#endtimes #revelation
The Absolute Love is absolute in many ways. First the absolute love of God is the what defines the essence of what love is, anything that claims to be loving is subjected to the absolute criteria of God's love. In addition it is absolute in that, acceptance of God's love is acceptance and submission to loving God alone, there can be no love that is above or takes precedence above love to God, this is absolute. Marriage or any other relationship that claims to be loving must be subordinated to the Absolute Love. So all throughout Revelation and The Word of God as a whole speaks of infidelity or unfaithfulness to God in the language of prostitution and sexual immorality.
Rev 17:1,2 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk."
In the final two visions we are given a much broader picture of the judgment and redemption of God. Chapter 17 begins the sixth of the seven parallels and progressive visions of Revelation. Unfaithful Israel and Rome are not the only focus of judgment and redemption but the whole earth, all peoples are involved in the beginning and culmination of Gods plan throughout history. If you want to get a fuller grasp of the plan of God study the book of Romans very diligently, but especially meditate on Romans chapters 8 - 11. For God is through His sovereign plan before the foundations of the world is putting together the best most possible world. No one there will be in rebellion nor will perversion of love toward God be in that place for all will know the love of God fully and in glad surrender acknowledge, no revel and delight, in His loving absolute power and presence.
Rom 11:30-36 "For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?""Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
In my book "Absolute Love" I spend a lot of time in study and reflection of the who God is relationally as Father-Son-Holy Spirit. The One God in three persons, One in essence, power, existence and personality, yet three in one. This relationship is essential to understanding the faithfulness and love of God. A love like no other Hesed- Agape- Steadfast Love. One of my new favorite writers is Nancy Pearcy she gives a special glimpse into the relationship of love within the One God.
"The human race was created in the image of God, who is three Persons so intimately related as to constitute one Godhead- in the classic theological formulation one in being and three in person. God is not "really" one deity, who appears in three modes: nor is God "really" three deities, which would be polytheism. Instead, both oneness and threeness are equally real, equally ultimate, equally basic and integral to God's nature"
The balance of unity and diversity in the Trinity gives a nodel for human scial life, because it implies that both individuality and relationship exist within the Godhead itself. God is being -in-communion. Humans are made in the image of a God who is tri-unity- whose very nature consists in reciprocal love and communication among Persons of the Trinity. This model provides a solution to the age old opposition between collectivism and individualism. Over against collectivism, the Trinity implies the dignity and uniqueness of the individual person. Over against radical individualism, the Trinity implies that relationships are not created by sheer choice but are built into the very essence of human nature. We are not atomistic individuals but are created for relationships. ...
In fact, certain virtues necessary for spiritual maturity- such as faithfuless and self-sacrificing love - can be practiced only within relationships." Nancy Pearcy
"Total Truth:Liberating Christianity From Its Cultural Captivity" Study Guide Edition Crossway Books 2005
I will talk more about individualism as against collectivism in tomorrows blog as we continue through Revelation 17.
May you learn to deeply love by focusing on the Absolute Love.
2Co 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
The Absolute Love is absolute in many ways. First the absolute love of God is the what defines the essence of what love is, anything that claims to be loving is subjected to the absolute criteria of God's love. In addition it is absolute in that, acceptance of God's love is acceptance and submission to loving God alone, there can be no love that is above or takes precedence above love to God, this is absolute. Marriage or any other relationship that claims to be loving must be subordinated to the Absolute Love. So all throughout Revelation and The Word of God as a whole speaks of infidelity or unfaithfulness to God in the language of prostitution and sexual immorality.
Rev 17:1,2 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk."
In the final two visions we are given a much broader picture of the judgment and redemption of God. Chapter 17 begins the sixth of the seven parallels and progressive visions of Revelation. Unfaithful Israel and Rome are not the only focus of judgment and redemption but the whole earth, all peoples are involved in the beginning and culmination of Gods plan throughout history. If you want to get a fuller grasp of the plan of God study the book of Romans very diligently, but especially meditate on Romans chapters 8 - 11. For God is through His sovereign plan before the foundations of the world is putting together the best most possible world. No one there will be in rebellion nor will perversion of love toward God be in that place for all will know the love of God fully and in glad surrender acknowledge, no revel and delight, in His loving absolute power and presence.
Rom 11:30-36 "For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?""Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
In my book "Absolute Love" I spend a lot of time in study and reflection of the who God is relationally as Father-Son-Holy Spirit. The One God in three persons, One in essence, power, existence and personality, yet three in one. This relationship is essential to understanding the faithfulness and love of God. A love like no other Hesed- Agape- Steadfast Love. One of my new favorite writers is Nancy Pearcy she gives a special glimpse into the relationship of love within the One God.
"The human race was created in the image of God, who is three Persons so intimately related as to constitute one Godhead- in the classic theological formulation one in being and three in person. God is not "really" one deity, who appears in three modes: nor is God "really" three deities, which would be polytheism. Instead, both oneness and threeness are equally real, equally ultimate, equally basic and integral to God's nature"
The balance of unity and diversity in the Trinity gives a nodel for human scial life, because it implies that both individuality and relationship exist within the Godhead itself. God is being -in-communion. Humans are made in the image of a God who is tri-unity- whose very nature consists in reciprocal love and communication among Persons of the Trinity. This model provides a solution to the age old opposition between collectivism and individualism. Over against collectivism, the Trinity implies the dignity and uniqueness of the individual person. Over against radical individualism, the Trinity implies that relationships are not created by sheer choice but are built into the very essence of human nature. We are not atomistic individuals but are created for relationships. ...
In fact, certain virtues necessary for spiritual maturity- such as faithfuless and self-sacrificing love - can be practiced only within relationships." Nancy Pearcy
"Total Truth:Liberating Christianity From Its Cultural Captivity" Study Guide Edition Crossway Books 2005
I will talk more about individualism as against collectivism in tomorrows blog as we continue through Revelation 17.
May you learn to deeply love by focusing on the Absolute Love.
2Co 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
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