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2019, June 2 ~ Acts 16:16-34 and Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

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Acts 16:16-34

The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written around 85 to 90 CE by the anonymous author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension of Jesus and ending at the so-called Council of Jerusalem where it was agreed that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised and keep all the Kosher dietary laws in order to become Jesus Followers.

Today’s reading continues where last week’s reading left off by recounting Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. In Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece), Paul and Silas were again going to the synagogue to make converts of “God Fearers” (Gentile sympathizers to Hellenistic Judaism who observed some Jewish practices and customs).

As they went to the synagogue, a slave-girl who had powers of divination followed them for a number of days and called them “slaves of the Most High God” (v.17). Paul got annoyed and exorcised the spirit of divination out of the slave-girl (v.18).

The slave-girl had “brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune telling” (v.16) and the owners of the slave-girl realized they had lost a lot of money. They accused Paul and Silas of trying to convert Romans (which was unlawful). Paul and Silas were flogged and imprisoned.

Just as the apostles had been miraculously released from prison in Chapter 5 of Acts, Paul and Silas’ chains were broken by an earthquake. Though they were freed, they did not run away. The jailer was so moved by Paul’s and Silas’ remaining in the jail that he and all his household became Jesus Followers.

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

The Book of Revelation is also known as the “Apocalypse” (from a Greek word meaning an “unveiling” or “disclosure” of a new age or of heaven, or both). Apocalyptic writing generally described a dire situation ruled by evil powers that can be overcome only by the “in-breaking” of a force (such as God) to bring about a new age.

Like apocalyptic writings in the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Revelation used extreme images and metaphors to describe the conflict between good and evil. Apocalyptic literature is often presented as a revelation from God conveyed by an angel or other heavenly body. Apocalyptic writings used symbolic language to convey God’s hidden plan.

The author of Revelation identified himself as “John” but most scholars conclude that the author was not John the Apostle because of the reference to the 12 apostles in 21:14. Because of the internal references in the Book, most scholars date Revelation to the late First Century.

Today’s reading consists of portions of the last chapter of Revelation and presents a vision of the coming of Jesus which will happen “soon” (v. 20). Those who wash their robes in the Blood of the Lamb will have a right to the Tree of Life (v.14) and to enter the New Jerusalem. The grace of the Lord will be with all the saints (v.21).

2019, May 26 ~ Acts 16:9-15 and Revelation 21:10, 22-22.5

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Acts 16:9-15

The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written around 85 to 90 CE by the anonymous author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension of Jesus and ending at the so-called Council of Jerusalem where it was agreed that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised and keep all the Kosher dietary laws in order to become Jesus Followers.

Today’s reading is one of the first stories from the second half of Acts which describes Paul’s missionary journeys. This trip is described as “Paul’s Second Missionary Journey” because it was a trip to “every city where we [Paul and Barnabas] proclaimed the word of the Lord” (15:36).

One of his first stops was Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece). It was a sea voyage of about 75 miles from Troas [Troy] with a stop at the island of Samothrace.

Paul often went to synagogues as a likely place to make converts, particularly among Gentiles who were sympathetic to Judaism (called “God Fearers”).

In today’s account, the “Lord opened Lydia’s heart” (v.14) – an emphasis in Acts and in the Gospel according to Luke that the Holy Spirit is the force that brings about conversions to the Jesus Follower Movement. As was customary at the time, dependents followed the head of the household in religious matters, so Lydia’s household was also baptized (v.15).

Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

The Book of Revelation is also known as the “Apocalypse” (from a Greek word meaning an “unveiling” or “disclosure” of a new age or of heaven, or both). Apocalyptic writing generally described a dire situation ruled by evil powers that can be overcome only by the “in-breaking” of a force (such as God) to bring about a new age.

Like apocalyptic writings in the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Revelation used extreme images and metaphors to describe the conflict between good and evil. Apocalyptic literature is often presented as a revelation from God conveyed by an angel or other heavenly body. Apocalyptic writings used symbolic language to convey God’s hidden plan.

The author of Revelation identified himself as “John” but most scholars conclude that the author was not John the Apostle because of the reference to the 12 apostles in 21:14. Because of the internal references in the Book, most scholars date Revelation to the late First Century.

Today’s reading is from the last two chapters of Revelation and presents a vision of a New Jerusalem coming out of heaven (v.10). (Most of Jerusalem, including the Temple, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, about 30 years before Revelation was written.)

The author of Revelation had extensive knowledge of the Hebrew Bible, and the New Jerusalem is presented as an “idealized” place. It needs no Temple (God and the Lamb are its “Temple”). It is a place of safety (its gates never need to close). It does not need the sun or the moon to give it light, and the river of the water of life (a reference to Eden in Genesis) flows through it. The people see God’s face (are fully aware of God’s presence), just as Moses spoke with God face to face.