Inscribe the Word - December Scripture Writing Plan
I have to admit, I am a little bit weepy sharing this month’s Inscribe the Word with you. We have come to the end of 2019; a year that we spent inscribing treasures from every book of the Bible. When I look back on 2019, I don’t have many fond memories. It has been a very difficult year to say the least. But one memory that shines brightly is the ability to write through the Scriptures with you using our monthly Scripture Writing Plans.
When I look back over the months that we’ve been studying together, I can see exactly how the Books we were Inscribing was just what I needed to read in the season I was in. It is amazing how you can read and write the same passage of Scripture, but God lights up something new every time.
My Dear Friends, Thank You.
Thank you so much for journeying through the Scriptures with me this year. Thank you for sharing what God has illuminated to you during this process. Thank you for sharing our plans on Pinterest and with family and friends. Thank you for being a vital part to the ministry here at A Symphony of Praise.
It has been a glorious year together and I am so excited to close out 2019 inscribing The Epistles and The New Testament Books of Prophecy.
GLEANINGS FROM The N.T. Letters & Books Of prophecy
In January, we started with the first two books of the Bible; Genesis and Exodus.
In February, we finished the Pentateuch, the Law, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
In March, we inscribed part one of the Historical books of the Old Testament.
In April, we inscribed part two of the Historical books of the Old Testament.
In May, we inscribed The Psalms.
In June, we finished the poetic books with Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
In July, we began the major Old Testament prophets with Isaiah and Jeremiah.
In August, we inscribed Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
In September, we inscribed the final books of the Old Testament Minor Prophets.
In October, we inscribed the Gospels and the book of Acts.
In November, we inscribed Paul’s Letters.
This month, we turn our attention to the New Testament Letters & Books of Prophecy.
THE BOOK OF HEBREWS.
WHO: I grew up on the King James Bible. It was my Dad’s favorite. In my Bible the title page of Hebrews said it was written by Paul. I always thought, growing up, that Hebrews was a Pauline epistle, but it is not.
The author of Hebrews is completely unknown. The style is so different from Paul’s epistles that it has been widely accepted that Paul is not the author. Some scholars have suggested Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. Some have suggested Paul’s associate Priscilla (possibly with her husband Aquila). We don’t know.
All we know is that the writer knew who was reading this letter (13:19). He knows them well, is acquainted with their history, including past and current leaders, has the liberty to speak his mind (5:13), and displays a pastor’s heart (6:1, 9) for them. (source)
WHEN: Although the author is unknown, the date can be easily pin-pointed. Based on evidence externally and internally, Hebews was written around A.D. 63-65.
AUDIENCE: Hebrews does not start off as an epistle (a letter), but it ends as one. It is addressed to Hebrew Christians. These Christians were “second generation” Christians as can be seen in Hebrews 2:3. These Jewish Believers were being pulled back to Judaism.
“But in this Epistle the problem was not just a question of leaving an old system for a new one of equal value. Rather it was a matter of leaving Judaism for Christ, and as the writer shows, this involved leaving shadows for the substance, ritual for reality, the prior for the ultimate, the temporary for the permanent—in short, the good for the best.
The problem also involved leaving the popular for the unpopular, the majority for the minority, and the oppressors for the oppressed. And this precipitated many serious problems.” - William MacDonald.
THEME: A key word that appears throughout the book of Hebrews is BETTER. The author is clearly letting the readers know that there is a BETTER WAY and His name is Jesus. This is a messaget that is so needed today. Our Lord is BETTER than anything the world, religion, or society could offer. He is always BETTER.
THE BOOK OF JAMES.
WHO: The author of the book of James was Jesus’ brother known as James the Just. (Matthew 13:55) His humility is shown in the fact that he doesn’t address himself as Jesus’ brother, but simply “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ . . . “. (James 1:1)
WHEN: James wrote his book around A.D. 45 and 48.
AUDIENCE: From the first verse of James we know that he is speaking to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad . . . “. (James 1:1) We know that he is writing to Jewish Christians belonging to the original twelve tribes of Israel. However, we know that especially today the Book of James applies to believers everywhere.
THEME: “Genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds. This is the central theme of James’s letter, around which he supplies practical advice on living the Christian life.” (source)
THE BOOK OF 1 & 2 PETER.
WHO: The author of 1 and 2 Peter is Simon Peter, Jesus’ disciple. Throughout the Gospels we see Peter’s brash attitude. He is loud, impetuous, and sometimes quite rude. But in these epistles, we see the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter is kind, patient, and loving in his epistles showing a life that is truly transformed.
WHEN: The date of 1 Peter is most likely around A.D. 62–63. 2 Peter was written about three years after. 2 Peter was written shortly before his martyrdom.
AUDIENCE: The original audience for 1 Peter was Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire, especially in Asia Minor, who were facing persecution for their faith. 2 Peter was written to the church at large. But even if we were not part of the original audience, we can learn so much from these letters when faced with persecution and when desiring to learn to live like Jesus.
THEME: The theme of 1 Peter is to hold onto hope in the time of trial. He writes in 1 Peter 5:12 that his specific purpose in writing the letter was “ . . . exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.”
The theme of 2 Peter can be found in 2 Peter 3:17-18. “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
The theme of 2 Peter is twofold. It is to warn against false teachers that had penetrated the early church and to encourage the spiritual growth of the believers who were reading this letter.
THE BOOK OF 1 JOHN.
WHO: The author of 1 John is the apostle John. The beloved disciple of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of John, 2 John, and 3 John.
WHEN & WHERE: 1 John was most likely written in Ephesus between A.D. 85 and 90. John was an older man at the time this book was written and had not yet been banished to the island of Patmos.
AUDIENCE: 1 John was not written to any church in particular. Paul wrote most of his epistles (letters) to specific churches, but John did not. John had been with Jesus and wrote authoritatively because of his time with the Lord. He wrote 1 John from a pastoral point of view for a variety of Gentile congregations. He wrote to us; believers in Christ.
PURPOSE: John wrote 1 John to reassure Christians in their faith. He is often called "the apostle of love," and you will find love mentioned throughout the letter. It was written to counter false teachings and to encourage Christians that they are serving a God of love, light, and life.
THE BOOK OF 2 & 3 JOHN.
WHO: The author of 2 and 3 John is the apostle, John. The beloved disciple of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of John as well as 1 John.
WHEN & WHERE: 2 and 3 John were most likely written in Ephesus between A.D. 85 and 90. He wrote all of the epistles with his name from Ephesus.
AUDIENCE: 2 John was written to "The elect lady and her children," as well as to Christians everywhere. This woman and her family were most likely involved in one of the churches that John was overseeing. They had apparently developed a strong friendship with John.
3 John was written to Gaius, a prominent Christian in one of John's churches as well as to Christians everywhere.
PURPOSE: John wrote 2 John to once again warn against the false teachers plaguing the church. He wrote to re-emphasize the basic of Christianity - truth, and love.
He wrote 3 John to commend Gaius for his hospitality and to encourage him, and Christians everywhere.
THE BOOK OF JUDE.
WHO: The author of the book of Jude is, “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” Jude 1:1 Jude was the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus. This book is similar in style to James’ book of the New Testament.
WHEN: Scholars believe Jude was written after 2 Peter and a date of A.D. 80 seems to fit.
AUDIENCE: Jude lets us know in the first verse who he is writing to. “To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:” Jude 1:1 Because of the references to Jewish tradition, Jude is assuming that his readers have a grasp on Jewish history. His book is written to Jewish Christian and of course, to us; beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.
PURPOSE: Jude gives us his purpose for writing in verses 3 and 4. “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Although he wanted to write about salvation, he instead needed to write about the false teachers who silently found there way into the assemble. His letter was to urge the believers to go back to the faith they once knew.
THEME: The key themes of JUDE is the dangers of false teachers and apostasy that hed found its way into the church.
THE BOOK OF REVELATION.
AUTHOR: The author of the Book of Revelation is Jesus Christ, written through John the Beloved. “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John . . .” Revelation 1:1
AUDIENCE: The Book of Revelation is written for Christians everywhere and in every time. The original audience, however, was the seven church in Asia Minor which is now modern day Turkey. “John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne . . .” Revelation 1:4
WHEN & WHERE: John, the beloved disciple, was inspired to write this book while exiled on the Island of Patmos. There are two dates that scholars seem divided on regarding the timing of this book. “The first date is AD 54-68, during the reign of Nero. The text’s heavy emphasis on persecution and its failure to mention the AD 70 destruction of the temple and Jerusalem support this position.” - Dwight Moody.
The second date is in the mid-90s A.D. during the reigh of Domitian.
HOW TO READ REVELATION: Revelation isi a book of symbols and must be seen with spiritual eyes. I want to share some words from William MacDonald, Bible teacher and scholar, regarding the Book of Revelation. He can explain how to read this book more eloquently than I could. I pray this guide helps you in understanding this difficult, yet triumphant book.
“A simple key to the understanding of the book of Revelation is to realize that it is divided into three main parts. Chapter 1 describes a vision in which John saw Christ robed as a Judge and standing in the midst of the seven churches. Chapters 2 and 3 have to do with the Church Age in which we now live. The remaining nineteen chapters have to do with future events following the close of the Church Age. We may divide the book as follows:
The things which John saw, that is, the vision of Christ as Judge of the churches.
The things which are: an outline of the Church Period from the death of the apostles to the time when Christ will take His saints to heaven (chaps. 2 and 3).
The things which will take place after this: an outline of future events from the Rapture of the saints to the Eternal State (chaps. 4-22). An easy way to remember the contents of this third section of the book is as follows:
a. Chapters 4 through 19 describe the Tribulation, a period of at least seven years during which God will judge the unbelieving nation of Israel and unbelieving Gentiles as well. These judgments are described under the figures of:
(1) Seven seals.
(2) Seven trumpets.
(3) Seven bowls.
b. Chapters 20-22 deal with Christ’s Second Coming, His kingdom on earth, the Judgment of the Great White Throne, and the Eternal State.” - William MacDonald
THEME: The theme of Revaltion is to encourge us to persevere. When we are stranded on our own island of Patmos, persevere in your faith. When the kids have left, or you have been served with papers, or have lost a job, or have hit rock bottom . . . persevere. Because, my friend, The Lamb Has Overcome, and through Him you are an overcomer!
“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Revelation 21:5-7 ESV
As I have from the beginning of this year, I pray that you will see Jesus in every book of the Bible.
In HEBREWS, He is our perfection.
In JAMES, He is the power behind our faith.
In 1 PETER, He is our example.
In 2 PETER, He is our purity.
In 1 JOHN, Jesus is our life.
In 2 JOHN, He is the pattern for our life.
In 3 JOHN, Jesus is the motivation behind our life.
In JUDE, He is our foundation.
In REVELATION, Jesus is our soon coming King.
I pray through this study, you are blessed!
I look forward to studying with you again in 2020.
With All My Heart,
E R I K A M I C H E L L E
YOUR TURN
Tell us in the comments which book(s) of the Bible have really stood out to you during this year’s study.
