New Testament From Jewish Point of View - A Temple Israel Long Beach Zoom Class

We had a fairly small turnout on 12/26/2022 since it was in the middle of the holiday season, but those who attended had a great time visiting with one another and learning and discussing together. Jo Ann, Dan, Steve, Ruth, Kim, Karen, Dave, and Merrill attended.  Steve only was there at the very beginning due to family commitments and Merrill arrived a bit late, but got to do the majority of the study. We read a bunch of chapters! Below is a summary, written by Dan on what went on: We went through Revelation chapters 9-12. We read a fascinating word picture of what was supposed to happen on Earth in response to the actions in Heaven: A great abyss is opened and spews out terrible locust/scorpions who torment people with pain Death takes a holiday leaving pain ridden people with no way to end their misery 200,000,000 riders riding horses with lions heads belching sulphur and snake tails that hurt people, 1/3 of humankind killed    And the remaining people on earth still u...

As usual, our class was so fun! Jo Ann, Dan, Ruth, Steve, David, Dave, Robin, Randy, Norky, Jay, Merill, and Karen (who had Zoom connection problems) attended. Below is a summary written by Dan about what we discussed and learned: We read Revelation chapter 7 and 8 and the grey box in the Jewish Annotated New Testament associated with chapter 7. The heavenly temple cult:   Not the Moonies or Charles Manson but what is going on as life on earth, according to John of Patmos, gets extremely dicey. A whole bunch of martyrs are revealed, as well as the famous 144,000 Jews who are sealed dramatically for some purpose. Then the 7th seal is broken and all kinds of death and destruction on earth break loose. We at the study have polite Hanukkah conversation. The action in Revelation, however borrows scenes from another Jewish holiday, Pesach. As we enjoy a cozy Hanukkah, our story in Revelation is a Cup of Plagues. Additions from Jo Ann: It was wonderful to end our discussion with sing...

As usual, our class was incredibly fun.  Jo Ann, Dan, Ruth, Steve, Karen, Dave, Merrill, Odette, Robin, Randy, Amy, Jon, Jay E, David, and Norky attended. Below is a summary of what we discussed written by Dan: We read Revelation chapters 5 and 6.  Chapter 5 Who is worthy to open the Scroll? Robin commented on the author of Revelation’s use of the Tanach with parallels to Daniel, Ezekiel, etc. Randy spoke of how the power of rhetoric could make even a weak argument persuasive. Randy also showed the tension that exists between the scientific mind and the mind of the believer. Merrill said apocalyptic literature could have been used to evade Roman censorship. Steve offered the example of the introduction of the reading of haftarah, which was used instead of the banned public reading of the Torah. Chapter 6 The opening of the Scroll and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse  Jay referred to this portion as allegory. Then he asked regarding his Christian neighbors who insist th...

We had a great discussion as usual!  Jo Ann, Dan, Ruth, Steve, Karen, Dave, Robin, Randy, Norky, Amy, Merrill, Jay E., David, and Jon attended.  It was Jon’s first time joining us and we were so glad he came. Below is a summary, written by Dan, about what we discussed and learned: We studied Revelation chapters 3 and 4. The letters to churches of Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea brought up some questions. Sardis is mentioned as a dead church. Jo Ann discussed what a “dead” church might be and asked if there might be such a thing as a “dead” temple? The phrase from the Jewish Annotated New Testament “he who conquers” was discussed by Robin because it seemed to suggest some kind of aggression. In contrast, an earlier translation “he who overcomes” was mentioned as the source of the title to the song “we shall overcome”.  We didn’t discuss the church of Philadelphia very much, but Laodicea brought a discussion of what “real riches” were. Steve shared a memorable quote attri...