Helpful Resources: Revelation Comic Book!

      The reason the book of Revelation is vastly misunderstood today is because we are not used to this type of literature. I absolutely loved reading this wonderful book in comic (technically 'graphic novel') form and I believe this form will impact today's audience in a similar way that the book originally impacted its recipients. It really helps seeing the vivid images from Revelation come to life on the page. I was pleased to discover that the pictures are illustrated according to what would come to the original audience's mind instead of making everything apply to a modern world. It is so important to understand Revelation based on how it was originally intended. The text of this book is an original translation of the entire book of Revelation. If you are looking to better understand Revelation, then I think this book is for you. I was able to pick up my copy from a local Wal-mart for about $15. 

 

Zondervan ad on Youtube.

Check out the Zondervan page for more info.

Bible Study: THE key to understanding Revelation

^"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."

  

- Revelation 1:3 (NIV)

     The book of Revelation can be very difficult to read for many Christians today. The problem I have with this fact is that the original audience seemed to be expected to understand most of the book. What has changed?

     I believe that even today we are expected to take the time to understand this wonderful book of revelation. I think we must change our attitude about it before this will ever be possible. Instead of simply getting overwhelmed within the first few chapters, try to view the book similar to how we view the parables of Jesus. While reading the gospels you will find that Jesus did not tell the meaning of the parables to the multitudes (He usually only told His apostles/disciples after they specifically asked Him about it). In many ways we are like those multitudes when we read Revelation. 

     The reason for Jesus using parables was to be able to speak wonderful truths about the kingdom of God to open ears while at the same time hiding these same truths from hard-hearted people. Which category do you fit into? I'm not saying we must understand everything in Revelation. I doubt even the original audience understood it all. But we must make an effort today to better understand God's Word (even Revelation)!

     While recently reading Revelation I came across the symbols that are revealed within the text and wrote them down as I read. Realize this is not my interpretation as to what these symbols really mean. This is what the text says they mean. Here is that list.

Symbols Revealed Within The Text

- 7 stars = angels of the 7 churches (1:20)

- 7 lampstands = 7 churches (1:20)

- 7 lamps in front of the throne = 7 spirits of God (4:5)

- 7 horns & 7 eyes of the Lamb = 7 spirits of God (5:6)

- golden bowls of incense = prayers of God's people (5:8)

- 2 witnesses = "the 2 olive trees" & the 2 lampstands (11:3-4) 
see Zechariah 4 for more info about these symbols

- 7 heads of scarlet beast = 7 hills which the women sits

also is 7 kings (5 fallen, 1 current, 1 yet to come) (17:9-10)

- beast = an 8^th king which belongs to 7 above kings (17:11)

- 10 horns = 10 kings with beast yet to receive kingdom (17:12)

- water where prostitute sits = people, multitudes, nations, & languages (17:15)

- woman on scarlet beast = the great city (17:18)

- fine linen for Lamb's bride = righteous acts of God's holy people (19:8)

- the dragon = ancient serpent, devil, or Satan (20:2)

- bride/wife of the Lamb = holy city / New Jerusalem (21:2, 9-10)

Bible Study: David - from foe to friend of the Philistines?

City of Gath By Ori~ (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

Putting this into proper perspective

Time line of events (1 Samuel 16 – 1 Samuel 31)

- David is secretly anointed as future king while Saul is still king

- David fights against the Philistines (slays Goliath)

- Saul becomes angry with David's success in battle and the praise he receives for it

- Saul hunts David and tries to kill him (several times)

- David eventually flees to the Philistines – 1 Samuel 27:1-4

      logically - 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' – ancient proverb

- David fights alongside the Philistines against many other pagan nations

- the Philistines prepare for war against Israel

- the Philistines send David away for fear of him turning against them in battle

- it is during this battle that Saul & his son Jonathan perish

Providence of God as seen through these events

- God is sorry he had made Saul king & chooses David to replace Saul

      Saul is rejected as king yet still remains king for several years

- David must rely on & grow his faith in God while waiting to be king

- David flees from Saul and helps the Philistines clear out several pagan groups

      this simply means less work David must do while he is king

- David is rejected from the Philistines shortly before Saul is killed in battle

      the position of king of Israel is now free

      David is also free to move to Israel & fully become its king

- Ultimately God's will is done & the reign of David is ready to begin

      David is called a man after God's own heart – 1 Samuel 13:14 & Acts13:22

           Isn't that an appropriate description for the king for Israel?


Search the Scriptures to find out even more details about this strange situation.

Helpful Resources: e-Sword

e-Sword.net

     This computer program is free & is great! If I had to choose only one program about the Bible it would have to be e-Sword. Once you go to the website (e-sword.net) you can download the program and it comes with the King James Version (KJV) & Strongs which are connected together so you can select individual words from the KJV and it will link you to the corresponding Hebrew/Greek word used in the Bible.

Features listed on e-Sword.net

      Once the main program is downloaded to your computer you are free to download more Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, books, & maps by using the download tab within the program. There are many free resources that are wonderful & several paid resources if you want something a little more specific.

      Probably the most helpful feature of this program, not always found in other Bible programs, is that as you look up a passage from the Bible there will be an icon that appears near resources that have info about that verse and/or chapter. This will most certainly help save you time. No longer do you have to sift through commentaries simply hoping they comment on a certain verse. Now you will know instantly. Why not give e-Sword a try? Its free so what do you have to lose?

Bible Study: David among the Philistines?

     I have been doing a sermon series on some key parts of the early 'United Kingdom' of Israel and I have noticed a few things about David. One thing I would love to invite you to study with me is how David can be seen fighting against the Philistines in 1 Samuel 17 and then in 1 Samuel 27 he is found fighting with the Philistines. What happened during these chapters that makes David seem like he switched sides? My next "Bible Study" blog will include a summary of this change during David's life.