Unique events and unusual thoughts running through my mind and memory can cause some interesting creative thoughts as well. As my friend Brian says, maybe it’s just a form of rambling, but that’s what happened when I wondered what kind of tattoo I would ink myself with if I ever decided I wanted to get a tattoo. I only recently admitted to my kids that getting a tattoo has been one of my secret wishes since following the fad. I’m never going to be one of the people who ink themselves with entire sleeves or parts of my body that are always visible. Not face, head, or neck; at least not for me. Nothing too painful. Especially considering my age and fragile skin now. I’m not being judgmental, many of my friends and family have tattoos. I’m just observing reality and ink fads these days. Eventually, possibly sooner than later, the fad will pass as most fads do, and the popular fad will once again be only pure clean skin.
Growing up in a conservative church, such things as tattoos or secret rituals were frowned upon, because Leviticus 19 gives very clear instructions to the Israelites regarding idolatry and all demonstrations of a sinful nature. That includes tattoos and skin cutting.
Hmmm. Well, true, that doesn’t necessarily apply to us… only if included in the examples and instructions repeated by Christ and His disciples. However, see Revelation 19:16, speaking of Jesus Christ as the rider on a white horse, 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
But maybe I’m just trying to distract myself from the reality that my little dog Jake crossed the Rainbow Bridge this past weekend, and I have been sad but really very grateful that we had so many years together. So please bear with me and hopefully there will be an interesting thought process somewhere in this bowl of Webstable Soup. ‘Cause if you know me, you know that my thoughts usually revolve around the Bible, my book of books.
Studying the Greek alphabet has also been one of my goals, never in secret and only partially experienced, because the languages spoken in Galilee and Judea during the first century include the Semitic Aramaic and Hebrew languages as well as Greek, with Aramaic being the predominant language. Many of the early translations of the New Testament were written primarily in Greek. Most scholars agree that during the early part of the first century Aramaic was the mother tongue of virtually all natives of Galilee and Judea, and many scholars support the theory that Jesus spoke in Aramaic and also allow for the possibility that Jesus himself may have spoken in Hebrew and Greek on occasion.
In other arenas, the idea of using Greek letters for fraternities and sororities gained popularity because it created a sense of superiority and secrecy, even as the study of Greek dwindled. In addition to displaying and wearing Greek letters, fraternities and sororities often have specific membership criteria and secret rituals.
But getting back to my original quandary… the tattoo I might choose… On the curve of my shoulder, I think… Maybe…
However, that thought brought me to John’s Revelation… the last book of the New Testament. His beautiful, unearthly vision is one to behold!!
The River of Life
Revelation 22 – Then the angel [1] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life[2] with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Jesus Is Coming
6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes,[3] so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all,[4] Amen.
English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Revelation 22:1 Greek he
[2] Revelation 22:2 Or the Lamb. In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life
[3] 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
[4] Revelation 22:21 Some manuscripts all the saints
Blessings,
Sandra
