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Welcome to Week 37 of Rooted.
We will continue our journey through Revelation this week with chapters 9-13. In these chapters, the last three trumpets are blown, and an unholy imitation of the Trinity is introduced.
The descriptions here can be bewildering and confusing. And that is especially true when you try to equate what you are reading with current events and people. It is probably better to see the events and individuals described here as especially relevant to the first-century churches that Revelation was addressed to, with application to us today. Remember that Revelation was given to those churches to encourage them to remain faithful rather than a look into the distant future.
As you read this week, consider the following questions: It is OK to be somewhat imaginative here.
• What is the bottomless pit, and what are these locusts that come out of it (Rev. 9:1-11)? Hint: see Luke 8:30-31 (the Abyss = the bottomless pit).
• What will happen when the seventh (and last) trumpet sounds (Rev. 10:7)? See Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 for help with this.
• 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?
Here are some potential answers to last week’s questions. Yours may differ:
Our Rooted Facebook Group will add to these answers each day.
• How would you feel about joining in with the heavenly worship service described in Revelation 4:8-11? – It is currently overwhelming to me. But I look forward to being able to freely and joyfully express my worship of God.
• What is the significance of picturing Jesus as both a lion and a slain lamb (Rev. 5:5-6)? – Jesus conquered through the cross, not military might.
• 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.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing
• New Testament overview video: by The Bible Project
• Bible Gateway is an online Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar devotionals
As always, we would love to hear about your experience in reading through the New Testament. Please share your questions and insights with us at rooted@lifepointnaz.church.
We will continue our journey through Revelation this week with chapters 9-13. In these chapters, the last three trumpets are blown, and an unholy imitation of the Trinity is introduced.
The descriptions here can be bewildering and confusing. And that is especially true when you try to equate what you are reading with current events and people. It is probably better to see the events and individuals described here as especially relevant to the first-century churches that Revelation was addressed to, with application to us today. Remember that Revelation was given to those churches to encourage them to remain faithful rather than a look into the distant future.
As you read this week, consider the following questions: It is OK to be somewhat imaginative here.
• What is the bottomless pit, and what are these locusts that come out of it (Rev. 9:1-11)? Hint: see Luke 8:30-31 (the Abyss = the bottomless pit).
• What will happen when the seventh (and last) trumpet sounds (Rev. 10:7)? See Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 for help with this.
• 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?
Here are some potential answers to last week’s questions. Yours may differ:
Our Rooted Facebook Group will add to these answers each day.
• How would you feel about joining in with the heavenly worship service described in Revelation 4:8-11? – It is currently overwhelming to me. But I look forward to being able to freely and joyfully express my worship of God.
• What is the significance of picturing Jesus as both a lion and a slain lamb (Rev. 5:5-6)? – Jesus conquered through the cross, not military might.
• 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.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing
• New Testament overview video: by The Bible Project
• Bible Gateway is an online Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar devotionals
As always, we would love to hear about your experience in reading through the New Testament. Please share your questions and insights with us at rooted@lifepointnaz.church.