meet with God AUGUST 2010 REVELATION:

Transcription

1 meet with God AUGUST 2010 REVELATION:

2 Revelation Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this (Revelation 1:19). That message, given to the apostle John, opened the window on God s plans for the future. In this Meet with God, you ll take a step further into the incredible Book of Revelation for a glimpse of the things that are to come. Not all of this future vision is pleasant or easy to understand; some of it is terrifying, but victory is certain. It s a done deal. It will all come out right in the end. And that amazing end will be a new beginning for earth, for heaven and for us in the presence of God. Standing at the center of time and history is Jesus Christ. Revelation is really all about Him. And here we ll find two portraits of Jesus as we have yet to see Him. The future Christ is both a slain lamb and a victorious conqueror, a King worthy of all worship and a passionate Bridegroom. As you walk through Revelation, keep in mind that this window on the future has a purpose today. How does knowing God s future plans influence the way you live right now? Do you just wait around for the end? Or will it bring a sense of urgency to your choices, your witness, your relationships? May this time in Revelation bring you to a better understanding of God s plan for your life. week one Worthy Is the Lamb Consider your own worship this week. Would others know by watching you that Jesus is worthy of all praise? What enters your mind when you think of worship? Do you picture a solemn church service or a praise band? Maybe it s a quiet moment contemplating the sunrise. Or is worship a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, which took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne (Revelation 5:6,7)? 2 meet with God August 2010 meet with God August

3 At the beginning of Jesus ministry, John the Baptist saw Jesus and declared, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). And now here, near the end of time, in the very throne room of heaven, John the apostle records the song of the four living creatures and the 24 elders as Jesus the Lamb takes the scroll: Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9 10). Worship plays an important role in the Book of Revelation and for good reason. The word worship comes from the Old English weorthscipe meaning, to ascribe worth to. And that is exactly the point of Revelation: To show Jesus as the only One worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! (Revelation 5:12) Some have observed that Jesus stands at the crux of history crux is from the Latin for cross. It s true. Jesus did many wonderful things during His life here on earth. But if He had never died on that cross, shedding His blood to cover our sins, you and I, the jewel of God s creation, would be lost forever. And so, it s because of the extraordinary love and sacrifice of Jesus that He is declared forever worthy of all our praise. As we transition from the things that are to the things that will be, let s fix our eyes firmly on Jesus, the Lamb who is worthy. renew yourself DAY 1: A Pattern of Worship in God s Word! The Bible offers many examples of worship. For each passage, jot down the occasion for worship and the attitude of worship. Verse Occasion Attitude Exodus 4:29 31 Nehemiah 8:2 6 Matthew 2:1 12 Matthew 28:1 9 Revelation 5:8 14 Write your prayer of worship to Jesus. What makes Him worthy of your worship? 4 meet with God August 2010

4 DAY 2: Fall Down Before Him Read Revelation 4:9 11 Have you ever physically bowed down before God? If you can, take this position of submission, bowed down, face to the floor. If you aren t physically able to lie down on the floor, lay face down on your bed. Meditate on God s holiness and His power. Think through these questions as you bow before Him: Who am I in relation to God? DAY 4: A New Song Read Psalm 96:1 13 What reasons does the psalmist give to praise God? In what ways does this psalm predict the events of Revelation? What is my reaction to God as King? Is it similar to the elders in Revelation 4? What about the lordship of Christ causes me to be thankful? What is your song today? DAY 3: Shouts for Joy In these passages, list the various reasons to shout in joy and praise. Psalm 95:1 Isaiah 40:9 10 Zechariah 9:9 Revelation 19:1 8 Have you ever shouted for joy to the Lord? Why? What are some ways you express your praise to God? Imagine yourself at something like the Super Bowl or the World Cup with a stadium filled beyond capacity. How would you express your excitement or joy? Now revisit Revelation 19:1 8. What will you do in that awesome moment? List or describe your reasons for joy and praise and create your own shout to God. 7

5 DAY 5: The Prayers of the Saints Read Revelation 5:8; 8:1 5 The Book of Revelation says the prayers of the saints are like incense before God. They are kept always before Him. What does the angel do with the contents of the censer (8:1 5)? week two How does this influence your attitude toward prayer? WEEKEND: The Wedding Feast Read Revelation 19:6 10 The Bride of Christ is the Body, those who are believers and followers of the Lamb. How is the Bride prepared or made ready? In light of the fact that our relationship with Jesus is called a marriage, how should we live today? The Righteous Judge What steps have you taken to avoid the wrath of God? What can you do for those in your life who will one day face Jesus as Judge? We don t spend much time considering Jesus in His role as Judge. It s hard to understand. And yet Revelation presents us most often with that very image of Jesus. Starting in chapter 6, Jesus, as the Slain Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll, begins bringing judgment upon the earth. Perhaps the most striking image of Jesus as the Righteous Judge comes in Revelation 19:15 16, From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike 9

6 down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. With the sword, Jesus will strike the nations. All those who have bowed down to the Antichrist, who have believed the lie and aligned themselves against God will face a long overdue justice. Jesus the Righteous Judge will also pour out the fury of God s wrath on the world. More than just anger about sin, this is a purposeful and intentional action against sin. If today we don t experience the full wrath of God, it s only because He is withholding it until that day. Finally, on the day when all pretenders to God s throne have been dealt with, Jesus will at last take His seat as King of kings and Lord of lords. The wrath of God truly is a terrible thing to consider, but it s right there in the Bible and deserves our attention. It s a tragedy for today and for the future if we fail to see the reality of Christ s coming judgment and continue to live as though we will never have to answer to God. As we look closer at Jesus the Righteous Judge, keep in mind Peter s words, Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation... You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (2 Peter 3:14 18). renew yourself in God s Word! DAY 1: The Promise of Judgment Read Matthew 16:27; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 4:17; Jude 1:14 15 What do these verses tell us about the certainty of judgment? God will judge those who love Him and those who don t. How will their judgments differ? 10

7 DAY 2: The Seven Seals Read Revelation 6:1 17; 8:1 Four horsemen are seen after the first four seals are broken. Who are they and what do they represent? On that day, we may very well rejoice to see God s final judgment on evil. But today is not that day! There are many who may yet be spared that horrible fate. Today, pray that God will show you who in your life needs to know Him. Ask Him for a sense of urgency to act, the boldness to reach out to them and for His grace as you share the life-giving message of Jesus our Savior. What is done for the martyrs and what are they asked to do? DAY 4: The Seven Bowls DAY 3: The Seven Trumpets Read Revelation 16:1 21 Who was affected by the first bowl judgment? Read Revelation 8:6 9:21; 11:15 19 Who is protected from the judgment of the fifth trumpet? What is the justification for these judgments given in verse 5 6? After the sixth trumpet, how do the survivors respond (9:20 21)? What is the repeated response to these judgments? Why? How is the seventh trumpet different from the seventh seal (8:1)?

8 DAY 5: The Seven Blessings week three Read Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14 As terrible as the judgments of Revelation are, God has given us ample warning and opportunities to avoid them. And throughout the Book of Revelation, we find seven beatitudes or blessings. Jot down each blessing you find in the above verses. What does it mean to wash their robes (22:14)? WEEKEND: The Great White Throne Read Revelation 20:11 15 On what information does God base His judgment of the dead (verses 12,13,15)? Death and Hades will be thrown into a lake of fire (verse 14). What guarantees that a person will not be thrown in the lake of fire (verse 15)? The End of the World This week, be confident that, in the battle between good and evil, evil has never had a chance. Place your trust in Jesus alone because only He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17). If you re not careful, it s easy to get the wrong idea about the events that occur in the Book of Revelation. We re not talking about differing ideas concerning the correct interpretation of the Antichrist s identity or which view of the Great Tribulation is right. We re talking about the nature of the conflict between God and Satan. 15

9 Do you envision a pitched battle raging in the heavens between the forces of good and the forces of evil? Does it seem at times that evil is on the verge of winning only to be thwarted at the last minute? Or you may picture it like a game of backgammon with two equally skilled players, one holding the power of light and the other the terror of darkness, with the fate of all humanity at stake. If Revelation is clear about anything, it s that this conflict between God and Satan isn t a game or a contest. It s not an evenly matched battle between equal but opposite adversaries. There has never been a time and never will be a time when Satan has had any kind of advantage over God. The Battle of Armageddon has become almost synonymous with the end of the world, and John describes this battle for us in Revelation 19: But read the verses again, and you ll see that no battle is actually described. Verses tell of the majestic Rider on the white horse and His army; verse 19 describes the beast and his army. But in the very next verse, the beast is captured and his armies are dead. Whatever fighting actually takes place here will be extremely one-sided. As our study draws closer to the end of the world and Satan makes his last stand against Jesus, we see that the Prince of Darkness never had a chance. renew yourself in God s Word! DAY 1: War in Heaven & Earth Read Revelation 12:1 14:20 How is God s power and providence displayed in Chapter 12? In Chapter 13, the beast did not have power over whom? Describe the 144,000. What makes them unique? 16

10 DAY 2: The Fall of Babylon Read Revelation 18:1 19:4 Who mourns the fall of Babylon? Who rejoices? DAY 3: Armageddon Read Revelation 19:11 20:3 In your own words, describe Jesus as seen in this passage. Why is this destruction of Babylon such a significant event? Think of how you ve seen Jesus portrayed in art or film, in churches, in Sunday school material or Christian books. How is this picture different? Are there any similarities? The righteous should rejoice when God brings down evil. Do you rejoice when you see evil brought down today? What will you be glad to see gone when God judges? When Armageddon is over, who is cast into the lake of fire, and who is not? The Plain of Esdraelon or Jezreel is a broad valley with tiny agricultural towns and fruitful fields of grain. Here Gideon and his 300 men were victorious (Judges 7). King Josiah was mortally wounded in battle (2 Chronicles 35:20 24). And Elijah ran 20 miles down this valley from Mount Carmel ahead of King Ahab s chariot (1 Kings 18:46). And one day, it will be the scene of history s final and bloodiest battle the Battle of Armageddon. Five authors of Scripture David, Isaiah, Joel, Zechariah and John record this great battle. Read Psalm 2:1 5,9; Isaiah 34:1 6; 63:3 6; Joel 3:2,9 16; Zechariah 12:2; 14:2,3,12; and Revelation God will gather the nations together in a battle that will extend from the Valley of Jehoshaphat at Jerusalem all the way to Moab. And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:16 nkjv). Woodrow Kroll 14:14 20; 16:16; 19: Armageddon 18 meet with God August

11 DAY 4: The Millennium Read Revelation 20:4 10 How would you describe the millennial kingdom based on these verses? Jesus has power over death. In John 11:25 (nlt), Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. In the next sentence, He makes a promise to you. See if you can figure out what He promised by filling in the words that fit in the crossword puzzle. Where will Satan be during the 1,000 years and what happens to him at the end of it? fun zone for kids or the kid in you DAY 5: Satan s Loss Read Job 1:1 2:10; 42:1 17 Job s experience was shaped by Satan s attacks on God s character. What do these verses tell us about the nature of the conflict between God and Satan? What is Job s conclusion about the power of God? Down 1. You, your family and friends 2. To exist 3. Rhymes with hill Across 1. Many don t know whether to use or whom in a sentence 2. This is what you must do to live in heaven with Jesus (add an s ) 3. Opposite of out Genesis 3 and Revelation 20 tell of Satan s first and last acts on this earth, and in both cases he comes out the loser. What other passages in the Bible can you find that show this? The verse contains one word that is missing from the puzzle. What very important word is it? It tells you who you must believe in. John 11:25 (nlt) uses this word:. Whose name could you fill in instead?. Read the rest of John 11:25. 20

12 WEEKEND: The Promise of Resurrection week four Job 19:25 26; Psalm 49:15; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 6:39 The end of the world is a terrible thing to contemplate, but when this world ends, a new one will be established. God s promise of that future resurrection and eternal home is written throughout Scripture. Why is it important to know these promises? What do these promises from God tell you about His power over Satan? Which promise gives you particular hope or comfort today? All Things New Without the promise of Christ s return given in Revelation, we would find the hardships of life an unbearable burden. Praise God He will return soon! In early 1990, NASA scientists instructed the Voyager 1 spacecraft to turn its camera toward Earth from approximately 3.7 billion miles away. Earth shows up as a tiny blue speck in the endless star field. You may remember that from our July study. But there s more to that picture. Cutting a swath across the star field in this now famous image from NASA is a single ray of sunlight. And nestled in the center of this ray of light sits the pale blue dot that is Earth. 23

13 24 Of course, it s just a coincidence; the ray of light resulted from the interference of sunlight on the camera s optics. But still it speaks to us, reminding us there is something more to life. It makes us wonder if God really does have a plan for this weary planet. The Book of Revelation works like that ray of sunlight. It is God s assurance that we are not alone, drifting helplessly through this world. Revelation is God s promise to us that, indeed, He is watching and working. Revelation is God s great declaration that all the sin, injustice, human depravity, apathy and death that entered the world because of Adam s sin will be swept away once and for all with Christ s return. And in the final chapters of Revelation God gives us a glorious glimpse of the new heaven and new earth which will replace the old. But the best news of all comes in one of the final verses of the final chapter of the Bible: The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let the one who hears say, Come. And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price (Revelation 22:17). If you haven t trusted Jesus with your eternal future yet, don t wait. Just as that ray of sunlight in the photograph tells us the sun is not so very far away, Revelation reminds us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will soon return. He who testifies to these things says, Surely I am coming soon. And with the apostle John, we say, Amen. Come Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20). meet with God August 2010 renew yourself in God s Word! DAY 1: The Death of Death Read Revelation 20:12 21:4 Who escapes the final death? What comes after the death of death? To go to heaven fully to enjoy God is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean. Jonathan Edwards

14 DAY 2: The Antithesis of Apathy Read Revelation 19:1 10 According to Webster, apathy is the lack of feeling or emotion. What do you see in this passage that indicates there will be no apathy in heaven? DAY 4: Irrelevant Idols Read Revelation 21:1 7; 9 26, 22:1 5 Idolatry has always been a problem for mankind. We always find something to put in God s place as the focus of worship in our lives. Why will idolatry not be a problem in the new heaven and new earth? Why is apathy a danger for us today? Which description of the New Jerusalem and new earth given here do you look forward to seeing for yourself? What makes these verses from Revelation comforting to you? DAY 3: Depravity Denied Read Revelation 21:5 8,22 27; 22:14 15 Contrary to popular belief, some things will not be in heaven. According to these verses, what will be kept out of the world to come? Are any of these things present in your life today? What are you doing to get rid of them? 26 27

15 the blessing of Revelation I m a preacher s kid who didn t always listen to the sermon. I didn t grow up with a GameBoy and iphone apps, and Mom didn t let me sneak in other books, so I d read whatever was handy hymnbooks, bulletins, old bulletins left in hymnbooks and, yes, the Bible. I liked the history in the Old Testament and Acts had a lot of action too. The Gospels were good. And once in awhile, I d go for Revelation. Now, I had issues with Revelation. It was confusing, a little crazy and, thanks to the Thief in the Night film, it gave me nightmares. But I d read it anyway, hoping to make sense of it all. Over the years, I d hear dark and gloomy sermons on the end times with the details interpreted one way until world events proved some of those interpretations wrong. Eventually, if Revelation came up, I d just roll my eyes and try to disappear. Clearly God had a reason for this book, but I just wasn t sure what it was. As I grew in my understanding of the Bible as a whole, I couldn t ignore Revelation. And with a little help, I began to realize this amazing book not only offers a glimpse of God s future plans for our world and they re hugely important but it reveals Jesus Christ as we need to see Him. In Revelation, He s not the Sunday school Jesus: kind, quiet and serene, doing miracles, breaking bread, teaching people the man side of the God-Man. Revelation exposes the God side of the God-Man. If I want to know Christ, I must accept Him as the conquering King and righteous Judge; the One with fire in His eyes and a sword in His hand; and the One before whom all creation is thrown to the ground. This is not the nice, comfortable Jesus, but it is Jesus in all His fullness. For that blessing, I appreciate Revelation. That glimpse of Jesus gives me hope for the future. It gives me knowledge that His power is at work on my behalf and that the world I live in is not all there is. It gives me the assurance that with this Jesus, there is no need to fear. ed. DAY 5: Injunction against Injustice Read Revelation 21:1 6; 22:10 19 How does God reinforce the point that He is worthy to judge in these verses? In 2 columns, list... What can the righteous person expect in heaven? What awaits the unrighteous person? Weekend: Sin s Swansong Read Genesis 3:1 24; Philippians 2:5 11; Revelation 22:1 5 Genesis 3 sets up the problem that humanity, present and future, struggles with. Philippians 2 outlines God s plan for dealing with our problem. How do you see it resolved in Revelation?

16 Weekend (continued) In your own words, write an overview of the biblical story as described in these verses. Where do you fit into this story? Meet with God, an official publication of Back to the Bible Woodrow Kroll, President Copyright 2010 The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Printed in the U.S.A. sticking points renew your memory No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. If you say you worship Jesus Christ, how is that obvious or visible to others? What reveals you understand your position before Him? One day, Jesus will judge, righteously and perfectly. What can you do today to be ready to face that judgment? Jesus wins; Satan loses. But we re still caught in the conflict now. How does knowing the outcome help you face today s battles? How does the assurance of the new earth and heaven give you hope for today? What are you doing to share that hope with others? Editor: Barbara Gerhart Project Staff: Allen Bean, Ben Zuehlke, Barbara Gerhart, Brandy Griffin, Emily Wurl, Kathy Thorne, Leisa Larson Design: Brandy Griffin Page 19: Adapted from Bible Country: A Journey through the Holy Land by Woodrow Kroll Copyright 1992 by Woodrow Kroll. Cover and Interior Photos: Back to the Bible P.O. Box Lincoln, NE 68501

17 Journey through Revelation CD series! The Bible promises blessings to those who take the time to read the Book of Revelation. Join Woodrow Kroll for this Bible study as he takes you chapter by chapter through the Book of Revelation. You ll uncover all it reveals about Jesus, your future with Him and how that future can impact your life today. This series will instill you with great hope for today and for the end times. #92846 Shipping and Handling not included Product cost and availability subject to change. $45 U.S. $49.50 Canada 16 message CDs! Call us, visit our online store or use the enclosed bind-in to place an order or to help offset the cost of Meet with God. With a broadcast and Internet reach to millions, Back to the Bible teaches the Word and touches the world. For questions, contact: Back to the Bible P.O. Box 82808, Lincoln, NE back to the bible - Canada P.O. Box 700 Chatham, ON N7M 5K