SCRIPTURE: Revelation 9 OBSERVATION: The seals represent the unfolding of history between Jesus’ first and final coming. The seventh seal is the last day, the great day of judgment. Until that day, the effects of evil are being held back, restrained. This is very important: we have unleashed evil in this world, and if God were…
p.u.s.h. – pray until something happens
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 8 OBSERVATION: The seals on the scroll have been opened, and at the end of the day, the great multitudes will stand before God for judgment. The last seal (8:1) may represent the final judgment – silence and judgment often go together (Psalm 46:8-10, Isaiah 41:1, Habakkuk 2:20, Zephaniah 1:7, Romans 3:19). I would probably place 8:1 with the…
God’s family, bigger than me
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 7 OBSERVATION: Here we see the fullness of God’s rescued family, the fullness of old covenant believers and the fullness of new covenant believers [12 tribes x 10 ×12 apostles x 10 = 144,000], a great multitude that cannot be counted), united around Jesus, the perfect Lamb, the perfect Shepherd. We see the 12 tribes…
the purpose of judgment
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 6 OBSERVATION: The scroll represents the unfolding plan of God from the ascension of Jesus to His throne, to His final return in glory. In the context of brutal, difficult times for Jesus-followers, John sees that all things are working out according to the master plan, and it is Jesus (the lamb) who is…
the way of the lamb
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 5 OBSERVATION: In this vision, God’s plan to restore His kingdom on earth is revealed. The sealed scroll represents the official plan. It requires a human agent (God entrusted this world to humans, as His image-bearers; by their hand it was thrust into darkness and death; by their hand it will be restored). But…
the ultimate worship gathering
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 4 OBSERVATION: John leaves the body (can you imagine it, freaky!), and in this unbodied state he sees the headquarters of the universe. God reveals it in images that he can relate to: a throne, a person shining like brilliant jewels, 24 more thrones with older men sitting on them, lamps, a sea of…
open door policy
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 3 OBSERVATION: The believers at Philadelphia are very strong, but the believers at Sardis and Laodicea are not doing well. The Sardis believers are putting on a good show, but its hollow, dead on the inside. The Laodicean believers are lukewarm, though they think they are doing OK. Interesting that the door for the…
meaningful worship?
Hey everyone, lets have a discussion. Here is the question. Feel free to answer this however you like. What makes a worship gathering meaningful or powerful for you?
dedication to Jesus
“Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will. All that I have and cherish you have given me. I surrender it all to be guided to your will. Your love and your grace are wealth enough for me. Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more….
first love
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 2 OBSERVATION: The general sense of this passage is an encouragement and a challenge. Three of the four churches have some concerns. The health of Smyrna at the time of writing is good, but the Ephesus believers have fallen from their first love, and the Pergamum and Thyatira believers are compromising their morals and…