Here is a post from David (my Dad), and if you know him, you'll understand why I didn't make any spelling corrections. It just wouldn't be the same.
"Yes , this book of the Bible is the one that i have the hardest time ,whats the word , understanding ? Yes ,that might be it . The first time i read Revalations was after i read the book Healter Skealter (Charly Manson) yikes, he took alot from this book in his demented way of thinking and used it to brain wash his little bunch of followers. So at first ,with no understanding with what was going on with John at the time he wrote this , i got about half way threw and stopped. I got lost big time , seven heads , lampposts golden or not , firery eyes and things, horns trumpeting names of places i hadnt heard of before , wow get me out of hear !!
With my understanding of the bible much clearer now ,than then i still have a hard time even with a more open mind and better understanding ,of the whole story of Crist just what to do with Revalations ?? How do i put together a sterio surround sound system ,reading diretions that i dont understand ??I have read Revalations a number of times from front to the back , out in the new deer blinds i have a copy of the the new testament in each one so when im there i read alot , might be why i dont see alot of deer ? But , i do spend alot of time out there readying this book ,cause its the one i really dont have a good understandying of .So my thinking is keep reading till i do .I get a little each time ,but it is painfully slow . What i would normally do as with the surround sound system is tear the directions up in alot of small peices and call some one who is smarter than me , hey theres a idea!"
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Are You Ready?
AGH! I can't believe it's December...we are on our final month of this reading challenge. I am so excited that, personally, I kept up with my commitment...and if you've done the same I'm sure you understand how that feels. :-) And if you're one who maybe started to read, then fell back for a while, but tried again...don't feel bad. It's a start, and we all had to begin somehow!!
So, now to the nail biting finish. Revelation. (note - singular, there's just one) Honest opinion here...a little scary. I've only read it once, and it's not a book we often get the chance to study. I want to get everyone really opening up on this one - ask questions - make comments - be confused - get answers! If you can't post to this website, send e-mails and I'll post them here for everyone. But let's try to really dig in deep with this book and see where it takes us.
First - if you don't yet have a Life Application Study Bible - go get one!
Things I've learned today. "Revelation is written in "Apocalyptic" form, a type of Jewish literature that uses symbolic imagery to communicate hope (in the ultimate triumph of God) to those in the midst of persecution. The events are ordered according to literary, rather than strictly chronological, patterns. There have been many approaches to interpreting this book...but the basic application we can use to approach it is 'Will this help me become a better follower of Jesus Christ today?' "
Verse 9 spoke to me as I read, especially when my study notes pointed out the persection going on in the time John was exiled. The note said "If we hesitate to share our faith during easy times, how will we do during times of persecution?" And then into verses 13-16 where we are given quite a startling description of Jesus. It makes me rethink how I picture Jesus in my head - usually a mild-spoken, gentle looking man...or the image of him dying on the cross and suffering. But here we see him in his full resurrected glory...full of power. Yet He still tells John "Do not be afraid".
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near"Revelation 1:3
So, now to the nail biting finish. Revelation. (note - singular, there's just one) Honest opinion here...a little scary. I've only read it once, and it's not a book we often get the chance to study. I want to get everyone really opening up on this one - ask questions - make comments - be confused - get answers! If you can't post to this website, send e-mails and I'll post them here for everyone. But let's try to really dig in deep with this book and see where it takes us.
First - if you don't yet have a Life Application Study Bible - go get one!
Things I've learned today. "Revelation is written in "Apocalyptic" form, a type of Jewish literature that uses symbolic imagery to communicate hope (in the ultimate triumph of God) to those in the midst of persecution. The events are ordered according to literary, rather than strictly chronological, patterns. There have been many approaches to interpreting this book...but the basic application we can use to approach it is 'Will this help me become a better follower of Jesus Christ today?' "
Verse 9 spoke to me as I read, especially when my study notes pointed out the persection going on in the time John was exiled. The note said "If we hesitate to share our faith during easy times, how will we do during times of persecution?" And then into verses 13-16 where we are given quite a startling description of Jesus. It makes me rethink how I picture Jesus in my head - usually a mild-spoken, gentle looking man...or the image of him dying on the cross and suffering. But here we see him in his full resurrected glory...full of power. Yet He still tells John "Do not be afraid".
I know this book is going to be hard to read. There's lots of symbolism, and there will be details that don't make sense. Let's finish the race strong, though! Don't give up just because it's difficult, but take encouragement from the promises this book will reveal.
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near"Revelation 1:3
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)