Whisper Of God Ministries

I must admit as we come to our final book of the Bible that I am thrilled for those who have worked so hard to complete the reading this year. I have heard so many great comments about what all you have learned from just getting all the way through it. For those who did some reading, congratulations to you as well for trying. I would encourage you to keep reading some passages everyday. God has promised to speak to us through his Word.

Revelation is one of my favorite books. Perhaps it is because I have studied so much, but I believe that the real reason is that it portrays Christ, as he is today – ruling and reigning at God’s right hand. I would encourage you to NOT be afraid of this complex book. It is a book of hope. Read it with the joy that God will bring to your heart.

The Apostle John wrote Revelation while he was exiled on Patmos. It dates to very late in his ministry – possibly around A.D. 95. There are arguments for an earlier date during the reign of Nero in Rome but the best evidence supports the late date. If that date is true, this is the last inspiration God has given us. He closes his eternal Word with an overview of his providential hand in history. The book was heavily debated in terms of making it into the canon of Scripture because of the apocalyptic nature of the writing. The book discusses the end times and has many references to the Old Testament.

The letter is written as a circular letter and is addressed to the seven churches in Asia Minor. These churches all face a variety of problems but most all are facing persecution. John tries to encourage the churches by explaining that Christ understands their suffering but that they must stand true to the faith. After chapter 4, the book is made up of visions much like Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. There are many different schools of thought on how to interpret these visions. Some denominations have built entire theologies off of single verses found in this book. Revelation is difficult to understand with the visions and symbols and various numbers. However, the basic rule of Biblical interpretation still holds – you interpret the simple to the complex. You never start with the complex. Any interpretation of Revelation must agree with the other parts of Scripture.

The main purpose of the book is to show these churches that Christ is in supreme control and will ultimately judge all the earth. Jesus will return to rule and reign in the new heaven and the new earth. The book ends with the prayer of all Christians around the world – “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Our next book is the short book of Jude. The author identifies himself as “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.” Jude or Judas was a common name in New Testament times. There were at least 8 people mentioned in the New Testament with that name. Two disciples had the name. Identifying the exact author is difficult except for the notation of “a brother of James.” This clue has caused a majority of scholars to conclude that the author is Judas, the brother of James and the half brother of Christ. James was so well known as head of the church in Jerusalem that this reference to him makes sense. If this is the correct Jude, then the book dates to an early time – possibly as early as A.D. 65. There is a debate as to how much Jude influenced 2 Peter. If it did influence that book, then it must date prior to A.D. 67.

The apostle John wrote all three letters. While he does not identify himself in that way, the stylistic similarities of 1 John with the fourth Gospel support this argument. Early church fathers all attributed these short letters to John who was an eyewitness to our Lord and Savior. The date of this first letter is between A.D. 85-95. He probably wrote it after he had penned his Gospel. This idea is supported by the themes in the letter. We are not sure of the original audience for this epistle.

This book is the lifetime work of the “Beloved Disciple.” There was false teaching in the church and John writes to combat the Gnostic and mystic teaching that these early Christians confronted. But this testimony of the apostle calls us to understand that God abides in us and that God is our premium example of love. Chapter 3:2 is one of my favorite verses and sums up much of the hope for every Christian – “we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.”

2 John was probably written near the time of the first letter. He is writing to a lady and her family. This could also be interpreted as a local church as well. Again John’s purpose appears to be to confront false teaching and seeks clarity to the person and work of Christ.

3 John is addressed to Gaius, which was a common name in that date. Whether this Gaius is one of those mentioned in Scripture is not known. While a specific date is not known, the letter probably was penned between A.D. 80-90. This letter deals with a specific problem of hospitality to missionaries. John argues for Christian love and hospitality to be shown to all who are working for the Kingdom.

1 Peter identifies the author as the apostle himself. It seems to be in character with what we know about Peter and his ministry. Additionally, Peter makes reference to know of at least some of Paul’s letters. The main objection to Peter’s authorship has always been the polished Greek of the letter. The argument goes that it is too well done to have been written by a simple Galilean fisherman. Perhaps that is true but there is the reference in 5:12 that perhaps Silas wrote the letter as Peter gave it to him. The book dates from between A.D. 60-68. It cannot be earlier because of the references to Paul’s material and not later than A.D. 68 because Peter was martyred in that year by being crucified upside down in Rome. The location for the writing is called “Babylon” by Peter in 5:13 and probably refers to Rome.

Peter addresses his epistle to a specific group – verse 1. Given the fact that Peter uses many references to the Old Testament, the audience may have been Jewish Christians. Other facts within the letter also point to a more diverse group. What is obvious is that the audience was suffering from persecution. In doing this, he often talks about the eternal glories that await those who persevere in their faith. Peter is the Apostle of Hope. Finally, 3:15 is the apologist verse telling all of us to be ready and able to “give a reason for the hope that is within us and to do it in love.

2 Peter also claims to be written by the apostle Peter; however, this book has not been so universally accepted as 1 Peter. There are no early church father references to this epistle and the style and type of Greek are different. These arguments must be recognized, but are not strong enough to be persuasive against an apostolic authorship. While debated, the book was eventually received as canonical. Since Peter died in either A.D. 67 or 68, the book must date after 1 Peter and before his crucifixion. While we cannot be sure, he probably wrote the letter from Rome shortly before Nero had him killed. The original audience cannot be identified beyond that of suffering Christians.

The main purposes of the book are to combat false teaching in the church, encourage growth in their Christian faith, and to be ready for the Lord’s return. Chapter 1:16-21 is often referred to in terms of the certainty of Scripture. Truly the Holy Spirit is the author of our eternal Word as found in the Bible.

Any time I read from the book of James, I am reminded of what someone once told me about this book – we are eavesdropping on conversations at the table of Mary and Joseph. If tradition and early church fathers are correct, the author of this epistle was James the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible lists him as a brother of our Lord. He became the head of the early church in Jerusalem after the ascension of Christ. The book was probably penned from Jerusalem anytime from A.D. 44 – A.D. 62. In all likelihood, it was written in the 40s because there is no mention of the Jerusalem council.

Martin Luther struggled with this book because he seemed to believe the book was supporting a works salvation. Nothing could be farther from the truth. James here argues for a salvation that is exhibited by good works for the kingdom of God, not one based in works. James also addresses the fact that the Jewish-Christian audience of the letter was facing persecution in their faith. He makes many references to the Old Testament. He postulates that we should pray for wisdom from God in our difficult times.

History tells us that James was martyred for his faith in A.D. 62. He was thrown down from the top of the temple and then beaten to death with a club. James was such a devout and humble man that he received the name – “James the Just.” His dedication to prayer is legendary. It is said that his knees were as tough and worn as a camel’s knees from his many hours in prayer.

The letter to the Hebrews does not identify its writer in Scripture. There has been much debate about the authorship with names such as Paul, Luke, Clement of Rome, Barnabas, Philip and others being nominated. We will never know until Heaven who the writer was. Having said that, whoever it was, he did a marvelous job of bringing together the old and new covenants. Christ is shown as our High Priest and Atoning Sacrifice here. The book was probably written to Jewish Christians because of the amount of Old Testament references found in Hebrews. We don’t know a specific date for this book, but evidence points to a date prior to A.D. 70 because of the references to the temple still standing in Jerusalem. The Romans destroyed the temple in A.D. 70.

Hebrews is different from most other New Testament books. Christ here is the complete fulfillment of the Old Testament laws. The audience is being persecuted for their faith. They were struggling in their belief in the face of this persecution. The book calls on them to persevere in the face of struggles. Only in Jesus Christ and the new covenant can they find the fulfillment of their faith. Christ is the superior of Moses.

The one thing Hebrews is most known for is probably chapter 11 which is a “Hall of Faith” from the Old Testament. It is an inspiring time when you read about those who “by faith” looked for the coming of Christ. If they could live such powerful lives with only a future hope, how much more so should we live empowered lives because we live on the other side of the Cross!

This short but fantastic letter was written by Paul to Philemon while Paul was in his first imprisonment about A.D. 60. The letter concerns a runaway slave named Onesimus. Paul penned it about the same time as he wrote Colossians. Paul writes to the Christian Philemon in Colosse because the slave had come seeking help from Paul in Rome. Paul urges Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ.

What makes this book a must read is two fold. It is a wonderful lesson on forgiveness. Secondly, the book shows us how to apply the Bible to everyday problems. So often we read the text but never make it apply to our daily life. We think that since the Bible was written so long ago, it cannot be of any real help today. That is wrong. The Bible contains timeless truth and timely messages for our lives today. This is a simple read with a profound message.

The Pastoral Epistles

These three books are commonly referred to as “Pastoral Epistles” because Paul is writing to Timothy and Titus in their role of pastoral care in Ephesus and in Crete. When Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment about A.D. 62, he began his fourth missionary journey. During this time he leaves Timothy in charge in Ephesus and Titus in Crete. He then wrote to Timothy from Macedonia and Titus around A.D. 63. He would write his second letter to Timothy from his final imprisonment back in Rome around A.D. 67 or 68 just before he was executed.

1 Timothy
Timothy was a native of Lystra. His father was a Greek and his mother and grandmother were Jewish Christians. Timothy knew the Old Testament from his early childhood. Paul or his family probably brought him to faith. Paul had come to Lystra on his first missionary journey and returned on his second one. During this time he took young Timothy with him. Timothy would be Paul’s companion during the rest of his second and third journeys. Timothy was young and timid in his pronouncement of the Gospel. Paul urges congregations to accept him and encourages Timothy to stand tall in his faith.

On his fourth missionary journey, Paul leaves Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus. This letter is written to Timothy to assist him in his care for that church. There are false teachers in the church that Timothy has to deal with. Other problems concern genealogies, false words, and false doctrines. It should be noted that we get our qualifications for elders and deacons from this book.

2 Timothy
2 Timothy is probably Paul’s last letter we have in the Bible. If we piece together all the information we have, Paul was possibly released from house arrest in Rome around A.D. 62. The book of Acts ends with the beginning of this first imprisonment in Rome. He begins his fourth missionary journey after his release. At some point he probably returns to Rome and is arrested again. As his execution draws near, he pens his final words to his companion Timothy. He longs for Timothy to visit him in his last days. In this letter he also sends his final encouragement to his young evangelist to continue to battle false teaching.

On a side note, Cave tells us that the people of Ephesus beat Timothy to death.

Titus
While not mentioned in Acts, Titus was a Gentile Christian who traveled with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys. On his fourth journey, Paul left him in charge of the churches in Crete. This letter was to encourage Titus in his ministry, to get him to organize the churches and to help him battle false teachers. This is a great book about “doing what is good.” The gospel message is proclaimed with clarity here.

Titus was probably not martyred for his faith but some church historians say that he lived until his early nineties and was buried on Crete.

These next two letters are among the earliest of Paul’s writings – coming as early as A.D. 51. Only Galatians can be dated earlier. Paul’s authorship of the first letter has not been questioned; however, based on vocabulary and theological themes, some critics have thought that Paul did not write the second letter. Most scholars do not see the weight in these arguments and, therefore, are content with the early church leaders that Paul penned the second letter about 6 months or so after the first one. Both letters were written from Corinth.

The letters were addressed from “Paul, Silas, and Timothy.” The letters came to a church in the largest city of Macedonia – Thessalonica. There were many pagan cults and temples, and the Jews had a synagogue there as well. The population has been estimated to be about 200,000 in Paul’s day. Paul founded the church, but had left quickly after only being there for perhaps a few months. Paul sent Timothy back to support the young church which was made up of Jews and a majority of Gentiles. He writes the first letter based on Timothy’s report back to him.

The church had found itself in the face of persecution because of the various cults there in Thessalonica. Paul writes to encourage the believers to live godly lives in the face of persecution and trials. He tells them not to neglect daily work and, in the second letter, argues against idleness. The topic of the Christ’s return dominates both letters.

Colossians is our next “prison epistle” which Paul wrote during his house arrest in Rome sometime around A.D. 61. This authorship has come under attack in the last 150 years, but the evidence is overwhelming that Paul is the author. Most arguments are based on linguistic and theological grounds. Early church fathers were of one mind in ascribing the book to Paul. Colosse was a city about 100 miles inland from Ephesus in what is now modern day Turkey. At that time it was a Roman colony. In Paul’s day, the city had declined to a minor trading city. Epaphras had taken the gospel there during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. This church had come under the attack of various heresies and Paul writes to correct these dangerous false doctrines and practices. While he writes to this church, we have no record that Paul ever visited it.

These heresies are varied and Paul does not mention a single idea but touches on several problems. Epaphras had come to Paul during his arrest in Rome to tell him of the problems in the young church. Paul’s answer was to write what we call the book of Colossians. These false teachings in the church seem to be a mix of Judaizers and early Gnostic or mystic teachings. Paul addresses problems on ceremonialism, angel worship, extreme self-denial, and human wisdom verses the wisdom of God. Paul calls on the church to renew the supremacy of Christ and their exalted Savior and to live in the light of their relationship with and in Christ.