Showing posts with label read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label read. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Revelation 1:1-3 Revealed to John

Revelation 1:1-3 NIV
St. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, while exiled for his faith on the isle of Patmos, had a vision from God. It was a rather long vision or a series of long visions as recorded in the book of Revelation. As we begin this book, let us remember that it is just that: a vision with much symbolism to be interpreted. We need also to be careful to understand and remember that no one can know the exact time and the place that many of these visions will take place. We cannot know if we will even still be in the flesh when the day of the Lord comes. And... we are to be careful about pointing the finger at others saying they are the anti-christ or there is Babylon.

Before we begin this final book of Holy Scripture, I would direct your attention to verse 3: "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." As we journey through Revelation, read the scripture aloud. "... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Rom 10:17) Read Revelation aloud so that you might hear it and have a better understanding of what it's message really is. Read it and all scripture aloud that in hearing your faith might grow.

May God help us to have a better understanding of this vision of John as we begin to read through it daily.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Saturday, May 23, 2015

2 John 1 - What is Truth?

2 John 1 NIV
Live in the truth! What is truth?

There are many ways to distort the truth so that it becomes a lie. Today, the "truth," who is Jesus the Christ, is often co-mingled with fables and fairy tales so that the "truth" becomes a lie. Philosophy and spiritism and all sorts of other fabrications of the mind add or subtract from the word that we have read and heard in the scriptures in order to justify our own sinful lifestyles. Stay away from these stories. Continue living in the truth. Continue living in his love.

In his letter to a woman chosen by God, St. John commends her and her children for knowing and living in the truth even while he warns her to stay away from those who deny the truth. We are warned to stay away from those who do not acknowledge that Jesus the Christ has come in the flesh. Stay away. Do not let their deceitful teachings infiltrate your thoughts; your life.

"Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work." (vss 9-11)

May the grace, mercy and peace of God the Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, be with you in truth and love, now and forevermore.

God's Peace - Pr. J