Revelation - Week 12

Day 1

Heavenly Worship

READ

Revelation 5:13-14

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” 14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

This is a great picture of worship in heaven. The millions of angels, living beings and elders had worshiped in a similar way as seen in verses 11-12, now joining in are “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.” People will either bow down and worship Jesus as the redeemer now or they will in eternity.

REFLECT

Hopefully these passages in Revelation will enable you to see more clearly the wonderful Lord and redeemer you have.

RESPOND

To see that all will someday bow down and worship the Lord, read Philippians 2:5-11. With fellow believers, rejoice in the God of your salvation now rather than having to do so later as an unbeliever.  

Day 2

The White Horse

READ

Revelation 6:1-2

1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.

The Lamb of God now breaks the first seal on the scroll. A white horse appears with a rider going out to win battles and has a bow but no arrows are mentioned. Is this significant? Some believe the rider on the white horse is Jesus Christ, but He is the Lamb who opened the seal. Seems more likely it is one who imitates the Lord Jesus, the Antichrist. Likely he wins over the world by promising peace to the world and later reveals he is against Christ and not just instead of Christ.

REFLECT

What you are now reading is future. Whether or not you understand what is being presented, as a believer in Jesus you can be confident that you are safe in Him.

RESPOND

Sometimes believers see similar expressions and think they refer to the same thing—such as “white horse” in this passage. Teach others to pay careful attention to the surrounding passage and what is being said.

Day 3

The Red Horse

READ

Revelation 6:3-4

3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.

Some Bible interpreters think all prophecy has been fulfilled in the past. The second seal reveals a time when peace is taken from the entire earth. It is not possible to fit this into any historical period that involves peace being taken from the entire earth. This is yet future. It is a period known as the 70^th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27) and referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24.

REFLECT

Revelation gives you a glimpse into the future. It is not necessary that you understand all the details of what and how God will do things. Just know that He is in control and will eventually judge the earth for its rebellion against Him.

RESPOND

With your friend, think about the sovereignty of God from such passages as Proverbs 21:1 and

1 Timothy 6:15. See also the verse already seen in Revelation 1:8. The Bible has many other verses that stress God reigns over all—He is Almighty.

Day 4

The Black Horse

READ

Revelation 6:5-6

5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”

After the red horse appeared and caused worldwide warfare, a black horse appears. The color is fitting because this will be a time of worldwide mourning and famine. A day’s wages would only buy one loaf of wheat bread or three made of barley. A working man would not be able to feed his family. Not to “waste” the oil and wine seems best understood not to harm them. Seems the wealthy will have luxury items while others starve.

REFLECT

Think about government programs intended to help the poor. Often the poor are not significantly helped while the rich get richer. Revelation tells of such an extreme time coming.

RESPOND

In the first century the local church was instructed to take care of the poor. See 1 Timothy 5:9-10 for an example. What is your local church doing to help members in need? What are you doing personally to help?

Day 5

The Pale Green Horse

READ

Revelation 6:7-8

7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.

The rider on the pale green horse is called “Death, and his companion was the Grave.” The word underlying “Grave” is hadēs. At the time of physical death the body goes to the grave, but the spirit of the unbeliever goes to hadēs. (The spirit of the believer goes to be with Jesus.) Authority will be given over one-fourth of the earth to kill, with famine, diseases and wild animals. Nothing like this has ever taken place in history.

REFLECT

Think of what a terrible time for those living on earth at the time of these events. Regardless of what is seen now, nothing compares to this time in the future when God pours out judgments on earth.

RESPOND

With your friend, read Luke 16:19-31 that tells about an unbeliever being in hadēs. Notice he was told if others do not believe Moses and the prophets they would not believe even if someone rose from the dead. Read Revelation 20:11-15 to see that those in hadēs will someday be thrown into the lake of fire.