Friday, July 21, 2006

Good Morning 

 

Hope everyone has had a good week.  See everyone on Sunday.

 

We are on track to finish by next Friday. I was wondering -- what would be an appropriate memento for completing a seven month daily study of the book of Revelation?  If the kids at VBS get a certificate for just one week, seems like we should get something as well.

 

Today's Reading:    Revelation 21:9-27    Barclay 232-239

 

-- John's vision of the new Jersusalem begins here.

 

-- Barclay goes into some depth here about the various symbolic meanings woven into John's description. As with much of what we have read in Revelation, we have the choice of two paths in terms of understanding this:

 

-- the first is the path that this is a vision of something that John saw -- that is how it is written -- John is "taken up in the Spirit" to another place and time and observes this city with his own eyes, and records it.

 

-- the second is that John is speaking entirely symbolically -- that he didn't actually see anything, but that he is inspired by the Spirit to create in words this imaginary vision of this new city, and he crafts a description that touches on language used throughout the Old and New Testaments to give these descriptions continuity with what had been written in the past.

 

-- I think that this is one of the fundamental things that we have learned about Revelation during this study, and one of the key things that we need to take away from the study -- what was John's source material for the book?  Was he writing down a series of visions given to him by God, things that he "saw" with his own eyes?  Or was John writing - inspired by God -- a deliberately symbolic and fanciful story that drew on all of John's understanding of previous scripture and his own interpretation of the events of his day?  And depending on what you believe about that, then you have another challenge -- is Revelation a roadmap of what is to happen in the future, or is Revelation a warning about how to live in a world full of seductions and distractions from a life of faith; and a tale of the rewards of faithfulness and the punishments for losing one's way.

 

-- as for the specific section that we are reading today, amidst all of the descriptions of the holy city, is this idea that it is open to everyone, that there is room for everyone, and that the gates of the God's city are open in every direction.  There is the matter of belief and faithfulness that entitles you to residence in this new city, but God makes that opportunity available to anyone.  (I should say,up to a point -- at this point in the story though -- the time for repentance has passed.)

 

Today's Scripture 

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.

 

Philippians 4:8

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 the her entire family.  

Today's class member prayer:   

 

 Jerri Wesson 

  

Jay