January 26, 2008 8:12 AM
Sam wrote:
Apocalipsis 1 (En Espanol), or rather in English Revelation 1. Pretty logical introduction to a book few read and fewer understand. And in no way do I think that we will understand much more of it if we read this thing chapter by chapter everyday; BUT, we MIGHT. I started off today with the Spanish translation of the MAN MADE 'title' of this letter by someone named John to the then-seven churches in Asia. The English word, apocalypse, was originally derived from the Greek word, apokalyptein, which meant to 'uncover'. We use the word in a couple of ways today. One, it means to reveal, but more commonly it is used to reference prophesy of some big disaster. Because John is referencing the great Armeggedon disaster at the end of the world, and is 'revealing' this to us, the common English title of this letter became Revelation (NOT plural as some are in the habit of saying). John was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos off the mainland of Greece, an island which still has that original name. From there, we read that one particular Saturday, John heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet which told him to listen and write down what he heard. This, of course, was the majestic voice of Jesus, some 60-odd years after Jesus died; or in other words, a voice from God. When this John turned around, he saw a sight none of us would ever expect to see. This completely scared him (as I think it would us) and he lay down 'as if dead' (scared to death, comes to mind). But Jesus told him not to be afraid, but to carry a certain message to the seven churches of Asia. What a mission! John wrote all this down and compiled this letter, which was eventually added to our Bible, but not after being rejected by some over church history. Now it is widely accepted all over the world as the Word of God, although its author is still in question. If you want to read about modern views of who actually this John might have been, go to this Wikipedia website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_revelation. Regardless of who John was, the message so far in this book is exciting to me. IMAGINE talking to a vision like that, SEEING it, and being able to recall it enough to write it down and 'publish' it as a letter. A letter, which today, has caused more confusion than all the other books (I believe) in the Bible; but one that really tells the story of what OUR future holds. I am excited about reading this chapter by chapter each day, and seeing what you guys get out of it. I hope you are as well. Reply to this
January 26, 2008 10:34 AM
rik wrote:
Honestly my initial reaction was not excitement, rather.... some emotion I do not have a word for. I have in the past tries to read this book and it makes no sence to me. figurtave? literal? I dont know. I will give it a run. Reply to this
January 26, 2008 10:29 AM
rik wrote:
ps 26 do we lead a blameless life? can we proclame this to God with confidence? I want to say yes. We all have sins we deal with every day, but the fact that we are dealing with them is a good thing. the majority of the world doesnt fight there sinn, on the contrary the embrace them. Good job men fight against the temptations we face on a daily basis! Reply to this
January 26, 2008 10:41 AM
rik wrote:
the good news is we will be blessed for reading this book. even if we do not understand it we will still be blessed. it say so and i believe.
And I hold the keys of death and Hades. ??? anyone have any idea as to what this means? Reply to this
Apocalipsis 1 (En Espanol), or rather in English Revelation 1. Pretty logical introduction to a book few read and fewer understand. And in no way do I think that we will understand much more of it if we read this thing chapter by chapter everyday; BUT, we MIGHT. I started off today with the Spanish translation of the MAN MADE 'title' of this letter by someone named John to the then-seven churches in Asia. The English word, apocalypse, was originally derived from the Greek word, apokalyptein, which meant to 'uncover'. We use the word in a couple of ways today. One, it means to reveal, but more commonly it is used to reference prophesy of some big disaster. Because John is referencing the great Armeggedon disaster at the end of the world, and is 'revealing' this to us, the common English title of this letter became Revelation (NOT plural as some are in the habit of saying).
John was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos off the mainland of Greece, an island which still has that original name. From there, we read that one particular Saturday, John heard a voice that sounded like a trumpet which told him to listen and write down what he heard. This, of course, was the majestic voice of Jesus, some 60-odd years after Jesus died; or in other words, a voice from God. When this John turned around, he saw a sight none of us would ever expect to see. This completely scared him (as I think it would us) and he lay down 'as if dead' (scared to death, comes to mind). But Jesus told him not to be afraid, but to carry a certain message to the seven churches of Asia. What a mission! John wrote all this down and compiled this letter, which was eventually added to our Bible, but not after being rejected by some over church history. Now it is widely accepted all over the world as the Word of God, although its author is still in question. If you want to read about modern views of who actually this John might have been, go to this Wikipedia website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_revelation. Regardless of who John was, the message so far in this book is exciting to me. IMAGINE talking to a vision like that, SEEING it, and being able to recall it enough to write it down and 'publish' it as a letter. A letter, which today, has caused more confusion than all the other books (I believe) in the Bible; but one that really tells the story of what OUR future holds. I am excited about reading this chapter by chapter each day, and seeing what you guys get out of it. I hope you are as well.
Reply to this
Honestly my initial reaction was not excitement, rather.... some emotion I do not have a word for. I have in the past tries to read this book and it makes no sence to me. figurtave? literal? I dont know. I will give it a run.
Reply to this
ps 26 do we lead a blameless life? can we proclame this to God with confidence? I want to say yes. We all have sins we deal with every day, but the fact that we are dealing with them is a good thing. the majority of the world doesnt fight there sinn, on the contrary the embrace them. Good job men fight against the temptations we face on a daily basis!
Reply to this
the good news is we will be blessed for reading this book. even if we do not understand it we will still be blessed. it say so and i believe.
And I hold the keys of death and Hades. ??? anyone have any idea as to what this means?
Reply to this