Journal Rev 13 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months (about 3.5 years).
It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling (that is, those who dwell in heaven).
Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” Rev 13:5-9
Observation: Again: I am not a Revelation scholar, but every now and then there is a clue to the Gospel found…
Application: Concerning the beast: “And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation…”
Consider what Jesus said to the disciples: “…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth…” Acts 1:8
It appears to be similar, but in opposite directions. No point, just interesting. The Holy Spirit may make a point later—this is part of the objective in Journalling—making notes…
The other interesting thing is the latter part of Rev 13:8, “everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Just another note I keep for the “Election-deniers.”
Sorry, folks. I have a bee in my bonnet today.
When this Journaling for the Good Life website began, my assignment wasn’t to teach as much as it was to demonstrate what journalling could be. Having experience in personal journalling, I decided to continue by “preaching to the Face in the Mirror” but putting that “preaching” on electronic paper. My process was to keep as much as I could in the first person, that is, talking to me and not directly to anyone else. I did a bunch of “I’s” and “me” and whenever I started to write “you” or “we”, I tried to change it.
I welcomed folks to see how I struggled and wrestled with the Word of God. I looked to be a reader of the Word and tried very hard not to “read into the Word”. While there may be an avenue to “interpret” passages available, I did not take advantage of it so that I could read what God’s testimony was and perhaps implied, but to not stretch the facts of the Word/what the Sentence plainly said. I recognize that I am fairly accomplished for a layperson, but that is no reason to set on my laurels or hand a “Theologian” shingle on my office doorway. Everyone should be personally wrestling with the Scriptures, from the Pastor to the new recruit and that frequently if not daily.
Part of my personal wrestling and writing had to do with taking logs out of my eye. Much of what I wrote I have been exposed to before…but it had gotten sterile like the Rev 2 Ephesian church—knew a bunch of stuff and maybe even practiced it, but feeling like I was going through the motions, losing my first love.
I write to stir myself up.
Please forgive me for taking up your time like this. I must keep writing; I think it serves a purpose in the furtherance of the Gospel and my helpfulness in this local church.
Prayer: Lord God, if I could pray in tongues in this written tome, I would. Help me to humble myself and walk worthy of the Gospel.
AMEN.
Ricky Two Shoes