Skroehr

Q1. (11:3-12 ) Interpreters disagree upon the identity of the Two Witnesses, but they are certainly strong and brave. What positive characteristics do you see in their actions that we should emulate in our day? They were steadfast in their testimony, and wouldn't stop regardless of persecution and even death for they had faith in the promise of the Lord What is their reward? They were transported to heaven to be with the Father as reward. Earthly persecution matters not. It is the kingdom of heaven which is our reward.

Q4. (13:1-18, optional) The two beasts belong to the period of the ascendancy of the Antichrist at the very end of the Last Days. Together with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, summarize what have you learned about the Antichrist and the False Prophet? They are powerless over the believing. We must not be deceived. They lie, and make themselves appear as though they are good, but true children of God who don't concern themselves with the false comforts of this earth and who thirst for the eternal comforts provided by your father will not have trouble identifying the false and the evil ones.

Q3. Revelation 12:11 could be considered a theme verse for the book. What does it mean? I look on the apocalypse as a "Revealing" of how we can be one with the Father through communion with Jesus Christ, as it is during that communion which he himself precribed that we are one with the holy spirit. It is at that perfect moment that God/Man/the church/the holy spirit/ the mother and the saints are all one in the remembrance of Jesus as he taught. Through the rite of the holy eucharist and coming into communion with the lord, we are literally in heaven. But we must first let go of attachment to this life. We should be concerned wth becoming one with God. It is then that we are in heaven, and the matters of the world are no longer of importance. Who is overcome? Satan and his powers are only of the earth, and only given power by man in a state of weakness brought on by attachment to the temporal world. If you remember God through the new covenant and take the blood of the Lamb of God which was shed to cleanse the whole of man, then there is no power in the worldly works of satan. In what sense do we have victory if we die in the process? It is only a physical death. The victory is in the attainment of everlasting and perfect life through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour is was the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God, obviating all other sacrafice, and all other earthly concerns and practices. What does the "blood of the Lamb" have to do with this? How does loving our lives prevent spiritual victory today? (See Luke 14:25-27; Matthew 10:37-39.) To love your life here on earth is to show weakness in your faith in the perfect life that is yours in heaven. The earth is the realm of forces of evil and is filled with temptations and darkness. The eternal life with our father is perfect.

Q2. (12:1-17) The vision of the woman and the dragon are heavily symbolic, but comprehensible when you take care to understand. In your own words, what does this vision tell us about the cosmic battle in Jesus' day and in our own? I believe that this is reference to the holy mother of God. The "dragon" cannot harm her or the child who is God/Jesus/Son of Man/Son of God. The blessed mother of God is now eternally available to intercede on behalf of those who would obey the word of God. To stave off evil and protect the believers of the new church, and the new covenant. I'm probably not explaining this well. Some of these concepts I understand at the level of the soul, but I lack the intenllectual ability to describe satisfactorily.

Q1. (11:3-12 ) Interpreters disagree upon the identity of the Two Witnesses, but they are certainly strong and brave. What positive characteristics do you see in their actions that we should emulate in our day? They remain steadfast in their conviction and their ministry in the fact of the tribulation because of their faith. We need to stand by our faith in the face of all manner of attack. What is their reward? Ascension to heaven and to see God.

Q5. (Revelation 10:1-9) What is bitter about what you've read in Revelation 6 through 10? What is bitter is the pain and misery that will befall, has befallen, and is currently upon the churches who have perverted or rejected the word of God. Rejected God's new covenant with man. What is sweet? The fact that the new covenant is there for any who will accept and believe. On a personal note, I believe that we are told throughout this book that through communion with Jesus, and throught the liturgical practice which is prescribed throughout, we can experience heaven on earth. It doesn't get much sweeter than that. That is God's new covenant with man. Why do we tend to reject what is hard for us to understand? Man's ego continues to be strong. People tend to feel threatened when their not "in control" of anything, including knowledge. The practice towards humility and egolessness. In living the word of Christ, helps relieve this considerably, and keeps our minds, hearts and souls open to the word.

Q4. (Revelation 7: 9-18). From this passage what do we learn about the kind of people who make up the "great multitude" before the throne? This is the multitude of believers, saints, who love the holy trinity, and are greatful for all of eternity for the gift of the perfect sacrafice that was the son, Jesus Christ. What is their origin? They are from the whole of mankind. Those who had not believed on the lamb before, but now do. What does their spirit within them cause them to do? They worship and praise god in supreme gratitude and jubilation that the veil has been lifted and they have been led to understand Jesus as the word of God. What does the first verse of the song "Amazing Grace" have to do with 7:14? The song amazing grace speaks of being lost and blind to the truth, then at once being able to see after repentance and through the grace of god. The multitude spoken of here were once afflicted with sin, and blind to the son. They are now cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and are grateful.

Q3. Why do you think the religious compromise required by participating in heathen religious practices in the trade guilds was so spiritually destructive? Because it caused otherwise good people to break commandments and damage their own spiritual paths What compromises do twenty-first century Christians struggle with? Many these days comprimise the word of God itself. Trying to justify war, murder, theft, dishonesty in man's politics etc. as all being okay under this circumstance or that circumstance. Many have become so afraid of the well being of their physical bodies and earthly existences that they have become willing to bend the axiomatic core priciples of the teachings of Christ to make any protection of the earthly body o.k., when in fact, it is our spirit that must be protected at all costs, and that would mean NOT killing or causing others to kill in order to protect our small human lives and unimportant personal property. People try to make it okay to manufacture and posess guns and other devices intended solely for killing human beings. It is the single most troubling trend I see in mankind, and people of all faiths on earth. Jesus, Mohammed, Gautama Siddhartha, Moses, and every other acknowledged spokesman with knowledge of God's word for man abhorred violence and condemned the act of killing other sentient beings. It is part of the foundation of our religion and faith, and when I see so many of our fallen away brothers and sisters acting as if it's okay in the name of some cause or another it hurts at a level that is so deep that it causes me pain to the core of my soul. Let's not settle for trite legalisms about drinking and smoking. What are the real compromises that dilute vital Christianity? The modern acceptance of the idea that man may reasonably dole out death and violence to man. The loss of compassion, lovingkindness, and forgiveness that mankind is experiencing in general, and many churches as well.

Q2. Why would loosening of sexual standards to conform to the prevailing morals of the culture be destructive of vital Christian faith and witness? I'm not sure where you may be going with this question. I take Jesus at his word that all who believe in him and so profess are children of God. I still have a lot of reading to do about just what Jesus had to say about sexual standards. There are some that certainly come forward from the 10 commandments, such as no coveting, or adultry. Regardless of the ever changing cultural waves, it is imporant to keep the convictions intended by the teaching of Jesus Christ. At the same time, Christ wants to be tolerant of others, and to not judge others. So, while there is certainly a place for speaking out regarding what our Christian convictions may be, we also have to remember the compassion and love we are told to exhibit, and the way in which we witness is VERY important. We must NOT come across as judgemental, hateful or exclusionary of persons who are struggling with cultural issues. Not all of God's children are strong. Many still need much guidance, and it must be given in a loving and helpful manner, from a place of true compassion in our hearts. How has your culture tended to take the edge off your own Christian moral convictions or forced you to be quiet about them? Nothing in culture that I am aware of has influenced my convictions one way or another. Culture is passing and temporary at best, with it's fads, etc.. True convictions are just that. They stay steadfast regardless of the prevailing winds of change in the world. I don't stay quiet about them, but on the other hand, a lot of what some folks have interpreted from the bible is misinterpreted in my opinion. Most everything we need to know is in the sermon on the mount, and by and large we are told to love each other, and take care of each other as brothers and sisters. To forgive others as we would want to be forgiven etc. These truths are unchanging where is cultural mores change constantly.

Q1. How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus? By involving itself too deeply in the matters of politics, exclusion, etc. and not focusing on the all encompassing compassion and love of Jesus Christ for mankind. What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? Passing on his message of love, compassion and tolerance for mankind How does the lack of love show up? By twisting the word to fit various interpretations, and by getting the church involved in politics or judgement. How can a congregation regain this love? By overcoming being judgemental, and sharing Christ's wonderful message of love, peace, hope and compassion with all that will hear.

Q5. What is the significance of the exalted Jesus walking among the lampstands? It is confirmation of the holy miracle. He was, is and always shall be. He is with us, and the churches who heed his words of advice. What does this teach us about the church? That if they are following the word of God and Jesus, they will have his protection and he will be there What does it teach us about Jesus? He is truly God, and the head of ALL Churches.

Q4. The vision of Christ among the lampstands (1:12-20) is much different than the Carpenter-Teacher who walked the roads of Galilee and Judea. Why? Because the times are more dire. Now that his divinity is proven, he is also speaking from a place of power that was hard for contemporaries to see in his earthly life as the son of man. He wants to offer redemption and a chance for correction to the churches. What overall emotions is this vision of Jesus among the lampstands designed to evoke in the reader? Why is this understanding of Jesus important to a balanced faith? Reverence, and repentance. Introspection.

Q3. In what countries are Christians presently experiencing tribulation or persecution for the faith? There are many countries where Christians are persecuted to some degree or another. Many Asian nations, African Nations, certainly the Middle East, and to some small extent, even the U.S.A. How can the Book of Revelation be a comfort and encouragement to them? It reaffirms that if we accept and believe in Christ that we will be protected ultimately and be accepted by the Father. Our rewards as Christians are not worldly, and we must keep the faith during all earthly onslaughts. If we do that, the promise is for eternal reward, and that is the ultimate encouragement in troubling times.

Q2. What does 1:8 tell us about the Father? It tells me that God the Father is timeless. Has always been....is now....and will be in time to come. The Father is the speaker here in 1:8 and in 21:6. But Jesus is the speaker in 1:17 and 22:12-13. What is the significance of this for our understanding of who Jesus is? This says to me that Jesus, who speaks as the father and is also timeless is one with the father. I feel this is yet another confirmation of the holy trinity.

Q1. Has a few parts to it. First part "Why is the theme of testimony and witness so important to that purpose?" A: It is important in establishing that the source of the message we are going to receive is from the resurrected Christ, AS God, and establishes the vailidity of what will be said as THE word of God. "Why is Jesus, as the "Faithful Witness" supposed to encourage us?" A: We are encouraged by the reality of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit being one in Christ - That Jesus knows and has witnessed these events in the wholeness of time, and as a witness to the events of the future and through the continuum of time, he has blessed man with these revelations. God loves man so completely that he appears to guide us. We are comforted and given solace up front. "Why are we afraid to be clear witnesses in a culture where we aren't persecuted?" A: In any testimony it is the nature of man to be afraid. We are imperfect and fear that even though we are not persecuted in our current society, that future societies of men, knowing our hearts, and our testimony may persecute us in the future. We should not fear however, becuase in the verse you pointed out from Matthew 5, we are told: "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."