Monday, July 19, 2010 Revelation 5
In John’s day, books were written on scrolls: pieces of papyrus or vellum up to 30 feet long, rolled up and sealed with clay or wax. What do you think makes the scroll so significant? (See Jeremiah 36:2-32.) Why is Christ the only one worthy enough to open it (4, 9; also see John 1:29)? What does it mean that he is both a lion and a lamb? Does that have meaning for you? Review the three songs (9-13). How is the lamb described? Who are the three singing groups? Who are the true kings and priests on earth? Develop your own prayer and praise to offer God in singing and in word.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Revelation 6
This is the first of three judgments. The trumpets (8-9) and the bowls (16) are the other two. Four horses appear as the first four seals are opened. How are the horses and the horsemen alike? How are they different? How do the second and third lead to the fourth? What is revealed when opening the fifth seal (9)? How is this related to the suffering of the Christians in John’s day? In our day? What occurs when the sixth seal is broken (12-13; see also Mark 13)? How does this make you feel about end times? Why? How might these words affect your actions this week?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Revelation 7
The sixth seal has been opened and the big question is this: Who can stand the wrath of God? How? Do you think the four angels are a new “woe,” or an affirmation of chapter 6? What sense does chapter 7 make after chapter 6? What is the message of the angel (3)? Is the number 144,000 a symbol or a statistic (4)? Why? (see 7:9 and 14:1-5). When the multitude cries out, how do the angels, elders and four living creatures respond (10)? What qualifies those robed in white to stand before God (14)? Is the safety and service of these Christians a present-life experience, or a promise to be realized in the distant future? Or both? Why? What sort of seal has God placed on your life? How is this seal evident to other Christians? To non-Christians? Does this chapter bring you comfort and hope in your sufferings and tribulations?
Thursday, July 22, 2010 Revelation 8
When the seventh seal is opened, the seven trumpet judgments are revealed. Chapter 8 reveals the judgments of the first four trumpets. What events follow the sounding of each of the first four trumpets (8: 7-12)? What parallels, or repeated patterns, do you see between the opening of the seals and the sounding of the trumpets which suggests that these two scenes are, in reality, two sides of the same coin? The trumpets reveal what will happen to the unbelieving world, while the seals focus on what will happen to the church. Do you think these seals and trumpets refer to datable, sequential events, or to aspects of the world’s condition, which may be true at any point in history? Are you finding that all this imagery seems far removed from you? Pray that God would give you eyes and ears to hear what he is saying to you through his Word.
Friday, July 23, 2010 Revelation 9:1-12
What happens when the fifth trumpet sounds? What does the abyss represent (1)? What power do the locusts have? Who are they allowed to torture? (Most likely the locusts are demons, evil spirits ruled by Satan. God limits what they can do; they do nothing without his permission.) But these verses tell us that God’s judgment on the world will be so severe that people will desire death over life. God’s people know that he has sealed us from his final judgment. Knowing that, what is your fear level right now? Your trust level? Pray about that.
Saturday, July 24, 2010 Revelation 9:13-21
Are the angels in 14 good or evil? What is God’s role in their actions? How does the power of the locusts differ from the power of the horses? What events are implemented by the sounding of the sixth trumpet? Immorality and evil don’t happen to us suddenly; we slip into their grip a little bit at a time. Any of us allowing sin to take root in our lives will end up in the same predicament. Temptation becomes sin, sin becomes habit, and the result is separation from God forever (see James 1:15). Take time to acknowledge your sins before God and to thank him for his grace and forgiveness.
Sunday, July 25, 2010 Psalm 36
In this psalm, the righteous seem to be those who may do evil, but are generally seeking to please God. The wicked are those who, despite the good that they may do, are generally rejecting God’s ways. What aspects of your life do you see in these verses? To what do you compare God’s love? God’s faithfulness? God’s justice? (Refer to verses 8-9.) Have you tasted of God’s feast lately? How has God refreshed you? Thank God for how he pours out his love on those who know him!