Last week, in the study of Revelation, I wrote about what I learned in Revelation 1;1-8 and in the first video session of Beth Moore's teaching on this book. This time, those of us who are doing the Bible study are instructed to learn in the SOS step manner in order to learn deeper and apply meaningfully in our personal life.
S ---What does the scripture say?
O--- Is there anything the scripture requires for me to obey ?
S----How can I share this truth with others?
Reading: Revelation 1: 9-20
What does the scripture say?
Apostle John who writes this book is in the island of Patmos as an exile for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people. On the Lord's Day ( probably a Sunday or a Sabbath Day) while he was worshipping God in prayer and praises, he heard a voice sounding like a trumpet behind him and telling him to write on a scroll whatever he sees and send it to the seven churches in Turkey at that time. The voice named the churches clearly as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
John turns around to see who was speaking to him.
What did he see?
He saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands, was someone like the Son of Man( Jesus) standing among them, dressed in a robe flowing down to His feet and with a golden band around His chest (in a priestly attire).His hair white as wool and snow( symbolizing wisdom) and His eyes blazing like fire (symbolizing His judgement of all evil.) His feet shone like glowing bronze and His voice sounded like rushing waters. In His hand, He held seven stars and in His mouth , He had a sharp double edged sword (representing the power of His words.) His face shone like a brightly shining sun.
John fell like a dead man at the Lord's feet. But the Lord gently tapped him with His right hand and said, " Don't be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
The Lord asked John to write what he has seen then and what will take place later. He explained to John that the seven golden stars that He held in His right hand represented seven angels (or leaders) of the seven churches and the seven lampstands represents the seven churches to whom John was asked to send what he wrote.
Is there anything in these scriptures, I'm required to obey?
We find John worshipping God in spirit when he heard the trumpet like voice behind him. It wasn't a cooperate worship. John was alone worshipping God in private. Worshipping God with fellow believers is good and essential. But worshipping God in private, when no one is around and looking is vital. It is the key to a strong faith walk. Do I commit myself to have the private audience with God daily? If not, I need to set aside unneccessary schedules and commitments and have daily time with God for prayer and worship.
When I do, I'll be able to hear the Lord's small voice telling me what to do or not to do. Rarely would I hear an audible voice or see a vision like John. But I could hear the Lord speaking to me through His Word (the Bible.)
The number seven (7) represents complete and perfection.
We read that the Son of Man ( Jesus) standing among seven golden lampstands and holding seven stars in His right hand. The lampstands represents churches and stars represents the angels of the churches.
What do I learn here?
I learn that Christ loves each of these churches and cares enough to make John to write and send His message to them. He wants the churches to be complete in perfection. He holds the angels/leaders of the churches accountable for that.
How do I obey? Because the churches are close to God's heart, I've to work for the betterment of them by praying for them, loving the fellow believers Christlike and serving wherever and whenever my help is needed. Like these churches mentioned in Revelation, no church is perfect. Instead of giving into badmouthing, judging and making division in the church, I need to leave the judgement part to the Lord.
What would I share?
I'd share the importance of praise and worship in our time with the Lord.
I'd share that John couldn't behold the glorous face of Christ when he turned around to see. It wasn't the face of Jesus of Nazereth, his Master with whom he walked, talked and ate for three years in Galilee. His voice didn't sound the same as before. Unworthy to stand before the glorious risen Christ, the Alpha and Omega, John fell like a dead man at His feet.
Likewise, we too might have a different view of Christ in our mental picture. For some of us, He's more of a friend in need, a deliveror from trouble, a guide for heaven and comfort. Most of us picture Him with a smiling face, dressed in a white robe and having blond hair and blue eyes. No one could blame us for that's the image of Jesus we've seen on pictures hanging on the walls, on Sunday school take aways, church buildings, books and movies ever since our childhood.
And, now in this chapter, we come to view another picture of Him. Here, instead of seeing Him as Jesus-the Son of Man, we come to see Him as Christ-the Son of God in His glory. Dressed in a robe with a golden band across His chest representing a High Priest, having the hair white like wool and snow displaying His wisdom, and His fire like blazing eyes symbolizing judgement of all evil and the sharp double edged sword in His mouth symbolizing the power and authority of His words.
Could you and I ever stand erect and behold such a majestic vision of Christ? For sure I cannot. In my unworthiness to stand before Him, I too will fall flat on my tears bathed face and lay dead like John, if not for the grace and gentle whisper of His loving voice. How often we tend to forget who truly Christ is-the Lord of lords and King of kings, and see Him only as the world around us potray Him. But when we seek Him with our whole heart and abide in Him according to His words, He is going to reveal more and more of Himself to us. It may not be through a vision as in the case of John, but in some other ways He sees best to reveal in a personal way. During such revelation, we may hear the nudge of the Holy Spirit directing us what to do.
Let us too behold the Lord in reverence and obey Him as John did two thousand years ago.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Christ's second coming- What does the Scripture say?
What did Christ say about the timing of His return to earth?
" No one Knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mathew 24:36.)
" You also must be ready, because the Son Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."-(Luke 12:40.)
"Now, brothers, about the time and dates we do not need to write to you, 'for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman..."
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Mathew 24:42)
What did Christ warn us about His return?
"Then if anyone says to you, " Look, here is the Christ! or, " Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So, be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."( Mark13:21-23)
So, how will Christ appear?
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. " Men of Galilee," they said," why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into the heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
" For as the lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
' At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the sky with power and glory." (Mathew 24:27, 30.)
" Look, He is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
Even those who pierced Him
and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him.
So, shall it be! Amen.( Revelation 1:7)
" For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we, who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
What else will happen at that time?
" Immediately after the tribulation of those days
The sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give its light
the stars will fall from the sky
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken (Mathew 24:29)
Two thousand years have gone by since it was written in the scriptures, " the end is near..." " Yes, I am coming soon." Revelation 22:20. The early disciples of Christ believed that Christ's coming will occur during their life time. But it didn't happen. Generations have gone by without witnessing it happening. So how can we be sure it would happen in our time or in the future?
Jesus said," Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Mathew 24: 35.)
Apostle Peter warned in 2 Peter 3:18, " First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, " Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
" But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; earth and everything is it will be laid bare." (2 Peter 3 :8-10)
" Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." ( Revelation 22: 12)
Amen. Come , Lord Jesus.***
" No one Knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mathew 24:36.)
" You also must be ready, because the Son Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him."-(Luke 12:40.)
"Now, brothers, about the time and dates we do not need to write to you, 'for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman..."
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Mathew 24:42)
What did Christ warn us about His return?
"Then if anyone says to you, " Look, here is the Christ! or, " Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So, be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."( Mark13:21-23)
So, how will Christ appear?
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. " Men of Galilee," they said," why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into the heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
" For as the lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
' At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the sky with power and glory." (Mathew 24:27, 30.)
" Look, He is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see Him,
Even those who pierced Him
and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him.
So, shall it be! Amen.( Revelation 1:7)
" For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we, who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
What else will happen at that time?
" Immediately after the tribulation of those days
The sun will be darkened
and the moon will not give its light
the stars will fall from the sky
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken (Mathew 24:29)
Two thousand years have gone by since it was written in the scriptures, " the end is near..." " Yes, I am coming soon." Revelation 22:20. The early disciples of Christ believed that Christ's coming will occur during their life time. But it didn't happen. Generations have gone by without witnessing it happening. So how can we be sure it would happen in our time or in the future?
Jesus said," Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Mathew 24: 35.)
Apostle Peter warned in 2 Peter 3:18, " First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, " Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
" But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; earth and everything is it will be laid bare." (2 Peter 3 :8-10)
" Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." ( Revelation 22: 12)
Amen. Come , Lord Jesus.***
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Book of Revelation- The Unveiling of Christ, the King of glory
Like many, I've avoided reading the Book of Revelation in the Bible thinking that I wouldn't ever understand what's written there even if I try my best to grasp it . So, why bother I thought and had put it off for a long time. I'm not someone who likes to rely on Bible commentary for interpretation, although I admit that there are some great Bible commentaries to help us understand the Bible better.
So, when our Women's Bible Study coordinator announced that we'll be doing the Book of Revelation this Fall I was exited, especially when I learned that we're going to follow Beth Moore's video session series for the study. Like me, 80-100 women too had got excited to sign up for this study to learn what's said so unique and mysterious manner in signs and symbols in this last book of the Bible.
As Beth Moore points out in her study book- " no scholar, commentary , denomination, preacher or teacher can plausibly claim to have all the answers and ultimate interpretation for this fascinating finish of scripture,"it's futile to expect a full understanding of everything written in the book. "As long as God is glorified and His Word held sacred and inspired, having our views challenged can be a very healthy thing," Beth Moore writes and further adds, " An ardent desire to know God through the study of Scripture mixed with a humble spirit concocts the best kind of student. " I pray that I become such a Bible student with a humble heart, and develop an ardent passion for God as Beth Moore does.
Yesterday was our first video session lesson and I've given below what I've learned so that by writing it not only I help myself to remember better, but also hope that those who read this post will be motivated to study the Book of Revelation and helped to come to know Christ as God wants Him to be known to His followers through this book.
The author of this book: John the Apostle, who wrote the Book of John and the epistles John 1 and 2 in the Bible.
Place, where it was written: Island of Patmos( off the coast of Asia) where John had been exiled by the Roman authorities.
Date written: About 95 AD
Setting: Christians were tortured, persecuted and burnt on stakes during the Roman emperor Nero's rule. After Nero's death, Domitian became the emperor of Rome. Although he didn't persecute the Christians as Nero did physically, he did bring psychological torment to the believers. It is said that Domitian was one of the three emperors of Rome who demanded the worship of him by his Roman subjects. Because Christians and Jews refused to bow before anyone but their God, they were mocked, ill treated and looked down as low and uneducated.
Theme: Unveiling of the true vision of Christ.
Purpose: To reveal the full identity of Christ to his believers and to warn the seven churches in Turkey at that time as well as to the believers at large in years to come to keep up their hope and faith to the end and to declare what is to take place at the end of the time.
The purpose of the writing the book is clearly given in the first eight verses in the first chapter of the book. It is given direct and simple that anyone could understand. You don't need a commentary to understand at least to know its purpose. Help may be needed to understand the following passages and later chapters because they deal with a lot of symbols that cannot be easily understood.
In Revelation 1:1-2 reads as follows:
"revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it know by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw-that is , the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."
It goes on to say in verse 3-" Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take it to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
See, it's not that hard to understand that. God wanted to reveal His son as the King of glory to His believers. Understanding His father's heart, Jesus summons His angel ( name not given, but must be a special one to be Christ's chosen angel) to go to His beloved disciple John in Patmos and reveal to him in a vision what God intends to reveal to the churches.
So, what did John do when he was given such a vision.? As a faithful servant, he records everything he saw and heard from the angel.
More importantly it is said that whoever reads out or hears this prophecy( the events predicted to occur in the future) and believe it in his heart is said to be blessed by God. In those days, not many were educated enough to read or write. So, its either the priest or the scribe who reads out the scripture for the people in the assembly. That's why the one who reads as well as the one who hears and believes are considered to be blessed according to this scripture.
Don't we all want to be blessed by believing what is said to be about our Christ our Saviour, who loved us enough to shed His precious blood to cleanse us from our sins so that we could have an unhindered relationship with God the Father, the Alpha and Omega, the creator of the universe and freed us from all bondage to make us live a contented and fulfilling life?
Christ didn't die so that we could have a prosperous life as some false Christian preachers teach. Christ wanted us to become alive in spirit and enjoy a fulfilling life even amidst troubles and having less to own. Christ alone is sufficient to have the joy and abundance He talked about. Such a loving Lord, who walked on earth two thousand years ago along the sea of Galilee is going to return to earth in a breathtaking way, not as as the one with blond hair and blue eyes in a white robe as we mentally picture Him, but as the King of kings in His full glory surrounded by angels with trumpets in an unknown and unexpected time. Except the Father, no one, even Christ doesn't know the exact time of His coming. Never for a second believe if anyone predict a date or the year of His coming. If anyone predicts, he's nothing but a false prophet.
"The time is near, " it says in verse 3. How near, we don't know. Only the Father knows. Even John may have thought it might happen while he was alive.. But it didn't happen. 2000 years have gone by since then and not many in this day and age believe that to happen. And those of us, who believe in His second coming are being scoffed and scorned by the learned and unbelievers in this modern age.
What does Revelation 1: 7-8 say?
"Look, He is coming with the clouds
and every eye will see Him.
even those who pierced Him
and all the people on earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be ! Amen.
" I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, " who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
The Sovereign God has spoken, and it is up to us whether we want to believe what it says or not. I choose to believe it and be blessed by it, even if I'm looked down and scoffed at by others. What about you?
God reveals Himself to us in so many ways. Though He at times speaks to His people through visions, dreams and scriptures, He does reveals Himself t us through daily occurrence in life we usually overlook. nature, people, trouble, disasters are some venues through which He chooses to get our attention and reveal Himself to us .
As an assignment for this week, Beth Moore has asked us to write down whatever we sense God's revelation to us in a personal way. To do that , I need to have my eyes, ears and heart wide open to detect God's movement and voice in my sphere. Yes, I need to keep my spiritual antenna up to view my God (yours too) in action. Isn't that exciting? Aren't we so blessed to get a glimpse of the all loving God in our day to day routine. That's what is called faith walk. It comes with prayer, humility and surrender. Prosperity and self-recognition need to take the back seat if we need to see what God want us to see. Come on board my friend! Do not delay. Precious is our Lord and precious is His blood that was shed for you and me..
Hope to continue on this Book next week after my next Bible study on Thursday evening.
So, when our Women's Bible Study coordinator announced that we'll be doing the Book of Revelation this Fall I was exited, especially when I learned that we're going to follow Beth Moore's video session series for the study. Like me, 80-100 women too had got excited to sign up for this study to learn what's said so unique and mysterious manner in signs and symbols in this last book of the Bible.
As Beth Moore points out in her study book- " no scholar, commentary , denomination, preacher or teacher can plausibly claim to have all the answers and ultimate interpretation for this fascinating finish of scripture,"it's futile to expect a full understanding of everything written in the book. "As long as God is glorified and His Word held sacred and inspired, having our views challenged can be a very healthy thing," Beth Moore writes and further adds, " An ardent desire to know God through the study of Scripture mixed with a humble spirit concocts the best kind of student. " I pray that I become such a Bible student with a humble heart, and develop an ardent passion for God as Beth Moore does.
Yesterday was our first video session lesson and I've given below what I've learned so that by writing it not only I help myself to remember better, but also hope that those who read this post will be motivated to study the Book of Revelation and helped to come to know Christ as God wants Him to be known to His followers through this book.
The author of this book: John the Apostle, who wrote the Book of John and the epistles John 1 and 2 in the Bible.
Place, where it was written: Island of Patmos( off the coast of Asia) where John had been exiled by the Roman authorities.
Date written: About 95 AD
Setting: Christians were tortured, persecuted and burnt on stakes during the Roman emperor Nero's rule. After Nero's death, Domitian became the emperor of Rome. Although he didn't persecute the Christians as Nero did physically, he did bring psychological torment to the believers. It is said that Domitian was one of the three emperors of Rome who demanded the worship of him by his Roman subjects. Because Christians and Jews refused to bow before anyone but their God, they were mocked, ill treated and looked down as low and uneducated.
Theme: Unveiling of the true vision of Christ.
Purpose: To reveal the full identity of Christ to his believers and to warn the seven churches in Turkey at that time as well as to the believers at large in years to come to keep up their hope and faith to the end and to declare what is to take place at the end of the time.
The purpose of the writing the book is clearly given in the first eight verses in the first chapter of the book. It is given direct and simple that anyone could understand. You don't need a commentary to understand at least to know its purpose. Help may be needed to understand the following passages and later chapters because they deal with a lot of symbols that cannot be easily understood.
In Revelation 1:1-2 reads as follows:
"revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it know by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw-that is , the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."
It goes on to say in verse 3-" Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take it to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
See, it's not that hard to understand that. God wanted to reveal His son as the King of glory to His believers. Understanding His father's heart, Jesus summons His angel ( name not given, but must be a special one to be Christ's chosen angel) to go to His beloved disciple John in Patmos and reveal to him in a vision what God intends to reveal to the churches.
So, what did John do when he was given such a vision.? As a faithful servant, he records everything he saw and heard from the angel.
More importantly it is said that whoever reads out or hears this prophecy( the events predicted to occur in the future) and believe it in his heart is said to be blessed by God. In those days, not many were educated enough to read or write. So, its either the priest or the scribe who reads out the scripture for the people in the assembly. That's why the one who reads as well as the one who hears and believes are considered to be blessed according to this scripture.
Don't we all want to be blessed by believing what is said to be about our Christ our Saviour, who loved us enough to shed His precious blood to cleanse us from our sins so that we could have an unhindered relationship with God the Father, the Alpha and Omega, the creator of the universe and freed us from all bondage to make us live a contented and fulfilling life?
Christ didn't die so that we could have a prosperous life as some false Christian preachers teach. Christ wanted us to become alive in spirit and enjoy a fulfilling life even amidst troubles and having less to own. Christ alone is sufficient to have the joy and abundance He talked about. Such a loving Lord, who walked on earth two thousand years ago along the sea of Galilee is going to return to earth in a breathtaking way, not as as the one with blond hair and blue eyes in a white robe as we mentally picture Him, but as the King of kings in His full glory surrounded by angels with trumpets in an unknown and unexpected time. Except the Father, no one, even Christ doesn't know the exact time of His coming. Never for a second believe if anyone predict a date or the year of His coming. If anyone predicts, he's nothing but a false prophet.
"The time is near, " it says in verse 3. How near, we don't know. Only the Father knows. Even John may have thought it might happen while he was alive.. But it didn't happen. 2000 years have gone by since then and not many in this day and age believe that to happen. And those of us, who believe in His second coming are being scoffed and scorned by the learned and unbelievers in this modern age.
What does Revelation 1: 7-8 say?
"Look, He is coming with the clouds
and every eye will see Him.
even those who pierced Him
and all the people on earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be ! Amen.
" I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, " who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
The Sovereign God has spoken, and it is up to us whether we want to believe what it says or not. I choose to believe it and be blessed by it, even if I'm looked down and scoffed at by others. What about you?
God reveals Himself to us in so many ways. Though He at times speaks to His people through visions, dreams and scriptures, He does reveals Himself t us through daily occurrence in life we usually overlook. nature, people, trouble, disasters are some venues through which He chooses to get our attention and reveal Himself to us .
As an assignment for this week, Beth Moore has asked us to write down whatever we sense God's revelation to us in a personal way. To do that , I need to have my eyes, ears and heart wide open to detect God's movement and voice in my sphere. Yes, I need to keep my spiritual antenna up to view my God (yours too) in action. Isn't that exciting? Aren't we so blessed to get a glimpse of the all loving God in our day to day routine. That's what is called faith walk. It comes with prayer, humility and surrender. Prosperity and self-recognition need to take the back seat if we need to see what God want us to see. Come on board my friend! Do not delay. Precious is our Lord and precious is His blood that was shed for you and me..
Hope to continue on this Book next week after my next Bible study on Thursday evening.
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