Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Revelation 5

Study 9 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 5

1-     Of what does this vision assure us concerning the purpose and the results of Christ’s earthly sacrifice—as ‘the Lamb who was slain’?

2-     What is it that here prompts ‘a new song’ (verse 9)? How many ultimately join in the singing? What difference is there in qualification to sing on the part of those who do sing? See 14:3. Have you discovered why you should sing?

Notes

1-     Verse 1. ‘A scroll’: this is the book of destiny. It declares God’s purposes of judgment and blessing for this world. Some regard it as the title-deed to the inheritance with Christ has procured for Himself and for His fellow-men by His redeeming work.

2-     Verses 5, 6. Note the tense, ‘has conquered’. The victory is already won. Cf. 3:21. See also Jn. 12:31, 32. The occasion here seen in vision is that of Christ return from the cross of the throne of God as the Lamb that ‘had been slain’. He is at once invested into His universal dominion. Cf. Mt. 28:18; Heb. 2:9; 10:12, 13.

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INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTERS 4 to 11 and Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Revelation 4

INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTERS 4-11

We are now entering upon the main revelation of the book (see 1:1 and 4:1). We have seen the conditions of the churches. Persecution had begun, and times of greater trial loomed ahead (see 2:10, 13; 3:10). The question, ‘What of the future?’ must have troubled every thoughtful Christian and is now about to be answered. But, first in chapters 4 and 5 God shows John a vision of the heavenly realities which abide unshaken behind and above the changes and uncertainties of earth.

Study 8 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 4

1-     When John looked into heaven, what is the chief and outstanding sight which met his eyes? What may we also learn from this vision about the origin, the control and the purpose of the created universe? What kind of response ought this awareness to call forth from us?

2-     What is here indicated or symbolized concerning the nature and character of God, and concerning the way in which He ought to be worshipped?

Notes

1-     Verse 3. ‘Like Jasper’: i.e., radiant; cf. 21:11. ‘Like…carnelian’: i.e., red like fire or blood. The ‘rainbow’ suggests God’s faithfulness. Cf. Gn. 9:12-17.

2-     Verse 4. These elders are normally taken to represent the church of Old and New Testaments

3-     Verses 6-8. ‘Four living creatures’: similar to those of Ezekiel’s vision. See Ezk. 1:5ff.; 10:12. Their appearance suggests the characteristics of strength, service, intelligence and swiftness. For their song, cf. Is. 6:3

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Revelation 3:14-22

Study 7 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 3:14-22

1-     How do you think the church in Laodicea had become so blind to its true spiritual condition? Cf. Mt. 23:25, 26; 2 Cor. 4:18. Who undertakes to deal with them, and how?

2-     What three qualities of Christian character are symbolized by gold refined by fire’, white garments’ and eye salve respectively?  See for the first, 1Pet. 1:7; for the second, verses 4, and 19:8; Ps. 51:7; and for the third, Ps. 119:18; 2 Pet. 1:9; Eph. 1:18, 19. How may these things be obtained?

3-     How in its context is verse 20 to be understood?  If a church as a whole is ‘Lukewarm’, may individuals within it enjoy a close relationship with the Lord? What does the Lord promise to such? What are the conditions to be fulfilled in order to obtain what is promised? Cf. Jn.14:22, 23.

Note. Verse 17 Laodicea was prosperous and wealthy. After its overthrow by an earthquake in AD 61 it was rebuilt by its own citizens without imperial subsidy. ‘We need nothing’ was virtually what its inhabitants said.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Revelation 3:1-13

Study 6 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 3:1-13

1-     Verses 1-6. What was wrong with the Christians, in Sardis, and what was needed to remedy the situation?  Upon whose action did change and better living depend? Is our condition at all similar?

2-     In verses 7-13 what Christian quality is shown to be essential? For how long ought it to be exhibited? To what rewards will it practice lead?

Note. Verse 8. ‘An open door’ : i.e., a missionary opportunity. Cf. 1 Cor. 16: 9; 2.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Revelation 2:18-29

Study 5 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 2:18-29  

1-     In what ways is the description of Christ in verse 18 relevant to what follows? In what character is He here revealed? How should awareness of these truths affect our own behaviour?

2-     The religious compromise and moral laxity that were creeping into the churches seem to have proceeded further in the case of Thyatira, and to have become a doctrine and almost a sect.  What responsibility had the church as a whole towards the presence of such evil in its midst? What advice is given to the individual members who do not hold this teaching?

Note.  Verse 20. ‘The woman Jezebel’: so called because of her moral likeness so Jezebel of old. Cf. 1. Ki. 21:25, 26; 2 Ki. 9:22, 30.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Revelation 2:8-17

Study 4 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 2:8-17

1-     Reconstruct from verses 8-11 the situation with which the believers in Smyrna were confronted. What does Christ declare concerning (a)a their immediate, and (b) their final future?  In What ways were they already rich? How were they to conquer? To what result would such conquest lead?

2-     Satan could not break the rocklike steadfastness of the Church in Pergamum by frontal attack (verse 13), so he employed another method, tempting believers to ask, ‘Is it necessary to be so uncompromising in our attitude toward idolatrous practices and pagan morals? What is Christ’s answer to this sort of question?

Notes

1-     Verse 10. ‘Ten days’: i.e., for a short period

2-     Verse 11.  ‘The second death’: cf. 20:14, 15; 21:8.

3-     Verse 13. ‘Where Satan’s throne is’: Pergamum was the official residence of the Roman proconsul of the province, and the chief centre of the worship of the emperor.

4-     Verse 17. ‘The hidden manna’: the Rabbis taught that the Messiah when He came would give the people manna to eat, now hidden in heaven. What is said here is that Christ is the true manna, the bread of life. Cf. Jn. 6:-48-51.  ‘A white stone’:  stones engraved with names supposed to posses’ magical qualities were highly valued in heathen circles. Christ gives privileges, personal to catch recipient, which exceed all that can be found outside of Him.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Revelation 2:1-7

Study 3 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 2:1-7

The seven letters of chapters 2 and 3 are all similar in structure, beginning with titles descriptive of Christ, which have already occurred in the vision in 1:9-20; then giving Christ’s message to the church, and closing with a summons to hear and a promise to ‘him who conquers’. In the last four letters the promise precedes the summons.

1-     State in your own words what Christ found to commend in the Church at Ephesus (Verses 2, 3, 6).

2-     What was the poof that their love had declined? How could this condition be remedied? What further danger otherwise beset them? How should we take such a warning to heart?

3-     Verse 7a. Note the present tense ‘says’,  and the combination of individual appeal and universal application. How does Christ still speak through these scriptures, and to whom? Cf. Mk. 4:9, 23; 8:18. How may the hearing ear be obtained?

Notes

1-     Verse 6. Nicholaitans’. See also verses 14, 15. Nicholaos’ may be meant as a Greek equivalent of ‘Balaam’, intended to describe a person who lays waste the people of God, as Balaam did through the introduction of idolatrous and immoral practices. Cf. 2 Pet. 2:15, 16.

2-     Verse 7. ‘The tree of life’:  in contrast to the corrupt fruit of idolatrous and sensual self-indulgence. Cf. 22:2.

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