Well... you girls certainly have your work cut out for you this week as far as your inductive markings and notations go! Remember to continue to mark every reference to the recipients and their pronouns as well as terms of conclusion, comparisons and references to time.
Because you are still in the midst of your own observations, today I thought that I would only briefly highlight a few things that may add to your own study and discussion time.
Building upon what we have already learned, I quickly want to take you back to Revelation 1:4-6...
John to the seven churches that are in Asia; Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood - and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father - to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Here we see grace and peace being extended to the churches from the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit). Contained within the text itself is the explanation of how this came to be... grace and peace were extended to us through Jesus, Who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood. This is huge - this is salvation.
Jesus Himself is the Grace of God and Jesus Himself is the Peace of God, and yet while the Grace of God dwelt or 'tabernacled' among those in the world (John 1), the Peace of God (John 14:26-27; 20:26-31) can only dwell or tabernacle within those that have believed in the One that was sent - Jesus (John 20:30-31).
Those of us that have been 'released from our sins by His blood', have now been made, by Jesus, to be a 'kingdom', a kingdom of priests to His God and Father, and to Jesus is to be the glory and the dominion forever, Amen.
OK, so why is this so important to review? Because in Chapter 2 a new personality is introduced in v. 9. Mark every reference to his name including pronouns and list what you learn. Also mark every occurrence of 'false' and 'idols' and 'immorality' and list what you have learned.
We have been made into a kingdom of priests to God the Father, the One who is and who was and who is to come, the One who sits on The Throne that the seven Spirits are before (Rev.1:4), the One of whom Jesus is the Faithful Witness to (Rev.1:5); yet in Chapter 2 we see another throne (take note of where it is located). A throne which is occupied by one in direct opposition to God and His purposes and His people (think about why John was on Patmos). Learn what you can throughout Chapter 2 regarding the warnings and instructions given to the churches.
Also pay close attention to the phrase 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' Within this phrase comes the truth of the reality that what we are studying this week, and for the next 11 weeks, is spiritually discerned. Approaching Bible Study only as an exercise in intellectual gymnastics may give you a rolodex brain full of 'stats' and 'info', but without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there will be no spiritual discernment nor wisdom.
By the way, did you know that Ephesus is located in modern day Turkey, and that more than 99% of the population of Turkey today is Islam? The lampstand (the church) in Ephesus, that was to shine the light of the glory of Christ, was indeed removed out of its place. It is poignant to think that it was in Ephesus that God, through Paul, first revealed the mystery of the church (Ephesians 3). Read it through and reflect on the goodness of God, through salvation in Christ.
Father, may we be women that have 'ears to hear what the Spirit it saying' to us, through your Word and by Your Holy Spirit. May we not be among those that will not endure sound doctrine but by wanting to have their 'ears tickled' accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, turning away their ears from Truth and turning aside to myths.
Father, You alone sit upon the Throne that we desire to bend our knees before, knowing that the only way we can come is through Jesus. We thank You and ask that you would indeed, 'open our eyes that we might behold, wonderous things from Your Word', causing us, by Your Holy Spirit, to not only read, but to heed, all that You would have us to know and walk out by faith.
Amen.
12 comments:
Hi! I am so glad that you are here! Pull up a chair and make yourself at home... what has spoken to you this week from your study in God's Word? Think about it... the other girls should be arriving soon and we will talk about it!
Hi Cathie,
It just hit me today when studying the different churches,this is the risen Saviour speaking, why would'nt we want to study this book and see what He says!!
I think most people when Revelation is mentioned, just think about the visions of what is to come. We as Christians need to take note of what Jesus said to the Churches and learn from that.
Hi Margaret, well done! I have thought so often that so many people just rush through the beginning chapters of Revelation, wanting to get to the 'good bits', the 'controversial verses'; yet when this happens, they are no farther ahead than they were before because the foundation of Christ's full Revelation has not been realized.
Thank you for sharing... it is vital to our study!
Hi Margaret,
I am in total agreement with you regarding the churches. I have read those chapters before but not as slowly and deeply and it has changed completely how I view them this time. Before, I would read it as "churches of long ago and far away"...and yes, I could see some similarities in the churches of today. I now see them as very relevant and even take it one step further...relevant to my personal walk with my Lord and Saviour. I have asked myself how am I like these churches and some of them have spoken to my heart. Do I love the Lord God before everything else? Do I let other "things" take priority? Am I careful about what I listen to, whether in the church or outside? I have not experienced tribulation like some churches have, and still do, but do I faithfully pray for them? Do I let "deeds" become more important than my time with God. What order do I place them in? All of these churches and the "warnings" that we were given were done out of LOVE, from the very first day this book was written to the seven churches up to our present day. Don't you just love the PROMISES that Jesus gives when He says, "But to him who overcomes"...it's more than I can take in with this earthly brain of mine! Such Encouragement!
Like you, Margaret, it hit me when I read "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches"...that's for me...TODAY, and for all believers who are His. He wants us to KNOW and He is telling us HOW.
Thanks Cathie for your teachings and I even got a few marking tips from the closeups of your Bible. I especially thank you for the beautiful prayer that was meant for all of us.
Hi everyone,
When I am reading the messages to the churches I am continually thinking about my own relationship to my Lord. As I study these messages and understand better what He is saying I question myself much like Angie wrote. That is the effect that inductive Bible study is having on me. Before starting inductive study I used to read the Bible but never really thought about the fact that these messages [in Revelations and elsewhere] were God speaking to ME! I saw them as history, or beautiful words, or ununderstandable [Cathie, I don't think that is a word] All I know is that now I want to know more and more what He is saying so I can strive to be more like what He wants me to be.
HI Jan
That's what is so great about the Bible and ALL that it's precious pages hold; that it is so applicable to us today and in every age, until Jesus returns.
Praise God.
You girls have GOT IT! It is a pleasure to hear you share your hearts regarding the CHANGE that God is causing within you as you prove yourselves faithful in the study of His Word.
Love you all BIG!
Hi Girls!
It's me! Haven't been on the blog in such a loooonnnnnggggg time...so I thought that now would be perfect!
I have to say how completely and thoroughly I am enjoying this study...I have read Revelation several times in the past...and gleaned about as much from it as I did from my first year Calculus course at SFU many years ago! When you truly sit down to READ His word and personally invite the Holy Spirit to fill you and teach you each time, He reveals much more to you than you thought was ever imaginable!!! So much more seems clear now...and ALIVE!!! I so took for granted much of what I had read before...and so much went over my head...I never stopped long enough to let these precious words sink into my heart...and let our Lord and Saviour be glorified. I thank Him now for what He is doing...
Last night I had a wonderful experience in study at home...it was just after 9:00pm and I just settled in to do some study...my 13 year old son asked if he could join me and do some of his own school homework. A couple of minutes later, my husband hobbled in on his crutches and sat down. He expressed interest in doing some study time too (as he is doing this study with us now too but at his own speed) but left his Bible upstairs. Immediately my son jumped up to run and get it (and this is something in of itself as my boys are quite tired of running to get things for dad after these 3 months of him being on crutches!!!) My hubby then asked me to borrow some pencil crayons as he wanted to start marking his Bible...something which he has never done before!!! It actually took my breath away to see him do this...this was the best Friday night date night I have ever had...seriously!!! And I didn't even plan it!!! Amazing what happens when Someone Else is in control!!!
That's all for now girls...hope my next visit in won't take so next time!
My love to you all...
Hi Cathie,
What a wonderful day we had on Thursday! I went there with a heavy heart and came out of there feeling so lucky and blessed to have such wonderful sisters. Everyone is so genuine and loving and wanting to help each and every one of us. I am learning so much from both the individual and group study. I just keep thanking God for putting me in this group. I have one question that is still bothering me after our study. I was really surprised that the letters John wrote were one book that was sent to all seven churches. I thought each church got its own letter. Would you mind explaining this a bit more for me because I think I missed the point in our discussion on Thursday.
Thanks so much. I AM JUST LOVING THIS STUDY!!!!
Hi girls! I've been busy the last few days and will have to make fast tracks playing 'catch up' today! Good to see you girls here! Hey Marnie!
Debbie, I am so glad that you are enjoying the study! I will try and answer your question as brief as I can and if you need more, just let me know!
First thing to remember is that 'the Church' is One Body. Each one of the seven churches of Revelation is part of the Whole and represents the Body of Christ then and down through the ages to today.
The Whole Body was meant to hear the Whole Message contained throughout the Whole Book of Revelation. Each individual message, to each individual church, was to have an impact upon the Whole... and so may we have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the 'church(ES)')!
Kind of like what I've done here. I've given a shout out to all the girl's yet have addressed you the most and the other girl's will hopefully benefit from it as well.
I hope that I understood your question correctly - if not just let me know!
Gottta go, but I'll be posting in the Revelation Room just as soon as I can!
Love you!
Hi Cathie,
Thanks for answering my question. So does this mean that each letter was initally written for a specific church but to be read and thought about by all the churches since they are really all one church? Hope this makes sense because I am not sure I worded it the way I wanted to.
Also does the morning star that Jesus says he will give mean His light or that it will always be light and no darkness
in His Kingdom? Not sure if I am on the right track or completely off base.
Thanks so much
Hi Debbie! Hi Girls! It was so refreshing seeing you all this morning... l am looking forward to next week!
Debbie, I hope that your question was answered... isn't it great to know that the morning star in Rev 3 is the Light that illuminates our path, is Jesus Himself, is the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truth; and that the Bright Morning Star is LAMPOS - Jesus Himself, that is the True Light.
Like I said, this morning was refreshing to me and I enjoyed being with you all, you are precious to me.
with love,
Cathie
Post a Comment