Read Revelation 10:8-11. Eating in the Bible is used to describe the acceptance of a message from God in order to proclaim it to the people (see Ezek. 2:8-3:11, Jer. 15:16). When received, the message is good news; but when it is proclaimed, it sometimes results in bitterness as it is resisted and rejected by many. John’s bittersweet experience … Continue reading –>
The sixth trumpet brings us to the time of the end. What are God’s people called to do during this time? Before the seventh trumpet sounds, an interlude is inserted, explaining the task and experience of God’s people at the end time. Read Revelation 10:1-4. What is happening here? “The mighty angel who instructed John was … Continue reading –>
In portraying God’s interventions on behalf of His people, Revelation uses the imagery of trumpets in the Old Testament. Trumpets were an important part of the daily life of ancient Israel (see Num. 10:8-10 and 2 Chron. 13:14-15). Their sound reminded people of the worship in the temple; trumpets were also blown in battle, at harvesttime, and during festivals. … Continue reading –>
Revelation chapter 8 opens with a picture of seven angels standing before God, ready to blow their trumpets. Before the trumpets are blown, another scene is inserted. Its purpose is to explain the theological meaning of the trumpets. Read Revelation 8:3-4 along with the description of the daily services in the temple in Jerusalem given below: a … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 8:1-13; Num. 10:8-10; Ezek. 10:2; Rev. 10:1-11; Dan. 12:6-7; Rev. 11:1-13; Leviticus 16. Memory Text: “But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7, NKJV). In the scene of the fifth seal, … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Sinlessness and Salvation”, pages 353-357, in Selected Messages, book 3. The identity of the 144,000 is a hotly debated issue. What seems evident in Revelation is that the 144,000 are the last generation of God’s people in the closing days of this earth’s history. We know that they will go through the time … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 14:5 along with 2 Peter 3:14 and Jude 24-25. Revelation describes God’s end-time people as “without fault”. How is this state achievable? The final characteristic of the 144,000 is that “in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Rev. 14:5). While the people of the world choose to believe Satan’s … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 14:1-5. What are the three chief characteristics of the 144,000 saints? How are these characteristics related to the description of the end-time saints in Revelation 14:12? Revelation 14:4-5 is a description of the 144,000 that aligns with God’s last day people who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12). Although they … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 7:9-10. What group of saints does John see at this point? How are they described, and where do they come from? What are they shouting before God’s throne? John sees a “great multitude, which no one could number”, who came “out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 7:4-8. What is the number of God’s sealed people? What is the meaning of that specific number? The announcement of the number of those who are sealed marks the completion of the sealing. John hears that their number is 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel. The reference here is not to a literal … Continue reading –>
