Revelations 3-5, 25 Dec 12

Okay, so tonight, Nicole Nieddu and I read Revelation 3 through the end of 5.  And, to be perfectly honest, I've got close to nothing.  This book continues to be so very enigmatic.  I'll go over what I read.

First of all, chapter 3 continues on with the angel of the Lord dictating messages to the rest of the seven churches - specifically Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  Sardis was being scolded by the angel for only appearing to be alive but actually being spiritually dead.  Philadelphia was actually being praised for remaining faithful in the midst of Jewish persecution.  And, Laodicea was being scolded for being lukewarm as opposed to hot or cold.  The angel said that he would rather that they would be one or the other, but they weren't.

Alright, so...if I do have an application from this reading it would be from chapter 3.  We can obviously see what traits are important to the angel of God in these first three chapters and if one is asking themselves how to behave or what to do or not to do, then these three chapters give a good idea.  Chapter 3 specifically addresses a lack of sincerity, faithfulness, and indecisiveness with regard to your faith.  So, be sincere in your faith.  Be full of faith.  Be hot (passionate) for God.

Retrieved from
http://www.imagesofrevelation.com/revelations/revelation1_4-6.htm

There is no doubt that I have lacked these traits before and honestly continue to lack these traits today.  My faith is not always sincere.  There are days I am more faithful and days I am less.  And on those days where faith may be lacking, I continue on with the facade.  It's simpler that way, honestly.  There are other days where my faith is completely intact.  It is dichotomous, but that's kind of how it has always been.  The problem is that I'm a bit of a doubting Thomas.  I need to touch the holes in His sides and hands.  I've never liked that about me.  But, I'm an analyst at heart and in my line of work, faith just isn't good enough.


Chapters 4 and 5 were starting into the descriptions of things that make no sense and are almost impossible to imagine even though you read about them.  Creatures with six wings and eyes covering every inch of their body?  A sea of glass?  I understand that we're looking at a throne room of some sort.  I get that there are a multitude of people in there as well.  I comprehend the 24 thrones and 24 elders.  But, those are concrete ideas that make sense to my mortal mind.  The rest of it is almost nonsense to me.

Retrieved from
http://www.imagesofrevelation.com/revelations/revelation1_4-6.htm

The last tidbit I got from tonight's reading (oh, and by the way,  George Nieddu, got us the Archaeological NIV Study Bible for Christmas) was in the study notes.  I was interested to read about the history of the name Philadelphia.  The Philadelphia of the Bible is modern day Alashehir.  The city's founder's name was Attalus II Philadelphus and he was known for being devoted to his brother, Eumenes.  And his name means "brotherly love".  And that is why Philadelphia is nick-named the city of brotherly love.