The Final Quest by Rick Joyner

I highly reccomend this book! I've read it many times and each time it touches me!

It's not about Revelations per se but it is about one man's vision of the coming spiritual battles during the end of the age. Though it's not a study, there is much to glean in it concerning visions and their symbols whether you believe in the content or not.

In the Midst of the 7 Candlesticks

As we look at verse 13 of Revelations 1, John reveals that he saw Jesus standing in the midst of the 7 Candlesticks.

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Rev. 1:13

This too is a revealing look at who Jesus is.

In the vision Jesus was addressing the 7 churches which were in Asia at that time.

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev 1:20

We will find out later that the 7 Churches in Asia are also allegorical, even a prophetic shadow, of the churches today. Not specific churches necessarily but the “spirit” or life of the churches which are here even now.

It is worthy of note to see that Jesus is in the midst of the 7 Churches in this vision. Jesus when addressing these churches will have words of praise for them but he will also have some hard words of admonition. Yet we can be comforted because Jesus is still in the midst of them. He hasn’t left them because there are things they may not be doing right. He’s right here with them as he is even still!

In that same verse, John begins to give us a physical description of Jesus as he saw him in the vision.

First we find that Jesus is clothed with a garment down to his feet.

The word “clothed” is translated from the Greek word “Enduo”. It is the same Greek word “endued” (meaning to Prodivde or Endow) is translated from in our English language. Often we see it used in the conotation of "empowering".

Jesus uses it himself to instruct his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they be “endued” (or clothed) with power.

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.

Of course we know this occurs on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descends on the group gathered there in the Upper Room. (Acts 2)

It is my feeling that the symbol of the garment or even the garment itself (which is implied in the word “Enduo” and never translated directly from one greek word) is the power of the Holy Spirit.

Next we find him “girt about the paps with a golden girdle”.

To be "girded about the paps' literally means “belted around the breast”. In the ancient temples, the High Priests were instructed to be dressed as such. The “girdles” or belts were also at times made of gold. (Exd. 28:8)

We now can see Jesus is displaying his role as High Priest to John. I believe it is important to him that he is seen as such especially as he is addressing the churches. He is our great High Priest standing in the midst of us even now, interceding for us before God. He is a worthy High Priest for the people because he knows exactly what we are going through. He too was tempted like us yet he was without sin. (HEB 4: 14-15). Again we see Jesus's desire to show us he is not some God somewhere out there unaware of what we've gone through. That he is truly worthy to be our conduit between us and the Father.

In the Bible to “gird around and about” is used literally also. It means to prepare oneself for service and for rapidity of movement.

Ultimately, by the way he is attired, he is saying to us that He, Empowered by the Holy Spirit, is prepared for service and to do the work of the High Priest on our behalf. What a beautiful picture!

The Gift of Interpretation

Before I continue it is important for us to remember that with much of the book of Revelations being a vision, much of what we see has to be seen with the eyes of interpretation.

Just as Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. So must the Daniels of our age rise up and interpret dreams and visions. Part of that gift of interpretation will not only be used for fresh dreams and visions, but also be used to open up the Revelations for the end of the age that have already been recorded long ago.

There are some that believe dreams and visions were just for a certain time and that these things have ceased since we now have Christ with us. I believe that this is not biblically sound. I believe scripture bears out that in these ends times there will be a continuation even and increase in dreams and visions!

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

If we are still having visions and dreams then the need for interpretation is still here.

In the book of Daniel God said that his visions (which mirror Johns in Revelation) would be sealed up unto the end of the age. I believe we are arriving there and since we are at the place where these things are to unfold , the need for understanding in visions and dreams is here too. It is time for The "Daniels" of our age to rise up.

This is why I am not looking at the Book of Revelations like I would any other book in the Bible. It is a prophecy, full of symbols that need to be interpreted. If you expect to find only “literal” interpretations, then you will not be satisfied with what I have to say.

One Like A Son of Man

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (Rev 1:12)

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Rev 1:13)

Continuing with our study we come upon the first vision that God revealed to John on the isle of Patmos. Jesus instructs John to write down the things he sees and send it to the 7 churches which were in Asia at that time. To Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. (Rev 1:11)

As John turns to see the voice which was speaking to him he sees some interesting things.

He sees 7 candlesticks and in the middle of the candlesticks he sees “one like unto the Son of man”, being Jesus. He then goes on to describe the attributes of Jesus who is holding in his hands 7 stars.

Lets look at the attributes of Jesus that John describes in verses 13-16.

It is interesting that John describes Jesus first off as “one like unto the Son of man.” (Rev 1:13). In actuality “the” is implied. (In other versions it’s also translated “A Son of man”.) If you look at the Greek version of the verse the actual word they translated “unto the son” from is translated from one word, “huios”, which is the Greek word for “son”: generally used of the offspring of men. John is differentiating between who he knew Jesus was and who he sees Jesus to be now!

Jesus while he was on earth appeared as a son of man, THE Son of man. He used this term often while speaking of himself because he wanted us to know he associated himself with us, mankind. He wanted to clearly point out that he was “one of us”.

(There are still different “sects” of Christianity that dispute the fact that Christ was and is now only fully God and he was and is fully man. I believe the “Son of man” clearly refutes that by calling himself that most often). If Jesus was not fully man, he would not be so uniquely qualified to be our Saviour and Judge, for he then would not have any way to identify with us so completely. (Heb 4:15)

Because John used “like unto” and it can be translated as unto "A son of man", I believe in this instance John was not using “The Son of man” as a title but was giving a description of Jesus.

What John was letting us know with this phrase was that Jesus, though he is now in a “glorified” state (as evidenced by further descriptions of him in later verses), he still has the aspects of man.

As Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states it:

“He is the same Person as in the days of His flesh, still continuing His humanity with His Deity. The phrase "like unto" serves to distinguish Him as there seen in His glory and majesty in contrast to the days of His humiliation.”

He is no longer as he was on earth but is now "glorified". And even more exciting, as he said in verse five he is “the first begotten of the dead”. This tells me that after we enter into the Kingdom heaven we also will no long be just as we are here on earth in the flesh. There will also be a transformation to our own bodies and being!

From Jesus Christ

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Rev 1:4-8

Before this post I was going to jump right into what Jesus was saying to the 7 churches, because my boyfriend reminded me not to get bogged down in details, which is my tendency to do. But I felt it was important to look at what was being said about Jesus in these verses.

Just as when we receive a letter from someone, especially one that is directing us to do something or admonishing us, for the letter to ‘carry weight’ we have to know who it is coming from so that we understand by whose authority we are being directed.

John is establishing very clearly for us that the letters to the churches (or Ekklesia: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly) are from Jesus the Christ, the First and the Last.

(Additionaly we are called to worship and give glory to God. For us to worship him, we must know who he is.)

While John is relating who has given the message that is to follow he mentions The Father, The Son , and The Holy Spirit. He allots approximately one verse to The Father and The Holy Spirit, but take notice that he has allotted at least 3 to The Son.

Let’s look at the names given to Christ in these verses:

Jesus Christ
1. [who is] the faithful witness

trusty, faithful –one who can or does aver (avow) what he has seen or heard or knows.

2. the first begotten of the dead

the firstborn of the deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell)

3. the prince of the kings of the earth

a ruler, (commander, chief, leader ) of the leader of the people of the inhabited earth, (the abode of men and animals)

4. that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

self explanatory

5. hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;

He has made us leaders of the people, princes, commanders, lords of the land and sacred, consecrated to God unto the Godhead, trinity and unto the originator and transmitter of anything

6. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending

The first and the Last, the first person or thing in a series, and the limit at which a thing ceases to be

7. which is, and which was, and which is to come

Eternal

8. the Almighty

he who holds sway over all things

These names show his authority and shows us who Christ is. It is important to remember He the one who holds sway over all things is the one who is addressing his church in the following verses.

Revelations on NBC

Looks like NBC will be running a 6 week limited run series (which might be picked up if ratings are good) called "Revelations".


Revelations on NBC

You're darn right I'll be checking it out!

I'm happy that it's on at 9; I won't have to record it. If it were on at 8 I'd be watching "Lost"! (Although tonight's "Lost" is a rerun AGAIN. What is it with network scheduling now-a-days, used to be you didn't get re-runs till holidays and summer hiatus. Greedy networks!)

7 Spirits which are before the Throne (Part 2)

In another verse found in the old Testment we find what these 7 Spirits might be: 7 desriptions of aspects of The Holy Spirit.

In Isaiah 11:1-2 we find “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

1) Spirit of the LORD

2) Spirit of wisdom

3) Spirit of understanding

4) Spirit of counsel

5) Spirit of might

6) Spirit of knowledge

7) (Spirit of) The fear of the LORD.

Each of these emphasize an aspect of his work and power. And it is perhaps these aspects which are the 7 Spirits (the Holy Spirit) who is before the Throne of God.)

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 1:4-6

What is generally said of these verses is that John is establishing that what is to follow was from the triune God. When I say triune God I mean The three in one who is God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Think of it this way:

We as humans were created in His image. We too are 3 in one. We have our body which holds our spirit and soul (or will). And so it is with God. The body was and is Christ who was made flesh (John 1:14), the soul is the Father (John 5:30), and the spirit, the one who is the very breath of God (Job 33:4), is the Holy Spirit. Without our spirits we couldn’t exist and with out the Holy Spirit the Father and the Son could not exist.

Looking again at Revelations 1:4-6, we find John describing again the 3 parts of God.

He who was, and is and is to come being The Father

The 7 spirits before his throne being The Holy Spirit

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

The Father and the Son are obvious. What is less obvious is that the "7 Spirits" is meant to represent the Holy Spirit.

In the Greek Spirit is translated from the word “pneuma” and it literally means ‘wind’ or ‘breath’. (We find this in our own existence for when the breath leaves our bodies and we breathe no more our “spirit” has departed and we no longer are alive in the natural realm.)

When we look up “pneuma” in a concordance the following definitions are also given:

1) the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son
a) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his personality and character (the "Holy" Spirit)
b) sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his work and power (the Spirit of "Truth")
c) never referred to as a depersonalised force.

Most often "Spirit" is translated as "The Spirit".

Let’s look at the number 7.

By looking at the context of how the number 7 is used throughout the Bible we find that the number 7 can symbolically mean “Completion; finished work; perfection; rest; perfection in the Spirit. (Gen. 2: 1-3; Lev. 14: 7; 16: 14, 19; Matt. 18: 21-22; Jude 14; Rev. 2: 1; 8: 2; 12: 3).”.

By saying the 7 Spirits, God (through John) is giving us a description of who the Holy Spirit is, the completed, finished work of the part of God who gives Him life.

This is why the Holy Spirit in scripture is often given titles describing the works or power of God. He is the part of God that is animated and moving here on earth.

Jesus said “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” Jhn 16:7 (The Comforter being the Holy Spirit. John 14:26).

Jesus sent his very life and power to remain with us forever. Even better, that same Spirit who is with us is before the throne of God. He is there right now interceding (praying, entreating) on our behalf. Because Christ tore down the veil (of sin) which separated us from God, the Holy Spirit can flow between us and the Father.

If say, for example, Christ set up a conduit between us and the Father then it is the Holy Spirit who is the power flowing through it to touch both us and God.

Listen, God is not someone “up there” unaware of what’s going on down here. He knows exactly what we need through his Spirit who is with us.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. Rom 8:26-27.

That’s why it is important to understand who the Holy Spirit is. He sees things from above and from below. Let’s not ignore this part of the Triune God.

Seven Spirits which are before his throne...

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; Rev 1:4

Today I want to look at what "the seven Spirits which are before his throne" might possibly be....


...more to come....

"The Time is at Hand."

Today I want to continue exploring what John may have meant by “time is at hand”. I have three main reason why Christ (through John) may have used this type of "immenant" wording.

Number one is the fact that right after he said those words he revealed a vision of Jesus addressing the churches of Asia Minor (now the western coast of Modern Turkey),who were already experiencing persecution. Truly the revelation he was about to give was “at hand” or near.

Secondly, at the time Revelations was written, Christians were under extreme persecution and more persecution would follow. Christ telling us that it was all going to end quickly with His return was and is our hope that it would eventually end. Many give this as to the reason why he said:

“Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Rev 22:7

However there are those who say that Revelations was complete in 70 AD, ( a belief that I have found is called “Preterism”). While I respect where they are coming from and even can see some of their points, I do not agree with them.

They feel because he said he’s coming quickly and it’s now 2000 years later that in fact the things in revelation did already occur. They usually state that most people are interpreting Revelations wrong. That Christ’s “return” was not a physical second coming but one of him being with us and in us in a spiritual sense. Their interpretation of the end of time is the end of the time that sin separates us from God.

I have a problem with this because what will you do with all the scriptures that say that the trumpet will sound and every eye will see him when he returns again?

If we look at the Old Testament’s prophetic book on the end times, the book of Daniel, we find this verse:

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan 12:24.

Here God is saying that vision of the end that Daniel had was stopped and sealed up until the time of the end. In ancient Hebrew the word “end” means the end of time and the end of space.

God does not exist in finite time and space as we do. He is eternal. When he spoke the world into existence in Genesis, Revelations was already complete.

Not just Genesis through Revelations, but all that was and is and is to come for him is complete. It is difficult for us who live in measured time to comprehend this because we who are here in this realm live with natural laws that say space and time is fixed.

Which brings me to my third point. I believe Jesus meant what he said when said “quickly”. To him, the Eternal God, these things are happening, will happen, AND have already happened. In the infinite stretch of eternity, 2000 very well may be quickly!

However in our concept of space and time Revelations is not complete.

I believe what is yet to happen are these seals being opened as it says in Revelations and everything they portend to be finished in our time and space. It will be at that point that time and space as we know it shall end.

God knows we exist in finite time and space because, after all, he created the natural laws we live under. He also knows we need hope. When he said the end was going to happen quickly he was speaking directly to us perhaps so that we would have hope. Hope that we would not always live under the persecutions of this current world system.

I believe that for these reasons he said the time for them to happen was at hand and Jesus later said it would happen “quickly” .

As I said before, I also believe he left the time of his return ambiguous on purpose.

In Jesus' own words, "And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12:39-40)

Like that thief in the night he’s going to return, we don’t know when but we should watch and be ready and live like it’s going to be today.

Thought I'd share....

Thought I'd share some photos from my travels....



Snapped at the River Market in Cant Ho, Viet Nam. 



Snapped on a Meekong River tour.



Me at Osaka Castle, Osaka Japan


Cambodian Monks I ran into at Ankhor Wat



A thoughtful walk in Bangkok, Thailand.

Did Jesus mean “soon” when he said “soon”?

Today I want to look at verse 3 in chapter one.

“Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.”

Specifically “for the time is at hand.” In my previous posts I put forth that John might actually be saying that when the things in this book came into being, they would be happening quickly rather than "is soon to come to pass" as it’s been translated.

In today’s phrase there is no doubt that he is saying that the things revealed in this book may happen quickly but that they are indeed drawing near.

So now we have a dilemma don’t we? Did Jesus mean “soon” when he said “soon”?

As I’ve been investigating this I’ve found that I’m not the only one discussing this.

This is the very reason I’ve avoided studying Revelations. So many people out there have ideas as to what they believe is right and most of the time there is an opposite camp out their saying what they believe is right. Their ideas never gel.

However, God has distincly impressed on me that excuse no longer matters to him. We are not take away any part of His word. So then it demands to be studied as well.

To me it is obvious God purposefully worded this book to bring about the need for us to seek out and learn what he is telling us. From the very first verse, His purpose was to “unveil” these mysteries so it is not an impossible mission. We can know without a shadow of a doubt what he is saying.

I believe he purposefully used these words of seemingly contradiction so that we draw near to him and search out these matter.

In fact the Proverbs say "[It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter." Pro 25:2

And so we shall.

For today though I want to deconstruct the phrase “time is at hand”. If we look at the word “time” in the Greek we find it is a derivative from the Greek word “Kairos”. It is actually where we get our English word “Crisis”.

The phrase “at hand” is comes from the Greek “eggus” meaning “of times imminent and soon to come pass”. When looking at the Greek, like much of our own English words, we find that very often they have a “base” word that they are derived from.

For “eggus” it is akin to the Greek word “agkale” which means:

1) The curve or inner angle of the arm, the bent arm
2) Anything closely enfolding, as the arms of the sea, etc.

So as we see John was saying a crisis time will be closely enfolding us. It will not be something that we can avoid because it will draw us in and envelope us.

But when?

Vindicated

Last night I was reading a commentary on Revelations (not sure who the author was) and he said the same thing I did on Rev 1:1's "shortly come to pass".

Makes me feel much more secure about my conclusions.

2000 years = soon?

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw

Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand. Rev 1:1-3”

Today I want to pull out two phrases and look at them:

1) “must shortly come to pass” in verse 1 and
2)“for the time [is] at hand” in verse 2

As one of my favorite teachers used to say “I don’t know about you but my idea of “shortly come to pass” or "time is at hand" is not 2000 years.” Of course we chuckled about it but there is something to that.

Of course we might say as Peter did “that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2Pe 3:8

But when I read those first 3 verses in Revelations I thought “You know, why is it you said “Soon” Lord?" It could be as i stated previously, part of the things revealed in Revelations have happened and are continualy happening, like an ever expanding loop until the time of his return.

More than likely he made it seem immediate because he wants us to live like he is returning in the next instant and not waste what time we’ve been given here. in effect, to live like his return is "immanent". Still I wanted to know if there was something more to it.

Looking at Rev 1:1 we find the phrase “thing which must shortly come to pass”. Most will read this to say “soon these things are going to happen”.

But as we look into the Greek once again, we find that what John might be saying was that out of necessity, at a certain fixed point, these things will quickly come into being. In other words that when they do happen it will happen fast, which is not quite the same meaning as "things will happen soon."

For the purpose of this post the part that I want to take a closer look at is “must shortly come to pass”.

Let’s break it down and see if you will see what I see:

“Must” is translated from the Greek word DEI

Dei is defined as: it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper.

“Shortly” is derived from 2 Greek words, EN TACHOS

En defined as: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state): in, by, with, etc.

Tachos defined as: quickness, speed

Literally it could be translated it is “it is necessary with quickness” or possibly “must with speed”. Point of fact it is translated that way in other places of the Bible.

For example:


"And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon [him], and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly (en tachos). And his chains fell off from [his] hands Act 12:7"


This is why i think it very well could be saying that when these things happen, in a fixed point in place and time, it will happen quickly.

I want to be sure to add again that this is just my hypothesis, as most versions of the Bible give this verse to mean “things which must soon take place”.

Just something to think about…

I will look at “for the time [is] at hand” in verse 3 on the next post.

A long arduous study...

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what, must soon take place; and he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, REV 1:1

With just this one verse, the very first verse of Revelations, God reveals yet again that all things in His book points to the cross. As we look at the word “revelation” it’s breathtaking to me to see how much is revealed in just that one word.

The word “revelation” is translated from the Greek word APOKALUPSIS. From this root word we get our own English word “Apocalypse”, however its true meaning is something different then what we’ve come to know “Apocalypse” as. The true meaning is not a synonym for ‘”Armageddon” or for a great battle the will destroy the world as we know it.

If we look at the meaning of this word we find it comes from two words with an interesting definition.

“APOKALUPSIS” is derived from APO and KALUPTO. In the Greek APO means “of Separation” or “of separation of a part from the whole”. KALUPTO means to “hide’ or what I find most interesting “VEIL”. It could be then also translated “A separation of the Veil”.

Now of course what John was saying literally was that the revelation he was about to give of Christ was a peeling back of a veil or “unveiling” of things that have previously been hidden. However as I read this I thought of another veil that was separated some 35 to 63 years before this revelation was given.

We find in the crucifixion account written in Mathew that when Jesus “yielded up the ghost” with a loud voice, the earth shook, and the veil in the temple that separated the holy of holies from the inner courts in the temple built to hold God's presence, was separated in two.

Of course we know this was to signify that no longer would God dwell (or tabernacle) in a [place built by man, separated from all. With his work at the Cross, Jesus our High priest, tore the veil in two so that now the fullness of the triune God dwell in a place built by Him, which is of course us.

This one word “Revelation” is a revealing of Christ’s work at the Cross.

It is here I realized this is going to be a long arduous study if just ONE WORD can reveal so much. God has depths we cannot even begin to fathom. But I am determined to go as far as I possibly can!

A little background on Revelations:

The author of “Revelations” was almost assuredly written by John the Apostle though his name does not show up as such in the book and of course there are those who say otherwise. Still there is every reason to conclude that it is the very same John who called himself “the beloved” and was a disciple of Christ.

Many early fathers testify to it indeed being John the Apostle, which happens to be good enough for me.

Enoch Pond, (1871), who was once a Professor at the Theological Seminary, Bangor, Maine sites the following as examples:

“… according to the united testimony of the early fathers, the apostle John, in a time of severe persecution, was banished to the isle of Patmos. I hardly need quote their language on this point. Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Victorinus, Eusebius, Epiphanius, Sulpicius, Severus, Jerome, and a great many others,[1] tell us (to use the very words of Origen), ‘that a Roman emperor banished the apostle John into the isle of Patmos, for the testimony which he bore to the word of truth.’ This shows that it was John the apostle, and not another, who wrote the book under consideration.”

He also gives many earlier fathers as examples. As I said before, that's good enough for me to see it that way too.


As Mr. Pond stated before, It is believed that it was written while John was in exile on the Isle of Patmos -just SW of Ephesus in the Aegean Sea, Asia Minor (Modern Turkey).

As far as why he was exiled, he tells us himself in the Scripture verse Rev. 1:9, "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ". We take this to mean he was exiled there “as a result of," spreading the Gospel not simply “for the purpose of”. (However I’m sure he took the opportunity to do so!)

As a confirmation for me it was pointed out on another website that John uses similar wording in Revelation 6:9, "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held," where we have no doubt that they were slain “because of” their belief in the Gospel.


When was it written? There is some debate on this as well but the date of the writing of this book has generally been fixed at A.D. 96, in the reign of Domitian. There are some, however, who argue for an earlier date, A.D. 68 or 69, in the reign of Nero. They argue this so they can confirm their belief that the things revealed in Revelations happened before 70 AD when Jerusalem fell to the Roman army.

I myself am not of the belief that things in Revelations happened pre 70 AD and no time after. However it very well could be that they DID happen and are happening over and over. (Which I have a tendency to lean toward).

Either way what we know for sure is the end of the book, Jesus’s triumphant return has yet to happen and to that we say with the rest of the saints who are and have gone before, “Come Lord Jesus!”

The Pope dies.

In one weeks time, The Pope, Johnny Cochran, and Terri Shiavo passed away. One involved in a system that supports "the culture life", One involved in a system that sypports "the culture of death", and one who suffered under a society who cannot decide which culture is right.

Something prophetic in that.

Studying the Book of Revelations

I have studied the Bible in depth but for one book. That being Revelations. Recently it has been laid on my heart to now do so.

I have witnessed in the past how many who are new to the faith are drawn to the Book of Revelations. It’s frightening, and seems so surreal yet they are drawn too it.

It has always been my advice to those newbies to start elsewhere because really one cannot fully understand the Book of Revelations until the rest of the scriptures have been looked into first. Generally I point new believers to the Gospels first (specifically the book of John) because it is there that our Christian Faith begins and it is there that we get to see a measure of who God is through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And that is of utmost importance; learn to be led by the voice of God. Learn what His voice sounds like and He will guide you in the way each of us should study the Word. He made each of different. No one formula is perfect for each person. Yes there are general things common to all of us but when we get down to it, the best way to study is to let the one who knows us best, who knows how each of us learns best, to teach us and guide us.


As a Christian I believe that The Bible is not segmented, contrary to what some are taught. It does not end with the first 5 books, nor does it end with the Old Testament. The First 5 books do not have a disconnection with the rest of the Old Testament and the Old Testament does not disconnect with the New. It begins with “In the beginning God….” and rolls forward each part shadowing (prophetically) and leading up to one single point in time; The Cross and the Resurrection.

Everything before and after in the Bible is in it’s shadow. When each part is studied it enriches what Christ actually did for all mankind. It is very important to keep this in mind as we read the Bible.


Many people are actually a little bit apprehensive about studying the Old Testament. After all it is overwhelming and let’s face it, a bit confusing. I have always been more intrigued with the Old Testament then most so it was not very difficult for me to delve into it. (This is usually not the case for a lot of people.)

But even though it was something I was drawn too, it wasn't until I learned to ask God for guidance and got myself a concordance (Very KEY!) that the scriptures opened up to me in a way I never thought possible.

Part of the reason studying the Bible can be frustrating is that The Bible is literal, allegorical, and prophetic all at the same time. Most get hung up on the literal which frustrates them so much that they avoid most of the OT, except the Psalms. To them it just seems difficult to comprehend why and how things happened to the ancient people of the Bible.

Part of the problem also is that we as a modern people generally have lost interest in knowing History. We have no interest in our recent History, how much more so ancient History which some even say is mythological anyway.

My answer of course is the same as historian George Santayana's: “Those who do not learn from History are doomed to repeat it.”

Additionally if you are one who tends to believe that the Bible is indeed a book or books of myths what’s the harm in using it to learn from anyway? After all one cannot deny that the Proverbs hold wisdom or that the Psalms are a beautiful work of written art. (My thinking being that once one actually studies the Bible, especially if they can set aside their preconceptions, they cannot help but see that it is truth.)

Once we start realizing that there are deeper meanings to each story, each word, the Bible becomes unbelievably rich

Israel to Adopt 'Lost Tribe'

"Israel has decided to adopt about 6,000 Indians who claim Jewish ancestry, and plans to send a team of rabbinical judges to formally convert them to Orthodox Judaism (search), the Haaretz newspaper reported Friday.

The mass conversion, ordered by Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar (search), will enable members of the group, called the "Bnei Menashe," or children of Manasseh, who claim descent from one of the lost tribes of Israel, to immigrate to Israel, the paper reported...."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,152146,00.html

"According to scripture, during the reign of King Solomon, the tribes of Israel split into two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judea in south. In 723 B.C. the Assyrians conquered the kingdom of Israel and took 10 of the 12 biblical tribes into exile, where they dispersed among the nations."

There is also a belief that the dispersion of Jews to all corners of the Earth was the beginning of the redemption

"From every imaginable corner of the world theories arise linking different peoples and tribes with the Ten Lost Tribes: the Crimea, the Caucasus, Kenya, Nigeria, Armenia, Persia, Central Asia, North Siberia, West Africa, Peru, South America, Australia, Ireland. While the evidence may at times seem flimsy, the Jewish elements in these tribal cultures continue to fascinate scholar and layman alike." (taken from 'Where are the Ten Lost Tribes?' - NOVA special on PBS).

This always intrigues me. I've heard the Irish/celts as being descended from the lost tribe of Dan. There is an Arab group "The Jews of Kheibar" who have been called descendants of the tribes Reuven and Gad and also of the half tribe of Mannasseh. Straddling the boundaries between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir lives the world's largest tribal grouping—the Pathans, who claim come from the tribe of Benjamin.

Japanese? "There are those who claim that the Mikado, the Japanese emperor, is a descendant of the Hebrew tribe of Gad. 'Mikado' recalls the Hebrew word for 'his majesty the king,' 'Malchuto'". (taken from 'Where are the Ten Lost Tribes?' - NOVA special on PBS).

"Over the centuries, the Beta Israel (A group in Ethiopia) have been connected with the tribe of Dan. This association has eased the process of their return to the state of Israel in recent times." (taken from 'Where are the Ten Lost Tribes?' - NOVA special on PBS).

Also some believe China is a lost tribe. ""Behold, These are coming from afar. These from the north and the west and these from the land of Sinim." This prophecy, spoken by Isaiah, promised the return of Lost Israelites from all corners of the Earth and from Sinim. Interestingly, Sinim is the Hebrew word for China." (taken from 'Where are the Ten Lost Tribes?' - NOVA special on PBS).

I also found this chart on a website about the 10 lost tribes (http://britam.org/israelites.html):

TRIBE WHERE FOUND:

EPHRAIM - BRITAIN
MANASSEH - AMERICA
REUBEN - FRANCE
SIMEON - CELTS & JEWS
LEVI - WITH/JEWS
JUDAH - JUTES & JEWS
ISSACHAR - SWISS & FINS
ZEBULON - HOLLAND
GAD - SWEDEN
ASHER - SCOTS
BENJAMIN - BELGAE & NORMANS
DAN - DANES & CELTS
NAPHTALI - NORWEGIANS

Of course this only includes the caucasions so I have my doubts.

Still I like the idea of a link to us all being of the same "tribe" or family.