Learning resources

4-21-24 Biblical Literacy Mark continued in A Study in Revelation expanding the theme of visions. Revelation replicates the same visions in different ways. Today’s agenda focused on Revelation 8-11: the 7 angels and 7 trumpets, similar to the 7 seals in Revelation 4-7. We learn that: 1.The visions are happening at the same time. 2.Bible trumpets are the sound of the warning of God’s judgment. God is at work. 3.Many of the trumpets came out of the plagues of Egypt.

4-7-24 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in our class study of Revelation with a reminder that what God says is reality. Mark's lesson had three areas of focus: 1. Reading Revelation in time: The reader is encouraged to understand literature during the time of writing Revelation. 2. Deeper study of Revelation 4-7 and the seven seals: We see heaven's perspective of earth. We must remember that God is the center of the universe, all things. 3. Revelation 8-11 can be read as a parallel passage with seven horns. Mark will dig deeper into this study next week.

Mark continued the Study of Revelation, Part 10, with a focus of Revelation in Context. Mark begins with an overview of Apocalyptic literature and continues with three points. 1.Revelation in context: type of literature, time of literature, and intense persecution of Christians. Two themes in Revelation: comfort the church in its struggle of evil, and Christ wins over the dragon or satan. 2.Reading Revelation in time: some read the book chronologically. Mark recommends reading it as 7 vignettes or parallel reading, much the way Daniel is read. The Bible teaches us how to read the Bible. Daniel: repeated dreams and visions that show what God is about to do. In Revelation we find three terminal time periods: first coming, age of the church, and the 2nd coming or age to come. 3.Revelation 4-7: God’s plan in history.

March 17, 2024 Pastor Dr.David Fleming Revelations Pastor Fleming opens the class by explaining the effect of how we approach the study of Revelations. Approaches to the study of Revelations include Views, Genres and Interpretation. He goes into detail on how we approach the text of Revelations can determine what we see when we get there. For example, we tend to see what we want to see in the scripture. He refers to this as Confirmation Bias and discusses the meaning of that in great detail.

Mark continued teaching in the series on Revelation in three sections: 1. Two remaining letters to the churches – Philadelphia & Laodicea. The church of Philadelphia receives commendation. The church of Laodicea is warned about its lukewarm status. 2. Two different ways to read Revelation: Timeline reading: Chronological Vignette reading: Vision, story, ending, and repeat. 3. Revelation worship scene as described in Chapters 4 & 5 Not all images are symbols Never lose focus of the message. All space all time and all there is has God in the center - Theocentric. Perfect divine praise in 3’s

Mark interviewed Dr. Alister McGrath from Oxford University in England. Dr. McGrath was born in Ireland. He became an atheist and Marxist as a way to deal with the struggle between Catholics and Protestants during the 60s in Belfast known as The Troubles. He became a Christian soon after starting his studies at Oxford.

Mark continued in the Study of Revelation with Chapters 2 through 3:4. Today continued with the study of the letters to the 7 churches. Each church had specific instructions to strengthen them for their mission. 1. Letters: The letters are written to the 7 churches structured in 7 parts but for all churches for all time. 2. Examine the letters to: Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis.

2-18-24 -Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the series A Study of Revelation which was a comfort to the church in its struggle against the forces of evil. Christ wins over Satan. 1. Symbolism -a quality or an idea that showed the church how God desires a complete relationship with them. Not all images are symbols. Never lose focus of the message. 2. The Letters -content structured in similar way for each. The symbolism of the number 7, which means completion. Ephesus -You have abandoned your first love. Smyrna -No condemnation but a warning of what the devil will do. Be faithful.

2/11/24. Biblical – Literacy Mark continued in The Study of Revelation series with a study of the first chapter in Revelation. His lesson had three areas of focus: 1.The Exalted Christ is depicted as the Alpha and the Omega. We find that He is referenced throughout the Old and New Testaments. 2. The Setting of Book of Revelation is more than a book John wrote on the island of Patmos, but it’s an accounting of God who was, who is, and who is to come.

02/4/24 Mark continues the study of Revelations by going into detail about how decisions were made about which scrolls and writings were to be put into the Bible Library as we know it. Mark discussed the meaning of Canon and Canonization of the bible. Was Canon to Jesus and the Apostles? Mathew 15:3 Was Canon to the Church? Mathew 15:6 The Church’s recognition of the Canon. Acts 15 Mark then discusses the history of the Canon in some detail Mark reviews in detail: Symbolism Use of numbers 3 and 4 and 7 and 12 Angels and Demons Mark reviews Rev: 1-1-2 Points for Home: We can rely on Scripture for life God reaches all of you Rev 1:8 Let’s serve our King Rev 1:6

1/28/24 Biblical Literacy Mark continued with Lesson 3 in the Study in Revelation series setting the stage to dig deeper in study. He divided the lesson into three sections then share some Points for home: 1. Review of past two lessons: the Bible as a library, the apocalyptic genre, and apocalyptic traits. 2. Approach to […]

Listen to Mark explore the Old Testament and other writings that show the ancient peoples’ understanding of apocalyptic writing. Mark continued with a Study in Revelation sharing a brief review of the foundation class from two weeks ago. He encouraged the class to not be afraid of Revelation; we have this. The book of Revelation […]