Yes..the warnings and results for those living cowardly!!
Yet we can overcome human fearful, weakness and endure what’s ahead, and remain brave as we continue trusting that His strength and power will always prevail!
After listening to the first third of your talk, I have a few comments, although for the most part not line-by-line. I have just a couple of those, first regarding the "sexually immoral" in Rev. 22:15.
The phrase (you knew this was coming) is καὶ οἱ πόρνοι ("kai hoi pornoi"), which translates well as "and the sexually immoral". The Greeks had a simpler word for it, "pornos", from the root of which we obtain the English word "porn". It's not that hard to figure out. Here's the BDAG, defining it contextually as "1. one who practices sexual immorality, fornicator":
πόρνος, ου, ὁ (cp. πόρνη; Aristoph., X.+ in the sense ‘male whore/prostitute’ and related terms; Sir 23:17; Philo, Leg. All. 8; Just.; Tat. 34, 3)
1. one who practices sexual immorality, fornicator 1 Cor 5:9, 11; Hb 12:16; Rv 17:5, if accented as masc. (in N.27 as fem.; s. app. in Tdf. and early edd. of Nestle incl. 25th ed), but s. also 2. οἱ π. τοῦ κόσμου τούτου the (sexually) immoral persons in this world 1 Cor 5:10. W. other sinners Eph 5:5; 1 Ti 1:10; Rv 21:8; 22:15. Differentiated fr. an adulterer 1 Cor 6:9; Hb 13:4. Excluded fr. the Reign of God, w. others guilty of grave sins 1 Cor 6:9 (=Pol 5:3).
2. …
And from the TDNT, in the context of Revelation, and of Rev. 22:15 (final sentence):
IV. Revelation. In the letters to Pergamum and Thyatira, the writer of Revelation condemns libertines in the congregations who permit the eating of idol meats and free sex as a demonstration of their superiority (2:14, 20-21). Among pagan sins in the last days Rev. 9:21 mentions sexual indulgence along with idolatry, murder, witchcraft, and theft. In 17-19 pórnē and porneúō are comprehensive terms for the degeneracy of the world power. Like a city harlot of the day, it bears its name on a headband, and the name declares its nature (17:5). The nations seek its favors (18:3, 9) and ape its customs. Above all, it is pórnē as the center of paganism with its harlot-like apostasy from God. The drink that it offers promises pleasure but it is a cup of divine wrath. In contrast to the great harlot is the bride of Christ to which no unclean person belongs (21:27) because she worships God and the Lamb alone. The second death awaits pórnoi along with idolaters, murderers, and others (21:8; 22:15).
…
I often hear from churches about how important it is to "read your bibles". I almost never hear about how important it is to read them in cultural and historical context, not to even mention original languages. Without context, readers are left to the mercy of translations and of scholars of all flavors, not even understanding how and why translations are created (it's primarily a commercial enterprise) or what flavors of scholars exist.
Original language study? "If the King James was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me." It's an exaggeration, but it's a saying for a reason, and given how many seem to believe that "heaven" is about something like a country club with clouds and halos and harps, guarded by St. Peter at the pearly gates, I don't think it is very much of one. That's cultural context, but from the wrong culture.
Second, very briefly, the relationship between "sea" and "chaos" is much more ancient than 2nd temple! Check it out. Or just read about the sea (water as opposed to land) in the OT.
In a comment on an earlier post of yours I recommended Heiser and his book _The Unseen Realm_. Following that I decided to re-read it right away, in Kindle form, supplemented by the companion website, and what he has to say began to come into much sharper focus.
This is not somebody blogging online and expressing opinions. This is a published scholar of ancient languages as well as a best-selling author of books for non-scholars. There are people that want to read the Bible in context, and their churches are of limited help at best. They appreciate this kind of information.
When I was reading the Bible through for the first time, at 19 years old (c. 1969), I reached Genesis 6:1-2 and was dumbfounded. 55 years later I've encountered a decent proposal for its context and meaning, well supported by evidence, while refuting well the attempts of the institutional church to bury it. His entry point to the issues was not Gen. 6 but Psalm 86:8-9. He knew his Hebrew and he spotted something important in the grammar, when someone else pointed him at it.
Seeking this kind of understanding is a community effort. I don't know with certainty how correct he is, but he goes on to examine related passages found throughout the Bible that I long puzzled over (and often have come to similar conclusions about), along with quite a few more. A clear, non-heretical picture begins to emerge. I do that with some of what you write in your books, too.
As I listened to your talk, questions you ask kept connecting with answers I am learning about as I re-read Heiser. Whatever he may prove to be right or wrong about, I can now recommend the book without hesitation.
Yes..the warnings and results for those living cowardly!!
Yet we can overcome human fearful, weakness and endure what’s ahead, and remain brave as we continue trusting that His strength and power will always prevail!
After listening to the first third of your talk, I have a few comments, although for the most part not line-by-line. I have just a couple of those, first regarding the "sexually immoral" in Rev. 22:15.
The phrase (you knew this was coming) is καὶ οἱ πόρνοι ("kai hoi pornoi"), which translates well as "and the sexually immoral". The Greeks had a simpler word for it, "pornos", from the root of which we obtain the English word "porn". It's not that hard to figure out. Here's the BDAG, defining it contextually as "1. one who practices sexual immorality, fornicator":
πόρνος, ου, ὁ (cp. πόρνη; Aristoph., X.+ in the sense ‘male whore/prostitute’ and related terms; Sir 23:17; Philo, Leg. All. 8; Just.; Tat. 34, 3)
1. one who practices sexual immorality, fornicator 1 Cor 5:9, 11; Hb 12:16; Rv 17:5, if accented as masc. (in N.27 as fem.; s. app. in Tdf. and early edd. of Nestle incl. 25th ed), but s. also 2. οἱ π. τοῦ κόσμου τούτου the (sexually) immoral persons in this world 1 Cor 5:10. W. other sinners Eph 5:5; 1 Ti 1:10; Rv 21:8; 22:15. Differentiated fr. an adulterer 1 Cor 6:9; Hb 13:4. Excluded fr. the Reign of God, w. others guilty of grave sins 1 Cor 6:9 (=Pol 5:3).
2. …
And from the TDNT, in the context of Revelation, and of Rev. 22:15 (final sentence):
πόρνη pórnē [harlot], πόρνος pórnos [fornicator], πορνεία porneía [prostitution, fornication], πορνεύω porneúō [to commit fornication], ἐκπορνεύω ekporneúō [to live licentiously]
…
IV. Revelation. In the letters to Pergamum and Thyatira, the writer of Revelation condemns libertines in the congregations who permit the eating of idol meats and free sex as a demonstration of their superiority (2:14, 20-21). Among pagan sins in the last days Rev. 9:21 mentions sexual indulgence along with idolatry, murder, witchcraft, and theft. In 17-19 pórnē and porneúō are comprehensive terms for the degeneracy of the world power. Like a city harlot of the day, it bears its name on a headband, and the name declares its nature (17:5). The nations seek its favors (18:3, 9) and ape its customs. Above all, it is pórnē as the center of paganism with its harlot-like apostasy from God. The drink that it offers promises pleasure but it is a cup of divine wrath. In contrast to the great harlot is the bride of Christ to which no unclean person belongs (21:27) because she worships God and the Lamb alone. The second death awaits pórnoi along with idolaters, murderers, and others (21:8; 22:15).
…
I often hear from churches about how important it is to "read your bibles". I almost never hear about how important it is to read them in cultural and historical context, not to even mention original languages. Without context, readers are left to the mercy of translations and of scholars of all flavors, not even understanding how and why translations are created (it's primarily a commercial enterprise) or what flavors of scholars exist.
Original language study? "If the King James was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me." It's an exaggeration, but it's a saying for a reason, and given how many seem to believe that "heaven" is about something like a country club with clouds and halos and harps, guarded by St. Peter at the pearly gates, I don't think it is very much of one. That's cultural context, but from the wrong culture.
Second, very briefly, the relationship between "sea" and "chaos" is much more ancient than 2nd temple! Check it out. Or just read about the sea (water as opposed to land) in the OT.
In a comment on an earlier post of yours I recommended Heiser and his book _The Unseen Realm_. Following that I decided to re-read it right away, in Kindle form, supplemented by the companion website, and what he has to say began to come into much sharper focus.
This is not somebody blogging online and expressing opinions. This is a published scholar of ancient languages as well as a best-selling author of books for non-scholars. There are people that want to read the Bible in context, and their churches are of limited help at best. They appreciate this kind of information.
When I was reading the Bible through for the first time, at 19 years old (c. 1969), I reached Genesis 6:1-2 and was dumbfounded. 55 years later I've encountered a decent proposal for its context and meaning, well supported by evidence, while refuting well the attempts of the institutional church to bury it. His entry point to the issues was not Gen. 6 but Psalm 86:8-9. He knew his Hebrew and he spotted something important in the grammar, when someone else pointed him at it.
Seeking this kind of understanding is a community effort. I don't know with certainty how correct he is, but he goes on to examine related passages found throughout the Bible that I long puzzled over (and often have come to similar conclusions about), along with quite a few more. A clear, non-heretical picture begins to emerge. I do that with some of what you write in your books, too.
As I listened to your talk, questions you ask kept connecting with answers I am learning about as I re-read Heiser. Whatever he may prove to be right or wrong about, I can now recommend the book without hesitation.
The sound doesn't seem to be working on this, Terry, although it's working fine on your other videos, for me anyway!