So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 1: An Introduction to Revelation
Read MORE: Lesson 1: An Introduction to RevelationI decided to write a short series on Revelation after a number of onliners indicated that they were not aware that the book charted the fall of the Roman Empire. Once you begin reading it this way, it offers another…
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Lesson 2: The Seven Churches of Revelation (Chapters 2 and 3)
Read MORE: Lesson 2: The Seven Churches of Revelation (Chapters 2 and 3)Any decent understanding of Paul’s letters begins with an appreciation that they were written to particular congregations in a specific historical period. They were preserved in scripture, because the apostle handled their problems in a manner that remains relevant for…
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Lesson 3: The Heavenly Court in Revelation 4 -5
Read MORE: Lesson 3: The Heavenly Court in Revelation 4 -5These two chapters lift the veil from heaven so we can see first hand what is happening there. When an angelic voice calls John and places him in his prophetic trance, he finds himself in a throne room at the…
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Lesson 4: Seals, Trumpets, Interludes in Revelation 6-11
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Seals, Trumpets, Interludes in Revelation 6-11When the veil is lifted from heaven, John hears that Jesus began the final stages of salvation at his Ascension. The prophet is among those who think this necessitates a period of Tribulation. It helps to remind ourselves what this…
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Lesson 5: The Bowls in Revelation 12-16
Read MORE: Lesson 5: The Bowls in Revelation 12-16The Tribulation’s purge of evil ends with the bowls, the third set of seven visions. Nobody is saved in this one, because only those who know the truth but still refuse to worship God are left. At this point, John…
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Lesson 6: The Judgment of Rome in Revelation 17, 18, and 19
Read MORE: Lesson 6: The Judgment of Rome in Revelation 17, 18, and 19Anyone who studies the development of Revelation as if it were a scholarly work or, for that matter, an unfolding or prediction of future events has to be pulling out their hair as they exclaim, “Oh no, here we go…
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Lesson 7: The Last Judgment and Millennium in Revelation 19 and 20
Read MORE: Lesson 7: The Last Judgment and Millennium in Revelation 19 and 20John has treated us to three versions of the Tribulation. Now in these two chapters, he offers at least two Last Judgments. Two obvious ones employ an Armageddon battle to eradicate evil powers and people. The second of these adds…
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Lesson 8: New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 and 22
Read MORE: Lesson 8: New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 and 22If one part of prophecy is explicating God’s promises with visions of the future, John offers one of the most beautiful in all history. God himself wipes away the tears of those who have suffered with the Lamb. The Divine…
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Lesson 9: The Political Implications of Revelation
Read MORE: Lesson 9: The Political Implications of RevelationAt first, it seems John sees the relationship between the church and state differently than Jesus and Paul. Jesus, in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, tells Christians to give Caesar what is Caesar’s in response to a question about paying taxes.…
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Lesson 10: The Religious Implications of Revelation
Read MORE: Lesson 10: The Religious Implications of RevelationIn the last lesson, I suggested John’s take on the relationship between church and state in his time offers us some help in our own situation. Many of us are seeking new approaches after losing confidence in the two-kingdom theory.…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.