Readings from AR for Revelation 11

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Dear Friends,

You can go to our website under "adult programs" to get the reading from the Apocalypse Revealed for chapter 11:

 

http://www.newchurchconcord.org/news/pdf/Chapter%2011%20-%20Passages%20from%20AR.pdf

 

We'll be discussing this chapter tomorrow night (May 5).  I found this chapter very inspiring.  It's all about the two witnesses (the 2 essential things of the church) which were killed and that the Lord has now revived in the New Church.  We're still talking about the reformed church where faith alone leads to a life a evil and the judgment upon these people in the spiritual world during the time of the Last Judgment.  Great stuff!

 

Matthew

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Dear Friends,

We have class tomorrow night (May 19) on Revelation chapter 12.  You can go to our website under "adult programs" to get the reading from the Apocalypse Revealed for chapter 12:

 

http://www.newchurchconcord.org/news/pdf/Chapter%2012%20-%20Passages%20from%20AR.pdf

 

This is the fantastic chapter on the woman clothed with the sun.  Lots of great stuff in here about the future growth of the New Church in this world.  Enjoy!

 

Matthew

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Dear Friends,

Attached are the readings for class this Wednesday, December 1^st.  Below are two passages that I found very interesting and that I look forward to talking about.  - Matthew

 

 

“Before these things are explained in their order according to the letter, something must be premised concerning the universal judgment here treated of. From the time when the Lord was in the world, when He executed the Last Judgment in Person, it was permitted that they who were in civil and moral good, although in no spiritual good, whence in externals they appeared like Christians, but in internals were devils, should continue longer than the rest in the world of spirits, which is midway between heaven and hell; and at length they were allowed to make there for themselves fixed habitations, and also by the abuse of correspondences, and by phantasies, to form to themselves as it were heavens, which also they did form in great abundance. But when these were multiplied to such a degree as to intercept the spiritual light and spiritual heat in their descent from the higher heavens to men on earth, then the Lord executed the Last Judgment, and dissipated those imaginary heavens; which was effected in such a manner, that the externals, by which they simulated Christians, were taken away, and the internals, in which they were devils, were opened; and then they were seen such as they were in themselves, and they who were seen to be devils, were cast into hell, everyone according to the evils of his life; this was done in the year 1757.” (AR 865)

 

 

“It is said in the world of spirits, because all come into that world immediately after their decease, and are there prepared, the good for heaven, and the evil for hell; and some stay there only a month or a year, and others from ten to thirty years; and they to whom it was granted to make as it were heavens to themselves, several centuries; but at this day not longer than twenty years. There is there a vast multitude, and societies there as in the heavens and in the hells, concerning this world see above (n. 784, 791). Upon those who were in that world, the Last Judgment was executed, and not upon those who were in heaven, nor upon those who were in hell; for they who were in heaven were saved before, and they who were in hell were condemned before. From these considerations it may be seen, how much they are deceived who believe that the Last Judgment is to take place upon earth, and that then men are to rise again as to their bodies, for all who have lived from the first creation of the world are together in the spiritual world; and all are clothed with a spiritual body, which before the eyes of those who are spiritual appear as men in a similar form, just as they who are in the natural world appear before the eyes of those who are natural.” (AR 866)

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Hi all,

I hope you had a merry Christmas and happy New Year.  I was just talking to Tom and Rachel on Sunday about our when our first class will be.  They were thinking this Wednesday, the 5^th.  I’m seeing on my calendar the 12^th.  I actually have something this Wednesday.  So is Wednesday, January 12^th, 7:30pm okay for people for our first meeting?  If so I’ll send out readings for Rev chapter 21 this week.  We’ll finish up Revelation in our next two classes and then decide what we want to do next.   And yes, Ken, we’re finally at the happy part : )  Thanks

 

Matthew

[Ken Holbert]

I am in the midst of a large independent forensic evaluation that is due the following week but will do my best to get there.  I certainly don't want to miss the exciting ending!!

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Hi all,

I looks like we are all good for January 19th being our next book of revelation class.  I'll send out reading this week. - Matthew

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Dear Friends,

Since we've been talking a lot about faith alone in class I thought you might be interested in the follow statistic:

 

The Pew Forum for Religion and Public life did a survey which yielded the interesting statistic that only 19% of protestants understand that their church teaches that salvation is through faith alone.

 

Matthew

[Rob Simons]

That is consistent with my experience . . . I can’t think of a single one of my protestant friends who enumerate this as central to their doctrine in anyway.   Even if they are aware of the doctrine, it’s not part of their practice.

 

rob

[Matthew Genzlinger]

I love the fact that this is basically what the Writings say is represented by the woman being protected in the wilderness and the earth swallowing up the flood from the dragons mouth!  Here's the passage -

 

AE 764: "It is said above that "the woman fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared by God," and afterwards that she received "the wings of an eagle and flew to her place," which signifies that the church that is called the New Jerusalem is to tarry among those who are in the doctrine of faith separate while it grows to fullness, until provision is made for it among many. But in that church there are dragons who separate faith from good works not only in doctrine but also in life; but the others in the same church who live the life of faith, which is charity, are not dragons, although they are among them, for they do not know otherwise than that it is according to doctrine that faith produces fruits, which are good works, and that the faith that justifies and saves is believing what is in the Word, and doing it. But the dragons have wholly different sentiments; but what these are the others do not comprehend, and because they do not comprehend them they do not receive them. From this it is clear that the church consisting of those who are not dragons is meant by the "earth" that "helped the woman and swallowed up the river that the dragon cast out of his mouth.""

[Rob Simons]

It reminds me of the June 19^th play we did several years ago . . . we described this exact passage in a more simplistic way, but nonetheless profound.  No doubt in my mind this is the state the NC is in right now . . . . the thing I don’t see is the dragons running around . . . where are they?  (who are they?).

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Interesting that the Apocalypse Revealed points out that a lot of them come from among the learned and clergy.  There are some lay people even in the world today that are caught up in this , but the people I've talked to that I would class under those who really do believe in faith alone are often priests.  I've talked to some before who definitely have seemed dragonish!  And, of course, I occasionally see a dragon flying around parts of my own heart and mind : )

 

One of the interesting things is that we're told that those in the laity who buy into the idea of faith alone in a way that will damage their spiritual lives, are those who like it because it allows them to remain in their evils rather than reflecting on them and shunning them as sins: "The reason why it is said that the dragon has much power, is, because the salvation of man by faith alone, without the works of the law, which faith is meant by "the dragon," captivates minds, and then confirmations persuade.  It captivates, because man, on hearing that the damnation of the law is taken away, and the Lord's merit is imputed to him through faith alone in this, he can indulge in the pleasures of his mind and body, without any fear of hell; hence comes the power which is signified by "the ten horns of the dragon." That such has been his power, evidently appears from the reception of that faith everywhere throughout the Reformed Christian world." (AR 550)

 

Matthew

[George Gantz]

Huh. Sorry to chime in, but this thread is awesome - should be on the blog!

Makes more sense to think about the dragons as the ones in our head - the hubris - often surreptitious - that results in our being highjacked by the head rather than led by the heart. 

Tx. George

Sent from my iPhone

[Tom & Rachel David]

That 19% sounds about right to me.  There are some people in the Protestant churches out there who genuinely accept that doctrine, and are quite clear in stating that they do not need to live good lives in any fashion to go to heaven.  There are others who do believe that you have to live a good life.  There is a third group, though, and I'd put many of the Protestants I've met into this camp: believing that faith alone saves, but that if you have faith, you will want to live in a way that pleases God, and He will lead you through love for Him to lead a good life.  "Faith saves," some would say, "but if you don't live a good life then you don't really have faith." 

If I recall correctly, there is one passage in the Writings that points out that this view is wrong, that good actions are not just a byproduct of faith.  Nevertheless it seems that many of these people are trying to lead good lives, not because they are scared of hell, but because they love the Lord as they understand Him.  They are trying to please Him.  They are living out a love for the Lord, in other words.

It seems that even when New Church ideas don't fully penetrate through the clouds, enough light gets through to illuminate the people repesented by "the earth that helped the woman."

Tom


George Gantz wrote:

Huh. Sorry to chime in, but this thread is awesome - should be on the blog!

Makes more sense to think about the dragons as the ones in our head - the hubris - often surreptitious - that results in our being highjacked by the head rather than led by the heart. 

Tx. George

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 14, 2011, at 11:47 AM, Matthew Genzlinger <pas...@newchurchconcord.org> wrote:

Interesting that the Apocalypse Revealed points out that a lot of them come from among the learned and clergy.  There are some lay people even in the world today that are caught up in this , but the people I've talked to that I would class under those who really do believe in faith alone are often priests.  I've talked to some before who definitely have seemed dragonish!  And, of course, I occasionally see a dragon flying around parts of my own heart and mind : )

 

One of the interesting things is that we're told that those in the laity who buy into the idea of faith alone in a way that will damage their spiritual lives, are those who like it because it allows them to remain in their evils rather than reflecting on them and shunning them as sins: "The reason why it is said that the dragon has much power, is, because the salvation of man by faith alone, without the works of the law, which faith is meant by "the dragon," captivates minds, and then confirmations persuade.  It captivates, because man, on hearing that the damnation of the law is taken away, and the Lord's merit is imputed to him through faith alone in this, he can indulge in the pleasures of his mind and body, without any fear of hell ; hence comes the power which is signified by "the ten horns of the dragon." That such has been his power, evidently appears from the reception of that faith everywhere throughout the Reformed Christian world." (AR 550)

 

Matthew

 

From: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com [mailto:book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Rob Simons
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 9:59 AM
To: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Faith Alone

 

It reminds me of the June 19^th play we did several years ago . . . we described this exact passage in a more simplistic way, but nonetheless profound.  No doubt in my mind this is the state the NC is in right now . . . . the thing I don’t see is the dragons running around . . . where are they?  (who are they?).

 

rob

 

From: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com [mailto:book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Matthew Genzlinger
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 9:12 AM
To: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Faith Alone

 

I love the fact that this is basically what the Writings say is represented by the woman being protected in the wilderness and the earth swallowing up the flood from the dragons mouth!  Here's the passage -

 

AE 764: "It is said above that "the woman fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared by God," and afterwards that she received "the wings of an eagle and flew to her place," which signifies that the church that is called the New Jerusalem is to tarry among those who are in the doctrine of faith separate while it grows to fullness, until provision is made for it among many. But in that church there are dragons who separate faith from good works not only in doctrine but also in life; but the others in the same church who live the life of faith, which is charity, are not dragons, although they are among them, for they do not know otherwise than that it is according to doctrine that faith produces fruits, which are good works, and that the faith that justifies and saves is believing what is in the Word, and doing it . But the dragons have wholly different sentiments; but what these are the others do not comprehend, and because they do not comprehend them they do not receive them. From this it is clear that the church consisting of those who are not dragons is meant by the "earth" that "helped the woman and swallowed up the river that the dragon cast out of his mouth .""

[Rob Simons]

Good point.  I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of a public blog, given a random reader wouldn't have the context around the discussion. Having said that, it certainly would spice up the conversation.  How would something like this work in a blog?

Sent from my iPad

[Rob Simons]

Good point Tom.  This is my experience as well.  This third group is quite common.  I found it difficult to argue against . . . And it seems a fairly comfortable position.  The problem with it as I see it, is it leaves the need to serve the neighbor "doing good" as optional.  Therefore you could live life totally selfishly with no regard to your neighbor and if you believe still go to heaven.  It may be true, but it certainly is not fulfilling or even "heavenly" for that matter.  So I conclude from this that it must not be true?  There must be acknowledgment of faith AND charity to be heavenly.

Rob

Sent from my iPad

[Tom & Rachel David]

Yes you could, in this doctrinal view, theoretically live life totally selfishly.  The need to do good becomes optional.  The people who choose not to do good are in the dragon camp.  The people who choose to do good because the Lord would want them to are the third group.  The idea of it being optional is false - but fortunately, for many people it doesn't seem to be a debilitating falsity - they retain enough truth to guide them.

And since we all retain some falsity, it's a comforting example to see others with false ideas live good lives.

Tom

[Joan Lynch]

I don't want to detract from the excellent points made on this subject with a technicality, but it is in the form of a question. Tom referred  to not enough New Church ideas penetrating the clouds....but my reading of chapter 21 gave me the impression that all of the previous church, including the "earth protecting the woman" has passed away, and that the new Heaven was  in fact established by the New Jerusalem , and would replace the need for the earth protecting the woman because it is available to all. 

I still like the imagery of the earth protecting the woman and think something analogous exists, but don't know what it might be. Maybe I'm wrong. 

[Christopher Lynch]

Ps  I was using Joans computer on that last thread. Chris

Sent from my iPad

[Tom & Rachel David]

I had always thought that the "former heaven and former earth passing away" only meant that the Old Christian Church was no longer the Lord's church on earth.� But Rachel was just making me do the reading for next class� :)� including AR 877-878 and I was wrong about that.�� The former heaven and earth refer to the imaginary heavens that were dissolved at the Last Judgment.

So in this case i'm happy to be wrong because it gets me off the hook for Chris's� comment.� The question of whether the earth that protects the woman� is still with us or not isn't addressed.� I haven't done all the reading though so maybe Chris will still find it.

Tom

Joan Lynch wrote:

I don't want to detract from the excellent points made on this subject with a technicality, but it is in the form of a question. Tom referred��to not enough New Church ideas penetrating the clouds....but my reading of chapter 21 gave me the impression that all of the previous church, including the "earth protecting the woman" has passed away, and that the new Heaven was �in fact established by the New Jerusalem , and would replace the need for the earth protecting the woman because it is available to all.�

I still like the imagery of the earth protecting the woman and think something analogous exists, but don't know what it might be. Maybe I'm wrong.�

On Jan 15, 2011, at 11:05 AM, Tom & Rachel David wrote:

Yes you could, in this doctrinal view, theoretically live life totally selfishly.� The need to do good becomes optional.� The people who choose not to do good are in the dragon camp.� The people who choose to do good because the Lord would want them to are the third group.� The idea of it being optional is false - but fortunately, for many people it doesn't seem to be a debilitating falsity - they retain enough truth to guide them.

And since we all retain some falsity, it's a comforting example to see others with false ideas live good lives.

Tom

Rob Simons wrote:

Good point Tom. �This is my experience as well. �This third group is quite common. �I found it difficult to argue against . . . And it seems a fairly comfortable position. �The problem with it as I see it, is it leaves the need to serve the neighbor "doing good" as optional. �Therefore you could live life totally selfishly with no regard to your neighbor and if you believe still go to heaven. �It may be true, but it certainly is not fulfilling or even "heavenly" for that matter. �So I conclude from this that it must not be true? �There must be acknowledgment of faith AND charity to be heavenly.

Rob

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 15, 2011, at 9:27 AM, Tom & Rachel David <tomra...@verizon.net> wrote:

That 19% sounds about right to me.� There are some people in the Protestant churches out there who genuinely accept that doctrine, and are quite clear in stating that they do not need to live good lives in any fashion to go to heaven.� There are others who do believe that you have to live a good life.� There is a third group, though, and I'd put many of the Protestants I've met into this camp: believing that faith alone saves, but that if you have faith, you will want to live in a way that pleases God, and He will lead you through love for Him to lead a good life.� "Faith saves," some would say, "but if you don't live a good life then you don't really have faith."�

If I recall correctly, there is one passage in the Writings that points out that this view is wrong, that good actions are not just a byproduct of faith.� Nevertheless it seems that many of these people are trying to lead good lives, not because they are scared of hell, but because they love the Lord as they understand Him.� They are trying to please Him.� They are living out a love for the Lord, in other words.

It seems that even when New Church ideas don't fully penetrate through the clouds, enough light gets through to illuminate the people repesented by "the earth that helped the woman."

Tom


George Gantz wrote:

Huh. Sorry to chime in, but this thread is awesome - should be on the blog!

Makes more sense to think about the dragons as the ones in our head - the hubris - often surreptitious - that results in our being highjacked by the head rather than led by the heart.�

Tx. George

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 14, 2011, at 11:47 AM, Matthew Genzlinger <pas...@newchurchconcord.org> wrote:

Interesting that the Apocalypse Revealed points out that a lot of them come from among the learned and clergy.� There are some lay people even in the world today that are caught up in this , but the people I've talked to that I would class under those who really do believe in faith alone are often priests.� I've talked to some before who definitely have seemed dragonish!� And, of course, I occasionally see a dragon flying around parts of my own heart and mind : )

�

One of the interesting things is that we're told that those in the laity who buy into the idea of faith alone in a way that will damage their spiritual lives, are those who like it because it allows them to remain in their evils rather than reflecting on them and shunning them as sins: "The reason why it is said that the dragon has much power, is, because the salvation of man by faith alone, without the works of the law, which faith is meant by "the dragon," captivates minds, and then confirmations persuade. �It captivates, because man, on hearing that the damnation of the law is taken away, and the Lord's merit is imputed to him through faith alone in this, he can indulge in the pleasures of his mind and body, without any fear of hell ; hence comes the power which is signified by "the ten horns of the dragon." That such has been his power, evidently appears from the reception of that faith everywhere throughout the Reformed Christian world." (AR 550)

�

Matthew

�

From: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com [mailto:book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Rob Simons
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 9:59 AM
To: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Faith Alone

�

It reminds me of the June 19^th play we did several years ago . . . we described this exact passage in a more simplistic way, but nonetheless profound.� No doubt in my mind this is the state the NC is in right now . . . . the thing I don�t see is the dragons running around . . . where are they?� (who are they?).

�

rob

�

From: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com [mailto:book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Matthew Genzlinger
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 9:12 AM
To: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Faith Alone

�

I love the fact that this is basically what the Writings say is represented by the woman being protected in the wilderness and the earth swallowing up the flood from the dragons mouth!� Here's the passage -

�

AE 764: "It is said above that "the woman fled into the wilderness where she hath a place prepared by God," and afterwards that she received "the wings of an eagle and flew to her place," which signifies that the church that is called the New Jerusalem is to tarry among those who are in the doctrine of faith separate while it grows to fullness, until provision is made for it among many. But in that church there are dragons who separate faith from good works not only in doctrine but also in life; but the others in the same church who live the life of faith, which is charity, are not dragons, although they are among them, for they do not know otherwise than that it is according to doctrine that faith produces fruits, which are good works, and that the faith that justifies and saves is believing what is in the Word, and doing it . But the dragons have wholly different sentiments; but what these are the others do not comprehend, and because they do not comprehend them they do not receive them. From this it is clear that the church consisting of those who are not dragons is meant by the "earth" that "helped the woman and swallowed up the river that the dragon cast out of his mouth .""

�

From: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com [mailto:book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Rob Simons
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 10:22 PM
To: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Faith Alone

�

That is consistent with my experience . . . I can�t think of a single one of my protestant friends who enumerate this as central to their doctrine in anyway.�� Even if they are aware of the doctrine, it�s not part of their practice.

�

rob

�

From: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com [mailto:book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Matthew Genzlinger
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 9:08 AM
To: book-of-reve...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Faith Alone

�

Dear Friends,

Since we've been talking a lot about faith alone in class I thought you might be interested in the follow statistic:

�

The Pew Forum for Religion and Public life did a survey which yielded the interesting statistic that only 19% of protestants understand that their church teaches that salvation is through faith alone.

�

Matthew

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Sorry this is late.  The snow last week threw off my schedule a bit.  Give it a read if you get a chance.  We’ll also be looking at it in class this Wednesday.  Below is one long but good passage about how “blind faith” cannot exist in the New Church represented by the New Jerusalem. - Matthew

 

 

 

            “For the delight of love and wisdom elevates the thought, enabling one to see as in the light that a thing is so, although he had never heard it before. This light, which enlightens the mind, flows in from no other source than out of heaven from the Lord; and as they who will be of the New Jerusalem, will directly approach the Lord, that light will flow in, by the way of order, which is through the love of the will into the perception of the understanding.

But they who have confirmed themselves in that dogma, that the understanding in theological things is to see nothing, but that what the church teaches must be believed blindly, cannot see any truth in the light, for they have obstructed the way of the light into themselves. This dogma the Reformed Church has retained from the Roman Catholic religious persuasion, which declares that no one but the church itself, by which they mean the pope and papal consistory, ought to interpret the Word, and that he who does not in faith embrace all the doctrine delivered by the church, is to be considered as a heretic, and is accursed. That this is the case, is evident from a clause of the Council of Trent, in which all the dogmas of that religion are established, and where these words are at the end: "Then the president, Moronus, said, 'Go in peace.' There followed acclamations, and among others this declaration of the cardinal of Lorraine and the fathers: 'We also believe, we are all of this very opinion, we all consenting and embracing, subscribe to it; this is the faith of the blessed Peter and of the apostles, this is the faith of the fathers, this is the faith of the orthodox. So be it, Amen, Amen, Anathema to all heretics, Anathema, Anathema.'" The decrees of that Council are quoted in a summary at the beginning of this work, in which, indeed, there is scarcely a single truth.

These particulars are quoted to show that the Reformed have retained from that religious persuasion a blind faith, that is, a faith separated from the understanding; and they who do retain it henceforth cannot be enlightened in Divine truths from the Lord. So long as the understanding is held captive under obedience to faith, or so long as the understanding is removed from seeing the truths of the church, theology is only a thing of the memory, and a thing of the memory only is dissipated, like everything disunited from the judgment, and perishes from its obscurity. Hence it is, that they are: Blind leaders of the blind. And when the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14). And they are blind, because they do not enter in through the door, but some other way; for Jesus said: I am the door: by Me if anyone enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture (John 10:9). "To find pasture" is to be taught, enlightened, and nourished in Divine truths; for all who do not enter in through the door, that is, through the Lord, are called "thieves and robbers"; but they who enter in through the door, that is, through the Lord, are called "shepherds of the sheep" in the same chapter (10:1-2). Do thou, therefore, my friend, go to the Lord, and shun evils as sins, and reject faith alone, and then your understanding will be opened, and you will see wonderful things, and be affected by them.” (AR 914)

 

 

[Joan Lynch]

Glad to have this.  We have been reading the arcana but are only at verse 13, so the Cliff nets" will assist us.  It's good to know where you will be focusing.

I find this very exciting reading and am already looking forward to the next class.

Joan

<Chapter 21 - Passages from AR.pdf>

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Hello all,

 

Attached are some readings from the Apocalypse Revealed for our next class - February 2nd.  This is the last chapter of the book!  As you read it I would encourage you to again notice images that have to do with those three most important aspects of religion that we talked about last time:  The Lord; the Word; a life of love and charity.  With these three things, how is the "New Church" that is being represented by the Holy City New Jerusalem different from the Christian world we see judged in this book?  The last seven pages of the attached document include two memorable relations.  Read them if you get a chance.

 

At this class we'll spend a little bit of time talking about what (if anything) people want to do from now until June.  We could read through another book or even do something more topical.  Feel free to respond to this email with any suggestions so that we can start thinking now.  Bring to class any ideas or suggestions you might have.  Thanks,

 

Matthew

[Joan Lynch]

I was so sorry to miss last week's class and hope I will feel "caught up" by the end of this next discussion.  The Book of Revelation has been a wonderful journey.  Thank you all for your contributions.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend a study like this - it really assists in returning my focus to where I want and need it to be. 

As for future classes, some time in the fall the reading we were doing made me want to go back to Genesis and begin a study of the Arcana.  

Joan

 

<Chapter 22 - Passages from AR.pdf>

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Hello everybody,

How are people feeling about class tonight?  Looks like snow accumulation is pretty much done for the day and things will be completely drying out by about 4pm.  I, of course, get to just walk across the street, but what do others think?  Do you all think you’re okay for coming it?  I’ll assume we’re having class unless I hear from people  that they don’t feel good about coming out.  Time to go shovel the driveway,

 

Matthew

[Tom & Rachel David]

Hi Matthew,

We would very much like to be at class tonight, and are planning to be there, but it will be rather dependant on the weather.  We are told that south of I 90 it will turn to freezing rain, and it is this ice that concerns us.  If it continues with sleet/snow, we will be there.  Do you mind if we wait a few hours until we make a decision?

Rachel

[Ken Holbert]

I am headed to work.  Driving is reported to be very bad.  I would request that we meet in two weeks with hopes that transport will be better.  With current conditions, particularly coming from the West, I do not think I will be in class tonight.

 

Thanks,

 

Ken

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Well, if Ken and Kate won't be able to make it and Tom and Rachel are on the fence, I would lean towards rescheduling for 2 weeks from today (Feb 16).  This storm pattern is crazy!  This makes 3 of the last 4 Wednesdays I've cancelled either Revelation class of Young Adults.  Another storm on Saturday/Sunday and ANOTHER one on the horizon for next Tuesday/Wednesday.  First time since moving to MA I'm going to have to go shovel my roof this afternoon.

 

Stay warm,

 

Matthew

[Matthew Genzlinger]

Just a reminder of our class tonight at 7:30pm - Revelation chapter 22.

[Matthew Genzlinger]

I wanted to thank you all for joining us for our book of revelation class - either in person or if you were able to follow along on your own with some of the readings.  We had our last class yesterday night.  We all went home feeling as if we had a complete and perfect understanding of the book : ).

 

Our plan for the Wednesday evening class is to now take a break until the Spring, at which point we will meet again for a study of the Arcana Caelestia - Not all 12 volumes, just the first 66 numbers that deal with the story of creation, and possibly a few that take us into the story of the Garden of Eden.  This will take us to June at which point we'll break for the Summer.

 

Possible Wednesdays to start up again with the story of creation from the Arcana:

 

March 23

March 30

April 6

 

Let me know which dates you are available and if there is a date you would also prefer.

 

Thank you again, and I hope you got some valuable insights from the revelation class and readings. - Matthew

 

PS. This will be the last time this google group email is used.  I'll set up a new one for those who want to continue receiving communications about the Arcana readings.

[Joan Lynch]

Matthew,

Thank you for leading us through the book of Revelation.  While we were never really in the wilderness, there was certainly some darkness when reading for class.  Meeting always shed light and certainly kept me motivated.  Now if I can just master the discipline needed to put some of this "enlightenment" to work in my day to day life. 

I can do March 23 and April 6, but not March 30.

Joan