(cont)
The thing that takes center stage upon that inquisitive nature is in my asking,
how and when and on what criteria do many decide to apply spiritual meanings to otherwise clear yet perplexing, obvious yet unnerving, plainly spoken yet highly troubling passages of scripture?
It goes without saying, line by line thinking/reading is not overly favored in many who favor applying spiritual meaning.
Quite often someone will clarify this meaning using Old Testament verses and that's ok because let's face it.
Who has the time to read the entire chapter someone uses to explain a spiritual meaning.
A majority of the time, after reading not only the chapter someone's explanation came from but the entire book, I find many explanations break down.
I guess I've been enjoying line by line scripture reading so long now that I'll deal with any specific subject (in this case, eschatology) when we get to it..starting point being Gen 1:1.
There are many ways to clarify literal meanings to scripture but they ALL take months, if not years to lay out.
Line by line, is not the only way to learn, but it sure is the safest, given this current state of rampant delusion, word manipulation & apostasy we live in.
I tried looking up good definitions for the two methods I'm addressing, literally & figurative (or, applying spiritual meaning to chaps 14ff of Rev) but the definitions I found had elements that don't apply in the many friends I have so I'll hope my meaning will come through on my thoughts.
Many of the resources used to arrive at these differing views, are employed by both methods, which only confuses the matter more.
I can't help but consider, what if the wise men had read there texts applying spiritual meaning, or Daniel as he neared the end of captivity or Jesus, after resurrection as He walked with two men.
I sometimes think the many generations past that also lived in un revealed mystery.
Appears the 21rst century has it (Revelation) figured out.
Regrettable, select verses to explain select verses has become a standard method as to how to interpret scripture and all that's needed to solidify this method is to have an historical account assigned to a passage, and it's over.
No Biblical indication for this method needed.
Here's another way to say this.
The Bible has 31,102 verses in it and no one is able to communicate via comparing this many verses.
Here's where the slippery slope of word games begins.
I could no more accurately convey my few short years on this earth with selected events from my life but I think I can discern God's plan of the ages using corrupted life applications as well as spiritual applications?
If not for God's Word telling us, believers might not know we're in a declining state as well as severe apostasy.
So many want to help God by rallying the church to prepare society via, unifying religion while others believe we're in the Millennium.
If chapters 14 thru 18 of Revelation has seen its fulfillment and if bringing that same line of thought to Isaiah and Ezekiel and Zechariah and Daniel and David, this clearly creates an abstract view of God's plan of salvation.
Note : that's not an opinion!
It's more like an unfortunate testimony that exists to even this day.
(defining 'abstract' as well as 'delusion' and noting the origins of those words along with synonyms, helps here)
God's Word, as recorded, is consistent, front to back.
The abstract is exchanged for a take it or leave it mindset.
Both methods I'm addressing here, have this same "take it or leave it" mindset,
but in vrs by vrs, this mindset is a consequence.
When viewed figuratively ,this mindset is a necessity.
If history records a "what goes around, comes around" cycle of human behavior, then why would the "what comes around" end with the 21rst century amidst apostasy & delusion?
Armageddon along with a Millennium didn't begin in Revelation, nor did it begin in Daniel.
It began in Gen 1.
Believers can be content in Revelations mysteries,
Pray for its intended hearers,
and be strengthened from its promised restoration of what God began in the garden of Eden.
It is with much relief I have completed chaps 14 thru 18 and even though I have little gained understanding of these chapters, I can begin later next week chapters 19 to 22 anticipating the thoughts expressed in last paragraph I shared.
The question I must ponder now, as I prepare to enter the final chapters of God's most glorious Revelation of what awaits the believer in Jesus and His shed blood for our (my) many sins is :
Does a believers view,
(discerning, God fearing, Bible loving believers that is)
in any age change or diminish the hope, joy, longing, desire, passion one is given upon reading these final four chapters?
Can believers who've moved on from prioritizing whose right and whose wrong, those who sense God's Spirit active in there lives 24/7, those who have an intense awareness of what they were saved from and it shows in their daily walk..
Does a "view", be it literal or figurative diminish the majesty of what concluding chapters of God's complete Word promise the one who stands firm in Christ?
If differences in how true believers view this final Book could diminish the blessed hope that awaits us, as clearly seen in closing chapters, then satan gains a victory and I've wasted much time.
Thankfully though, a true believers assurance rests on so much more, than a "view."
Hebrews shows that!
(note : no one verse given. Read the entire book of Hebrews. You'll see)
I asked my wife earlier today, whose father is a minister, if she heard much kingdom talk as she grew up.
She replied no.
I noted, believers who are literal or figurative, have no problems discussing or thinking kingdom.
There was a time these things were not preached.
Maybe, for the legalistic christian, the blessings of Rev 19-22 has been diminished. Is it any wonder why so many middle aged believers lack hope.
But that's not what I mean as I now prepare to conclude God's Word. I have this hope and it can only grow.
I only thought my question to my wife was an interesting side observation.
I plan to take a few days to prepare for these final chapters. It's been a long time getting to this point again. Much has happened in my life since my last time here.
I'm left speechless and I haven't even begun to read it again yet. But I know it speaks of what's promised those who trust in God's Son for salvation.
I'm sensing something different this time, something refreshing as I finish God's Word . But I will wait. I need to wait. I'm eager to finish but the chapters I've just been thru have left me just as awestruck and I need time to digest that.
I am (literally) finally ending this post ☺ tryreadnit!
Intro to tryreadn6640
Introduction to this blog (click image) to find out more.
2020 recent thoughts/how to discern
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The theme of this blog is - WE NEED TO WAKE UP!
TryReadNit!
Friday, February 26, 2016
-Rev 14-18 (part 1)
This will be a tough post to do for some reason.
These chapters depict the end of something as well as the beginning of something else yet so many people believe neither and I ask myself, does that matter?
I suppose, of the infinite blessings God (or whatever you believe) bestowed upon humanity is, the ability to believe whatever we want, free will I think we call it.
Upon the founding of America, that gift had value. But in a culture where words have no meaning, context has no meaning, is free will still a gift?
Revelation sure is a good place to exercise free will in interpreting.
There are many objections to this line of thinking.
In other words, an opposite of free will (when interpreting this book) means we're all the same.
But given our new definitions of terms, straw man rebuttals are common place.
Or arguments made surrounding things unintended by one with strong opinions.
Example : someone says to me, I must think God has feathers, or God doesn't want His will known.
I too have beliefs concerning the climatic events unfolding in these chapters.
I've been asking myself, why do I believe what the Bible says in a (and here's another redefined term) "literal" fashion.
Is it really because of how i grew up?
That's probably not the case given I've said quite often that church talk made little sense growing up so why would revelation eschatology, etc, be any different?
I've been a Christian for nearly 50 years but
I wouldn't read God's Word thru till I was 45 (eight yrs ago)
.. and as sad as a commentary that this might be, I would not seriously consider the Kingdom of God till just (let's say) a week ago, literally.
So am I now an expert? Not hardly.
But eight yrs of vrs by vrs, line by line, reading and listening to God's complete 66 books,
clearly seeing God's central and only theme, Salvation,
has prepared me in unforseen ways.
I'd spend 8 yrs comparing everything to everything, looking for differences (not to mention, driving my wife nuts)
I'd find the covenants to be a starting point for radical differences in one's beliefs.
I'd see that how one views Israel would create radical differences in one's beliefs.
I'd take note of the language, the agendas, meanings and so many other things those with major differences use, to express there opinion
and believe it or not, I wasn't even trying.
All I did was ask and answer any questions I had. It's not that tough.
People avoid questions concerning God's Word. They like what they hear and build on it.
Questioning what they built on is touchy stuff.
My first time thru God's Word, line by line, would demolish much of what i was supposed to build on.
Instead, because it made little sense, those things I grew up with, my hesitation in building on it proved right.
I'd come to verse by verse fresh, clean. I can't really boast on that because by ignoring so much in years past, even though it would pave the way for this clean start, I can't help but wonder what I hi may have missed.
But I'm here now. That's all that (presently) matters.
Even as recently as this week, something I grew up with was shown to be false.
It concerns that 70's movie 'Thief in the night'
The verses used to convey the movies plot was off, way off.
Seems my generation confused Christ's return to the mount of olive with the removal of the saints.
No wonder I ignored both.
satan was pleased to have us think that the one taken (in Mt 24) is the one going to heaven when the opposite is true. The one taken is cast away and the one left enters the kingdom.
satans tactic is to reverse things. Like convincing the church not to judge others within the church by discerning the teaching of books, music, sermons , when in fact, we are to one Day, return with Christ, AS judges.
Given our being prone, to apply spiritual meaning to passages rather than just read it,
by the time believers get to these passages concerning them judging the earth, we pass over it with glazed eyes.
These chapters I'm in is beyond the most intense language uttered to convey what God previously said in the preceeding 65 books.
Words fail me in describing my thoughts on it.
-God's love for those who trust Him.
-God's hatred of sin.
-God's holiness.
But the greatest insight, for me is
in this country, at this time,
the abundance of grace & mercy that God's gift of salvation
was given to me
is paramount.
This rises to the top of my interpreting this final book of God's Word.
It motivates my sharing, my testimony.
This takes precedence over what I may or may not believe concerning Revelations imagery.
To consider all I've been spared
simply because of when & where I was born.
This staggers the mind, bends the will, humbles the heart, comforts the soul.
As much as all that's true, and it is, being human, I also have an inquisitive nature.
More in next post.
These chapters depict the end of something as well as the beginning of something else yet so many people believe neither and I ask myself, does that matter?
I suppose, of the infinite blessings God (or whatever you believe) bestowed upon humanity is, the ability to believe whatever we want, free will I think we call it.
Upon the founding of America, that gift had value. But in a culture where words have no meaning, context has no meaning, is free will still a gift?
Revelation sure is a good place to exercise free will in interpreting.
There are many objections to this line of thinking.
In other words, an opposite of free will (when interpreting this book) means we're all the same.
But given our new definitions of terms, straw man rebuttals are common place.
Or arguments made surrounding things unintended by one with strong opinions.
Example : someone says to me, I must think God has feathers, or God doesn't want His will known.
I too have beliefs concerning the climatic events unfolding in these chapters.
I've been asking myself, why do I believe what the Bible says in a (and here's another redefined term) "literal" fashion.
Is it really because of how i grew up?
That's probably not the case given I've said quite often that church talk made little sense growing up so why would revelation eschatology, etc, be any different?
I've been a Christian for nearly 50 years but
I wouldn't read God's Word thru till I was 45 (eight yrs ago)
.. and as sad as a commentary that this might be, I would not seriously consider the Kingdom of God till just (let's say) a week ago, literally.
So am I now an expert? Not hardly.
But eight yrs of vrs by vrs, line by line, reading and listening to God's complete 66 books,
clearly seeing God's central and only theme, Salvation,
has prepared me in unforseen ways.
I'd spend 8 yrs comparing everything to everything, looking for differences (not to mention, driving my wife nuts)
I'd find the covenants to be a starting point for radical differences in one's beliefs.
I'd see that how one views Israel would create radical differences in one's beliefs.
I'd take note of the language, the agendas, meanings and so many other things those with major differences use, to express there opinion
and believe it or not, I wasn't even trying.
All I did was ask and answer any questions I had. It's not that tough.
People avoid questions concerning God's Word. They like what they hear and build on it.
Questioning what they built on is touchy stuff.
My first time thru God's Word, line by line, would demolish much of what i was supposed to build on.
Instead, because it made little sense, those things I grew up with, my hesitation in building on it proved right.
I'd come to verse by verse fresh, clean. I can't really boast on that because by ignoring so much in years past, even though it would pave the way for this clean start, I can't help but wonder what I hi may have missed.
But I'm here now. That's all that (presently) matters.
Even as recently as this week, something I grew up with was shown to be false.
It concerns that 70's movie 'Thief in the night'
The verses used to convey the movies plot was off, way off.
Seems my generation confused Christ's return to the mount of olive with the removal of the saints.
No wonder I ignored both.
satan was pleased to have us think that the one taken (in Mt 24) is the one going to heaven when the opposite is true. The one taken is cast away and the one left enters the kingdom.
satans tactic is to reverse things. Like convincing the church not to judge others within the church by discerning the teaching of books, music, sermons , when in fact, we are to one Day, return with Christ, AS judges.
Given our being prone, to apply spiritual meaning to passages rather than just read it,
by the time believers get to these passages concerning them judging the earth, we pass over it with glazed eyes.
These chapters I'm in is beyond the most intense language uttered to convey what God previously said in the preceeding 65 books.
Words fail me in describing my thoughts on it.
-God's love for those who trust Him.
-God's hatred of sin.
-God's holiness.
But the greatest insight, for me is
in this country, at this time,
the abundance of grace & mercy that God's gift of salvation
was given to me
is paramount.
This rises to the top of my interpreting this final book of God's Word.
It motivates my sharing, my testimony.
This takes precedence over what I may or may not believe concerning Revelations imagery.
To consider all I've been spared
simply because of when & where I was born.
This staggers the mind, bends the will, humbles the heart, comforts the soul.
As much as all that's true, and it is, being human, I also have an inquisitive nature.
More in next post.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Still Revelation
Seems I took a slight break from Revelation and posting.
What I've been doing is, I came across a book, only 56 pages and there's a link for the PDF of it at the top of my favorite links on right side of home page.
For the past two days I've been going over this, literally, with a fine tooth comb. The books called, The political platform of the Lord and King.
Because of the way culture hears things, I hesitate recommending anything. Seems everyone on the planet has found "the truth" and this grows and flourishes in "their interpretation" or "their opinion."
What gets left in the dust is The Truth! So folks can (and will) read what they want, listen to what they want and believe what they want.
Only thing that matters is what God's Word says, that's why I'm dissecting this 56 page book.
I'm half way thru.
This happens to fit nicely with Revelation as well as a nice ending to yet another trip thru God's Word.
Can't wait to start over again with clearer understanding.
I'll tell ya, if people think those Old Testament accounts of long told familiar stories.. David & Goliath, Noah, Samson, Abraham Isaac sacrifice, Peter & boat, Jonah, Daniel & lions..
(the ones radio preachers drill into the ground cause everyone knows em.. while they know preaching unknown books won't create an audience)
If people think those stories are amazing as stand alone accounts, to apply to there job or family, try putting there original purpose with em.
Salvation!
Anyway (got sidetracked again) with so many people killing the concept of 'Kingdom age' this 56 page book lays out a nice Bible based rendition of events.
I'm tearing it apart, literally, looking for flaws, looking for eisegesis, looking for a mishandling of texts.
When I say people kill the Kingdom age concept, what I mean is, have you ever noticed all the biblical accounts where man thinks they need to "help" God along in His plan?
From Abraham to Ruth, so much of Jewish tribe families, I'm sure even the disciples right on up to the 20/21rst century American christian.
Now this "helping God along" would be ok if not for that pesty Lil book, the Bible.
Yeah, that sounds arrogant, we all have our views and we all have our interpretation and we all have our opinions.
And that atmosphere, my friend, is the very thing that plunges us deeper into the delusion & apostasy we now "enjoy."
God tried to tell us, way back in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream,but we were too busy finding purpose and application, to see it.
Pages 23 ff in this 56 page book lay out a very accurate picture, one we Americans could never fathom, of world history and how it's to be viewed.
Why was Nebuchadnezzar so unique, why would God reveal so much to him?
He represents, by human means, how a true kingdom thrives and how one day (that Day, the Day) will be made right by Jesus Himself.
Absolute authority!
That's what Nebuchadnezzar was.
Yet from the birth of democracy, given to us by Greece, to every society and nation since right on up to the point where our own American settlers would flee there own form of tyranny to begin a nation founded on freedom of religion, which God would use to advance His gospel, but man would view as a unifying factor, one gained thru tolerance & diversity.
So allow me to ask, how's that working for us?
So from absolute authority (head of gold) to the will of the people (brittle feet of clay) we in our diverse ignorance, have switched the order.
As my wife and I were talking about this, we were trying to think of how we were thinking or feeling as we observed presidents trying to outsource an ideal, that wasn't even working for us.
Vietnam came first to mind. Others also.
We should never take our freedom of religion for granted but we also shouldn't hold this up as a banner to the world to follow.
This freedom of religion, as we call it, was turned into some "right" I am supposed to enjoy..
.. but it was GOD who raised it up, GOD who offers to all, GOD who uses it to spread gospel, GOD who calls, GOD who convicts, GOD who gives, GOD who takes, GOD who blesses, GOD who saves.
So.. tell me about MY rights again?
I love America but her arrogance seems to have no ceiling limit.
Things we once said of her greatness can no longer be said due to, when democracy is given over to mankind, all aspects of it implodes upon itself.
It forces us to consider diversity a strength, even at the cost of human life.
It's my own selfish heart that says, I would not trade my residence for any other place on earth but my prayer is to always see this country as a blessing to me, as opposed to "rights" and pray God forgives my selfish heart.
When it comes to this diversity,
Allow me to borrow a paragraph from this book, it states, quote :
>> >"I think it is worth noting here that when the Lord addresses the final age of church history, which is represented by the Laodicean church in Asia around 96 AD, he has nothing positive to say (Revelation 3:14-22). The name "Laodicea" itself comes from two words: "laos" meaning "people" and "dike" meaning "decision.”
The word "Laodicea" then translates to "people ruled."<<<
I'm gonna end this post and get back to tearing this book apart looking for heresy.
There's got to be some in it. God's clear message of what He told the disciples,as He returned to heaven, can't be this clear.
That message simply being,
(and I'll put it in a vernacular today's texting crowd can understand)
I'll BRB!
Truth is, I'm looking so hard for errors in a book like this because when spiritual applications or life applications aren't applied to God's Word, well something deep inside me misses communicating arguably with other believers.
So what, I admit it, no sense in blogging if ya can't be honest.
Besides, God's Word can be that clear.. Can it?
TryReadNit!
What I've been doing is, I came across a book, only 56 pages and there's a link for the PDF of it at the top of my favorite links on right side of home page.
For the past two days I've been going over this, literally, with a fine tooth comb. The books called, The political platform of the Lord and King.
Because of the way culture hears things, I hesitate recommending anything. Seems everyone on the planet has found "the truth" and this grows and flourishes in "their interpretation" or "their opinion."
What gets left in the dust is The Truth! So folks can (and will) read what they want, listen to what they want and believe what they want.
Only thing that matters is what God's Word says, that's why I'm dissecting this 56 page book.
I'm half way thru.
This happens to fit nicely with Revelation as well as a nice ending to yet another trip thru God's Word.
Can't wait to start over again with clearer understanding.
I'll tell ya, if people think those Old Testament accounts of long told familiar stories.. David & Goliath, Noah, Samson, Abraham Isaac sacrifice, Peter & boat, Jonah, Daniel & lions..
(the ones radio preachers drill into the ground cause everyone knows em.. while they know preaching unknown books won't create an audience)
If people think those stories are amazing as stand alone accounts, to apply to there job or family, try putting there original purpose with em.
Salvation!
Anyway (got sidetracked again) with so many people killing the concept of 'Kingdom age' this 56 page book lays out a nice Bible based rendition of events.
I'm tearing it apart, literally, looking for flaws, looking for eisegesis, looking for a mishandling of texts.
When I say people kill the Kingdom age concept, what I mean is, have you ever noticed all the biblical accounts where man thinks they need to "help" God along in His plan?
From Abraham to Ruth, so much of Jewish tribe families, I'm sure even the disciples right on up to the 20/21rst century American christian.
Now this "helping God along" would be ok if not for that pesty Lil book, the Bible.
Yeah, that sounds arrogant, we all have our views and we all have our interpretation and we all have our opinions.
And that atmosphere, my friend, is the very thing that plunges us deeper into the delusion & apostasy we now "enjoy."
God tried to tell us, way back in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream,but we were too busy finding purpose and application, to see it.
Pages 23 ff in this 56 page book lay out a very accurate picture, one we Americans could never fathom, of world history and how it's to be viewed.
Why was Nebuchadnezzar so unique, why would God reveal so much to him?
He represents, by human means, how a true kingdom thrives and how one day (that Day, the Day) will be made right by Jesus Himself.
Absolute authority!
That's what Nebuchadnezzar was.
Yet from the birth of democracy, given to us by Greece, to every society and nation since right on up to the point where our own American settlers would flee there own form of tyranny to begin a nation founded on freedom of religion, which God would use to advance His gospel, but man would view as a unifying factor, one gained thru tolerance & diversity.
So allow me to ask, how's that working for us?
So from absolute authority (head of gold) to the will of the people (brittle feet of clay) we in our diverse ignorance, have switched the order.
As my wife and I were talking about this, we were trying to think of how we were thinking or feeling as we observed presidents trying to outsource an ideal, that wasn't even working for us.
Vietnam came first to mind. Others also.
We should never take our freedom of religion for granted but we also shouldn't hold this up as a banner to the world to follow.
This freedom of religion, as we call it, was turned into some "right" I am supposed to enjoy..
.. but it was GOD who raised it up, GOD who offers to all, GOD who uses it to spread gospel, GOD who calls, GOD who convicts, GOD who gives, GOD who takes, GOD who blesses, GOD who saves.
So.. tell me about MY rights again?
I love America but her arrogance seems to have no ceiling limit.
Things we once said of her greatness can no longer be said due to, when democracy is given over to mankind, all aspects of it implodes upon itself.
It forces us to consider diversity a strength, even at the cost of human life.
It's my own selfish heart that says, I would not trade my residence for any other place on earth but my prayer is to always see this country as a blessing to me, as opposed to "rights" and pray God forgives my selfish heart.
When it comes to this diversity,
Allow me to borrow a paragraph from this book, it states, quote :
>> >"I think it is worth noting here that when the Lord addresses the final age of church history, which is represented by the Laodicean church in Asia around 96 AD, he has nothing positive to say (Revelation 3:14-22). The name "Laodicea" itself comes from two words: "laos" meaning "people" and "dike" meaning "decision.”
The word "Laodicea" then translates to "people ruled."<<<
I'm gonna end this post and get back to tearing this book apart looking for heresy.
There's got to be some in it. God's clear message of what He told the disciples,as He returned to heaven, can't be this clear.
That message simply being,
(and I'll put it in a vernacular today's texting crowd can understand)
I'll BRB!
Truth is, I'm looking so hard for errors in a book like this because when spiritual applications or life applications aren't applied to God's Word, well something deep inside me misses communicating arguably with other believers.
So what, I admit it, no sense in blogging if ya can't be honest.
Besides, God's Word can be that clear.. Can it?
TryReadNit!
Friday, February 19, 2016
Revelation 13
Some thoughts on Revelation.
I remember as I was going thru Old Testament books, kinda being in the same frame of mind as now.
Seeing scripture thru the lens of Jesus and His plan of salvation.
I remember how, when I saw books like Job,
this was taught with me in mind for so long that it's no wonder I missed it's core message of redemption.
Keep in mind that God's Word will be vastly perceived different as to who reads and when. For example, can the average 20/21rst century American believer living in intense apostasy as well as strong delusion perceive the Old Testament in a similar way as let's say the remnant of Israel or the early first, second century church.
Let's face it, how often are today's believers referred to the book of Job when they find themselves in difficult situations?
Some are quick to accuse me of finding it improper to gain strength from Job when suffering life's difficulties.
I've not said this. But many miss the strength given to the one who faces persecution, finds here, and that strength isn't in the fact that another (Job) went thru it.
The strength is in the redemption God gives to those who trust in Him completely.
That's what Job, and Psalms, the entire OT is about.
As I conclude my 3rd trip thru God's Word, seeing it thru the lens of Jesus and salvation (as opposed to me and my struggling)
Why, after having 65 previous books speak joy & hope into my life, would I think this pattern might end as I read Revelation.
Well, PTL, it didn't end.
Does Revelation have fantastic imagery, yes! Does it have unimaginable occurrences, yes! is that all it is, no! Is it hard to understand, no!
Chap 13 has awesome frightening images many will debate for decades.
Please tell me how, by hitching my wagon to any popular interpretation, will this further the cause of Christ.
Thessalonians also speaks of this time as well as an accompanying of strong delusion, one where as everything is read in Scripture tends to nail down ones dogmatic views thereby missing it's truths.
I began this book dreading it. I knew of the many discussions one could have over its content and I so much desired to avoid any of this.
I'm half way thru this book now and I must confess, I wasn't planning on seeing the clear message of grace and mercy of God as well as, I wasn't planning on seeing the magnitude and significance of this thing called the church along with the undeserved grace as to which it was given to me. Salvation I mean.
Folks, if when reading Revelation, you don't grasp the cost, many in days of old, as well as many in different areas of the globe as well as many not yet born, if you don't grasp the cost there salvation will cost them, the very same salvation so freely and effortlessly given to the blessed American believer,
If the reader misses that,
then I suppose squabbling over whether there there will or will not be a rapture, or haggling over what the beast represents, or bickering over what a thousand years means will have to suffice till we find our home in Glory.
I'm all for discerning the content of Revelation and strongly caution any reader who spiritually interprets it all.
Given the ease as to how quickly one can be fooled, I consider greatly these thoughts.
I'm not sure how long I have yet on this earth but I'm forever grateful and humbled to be given a clearer perspective of our salvation and what it cost to receive, from Him who gave it along with what I was spared in its offering. I pray as long as I live, others might see this power of salvation displayed in me.
I've not arrived at this point yet, Lord forgive me!
I remember as I was going thru Old Testament books, kinda being in the same frame of mind as now.
Seeing scripture thru the lens of Jesus and His plan of salvation.
I remember how, when I saw books like Job,
this was taught with me in mind for so long that it's no wonder I missed it's core message of redemption.
Keep in mind that God's Word will be vastly perceived different as to who reads and when. For example, can the average 20/21rst century American believer living in intense apostasy as well as strong delusion perceive the Old Testament in a similar way as let's say the remnant of Israel or the early first, second century church.
Let's face it, how often are today's believers referred to the book of Job when they find themselves in difficult situations?
Some are quick to accuse me of finding it improper to gain strength from Job when suffering life's difficulties.
I've not said this. But many miss the strength given to the one who faces persecution, finds here, and that strength isn't in the fact that another (Job) went thru it.
The strength is in the redemption God gives to those who trust in Him completely.
That's what Job, and Psalms, the entire OT is about.
As I conclude my 3rd trip thru God's Word, seeing it thru the lens of Jesus and salvation (as opposed to me and my struggling)
Why, after having 65 previous books speak joy & hope into my life, would I think this pattern might end as I read Revelation.
Well, PTL, it didn't end.
Does Revelation have fantastic imagery, yes! Does it have unimaginable occurrences, yes! is that all it is, no! Is it hard to understand, no!
Chap 13 has awesome frightening images many will debate for decades.
Please tell me how, by hitching my wagon to any popular interpretation, will this further the cause of Christ.
Thessalonians also speaks of this time as well as an accompanying of strong delusion, one where as everything is read in Scripture tends to nail down ones dogmatic views thereby missing it's truths.
I began this book dreading it. I knew of the many discussions one could have over its content and I so much desired to avoid any of this.
I'm half way thru this book now and I must confess, I wasn't planning on seeing the clear message of grace and mercy of God as well as, I wasn't planning on seeing the magnitude and significance of this thing called the church along with the undeserved grace as to which it was given to me. Salvation I mean.
Folks, if when reading Revelation, you don't grasp the cost, many in days of old, as well as many in different areas of the globe as well as many not yet born, if you don't grasp the cost there salvation will cost them, the very same salvation so freely and effortlessly given to the blessed American believer,
If the reader misses that,
then I suppose squabbling over whether there there will or will not be a rapture, or haggling over what the beast represents, or bickering over what a thousand years means will have to suffice till we find our home in Glory.
I'm all for discerning the content of Revelation and strongly caution any reader who spiritually interprets it all.
Given the ease as to how quickly one can be fooled, I consider greatly these thoughts.
I'm not sure how long I have yet on this earth but I'm forever grateful and humbled to be given a clearer perspective of our salvation and what it cost to receive, from Him who gave it along with what I was spared in its offering. I pray as long as I live, others might see this power of salvation displayed in me.
I've not arrived at this point yet, Lord forgive me!
Random rambles - what's wrong with?
Sometimes I just like to post random thoughts. This happens most when I read or watch mainstream news.
It's not that I keep looking for things. They just happen because examples are all over the place.
What I mean is, mixed up language in the mainstream when it comes to applying a Christian spin on current events.
Whether it's a religious figure calling a politician, un christian simply because he wants to build a wall or
A talk show host crediting God for the death of a supreme Court Judge
Whether it's presidents quoting scripture, bakeries not making a cake, reality stars praying, sports stars at a bar thanking the man upstairs or pointing up after a play, schools not permitting verses on t-shirts or court houses not displaying ten commandments..
Something is off?
Last week i heard two Christians discussing how Peyton Manning said, in front of tens of thousands of people, that he was gonna drink a lot of beer, than he thanked (the man upstairs)
The subsequent crashing sound immediately heard after this comment was preachers all over this country falling off their chairs, collectively.
Hope none of them were hurt.
The next sounds that were heard were Christians rushing to there twitters to explain such comments.
In the discussion i heard,the conclusion was, it was wrong for him to say what he did because he is a "role model."
Now it's my turn to fall off a chair.
Whenever and wherever the Christian flag is flown over current events in the mainstream media, it makes little sense.
That's hard to spot when so many Christians, after seeing a 3 second clip of a praying politician are quick in saying "see, this is a Christian nation."
How did the lines between media and advertising an pop culture and the church (language) become so blurred?
A sure fire way to tell if Christians began sipping the kool-aid is..
if when two Christians who are talking about things like this and one asks the other" what's wrong with (fill in the blank with any topic, issue) "
I've found there's no good answer to the" what's wrong with... " question long ago.
The reason the" what's wrong with "question is so tough is because we think and talk funny.
We talk about the "flesh."
We say things like "we do this" in the flesh " or" the" flesh "is weak" inadvertently isolating this sin nature.
It's almost like thinking, if we didn't have this nasty flesh, we'd be ok.
Not understanding the difference between trespasses or transgressions or original sin and daily sin confuses things also.
We all have a sin nature but it's more part of us than many care to admit.
After raising 3 kids, I used to think that the longest journey any mind can take is the one that goes from "I need to do something" to "I want to do something"
But I see now that what we "need" & "want" are linked together, forever.
People are gonna do whatever they want, Christians or not.
We could say,
"I need /want to read my Bible "
or
" I need/want to go to a bar "
Imagine a Christian asking another Christian" I wanna go to a bar. What's wrong with that? "
What's the other christian to say?
No christian would ask, what's wrong with reading a Bible, yet that's where we struggle.
The bar example, that's easy (to them)
Do ya sense anything screwy yet?
There's an answer to the" what's wrong with "question, but because we don't understand our sin nature, we don't understand what satan daily does on our behalf, which is to accuse us day & night, before God, that we're sinful along with we categorize our sin and water it down to nothing, answering it is pointless.
Btw, we get our word : category, from what satan does (accuse)
Now why do you suppose that is? Because he knew Christians would be asking the "what's wrong with..." question, long ago.
We think category or
"well, going to a bar isn't murder"
Or
baking a cake for a gay wedding isn't as bad as going to a gay wedding
Or
A praying politician is better than a cursing one
And so on.
Odd how accuser & category are the same
Category :
Origin: 1580–90; < Late LatincatÄ“goria < Greek katÄ“gorÃaaccusation (also, kind of predication), equivalent to katḗgor(os) accuser, affirmer (katÄ“gor(eîn) to accuse
Point is, if the comment is:
I want to go to a bar -
The problem or issue is not in the part that said... "go to a bar"
The problem area is in the "I want"
Keep in mind, the thoughts of this post are being brought to you, courtesy of "the law" playing at many churches near you.
I am posting like this because day in and day out I see the media's attempt to remind us we're a Christian nation and I have to listen to other believers swoon over the prospect of it being so, while all I get for my efforts is being called a sour puss.
That's ok.
Back when I was confusing God's Law, I just ignored the media's attempts and that's no better than getting swept away by it. So I have no room to crow.
I've been saying throughout this blog, that if church goers read their Bible's in context, they'd be better at comprehending current events.
They'd know better how to train there children and you can bet, it ain't with no singing song book or church mouse.
Hold on a moment while I chase away the echos in my mind of Christians asking "what's wrong with christian children programs?"
If anyone hasn't guessed, I've been asked that an infinite amount of times, by Christians & non Christians, and there's your first clue, it's a bogus question.
It's like, mankind's default question as they look to the heavens and yell "what's wrong with...?"
You can bet that the genisis of that question is in the one asking "did God really say...?"
I'm all for anyone bringing there faith to a national platform but let's not get crazy on this.
I can think of many examples of genuine faith in the media.
My mind goes to the tremendous courage and strength in the lives of Joey & Rory Feek.
Noone will be asking "what's wrong with" as they read there story.
But it's worth can not be captured in a sound bite so many miss it.
The problem (of discerning mainstream) exists because God's Law is preached to believers (those who can't do it) & the gospel is preached to non believers (those who don't want it)
From this we have Bible illiterate believers vomiting there opinions on Facebook and even on blogs.
Hey, wait a second!
Didn't I just condemn myself?
What gives here?
The purpose to this blog remains the same.
When we pray & read God's Word in context, the question isn't
what's wrong with (fill in the blank)
The question is :
What's wrong with me.
Then, as we examine ourselves, we can better pray for those who appear in mainstream media as opposed to justifying there behavior or judging it.
I'm not saying we shouldn't have or voice our opinions, I'm only saying, let's keep it in perspective, or context of God's complete Word.
So yes, I condemn myself as I examine my motives for even beginning a blog such as this.
I often wonder,
those strong opinions we're having and voicing,
Why do we have them, where did they come from?
Questions like that are best answered in the lesser read portions of our Bible's.
TryReadNit in context!
It's not that I keep looking for things. They just happen because examples are all over the place.
What I mean is, mixed up language in the mainstream when it comes to applying a Christian spin on current events.
Whether it's a religious figure calling a politician, un christian simply because he wants to build a wall or
A talk show host crediting God for the death of a supreme Court Judge
Whether it's presidents quoting scripture, bakeries not making a cake, reality stars praying, sports stars at a bar thanking the man upstairs or pointing up after a play, schools not permitting verses on t-shirts or court houses not displaying ten commandments..
Something is off?
Last week i heard two Christians discussing how Peyton Manning said, in front of tens of thousands of people, that he was gonna drink a lot of beer, than he thanked (the man upstairs)
The subsequent crashing sound immediately heard after this comment was preachers all over this country falling off their chairs, collectively.
Hope none of them were hurt.
The next sounds that were heard were Christians rushing to there twitters to explain such comments.
In the discussion i heard,the conclusion was, it was wrong for him to say what he did because he is a "role model."
Now it's my turn to fall off a chair.
Whenever and wherever the Christian flag is flown over current events in the mainstream media, it makes little sense.
That's hard to spot when so many Christians, after seeing a 3 second clip of a praying politician are quick in saying "see, this is a Christian nation."
How did the lines between media and advertising an pop culture and the church (language) become so blurred?
A sure fire way to tell if Christians began sipping the kool-aid is..
if when two Christians who are talking about things like this and one asks the other" what's wrong with (fill in the blank with any topic, issue) "
I've found there's no good answer to the" what's wrong with... " question long ago.
The reason the" what's wrong with "question is so tough is because we think and talk funny.
We talk about the "flesh."
We say things like "we do this" in the flesh " or" the" flesh "is weak" inadvertently isolating this sin nature.
It's almost like thinking, if we didn't have this nasty flesh, we'd be ok.
Not understanding the difference between trespasses or transgressions or original sin and daily sin confuses things also.
We all have a sin nature but it's more part of us than many care to admit.
After raising 3 kids, I used to think that the longest journey any mind can take is the one that goes from "I need to do something" to "I want to do something"
But I see now that what we "need" & "want" are linked together, forever.
People are gonna do whatever they want, Christians or not.
We could say,
"I need /want to read my Bible "
or
" I need/want to go to a bar "
Imagine a Christian asking another Christian" I wanna go to a bar. What's wrong with that? "
What's the other christian to say?
No christian would ask, what's wrong with reading a Bible, yet that's where we struggle.
The bar example, that's easy (to them)
Do ya sense anything screwy yet?
There's an answer to the" what's wrong with "question, but because we don't understand our sin nature, we don't understand what satan daily does on our behalf, which is to accuse us day & night, before God, that we're sinful along with we categorize our sin and water it down to nothing, answering it is pointless.
Btw, we get our word : category, from what satan does (accuse)
Now why do you suppose that is? Because he knew Christians would be asking the "what's wrong with..." question, long ago.
We think category or
"well, going to a bar isn't murder"
Or
baking a cake for a gay wedding isn't as bad as going to a gay wedding
Or
A praying politician is better than a cursing one
And so on.
Odd how accuser & category are the same
Category :
Origin: 1580–90; < Late LatincatÄ“goria < Greek katÄ“gorÃaaccusation (also, kind of predication), equivalent to katḗgor(os) accuser, affirmer (katÄ“gor(eîn) to accuse
Point is, if the comment is:
I want to go to a bar -
The problem or issue is not in the part that said... "go to a bar"
The problem area is in the "I want"
Keep in mind, the thoughts of this post are being brought to you, courtesy of "the law" playing at many churches near you.
I am posting like this because day in and day out I see the media's attempt to remind us we're a Christian nation and I have to listen to other believers swoon over the prospect of it being so, while all I get for my efforts is being called a sour puss.
That's ok.
Back when I was confusing God's Law, I just ignored the media's attempts and that's no better than getting swept away by it. So I have no room to crow.
I've been saying throughout this blog, that if church goers read their Bible's in context, they'd be better at comprehending current events.
They'd know better how to train there children and you can bet, it ain't with no singing song book or church mouse.
Hold on a moment while I chase away the echos in my mind of Christians asking "what's wrong with christian children programs?"
If anyone hasn't guessed, I've been asked that an infinite amount of times, by Christians & non Christians, and there's your first clue, it's a bogus question.
It's like, mankind's default question as they look to the heavens and yell "what's wrong with...?"
You can bet that the genisis of that question is in the one asking "did God really say...?"
I'm all for anyone bringing there faith to a national platform but let's not get crazy on this.
I can think of many examples of genuine faith in the media.
My mind goes to the tremendous courage and strength in the lives of Joey & Rory Feek.
Noone will be asking "what's wrong with" as they read there story.
But it's worth can not be captured in a sound bite so many miss it.
The problem (of discerning mainstream) exists because God's Law is preached to believers (those who can't do it) & the gospel is preached to non believers (those who don't want it)
From this we have Bible illiterate believers vomiting there opinions on Facebook and even on blogs.
Hey, wait a second!
Didn't I just condemn myself?
What gives here?
The purpose to this blog remains the same.
When we pray & read God's Word in context, the question isn't
what's wrong with (fill in the blank)
The question is :
What's wrong with me.
Then, as we examine ourselves, we can better pray for those who appear in mainstream media as opposed to justifying there behavior or judging it.
I'm not saying we shouldn't have or voice our opinions, I'm only saying, let's keep it in perspective, or context of God's complete Word.
So yes, I condemn myself as I examine my motives for even beginning a blog such as this.
I often wonder,
those strong opinions we're having and voicing,
Why do we have them, where did they come from?
Questions like that are best answered in the lesser read portions of our Bible's.
TryReadNit in context!
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Revelation 11/12
As I make my way thru chap 11 and 12 of Revelation I find myself, as a middle aged Christian man, I'm wondering as to what I must have missed growing up.
It's pretty clear that in several areas, I definitely slipped thru the cracks when it came to being whatever most these days think I should be.
I'm not sure when it happened but I'm more or less a black an white thinker in a gray world and the grayer it got the more black an white I became.
Things just are!
Plain an simple.
Men marry women, life begins in the womb, murder is bad and prayer is good an so on.
Oh,and books are to be read (get this) from the beginning, page one and you read straight thru to the end.
I wasn't the brightest kid growing up in school.
Funny thing about black and white thinkers. Not much around them makes sense. Take politics for example. People favor one thing over another, over another. These people think it's the success or failure of some system that is the problem. They'd never even consider that it's mankind that's the problem. Not the system.
Sure I even favor one system over another but I know that even in the systems I don't favor, theoretically they work but when anything (and I mean anything) is given over to mankind, it's a sure bet we will corrupt it.
Wouldn't that cause a thinking person to examine, "what's wrong with mankind?"
But we don't think in terms of "mankind." We think in terms of "self"
Hey wait a minute, could THAT be the problem. (nah, too simple)
Thinking the way I do, so much of what's said to account for ones reasoning concerning many issues, like
why babies are not life in a womb or why men can marry men or evolution or even why trickle down economics is not good, the things they'd use to account for their beliefs were more far fetched and abstract than my own.
Is it any wonder, when it came to biblical interpretation, listening to others (Christians or not) the reasons given were so elusive and subjective as anything I'd hear on liberal mainstream thoughts.
It's crazy.
I have more respect for the one who rejects God flat out than the multitude of theories given to allow liberal interpretation of God's Word.
Mind you, these theories can run side by side for some time, that is, till they get to a misplaced comma or discrepancy in age of a text, then the theory will go light years from what it previously aligned itself with, and it doesn't take much to do that.
Take for example, from chap 12. What's the woman represent? What's the dragon? What's the child? On and on it goes.
If the woman represents this, then your that but if the woman represents that, then your this.
And good luck trying to get this & that to worship together.
But do people, Christians, stop to consider this age we live in, this country we live in?
Can we grasp the price the one third fleeing too, after two thirds killed, in chap 12, can we grasp what cost the same salvation we have, they will too receive but at greater cost.
Place that next to the church in let's say, Iran.
Is it any wonder we toy with revelations imagery. If we didn't, we might just see clearly how stubborn our sinful hearts are towards God.
I shutter, cringe when I think of how lightly I once viewed my salvation.
Even the when & where I was born is a tremendous gift.
Revelation is filled with imagery that many over time have devoted there lives to studying.
The problem arises in those who haven't devoted there lives to this (that's us) what are we to do?
It's obvious, we're to bring our pre-made presuppositions to the text and then squeeze that text into it.
This is why i began this post by asking, did I have any to bring? If not, why not? Did I not care, back in the day? Was I paying attention to whomever was speaking about whatever? Did I have opinions then, do I have them now? Surely I do! So what gives?
All I can figure at this point, as I examine my upbringing, if I tend to be a black and white thinker, and I am, I learn things at its basic elements. Because of that, I've learned little over the years because I did little. I'm sure I've always had an excuse for doing little but thanks to modern technology, I no longer have an excuse.
Learning the context of any given issue has become as easy as falling off a log. My "problem", when it comes to God's Word was. I never read it along with, I rarely bought what was said about it, either by Christians or non christians.
It goes without saying, there's plenty of downsides to that (because that trend is not limited to God's Word) and this pattern would sustain me for 40 years.
It only stands to reason that a black and white thinker, when finally getting around to reading their Bible, would have issues. Since I'm no better thinking this way than anyone else, for I've paid a big price by being so, I think it best to be content with what I am. Mankind loves the gray (seen "reality" TV lately) and loves the abstract.
Unfortunately though, by the time one gets to chap 12 in Rev, something gets missed.
Something is happening here.
A war. What occurs before it? What are the results of it?
With any question one might have in any given chap, a host of past influences are primed and ready to assist us in interpreting. It's those influences I question royally.
The 21 century American believers, of which I am one, has a tremendous amount of influences to wade through as we approach this.
Since proof texting is what we are accustomed to, it's easy to miss a running theme throughout scripture, one of intense demonic opposition to God's plan of salvation so if it were to ever see its conclusion, would we see it?
I mean really, is there anywhere in our Bible's a better picture of this plan, than the one found in Rev 12:10ff?
I heard this described as a song, I like that.
And what about God's provisions for what is representing God's Word at this time (or any time period throughout history)
Does anyone really think satan gives a rip about some obscure nation?
Whatever God chooses to use as a vessel for His Word, that's what will be under attack. If it's Israel, it's Israel, if it's the Church, it's the church. If it's a child, a town, a book, a tree or a rock, satan would attempt rid our existence of whatever God chooses to carry out His plan and at whatever time period He chooses. God chooses how He wants to do it, when He wants to do it, if He puts a method on hold for a time, that is His plan.
Rev 12 should give any believer an off the charts awareness of the intense nature, intense struggle, intense beauty, intense love and sacrifice of what God has been doing since Gen 1:1.
Why do we miss it sometimes? Try this little exercise.
Clear your mind as best as possible. Might take several minutes.
When your ready, think the word "demon" (keep in mind, this can work with Any word)
Ok, now whatever pops into your mind immediately, I suggest these to be the improper way to discern anything.
I remember, after my first year of reading Bible first time, whenever my wife and I would get into an argument, I'd tell er, "listen, the first 3 things that come to mind over anything I say, is NOT what I'm taking about." That would drive her nuts simply because, if she wasn't interested in examining further then I'd cease arguing.
Most people would prefer arguing over examining what's said.
Btw, that method of asking that amidst an argument works both ways, or, whatever come to MY mind from what she says, is not the point. If a marriage gets to that point, it's something special.
Time to wrap this up. Been pondering this for days now. I'm sure I've missed much, thinking the way I do.
I enjoy a mystery as much as anyone, I know I do not even have a complete command of the English language. But God's Word is pretty straightforward,
it's central theme, central opposition, central conclusion.
Any pitfalls I've avoided in life, but not over educating myself I've made up for by falling in the ones I've created, by not over educating myself.
But God in His mercy opened my eyes though His complete Word. How undeserved is that? My ongoing desire is to encourage anyone to just get that Bible & tryReadNit!
It's pretty clear that in several areas, I definitely slipped thru the cracks when it came to being whatever most these days think I should be.
I'm not sure when it happened but I'm more or less a black an white thinker in a gray world and the grayer it got the more black an white I became.
Things just are!
Plain an simple.
Men marry women, life begins in the womb, murder is bad and prayer is good an so on.
Oh,and books are to be read (get this) from the beginning, page one and you read straight thru to the end.
I wasn't the brightest kid growing up in school.
Funny thing about black and white thinkers. Not much around them makes sense. Take politics for example. People favor one thing over another, over another. These people think it's the success or failure of some system that is the problem. They'd never even consider that it's mankind that's the problem. Not the system.
Sure I even favor one system over another but I know that even in the systems I don't favor, theoretically they work but when anything (and I mean anything) is given over to mankind, it's a sure bet we will corrupt it.
Wouldn't that cause a thinking person to examine, "what's wrong with mankind?"
But we don't think in terms of "mankind." We think in terms of "self"
Hey wait a minute, could THAT be the problem. (nah, too simple)
Thinking the way I do, so much of what's said to account for ones reasoning concerning many issues, like
why babies are not life in a womb or why men can marry men or evolution or even why trickle down economics is not good, the things they'd use to account for their beliefs were more far fetched and abstract than my own.
Is it any wonder, when it came to biblical interpretation, listening to others (Christians or not) the reasons given were so elusive and subjective as anything I'd hear on liberal mainstream thoughts.
It's crazy.
I have more respect for the one who rejects God flat out than the multitude of theories given to allow liberal interpretation of God's Word.
Mind you, these theories can run side by side for some time, that is, till they get to a misplaced comma or discrepancy in age of a text, then the theory will go light years from what it previously aligned itself with, and it doesn't take much to do that.
Take for example, from chap 12. What's the woman represent? What's the dragon? What's the child? On and on it goes.
If the woman represents this, then your that but if the woman represents that, then your this.
And good luck trying to get this & that to worship together.
But do people, Christians, stop to consider this age we live in, this country we live in?
Can we grasp the price the one third fleeing too, after two thirds killed, in chap 12, can we grasp what cost the same salvation we have, they will too receive but at greater cost.
Place that next to the church in let's say, Iran.
Is it any wonder we toy with revelations imagery. If we didn't, we might just see clearly how stubborn our sinful hearts are towards God.
I shutter, cringe when I think of how lightly I once viewed my salvation.
Even the when & where I was born is a tremendous gift.
Revelation is filled with imagery that many over time have devoted there lives to studying.
The problem arises in those who haven't devoted there lives to this (that's us) what are we to do?
It's obvious, we're to bring our pre-made presuppositions to the text and then squeeze that text into it.
This is why i began this post by asking, did I have any to bring? If not, why not? Did I not care, back in the day? Was I paying attention to whomever was speaking about whatever? Did I have opinions then, do I have them now? Surely I do! So what gives?
All I can figure at this point, as I examine my upbringing, if I tend to be a black and white thinker, and I am, I learn things at its basic elements. Because of that, I've learned little over the years because I did little. I'm sure I've always had an excuse for doing little but thanks to modern technology, I no longer have an excuse.
Learning the context of any given issue has become as easy as falling off a log. My "problem", when it comes to God's Word was. I never read it along with, I rarely bought what was said about it, either by Christians or non christians.
It goes without saying, there's plenty of downsides to that (because that trend is not limited to God's Word) and this pattern would sustain me for 40 years.
It only stands to reason that a black and white thinker, when finally getting around to reading their Bible, would have issues. Since I'm no better thinking this way than anyone else, for I've paid a big price by being so, I think it best to be content with what I am. Mankind loves the gray (seen "reality" TV lately) and loves the abstract.
Unfortunately though, by the time one gets to chap 12 in Rev, something gets missed.
Something is happening here.
A war. What occurs before it? What are the results of it?
With any question one might have in any given chap, a host of past influences are primed and ready to assist us in interpreting. It's those influences I question royally.
The 21 century American believers, of which I am one, has a tremendous amount of influences to wade through as we approach this.
Since proof texting is what we are accustomed to, it's easy to miss a running theme throughout scripture, one of intense demonic opposition to God's plan of salvation so if it were to ever see its conclusion, would we see it?
I mean really, is there anywhere in our Bible's a better picture of this plan, than the one found in Rev 12:10ff?
I heard this described as a song, I like that.
And what about God's provisions for what is representing God's Word at this time (or any time period throughout history)
Does anyone really think satan gives a rip about some obscure nation?
Whatever God chooses to use as a vessel for His Word, that's what will be under attack. If it's Israel, it's Israel, if it's the Church, it's the church. If it's a child, a town, a book, a tree or a rock, satan would attempt rid our existence of whatever God chooses to carry out His plan and at whatever time period He chooses. God chooses how He wants to do it, when He wants to do it, if He puts a method on hold for a time, that is His plan.
Rev 12 should give any believer an off the charts awareness of the intense nature, intense struggle, intense beauty, intense love and sacrifice of what God has been doing since Gen 1:1.
Why do we miss it sometimes? Try this little exercise.
Clear your mind as best as possible. Might take several minutes.
When your ready, think the word "demon" (keep in mind, this can work with Any word)
Ok, now whatever pops into your mind immediately, I suggest these to be the improper way to discern anything.
I remember, after my first year of reading Bible first time, whenever my wife and I would get into an argument, I'd tell er, "listen, the first 3 things that come to mind over anything I say, is NOT what I'm taking about." That would drive her nuts simply because, if she wasn't interested in examining further then I'd cease arguing.
Most people would prefer arguing over examining what's said.
Btw, that method of asking that amidst an argument works both ways, or, whatever come to MY mind from what she says, is not the point. If a marriage gets to that point, it's something special.
Time to wrap this up. Been pondering this for days now. I'm sure I've missed much, thinking the way I do.
I enjoy a mystery as much as anyone, I know I do not even have a complete command of the English language. But God's Word is pretty straightforward,
it's central theme, central opposition, central conclusion.
Any pitfalls I've avoided in life, but not over educating myself I've made up for by falling in the ones I've created, by not over educating myself.
But God in His mercy opened my eyes though His complete Word. How undeserved is that? My ongoing desire is to encourage anyone to just get that Bible & tryReadNit!
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Revelation
Been some time on posting anything on Rev. From time to time I want to remind anyone, why I started blogging.
I maintain that "something" occurred over the course of our lifetimes and although I can't identify quite often what that "something" is, I do know it's robbed us of basic communicating and comprehension skills.
I maintain that "something" occurred over the course of our lifetimes and although I can't identify quite often what that "something" is, I do know it's robbed us of basic communicating and comprehension skills.
When it comes to God's Word, the culprit of that "something" is in our being so accustomed to proof texting the Bible while strip mining it for daily applications, that by the time we do get around to reading it, it's worth has become so fuzzy as it seeks a home in our brains, filled with nonsense.
Solution.
Get rid of the nonsense.
Easier said than done, I'm an example of that.
My main desire is to give an account, in this blog, of what occurs as one goes thru this attempt at de-cluttering my mind as to grow and love God's Word in context as I read.
Easier said than done, I'm an example of that.
My main desire is to give an account, in this blog, of what occurs as one goes thru this attempt at de-cluttering my mind as to grow and love God's Word in context as I read.
Revelation (only after the rest of Bible read) is a great place to start.
I was blessed to have found a way to go thru this book and
1) read it slowly
2) find all the places in Scripture where what I'm reading occurs & compare.
3) consider all, and I mean all, the possibilities of what this could mean
And then..
(now it gets tricky)
I was blessed to have found a way to go thru this book and
1) read it slowly
2) find all the places in Scripture where what I'm reading occurs & compare.
3) consider all, and I mean all, the possibilities of what this could mean
And then..
(now it gets tricky)
Now that I've read it and compared it and now know all its possibilities, here's where I'm told "make a decision, what do you believe"
So I reach in my bag of world view, I keep in the theology section of my doctrine closet and all that is housed in my house of human wisdom.
Now if I had no clue as to what God thinks about human wisdom, from places like Job or Romans or Jeremiah, I'd be fine.
But like a dummy, I had to go and read it, so I'm not fine.
Christians will say, I can't make up my mind or I'm anti doctrine.
Non Christians will say one needs to check there intellect at the churches door.
Christians will say, I can't make up my mind or I'm anti doctrine.
Non Christians will say one needs to check there intellect at the churches door.
Trying to convey contextual verse by verse reading of God's Word to many is like trying to put a rope around a gust of wind.
I am in what most think, is difficult scripture, chap 11 in Revelation and what's ahead ain't much easier.
When human wisdom is applied to this, it all falls apart.
When human wisdom is applied to this, it all falls apart.
But when God's nature is revealed, as seen from Genesis to Jude, we can take that right into the book of Revelation and nothing changes.
Up to now, chap 11, God's mercy is on full display yet if one had told me that ten years ago, I'd be saying what many are saying of me right now.
I'm sure this mercy gets lost in all the imagery.
Thanks to a proof texting mindset, consistency gets lost as well.
For example, God's consistent use of the nation isreal. Wow! Talk about a lost concept.
Thanks to a proof texting mindset, consistency gets lost as well.
For example, God's consistent use of the nation isreal. Wow! Talk about a lost concept.
If by the time one gets to the end of reading God's Word, hasn't figured out a few obvious things, they may wanna read it again.
Things like :
-how much God hates sin
- mankind is forever suppressing what they know to be true and we daily invent new ways to suppress it.
-mankind is at war with God th the minute we're put here and an element of our default mode is we hate God
- the magnitude of God drawing us to Him, God waits, is long-suffering, the magnitude of His sacrifice, the magnitude of what awaits us, the magnitude of what we were saved from.
- how small we are apart from Him and how rich we are in Him.
Things like :
-how much God hates sin
- mankind is forever suppressing what they know to be true and we daily invent new ways to suppress it.
-mankind is at war with God th the minute we're put here and an element of our default mode is we hate God
- the magnitude of God drawing us to Him, God waits, is long-suffering, the magnitude of His sacrifice, the magnitude of what awaits us, the magnitude of what we were saved from.
- how small we are apart from Him and how rich we are in Him.
All this, in our Bible's concluding book.
How sad is it people think it's a book where God "wins."
Nonsense! Like it's some kind of game.
How sad is it people think it's a book where God "wins."
Nonsense! Like it's some kind of game.
I'm sure to get into more of this (out of this world language) as I proceed into what will occur, when God finally judges this world, but I'm not fearful. (ok, maybe a little)
But the consistent nature of God from Gen to this book of Rev is what I most wanted to convey here. No book of the Bible is a stand alone book. God is the same ,His methods are the same.
Whereas the Law was given to reveal and prove that mankind can not keep it, thereby needing a Savior, the point of Revelation is to give prove that no matter what, without God , we reject Him. But the consistent nature of God from Gen to this book of Rev is what I most wanted to convey here. No book of the Bible is a stand alone book. God is the same ,His methods are the same.
All this gives might and weight and power to what God accomplished on the cross. Please do not miss this.
So to anyone who won't mind many others looking at them strange, I'd encourage them to get their Bible's and
TryReadNit - in context.
Friday, February 12, 2016
To mom : Count ur blessings, name them one by one..
I was talking to my mom last night.
Of the ever growing list of things I'm thankful for, having true Christian parents remains near the top.
While my father is in heaven, my mother continues to serve God here. Being in her 80's, she remains in the trenches as she fights each day for the goodness and grace and mercy only God can provide,to be bestowed not only on her children but her grandchildren & great grandchildren and her choice weapon she's most accustomed to, for she's been at it for decades, is prayer.
She more than knows it's a daily battle for the blessings she prays, to be manifested in the many lives she prays for and she also knows she may never see, on this earth, all the fruit of her prayers, but she remains not only faithful to the task at hand, in praying for her family but she's a lasting testimony to all who knows her.
Often times when I call, after catching up on things, we spend time taking about the Bible and sharing verses, but last night, she took time to read the lyrics to a hymn that recently blessed her and as I listened, I could not help but to be blessed by the joy and enthusiasm and excitement as she read the wonderful words of the hymn.
That kind of joy is real and In a world where there is a shortage of "real" it's not only nice to hear this, but I'm blessed that she's my mom.
The hymn that meant so much to her was :
I sing the mighty power of God -
Lyrics :
1.We sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
2 We sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed,
where'er we turn our eyes,
if we survey the ground we tread
or gaze upon the skies.
3 There's not a plant or flower below
but makes your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from your throne;
while all that borrows life from you
is ever in your care,
and everywhere that we can be,
you, God, are present there.
What a song, by Isaac Watts.
Of course we spend a moment lamenting over the idea that today's generation was robbed of such inspiration and what's more sad is, many,let's say, 30 and under could never admit that she's right.
I must never forget the wisdom and strength of the past and I'm blessed to have a mother who joyfully takes time to remind me.
Love ya mom!
Of the ever growing list of things I'm thankful for, having true Christian parents remains near the top.
While my father is in heaven, my mother continues to serve God here. Being in her 80's, she remains in the trenches as she fights each day for the goodness and grace and mercy only God can provide,to be bestowed not only on her children but her grandchildren & great grandchildren and her choice weapon she's most accustomed to, for she's been at it for decades, is prayer.
She more than knows it's a daily battle for the blessings she prays, to be manifested in the many lives she prays for and she also knows she may never see, on this earth, all the fruit of her prayers, but she remains not only faithful to the task at hand, in praying for her family but she's a lasting testimony to all who knows her.
Often times when I call, after catching up on things, we spend time taking about the Bible and sharing verses, but last night, she took time to read the lyrics to a hymn that recently blessed her and as I listened, I could not help but to be blessed by the joy and enthusiasm and excitement as she read the wonderful words of the hymn.
That kind of joy is real and In a world where there is a shortage of "real" it's not only nice to hear this, but I'm blessed that she's my mom.
The hymn that meant so much to her was :
I sing the mighty power of God -
Lyrics :
1.We sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.
2 We sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed,
where'er we turn our eyes,
if we survey the ground we tread
or gaze upon the skies.
3 There's not a plant or flower below
but makes your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from your throne;
while all that borrows life from you
is ever in your care,
and everywhere that we can be,
you, God, are present there.
What a song, by Isaac Watts.
Of course we spend a moment lamenting over the idea that today's generation was robbed of such inspiration and what's more sad is, many,let's say, 30 and under could never admit that she's right.
I must never forget the wisdom and strength of the past and I'm blessed to have a mother who joyfully takes time to remind me.
Love ya mom!
Friday, February 5, 2016
It's no joke / it's serious stuff
I'm taking a slight break from Revelation, truth is, I'm only in chap 5 and what I'm reading is so intense, it takes some time for me to digest but I plan to finish my (not so profound) thoughts on each chap.
Something got me thinking tonight, about why I'm even doing this blogging. Yes, it's a good outlet to express my joy as well as frustration.
What's the big deal about all this context stuff anyway.
Well, if anyone thinks this is a joke, trust me, it isn't.
I thought I might share some clear and obvious examples of why it's important.
Has anyone ever heard in a church, that we should "write our vision down" and then read :
Hab 2:2 — Hab 2:3
The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith
And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.
The purpose and intent for a post such as this is too :
Encourage others to consider and examine whatever information they receive, be it mainstream media, pop culture, music, books and yes, even church, by slowing things down, is the purpose to a post such as this.
Context in any area is no easy thing.
When we neglect to put things like our nation or social issues in their entire context, we can clearly see the effects it has on a society.
But when God's Word falls prey to this, losing the ability to rightly discern these days we're in is just one of its unwanted consequences.
And to think, so much of this could be cleared up if those who never read it, would just..
... TryreadNit!
Something got me thinking tonight, about why I'm even doing this blogging. Yes, it's a good outlet to express my joy as well as frustration.
What's the big deal about all this context stuff anyway.
Well, if anyone thinks this is a joke, trust me, it isn't.
I thought I might share some clear and obvious examples of why it's important.
Has anyone ever heard in a church, that we should "write our vision down" and then read :
Hab 2:2 — Hab 2:3
The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith
And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.
I think the teaching might go something like this :
Let's face it, many have heard this cross our ears in many similar variances of this (somewhat) extreme clip. Yet this is a bad as bad gets. We should run from any individual who speaks this way.
Sadly though , when people hear preachers talk this way they "think" it is Biblical. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Sadly though , when people hear preachers talk this way they "think" it is Biblical. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I chose this verse because this one's not that tough. If the church goer would simply read chap 1 and then finish chap 2 they would then know that God is getting ready to bring judgement in a harsh way and that Habakkuk is too write down what God tells him.
But many church goers don't read so they believe this is telling THEM to write THERE vision down simply because somebody standing on a stage said so.
OK, I'm getting ready to add another link but this one will come with a disclaimer.
If you like looking at verses this way, if you like thinking it's about you in these scriptures, don't listen to next video.
Trust me when I say, I know how painful it can be when God opens ones eyes and that's why I say, if your curious as to how things get turned around and listen to next link, please pray first and ask God for direction.
This link deals courageouly with this text from Habakkuk.
My prayers are with anyone listening to that link who found it interesting, maybe it was angering, whether in agreement or disagreement, either way it makes one think. I also understand the one who turned it off after the first minute an a half.
I have said many times, these things may not be salvation related, or, how one reads scripture doesn't determine whether there saved or not, but it does determine how we discern and view life, view the Bible, view ourselves, and that, in this culture is critical.
This approach to God's Holy Word is used throughout, that is, too the one accustomed to hop schotching all over the Bible.
Something to give caution too is when Proverbs is used to make a sermon point.
Proverbs is unique that much of its wisdom can be found in the stand alone verse.
That fact alone should trouble the church goer who has ever heard a vision message based on Proverbs 29 :18.
More times than not, only half (that's right, half of complete thought) is used.
Church goers may wonder what's the big deal if people have visions (or plans) of positive things and so what if they write em down.
They might say "maybe the Bible didn't mean that, but what's the harm?"
This next clip shows how far one can travel, from God, when they make themselves the focus.
It's one thing to read a verse wrong, it's understandable when different applications of scripture get applied. One may or may not like it and it's not the end of the world, we can still remain respectful of one another.
But when even the Holiest name reserved for God and God alone, gets applied to US, it's time to draw the line, and draw it hard.
The name I'm referring to is the Supreme title for God -
" I Am "
The author of this book admits he has a different
I have said many times, these things may not be salvation related, or, how one reads scripture doesn't determine whether there saved or not, but it does determine how we discern and view life, view the Bible, view ourselves, and that, in this culture is critical.
This approach to God's Holy Word is used throughout, that is, too the one accustomed to hop schotching all over the Bible.
Something to give caution too is when Proverbs is used to make a sermon point.
Proverbs is unique that much of its wisdom can be found in the stand alone verse.
That fact alone should trouble the church goer who has ever heard a vision message based on Proverbs 29 :18.
More times than not, only half (that's right, half of complete thought) is used.
Church goers may wonder what's the big deal if people have visions (or plans) of positive things and so what if they write em down.
They might say "maybe the Bible didn't mean that, but what's the harm?"
This next clip shows how far one can travel, from God, when they make themselves the focus.
It's one thing to read a verse wrong, it's understandable when different applications of scripture get applied. One may or may not like it and it's not the end of the world, we can still remain respectful of one another.
But when even the Holiest name reserved for God and God alone, gets applied to US, it's time to draw the line, and draw it hard.
The name I'm referring to is the Supreme title for God -
" I Am "
| ×”ָ×™ָ×” | hayah |
The author of this book admits he has a different
"take " on this and the interviewer mocks him, as well he should.
When even God's very name is abused and applied to us it's pretty clear that nothing is off limits to ones imagination.
Church goers eat this stuff up and any leader who promotes authors such as this should seriously examine their discernment skills.
The purpose and intent for a post such as this is too :
Encourage others to consider and examine whatever information they receive, be it mainstream media, pop culture, music, books and yes, even church, by slowing things down, is the purpose to a post such as this.
Context in any area is no easy thing.
When we neglect to put things like our nation or social issues in their entire context, we can clearly see the effects it has on a society.
But when God's Word falls prey to this, losing the ability to rightly discern these days we're in is just one of its unwanted consequences.
And to think, so much of this could be cleared up if those who never read it, would just..
... TryreadNit!
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Have you been thinking lately , there's something missing? Discernmen...........t.[CLICK IMAGE]
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Read GOD'S WORD IN CONTEXT!
(CLICK IMAGE)..but I raised my hand to accept Jesus...(CLICK IMAGE)
(CLICK IMAGE)
do we really get this???
Believe then receive
Believe then receive
Matt 7:15 wolves in sheeps clothing (CLICK IMAGE)
CLICK IMAGE
CLICK IMAGE/ OLD TESTEMENT
CLICK IMAGE / NEW TESTEMENT
CLICK IMAGE
Slippery slope!? (click image)
