Day 729 - Revelation 22:12-21 & Proverbs 31

 Julie

We have come to the end. I am proud of us for making it through and look forward to going through again next year.

This ends with Jesus reminding us that he is the Savior and that doing things the wrong way will keep us out of everlasting life. He is also telling us to trust in the Word of God.

Proverbs ends by telling us what a good women is supposed to be.

Michelle

I too am proud that we went through this entire study.  

This section is short and seems to be Jesus telling us that our reward for doing good is with him and that we will be given reward based on what each of us has done.  And that those doing the wrong things, will be left outside.  There is a warning as well not to change any of the wording of this information from the scroll.  

Sometimes I read this Proverb about the wife of noble character and think that I try to be like this, but then as I read, I am thinking I don't even like to do some of these things and am I still supposed to if it's not in my character or skill.  It almost makes me feel unworthy because I can't live up to this standard.  The other thing that stands out in this reading is in the beginning the mother is talking to her son about the type of king or man he should be, and this seems very impactful.  

Day 728 - Revelation 21 - 22:11 & Proverbs 30

 Julie

John explains what the new Jerusalem will look like and what is to come once all is said and done. What stood out the most was the last line we read. "Let the evildoers still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." John was told not to seal of up the Word and to allow these things to happen as they will. We are still given a choice of how to act...will we choose correctly?

I feel like overall this is saying that even the most insignificant thing is more wise than some. 

Michelle

This reading has me questioning how long it's been since Jesus died and was resurrected.  I too found that verse to stand out amongst them.  We are given a choice of if we will follow God or not.  This also has me asking has this time already passed or are we still waiting.  I am not sure how to interpret this timeline.  It's hard to tell.  

This does seem to be saying that even the smallest things can have more significance.

Day 727 - Revelations 19:11 - 20 & Proverbs 29

 Julie

This is one of the most mentioned parts of Revelation, the rider and the white horse, which signifies Christ returning. The thousand years, however, is probably one of the most confusing parts of Revelation because so one really knows or understands the timing of that thousand years. So they have what they call premillennialists that believe the thousand years will start once Christ returns. Then there is the postmillennialists that believe that Christ will return after the thousand years. Then there are the Amillennialists that believe that the thousand years is happening right now. For me the question becomes has the white rider already come or is this something that is to come, because by the way this reads the thousand years does not begin until the white rider has come and locked satan in the cage. However, if this has already happened and that is the seal which is to be broken and he will return then we might be in the middle of it right now. I think there are so many ways to look at this. However, if this is as it is said a vision that has been recorded then this has not happened yet and we will still experience this at some point. 

I would just say more words of wisdom. 

Michelle

I do not believe I have ever read this, and my head is spinning right now.   What does stand out is that the rider's name is Word of God.  Throughout the bible we are constantly being reminded to remain in the word of God.  

Yes, more wisdom being imparted on us.  

Day 726 - Revelation 18 - 19:10 & Proverbs 28

 Julie

So the great prostitute of the world is all of the bad things that people are enticed to do and those that give into those temptations will be judged harshly in the end. Those that are followers of God will rejoice when God reigns down his judgement on them.

We should have integrity, love and care for others and not turn our back on those in need.

Michelle

In this reading, Babylon, sounds like a city of terrible things and people doing terrible things that go against what God has commanded.  That being the case, it sounds like God will destroy Babylon for these things and he and the angels are telling people to repent and leave so they do not fall with Babylon.  When you read about Babylon's history it talks about "the Queen of the Night" goddess of sex and love that is worshipped by people.  This seems to relate, but historical info says Babylon has "fallen" twice in history.  So, I can't tell, again, if what we are reading has actually happened or will happen in the future, like there will be another Babylon.

I think that's a good interpretation of today's Proverb.  This one seemed to have a theme compared to the others.

Day 722 - Revelation 13 & Proverbs 24

 Julie

I might still be a little confused here. I haven't ever questioned Revelation in this way before because everyone reads it as if it has not happened yet, but I am wondering if that is the case. 

Michelle

I can't tell if it's a vision of future events, or things that have already happened.  I had always thought that it was still to come but reading through it has me questioning a lot of things.  

Lots in this one about wisdom and not following the evil ones and their wicked schemes.  The end stood out and seemed to be saying not to slumber or have idle hands too long as it leads to poverty and ruin.

Day 725 - Revelation 17 & Proverbs 27

 Julie

I did have to read the explanation for this one. Apparently, this is explaining the fall of Babylon. 

More words of wisdom. Again, seems like they are saying the same things just in different ways.

Michelle

So, I guess I didn't read chapter 16 yesterday, so I will include that one here.  This chapter sounds like God's wrath is being rained down on the earth.

I don't believe I have every read this part.  When I think of the fall of Babylon, I was not thinking mother of prostitutes Babylon, but city of Babylon.  And maybe it's the same thing, I do not know for certain.  This book is confusing me a little as it's hard to tell if we are reading past, present, or future events, and if this is a metaphor or if we will or have already seen this person and events.

There are a few well known verses in this reading.  It seems each individual verse tells us something, and I agree that they are saying the same things with different metaphors.

Day 724 - Revelation 15-16 & Proverbs 26

 Julie

Seven seems to be an important number in Revelation and in the return of Christ. One of the explanations for things in my Bible says that Revelation uses a lot of symbolism to explain things instead of calling things what they are. I guess that this is also a vision that John is having so this might be the future...as in our time or a time still to come...maybe...

Gives the ways in which we should be lying or deceitful.

Michelle

Ok, so by your explanation or understanding, it sounds like this is possibly a vision.  It does seem to have a lot of symbolism running through it and maybe that is what makes it hard to understand.  And we do not know when or if this has or has not happened yet.  This book feels a little overwhelming.  

Lots of drunkards and liars in this reading.