Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place? (Luke 21:7, NKJV)

The pushmi-pullyu (pronounced "push-me-pull-you") is an gazelle-unicorn cross which has two heads (one of each) at opposite ends of its body. This strange animal was created by Hugh Lofting in his book, “The Story of Doctor Dolittle.” When it tries to move, both heads try to go in opposite directions.
Many times we are not unlike that mythical animal. We ponder what was, what is, and what will be. Past, present, and future. Over the ages, people have looked to many sources for insight into what will be, and when it will happen. “Fortune Tellers” employ many methods, including palm readings, tea leaves, cards, crystal balls, ouija boards, astrology, or even roosters pecking at grain. For an appropriate fee, they will “Tell All.”
The Romans god Janus was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. He is most often depicted as having two faces or heads, facing in opposite directions. His namesake, the month of January, begins our new year. Janus was frequently used to symbolize change and transitions such as the progression of past to future, of one condition to another, of one vision to another. He could see into the past with one face and into the future with the other. Janus was worshipped at the beginnings of the harvest and planting times, as well as marriages, births and other beginnings.
Nostradamus was a practicing physician, astronomer and astrologer who lived in the mid 16th century who turned his hand to prophecy later in life. He wrote messages from the past to the future in the form of short poems. You will likely be hearing and seeing his name quite often in the next couple of years. The most recent revelation combines Nostradamus’ predictions with the end-date of the Mayan calendar. This has led many to believe that cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21 or December 23, 2012. The accuracy of Nostradamus’s predictions seems to rely more on hindsight than foresight.
Though we often perhaps equate the Biblical prophets with foretelling the future, I have heard that we should think more in terms of the traditional prophets “Forth-telling” the Word of God. Many of their prophecies were specific to crises in the history of Israel-Judah.
The books of Daniel and Revelation contain Apocalyptic visions that reveal God's justice as taking place in the future. “Apocalypse” literally means “lifting of the veil” or “revelation.”
In John's apocalypse, the Book of Revelation, he refers to the "unveiling" or "revelation" of Jesus Christ as Messiah. During his imprisonment by the Romans on the Island of Patmos, John described the visions he experienced, writing the Book of Revelation. Chapter 20 contains several references to a thousand year reign of Christ/Messiah upon this earth (The Millennium.)
The disclosure of future events was made through a dream for the prophet Daniel. After a long period of fasting, Daniel is standing by a river when a heavenly being appears to him, and the revelation follows. (Daniel 10:2ff) Daniel asks, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:8b-9, NRSV)
Of particular note, I think, is the prophecy of resurrections, from Daniel 12:2-4. “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (NRSV)

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “What shall I compare the Kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Luke 13:20-21, NIV

Noah and the Ark; Moses and the tablets with the 10 Commandments; Adam and Eve; Jesus born in a manger; angels in heaven, playing harps. . . . Subjects familiar to even non-church people because they are shown so often in art and cartoons. Still, many people have no idea of the story behind the names. Or the role they play in the Bible and God’s kingdom.
Mention the Laws of Moses and most people think of the Ten Commandments as the entire package, when in truth, there was an entire body of laws specific to everyday needs of a community, both social and sacred. When is the last time you sat down and read the Book of Leviticus?
What was required of the owner who finds mildew in his house? Read Leviticus 14. Gleaning the fields is specifically mentioned in Leviticus 19:9-10. Leviticus goes beyond the Commandments to get to specifics. Remember the man who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Leviticus gets down to the nitty-gritty, and covers all kinds of situations.
Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind. Why? “Fear your God. I am the Lord.” 19:14.
How long after entering the “land” and planting a tree before you can eat the fruit of it? 19: 23-25.
Ready to rush out and get a tattoo? Read Leviticus 19:28 first, and maybe you will change your mind . . . IF you respect the Lord.
I had been wondering what in the Bible was responsible for the practice of depicting the departed floating on clouds, robed in white, playing a harp. Clouds and white robes of linen are mentioned often in Revelation. The “Bride” of the Lamb wears white linen in Rev. 19:8; “Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.”
Those who had been victorious over the “beast and his image and over the number of his name” held “harps given them by God”. . . Rev. 15:2.
Now I had read Revelation several times without taking particular notice of the passage on harps. This time, the passage popped out at me. I probably would not have read the entire book again, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, had it not been assigned for Bible Study.
There is so much yet to learn. So much not yet revealed. Dust on the Bible? I pray not!
Reading the Word of God is like the yeast mixed in flour, which Jesus said, “work(s) all through the dough.”
Don’t leave your knowledge “flat.” Fluff it up with some “Yeast” from God.
September 15, 2002