Greek or Hebrew???

Some have said that reading the bible is too daunting of a task.  There is thought that one need be a religious scholar or theologian to interpret and understand the concept and wording. Others who open the book and begin to gain understanding are often told that it is better to know the original languages of which it was written; Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament.

I once grappled with the "Original Language" argument  and even considered taking up Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek! But, in my recent study of Revelation, I was released from that burden and understood that if I am suppose to know the Hebrew or Greek, God will make it very clear in his Word.

 In describing the locusts of battle in Revelation 9:11, God says through the writer, the apostle John,

"They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had

 power to torment people for five months.  They had as king over 

them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in

 Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon."

Personally I think it is more important to focus on these incredibly creepy locust/scorpions that are prophesied to visit earth in the future and torment people for five months.  I might have overlooked how their creepy king pronounces his name in Greek or Hebrew.  But, for this verse, apparently God wants us to know this king's name in both Greek and Hebrew! So He tells us.  God makes it clear when it is important to know the difference between the two languages.  The bible was written to the whole world which consists of both Jew and Greek. And through it we now know that this creepy king is coming, and he has a name. Isn't it more important to decide what to do with this revelation?

Thirsty?

Today ends the biblical holy day of Sukkot.  A seven day time of remembrance ordained by God for Israel to reflect on how they were provided shelter, food, protection and water in their 40 year desert wanderings.  In honor of God's faithfulness, the High Priest of Israel would go to the pool of Siloam with a golden pitcher and take water to be poured out at the Temple while all the people would sing:

                                                          Lord, save us!
                                                   Lord, grant us success!

                                Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
                                          From the house of the Lord we bless you.

                                                          Psalm 118:25-26 

In John 4:10-15, we see Jesus offers a Samaritan woman water to drink that is eternal - water that would satiate her unquenchable thirst. The water represented by the High Priest - symbolizing the eternal provision of God Almighty to His People in the desert - is now offered by Jesus to us. 

In one of the last verses in the book Revelation, an invitation is extended to all people who have ears to hear, "Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22:17

The free gift of salvation has been offered.  Do you find yourself in a dry and weary desert? What holds you back from taking the same gift offered up to all throughout all generations?

Letter of appeal

A Jewish man wrote a letter some 2000 years ago that said,

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

In light of Yom Kippur and the day of Atonement for the Jewish people, the above statement, as found in the New Covenant in the book of Hebrews 1:1-3, makes it clear that God had His Son be the sacrifice for the purification of sins. 

Do you understand the depth of this man's statement?  Later in the same letter, the writer goes on to plead for us to pay attention and not ignore such a great salvation, which was first announced by Jesus and confirmed by various signs and miracles to others by those who heard him.

Please find a bible and read the letter called, "Hebrews" ... and let me know your response to these ancient words that are relevant for all time.

All I saw was Love

The power of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony...

Revelation 12:10-12

"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

Now have come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, 

and the authority of His Christ.

For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down.

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you.  He is filled with fury,

because he knows that his time is short."

For a real life testimony of faith please watch this;

 http://podcasts.ibethel.org/en/podcasts/all-i-saw-was-love