Searching scripture is one of the ways we stay in love with God. To this end, we continue this week with our study of the writings attributed to John from the New Testament. We focused our first two weeks on the Gospel of John and the Letters of John. We will conclude our three-week series this Sunday with reflection on the Revelation of John.
Outline of Worship Series.
November 9, 2014 Gospel of John (John 3.16)
November 16, 2014 Letters of John (1 John 4.7-21)
November 23, 2014 Revelation of John (Revelation 22.1-7)
The Left Behind series of books and movies has shaped the view that many people have of Revelation in our day. The authors weave their own particular views with the eschatological viewpoint of Revelation regarding the end of times. A remake of the movie was released last month starring Nicolas Cage. The books and movies depict the end of the world…a rapture. What comes up when you think of the end of the world or rapture?
Take time to read Revelation 22.1-7.
Barbara R. Rossing writes, “The rapture is a racket. Whether prescribing a violent script for Israel or survivalism in the United States, this theology distorts God’s vision for the world. In place of healing, the Rapture proclaims escape. In place of Jesus’ blessing of peacemakers, the Rapture voyeuristically glorifies violence and war. In place of Revelation’s vision of the Lamb’s vulnerable self-giving love, the Rapture celebrates the lion-like wrath of the Lamb. This theology is not biblical. We are not Raptured off the earth, nor is God. No, God has come to live in the world through Jesus. God created the world, God loves the world, and God will never leave the world behind!”(The Raptured Exposed, 1-2).
What relevance does your own understanding of rapture have in your life?