Lectionary Thoughts: Dating John's Revelation

To properly interpret, understand and apply the message of St. John’s Revelation you must first decide when the last book of the Bible was written. If you favor an authorship date after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, then you will need to either spiritualize the events described, and maintain that the rulers, nations and battles cryptically described in Revelation have no earthly counterparts; no historical earthly fulfillment. Or, you will need to determine which post-A.D. 70 (actual and earthly) rulers, nations and battles were being prophetically described in apocalyptic language. These people and happenings could be past, present or future.

If you favor an authorship date before A.D. 70, then you will tend to understand the rulers, nations and battles depicted in Revelation as historic entities and events that took place before, or shortly after, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple.

Here are five exegetical (i.e. from the book of Revelation itself) reasons to favor an authorship date before A.D. 70:

"I love you, and you belong to Me."

Baptism of Matthias, Torah, Jubilee and Lucy Hamilton

November 6, 2016

As always “faith” (not effort, striving or law-keeping) is the issue. As Paul wrote:

(Hebrews 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

(Galatians 5:6) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

As we celebrated last week: Our salvation is one that is…

-         Revealed in God’s Word alone

-         By grace alone

-         Through faith alone

-         In Christ alone

-         To the glory of God alone

And the problem for us is, that God’s promises to save, bless and keep us are so audacious, spectacular, and well, nearly unbelievable, that we constantly find ourselves stammering some version of, “Okay, Lord, I believe, help me with my unbelief.”

And this “problem” is only multiplied when it comes to our children, for God’s promises for them are equally audacious, spectacular and well, nearly unbelievable. Three examples will suffice to put us all into an astounded state of, “Lord I believe, help me...”

(Deuteronomy 30:6) And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

(Psalm 103:17) But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,

(Acts 2:38–39) And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

October 30, 2016 Sermon Reflection

Sermon Reflection 10/30/2016

As I was reflecting on the sermon this past Sunday, one piece of scripture kept coming to mind. Pastor Gene read and preached from Genesis 3 which is the devastating account of Adam's sin. But what struck me in a new way was vs. 8 and 9, "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the mans and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man..."  

I have always been intrigued by this description of God walking in the cool of the day. There are several details here that are included in the narrative that, when reflected upon, add deeper meaning to the story. But what was opened up in a new way for me was that while Adam and Eve were fleeing and hiding from God, He was pursuing and calling after them. And as we read on in the narrative the purpose of His pursuit is made known; it wasn't to exact justice from Adam, though that certainly would have been justified. Rather, we see God entering once again into covenant with man by His own prerogative.