Islenska pt. 1: On the road to unearth Iceland’s secrets

Revelation 1:2

So John was given witness "... to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ". John clarifies here that the book is all Jesus: His vision of the future and of the New Jerusalem coming down, a new heavens and a new earth. Doesn't that make you want to read this book? I'm working out of town, staying in a plush hotel during my stay... and I want to read this book again. Lord, give to us a hunger for Your word today and this week. Amen.

Revelation 1:1-3

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The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Thus begins the final book of the bible.  One of the most revered and reviled parts of the book.   Why is it so?  Really, don't you wonder?  I can see 2 reasons for this:

1)  Its filled with strong imagery that requires interpretation.  This is because it came to the apostle through a prophetic experience.  And prophetic experiences by definition require continued leaning upon God... listening to Holy Spirit.  As people, we typically prefer just getting the "information" or "the recipe" or "the principle" so that we can go on our way.  But a book is given to men that requires faith in an unusual capacity; you can critique the verb tenses of the Greek but how are you going to interpret a dragon being thrown down to earth (as an example).  That does not come by grammatical analysis, but by listening to the heart of God and asking for clarity and assurance.  He gives it... the book can make sense.  But the poetry/imagery of this book (like the Song of Songs) throws the academic out of balance, off kilter.
2)  It was given to a man on the earth seeing a vision.  It wasn't given to a disciple sitting at Jesus' feet, or to an apostle writing a letter/epistle.  It also depicts things that were to come from that point when John was given the revelation.  Again, it throws the analytical/right brain into greater dependence and openness to subjective experience, and to listening... asking, seeking, knocking.  Its not a riddle, but understanding is given to the hungry.

Ah, John.  Ancient apostle.  To be his age (around 90 years old it is estimated) in our time when the life expectancy must have been half that, means that it would be like us finding a guy today who is 160 years old.  He was burning to transition to his Love, I am sure.  I am sure.  To be with Christ in the millenium and then onward to know Jesus' immediate Presense forever.  I can sometimes feel that groan myself.  Heaven is not our home, despite the nice songs that say so.  He is.

Like the new song goes:  I finally found where I belong... finally found where I belong.  Its to be with You, to be with You.