New Era Congress of Christian Education 2018 Bible Bowl Competition Tuesday, July 17, 2018 ~ 7:00 pm A STUDY COVERING

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1 New Era Congress of Christian Education 2018 Bible Bowl Competition Tuesday, July 17, 2018 ~ 7:00 pm A STUDY COVERING USING THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.... Revelation 1:19

2 2018 Bible Bowl Guidelines The Bible Bowl competition will take place on Tuesday night, July 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm at the New Era Convention Chapel in Griffin, Georgia. This year s Bible Bowl study will cover the book of Revelation. The purpose of the Bible Bowl extends past the challenge and competiveness we experience among the different churches on the night of competition. We encourage our youth to gain an understanding of the Word of God by being diligent in studying to show themselves approved unto God as a worker who is not ashamed and able to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Preparation: We encourage the delegate to: Read and study the twenty-two (22) chapters of Revelation and seek to gain an understanding of what is taking place in scripture. Take notes as you read through each chapter and develop your own review/study questions. Answer the bible bowl questions that will be provided based on what you have learned in your time of study (see schedule on page 6 of this package). Summary of Book of Revelation The book of Revelation is the last book of the bible. It is a revelation received by the Apostle John while he was in a Roman imposed exile on the island of Patmos and it reveals things that will take place before, during and following the second coming of Christ. This revelation came from God who sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. John declares, I was in the Spirit on the Lord s Day and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of the sound of a trumpet saying.... John was instructed, write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 2

3 The book of Revelation, in many instances, as a book of study has been avoided and even neglected because of its mysterious nature, yet in studying its content, will be found to be profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man (woman) of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. The book of Revelation was written to encourage believers to endure persecution and to preserve through suffering, knowing that victory is certain for those who continue and endure to the end. The book of Revelation also seeks to unite the various lines of biblical prophecy and show how they connect upon the second coming of Christ to rule the earth in His messianic kingdom [as Lord of lords and King of kings] and it seeks to correct some moral and doctrinal problems that existed in the churches and to instruct Christians in such things as salvation, prophecy, the person of Christ and Christian living. Four principal views have been offered as a means of interpreting the book of Revelation, they are (1) the preterist believes the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled, (2) the futurist believes that the book is prophetical of the end times, particularly chapters 4-22, (3) the historicist sees the events of the book as symbolic portrayals of church history, from New Testament times to the end of the age and (4) the idealist stresses the spiritual principles of the book and does not attempt to expound on details of the more mysterious visions. The widely used approach of interpretation is futurist. The book of Revelation contains numerous signs, symbols and numbers, some interpreted in the text, others in light of other scripture texts. The number seven is very prevalent in the book of Revelation and significance is given to the numbers four and twelve also. A chart outline is included at the end of the summary to assist in simplifying your study of this book. May you be enlighten and blessed as you study the book of Revelation. Revelation Chart Notes Revelation opens with the vision, followed by the letters to the seven churches and then a descriptive picture of the throne room of heaven prior to the judgment portion of the book. Judgments: Three series of judgments: seals, trumpets and bowls The first series of judgments are the seals. After the 6 th seal is opened, there is an interval of events before the 7 th seal is opened. The opening of the 7 th seal gives way to the trumpets, sounding of the first angel and first trumpet. After the sounding of the sixth angel and sixth trumpet, there is an interval of events prior to the sounding of the seventh angel and seventh trumpet. The sounding of the seventh angel and seventh trumpet gives way to the bowl judgments.

4 The bowl judgments are the most severe of the three; they are preceded by an interval of events and the seven personages of the end times. The seventh bowl covers the entire period from the time the seventh angel pours out the contents until Christ returns to the Mount of Olives. The seven dooms with intervals occurring between the 2 nd & 3 rd doom and the 4 th & 5 th dooms. Chapter 17 Destruction of Religious Babylon: Babylon is primarily viewed as a political power with a great city bearing the name Babylon as its capital. Babylon is also occasionally viewed as a satanic religious program opposing true worship of God. Babylon is seen in its religious character in chapter 17, symbolic of a false religious system. 17:1 Judgment of the harlot who sits on many waters symbolizes the false religious system. Many waters symbolize peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (17:15) 17:1, 4 This judgment of the harlot is connected with the bowl judgments, announced by one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls. The character and life of this woman are symbolic of a false religious system. Her dress, arrayment and the golden cup in her hand are symbols of religious ritualistics. 17:6 I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and of the martyrs of Jesus... indication of false Christianity. Babylon in this chapter was destroyed by 10 kings (17:16) indicating her association with the political power but was not the actual political power (17:12). Chapter 18 records the kings of the earth, political and economic powers mourning the destruction of the city whereas chapter 17 deals with the destruction of the woman which represents the false system of religion. Chapter 18 Destruction of Commercial /Political Babylon 18:1 After these things, I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority... Babylon (future city) is pictured as a political power in chapter 18, a great and prosperous city, the center of political and economic life (no city on earth named Babylon since the ancient city of Babylon was destroyed). The seat of power of the great world empire that will dominate the 2 nd half of the last seven years before Christ returns. Some writers make indication that this will be Rome because Rome is often described as the city of seven hills, as the angel explains that the seven heads of the woman are seven mountains on which the woman sits, however there is not enough support for this conclusion. 4

5 18:1 Babylon the great is fallen - announcement made by another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 18:21 Violent destruction of Babylon a mighty angel took up a great millstone and threw it into the sea. The book of Revelation concludes with the seven new things. Reference of the seven blessings or beatitudes in Revelation.

6 Seven Blessings Beatitudes In Revelation 7 Seven Blessings Beatitudes In The Book of Revelation Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 1:3 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on". "Yes" says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." 14:13 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed." 16:15 "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." 19:9 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him one thousand years. 20:6 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 22:7 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 22:14 Official questions will be available on the Congress website and ed to the church s address on file with the Congress on May 1, Official questions and answers will be ed to the church s address on file with the Congress on June 4, All answers are taken from the New King James version of the Bible (NKJV). Official Rules For the Bible Bowl Competition All teams must pre-register to participate in the Bible Bowl competition. Churches are asked to pre-register by Monday, June 18, The completed registration form should be ed to NewEraConvention@bellsouth.net and tstalls@bellsouth.net. Each team will consist of five (5) members and one (1) alternate. 6

7 Team members should be selected from youth messengers from the seventh (7th) to twelfth (12th) grade. A 2018 high school graduate is eligible. A team captain should be named. Advisors and/or coaches are strongly encouraged to formulate team composition and strategies. Team playing order will be determined by sealed envelope for round one. If the total number of competing teams are five (5) or more, a toss-up question round may be necessary to determine playing order for subsequent round(s). Only team captains are eligible to compete in the toss-up question round. The Bible Bowl competition will consist of three (3) rounds. Questions will become more challenging in each round. o In round one the 1 st team to answer 7 questions correctly will be declared the winner. Winning teams will advance to Round 2. o In round two the 1 st team to answer 8 questions correctly will be declared the winner. Winning teams will advance to Round 3. o In round three the 1 st team to answer 10 questions correctly will be declared the winner. In each round the buzzer method will be used. The team to buzz in first will be identified by the Buzzer Judge(s). The moderator (person asking the questions) will identify the church by name who has buzzed first; the team member can now answer the question. (No shouting out answers before being called upon). In each round, the question will be read to the point of interruption. If answered incorrectly, the question will be read in its entirety for the opposing team. Any team member can answer a question in any round. Conference among team members is allowed, however the question must be answered within the allotted time. Time begins after the question is read or at the point of interruption, whichever is applicable. The judges, timekeeper and scorers have the last word on answers, time and scores. Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place teams. If additional information is needed or you have questions concerning the Bible Bowl competition, you may contact Rev. Terri Crump-Stalls by , tstalls@bellsouth.net or by telephone, (404)

8 REGISTRATION FORM Team Name: Team Captain s Name: Team Members: Youth Advisor s Name: Day No. Evening No. Cell: Name of Church: Pastor: Church Address: Church No. Church Mail form with registration package and copy to: neweraconvention@bellsouth.net & tstalls@bellsouth.net (Deadline Monday, June 18, 2018) New Era Congress of Christian Education New Era Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. P.O. Box Atlanta, Georgia neweraconvention@bellsouth.net If additional information is needed or you have questions concerning the Bible Bowl competition, you may contact Rev. Terri Crump-Stalls by , tstalls@bellsouth.net or by telephone, (404)

9 THE BOOK OF REVELATION Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.... Revelation 1:19 The Things Which Thou Hast Seen (Chapter 1) The Vision The Things Which Are The Messages To The Seven Churches Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter (Chapter 4-22) The Throne Room of Heaven The Heavenly Door, The Heavenly Throne, The Twenty-four Elders, The Four Living Creatures, The Seven Sealed Book Chapter 4-5 Revelation Chart Revised SEVEN SEALS Chapter 6-8 SEVEN TRUMPETS Chapter 8:7-11 SEVEN PERSONAGES Chapter st Seal - The Conqueror 1 st Angel 1 st Trumpet - Vegetation Struck Woman Clothed With The Sun The Sea of Glass PRELUDE TO SEVEN BOWLS Chapter nd Seal - Conflict On Earth ( No Peace ) 2 nd Angel 2 nd Trumpet - Seas Struck Fiery Red Dragon The Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony 3 rd Seal - Scarcity on Earth 3 rd Angel 3 rd Trumpet - Waters Struck The Male Child 4 th Seal - Widespread Death On Earth 4 th Angel 4 th Trumpet - Heavens Struck Michael The Archangel SEVEN BOWL JUDGMENTS 5 th Seal - The Cry Of Martyrs 5 th Angel 5 th Trumpet - Locusts From The Bottomless Pit Remnant of the Woman s Seed 1 st Bowl Judgment - Loathsome Sores 6 th Seal - Cosmic Disturbances 6 th Angel 6 th Trumpet - 4 Angels From The Euphrates Beast Out of the Sea 2 nd Bowl Judgment - The Sea Turns To Blood 7 th Seal Silence Prelude To The Seven Trumpets Interval Between 6 th & 7 th Seals The Sealing of the 144,000 The Blood Washed Multitude 7 th Angel 7 th Trumpet - Kingdom Proclaimed Beast of the Earth 3 rd Bowl Judgment - The Waters Turn To Blood 4 th Bowl Judgment - Men Are Scorched 5 th Bowl Judgment - Darkness and Pain Interval Between 6 th & 7 th Trumpets The Little Book The Two Witnesses Interval Between The Seven Personages & The Seven Bowl Judgments The Lamb On Mt. Zion The Three Angel Messengers The Harvest & Vintage 6 th Bowl Judgment - Euphrates Dried Up 7 th Bowl Judgment - The Earth Utterly Shaken Great Earthquake, Plaque of Hail Interval Between 6 th & 7 th Bowl Judgments Three Unclean Spirits

10 SEVEN DOOMS Chapter Religious Babylon (17) Commercial / Political Babylon (18) The Beast & The False Prophet The Anti-Christian Nations Gog & Magog Satan s Doom The Wicked Dead Great White Throne Judgment Interval Between The Second & Third Dooms The Hallelujah Chorus The Marriage of the Lamb The Battle of Armageddon Interval Between The Fourth & Fifth Dooms Satan Bound For 1000 Years The First Resurrection The Millennium Satan Loosed 7 All Things Made New SEVEN NEW THINGS Chapter The New Heaven The New Earth The New Jerusalem The New Nations The New River The New Tree of Life The New Throne Seven Blessings Beatitudes in the Book of Revelation 7 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 1:3 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on". "Yes" says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." 14:13 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed." 16:15 "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." 19:9 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him one thousand years. 20:6 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 22:7 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 22:14 10

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