AUGUST | WEEK 35
This week, we will continue our journey through Revelation with chapters 11-15. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.
Discussion Questions:
• In Revelation 11:1-2, John was told to measure the temple of God. What is this temple that John is to measure? See Acts 17:24, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:19-22.
• Who is the dragon described in Revelation 12?
• What is the significance of the mark that is placed on foreheads or right hands in Revelation 13:16-18?
• In Revelation 14:1-5, the 144,000 sealed in chapter 7 are described as virgin men? Does this mean that they were literally celibate men? Or might this mean something else?
• In Revelation 15:2, who is it who stands beside the sea of glass?
Some Answers from Last Week's Questions:
• What is happening with the opening of the fifth seal? (Rev. 6:9-11) Who are these found under the altar, and what were they told? – We are given a view of those saints who have gone before us, many of whom have given their lives for the sake of Christ. They are rewarded, but also told to be patient until the time is right.
• What is the relationship between those that John heard were sealed (Rev 7:4) and those that he saw? (Rev. 7:9) – Many see them as two distinct groups. But it is more likely that they are the same group. The true Israel of God, composed of all those who have believed and followed the slain lamb, regardless of their ethnicity.
• Where else do you find incense offered on a golden altar (Rev. 8:3-4) (Hint: see Exodus 30:1-10)? And what is the significance of prayers being added to the incense? – The altar of incense was just outside of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and the Temple. The incense was a sweet-smelling odor to God. And that seems descriptive of our prayers as well.
• What is the bottomless pit, and what are these locusts that come out of it? (Rev. 9:1-11) – In Luke 8:26-33, Jesus healed a man possessed by a multitude of demons. The demons plead with Jesus not to send them into the abyss. And that place, the abyss, and its inhabitants, demons, would seem to map onto this bottomless pit and the locusts that came out of it.
• What will happen when the seventh (and last) trumpet sounds? (Rev. 10:7) – In Revelation 11:15, we see that Christ claims ownership and begins His reign on the earth. Elsewhere in the New Testament, the last trumpet sounds at Jesus’ return for His people (1 Cor. 15:50-54).
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for reminding me that even when the world feels uncertain, You are still on the throne. Help me remain faithful to You, resist the different voices that pull me away, and live as someone who belongs to the Lamb. May my life, my worship, and my choices reflect that I belong to You! Amen.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration
• Bible Project New Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals
Discussion Questions:
• In Revelation 11:1-2, John was told to measure the temple of God. What is this temple that John is to measure? See Acts 17:24, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:19-22.
• Who is the dragon described in Revelation 12?
• What is the significance of the mark that is placed on foreheads or right hands in Revelation 13:16-18?
• In Revelation 14:1-5, the 144,000 sealed in chapter 7 are described as virgin men? Does this mean that they were literally celibate men? Or might this mean something else?
• In Revelation 15:2, who is it who stands beside the sea of glass?
Some Answers from Last Week's Questions:
• What is happening with the opening of the fifth seal? (Rev. 6:9-11) Who are these found under the altar, and what were they told? – We are given a view of those saints who have gone before us, many of whom have given their lives for the sake of Christ. They are rewarded, but also told to be patient until the time is right.
• What is the relationship between those that John heard were sealed (Rev 7:4) and those that he saw? (Rev. 7:9) – Many see them as two distinct groups. But it is more likely that they are the same group. The true Israel of God, composed of all those who have believed and followed the slain lamb, regardless of their ethnicity.
• Where else do you find incense offered on a golden altar (Rev. 8:3-4) (Hint: see Exodus 30:1-10)? And what is the significance of prayers being added to the incense? – The altar of incense was just outside of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and the Temple. The incense was a sweet-smelling odor to God. And that seems descriptive of our prayers as well.
• What is the bottomless pit, and what are these locusts that come out of it? (Rev. 9:1-11) – In Luke 8:26-33, Jesus healed a man possessed by a multitude of demons. The demons plead with Jesus not to send them into the abyss. And that place, the abyss, and its inhabitants, demons, would seem to map onto this bottomless pit and the locusts that came out of it.
• What will happen when the seventh (and last) trumpet sounds? (Rev. 10:7) – In Revelation 11:15, we see that Christ claims ownership and begins His reign on the earth. Elsewhere in the New Testament, the last trumpet sounds at Jesus’ return for His people (1 Cor. 15:50-54).
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for reminding me that even when the world feels uncertain, You are still on the throne. Help me remain faithful to You, resist the different voices that pull me away, and live as someone who belongs to the Lamb. May my life, my worship, and my choices reflect that I belong to You! Amen.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration
• Bible Project New Testament overview videos
• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar Devotionals