Friday, June 23, 2006

Good Morning

Sorry for not having anything all week -- I was out of town in New York this week, and out this weekend again. Between softball and work travel, still have a busy summer ahead.

Also, looking at the calendar and the remainder of this book, I think I'm going to try to get us through this book by the end of July. That might cause us to be a little heavier in our daily reading, but I think that picking up the pace so we can move on to another study would be good.

Revelation and the end times are continually a story that the media loves to cover -- here is an article from the LA Times about Christians who are trying to hasten the end of the world through fulfilling prophesy:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-endtimes22jun22,0,7902314.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Today's Reading: Revelation 15:1-4, Barclay 132-136

-- We are about to have the final judgements -- the pouring out of God's wrath on the earth, the seven bowls, the third of the groups of seven (seven seals, seven trumpets, now seven bowls)

-- As Barclay notes about these verses, before John gets to the wrath, he tells of the celebration of the martyrs who were killed during the reign of the beast, who resisted his mark, and how they came to be victorious and celebrated in heaven.

-- That said, this celebration is not like one that we would have on earth -- the song they sing is not about their victory, but God's victory. The focus, as Barclay notes, is all about God -- his glory and power.

Today's Scripture

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18

Today's prayer requests:

Today's class member prayer:

Jerri Wesson

Jay