Prophetic humility A call to action.

A reflection on Revelation 22:69 here on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

Hello my good friends.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

So pleased to be able to serve you with the daily reading of the New Testament.

We use the message version of the New Testament.

We read from the Revised Common Lectionary which is the selected verses for this very day.

It's in a three year cycle.

We're near sea the Eastertide season.

We make the reading of the Bible understandable.

We read from the message version relatable.

We give you three points to ponder applicable we give you an action step to take.

We have a prayer.

We do all of that in under 10 minutes or so and it's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is our website where we have the free resource for you the AB1, 23 Bible study method.

Let's get into our reading for for today from the Revelation 22:69 reading from the message don't put it away on the shelf.

The angel said to me, these are dependable and accurate words.

Everyone, the God and the master of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show his servants what must take place and soon and tell them, yes, I'm on my way.

Blessed be the one who keeps the words and the prophecy of this book.

John saw all these things.

I, John, saw all these things with my own eyes, heard them with my ears.

Immediately when I heard and saw, I fell on my face to worship at the feet of the angel who laid it all out before me.

He objected, no you don't.

I'm a servant, just like you and your companions, the prophets and all who keep the words of this book.

Worship God.

A great passage here that boils into an opportunity to think deeply about prophecy and action and authentic spiritual practices.

Prophetic humility, we might call it.

Let's get into some points to ponder.

The first one is the urgency of now.

When the angel says these are dependable and accurate words and I'm on my way, we're reminded that justice just can't wait in our contemporary context.

Whether we're addressing climate crisis, systematic racism, economic inequality or political problems, the time for action is now.

Progressive Christianity recognizes that prophecy often means speaking truth to power about present injustices.

A second point to ponder is about dismantling spiritual hierarchy, the angel's refusal to accept worship and insistence on being seen as his assistance.

Insistence on being seen as a fellow servant dramatically challenges religious hierarchies this speaks to progressive Christianity's emphasis on the priesthood of all believers and challenges us to question authority structures that separate people into spiritual classes or create barriers to full participation.

The third thing is about a collective prophetic responsibility.

The angel identifies as a, quote, a servant, just like you and your companions the prophets.

This suggests that prophetic work, the work of truth telling and justice seeking, belongs to the entire community.

We are all called to be prophets in our own context, speaking out against oppression and working for transformation.

Here's your action step for the day.

Identify one truth that needs to be spoken in your community.

Maybe it's about environmental issues or about economic inequality or social injustice.

There's a myriad of topics, of course.

Write it down, research it thoroughly and find out a concrete way to share it with others.

Remember the angels example of humble truth telling speak not from a position of superiority, but as a fellow servant working for change.

We're going to pray.

Just a moment.

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Go there right now.

Pick it up voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.

Oh God, you are a source of truth and justice and help us hear the urgent calls of our time and with open hearts and ready hands.

When we're tempted to worship power or authority, remind us that we are all servants together.

Give us courage to speak truth and humility and listen to others.

Guide us in dismantling hierarchies that separate us and build communities where all voices are heard.

May we be faithful companions in the ongoing work of transformation, neither placing ourselves above others nor shrinking from our prophetic calling.

In the spirit of loving service.

Amen.

And in the spirit of continual Bible study every single day.

We'll be with you again here tomorrow here on the Daily Bible Refresh.

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So tomorrow, friends, My name is Dr.

Brad Miller, and I'll be with with you then.

Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

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It's created new every morning.