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 … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
1. Seven churches. If we are living in the last days and identify most closely with the Laodicean church, do we even need to study God’s message to the other six churches? Or is it possible that each church has a message for us? Or that in our Christian experience we may struggle with the problems … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: The messages to the seven churches show that Christ is connected with His church throughout history. The Church Militant March 12- 18, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 2:1-7. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. What does Ephesus mean and … Continue reading –>
Jean just passed away at the age of 94. She lost her husband a couple years earlier, and then became ill with cancer. She was telling her daughter she did not even know why she was still living. She felt old and useless. But one day her young health care nurse came for a routine visit. She told … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
If there is a judgment going on in heaven right now and if, when Jesus comes, His reward is with Him, it stands to reason that at some point before the second coming, those who are alive on earth will have to be judged as well. And, in developing this idea Adventists have come to … Continue reading –>
They were astonished at His words. With an authority that could not be denied, they heard words of affirmation that were inconceivable just a short while ago. His words pierced through the darkness of their minds and illuminated the reality of heaven – that they were valuable. We call it the Sermon on the Mount … Continue reading –>
Peter warned that scoffers would say: “‘everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’” (2 Pet. 3:4, NIV). This was nothing new; the same sentiments were expressed before the Flood. “As time passed on, with no apparent change in nature, men whose hearts had at times trembled with fear, began to be … Continue reading –>
