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?