Readings, April 29, 2007

Acts
Chapter 13 14 They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered (into) the synagogue and took their seats. 43 After the congregation had dispersed, many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. 44 On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. 46 Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 1 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, 49 and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. 50 The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 2 52 The disciples were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.

Revelation
Chapter 7 9 After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches 1 in their hands. 14 I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; 2 they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 "For this reason they stand before God's throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. 16 They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. 17 For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, 3 and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

John
Chapter 10 27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, 1 and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. 30 2 The Father and I are one."

Catholic Fundamentalist Interpretation

After following the usual forms of worship, two groups, Jews and converts to Judaism, listened to Paul and Barnabas, who urged them to remain faithful not so much to the established order, but to the Grace of God.

(Like the fish caught only on the right side of the boat in last week's Reading, Paul and Barnabas talked to the most faithful believers)

The faithful brought many more to hear about the Program of the Lord.

The established order was filled with jealously at this threat to their established cash flows, and violently abused and contradicted Paul.

Paul and Barnabas told them that "It was necessary that we told you about God's Program first, but, since you refuse to download it, and lose the possibility of eternal life, we now turn to those who will put God's Kingdom ahead of mans', and go to those outside the Old Operating System.

The Programmer has commanded us, "I have made you a light to those outside the Old Program, that you may be an instrument of salvation to everyone."

The Gentiles were delighted, and praised God's Program.  Those destined for eternal life came to believe. (Interesting comment on how free will operates) and news of God's Program continued to spread.

Those whose cash flows were dependent on the Old Program incited rich women (insecure and afraid of losing possessions) and leading men (who owed prominence to the Old Program) mobilized and used political power of the legal system to prosecute, and expelled them.  Paul and Barnabas did not want to even touch the dirt from such a place with their hands, so shook it off their feet and left.  The Holy Wireless Connector filled their minds with joy.

Huge numbers of from every ration of genes were in Heaven.

They stood before the throne and before The (sacrificial) Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches.  John recognized His authority and knowledge.

Their impurities had been washed away from bodies, minds, and souls.

Because they are cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb, they stand before God's throne and worship Him 24/7.

The Being on the throne shelters them. 

Neither the sun, nor any heat, strike them.  Will they be in the shadow of a planet?  Smaller than the wavelengths of heat and light?  Are their robes that utterly reflective of the same?

The "center" of the throne, on whom "one" sits indicates The Trinity, The Throne, itself, being the Holy Spirit, and He will take care of them, taking them to the source of water that gives life.

Those who love the truth are mine, so they hear and follow Me. No one can take them out of my hand.

The Programmer has given them to me, and is greater than any.  No none can take them out of His hand.  The Programmer and I (in CF terms, "The Program, in perfect, loving, human form") are one.   To CFs, "I and the Father are One, and the Throne on which we sit is the Holy Spirit."  See v 15 in the prior reading.