Interpreting the letters and the book of Revelation presents unique challenges. It can be tempting to think interpretation is for professionals, but we needn’t feel that way. We don’t have to be New Testament scholars to learn how to interpret these books well.
What Do You Observe?
For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
what does it mean? 2 timothy 3:16–17
Read 2 Timothy 1–2. In chapter 1, we learn that this letter was written by the apostle Paul to his young protégé, Timothy (1:1–2). Paul, who has not seen Timothy for some time, writes to encourage him to stay strong in the faith, remember what he has been taught, and continue serving God’s people in Ephesus well (2 Timothy 2).
In chapter 3, Paul warned Timothy of the difficulties that lay ahead for him. Difficult times were coming, when people would love themselves more than others and live in ways that would not honor God (v. 1–4). “Avoid such people,” Paul warned (v. 5). “. . . Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed,” he wrote (v. 14). It is in this context of warning and encouragement that we find verses 16–17. To help us get started with our observations of our two focus verses, let’s begin with verse 15.
In verse 15, Paul tells Timothy that “the sacred writings,” that is, Scripture, “is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” They reveal to us the way of salvation. In verse 16, Paul tells us more about the Scriptures and their nature. Who does verse 16 say is the source of all Scripture? What is the imagery Paul uses to describe how Scripture came to be?
The imagery of being “breathed out by God” is significant because not only does it point to God as the source of Scripture, but it also serves as an allusion to God’s creative and animative power. Just as God breathed life into Adam in Genesis 2:7, animating him to life, as God breathes Scripture into being, it comes alive in our lives by God’s power.
According to verse 16, in what ways is Scripture profitable?
Verse 17 gives us the purpose of Scripture. What is that purpose?
revelation 21:3–4
If we’re going to understand the significance of Revelation 21:3–4, we have to start with Revelation 1–20. Following a brief introduction (Revelation 1), the first 18 chapters of the book of Revelation are characterized primarily by struggle and judgment. But beginning with chapter 19, we see an important shift. Babylon— symbolizing the enemy of God—is defeated and God calls his people from every corner of the earth to celebrate at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19). By the end of chapter 20, death is defeated once and for all, and when chapter 21 opens, it does so with the most glorious part of John’s vision.
What does John see in Revelation 21:1?
What does he see in verse 2?
Verse 3 helps us interpret the significance of John’s vision in verses 1 and 2—what it means that the holy city is coming down out of heaven. In light of all of that context, what do you observe about verses 3 and 4?
Watch Week Six
New Testament: The Letters & Revelation
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I love the connection between the creation and the second coming of Christ in these scriptures. God as the Alpha and Omega, the Creator of the heaven and earth as we kmow it, creating a new heaven and earth when He comes again to restore and redeem all things. Oh what a day that will be!
Amen
It is unfathomable to imagine life with God, the Father, Son, Holy Spirit living among us with no boundary between He and I. To know that He, himself, will wipe away tears, remove pain and anguish is a joy I have yet to understand, but am so looking forward to when I get to experience it. To be in a place where evil no longer lives, and health is restored forever is the very best news you could ever receive. It is my job to share this news with every single person I can in hopes that they, too, will turn to Jesus as their savior and live eternally with me in the new Heaven on the new earth WITH God!
Oh what a glorious day! To be in the presence of my Heavenly Father forever! We must be humble and have a desire to be with HIM obeying HIM.
Not like satan who thought he could do a better job than GOD! None of that kind of thinking will be in Heaven! Only rest resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father
What a day that will be when our God will be with us in the new Jerusalem! There will be no more death,
crying, pain, sadness. It is hard now to see a world where there is peace, joy, love, caring for each other. That is the promise I’m looking forward to and will focus on when I am on shaky ground.
It pushes me to reach out to more people so they understand God’s deep love for them. That they also have the opportunity to live with our God for all eternity.
The reference back to Genesis 2:7 when speaking of Scripture is so powerful! When God breathes in to something it becomes alive. This is a further justification that Scripture is ALWAYS relevant and living. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Thank you, Ladies! I have always enjoyed reading the bible and this was a wonderful and engaging summary. You have made studying with others fruitful. Again, thank you.
I am so grateful that I received christ as my savior. I am happy that by reading the Bible it tells me what is wrong and right. I am so thankful for the Bible. From the old testament it tells us how God used to show the people what was right and wrong. The new testament tells us more of what to do and to tell other of my God. It is mind boggling that when my Lord comes there is no dying no hurt and no sickness. praise the Lord He is coming again. We just have to keep on praying and loving one another.