SIMPLIFIED JOURNEY (30): Revelation

We have come to the end of our journey, only to find ourselves back at the beginning. Revelation is the last book of the Bible – but at the end of it, we find ourselves back in the Garden of Eden.

The story of the Bible is the story of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. The way has been long and difficult. The sinfulness of mankind made it difficult for God – and our rebellion is not yet ended. Much of the book of Revelation deals with that rebellion.

This book is a vision given to John

QUESTION: Will We Live Eternally on the Earth or in Heaven?

I received this question via the Question Box on our congregation’s web page. You can read the hundreds of questions archived there at http://www.Plymouth-church.com. For almost three years, I have answered an average of about two questions each week there. Some of those I have also posted on this blog.

After the rapture and Jesus meets us in the sky, will we live eternal life on earth or in the outer most part of the universe? Are there really 3 levels of heaven?   Thanks

QUESTION: Where Does the Bible Speak of God Being Married to a Backslider?

Note: This question came to me via our church webpage, http://www.plymouth-church.com. I answered it there recently.

Where in the bible does it say God is married to the backslider?

In several passages in the Old Testament, the nations of Israel and Judah (originally the single kingdom of Israel, ruled by Saul, David, and Solomon – but divided after the end of Solomon’s rule) are spoken of as being married to the LORD.

For example, in Isaiah 54:5, the prophet wrote:

The Prodigal God: Part 5 – The Feast of the Father

The Parable of the Two Sons ends with a feast in progress – but with the older son refusing to come join the festivities.

Near the end of Revelation, we read:

“…. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) – Revelation 19:7-8

Revelation 21:9-11 adds

The Prodigal God: A Book Review (4) – Redefining Hope

The first five chapters of Timothy Keller, THE PRODIGAL GOD: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (New York: Dutton, 2008) deal with understanding the parable of the prodigal son. The final two chapters have a wider purpose: Chapter Six uses the parable as a lens through which to see the theme of the entire Bible and Chapter Seven uses it as a guide to how we should live in the world now. In this installment, we look at Chapter Six, “Redefining Hope.”

Our Longing for Home

This parable in Luke 15:11-32 is so much at the heart of the Christian gospel that Keller uses it for us to be able to view the theme of the entire Bible.

Christ and the Church – Ephesians 5:22-33

Most Bibles have “Husbands and Wives” above Ephesians 5:22-31. It is a good text to discuss with husbands and wives – but Paul said at the end of it that he was talking about Christ and His bride, the church.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy,