Introduction to the Book of Revelation. Part 2

 

Introduction to the Book of Revelation. Part 2

 

Revelation is a series of prophetic visions given to the Apostle John. The risen, glorified Savior appeared to His servant John and unveiled a view of future events. Certain events will trigger God’s last days leading to the defeat of the current world system and the return of Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom on earth. Revelation predicts the future even as it gives hope for the present. It reveals the destiny of humanity, the new heaven and the new earth, where the long-lost paradise of Eden will finally be regained.

The theme of this book is restoration. All that humanity has lost by sinful rebellion against God will be regained by the grace of God and the ultimate triumph of Christ.

 

Let’s compare the first book of the Bible, Genesis to the last book, Revelation:

 

In Genesis the earth was created.            Revelation the earth passes away.

In Genesis satan’s first rebellion.            Revelation satan’s last rebellion.

In Genesis the sun, moon and stars were for earth’s government.

                                                                 Revelation they are for earth’s judgment.

In Genesis the sun was to rule the day.   Revelation there is no need for the sun.

In Genesis the dark was called night.      Revelation there is no night.

In Genesis the water was called seas.      Revelation there are no seas.

In Genesis sin entered the world.            Revelation sin exits the world.

In Genesis the curse was announced.      Revelation the curse is removed.

In Genesis death entered                         Revelation there is no more death.

In Genesis was the beginning of sorrow and suffering.

Revelation there will be no more sorrow, no      tears.

In Genesis was Adam’s marriage.          Revelation the Last Adam, Christ is married.

In Genesis the City of Babylon was built.  Revelation, Babylon was destroyed, and    the New Jerusalem was brought into view.

In Genesis satan’s doom pronounced.     Revelation it was executed.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

Introduction to Revelation. Part 1

 Introduction to Revelation. Part 1

When we look at the world today, we see a sad scenario. Everything about our leaders, our laws, our morals and the systems look like the devil is having a good time. Well, he is, and we wonder how it will turn out. Well, Guess what! God is in control and when we read the Book of Revelation, we will find out that everything will turn out all right. Someday God is going to send His Son, Jesus Christ to reign over the whole universe.

The Book of Revelation can be outlined in this order:

1.    The revelation of the glorified Christ.

2.    The church history is given.

3.    In chapter 3 the church goes to heaven and become the bride of Christ.

4.    The fourth chapter reveals Christ and His bride come to earth to establish His kingdom for 1,000 years.

5.    At the end of the 1,000 years Satan will be loosed from the pit where he has been imprisoned. His release, will be short lived.

6.    The final rebellion is put down and eternity begins.

J. Vernon McGee says that you need to read the whole Bible to understand the Book of Revelation. Of its 404 verses, 278 refers back to the Old Testamen. Those who say the Old Testament doesn’t apply today will not understand the revelations of John. John tells us of some of the prophecies tat began in other parts of the Bible For instance:

In Genesis 3:15 it introduces Jesus Christ as the seed of the woman. The Church began in Matthew 16:18. The resurrection is first mentioned in John 14. The Great Tribulation is mentioned in Deuteronomy 4. Satan and evil is found in Ezekiel 28:11-18. The “man of sin” is found in Ezekiel 28:1-10. The second coming of Christ is mentioned in Jude 14-15. Israel’s covenants are mentioned in Genesis 12:1-3. God promised Israel five things and the Book of Revelation says God will fulfill them all.

In Chapter 1 John reveals the person of Christ. He is no longer meek, lowly and humble as stated in the Gospels. Here He is in absolute control. He is still the Lamb of God but His wrath is revealed. His wrath comes out in judgment upon the earth.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. 

Jude, The Truth Will Set You Free

 

Jude, The Truth Will Set You Free

Jude was a Jewish Christian. Many believed that he was the brother of Jesus and James. He writes a powerful defense of the Christian faith to challenge young believers to “contend earnestly for the faith.” His letter is a resounding call to action. The message is that quitting is out of the question, because the danger is too great, and the stakes are too high. If your soul is worn down, you need to read the book of Jude.

In today's society false prophets spout out that what was once called bad is now called good. Sexual immorality and free thinking runs rampant. Much tolerance is needed for us Christians. Tolerance means simply to recognize and respect others’ beliefs and practices without necessarily agreeing or sympathizing with them. This attitude, that everyone has a right to their own opinion, is what tolerance means to most people. The only opinion that matters is God's opinion. Anything outside of that is not to be tolerated by Christians. Parents today do not teach their children to embrace all people, but not their beliefs. It is respectful to listen and learn from people but we don't have to agree with them. In 1 Peter 3:15 it says” always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” The key is to aggressively live in love and humbly stand up for the truth.

The closing words of Jude's letter is a praise to God. No matter what false teachers might try to do or say against God and His word, God will watch over his people. He alone will keep them from stumbling and present them “faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” We praise him for this great promise. One day He will bring us to Himself and rejoice to have us with him. We can trust Him because He is “God our Savior, wise, glorious, majestic, and powerful forever.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

3 John, Truth

 

3 John, Truth

John wrote this letter to his friend Gaius to encourage him in a difficult situation in his local church. Again, he concentrated on making God's truth a vital part of life.

Walking in truth. People could see the truth in Gaius because he loved it and walked in obedience to it, and that brought great joy to John. Every Christian parent can make this a prayer.

Working for truth. When you assist and encourage God's servants, you become a fellow worker with them in spreading the truth. Christian hospitality was important in those days and ought to be revived today.

Welcoming the truth. Can you imagine Diotrephes rejecting a message from the apostle John! He was so “separated” that he did not even receive John's friends. When we welcome God's people we welcome God's truth.

Witnessing for the truth. Not all church members are like Diotrephes there are people like Demetrius who love the truth and live it. They are the ones who make the local church healthy.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

2 John, Love and Obedience

 

2 John   Love and Obedience

John writes this letter to the elect lady. We are not sure if this is a particular woman or if John is referring to the church as a lady. Regardless of who it is, John is thinking of that person or church which was extending hospitality to all those who profess to be Christian. Although some were heretics who denied the deity of Christ and his truth in the Word.

One truth exists and that truth is found in Jesus Christ who is “the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6. John wrote this letter to help believers remain in the truth and not stray into false teachings. In order to resist false notions and ideas, believers must remain grounded in God's word. We must continue to walk in truth for then we will be able to see what is false and steer clear of it.

Jesus had warned that false teachers would arise and lead many people astray. False teachers will teach any number of doctrines that might sound good but are contradictory to God's word and, therefore are lies. Believers can discern false teachings by discovering what the teachers believe about Jesus Christ. Some will teach that Jesus did not actually come in the flesh; others will teach that Jesus was merely flesh and not God. If anyone contradicts the Bible's definition of Christ being both human and divine, then that person is a false teacher.

Loving God means obeying him. Consider how you would feel if God asked you to sacrifice your first and oldest son and he wanted it done tomorrow. Would you sleep that night? Would you plead with him, would you barter with him. Would you agonize all night trying to figure out how you can avoid this or would you like Abraham, put your faith and trust in God and commit to doing what God asked of you. Abraham probably agonized all night until he came to terms with his faith. When he went up that mountain with Isaac he had faith that he would come back down that that mountain with Isaac. He also had faith that God would provide the sacrificial lamb. Even Jesus Christ, Himself agonized the night before his crucifixion but he said “ not my will but your will be done, oh God.” How strong is your love for God? How strong is your faith?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

1 John 5, Without a Doubt and Making Choices

 

1 John 5, Without a Doubt and Making Choices

Christians need have no doubts about their faith. Those who believe in the name of the Son of God can know that they have eternal life. Other religions offer merely the hope of eternal life, if one has been good enough, done more good deeds than bad, or has sacrificed enough for others. Christians, however, can know for sure that they will be with Christ forever in heaven. We may face doubts, difficulties, and times of spiritual dryness, but through it all, we can know that we have eternal life, now and forever.

God promises those who believe and are baptized eternal life. He also promises a continuing relationship with His people. “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Believers have the ultimate guide to walk them through life, helping them make right decisions.

How can believers know God’s will as they make decisions? First, they should consider whether they truly want to know what God wants and if they truly want to follow His leadership. Then they should pray and study God’s Word for guidance. The Holy Spirit will help them interpret what God is doing in and around them in the decision-making process. Believers learn how to seek God’s will, asking not what they want, but what He wants for them. When the answer comes, believers know it and can act upon it.

Whatever decisions we face, large or small, God will guide us. We need only to ask Him, truly seeking His will and He will answer.

The promise that we will have whatever we ask is not a blank check. Believers cannot merely pray for anything and then get it. The context refers to prayers, “according to His will.” In other words, when we pray, we seek God’s will in the matter. We make our request, but we submit to God’s wisdom about what we should have. We know that when we pray, God hears and will answer in the best possible way.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

1 John 4, Love Story

 

1 John 4, Love Story.

There are two types of people in this world, Christians and non-Christians. Christians worship God; non-Christians, no matter what they say, worship satan. They may not formally be members of the occult religion, but their refusal to accept Christ puts them on satan's side. Satan is already a defeated enemy, so believers can continue their work for God's Kingdom fearlessly. For as powerful as satan’s army appears to be, Christ is greater by far. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

God authored the concept of love. When people become believers, they learn how to “love one another” because the spirit within shows them how as they yield to His leading. Christian relationships ought to be the most loving in the world. Christians who meet each other for the first time experience a bond of love that transcends understanding. The love that binds Christians makes for solid and eternal relationships. The love relationships reveal God in us.

No one has ever seen God, but God reveals himself to the world through his frail and imperfect people by perfecting His love in them. As believers go into the world living their faith, they reveal God to everyone they meet. Their love reveals God's presence in their lives. When believers show love toward one another and to the unbelieving world, God makes Himself known and his love is “perfected” in them. God often shows His love through His people. What does our love for others say on God's behalf?

When believers hate one another, they certainly are not showing love. At times a critical spirit will cause believers’ relationships to become strained as they judge each other. Believers will always disagree on some matters, but they should still be able to celebrate their unity in Christ. Those with critical spirits, however, will be unable to love others. If they cannot love their fellow believers whom they can see, how can they possibly love the invisible God? Believers who claim to love God but hate others are lying to themselves, God, and everyone else.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee

Through the Bible.