Queen's Road Cell

 9. What happens in ... 7:1-8 The 144000 are sealed  7:9-17 The great multitude worships    The 144000 have been identified with Believing Jews, perhaps saved out of the great tribulation (while Gentile believers have been raptured before the tribulation) All believers during the tribulation All believers for all time   144000 = 12x 12 for completeness, 10x10x10 to represent the presence of God, like the new Jerusalem and the Holy of Holies.    Note that the lists of the tribes of Israel differ markedly throughout the Bible. The tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted here whereas Joseph is mentioned together with his son Manasseh. The promoaion of tribes descended from Bilhah and ZIlpah (Gad, Asher, Napthali) suggest those once excluded from privilegare are now included. The southern tribes begin and end the list with the symmetrical "were sealed".   John first 'heard' the number of the sealed (v.7) then he sees (v.9) The 'great multitu...

 1. What happens when the Lamb opens each of the first six seals? 1 A white horse 2 A red horse 3 A black horse 4 A pale horse 5 The martyrs under the altar demand justice 6 A great earthquake, sun is darkened, moon red, stars fall, sky vanishes, mountains and islands removed. Earthly peoples know that the wrath of God and the Lamb has come on them.   2. From the descriptions in 6:2-8, what do you think each of  the four horsemen represents? white = militarism, conquest, ambition. possibly leading to the other 3, or false religion Unlikely to be Christ and the conquering gospel, because of  - parallels with seals and trumpets - similarity to the other 3 riders - holding of a bow, not a sword   red = war and violence black = famine and inflated (8-10x normal) grain prices, but limited. Perhaps the rich will not suffer. pale [' chloros ') = Death and Hades, given power over 1/4 of the earth. The riders are "given" and "permitted" - they remain under God's ...

  The award-winning Last Supper pic   The award-winning K drama energy pic                                     The non-award winning 'bearing one another's burdens' pic    The non-award winning Ho-ly hole-y kiss/washing feet pic  The 'bye-bye dragonfruit pic

Seven horns and seven eyes (5:6): perfect power and knowledge Harp . . . incense (5:8). Normal features of Hebrew worship (Psalm 33:2, 141:2) to the Lamb   Why does John weep? (5:4)   Not from frustrated curiosity, but because he understands that without the revelation and accomplishment of God's purposes, life is meaningless. There is no judgment, and there is no salvation.   5. For what is the Lamb praised and worshiped (5:9-10,12-13)? He was 'slain' By His death he has: redeemed people for God from  every tribe and language and people and nation - the salvation is universal in scope made them a kingdom and priests to God (Ex 19:6). We reign under the King and have access to God. they shall reign on the earth - creation itself will be redeemed The Lamb is worthy 'to receive'. There is distinction from God (" between the throne and the four living creatures ") yet identification with God (Rev 7:17) 6. How has He triumphed (5:5)? How has He purchased men f...

 1. Chapters 4 and 5 are essentially an introduction to the action in chapters 6 through 20. Basically, what happens in 4:1-5:14? John's vision of heaven and the throne of God The Lamb and the scroll    For Thought and Discussion: Thrones, especially God's throne, are mentioned forty-five times in  Revelation. Why do you think they appear so often? What do they have to do with the book's message? Thrones are for rulers. God rules as sovereign. We share His authority. That there are other thrones tells us that there are other authorities. For Thought and Discussion:  a. What does the association between God and thunderstorms suggest to you about God? Uncontrollable, unpredictable powerful, dangerous -fearsome. b. Research the storm Imagery In the Old Testament, beginning with Exodus 19:16-19. God protects from storms (Ps 57:1, 148:1; Is 4:6, 25:4, 54:11 God controls storms (Ps 107:29. 149:8; Zec 10:1. Mt 8:24/Mk 4:35/Lk 8:22) God manifests Himself in the storm...

 Optional Application: Do you act as though you think you are rich or poor in your own resources? Do you need gold, white clothes, and eye-salve from Jesus? Pray about this. 'Gold' is spiritual wealth (cf. Lk 12:21). There is investment in the eternal: relationship with God, service and contribution to the kingdom. "white" is purity, holiness, internal and external righteousness "salve" is spiritual vision and perspective - a God's eye view For Thought and Discussion: What does It Imply that Jesus describes Himself as outside the door from the Christians at Laodicea? He was not having intimate fellowship with them. They were self-preoccupied and self-sufficient. They did not think they needed Jesus' presence and relationship. For Thought and Discussion:  a. In each letter, Jesus closes (before or after the promise to the overcomers) with the same summons for those with ears to hear. What is the point of this call? Whom do you think He is addressing? ...