Danny Taylor: Skinny Guy Thinking it Through

From time to time, people develop a process of “weeding out.”   For example, employers simply do not have the time to digest fifty resumes in order to hire one position, so they employ different criteria of “weeding out” candidates.   They may "weed out" those who don't have the right  educational experience.  Having a cover-letter addressed "To whom it may concern," as opposed to a real person, might put you in the "No" pile.  Even a resume having been printed on cheap paper may decide which candidates make it to the next stage and which one are “weeded out.”   Even some prestigious universities may “weed out” those who aren’t that serious (or are simply too lazy) by having prospective students fill out a thirty-page questionnaire.  The university may not even use that questionnaire in the admissions process, but they know that only those who truly want to study at their institution will take the time to fill it out.  The rest go play X-Box...

The book of Revelation ends similar to how it began.  There is a promise for a blessing to whoever keeps the words of the prophecy (1.3, 22.7), another reminder that Jesus will return (1.7, 22.7), Jesus’ self-identification as “Alpha and Omega” (1.8, 22.13).  Furthermore, as the book opens with a typical 1st-century epistle greeting (1.1-5), it also ends like a typical epistle would (22.21).   The final words of the Apocalypse summarize the major points of the book.  Jesus is coming again; when Jesus does come, he will reward those who have faithfully maintained their devotion to him, and a severe punishment awaits false teachers and those persecuting God’s people.  Furthermore the reward for those who do remain faithful is eternal life.   I had said previously that one of the features of Revelation is that it is ethical ; that is, the author wants the reader to do something .  Any good study of any book of the Bible must end by answering the...