Revelation Revealed (The Mushrooms of Patmos?)
I once heard a throw away comment about the 'Mushrooms of Patmos' - was the guy joking, challenging or had his great learning led him astray? Sometime later while watching TV I was praying - God what are you saying today, is there anything I should be investigating like the guys referred to in the film?
Then a few days later I happened to walk past Westside Church Vancouver BC and saw an advertisement for their Revelation series - I knew I was in Vancouver that day for a purpose, but this...? Thought 'this is something I need to look into'. Thanks Westside for your hard work and perseverance on this. May I and those who read this benefit where you have watered (1 Corinthians 3v6).
The Revelation series was also covered, in parallel, by The Shore Church (which is a church plant from Westside).
Later I discovered the article '4 Reasons to Read the Book of Revelation'.
This is a follow-on from another article 'The Pastoral Message of Revelation'.
David Campbell says it a lot better than me!
There is also this useful book by the same author 'Mystery Explained: A Simple Guide to Revelation'.
Another interesting commentary can be found here : https://thebookofrevelationmadeclear.com/
One common theme seems to be the need to read the book of Revelation in parallel with the Old Testament.
No direct quotes but a lot of the imagery first appeared centuries earlier in the Old Testament.
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My heart leaps when I look at how accurately prophecies of Jesus's coming around 6BC to 30AD were fulfilled. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:19 'all are without excuse, because God has made it plain'. In similar manner I expect that which is currently unfulfilled will come to fruition and like Simeon in Luke 2:29-32 I can respond in worship.
No one has accurately been able to interpret the book of Revelation to the satisfaction of everyone else and this series is no exception, but I recall how my heart leapt on the Vancouver visit. I am reminded of my foundation :
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong, they are week but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
Psalm 64:9 All mankind ... fear ... proclaim ... ponder!
Are you one of the rejoicing ones of Psalm 64:10?
Subcategories
Small Group Items
This category contains small group questions and notes from a series of talks at GodFirst, Christchurch, Dorset, England.
Introduction
Written with the target audience in mind, includes timeless principles applicable throughout the ages.
It brings a perspective on human history. Apocalypse literature lifts the lid.
The Bible is God#s revelation of Himself to man, it is not man's ideas about God.
Man cannot invent Truth, he can only receive it cf John 18:37-38.
John was the writer not the author.
The purpose of the book is to strengthen the churches, not to predict the future.
Its message - Jesus has the final word.
It provides encouragement in difficult circumstances.
It encourages us to conquer and resist cultural compromise.
It enables us to live with hope knowing God's Kingdom with ultimately prevail.
Reminds us Jesus is central. History is not haphazard, all histrory is heading to a climax.
We need to live in readiness.
We can live in hope - it kills cynicism.
We need to be receives, not achievers. No place for pride.
Everything in the universe is caused by God except God who is self existent cf Genesis 1:1.
7 spirits of God - reference to the complete, perfect Holy Spirit cf John 15:26; 16:3-16.
Jesus radiates the glory of God.
I need to keep the right perspective...
Remember who Jesus is.
Remember that Jesus loves me, the Almighty loves me - awesome!
Troble does not negate His love cf John 16:33.
The power of sin has been cancelled - I have been set free.
Jesus is coming again - LOOK!