Revelation Study 24. Revelation 19:1-21. (pgs. 153-159)

By -
1. How would you describe the mood in 19:1-9?
 Rejoicing, worshipful, triumphant, victorious, satisfied.
The voice of the great multitude is matched by the voices of the elders and living creatures
 
2. For what deeds and attributes is God praised in these verses? 
Salvation, glory (v.7), power belong to Him (v.1c)
His judgments are true and just, he has judged the great prostitute (v.2a)
He has avenged the blood of His servants (v.2b)
He is seated on the throne (v.4). He reigns (v.6)
He is worthy of being served and feared (v.5)
He has granted His Bride clothes (v.8, cf. 3:5, 18; 7:9)

 
Optional Application: What are the Implications for you of the fact that Christ's relationship to the Church is described as a marriage? Do you act as one betrothed to the Lamb? How can this affect your life more deeply? 
 Love, loyalty, single-minded devotion.
Earthly spouses can be flawed and unworthy. Not so the Lamb. 
 
3. The great whore was described in lurid detail in 17:1-18:24. We encounter the Bride in 19:7-9 and again in 21:2-22:6. The two have some similarities: both are women, yet both are cities (17:18, 21:2). Write down the differences between the whore and the Bride.
 

 

The whore

The Bride

Her relations with the kings of the earth (17:2, 18:9-10, 21:24)

 committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her; they will stand afar off in fear

 bring their glory into it

Where she lives (17:3, 21:10)

 on the beast

 heaven

What she wears (17:4, 18:16, 19:8)

 purple, scarlet, gold, jewels, pearls.

 fine linen, the righteous deeds of the saints

The drink she offers (17:4; 22:1, 17)

 abominations, and the impurities of her sexual immorality

 the water of life

The mood of her people (17:6; 18:7-10, 21-23; 19:7-9; 21:4)

 drunk with the blood of the saints, proud and secure, arrogant, celebratory, busy with life

 ready for the wedding; righteous

Her inhabitants (18:2, 21:27)

 demons, unclean spirits and animals

 those who are written in the Lamb's book of life

Her fruit (18:11-14, 22:2)

 material wealth

 the tree of life

Her character

 bad

 good

Her relationship to God

 judged

 married

Other

 

 
 
4. a. To what extent are the Bride's wedding garments earned, and to what extent are they a gift (19:8)?
She clothes herself, yet the clothing is granted. cf. 

b. Why is this important?
 The righteous deeds are done by the saints, yet the opportunity and ability to do them are granted.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10) 
 
For Further Study: How does Revelation 19:8 Illustrate Philipplans 2:12-13?  
 We are saved for, not by good works
 
5. Explain in your own words the meaning of the fourth beatitude (19:9).
 We are qualified to join in the celebration. We are both the guests and the Bride.
 
For Further Study: Do you think the woman of 12:1-17 is the Bride before the time of her wedding, or are the two women distinct? Explain.
Both represent the people of God, but in different roles. The first woman bears the Messiah. The second marries Him.
 
For Further Study: Study more about the feast of the Kingdom in Isaiah 25:6-8 and Matthew 26:28-29.
Isaiah 25:6-8 It is lavish, it will involve the destruction of death, sorrow and disgrace,
Matthew 26:28-29 It is paid for by Jesus' blood
  
For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think John is tempted to worship the angel who has revealed 17:1-19:9 to him (19:10)?
Overcome by awe and wonder at all he has seen, from great evil to great glory. It overflows to worshipping one he sees as closer to God than himself, speaking God's words.

For Further Study: To understand the robe dipped in blood, see Isaiah 63:1-3 and Revelation 14:14-20.
It is the blood of those whom God has judged
 
What does it mean that "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (19:10).  
 The central purpose, heart, and driving force of all true prophecy is to reveal and bear witness to Jesus Christ. The Spirit witnesses to Jesus.
In the immediate context, the angel uses this phrase to explain why John must not worship him. The angel is saying: "I may be a heavenly being delivering a prophecy, but you and your fellow believers hold the testimony of Jesus. We are equals because we serve the exact same truth." Both angels and human believers share the same ultimate calling: to bear witness to Christ. 
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 45. Acts 22:30 - 23:12

By -
Before you begin this lesson, read Luke 12:8-12 and 21:12-19. Then read Acts 23:11–26:32 prayerfully, observing how Paul acted before governors and kings and imagining yourself in his place.  For Thought and Discussion: How do Luke 12:8-12 and Luke 21:12-19 resemble Paul’s experiences and actions?       cf. Acts 9:15 " a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israe l"   Luke 12:8-12 speaks of Jesus acknowledging us if we acknowledge Him, and of being taught of the Spirit what to say in the hour of trial. 21:12-19  There would be betrayal and arrest, but an  opportunity to bear witness. Words and wisdom would be given. We will be preserved to the end. cf. 2 Ti 4:18 " The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."   Paul was likely not fearful. He welcomed the opportunity to witness (21:39-40, 23:1,...
Read more

Acts 46. Acts 23:23 -24:21

By -
 2. Consider the lengths to which the Jewish fanatics were willing to go to silence Paul (see 23:12-15). What human and divine factors prevented them (see 23:16-30)? Paul's nephew hearing of their plans The nephew's concern and efforts for Paul  A Roman guard of soldiers, with mounts, at night His Roman citizenship The character of the tribune: trusting Paul's favour with the Roman tribune/centurion. For Thought and Discussion: a. Why was it so important to Paul to keep a clear conscience before God and man (see 23:1; 24:16)? b. Is this important to you? If so, why? How do you show it?  Conscience is an internal rational capacity that bears witness to our value system. It s erves as a witness to what we already know. (Rom. 2:15, 9:1)  When we conform to the values of our conscience we feel a sense of pleasure or relief. But when we violate the values of our conscience, it induces anguish or guilt. (TGC). It  is a trustworthy guide only when it is informed and ...
Read more

Acts 44. Acts 21.27 - 22:21

By -
4. Paul called his speech a “defense” (22:1; Greek: apologia). Summarize what he said to the Jews in 22:1-21.  Mentioned his origin and education in Jerusalem Mentioned his zeal for Judaism, even persecuting Christians to Damascus The events of the Jerusalem road and his interaction with Ananias, a devout Jew who told him 'The God of our Fathers' had a plan for him A miraculous encounter with God in the temple warning him about his danger from the Jews and commissioning him to go to the Gentiles    5. How did Paul shape this speech to appeal to the Jews? Observe the details in 21:40–22:21. He spoke in Hebrew He mentioned his Jewish origins and upbringing in Jerusalem, his interaction with devout Jews He mentioned the authority of the Jewish religious rulers  HIs commisioning by the Jewish God His reception of a message from God in the Temple His surprise of being rejected by Jews and the sending away to Gentiles.    6. Why did 22:21 make the Jews interrupt ...
Read more