The opening verses of Genesis describe the earth as being “without form, and void” (Gen. 1:2). This same phrase is repeated by Jeremiah to describe the earth after its destruction by the seven last plagues and the Second Coming, with every city on earth “broken down at the presence of the LORD”(Jer. 4:26, NKJV). In … [Click to read more …]
Read Revelation 20:1-3. What is being described here, and what hope does it offer us? Binding or being bound is used in a number of ways in the Bible. On the simplest level it applies to a prisoner. Jesus loosed many who had been bound by Satan. Furthermore, the act of binding is used to … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 20:1-3, Jer. 4:23-26, 1 Cor. 4:5, Rev. 20:7-15, Phil. 2:9-11, 2 Pet. 3:10. Memory Text: “‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’”(Revelation 21:4, … [Click to read more …]
Thursday’s study touched on the divinity of Christ. Why is that so important? Ellen G. White wrote: “Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, only one equal with God could make atonement for its transgression. None but Christ could redeem fallen man from the curse of the law, and bring him again … [Click to read more …]
Laodicea also gets some descriptions of Jesus: “‘the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness,’” and “‘the Beginning of the creation of God’”(Rev. 3:14, NKJV). These descriptions are key aspects of the divinity of Christ. The “Amen” is a reference to Isaiah 65:16, where the word “Amen” is translated “the God of truth,” and is linked … [Click to read more …]
Read Revelation 3:7. What are the ways that Jesus is introduced to this church? What do these descriptions tell us about Him? The church is commended for keeping Christ’s word and for not denying His name, even though their strength appears to be quite weak (Rev. 3:8). Jesus makes an intriguing promise that members of … [Click to read more …]
Read Revelation 2:18-3:6. What are some of the issues going on in these churches, and in what ways are we, as a church and as individuals, struggling with the same things? How is the great controversy revealed in these struggles? The introduction of Jesus to the church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18) reveals an increasingly trying … [Click to read more …]
To the church in Smyrna, Jesus is introduced as “‘the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life’” (Rev. 2:8, NKJV; see Rev. 1:18). To the church at Pergamum, Jesus is the one with the sharp two-edged sword held in His teeth (Rev. 1:16, Rev. 2:12). What is the significance of the … [Click to read more …]
In Revelation 2:1, Jesus is pictured holding the seven stars and walking among the lampstands as He addresses the church at Ephesus. These symbols point to significant realities. The lampstands are the churches, and the seven stars are angels tasked with caring for the churches (Rev. 1:20). In other words, there is a close connection … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 2:1-7, Hos. 2:13, Rev. 2:8-17, Rev. 2:18-3:6, Isa. 60:14, Rev. 3:14-22. Memory Text: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20, NKJV). John was … [Click to read more …]
