Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....August 9, 2017
We begin our Bible Study classes on the Book of Revelation this Sunday and If you’re a Christian, then you must learn the Revelation. Why? Because God desires it of Christians to read and understand the Book of Revelation.
It is true that the prophetic book is comprised of complex symbols and images that make it more than a casual reading. Nonetheless, it is God’s intention for the Church to read the Revelation. For it is clearly stated that it is that “which God gave…to show His servants” (Rev.1:1).
Before we dig in to the purpose for the prophecy though, it would be helpful to understand its origin.
Late in the first century, the Apostle John was arrested by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ and imprisoned on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos. Then on one given day around 95 AD, the aged apostle, while in worship, was visited by Jesus Christ and subsequently escorted into the future by an angel to bear witness of and to document the vision.
Accordingly, from his first encounter with Jesus through his subsequent journey into the future and back again to Patmos, John arduously recorded every word of God, every testimony of Jesus Christ, and every word picture and symbol just as he heard it and saw it. Then he presented it to the Church.
What you and I regard as the last book of the Bible called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” is that selfsame account, exactly as it was presented first to the congregation at Ephesus nearly two thousand years ago.
Okay, let’s consider the vision.
Arguably, the most complete prophecy of future events recorded in Scripture, it should be noted that the Revelation is not John’s vision. The vision belongs to Jesus Christ. God the Father gave God the Son the vision to reveal to John that he would in turn reveal it to the servants of Christ. So that Christians in every generation might know the “things which must shortly take place” (Rev. 1:1). That is, that we might know the future.
But let’s be clear. Yes, God has given us the Revelation to learn, but not for reasons some would suggest. The Revelation was not given so we can set a date for Christ’s coming; the Bible is adamant that of that day and hour no one knows, except the Father (Matt. 24:36). Nor was it given so we can identity the Antichrist; the Church has been instructed only to watch for Jesus Christ, not for the Antichrist.
Make no mistake; the Revelation has one purpose: To unveil Jesus Christ so we may know how God will accomplish all His work and purposes through Him in the last days. It is the final work of Christ—the destruction of all that is evil and the restoration of all that is good—that God wants us to understand.
But there’s more. A blessing is promised to those who learn the Revelation. Listen to the Apostle:
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it” (Rev.1:3)
It’s as Solomon stated, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).
Finally, observe that Revelation is intended for “His servants” (Rev.1:1). That is to say, the “bond slaves” or devoted followers of Christ. What makes this special is found in the words of Jesus when He said, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…” (John 15:15).
In other words, we should want to learn the revelation, not as a mandate from God, but with an understanding that the privilege has been granted to us because we are regarded as His friends.
“Your words were found,” the prophet wrote, “and I ate them and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer.15:16
DID YOU EVER WONDER???
Short but sweet:)
Are you having bad times in your life? Maybe just a bad day or even just a bad moment and yeah, it probably sucks and it's so freaking hard and painful but trust me, it's needed.
You should be thinking, why the hell bad times are needed if it makes me feel like crap?
They are because after that, you'll be appreciating and enjoying everything, every single thing that happens to you after that, you'll learn infinite amount of things from it and your life is going to start being easier because of that. So remember, no matter how bad you can be right now, in this precise moment, you will be fine and better than ever, just give it sometime and affront it because you can with everything, you are awesome just for being you.
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
Holding Out on Forgiveness
Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew
Last year I was hurt by a close friend, and my reaction was to cause hurt in return. Actually, it may have been the other way around. The entire incident was so passive and internal that it’s hard to say how it all started.
Either way, it resulted in sulks, resentment, licking of wounds, and finally, grudging apologies. We have been on relationship probation ever since. When we see each other out in public, we smile and try too hard—neither one admitting our resentment. Feeling like I was owed something, I never made an attempt to mend our relationship. Why should I give in first? After all, it would be foolish to make myself vulnerable to that person.
But the last time I checked, Jesus doesn’t bless the ones who hold out the longest for an apology. In my reading of Matthew, I found quite the opposite: He blesses the peacemakers. And in the Sermon on the Mount, he shows us exactly what peacemaking entails:
“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt 5:23–24).
Jesus doesn’t say “go and ask for an apology,” “go and make excuses for your behavior,” or even “go and tell your side of the story.” He says go and be reconciled.
Jesus goes on to explain what a response to being wronged looks like:
“But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you” (Matt 5:38–42).
He uses examples of some very public wrongs—a slap across the cheek and a lawsuit.
It is often harder to back down if it means losing face. I don’t swallow my pride easily, and I know exactly what I would do if I were literally slapped across the face: I would turn the other cheek with such an exaggerated, provoking attitude that I would deserve that follow-up slap.
Jesus is describing a much more humble attitude—one that perhaps includes a tacit recognition of the other person’s hurt or anger.
His words within the Lord’s Prayer are a reminder of why we should forgive: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt 6:12).
Forgiveness isn’t grudging or passive—it’s actively showing acceptance. And it’s not contingent on whether I feel the other person is deserving of that forgiveness. It’s in response to the unbelievable and undeserved forgiveness that Christ offers me.
Giving to the Needy
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Lord’s Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Fasting
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Do Not Be Anxious
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
GIVING, PRAYING AND FASTING
Jesus teaches his disciples how to do good—for the right reason and in the right way!
It’s important to do ‘acts of righteousness’ (such as giving to the needy, praying and fasting) without showing off. We’re not doing these things so that people can admire us. We’re doing them for God (6:1–18).
The Pharisees make every effort to do good—but they like to be seen doing it! They give to the needy in a blaze of publicity. They pray where others can still see them and be impressed. They make sure they look pale and wretched when they’re fasting.
Jesus calls all this ‘hypocrisy’—a public performance, like acting. And, like acting, it may only be pretending. The reward is a round of applause—but not from God!
So how should Christian disciples behave? Jesus assumes we will give to the needy, pray and fast; but the key to being genuine is to keep such actions secret.
When you give to the needy, says Jesus (not ‘if’, but ‘when’!), then barely mention it even to yourself. When you pray, go into your smallest room and shut out the watching world. Jesus suggests a storeroom, because it has no windows and has a lock on the door. When you fast, go about your everyday life as normally as possible—with your face washed and your hair tidy.
Our religious acts express our love for our heavenly Father. Giving, praying and fasting are for his eyes only. Only he sees what we do in secret.
How to pray
How shall we pray? Jesus tells us not to babble endlessly. The length of our prayer doesn’t matter. It’s what’s in our heart that counts (6:7–15).
Some pagans try to wear God down until he gives them what they want. Jesus reminds us that God is our Father. He already knows what we need—and loves to give.
Jesus teaches his disciples a prayer. It has become known as the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, and is used constantly by Christians throughout the world.
TREASURES IN HEAVEN
What are we living for? What are our ambitions?
Jesus urges his disciples to live for God.
This world’s treasures don’t last. Our fashionable clothes will be eaten by moths. Our expensive possessions break down or get stolen. It’s important to have our true wealth in heaven, where there is no decay or loss (6:19–24).
Jesus has already spoken of the wonderful rewards that await us. God will bless us beyond anything we have earned or deserved by our little acts of loyalty and obedience to him.
It’s important to be clear about this. Just as good eyes enable us to see well, so a good heart will enable us to live well.
Jesus says we must choose between God and money. Money is attractive to us. It makes us feel good because it gives power and choice. But the desire for money can take us over, and we end up worshipping it as our god. This is materialism—a devotion to money and the things it can get us.
Jesus tells us straight. We can only worship God or money. There isn’t room in our lives for both.
DO NOT WORRY
If we don’t set our hearts on money, then what’s to become of us? How will we get food to eat and clothes to wear—and all the other things we need?
Jesus says this is where we must learn to trust God (6:25–34).
He tells his disciples to look around—at the birds in the sky and the wild flowers in the fields. Do birds strive furiously for a standard of living? Are flowers consumed with anxiety about the future? No. But the birds are fed and the flowers look glorious, because God looks after them.
So Jesus invites his followers to live in a world where our heavenly Father provides for us. We may have to work, but we don’t have to worry. The frantic pursuit of food and drink and clothes is a sign of insecurity. It’s the lifestyle of people who don’t know God.
What really counts is God’s kingdom—his reign in our lives and in our world. If we put God and his kingdom first, everything else will follow—and find its proper priority and place.
Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 417). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., p. 417). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide (1st Augsburg books ed., pp. 416–417). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 6:25–34). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 6:16–24). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 6:1–15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Strong, J. (2014). Holding out on Forgiveness. In J. D. Barry & R. Van Noord (Eds.), Moment with God: A Devotional on Every Biblical Book. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Strong, J. (2014). Holding out on Forgiveness. In J. D. Barry & R. Van Noord (Eds.), Moment with God: A Devotional on Every Biblical Book. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Strong, J. (2014). Holding out on Forgiveness. In J. D. Barry & R. Van Noord (Eds.), Moment with God: A Devotional on Every Biblical Book. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou