pages 64-65

 

-- this is one more short passage, the rest of this week will be devoted to Barclay's notes about the Antichrist before we move on the Chapter 11.

 

-- in this short passage, John writes of eating the little roll (scroll) that the angel carried with the message about the end times.  John mirrors the experience of Ezekiel, who does the same in Ezekiel 3:1-3.  As Barclay notes, it is symbolic of taking in the word of God, much like communion is a symbolic taking in of Christ's body.  It is interesting contrast to the idea of "eat your words", which is more modern phrase, to the idea of eating the scroll with the word of God on it. I don't think that these phrases are connected at all, but it is an interesting contrast in images. When you have to eat your words, it is generally a bitter experience, and it usually indicates that you were wrong about something.   But in the Bible, in several places the word of God is sweet -- though John notes that the scroll was bitter in his stomach, which speaks to the idea that much of what he has been chosen to share with the world is not pleasant at all, but terrifying.

-- the interesting thing for me is the fact that at this point, John is told again that he must prophesy to all, what he sees and hears -- he was told that early in the book, but now that we are about halfway through, it seems like he needed to be reminded or encouraged to stick it out to the end, even though it was getting more and more bleak.

 

Today's Scripture 

Keep alert, stand firm in the your faith, be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 

 

Today's prayer requests:    Saundra Aaron

Valerie's brother's mother-in-law continues to go through treatment for cancer.  Need to remember her and her family in her struggles.

Today's class member prayer: 

 

Michelle Ray    

Jay