Episode 848
Exploring Radical Inclusion: The Divine Invitation |848
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...
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The examination of Revelation 19:9-10 reveals critical insights into the theme of divine inclusion and hospitality. The passage, which invites all to partake in the wedding supper of the Lamb, acts as a transformative metaphor that challenges the exclusionary practices often found within various religious traditions. This divine invitation is a testament to the universality of God's love, transcending societal constructs that frequently delineate who is worthy of such grace. The discussion emphasizes that the blessings of God are generously extended to all individuals, irrespective of their social status, race, or gender, thus affirming the inclusive nature of divine love.
Furthermore, the episode scrutinizes the moment when John attempts to venerate the angel, only to be corrected for his actions. This pivotal exchange serves as a powerful critique of the hierarchical structures that can pervade religious spaces. The angel's insistence on mutual servitude invites listeners to reflect on their own practices and attitudes towards authority within their faith communities. By fostering a spirit of equality and shared ministry, we can cultivate an environment that honors the dignity of every individual, thereby reflecting the core values of the divine message.
Lastly, the text encourages a prophetic stance in today's sociopolitical landscape, where the spirit of prophecy is defined as the witness of Jesus. This notion compels us to speak out against injustices and advocate for a just and loving society. The discussion culminates in practical steps for individuals to engage in this prophetic witness, urging listeners to contemplate how they might dismantle hierarchies in their own spheres of influence. By doing so, we not only honor the invitation to the divine banquet but also contribute to the realization of a beloved community characterized by radical inclusion and love.
Takeaways:
- The wedding supper of the Lamb serves as a profound metaphor for divine hospitality, emphasizing inclusivity.
- Radical inclusion at the divine table invites all individuals, regardless of societal boundaries or statuses.
- The act of worshiping the angel illustrates the necessity of dismantling hierarchical structures in religious environments.
- True spiritual engagement encompasses mutual service and shared ministry, transcending traditional leadership roles.
- The witness of Jesus embodies a prophetic call to address social injustices and advocate for the marginalized.
- A practical action step involves actively fostering equitable relationships in our daily lives, promoting inclusivity.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Radical Inclusion at the Divine A Study of the Revelation 19:9 10 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:So happy to have you join me here today as we go on this mission here together of putting the audible word of God into two millionaires.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:We do so by a daily reading from the New Testament.
Speaker A:We use the message version to make it understandable.
Speaker A:We make it relatable by giving you three points to ponder and applicable by giving you an action step to take.
Speaker A:We use the readings that we take from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in Year C the Lenten Season.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by our website voiceofgod daily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:Let's get into our reading for the day which is from Revelation 19:9 10.
Speaker A:Reading from the Message the angel said to me, write this Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Speaker A:And he added, these are the true words of God.
Speaker A:I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn't let me.
Speaker A:Don't do that, he said.
Speaker A:I'm a servant just like you and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus.
Speaker A:The witness of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.
Speaker A:And that ends the reading.
Speaker A:Let's get into a little discussion here.
Speaker A:Some points to ponder about this reflection about this wedding supper where the Lamb is there, the Lamb of God, and discover what it means in our contemporary faith journey.
Speaker A:Here's a few points to ponder.
Speaker A:One is about the radical inclusion at the divine table At God's table, the wedding supper of the Lamb presents us with a powerful metaphor of divine hospitality.
Speaker A:In contrast to exclusionary religious gatherings, this heavenly celebration invites all to be participants.
Speaker A:This reminds us that God's love transcends human made boundaries of race and gender, sexuality or social status.
Speaker A:The blessing isn't reserved for a select few, but extends to all who seek an authentic relationship with God.
Speaker A:Another point is about dismantling religious hierarchy.
Speaker A:When John falls to worship the angel, he's immediately corrected.
Speaker A:This powerful moment challenges our tendency to create hierarchies in religious spaces.
Speaker A:The angel's response is I'm a servant just like you.
Speaker A:That reminds us that true spirituality isn't about proper structures or elevating religious leaders.
Speaker A:Instead, it calls us to embrace mutual service and shared ministry.
Speaker A:Another point to ponder is about having a prophetic witness in today's world.
Speaker A:The text here tells us that the witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Speaker A:In progressive Christianity, this calls us to speak truth to power just as Jesus did.
Speaker A:Prophecy isn't about predicting the future, but about naming present injustices and working towards a beloved community.
Speaker A:Eyewitness to Jesus means actively participating in movements for social justice, environmental stewardship, and radical love.
Speaker A:Here's your action step this week.
Speaker A:Practice in some form or another, dismantling hierarchy in your own sphere, your own world.
Speaker A:This might mean amplifying marginalized voices in your community, or sharing decision making power in your workplace or church, or examining your own tendencies to place certain people on pedestals and lower the rank of others.
Speaker A:Ask yourself, how can I create more equitable relationships in my daily life?
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a minute.
Speaker A:I did want to remind you that we have a resource for you to help you with your own personal Bible study.
Speaker A:It is called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It will help you in a very point by point manner to study the Bible of your own accord.
Speaker A:I hope that you'll pick it up.
Speaker A:It's free for you.
Speaker A:You just go to voiceofgoddaily.com here's our prayer for the day Divine God, give us thanks for your invitation to the great celebration of life and justice.
Speaker A:Help us release our grip on hierarchies and exclusion.
Speaker A:Make us more aware of the ways we can create a beloved community right where we are.
Speaker A:Grant us courage to be the prophetic witnesses, speaking truth with love and working for justice with hope.
Speaker A:Remind us that we are all equal servants in your kingdom, called to lift each other up rather than elevate ourselves.
Speaker A:Guide us in creating spaces of radical welcome and mutual care in the spirit of love and incarnation and liberation.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:It's always a pleasure to be with you here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A: , a million million people by: Speaker A:You can help me do that by joining me again tomorrow.
Speaker A:We drop our episodes every day before 6am and then bring a friend this time.
Speaker A:Until that time, remember, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller and I want to remind you that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.
Speaker A:Every morning.
