The seals. Not sea creatures, but symbols of what? What does “opening of the seals” mean to Christians today? Who only is able to open the seals in the proclaiming of God’s final message to the world? What comes to an end with the opening of the seventh and last seal? The first seal is … Continue reading –>
The breaking of the seven seals is telling us: “Go, Preach My Gospel”, Hymn 378. Sunday calls for us to be awake: Hymn 210, “Wake, Awake for the Night is Flying”, Hymn 598, “Watch, Ye Saints”, and Hymn 611, “Awake, My Soul!”. As were the martyrs (Wednesday), are we ready to “Stand Up! Stand Up … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 6:3-4. On the basis of the description of the red horse and the rider, what is being talked about here in reference to the gospel? Red is the color of blood. The rider has a great sword and is allowed to take peace from the earth, which opens the way for people to kill … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 6:1-8 along with Leviticus 26:21-26 and Matthew 24:1-14. Note the common key words in these texts. What do you learn about the meaning of the first four seals on the basis of these parallels? The events of the seven seals must be understood in the context of the Old Testament covenant curses, specified in terms of sword, famine, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 6:1-17, Lev. 26:21-26, Ezek. 4:16, Deut. 32:43, 2 Thess. 1:7-10. Memory Text: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “To My Father, and Your Father,” pages 829-835, in The Desire of Ages; “The Gift of the Spirit”, pages 47-56, in The Acts of the Apostles. The message of Revelation 4 and 5 is particularly important to the people of God living at the close of earth’s history. The coming of the Holy Spirit … Continue reading –>
By Andrew McChesney One of the most perplexing questions that people ask is how to choose the right spouse. For Mario Brito, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Inter-European Division, it was simple: He asked God two seemingly impossible things. Mario remembered Maria while praying for a mission-minded wife as a third-year theology student at … Continue reading –>
This week’s lesson, Worthy Is the Lamb, presents quite a challenge for me as a Sabbath school teacher. Because of the nature of the book of Revelation, it can be easy to just have a forward-looking history class. For example, the facts outlined in this week’s lesson from Revelation 4 & Revelation 5 are noteworthy … Continue reading –>
In the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4 confirms one of the most decisive events in the history of the plan of salvation: the inauguration of Christ into His post-Calvary ministry as High Priest and King in the heavenly sanctuary (see also Acts 1:4-8, Acts 2:33). Through His high-priestly ministry at the right hand of the Father (Rev. … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 5:8-14 along with Ephesians 1:20-23 and Hebrews 10:12. Together, what are they saying that should give us great hope and comfort amid a world that, of itself, offers so little of either? As Christ the Lamb approaches the throne, He takes the scroll. This act shows that all authority and sovereignty belong to Him (see Matt. 28:18, Eph. 1:20-22). At that … Continue reading –>
But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 NLT Kevin o’Rourke grew up dreaming of being a firefighter one day. He could not imagine being anything else. When he finally became a firefighter, knowing the dangers involved, Kevin loved his job more than anything … Continue reading –>
Our first hymn for the week comes from our title: Hymn 246, “Worthy, Worthy Is the Lamb”. This hymn also shines through in a number of verses in Sunday’s study. Sunday also gives us: Hymn 408, “Lord, Enthroned in Heaven” and Hymn 82, “Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne”. On reading Rev 4:8-11 and Rev 5:9-14 we have … Continue reading –>
