FROM THE PULPIT: START AT THE RIGHT PLACE

I just finished reading an article -from the Wednesday, May 21, edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The title of the article immediately caught my eye: "As Year 2000 Nears, Many Look To Bible For Guide."

The gist of the article focused on the millennlum and the Book of Revelation. It pointed out how many people have misunderstood and misused the book of Revelation to set forth predictions (all which have failed to come to pass to this point in time) concerning the end of time, the anti-Christ, and a host of other far-out scenarios. The article went on to note that some have even gone so far as to implement plans of action that cost them, and their followers, their lives.

Without trying to sound too immodest, the book of Revelation is not all that mysterious. It is a wonderfull story, likely written by John the Apostle, that tells of the great victory won by Jesus Christ over the ancient adversary Satan, the devil himself. Written in apocalyptic language, that is language known only to the initiated it does not open itself easily for proper interpretation until one seeks to know the symbols, and what those symbols represented in the first-century setting. When this is accompiished, then the text is "revealed" which is what the word Apocalypse (or Revelation) means.

Certainly there are some difficult sections in the book of Revelation. I would not contend for a moment that I fully understand every nuance that John intended when he wrote the letter. When one wrote, as John did, not -from dictation, but rather from watching visions unfold before him, it would be impossible for mere mortals to fully grasp everything he intended to share. However, what we cannot be certain of does not diminish the -fact that one can come away from a study of the Apocalypse knowing the main story line: "Victory in Jesus."

No one should be discouraged -from reading and studying the great Revelation letter. However, if one is truly interested in looking to the Bible as the guide for life may I suggest beginning with the Gospels. It is within the Gospels that one will come to see the beauty of Jesus the Messiah (Christ) who followed fully the will of the Father and went to the Cross for the sins of all mankind. In the gospels one will learn what must be done -to inherit the kingdom of God. Here too, one will read the stories which demonstrate the power and the authority of Jesus as God's Son in the flesh.

After reading and studying the gospels, one will want to read the book called the Acts of the Apostles. After just a little digging, it will become evident that Acts was originally a companion volume to the Gospel of Luke (likely both were on one scroll until the church separated them in order to place Luke among the other Gospels). It is an exciting experience to study first the Gospel of Luke, followed immediately by a look at Acts. This makes Luke come to life by finishing the story begun by Luke for most excellent Theophilus. To read or study Acts without first reading Luke is like beginning a book at the half-way point.

Starting at the right place (Gospels/Acts) will lead one to know what God requires of a person to enter the church established by His Son. Through obedience to the will of God--- having be born again of the water and the Spirit, one can thus begin the journey of discipleship which will include a study of such great Biblical literature as the Revelation of John.

Beginning your Biblical study in Revelation may lead one to frustration and doctrinal error. However, with the proper foundation laid, starting at the right place, one will eventually read Revelation with understanding and come away joyfilly knowing all is well. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world lives. He is able. He is at God's right hand He is Jesus the Christ.