Revelation - Week 10

Day 1

A Door in Heaven

READ

Revelation 4:1

1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”

The book of Revelation now comes to the third item of what John was told to write about.  In Revelation 1:19, John was told to write about “what you have seen” (chapter 1); “the things that are now happening” (chapters 2 and 3); and “the things that will happen” (chapters 4 and following). The words “after this” reveal there is a change in subject as John was told, “I will show you what must happen after this.” From here forward the church is never seen on earth.

REFLECT

Think how blessed you are to have a copy of Revelation to read about these events. You have read about the vision of Christ that John saw in chapter 1, and the messages to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3. Now you will see what occurs “after this.”

RESPOND

Do you have a friend to follow these comments about the book of Revelation? Many people are interested in Revelation so you should help someone learn more about the book.

Day 2

God's Throne

READ

Revelation 4:2-4

2 And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.

The apostle John was physically on earth but in spirit was taken into heaven. There he saw on a throne one with a majestic description. Surrounding this magnificent one were 24 thrones with 24 elders. It is unsure who the 24 were, but because they were clothed in white and had victors’ crowns on their heads suggests they represented Church-age believers who had been previously raptured and rewarded in heaven.

REFLECT

Think of the struggle John had of describing a heavenly scene in language humans would understand. Think of the difficulty you would have had.

RESPOND

Remind your friend of the significance of the white clothing in heaven. Read Revelation 19:6-8 to see mention of the white linen at the great wedding feast. Read also 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 that tells about believers being rewarded for their service on earth for Jesus.

Day 3

Unimaginable Majesty

READ

Revelation 4:5-6

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.

What John saw coming from the throne was an indication of coming judgment. The “sevenfold Spirit” likely refers to the fullness or perfection of the Holy Spirit. John describes the sea of glass in front of the throne as “sparkling like crystal.” The eyes of the four living beings reveal the possibility to see everything.

REFLECT

Think about the unimaginable majesty of the scene in heaven. Think also of the difficulty to describe it. Humans on earth have no way of comprehending such a scene.

RESPOND

Talk with your disciple about the concern that today we know little about what heaven is really like. We can be confident, however, that heaven will be a perfect place for all believers because Jesus, the perfect Son of God, is there.

Day 4

Holy, Holy, Holy

READ

Revelation 4:7-8

7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

The apostle John described what the four living beings were like. Bible commentators see a similarity to the four gospels in the description of these four beings. A lion, the king of all animals, they see reflected in the gospel of Matthew who presented Jesus as king. The ox, or calf, was a sacrificial animal and Mark presented Jesus as a Servant. The one with a human face reminds one of Luke who presented Jesus as the Son of Man. The eagle in flight reminds one of the Gospel of John that presented Jesus as the Son of God. These living beings were praising God.

REFLECT

Do you praise God often? The living beings emphasized the holiness of God as they praised Him saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty.”

RESPOND

With your friend, read Isaiah 6:1-6. The more Isaiah was aware of his unworthiness, the more He was impressed with God’s holiness. May this be true for you and your friend.

Day 5

The Lord is Worthy

READ

Revelation 4:9-11

9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Verse 8 had referred to God as “the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Verses 9 and 10 each describe Him as “the one who lives forever and ever.” The 24 elders lay their crowns before the throne and proclaim God’s worthiness to “receive glory and honor and power.” This is because He has “created all things,” and they exist because He created what pleased Him.

REFLECT

Think of God who is powerful over all; that is, He is “Almighty.” What a great God every believer in Jesus serves! May this fill your heart with praise for Him.

RESPOND

Talk with your disciple about some of the things that indicate the greatness of God. Think about the universe. Read Colossians 1:15-20 to read about the Lord Jesus Christ, the agent through whom God created everything. Jesus Christ is also head of the Church. Take time to praise Him in prayer.