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.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012; Matthew 1 - 5

Welcome to the first week of a year-long Bible study through the New Testament! Stick around awhile, read, comment, and feel free to open your Bible and submit your own thoughts/journal entries!

For the first entry, we will start at the very beginning of the New Testament with Matthew 1 and read through the end of chapter 5. Here is what I got:

Matthew 1:6 - "...David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah."

The first 17 verses of chapter 1 was a genealogical list starting with Abraham and going all the way to Jesus - a total of 40 generations. And verse 6 was simply stating that David was the father of Solomon, so as to establish a correct genealogy.

The reason I picked this verse was because it reminds me that in order to be useful to and used by God, you don't need to be perfect. David had committed the only act that God has said it was okay to end a marriage over, and therefore (in my opinion) one of the worst things a person can do. But, God still chose to use him. David was a man who loved God. From the time that he was a little boy, he loved God. He followed God to fight a giant (and win) when he was still just a boy. He ran all throughout various wildernesses because of his faith in God. He became the king of God's people because of his love for God. But, he still screwed up. It reminds me that it is okay to screw up. God still loves you and God still wants to use you. The only thing stopping God from being an active force in your life is you and your lack of willingness to go where He leads and do what He asks. So, as my best friend is fond of saying, do it! Get up, brush your knees off, tend to your bruised pride and move forward.

Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy and Your word. Thank You that You continue to guide and bless and love on us even when we forget who we really are. Thank you for being amazing. I pray that I, myself, and anyone else reading this would be strengthened and encouraged in our hearts to put down whatever barriers there are in our hearts and just follow after You. Thank You. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

[this is a side note from my study Bible on this verse: "This is not an exhaustive genealogy. Several additional generations must have elapsed between Rahab (in Joshua's time) and David (v. 6) - nearly 4 centuries later. Matthew's genealogy (like most of the biblical ones) sometimes skips over several generations between well known characters in order to abbreviate the listing."]

Feel free to add your thoughts or comments, as well as your own journaling from today's reading. Thanks, and God bless!