
2-18-24 -Biblical-Literacy
Mark continued in the series A Study of Revelation which was a comfort to the church in its struggle against the forces of evil. Christ wins over Satan.
1. Symbolism -a quality or an idea that showed the church how God desires a complete relationship with them. Not all images are symbols. Never lose focus of the message.
2. The Letters -content structured in similar way for each.
The symbolism of the number 7, which means completion.
Ephesus -You have abandoned your first love.
Smyrna -No condemnation but a warning of what the devil will do. Be faithful.
3. Points for home
•Christ is with us
•Love is the key
•Be always faithful
Listen to Mark discuss the symbolism in Revelation and the meaning of the number 7 in the setting and letters to the 7 churches. Listen also to the accounting of Polycarp’s faith through arrest and execution. He was Bishop of the church in Smyrna.
Feb 18, 2024

2/11/24. Biblical
-
Literacy
Mark continued in The Study of Revelation series with a study of the first chapter in Revelation.
His lesson had three areas of focus:
1.The Exalted Christ is depicted as the Alpha and the Omega. We find that He is
referenced
throughout the Old and New Testaments.
2. The Setting of the Book of Revelation is more than a book John wrote on the island of Patmos,
but it’s an accounting of God who was, who is, and who is to come.
3. Points for home:
a.The Exalted Christ is in the center of life
b.Fear is a liar
c.It’s not over so live the promise
Listen to Mark talk teach how the human mind cannot comprehend the depth of God’s truth, power,
sovereignty, and characteristics. He highlights and expands on various passages throughout the
Bible that link to the Book of Revelation.
Feb 11, 2024

02/4/24
Mark continues the study of Revelations by going into detail
about how decisions were made about which scrolls and
writings were to be put into the Bible Library as we know it.
Mark discussed the meaning of Canon and Canonization of the
bible.
Was Canon to Jesus and the Apostles?
Mathew 15:3
Was Canon to the Church?
Mathew 15:6
The Church’s recognition of the Canon.
Acts 15
Mark then discusses the history of the Canon in some detail
Mark reviews in detail:
Symbolism
Use of numbers 3 and 4 and 7 and 12
Angels and Demons
Mark reviews Rev: 1-1-2
Points for Home:
We can rely on Scripture for life
God reaches all of you Rev 1:8
Let's serve our King Rev 1:6
Feb 4, 2024

1/28/24 Biblical Literacy
Mark continued with Lesson 3 in the Study in Revelation series setting the stage to dig deeper in
study. He divided the lesson into three sections then share some Points for home:
1. Review of past two lessons: the Bible as a library, the apocalyptic genre, and apocalyptic traits.
2. Approach to studying Revelation: how to understand symbols and how the book flows.
3. Study of first 3 verses of Revelation 1:1-3: an uncovering or revealing of Jesus Christ by Jesus.
Points for home
God is bigger than I realize
God cares
Let’s enjoy the blessings
Listen to Mark review the foundation of studying Revelation by introducing a literal and symbolic
approach.
Jan 28, 2024

Listen to Mark explore the Old Testament and other writings that show the ancient peoples' understanding of apocalyptic writing.
Mark continued with a Study in Revelation sharing a brief review of the foundation class from two
weeks ago. He encouraged the class to not be afraid of Revelation; we have this. The book of
Revelation is apocalyptic, which means it uses
dreams, visions, and symbols. Mark expanded on
typical features of apocalyptic writings both Biblical and non
-
biblical writings including those
contemporary with the time of Jesus.
Points for home:
-
Christ is the center of life
-
Understanding this book co
mes with a blessing
-
We rightly praise Jesus as we read and understand this book
Listen to Mark explore the Old Testament and other writings that show the ancient peoples'
understanding of apocalyptic writing
Jan 21, 2024

1-14-24 Biblical-Literacy
In today’s class, Mark had Pastor Jarrett Stephens interviewed the highly respected Fred Gray, the civil rights attorney who represented Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. and is a young ninety-three years old.
Mark began the interview with a statement about MLK weekend and the
reconciliation of races noting: Regardless of the color of skin, all humans are created in the image of God.
Mr. Gray’s mother told him he could be anything he wanted as long as he did three things:
1. Kept Christ first.
2. Remain in school.
3. Stay out of trouble and avoid the criminal justice system that isn’t
always fair.
Listen to Mr. Gray, also a preacher since the age of twelve, talk about God’s continuous provision throughout his education and career and how he will never stop working against racial discrimination
Jan 14, 2024

Mark began the New Year with a new series on The Study of Revelation, a focused study. The book
has varying points of view, but Mark will teach from his perspective after life long study. Revelation is
a part of the apocalyptic genre, a type of writing, that involves discerning divine secrets by dreams,
visions, and/or angelic explanation.
Mark had three points in today’s lesson.
1. Apocalyptic overview: deals with the past, present, and future, and features symbolism,
numerology, warring angels and demons, end times, and new age.
2. Apocalyptic books:
Biblical and pseudepigraphal.
3. Points for home:
a.There are treasures in God’s Word
b.We seek knowledge and understanding
c.God loves you
Listen to Mark begin to explore the apocalyptic genre, what it means, and what we can look forward
to in future lessons.
Jan 7, 2024

Dr David Capes 12/17/2023
Dr. Capes wraps up the study on Genesis by taking us to
Matthew 1:1, the Book that that takes us back to the genealogy of Jesus Christ
DR Capes reviewed, in detail, how various versions of the Bible address the genealogy of Christ identified in Genesis, for example,
KJV: The Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham
NLT: This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus, the
Messiah, a descendant of David and Abraham
Other version: RSV,NASV,NIV
In a search for the most understandable translation of the Greek writings of the “beginning” in Genesis, Dr. Capes discussed, in detail, the meaning and understanding of the “Act of Generation”, the “Act of the Beginning.”
The six days of creating and the day of rest in Genesis Chapter 5 were discussed in detail with focus on Man (male and female) being made in the Image of God and addressing the beginning of Humanity.
A detailed discussion followed about the Book of Matthew
Matthew 1:1- The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Dr. Capes addressed the various interpretations of the original Greek translations with respect to how they convey the meaning and implications of terms like genealogy, man, women.
Wrap up: At Christmas
1.Celebrate new creation.
2.Extended family
a.Remember ancestors.
b.Remember those that have passed on
c.What the future holds
Dec 17, 2023

Mark shared nuggets from each of his published daily devotional books including a preview of one that will be published in 2024. His newest devotional, Minor Prophets for Living, is number four in a series of five daily devotional books published in partnership with 1845 Books, an imprint from Baylor University Press. Mark read excerpts from each book with Scripture, content, and prayer. Psalms for Living,
Torah For Living,
Jesus For Living,
Minor Prophets For Living,
Epistles For Living-2024 Publication
Listen to Mark talk about the focus and theme of each devotional book as he shares his heart and love for God.
Dec 10, 2023

Mark continued his teachings in the Genesis series sharing the highs and lows after the flood. We learn:
1. Blessings: Noah and his sons were blessed
2. A sad and disturbing story: Sin resulted in Canaan’s curse.
3. The Tower of Babel: man attempted to build a tower for God to visit, and God chose instead to confuse their language and divide the people.
Points for home:
1. Honor your father and your mother
2. God is not a genie
3. Pride is not your friend
Listen to Mark offer insight into the world after the flood and how it relates to our world today.
Dec 3, 2023
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