For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Rev. 11
Who are the two witnesses? How are they described and what do they do? What happens to them? I am lost in prophecy again – I have no idea what any of this means! I am certain there is significance in the numbers – three and a half seems pretty specific. However, I have no idea what the significance or the message in them is. I also know there are many references to Old Testament prophecies from the likes of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and others. That makes sense since I believe a big part of the purpose for this book is to connect Jesus as the fulfillment of prophesied things that have been and of those that are yet to be.
So what’s in this mess for me? First, I appreciate that there is confirmation that Jesus is all that I believe Him to be. I don’t have to completely understand it to see the truth in it. The Bible is far too miraculous a work for me to deny its message. Second, even in the biggest prophetic or poetic mess in the Bible, at least one clear grain of truth comes through. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15b). There it is – the truth that I can cling to. If I simply let this one truth, that God has overcome and reigns forever, guide the direction of my life I will be okay.
Neh. 5-6
Describe Nehemiah’s leadership in this chapter. What makes him an effective leader? I see a lot of correlation in Nehemiah with how we should live as Christ’s Church, as taught by both Jesus and His apostles. For example, this chapter in Nehemiah reminds me of Acts chapter 6. At that time, complaints arose due to the biased distribution of food to the various groups of widows. Here in Nehemiah 5, the nobles and officials were taking advantage of the poorer among them for their own benefit. In both cases, God’s desire is that we take care of the needy among us without partiality. The instructions given and steps taken to correct both situations are good examples for us to draw from in our own lives.
This passage also makes me think about Jesus’ instruction to His disciples when James and John asked to be honored. He said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:24b-44). The high ranking Jews here in Nehemiah were acting like those without God.
Contrast the behavior of those officials with how Nehemiah took no special favors and gave of what he had to help those without. Serving God was Nehemiah’s first priority. And he seemed to understand what John later taught in his letters. If you want to serve God, you will serve others who serve the same God. Nehemiah also understood the gift they had in being able to return to Jerusalem. He was grateful. Our actions toward others stem from the attitude in our heart. When we understand what the Almighty, Sovereign, Creator God has done for us, our gratitude and humility make it a whole lot more difficult to try to exercise any perceived authority over those around us.