Revelation 6-11: Cycles of wrath and destruction.

January 26, 2016. Reading: Revelation 6-12. Background: Revelation 1-5. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 6 The seven seals: After we are called into heaven to see the awesome worship and praise of the Lamb who is worthy to open the seven seals, here we follow the opening of the seals. Before we go too much further,…

Malachi 1-4: A message from God.

December 25, 2015. Daily Reading: Malachi 1-4. Background: The name Malachi means “My messenger”, and there is some debate as to whether or not this was considered a proper name of the prophet or if the book is written by an anonymous “messenger” of God. Regardless, there is a strong consensus that the ministry of…

II Peter 1-3: The day of the Lord.

November 29, 2015. Daily Reading: II Peter 1-3. Background: This letter is attributed to Peter as the second letter that he writes to the churches spread throughout Asia Minor (see background to I Peter), though many scholars contest Petrine authorship and would rather place it in the pseudepigrapha. The date, along with the authorship, has been…

Zephaniah 1-3: Judgment and restoration.

November 27, 2015. Daily Reading: Zephaniah 1-3. Background: Zephaniah’s ministry was during the reign of King Josiah in Jerusalem which lasted from 641-610 B.C. This date would make Zephaniah a contemporary of Jeremiah and probably a very influential prophet for King Josiah’s religious reform. Zephaniah’s message is a oracle of judgment against Judah and the…

Joel 1-3: Judgement and Redemption.

October 2, 2015. Daily Reading: Joel 1-3.  Background: Joel is the second in succession of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew scriptures. Fairly little is known about Joel, as all we are given in the book is his name and who he is the son of. There are different views among scholars about the…

I Thessalonians 4-5: The day of the Lord

July 19, 2015. Daily Reading: I Thessalonians 4-5. Background: I Thessalonians 1-3. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 4 1. A life pleasing to God: As Paul begins to finish his letter to the Thessalonians, he calls them here to live a life that is pleasing to God, noting two things in particular that the Thessalonians should pay…

Isaiah 12-17: Oracles of destruction.

January 23, 2015. Daily Reading: Isaiah 12-17. Background: Isaiah 6-11. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 12 Praising the Lord for His steadfast love and salvation: After oracles of the coming destruction and captivity and oracles of the Messiah, the prophet’s words turn to praise and honor for the Great King, Almighty, Lord of hosts. There is…

Isaiah 1-5: Prophecy of destruction.

January 9, 2014. Hello fellow readers! If you are following along with the plan that I provided on the first day, you’ll notice that I have changed today’s reading from Isaiah 1-6 to Isaiah 1-5. I did this because I think the first five chapters of Isaiah have a central message and theme whereas the…