BIBLE PROPHECY AND REVELATION: Introduction

Monday, March 23, 2009

Introduction

Hi Friends and Foes,

I will do a Bible Study on the Book of Revelation here with you, posting my results on this blog, and probably translate it into German later for another blog. I would really like to do a comprehensive research on this great prophetic book at the end of the Bible, written down by John on the Isle of Patmos, with you and be happy about your comments here, so I can be sure not to miss any important things. Knowing that this topic seems to be difficult, and knowing that there are several people who have a special view on end time prophecy, I have a deep longing to do this research now since the Spirit tells me so. In addition, I find Revelation one of the most beautiful books of the Bible and think that people are missing something awesome, one of the pearls of the Bible, a book full of hope and comfort.

Revelation is *the* book with *the* seven seals. But as the subject suggests, it is revealed what is meant for those who love God. I do not think that Revelation is more difficult than the other books of the Bible. Knowing the author is most important, having open ears to listen to Him and being able to read (or have it read) are the only means needed. There are symbols and metaphors in this book like in many other texts as well, but they are not as mystic as one might think. God does not leave us orphans.

After all the years reading and posting in alt.christnet.christianlife and other newsgroups, I found something out that will influence my posts. I have found out that most people are as lazy as I am. It takes time and love for God to deal with the Scriptures and go deeper into them. Most people do not want to take the time for that. But I think that Bible study is one of the most important things that Christians are to do. Bible Reading is listening to God, hearing His voice! Could it be that people cannot afford any time for that? Incredible. So this here is not for those who just want to stumble in for their unqualified opinion but do not want to take the time for a deeper study.

There is also a number of people in newsgroups who cannot keep track very well, so how could they ever read and understand (just from the plain text) whole Bible chapters or books and keep what they understood in mind?

Then there are those who do not even dare reading Revelation, because so many people have discouraged them to do so by claiming the book was so difficult and only they could tell them what God has revealed. The latter make a big mistake and confuse themselves with God and think the person who reveals is they themselves, while the big Revealer is God using John. I would like to encourage those who are interested and willing to take the time to find out the truth in Revelation with me.

Revelation can be read like any other book. It is much more than Science Fiction, however, because it is God's Word and deals with people's reality, fate and destination. It is the truth for anybody, not just for those who have read it, not just for Christians.

Methods:

I will start with an introduction about the Book of Revelation, where it was written, by whom and when, how it starts and more special things that are striking. After that there will be a comprehensive Bible Study for each chapter. I will start with Revelation 1, and you can find more ideas in other posts. I will elaborate things while posting, so my study will not be finished before I have finished Revelation 22. That means that I might add new ideas to former chapters later and so pick up an idea again after a while.

I hope you will have much fun with this Bible Study.

God Bless You All,

Vera

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How to read the Bible

Whatever you do, do it with God, and read what He has to say.

Do not change the meaning to your personal liking.

There are metaphors in the Bible, sure, as there are in most other books. Metaphors are used to illustrate things for a better understanding.

If you read the Bible literally, you might face the problem that you have become a letter idiot.

Last week I told someone the way after I was asked. I told him, "Go straight on until you can see a white house." He could have thought, oh, she meant that literally, and I must look for a white house... but there was no real white house, because it was kind of beige, because the rainhad washed the color away. He might as well have thought, oh, it was meant metaphorically! I must look for a house of the Government.

Actually both was wrong. He should have understood what everybody would have understood... he might never have found the way. The truth was I was speaking of a white house that looked white to anyone. Would I have used metaphors to tell him the way? No, I used what I thought he would understand best. Who is there to say God would use speech that nobody could understand and had to guess? God is not stupid. Never forget that He is talking with you when you read the Bible, and pray before that. Ask our Heavenly Father to explain it all to you in Jesus' name, and He will.

Matthew 13:1-23 KJV

"The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Introduction

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