Bible study has started for us for two weeks already. This year's Precept class has increased from 26 of us to close to 50. Almost doubled. The new members that joined us was not the only interesting thing for the class every Saturday for the next 2 Saturdays. We have a new trainer Mei. I don't quite enjoy her lesson on the first day because she reminded me that I am in a primary school and she asked rhetorical questions with chorus answers. To the pedagog, this is no no!
The new friends we have are also interesting because they just completed their own series of bible study. The group is called the BSF. I heard that this group of people are very studious and to join the group there is a long queue. As a result, if you don't do your homework for more than a certain number of times, you cannot join the group again. Hahaha. I will not be able to make it and don't intend to.
Mei told us that we have to study this first part of Revelation for 18 months and another 18 months for Revelation 2. Both Bee Yen and I will try our very best to work on the materials. We hope to finish the three years journey learning more about God and His second coming.
Those who read, hear and heed the words in the Book of Revelation will be blessed. So every Saturday we will not just read, hear and do the homework, we will heed. The introduction to the book of Revelation was already good.
Revelation in greek is Apokalupsis. It means to uncover or unveil. This implied something is hidden behind or under the cover or veil. What is God about to uncover? Don't know yet.
But the speed at which God will uncover will be fast. SOON in Rev 1:3 is not about the near future. The original greek text tells us that soon is about speed, it is quick, fast moving. Thus in English we think it is near future, happening any time soon. But SOON here refers to speed. So God will not be coming in the near future but He will come suddenly, without any warning...
To put the whole issue in God's perspective means that the Second Coming is not soon (near future) but suddenly. How will this change how we wait upon the Lord. In the past we look for signs, and say that this is fulfilled and that is fulfilled but...where is Christ and God? Near future? Aha...but it is SOON (greek soon)! Suddenly. It makes me wanna to live even more carefully because it is not about what signs are fulfilled alone but it is about how I should live my life everyday for Him if suddenly is now the issue. Do I make sense? I hope so.
But let's not just look at the when or the signs. Let's look at the author of this book. John the beloved disciple of Jesus who wrote the book of John. He was the only one alive by AD 95. The first to be martryed was Stephen, stoned by Saul who later called Paul. Then there was James who was beheaded, Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded. John witnessed all these killings and he was spared. Actually he was not spared.
He was on the island of Patmos when he was asked to write the book of Revelation. The ruler of that time (cannot remember, no history student!) dipped John in hot oil before sending him to the prison in Patmos. He must be in so much pain and yet he decided on the Lord's day to worship God. Imagine...blisters all over, pain and discomfort all over and he still worshipped the Lord!
So how come he was in so much joy although so much pain and suffering? What was it that all these disciples hang on to that let them say that "they count it ALL joy to fall into trials and tempations!"
Because they have God's perspective of things to come. Because they witnessed the reality of Christ their Saviour.
John knew that Christ will come again. He witnessed it with his own eyes and Jesus appeared to him after He resurrected. Jesus already told John he would not die until Jesus come for him. So John's life was spared. God wants to reveal to John the things to come and He wants John to write them down.
Do you live with God's perspective in mind? Can you see His perspective for you? God and Christ will come suddenly and what will THEY find me doing?
