July 20, 2013
The Lamb, having taken the book of prophetic judgment from the hand of God, now begins to open it by breaking the seals. Systematically, the Lamb breaks one seal after another–six in Revelation 6. As each seal is opened John hears and sees a variety of images that evidence divine judgment or are related in […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Empire, Judgment, justice, Kingdom of God, Lament, Providence, Revelation 6, Seven Seals, Six Seals, Sovereignty, Theodicy, World Powers |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
July 14, 2013
While Revelation 4 focused on the worth of the Creator who sits on the throne, Revelation 5 turns our attention to the dramatic investiture of the one who is worthy to break the seals and unroll the scroll. Revelation 4 portrays the reality of the heavenly throne room where the sovereign God, sitting on the throne, […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Assembly, Christology, Instrumental Music, justice, Lamb, Liturgy, Music, Prayer, Revelation 5, Sing, Worship |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 28, 2013
This is the second of two woe oracles in Amos. The first (5:18-20) was followed by a legal indictment (5:21-27). The second (6:1-7) is followed by a judgment pronouncement (6:8-14). Together, as the third major section of Amos, they lament Israel’s sin and warn the nation about impending doom. The woe oracle in Amos 6 itself falls […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos 6:1-14, Bible-Amos, Israel, Judah, justice, Luxury, Poor, Prophets, Rich, Righteousness, Wealth |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 21, 2013
This text begins the third major section of Amos. In the first section (Amos 1-2) the prophet addressed eight nations and climaxed his message with an extended application to Israel. In the second section (Amos 3:1-5:17) the prophet declares the word of the Lord in three brief speeches (“hear this word” in 3:1, 4:1 and […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, Amos 5:18-27, Assembly, Bible-Amos, justice, Music, Poor, Righteousness, Sacraments, Sacrifices, Worship |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 14, 2013
This is the third of Amos’s three prophetic speeches against Israel. They each begin with “Hear this word” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). The first announced God’s coming visit in judgment against Israel. The second highlighted divine patience and persistence in seeking to turn Israel from its sins. The third is a divine admonition and lament for Israel. Harold […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, Amos 5:1-17, Bible-Amos, Injustice, justice, Minor Prophets, Needy, Poor, Prophets, Righteousness, social justice |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 16, 2013
Amos continues his prophetic word against the sins of the nations in Amos 1:11-2:3. He first addressed Damascus, Gaza and Tyre (Amos 1:3-10) which lie to the north and southwest of Israel and Judah. Now he addresses Edom, Ammon and Moab which lie to the east and southeast of Israel and Judah. The pattern of […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Ammon, Amos, Edom, Ethics, justice, Moab, Nations, Violence |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 2, 2013
How might a migrant worker convict luxurious homeowners about their oppressive lifestyles? What might a poor, rural believer say to wealthy, urban idolaters? Amos was neither trained as a prophet nor assumed the career of a prophet. He was a shepherd near the Judean wilderness six miles SE of Bethlehem in the backwater village of […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Amos, justice, Oppression, Peace, Poor, Poverty, prosperity, Rich, Wealth |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
April 2, 2012
King Jesus, riding on a donkey, triumphantly entered Jerusalem hailed as the one who would usher in the kingdom of David. Surrounded by an expectant crowd, he entered the temple, looked at everything, and went home for the evening. What did Jesus see? The next morning, Monday of Passion Week, Jesus tells us. The King […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Bible-Mark, Cleansing of the Temple, Fig Tree, Gospel of Mark, Judgment, justice, Kingdom of God, Mark, Mark 11:12-26, Peace |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks