December 15th, 2022
MAPS
The oldest known map is the Imago Mundi Babylonian map from the 6th century BCE Babylonia. Now in the British Museum. Below is a photo of the map that is on display at the British Museum.
Does the name Rand McNally mean anything to you? When I was growing up, if you wanted to know where a state, city or county was located you looked either on a paper map or in a road atlas. Also, if you had done this you know that (re)folding a paper map took so engineering know how. Now, we can just type into our smartphones and a map with pop open and give us step by step directions along with road conditions to our destinations. It may be quicker and more convenient but I have also found it to be very annoying when I decide to stop or veer off track to check something out, “MAKE A U-TURN AT THE NEXT STREET.” A road map, atlas or your smartphone app provides us with detailed directions to reach a certain destination.
The Bible (God’sWord), also provides for us detailed directions along with instructions for living a life pleasing to God. It tells of roads and paths to avoid falling into sin; teaches us to avoid hazards in life; provides warning signs and tells when use caution. The Bible also provides us with instructions for living a life that is loving, generous, and draws others to Jesus and His teachings. The Bible is our road map to the new Jerusalem and the new heaven. Revelation 2:21, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” We even have a personal guide, the Holy Spirit leading on the path of righteousness to God Himself.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things.”
—John 14:26—
The Bible is our road map for living, dying, and living again. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Bible starts with the beginning at Genesis and it takes us to the end of time in Revelation. It is about the Alpha and the Omega, the one One, the I AM that I AM, who began this world and the One who will bring it to a conclusion.
- Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
- Revelation 21:6-7, “Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”
- Revelation 22:13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
“Theology is like a map. Merely learning and thinking about the Christian doctrines, if you stop there, is less real and less exciting than the sort of thing my friend got in the desert. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. But that map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God–experiences compared with which many thrills of pious feelings you and I are likely to get on our own are very elementary and very confused. And secondly, if you want to get any further you must use the map.”
—C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity—
Thank you for visiting my blog today. May you experience the love of God today as you continue your journey through Advent. You are a blessing. 🛐 💟
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/twiki/Early_world_maps
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John.14.26&version=RSV
HOPE SEEKER 