Episode 900
God's Radical Inclusivity: A Reflection on Revelation 21
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
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The exploration of Revelation 21 within this discourse provides a profound contemplation on the themes of divine presence, radical inclusivity, and societal transformation. The speaker initiates the dialogue by presenting the revolutionary idea that God has entered human neighborhoods, encapsulating the essence of divine neighborliness. This perspective invites a reconsideration of the relationship between humanity and the divine, suggesting that God is actively engaged in the fabric of everyday life and is present in the struggles for justice and community solidarity. The speaker emphasizes that this theological stance is not merely abstract but is grounded in the lived experiences of individuals and communities.
Further, the discussion transitions to the concept of universal healing, where the imagery of God wiping away tears symbolizes a collective liberation from suffering. This vision challenges the audience to think beyond personal salvation and to embrace a holistic understanding of redemption that encompasses societal renewal. By addressing systemic injustices that lead to grief and pain, the speaker articulates a theology that calls for action and engagement in the pursuit of justice. This transformative vision encourages listeners to become active participants in the healing processes within their communities, thereby reinforcing the interconnectedness of personal and collective faith.
As the episode progresses, the speaker introduces the idea of reimagining sacred spaces through the lens of inclusivity, illustrated by the new Jerusalem with its twelve gates. This potent imagery serves as a challenge to dismantle barriers that exclude marginalized populations, urging individuals to confront their prejudices and engage in efforts that promote acceptance and understanding. The episode concludes with a practical call to action, encouraging listeners to identify and address the walls that create divisions in their communities. Through this reflective journey, the speaker invites the audience to become agents of change, embodying the principles of love and unity in their pursuit of a just and inclusive society.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of divine neighborliness, illustrating God's presence within our communities.
- A transformative vision of healing is articulated, promoting both personal and societal renewal through collective liberation.
- The imagery of a new Jerusalem signifies radical inclusivity, challenging barriers that exclude marginalized individuals in society.
- Listeners are encouraged to identify and dismantle walls in their communities, fostering connections across divides for a more inclusive society.
- The podcast advocates for a progressive understanding of faith that integrates justice and community engagement in daily life.
- A call to action invites listeners to support initiatives that promote inclusion and to reflect on personal biases that create division.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Ark A New Vision God's Radical Inclusivity A Reflection on the Revelation 21 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller and hello my good friends, Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is where we come to you each and every day with a reading of the New Testament which brings you the Testament which is understandable, relatable and applicable to your life.
Speaker A:We use a Revised Common Lectionary which is the daily selective readings for each and every day.
Speaker A:We're in year c of a three year cycle.
Speaker A:You can always go to voiceofgodddaily.com that's where you can find our resource which is the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A: a million people by the year: Speaker A:Let's get into our reading for the day.
Speaker A:From the Revelation 21:5 14 Reading from the message I heard a voice thunder from the throne.
Speaker A:Look, look.
Speaker A:God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women.
Speaker A:They're his people.
Speaker A:He's their God.
Speaker A:He'll wipe every tear from their eyes.
Speaker A:Death has gone for good.
Speaker A:Tears gone, crying gone, pain gone.
Speaker A:All the first order of things gone.
Speaker A:The enthroned continued.
Speaker A:Look, I'm making everything new.
Speaker A:Write it all down, each word dependable and accurate.
Speaker A:Then he said, it's happened.
Speaker A:I'm A to Z.
Speaker A:I'm the beginning.
Speaker A:I'm the from water of life.
Speaker A:Well, I give freely to the thirsty conquerors.
Speaker A:Inherit all this.
Speaker A:I'll be God to them.
Speaker A:They'll be sons and daughters to me.
Speaker A:But for the rest, the feckless and faithless degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars.
Speaker A:For them it's lake, fire and brimstone.
Speaker A:Second death, the City of Light.
Speaker A:One of the seven angels who had carried the bowls filled with the seven final disasters spoke to me.
Speaker A:Come here, I'll show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
Speaker A:He took me away in the spirit to an enormous high mountain and showed me holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, resplendent in the bright glory of God.
Speaker A:The city shimmered like a precious gem, light filled, pulsing light.
Speaker A:She had a wall, majestic and high, with 12 gates.
Speaker A:At each gate stood an angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
Speaker A:Three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, three gates on the west.
Speaker A:The wall was set on twelve foundations and the name of the twelve apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them.
Speaker A:Well, this is an incredibly powerful passage of scripture from the Revelation, which is all about a vision of hope, transformation and the divine presence in our world.
Speaker A:Let me give you three points to ponder.
Speaker A:One is divine neighborliness.
Speaker A:The text begins with a revolutionary image.
Speaker A:God has moved into the neighborhood.
Speaker A:This isn't about a distant deity, but rather a divine presence in our everyday lives.
Speaker A:In progressive theology, we embrace the idea that God is is found in community, in the straight, in the streets, in the struggle for justice, not separated from human experience, but deeply embedded within it.
Speaker A:A second point is about universal healing.
Speaker A:The vision of God wiping away every tear speaks to collective healing and liberation.
Speaker A:While traditional interpretations often focus on individual salvation, progressive Christianity sees this as a vision of systematic transformation, the end of oppressive systems that cause suffering, grief and pain.
Speaker A:This is all about both personal and societal renewal.
Speaker A:A third point is about reimagining sacred space.
Speaker A:The description here of a new Jerusalem with its twelve gates facing all directions suggests radical inclusivity.
Speaker A:While the imagery uses Jewish and Christian symbolism, the gates opening in all directions point to universal access.
Speaker A:This challenges us to break down barriers in our faith, communities and society that exclude or marginalize.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify one wall in your community, whether it's social, economic or religious, that creates a separation between people.
Speaker A:And take one concrete step to help break down that wall.
Speaker A:This might mean initiating conversations across the dividing lines or supporting organizations working for inclusion, or examining your own prejudices.
Speaker A:We're going to pray in just a minute, but I just want you to know that we have a resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It will help you in your daily personal Bible study.
Speaker A:You can pick it up at our website, voiceofgodaily.com here's our closing prayer.
Speaker A:God, who dwells among us in our neighborhoods and on our streets, help us to see your presence in unexpected places.
Speaker A:When we encounter walls that divide, give us courage to build bridges instead.
Speaker A:Where there are tears, may we offer comfort.
Speaker A:Where there is exclusion, may we create welcome.
Speaker A:Where there is despair, may we imagine new possibilities.
Speaker A:Make us partners in your work of creating a world where we all find home.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, my good friends, it's always great to have you join me here here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:I hope that you'll do the same tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6am Eastern Time.
Speaker A: ion ears, a million people by: Speaker A:8.
Speaker A:The best thing you can do is to subscribe to the podcast and invite your friends and people on your network to join us here on the voiceofgod daily.com until tomorrow, friends.
Speaker A:Remember that God's law, loyal love, doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
