Revelation, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of Revelation you might have missed.  Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
Friday

Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.

• If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
• Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
• Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on Revelation on Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

Revelation, Day 5 Readings

The Final Battle & The New Heaven and Earth  

Today's first reading envisions the final battle between the armies of heaven and the armies of earth and the Beast.  Unlike the previous horrors and sufferings, the final battle described is completely one-sided.  After a great angelic song of praise, an army mounted on white horses descends from heaven, which completely slaughter the army of the Beast, before throwing the Beast and the antichrist into a lake of fire (presumably, Hell).

Read Revelation 19:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading describes the glory of heaven after the final battle -- a new Jerusalem, which stretches almost beyond imagination (some 1500 miles on a side) and is made with gold and the finest stones.  It is all wonderfully ornate and gleaming, a reward for those who have been faithful to God.  The only difference between the old and new Jerusalem is that there is no need for a Temple because God already resides there, alongside Jesus (the Lamb).

Read Revelation 21:1-27  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 19-22 today.

Revelation, Day 4 Readings

The Seventh Trumpet & The Whore of Babylon  

Today's first reading describes the period just before the seventh trumpet sounds and just after.  According to the vision, there will be a period of prophecy during the chaotic final months of Jerusalem.  After this, the beast will kill the prophets.  But after three days, they will be resurrected.  Then the seventh trumpet will sound, and the glory of heaven will be revealed.  Taken together, this is a promise of tribulation, followed by judgment for the wicked and reward for the faithful in heaven.

Read Revelation 11:1-19  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading describes the final powers of earth, who will offer increasingly awful and despotic leadership.  The first is the most famous, the Great Whore of Babylon, which many people think represent the Roman Empire.  Evidently (though the vision is a bit confused and open to much interpretation), this will be followed by ten kingdoms, who will each have short periods of power.  Somehow they will ally themselves with the Beast and fight against the powers of heaven; ultimately, heaven will defeat them.

Read Revelation 17:1-28  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 15-18 today.

Revelation, Day 3 Readings

The Coming of the Beast & The Judgment of the Beast  

Today's first reading describes the coming of the beast, the powerful government that will demand total allegiance from everyone on earth.  It actually is the second such government, coming after another beast that arrived from the sea (meaning that it was a dominant naval power).  These are the final empires (though evidently there will be a few other governments) to dominate the earth before God's final judgment of the earth.

Read Revelation 12:18-13:18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading describes the actions of heaven that will bring an end to the reign of terror of the beast and its followers.  While 144,000 of the saints will gather in heaven, the angels will prepare to cause devastation on the earth, with lots of bloodshed -- here compared to the wine pressed from grapes -- and God brings judgment upon the last empire of the earth.

Read Revelation 14:1-20  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 11-14 today.

Revelation, Day 2 Readings

The Sealed Scroll & The First Six Seals  

Today's first reading takes place in the throne room of heaven, where John sees that someone seated on the throne holding a scroll sealed with seven seals.  And there is a question of who can open the scroll, which overwhelms John, who fears that no one can.  Then John sees a lamb who has been slaughtered -- which represents Jesus who was crucified as a sacrifice -- who has the power and authority to take and open the scroll.  When the lamb takes the scroll, he too is praised by the throne room chorus, just as God is praised.

Read Revelation 5:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading describes the calamities that befall the earth when each of the first six seals is opened on the scroll.  These are the first punishments that the earth receives, unleashing violence among people, terrible famine and plagues, and darkening the sun, moon, and stars.  Even with all of this destruction, there will still be years of suffering before the final judgment, according to the rest of John's vision in Revelation.

Read Revelation 6:1-17  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 5-10 today.

Revelation, Day 1 Readings

A Vision of the End & The Throne Room of Heaven  

Today's first reading is the beginning of Revelation, which offers a vision of the end of the world.  The opening chapter provides the context for the terrifying vision that follows.  The writer, John, was worshiping on Sunday when he was transported into heaven and given the responsibility of sharing this vision with seven churches in written form.  While in heaven, he encounters Jesus, the Son of Man, who once was dead, but now lives forever, and who explicitly directs John to write about all that he has seen and share it with others.

Read Revelation 1:1-20  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading describes the heavenly throne room, where the power of God resides.  Surrounding God are four creatures and 24 elders who constantly offer songs of praise to God. It is from this vantage point that John will witness the judgment and destruction of the earth.

Read Revelation 4:1-11  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Revelation 1-4 today.

Revelation, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 66 - Revelation

Revelation is the final book of the New Testament and the Bible.  In some ways, it complements the first book of the Bible, Genesis, which tells the story of how God created the world and how God established a relationship with human beings (what we generally call faith).  Revelation predicts the destruction of this world and the beginning of a new world for those who have been faithful to God.

Ostensibly written to seven congregations then enduring persecution. Revelation promises God's final judgment, which offers the reward of salvation to some and the punishment of destruction to others.  This final judgment, though, will not happen quickly -- it will be preceded by a period of even worse suffering and persecution for those who are faithful, retaining their right relationship with God.  (In some ways, these period of suffering and persecution seems a mirror image of birth pains.)

The prophecy of Revelation is filled with images meant to correspond to various rulers and empires.  For centuries, Christians have argued over which nations are the final seven to rule the earth and who are the great beasts who have acted as unholy tyrants and who is the terrible Antichrist leading people away, frequently suggesting different answers that prove that their times are the endtimes of Revelation.  While this is an interesting topic of conversation and study, the readings this week are meant to provide an understanding of the overarching vision of Revelation, without digging into these issues.

Ultimately, this is a book about the end of this world and the beginning of the next.  Revelation warns not only of God's final judgment of the earth -- the Day of the Lord promised by the Jewish prophets -- but promises that those faithful to God have a hope beyond this punishment, an unending life in God's new heaven, a massive city of gold that is also the City of God.

Sermons - 1 John, 2 John, & 3 John

Over the past three Sundays, Rev. Joshua Patty has preached on the three letters of John, which deal with issues of the nature of love in the church and how that love is exhibited when dealing with disagreements over faithful Christian teaching.

The longest of the letters, 1 John, offers a stark assessment of reality, where there is a battle going on between good and evil.  In trying to navigate a world where there is too much darkness and evil, Christians must focus on the most important of Jesus' teachings -- to love.  Click here to listen to the sermon on 1 John, "The Power of Love."

2 John warns about the dangers of false teachers, especially those who suggest that Jesus was not a human, but simply some sort of high-tech image that looked human, but actually was completely God.  This ancient heresy is known in the church as Docetism, but it encourages Christians to only see Jesus as God, and not -- mysteriously and graciously -- as both a human being and God at the same time.  For Christians, faith is sometimes about learning to embrace these seeming contradictions, rather than trying to explain them away.  Click here to listen to the sermon on 2 John, "Antichrists."

3 John encourages young congregations to support the itinerant Christian teachers who have been proven true to the teachings of Jesus -- an important way to support their good work in opposition to those who are spreading false Christian teaching.  In some ways, this is an ancient justification of the denominations that have formed in the larger church through the centuries.  Click here to list to the sermon on 3 John, "Christians Helping Christians."

Jude, Day 1 Readings

Defending the Faith    

Today's reading is the letter of Jude.  It warns that the greatest threat to the church is not from external opposition, but rather from within.  There are people causing divisions in the church because they are misleading Christians by offering false teaching.  Such false teaching is a sign of false belief (or no true belief at all), for which they will be punished.  The letter offers several examples of God's punishment of people in the past, ranging from the Egyptians at the Red Sea to the troubled cities of Sodom and Gomorah.  Everyone will receive God's judgment, including these false teachers; however, true Christians must focus on nurturing their own true faith, which includes both love and reliance on God's overwhelming mercy.

Read Jude 1:1-25  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Jude 1 today.

Jude, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 65 - Jude

Jude is the last of the individual letters preserved in the New Testament.  (There are some short letters within the longer book of Revelation too.)  Its author is identified as Jude, the brother of James, which would make him another of Jesus' younger brothers.

It is focused on the danger posed to the church by those inside the church who are offering false teaching and causing divisions.  (Having reached the end of the epistles, it might be interesting to consider which is the greater threat to early Christians -- persecution from non-Christians or questionable teaching from Christians.)  Jude warns that such unfaithful and unbelieving teachers will receive God's judgment, just as other nonbelievers have been punished by God in the past.

Interestingly, though, while Jude warns Christians not to follow after these "grumblers and malcontents," he also instructs them to still rely on the love and forgiveness from God that are the great virtues of the church.  By such love and forgiveness, these false teachers might yet be brought to true faith in Jesus Christ.  Regardless, judgment is God's, not the church's.

3 John, Day 1 Readings

Welcoming Christian Teachers    

Today's reading is the entirety of the short third letter of John.  It provides thanks to a congregation that has lived out its faith by welcoming some itinerant Christian teachers.  Other congregations have not done so; instead, they have been critical of these people -- including one led by Diotrephes.  Christians must welcome those who come in the name of truth.

Read 3 John 1:1-15  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 3 John 1 today.

3 John, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 64 - 3 John

3 John is the last of the three letters ascribed to John.  It reveals (again) some of the splits among early Christians over teaching and authority -- this is sometimes an issue in several of Paul's letters too.

Given the brevity of the letter, it is difficult to piece together the exact disagreement between these groups.  However, this letter offers praise to congregations that support the ongoing work and evangelism of the church by welcoming Christian teachers into their midst.

These itinerant teachers were sent out by certain Christian authorities, but otherwise they were personally unknown to the congregations.  These congregations welcomed and supported them, evaluating their teaching and finding it to be true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is a key way that Christians live out their faith and help to spread the teachings of Jesus, so that others may come to know the truth about God and Jesus too.

2 John, Day 1 Readings

Beware False Teachers, Only Love    

Today's reading is the entirety of the short second letter of John.  It reiterates a key teaching and warning from 1 John -- the key commandment is the love one another, and there are false teachers who are trying to lead the church away from that teaching.

In this letter, the key issue seems to be that some are teaching that Jesus was never human, but only God.  (This teaching has been rejected historically by the church which believes that Jesus was "fully human, fully divine" -- completely God and human being at the same time.)  The church must avoid such teachers, and focus only on the example and commandment of Jesus to love one another.

Read 2 John 1:1-13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 John 1 today.

2 John, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 63 - 2 John

2 John is the second of three letters ascribed to John.  While much shorter than 1 John, it still includes similar themes and language.  The key commandment of Jesus is to love one another.  The key goal of faith is to abide in the teacher -- the truth -- of Christ.

As noted in other letters, there are teachers that are trying to go beyond this teaching in the church.  In particular for 2 John, there seem to be some that are questioning whether Jesus was actually a human being, or simply God taking the appearance of a man.  While this may seem unimportant, it has implications for how Jesus fulfills prophecy, if at all, and how to understand Jesus' death (if Jesus was only God, he never died).

Leaders of the church are warned to avoid such teachers.  They only offer the wisdom of the world instead of God's truth and love, which makes them the opposite of Jesus.  In this letter, such teachers are described as antichrists, and the are not to be welcomed in the church.

One additional thing is interesting about this letter.  It is written to an unnamed woman and her children.  Historically, this has been interpreted to be a reference to the church at large -- much like ships, the church has been referred to as "she"; however, this seems reading to be greatly influenced by patriarchal assumptions.  The more straightforward reading -- which would be corroborated by Romans 16 and Pliny's letter to Trajan about Christians -- is that some congregations in the early church were led by women, and this letter is to one (or some) of them.

1 John, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 1 John you might have missed.  Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
Friday

Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.

• If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
• Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
• Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 1 John on Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

1 John, Day 5 Readings

Complete Trust in God 

Today's reading provides the conclusion to 1 John.  In some ways, it offers a bookend to the letter.  Having begun by emphasizing the validity of the author's testimony, it offers proof of God's testimony through Jesus.  This should encourage Christians to follow the teaching in this letter, whatever may come.

After this, there is a postscript or epilogue, which offers further encouragement to Christians.  While cautioning that some sins are mortal, which here likely means that they prevent a person from experience true life -- and thus, they will not be able to enjoy eternal life with God, it reminds Christians that God is anxious to offer forgiveness and guidance, if only a Christian will ask.  In fact, God protects those who have come into life and light from the harshness and darkness of the world.

Read 1 John 5:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 John 5 today.

1 John, Day 4 Readings

Living Out God's Love in the World 

Today's reading explores the nature of God's love in the world.  First, it is inspired by the Spirit of God (what Christians usually call the Holy Spirit), rooted in God's truth and goodness.  Second, it is extravagant and completely overwhelming -- the truest example of God's love was the sacrifice of Jesus to save others.  Third, it binds Christians together, guiding their relationships with one another.  Fourth, it is a source of confidence instead of fear; fear of punishments or consequences is the opposite of love, which ultimately gives life.

Read 1 John 4:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 John 4 today.

1 John, Day 3 Readings

Love in Truth and Action 

Today's reading transitions the main image of 1 John from God is light to God is love.  It identifies Christians as children of God, who follow Jesus, the Son of God.  And then contrasts Christians with children of the devil, who are living in the darkness and evils of the world.  The main difference between them, aside from their recognition of the truth about God and the world, is the way they share God's true love.

The beginning of the transition from death to life, which will be complete when people experience eternal life, is the sharing of God's love with other Christians.  Such love is not best demonstrated by words, but by actions.  Such active love is the best way to be obedient and faithful to God.

Read 1 John 3:1-24  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 John 3 today.

1 John, Day 2 Readings

Children of Light and Children of Darkness 

Today's reading continues to explore the stark contrast between light and darkness in 1 John.  Those who seek to follow God aspire to be children of God's light.  Jesus not only offers an example, but an advocate for these children of light.  However, there are also people who seek to be children of this world, who ignore God.  The leaders of these worldly children of darkness are antichrists, who try to deceive people about the nature of God and God's future judgment of the world.  Christians must live as children of the light or they face the punishments that await the children of darkness.  (If this seems a little abstract, it becomes clearer through the rest of the epistle, where the main way people live out God's light is through love.)

Read 1 John 2:1-29  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 John 2 today.

1 John, Day 1 Readings

God's Life and Light   

Today's reading is the beginning of the first letter of John, which applies some of the themes explored in the Gospel of John directly to Christians.  At the outset of this letter, there is a brief defense of the nature of the author's testimony about God and Jesus Christ, which is similar to a discussion about testimony that Jesus has in the Gospel of John.

Also, in the opening verses of the Gospel of John, Jesus is described as the light which the darkness cannot overcome.  Here in 1 John is the simple presentation of that thought more fully -- God is perfect light.  The implication that follows is that when a person does or says something that has a dark component, it is the opposite of God and thus sinful.  Faithful Christians, who are awaiting eternal life, strive always to walk in the light of God.

Read 1 John 1:1-10  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 John 1 today.

1 John, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 62 - 1 John

1 John is the first of three letters ascribed to John.  They seem closely related to the Gospel of John, exploring similar themes and sharing the same harsh outlook about good vs. evil in the world.

1 John presents several dichotomies throughout: light vs. darkness, truth vs. lies, love vs. hate.  Beneath the friendly tone, it is clear that there is a cosmic struggle between good vs. evil going on in the world and people can either be on God's side or the devil's side.

Those who wish to be on God's side, who wish to be children of God, need to recognize the complete truth of God, who sent Jesus into the world to save people from destruction.  God offers truth, goodness, and light in a world that often has little of any of these.  Those who believe in God and follow God gain new life from God.

The primary way for Christians to experience their new life is to experience and share God's love.  Drawing on the new commandment given by Jesus in the Gospel of John -- that you love one another -- 1 John describes faith as largely living out that commandment to love.  Such love must be life-giving and sacrificial, it must be confident and generous, it must be kind and all-encompassing.  Living out this love will allow Christians to experience God more fully, to join in God's fight to overcome the evil of the world, and to receive eternal life after the coming judgment.

2 Peter, Day 4

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 2 Peter you might have missed.  Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.

• If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
• Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
• Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 2 Peter on Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

2 Peter, Day 3 Readings

Waiting for the End   

Today's reading concludes the second letter of Peter by encouraging Christians to remember and celebrate the promise of a new heaven and new earth after the coming Day of the Lord.  Some may easily wonder why Jesus hasn't returned yet; however, they must be patient and remember that God's time is not experienced as human time.  Rather than being led astray by false teachers, Christians should simply focus on living good and faithful lives, holding on to the promises of Jesus for the coming age.

Read 2 Peter 3:1-18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Peter 3 today.

2 Peter, Day 2 Readings

God's Punishment for False Teachers   

Today's reading continues the exploration of 2 Peter about good teaching by focusing on the opposite of good teaching -- false teaching.  Just as there are people devoting themselves to spreading the gospel of Christ, there are others who are misrepresenting that gospel, mostly seeking their own fame and fortune.

Rather than simply identify such teaching, Peter says that these false prophets and teachers will be punished -- some even before the judgment at the Day of the Lord.  The letter compares this punishment with other divine punishments known through the Bible and Jewish tradition, including the expulsion of angels from heaven, the death of most living beings through the great flood, and the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Christians must avoid these teachers; how sad it would be for someone to become excited by the promise of righteousness and salvation through Jesus and then turn away from that promise.

Read 2 Peter 2:1-22  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Peter 2 today.

2 Peter, Day 1 Readings

Recognizing Spirit-Filled, Christian Teaching   

Today's reading is the beginning of the second letter of Peter, which seeks to prevent those who have become Christians from being deceived and mislead by false teaching about the faith.  Rather than fancy knowledge, Christians simply need to trust that God has provided everyone what they need to know through the Holy Spirit.  It is testified by the prophets and by those who knew Jesus personally (like Peter).  Rather than always looking for new teaching, Christians should instead build up their own lives of faith, of which prophetic knowledge is only a part, alongside things like self-control, endurance, and love.

Read 2 Peter 1:1-21  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Peter 1 today.

2 Peter, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 61 - 2 Peter

2 Peter is the second of two letters in the New Testament ascribed to the apostle Peter.  This letter focuses on what constitutes good and faithful teaching in contrast to bad Christian teaching that leads people away from following Jesus.

The heart of the letter excoriates such bad teachers as being guided merely by their own vanity and greed, rather than by faith.  These false teachers and false prophets will be punished by God for their actions, just as God harshly punished others centuries ago.

The main hope of the letter, though, is for Christians to understand that good teaching isn't about unraveling mysteries.  The Holy Spirit has provided the church with plenty of knowledge through prophecy and the life and example of Jesus.  Instead, people need to simply live out this knowledge in faithful and ultimately loving ways, persevering in their faith.

1 Peter, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 1 Peter you might have missed.  Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
Friday

Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.

• If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
• Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
• Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 1 Peter on Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

1 Peter, Day 5 Readings

Christian Suffering and the Duties of the Elders   

Today's first reading offers the summary of the lengthy section of 1 Peter about Christian suffering.  Some people believe that punishment and suffering is a reason to stop certain types of behavior -- this is true if you are committing crimes or causing trouble.  However, if you are being punished because you are a Christian, it is a good thing -- because you likely are being persecuted by society for similar reasons as those for which Christ suffered.

Read 1 Peter 4:12-4:19  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading provides explicit teaching to the elders of the congregations, who bear the responsibility for spiritual teaching and, if necessary, discipline.  They should not let this power go to their heads, but instead carry out their responsibilities with humility.  Christians should keep the faith until the time when Jesus returns to offer salvation and eternal peace.

Read 1 Peter 5:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 today.