We all enjoy the movie or the book when the bad person–whether it be Voldemort, Darth Vader, Norman Bates, Thanos (was he a bad guy?), or Sauron—finally receives the justice due them. What we don’t like is when they get away with it. I don’t know about you but I did not like the first Hunger Games movie (no, I hadn’t read the books—my ADD does not allow me to read such books). When I left the theatre I... Read more
Monday: Read Revelation 19:11-21; Psalm 96, 98 Today’s reading begins what I have called the “bridge section.” Rev 19:11-21:8 is a bridge between the accounts of the two women/cities: the Great Prostitute (17:1-19:10) and the Bride (21:9-22:9). One of the keys to understanding the story of the book of Revelation is that the throne of God begins in heaven (4:1-3) but by the end of the story, the New Jerusalem comes down to the new creation (21:10). When it comes... Read more
In my last post, “Is God a moral monster?”, I asked the question: “How come we approach the book of Revelation as though it were about God inflicting suffering on others in order to let those who survive know that they better repent?” I responded to this question by asking. “do we really think a non-Christian with any common sense will want to believe in a God that just blitzed one-fourth of humanity, but was ‘kind’ enough to spare them?... Read more
Monday: Read Revelation 15:1-8 In 15:1-16:20, John presents us with the third series of seven: the Seven Bowls (Seals; Trumpets; Bowls). Each of the three series of sevens have been moving us toward the climax of the story. This is evident in that the Seven Seals affected one-fourth of the people; the Seven Trumpets affected one-third of the land, sea, rivers, and heavens; and now the Seven Bowls affect everything. 15:1-8 serves as an introduction to the Seven Bowls, “which... Read more
I would like to ask a favor. Could we lay aside our preconceived notions of the end times and the book of Revelation for a bit and wrestle with the text in light of who God is? What I mean is this. I believe that much of the popular understanding of the book of Revelation blatantly contradicts what we know about God. Many evangelicals have come to believe that the book of Revelation provides details as to what is going... Read more
Note: this week’s reading is going to be difficult and have a little extra reading. Prepare for some extra time and extra contemplation. Monday: Read Revelation 12:1-17; Eph 6:10-17 In Rev 11:1-13, I argued that we have reached the pinnacle of the story. The Scroll has been opened, eaten, and its contents revealed. God will bring about the redemption of the nations and the restoration of creation through the faithful, loving, and sacrificial lives of His people! Ta-da! The end!... Read more
I discussed in my post two weeks ago that the question, “God, what is your will for my life?” is the wrong question. I suggested a number of reasons why I believe the question is problematic. In this post, I wish to add to the discussion and to contend that the question may actually undermine the Gospel itself. I drove by a church one time and outside they had a sign that read, “Discover who God created you to be.”... Read more
Monday: Read Revelation 8:1-13 Rev 8:1-9:21 may well be one of the most misunderstood sections within the book of Revelation. Since 5:1, the narrative of Revelation has led us to believe that the contents of the Scroll are important. In 8:1, we learn that the Seventh Seal is broken. We fully expect that we will now see the Scroll will be opened and its contents revealed. In 8:2, 6-9:21, however, instead of learning what is on the Scroll, John... Read more
You may not know but: May 14 is the 75th anniversary of Israel’s independence. For Israelis and some Jews (not all Jews support the formation of the Jewish state of Israel), it commemorates the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the historical land of their ancestors. May 15 is the 75th anniversary for the Palestinian people of the Nakba (“catastrophe”). The Nakba commemorates the expulsion of 700,000 Arabs from their homes following the aftermath of Israel’s war of independence (a... Read more
Monday: Read Revelation 5:1-14 As I noted in yesterday’s reading, the heavenly vision (4:1-16:21)—the second story (the main story) in the book of Revelation—opens with John being taken into heaven and brought before the throne. The throne room scene (4:1-5:14) encourages the readers to not be afraid of the powers of the world because, although it may appear that they are in control, the reality is that God is the One on the throne. In 5:1-14, we learn that the... Read more
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