Thursday, August 5, 2010
iPhone
Yay! After some initial kinks, I can finally post from the iPhone! By the way, technical advice is always appreciated - I'm still figuring this website out. For example, I want to be able to share files. Anybody know how to do that? How about background music?
Revelation – Vital Truth #1
I’ve recently started reading and accumulating material in preparation for a study of the book of Revelation in the college Bible class. If you have any materials or pointers, please feel free to share here. The first resource I’ve picked up (or rather, plugged up) is a series of podcasts conducted by Dale Jenkins, and he will tell you that he gets most of his material from his uncle, Dan Jenkins. These are really great for a high level study, and I think it’s really important to nail down a high level view of the book before delving into the individual symbols. The study begins with four vital truths for understanding the book, which are set forth in the first four verses of the book.
Vital Truth #1: It is a revelation
Read the first two words of the book, “The revelation…” What is a revelation? Is it a mystery? That sure is how we’ve painted this revelation in most religious circles, but “mystery” is the polar opposite of “revelation”! While a mystery is hidden, a revelation is openly known. The very root of the word alone, “reveal”, should tell us this first vital truth. It is interesting that the Greek word used here, “apocalypse”, has become synonymous in our culture with the end of time. However, the definition of this word has nothing to do with the end of time. Literally translated, apocalypse means disclosure, nakedness, or revelation. This book was meant to be understood! As a matter of fact, that is just what verse 3 states, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it…” Blessed because they will be confused? And how will they keep what they do not understand? Our God is not a God of confusion (1 Cor 14:33), and I cannot believe that he changed His nature for the writing of this book.
So, get pumped! Make it your Revelation mantra – I can understand this book, I should understand this book, and I will understand this book!
Vital Truth #1: It is a revelation
Read the first two words of the book, “The revelation…” What is a revelation? Is it a mystery? That sure is how we’ve painted this revelation in most religious circles, but “mystery” is the polar opposite of “revelation”! While a mystery is hidden, a revelation is openly known. The very root of the word alone, “reveal”, should tell us this first vital truth. It is interesting that the Greek word used here, “apocalypse”, has become synonymous in our culture with the end of time. However, the definition of this word has nothing to do with the end of time. Literally translated, apocalypse means disclosure, nakedness, or revelation. This book was meant to be understood! As a matter of fact, that is just what verse 3 states, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it…” Blessed because they will be confused? And how will they keep what they do not understand? Our God is not a God of confusion (1 Cor 14:33), and I cannot believe that he changed His nature for the writing of this book.
So, get pumped! Make it your Revelation mantra – I can understand this book, I should understand this book, and I will understand this book!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Maiden Post
Ok - what does "blunt iron" mean? What am I doing here? It's pretty simple. Welcome to my whetstone.
If the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12), then we tote a pretty serious weapon in our bound leather. Only, it takes time to keep a sword battle-ready. It takes effort. Or rather in the Christian case, it takes time and effort to keep the soldier battle-ready. To the untrained and unpracticed soldier, a sharp sword becomes as useless as a rusted out pole - a piece of blunt iron. The weapon is sharp, but is the wielder?
I hope others benefit from this sword-sharpening outlet, though my primary focus is admittedly selfish. I'm here to sharpen my sword. Please come do the same, sharing your thoughts, insights, and most importantly, the sword we train to wield - the word of God.
If the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:12), then we tote a pretty serious weapon in our bound leather. Only, it takes time to keep a sword battle-ready. It takes effort. Or rather in the Christian case, it takes time and effort to keep the soldier battle-ready. To the untrained and unpracticed soldier, a sharp sword becomes as useless as a rusted out pole - a piece of blunt iron. The weapon is sharp, but is the wielder?
I hope others benefit from this sword-sharpening outlet, though my primary focus is admittedly selfish. I'm here to sharpen my sword. Please come do the same, sharing your thoughts, insights, and most importantly, the sword we train to wield - the word of God.
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