Revelation 1

I believe there are three essentials to understanding the Bible. The various books of the Bible were written by a particular person, to a particular people and at particular place in time. Discover as much as you can about these three and you will solid ground to interpret the meaning of scripture.

There are, of course, other methods to interpreting scripture. One of the most common is to begin with a conclusion in mind. For instance, you could begin reading the Book of Revelation with the idea that the purpose of the Book is to forecast the end of time. That is a method that began approximately 160 years ago and has gained in popularity. I do not agree with this method of interpretation.

The meditations I offer as we read the Book of Revelation over the next three weeks will flow from my belief a person named John wrote these words to a particular group of people (seven churches) at a particular point in time; approximately 95 AD under the intense persecution of the Roman Emperor Domitian. My plan is to let the story unfold and see where John was taking the seven churches. As we follow this path I believe we will be blessed as much as those who first received these words.

From the first chapter I see a theme unfolding. John’s focus was the persecution the church was experiencing and in response he gave a call for endurance. John was making a call for faithfulness, in the face of persecution, for the cause of Christ in evil times.

The Book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature where symbols are used to express deeper theological meanings. In this first chapter the number seven designated a form of completeness, thus the seven spirits are the complete Holy Spirit of God. Seven churches refer to all churches, and the seven specific churches are representative of all churches. (Beasts, numbers and colors have consistent meanings in apocalyptic literature and I will comment on those as we go along.)

My take away from chapter one: Jesus is in the midst of His churches. We are not alone. Jesus who was also persecuted was victorious over his crucifixion and is alive and well in our midst. I do not need to fear the forces of evil because Jesus has already won victory over sin and death. Jesus, the One to whom I have committed my life and allegiance is with me in these difficult times, and for all eternity.

“All glory and power to him forever and ever. Amen”

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

1-Oct-11       Rev. 2

2 Peter

Second Peter discusses three obstacles in our path to becoming the people God created us to be.

The first is within us. Life in Christ is living life dependent on God for all things. Dependence on God only comes at the end of our independence. It’s all a matter of control, or who is in control of our lives; us or God.

The second obstacle is the culture of our society. Essentially, the ways of the world are opposite of the ways of God. As long as we are alive the world will have a certain allure for us. The Christian is always tempted to compromise some part of their life and yield to the ways of the world around them.

The third obstacle is within the vast Christian community. Some parts of the church universal teach you are destined for hell if you drink, smoke, or dance. Another part says God intended you to be rich, so focus on using God to get your needs, and wants, met. Another part says all you have to do is keep certain rules; another part says grace covers everything, there is no sin and certainly no rules. You may even run across some goofy preacher encouraging you to seek the life in Christ as your way of life.

Some of these churches are sincere. Some are not. Some of these churches teach truth; some do not. Some are sincere, but not teaching truth. Some are insincere and not teaching truth.

Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him. Far from that, he made it abundantly clear that following Him will bring the challenges of a lifetime. Second Peter identifies the challenges, but it also affirms the glorious nature of the One we are following:

          Jesus is all powerful and will not be defeated. He is able to fulfill His promises.

          Jesus shows us the life God created us to live, and then empowers us to live it as the Beloved children of God.

          Jesus fulfills all of the promises of God for the benefit of His followers.

          Jesus is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of need as we seek to escape from the corruption of the world around us.

          Jesus makes it possible for us to share in the nature of God. As one of His earliest followers said, “Jesus became what we are to make us what He is.”

As I meditate on the Glorious Nature of Jesus the obstacles in my path do not seem insurmountable.

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

30-Sep-11     Rev. 1:1-20

1 Peter 3:8 - 5:14

Today’s reading contains the most difficult passage in the New Testament to interpret: 3:19-4:6. In the UMC, when we affirm our faith with the Apostles’ Creed we say, “. . . suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven,”

Most of the rest of the Christian churches say it this way, “. . .    suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven,”

The word ‘hell’ is used by tradition but the word should be translated, ‘Hades.” Hades was a place where all the dead went as opposed to hell which is a place of punishment.

The difficulty in this passage is in how to understand Peter’s meaning. Is he saying Jesus actually went to the place of the dead and preached to them? If so, what did he preach? I believe Jesus died. I believe God gave him new life, and that before Jesus appeared on Easter Sunday he did go to the place of the dead. He preached to them the Good News of God’s reconciling love and the dead had an opportunity to respond to God. I see Peter affirming the universal love of God. No one is left out. God’s love is not just for the people of Israel. All people have an opportunity to respond to God’s grace. (If you want to study this further I can recommend some commentaries to you.)

There are differing opinions as to whether people still have a ‘second chance’ to hear the Gospel after they die. Rob Bell, the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Michigan, wrote the book, Love Wins, suggesting that God never gives up on a person and that even after mortal death a person will have the opportunity to respond to God’s reconciling love. While Bell’s book is a testament to the tenacity of God’s love, it is not the orthodox position of the vast majority of Christian churches.

In the rest of today’s reading Peter is affirming Romans 12: 17-18, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

The bottom line for me is in the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. When asked how he reconciled all the parts of the Bible he could not understand, Lincoln replied, “It takes all I can do to respond to the parts I do understand.”

If it is possible, so far as it depends on me, I will live peaceably with all. I’ll leave the rest in God’s merciful hands.

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

29-Sep-11     2 Peter

1 Peter 1 - 3:7

First Peter was written by Peter, from Rome in 67 AD, to the churches scattered throughout Asia. Peter encourages the people of God to stand firm in the faith, not because they will be punished if they don’t, but because of all that God has done for them, and will do for them when Christ returns.

There are two characteristics to this letter that give insight to the work of the first church. First, there was a consistent theme and form to the preaching in the early church. Peter’s words here are very similar to the record we have of his preaching in the Book of Acts. This message was so consistent in the early church it was given the name Kerygma. Essentially this form of preaching contained six points:

11 - The era of the New Covenant, foretold by the prophets, has dawned.

22 - This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

33 - By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as head of the church.

44 - The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory.

55 - The era of the New Covenant will reach its consummation in the return of Christ.

66 - An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.

In addition to consistency of preaching there was also consistency of teaching in the first church. As an example, in our reading today, there are striking similarities to the teaching of Paul in the book of Ephesians. Consider:

1 Peter 1:3 & Ephesians 1:3 – And -- I Peter 1:13 & Ephesians 6:14 – And -- 1 Peter 1:20 & Ephesians 1:4

The forms of our worship and fellowship gatherings have changed a great deal over the centuries. That’s OK because our culture and circumstances are substantially different than those of the first church. What is important is that we do not change the Gospel. I believe when it is all said and done, God will judge my preaching on the basis of my consistency to the Kerygma. And, my life will be judged on the basis of how I lived out the truth of the Kerygma.

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

28-Sep-11     1 Peter 3:8-5:14

Matthew 28: 11-20

When I work out at the YMCA I watch an early morning news program on TV while I am on the treadmill. Today one of their reporters had an interesting observation. Generally, he is pretty upbeat and insightful in his reporting and analysis. Today he seem more somber, almost depressed. When asked if he thought the economic conditions in the country would soon change he responded that he thought the world was in “an irreconcilable mess.” The continuing stalemate in Congress only made him feel worse.

The scriptures teach us that “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) Certainly the situation in the world can make a person feel hopeless. But God has made it possible for us to be a people of hope. “Our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people.” (1 Timothy 4:10); “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:5)

I believe Jesus is the hope of the nations. “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14)

Therein is the great paradox of the world. God has given the followers of Jesus hope, but too many of the ones who have received Jesus choose to keep him to themselves. Too many read today’s text and somehow reach the conclusion that Jesus is not speaking to them. He must be speaking to others. Certainly, they think, He cannot expect that ALL of those who call on Him for salvation would obey His command.

When we accept His command and embrace His life as our life and accept our responsibility within the church we become a part of God’s solution for the problems of the world.

When we ignore the command of Jesus we become part of the problem.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

27-Sep-11     1 Peter 1:- 3:7