Revelation Now: Viewing the Tragedies and Triumph of Believers: Building Faith for Life Now - Softcover

Sampson Jr., Shellie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1440197474 ISBN 13: 9781440197475

Verlag: iUniverse, 2010

Inhaltsangabe

Revelation Now is an overview of the New Testament Book of Revelation with Old Testament references. It offers apocalyptic perspectives on what global life is like in a changing world while it also provides fresh insights on human behavior under turbulence and duress. Through insightful passages of scripture, contemporary conditions in the world and analysis of human personality, the book deals with global society, world governance, ancient world history, and faith challenges. The book begins by dealing with the historical context of world empires during the time when ancient nations were active participants in the collective life of a developing Hebrew people. It presents a more comprehensive view of the role of ancient empires in the theological drama of faith versus the influence of nations interacting with Israel, while it addresses the hidden role of empire influence as it affects faith and people committed to God. In summation, Revelation Now progresses from examining the historic seven churches of Asia Minor to the actions of a disguised beastly power that affects world ideology, religion, and materialistic commerce. Ultimately, the purpose of the book is to bring deeper enlightenment in analyzing the contemporary plight of humanity.

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Shellie Sampson, Jr. is the former President of the Northern Baptist School of Religion of Newark and the former president of the Minister's Conference of New York City. He earned a BA from Rutgers University, masters of Divinity and doctorate of Ministry from Drew University and a PhD in Urban Educational Psychology from Temple University.

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Revelation Now

Viewing the Tragedies and Triumph of Believers: Building Faith Now By SHELLIE SAMPSON, JR

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 SHELLIE SAMPSON, JR
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4401-9747-5

Contents

Preface A Wider Perspective for a Better Life Now............................................ixIntroduction What Is Going On? Earthquakes, Wars and Worry...................................1Chapter One: Direct Revelation: The Receiving Servant........................................25Chapter Two: The Seven Churches as Centers of Lost Influence.................................45Chapter Three: Breaking Out of the Earthly Church to Heavenly Space..........................57Chapter Four: It's Not Over Yet: The Seven Seals with More Judgment..........................63Chapter Five: Another Break: Interlude of Reflection.........................................74Chapter Six: How the Dragon Pulls It Off: Global Rule and Beastly Agenda.....................80Chapter Seven: The Rise and Fall of Babylon the Great........................................90Chapter Eight: High on Joy: Worship, Marriage, and Victory...................................104Select Bibliography..........................................................................128Index........................................................................................131

Chapter One

Direct Revelation: The Receiving Servant

"And if you will receive it ..." (Matthew 11:14).

In order to function at all in this complex, demanding world, we need ongoing information and understanding. We should know about the actions of people and structures that influence how things happen. What we don't know can hurt us. For example, we cannot be ignorant of the law or the right procedures concerning jobs, schools, proper foods to eat or avoid, and inclement weather conditions that affect our safety and mobility. There is some guiding information in this life that we have to know.

John used the phrase, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him" (Revelation 1:1). Revelation is seen as an essential gift of information. It was direct communication. It was priceless, wireless, and spiritual. It was and is an unveiled, declassified message. This message is also a testimony and a witness about unfolding critical events. These events and Christ as the living Word work together to provide a comprehensive view about the world. This information provides a glimpse of turbulent conditions that we must face. This leads to preparation, relevant prayer, and ministry. The Word provides answers for seeking believers who want to be prepared to handle various conditions.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:1-3)

The implication is that just as John received the revelation, so should those who read and hear the words of this prophesy keep those things that are written in it, for the time is at hand. The time is now. This does not mean that all the events will occur at the same time. It does mean that we should now receive and believe the report about that which is about to come. "Nowness" is the beginning of the unfolding of the apocalypse. Nowness is also about the relevancy of unfolding events in our own time. Now is about the symbolic Rome, Babylon, and institutionalized power of the beast (living creature) who begins to emerge. Now is the time to stand fast, endure hardship, and hear what the Spirit is saying. Believers need to engage God in a receptive mode of timely, revelatory communication. The believing person experiences a karious event (moment of timely inspiration). Apocalyptic conditions of the age call for a deep sense of seeing and hearing in order to avoid a lost sense of direction, devotion, and doctrine. End-time(eschatological) behavior adjustments call for a knowledge of God's will and purpose for believers who live in a fast-track, traumatic, and dramatic world. Remember, one time period subtly fades into and overlaps the next. These occurrences that creep up on us can catch us off-guard and unwatchful. Sometimes repeated trying events gradually neutralize our concern. We become numb or indifferent.

The God-Man Asserts His Presence

The identity of the one who reveals is clearly established in the first chapter. He is the one who was and who is and who is to come. This refers to the pre-existence, the present, and the future divine one, Jesus the Christ. Readers need to be reminded of the majestic, divine, and royal order of Jesus. Believers constitute his priesthood ministry. Our perspective on Christ (our Christology) affects our prayer life, our faith level, and even our courage to face the world. Affirmation of the earthly, heavenly, and post-resurrection existence of Christ is highlighted in this chapter. He is one like the Son of man.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (Daniel 7:13)

He appeared with priestly dress and distinction. His hair is wool-like and white, reflecting wisdom and maturity. "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire" (Daniel 7:9). His eyes and face reflect a strong brilliance. His feet are like bronze burned in a fire. Obviously, this personal description of his appearance is deliberate. Jesus Christ is depicted in his unique human form.

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:14-16)

The God-man asserts his own justified sovereignty. He appears holding the seven stars in his right hand. Christ oversees the stars and they are accountable to him. The seven stars, angels, or messengers are usually considered to be the pastors or bishops of the Asia Minor churches. The sharp, two-edged sword was directed at these leaders as a timely word for evaluation, correction, and direction. God is very much in touch with his people, his ministry, and his mission. He does inform, reveal, and guide the course of the doctrine, teachings, and deeds of his earthly ambassadors. End-times calls for messengers with a liberating, timely and relevant (rhema) word. This word moves beyond human wisdom, motivational speeches, and political correctness.

Christ identifies himself to John as the I Am, the Alpha and Omega (first and last). John states that he is already experiencing tribulation as a companion with all others who are suffering and will suffer. He is instructed to write the vision down and send it to the seven churches of Asia Minor. He is...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: iUniverse
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2010
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1440197474
• ISBN 13: 9781440197475
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 164
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: GPSR Kontakt; gpsr@libri.de; ; Europaallee 1; Bad Hersfeld; 36244; Deutschland