Revelation

I just finished the last book of the Bible.

I think I need the help of someone wiser than me to interpret John’s dream, or prophecy, or warning, or whatever you want to call this. There is a lot of symbolism and crazy detail on what the angels and creatures look like. I am not sure what to make of it all.

Bottom line, I think Revelation is a warning. Beware of false prophets, false leaders. They will lead to destruction. Instead, believe what Jesus taught and act on his lessons, all the while being aware you will be tested, judged and possibly ridiculed for your belief.

In the end, though, evil will be punished. Goodness will be rewarded.

There are a lot of details that I am sure many people have analyzed and interpreted. I am not qualified to do that. Maybe someday someone will attempt explain it all to me, or at least help me figure out what this all means.

Until then, I will just try my best to do what Jesus taught: Love God with all your heart and love your fellow man by showing kindness and compassion and generosity.

Jude

After reading John’s three letters of love, feeling good about what following  Jesus means, Jude is a bit of a downer.

He immediately warns of those among us who say they believe, but really don’t. This who will bend the words of Jesus to suit their own gain. These people are the grumblers and faultfinders…they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

But, Jude ends his letter with hope and kindness, be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy…

I can’t stop thinking about the Beatle’s song…

1, 2, 3 John - Believe and Love

John, I hear your message.

Know that Jesus is God’s son. He, a sinless man, died for our sins so we can have eternal life. What, as flawed humans can we do? Love one another. Pray for each other. Disregard those who spread untruths.

That is it. No judgment from John. Just believe in Christ and love your fellow man.

1 & 2 Peter

I think these are two letters from Peter, one of Jesus’ original apostles.

But, the letters don’t read like they were written by the same person, so I am a bit confused. The style is completely different. And if Peter was a poor fisherman, how did he learn to write with such authority? Or am I reading too much into things? 2 Peter talks of Paul’s letters, so were they contemporaries? Did they spend time together? I guess it makes sense that they did.

The message remains consistent with Paul - treat each other with kindness, show love to one another, beware of false prophets. Were these letters also written to the Israelites? There are a number of references that only they would understand.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

There is hope for us all.

James

Who wrote the book of James?

It is not a letter from Paul, I am pretty sure of that. It might have been written by James, himself. (But, who is James? He says, a servant of God and Lord Jesus Christ, so was he one of the apostles?)

This appears to be written to the Israelites, as he says it is written to the twelve tribes. And he references Old Testament people the Israelites would be familiar with. But I am not sure it is a letter, as it doesn’t end with a farewell. 

It appears to be more of a directive for living a Christ like life.

The main message seems to be, treat everyone equally and fairly. Don’t treat a rich man better than a poor one. Believe in Christ, but belief is not enough. You must also do good. You can’t have one and not the other. Don’t curse your fellow human, as we are all made in God’s image. Don’t boast, for who knows what tomorrow may bring. Pray. Pray for yourself. Pray for each other. 

Hebrews

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews reads differently than his previous letters.

Maybe this is because he is writing to Jewish converts to Christianity. They have the difficult task of not only taking on this new belief system, but also having to defend themselves to those who are not believers in the teachings of Jesus. It would be so easy to go back to the traditional Jewish laws and customs.

Paul uses words from the Old Testament to support the fact that Jesus is God’s son. He spends much of the letter recounting how faith in what cannot be seen kept key figures in the Old Testament going. He relates this faith to current circumstances. He talks of hardship as discipline, like a loving father disciplines his children. He asks them not to give up.

Paul reiterates the basic belief to love one another, honor God and each other, help others.

And then he says goodbye, telling them to welcome Timothy and hoping he will see them again.