Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Good Morning  

 

Back from out of town -- hope everyone had a good weekend. 

 

Today's Reading:    Revelation 11 (all) --  Barclay 73-75 

 

-- Barclay has us read the entire 11th chapter for perspective before breaking down the individual passages.

 

-- In general, Chapter 11 is a preview/summary chapter for the rest of Revelation -- outlines what is to happen.  Note that at the end of the chapter, John writes that the second woe is over, and the third is to come, which signifies that the end of the events associated with the sixth trumpet.(The three woes were mentioned by the angel prior to the blowing of the fifth trumpet.  Trumpets 5, 6, and 7 are heralds of events that bring terror, hardship, pain, etc. to the people of the earth.  The first four trumpets primarily brought destruction to the natural elements of the earth -- the water, the trees, the grass, etc.) 

 

-- In large measure, we are beginning to get to the part of Revelation that people tend to really focus on -- the antichrist, the 3 1/2 years of rule, etc.  As we get into it, I'm sure that we'll find it really interesting as well -- but before we do, let's reflect on all that we have studied and read getting to this point -- the letters to the seven churches, the seven seals, the first six trumpets -- a lot has happened and discussed.  We need to remember all of that because many of the misconceptions about Revelation are due to focusing on just a few portions of the book, and not understanding it in the context of the whole book.

 

Today's Scripture 

 

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with the darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14

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:

Brigitte Severance

Jay