Wednesday, May 23, 2006

Good Morning    

 

For Brad and Ray, here is the Beijing weather report: 

 

Current  Temp:  (at 7P local time)      79 and sunny 

Tonight:   Cloudy skies this evening, with a few showers developing late.  Low 63.  Chance of rain 50%.    

Today's Reading:    Revelation 13 (whole chapter)   Barclay 98-105

-- Barclay calls Chapter 13 the essence of the whole book of Revelation, and he has us read the entire chapter first before going into more detail verse by verse.

-- Overview of the chapter -- When we last left Satan in chapter 12, he was standing on the sands of the sea.  Chapter 13 details the rise of two beasts, one from the sea, another from the land, who work together for a period of time to rule the world, and to persecute Christians.  Barclay, at least in this section, connects the beast with the Roman empire, the horns and heads with it's emperors, and the other beast from the land with it's infrastructure of troops and courts, etc.

-- so, if we to continue with the thought that Chapter 12 was a recap of the history of how Satan came to be on earth, then the rise of the beasts fit into that same time line, if you equate the beasts with the Roman empire.  Right now, based on what we have read, Barclay is not indicating that this section includes any prophesy of future events -- right now, his commentary indicates that it is simply some symbolic retelling of what was for John the recent past.  We'll have to see if there turns out to be a futuristic spin on the beast from Barclay.

-- The only other thing to add to today's note is just the horror of Nero, and the bizarre and evil ways that he persecuted Christians.

Today's Scripture   

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Today's prayer requests:     Margaret Rose Severance, Brigette's grandmother

She has been on list for a while, as she recovers from her broken leg -- getting around on walker now, but still needs our prayers.

Today's class member prayer: 

Kelley Thaxton 

 

Jay