Reading
Revelation 6:1-7:17
Questions
1. The first seal depicts a time of worldwide peace. How will this aid in lulling the people of the earth into a false sense of security?
(Verses to consider: Daniel 9:24-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:3)
2. What kind of judgment did the breaking of the second and third seals unleash upon the earth?
(Verses to consider: Daniel 11:36-45; Mark 13:7, 8; Luke 21:9)
3. What will be the results of the breaking of the third, fourth, and fifth seals?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Opening the Seals - Part 2 - Devo for 01/27/2009
Reading
Revelation 6:1-7:17
Keys to the Text
The Seals: In chapter 5, Christ was the only One found worthy to open the little scroll - the title deed to the universe. As he breaks the seven seals that secure the scroll, each seal unleashes a new demonstration of God's judgment on the earth in the future tribulation period. These seal judgments include all the judgments to the end. The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets; the seventh trumpet contains the seven bowls.
Each of the scroll's seven seals represents a specific divine judgment that will be poured out sequentially on the earth. The seals encompass the entire seven-year period of the Tribulation, culminating with the return of Christ. It seems best to understand the first four seals as taking place during the first half of the Tribulation. The events of the fifth seal will mark the midpoint, and then the events of the sixth and seventh seals wills stretch into the second half of the seven-year period of the Tribulation.
Great Tribulation: A seven-year period of intense judgment on the earth. The exact phrase, "the great tribulation," is found only once in the Bible, here in 7:14. The Great Tribulation is to be distinguished from the general tribulation a believer faces in the world (Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22). It is also to be distinguished from God's specific wrath upon the unbelieving world at the end of the age (Mark 13:24; Romans 2:5-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). The Great Tribulation fulfills Daniel's prophecies (Daniel 7-12). It will be a time of evil from false christs and false prophets, and natural disasters will occur throughout the world (Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:22). The second half of the Tribulation will feature the Day of the Lord, in which God unleashes His judgment and wrath on the earth in intensifying waves. Though it is a time of unparalleled judgment, it is also a time of unparalleled grace in salvation (see Matthew 24:12-14).
1. What are some of the ways God has demonstrated His judgments on the earth in times past? List verses with your answers.
2. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. What truths do you find in this passage that secure your hope of not being present during the seven-year Tribulation period?
Revelation 6:1-7:17
Keys to the Text
The Seals: In chapter 5, Christ was the only One found worthy to open the little scroll - the title deed to the universe. As he breaks the seven seals that secure the scroll, each seal unleashes a new demonstration of God's judgment on the earth in the future tribulation period. These seal judgments include all the judgments to the end. The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets; the seventh trumpet contains the seven bowls.
Each of the scroll's seven seals represents a specific divine judgment that will be poured out sequentially on the earth. The seals encompass the entire seven-year period of the Tribulation, culminating with the return of Christ. It seems best to understand the first four seals as taking place during the first half of the Tribulation. The events of the fifth seal will mark the midpoint, and then the events of the sixth and seventh seals wills stretch into the second half of the seven-year period of the Tribulation.
Great Tribulation: A seven-year period of intense judgment on the earth. The exact phrase, "the great tribulation," is found only once in the Bible, here in 7:14. The Great Tribulation is to be distinguished from the general tribulation a believer faces in the world (Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22). It is also to be distinguished from God's specific wrath upon the unbelieving world at the end of the age (Mark 13:24; Romans 2:5-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). The Great Tribulation fulfills Daniel's prophecies (Daniel 7-12). It will be a time of evil from false christs and false prophets, and natural disasters will occur throughout the world (Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:22). The second half of the Tribulation will feature the Day of the Lord, in which God unleashes His judgment and wrath on the earth in intensifying waves. Though it is a time of unparalleled judgment, it is also a time of unparalleled grace in salvation (see Matthew 24:12-14).
1. What are some of the ways God has demonstrated His judgments on the earth in times past? List verses with your answers.
2. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. What truths do you find in this passage that secure your hope of not being present during the seven-year Tribulation period?
Opening the Seals - Part 1 - Devo for 01/26/2009
Reading
Revelation 6:1-7:17
Drawing Near
1. We've all seen cartoons of a wild-eyed, bearded prophet holding up a sign that says: "Repent! The end is near!" Why is that type of thing often laughed at?
2. Do you believe in a final judgment? Why or why not?
The Context
The Bible teaches that the world is headed inexorably (definition - not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped) toward a final, cataclysmic war called the Battle of Armageddon. Until that climatic holocaust, things will continue to deteriorate as the world falls deeper and deeper into chaos, confusion, and sin. As the end approaches, wars will increase, crime will escalate, there will be economic upheavals, and the world will experience unprecedented natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, famines, and diseases. All those calamities will mark the outpouring of God's wrath on the fallen, rebellious world.
In Revelation 5:1-7, the setting is heaven, where Christ received from God the Father a scroll sealed with seaven seals until opened by the One with authority to do so. Beginning in chapter 6, the scene shifts to earth and the effects of the scroll being unrolled and its seals broken. The unrolling of the scroll marks the beginning of God's wrath and judgment on sinful mankind as the Lord takes back creation from the usurper, Satan.
Revelation 6:1-7:17
Drawing Near
1. We've all seen cartoons of a wild-eyed, bearded prophet holding up a sign that says: "Repent! The end is near!" Why is that type of thing often laughed at?
2. Do you believe in a final judgment? Why or why not?
The Context
The Bible teaches that the world is headed inexorably (definition - not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped) toward a final, cataclysmic war called the Battle of Armageddon. Until that climatic holocaust, things will continue to deteriorate as the world falls deeper and deeper into chaos, confusion, and sin. As the end approaches, wars will increase, crime will escalate, there will be economic upheavals, and the world will experience unprecedented natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, famines, and diseases. All those calamities will mark the outpouring of God's wrath on the fallen, rebellious world.
In Revelation 5:1-7, the setting is heaven, where Christ received from God the Father a scroll sealed with seaven seals until opened by the One with authority to do so. Beginning in chapter 6, the scene shifts to earth and the effects of the scroll being unrolled and its seals broken. The unrolling of the scroll marks the beginning of God's wrath and judgment on sinful mankind as the Lord takes back creation from the usurper, Satan.
A Vision of Christ in Heaven - Part 6 - Devo for 01/24/2009
Reading
Revelation 4:1-5:14
Truth for Today
The events described in these two chapters anticipate the holocaust of divine judgment about to be poured out on the sinful, rebellious, cursed earth (Revelation 6-19). Awestruck by the indescribable majesty of God's throne, and the flashes of lightning and peals of thunder that proceed from it, the cherubim and elders begin a series of hymns of praise to God. Those hymns celebrate God as Creator and Redeemer, rejoicing that He is about to take back what is rightfully His. This is the moment that all Christians and the entire creation long for.
Reflecting on the Text
1. How can glimpsing true worship in heaven help us better worship here on earth?
2. Describe your own habits of worship. Is it passionate and exuberant? Or is it restrained and distracted? Why?
3. Knowing that the redeemed in heaven will include people from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (5:9), what should our attitude be toward other races, countries, and cultures?
4. What new insights have you gained into heaven from this study? How can this affect your life today so that you have more of an eternal perspective?
Revelation 4:1-5:14
Truth for Today
The events described in these two chapters anticipate the holocaust of divine judgment about to be poured out on the sinful, rebellious, cursed earth (Revelation 6-19). Awestruck by the indescribable majesty of God's throne, and the flashes of lightning and peals of thunder that proceed from it, the cherubim and elders begin a series of hymns of praise to God. Those hymns celebrate God as Creator and Redeemer, rejoicing that He is about to take back what is rightfully His. This is the moment that all Christians and the entire creation long for.
Reflecting on the Text
1. How can glimpsing true worship in heaven help us better worship here on earth?
2. Describe your own habits of worship. Is it passionate and exuberant? Or is it restrained and distracted? Why?
3. Knowing that the redeemed in heaven will include people from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (5:9), what should our attitude be toward other races, countries, and cultures?
4. What new insights have you gained into heaven from this study? How can this affect your life today so that you have more of an eternal perspective?
A Vision of Christ in Heaven - Part 5 - Devo for 01/23/2009
Reading
Revelation 4:1-5:14
Going Deeper
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel experienced amazing visions of living creatures similar to John's vision. Read Ezekiel 1:4-14, 26-28.
Exploring the Meaning
1. Compare the picture of the living creatures and the man on the throne in Ezekiel 1 with John's vision in Revelation 4-5. What similarities do you find?
2. What feeling do you get when you read these descriptions of symbolic heavenly scenes? What is the tone?
3. What do you learn about worship from these passages?
4. Read Matthew 17:6. What is the common posture of those who witness the glory of God? Why?
(Verses to consider: Genesis 17:3; Joshua 5:14; Ezekiel 44:4; Acts 9:4)
5. Read Psalm 96:1-4. Many scenes in Revelation are filled with praise and singing. What part does singing praises play in worshipping God? Why is it such an integral part?
(Verses to consider: Judges 5:3; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalm 7:17; 9:1-2; 40:3;146:2; Isaiah 42:10; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19; Revelation 14:3)
Revelation 4:1-5:14
Going Deeper
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel experienced amazing visions of living creatures similar to John's vision. Read Ezekiel 1:4-14, 26-28.
Exploring the Meaning
1. Compare the picture of the living creatures and the man on the throne in Ezekiel 1 with John's vision in Revelation 4-5. What similarities do you find?
2. What feeling do you get when you read these descriptions of symbolic heavenly scenes? What is the tone?
3. What do you learn about worship from these passages?
4. Read Matthew 17:6. What is the common posture of those who witness the glory of God? Why?
(Verses to consider: Genesis 17:3; Joshua 5:14; Ezekiel 44:4; Acts 9:4)
5. Read Psalm 96:1-4. Many scenes in Revelation are filled with praise and singing. What part does singing praises play in worshipping God? Why is it such an integral part?
(Verses to consider: Judges 5:3; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalm 7:17; 9:1-2; 40:3;146:2; Isaiah 42:10; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19; Revelation 14:3)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Vision of Christ in Heaven - Part 4 - Devo for 01/22/2009
Reading
Revelation 4:1-5:14
Questions
1. What is the identity and significance of the Lamb in Revelation 5 that John saw standing?
(Verses to consider: Exodus 12:1-6; Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
2. Why was Christ worthy to take the scroll in Chapter 5?
3. Describe the worship directed toward the Lamb in chapter 5. What is the mood around the throne?
Revelation 4:1-5:14
Questions
1. What is the identity and significance of the Lamb in Revelation 5 that John saw standing?
(Verses to consider: Exodus 12:1-6; Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
2. Why was Christ worthy to take the scroll in Chapter 5?
3. Describe the worship directed toward the Lamb in chapter 5. What is the mood around the throne?
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