PASTOR D

Q1. (14:3-5) In what ways do the 144,000 provide an ideal for all Christians to emulate? CHASTE - by remaining true to God and His Son Jesus. . . Free of the world and its ways. . . COMMITTED - following Jesus wholeheartedly. . . TRUTHFUL - as well as SPOTLESS as a result of the washing of our robes (spirit and soul) in the Blood of the Lamb. . .

Q4. (13:1-18, optional) The two beasts belong to the period of the ascendancy of the Antichrist at the very end of the Last Days. Together with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, summarize what have you learned about the Antichrist and the False Prophet? The Antichrist and the False Prophets are puppets or vessels used by Satan in an attempt to overcome Christ. According to these passages of Scripture it appears that they have "great power" to perform wonders and miracles. They have great power - but Jesus has "ALL POWER" and therefore cannot be defeated or overcome by anyone or anything - which bring about the destruction of these two beast and Satan as well. The end result is that Jesus is victorious and the Saints come into possession of the life of eternal bliss promised by God.

Q3. Revelation 12:11 could be considered a theme verse for the book. What does it mean? Who is overcome? In what sense do we have victory if we die in the process? What does the "blood of the Lamb" have to do with this? How does loving our lives prevent spiritual victory today? (See Luke 14:25-27; Matthew 10:37-39.) We, the true believers, have overcome in all of life's temptations and battles because of what Jesus has done for us - through His shed blood and the sacrifice of His life. We continue to over come through the confession of this truth. . . We the believers have overcome Satan along with all of his demons - his plots, plans, ploys, deceptions, and purpose - again not by anything that we have done, or can ever do - but by and because of what Jesus has done for us by way of His death, burial, resurrection - and that He intercedes for us daily as He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. . . Should we die in the process we have victory because we presently have the victory by being in fellowship with the Father through Jesus - a victory that cannot be lost as long as we remain in fellowship with Christ. . . The blood of the Lamb(Jesus) has everything to do with the victory we have because it is by the shedding of blood that we redeem from sin (not any blood - but the Blood of Jesus. . . Having a greater love for self than for Jesus puts us in a position where we have made "SELF" our God. . . Victory is not in "SELF" nor can we in and of ourselves overcome Satan and gain victory. . . Jesus must become and remain the Lord of our lives - as the only way that we can be victorious is by being in Christ. . .

2. (12:1-17) The vision of the woman and the dragon are heavily symbolic, but comprehensible when you take care to understand. In your own words, what does this vision tell us about the cosmic battle in Jesus' day and in our own? What comfort should we disciples draw from this passage? Simply - whatever happens in our lives - whatever we have to suffer - it is already determined that we win because Christ wins. . .

Q1. (11:3-12 ) Interpreters disagree upon the identity of the Two Witnesses, but they are certainly strong and brave. What positive characteristics do you see in their actions that we should emulate in our day? What is their reward? Courage, strength, faithfulness, devotion to Christ and a mind to obey - commitment to a point of suffering and even death - and a willingness to glorify Christ. . . Their reward was their resurrection and eternal life in the presence of God. . .

Q5. (Rev 10:1-9) What is bitter about what you've read in Revelation 6 through 10? What is sweet? Why do we tend to reject what is hard for us to understand? The thing is nobody wants to suffer or go through any ordeals - we wants things to always be alright. When things are trying and people yet refuse to turn to the only hope that there is - that being Jesus, the Hope of Glory, it is bitter to see then suffer such when there is a way out. . . It is sweat to see that in spite of the tribulation that is upon the earth during this time - those who will trust God are provides comfort and security. . . I would think that we sometimes reject what is hard to understand because so often what we perceive and being read is reality to us - however, on the other hand when we do what is necessary to understand what it really is we have the ability to not only see what is really is but know how to either function in spite of it - or change it to where we are able to function. . .

Q4. (Revelation 7:9-18). From this passage what do we learn about the kind of people who make up the "great multitude" before the throne? Let's not debate whether they are the 144,000 or not. But what is their origin? What does their spirit within them cause them to do? What does the first verse of the song "Amazing Grace" have to do with 7:14? That God's plan of salvation was available to all people - no matter their race, class, social status, age, level of intellect, etc. - and that people of all nations, languages, social standards and such took advantage of Jesus' atoning sacrifice and are now in the very presence of God. . .

Q3. (Revelation 7:1-4) There's disagreement about exactly who the 144,000 represent. Let's not debate that, but look deeper. From 7:1-4 what do we learn about God? Read Ezekiel 9, then answer: What is this seal supposed to do for the 144,000? (Please wait to consider 14:1-5 until we get there, okay?) That God is faithful and He will protect those that have remained faithful to Him. . . This seal will both identify them that are believers and provide protection for them. .. .

Q2. (Revelation 6:9-11) What do we learn about the Church from what is revealed in the Fifth Seal? Where are these "souls" at the time of this scene? What does their proximity to the altar signify? Why were they killed? Why do they ask for vengeance? Is that a Christian prayer? What does the white robe represent? What do we learn from their instruction to "wait a little longer"? This tells me that there will yet be believers - true believers - during this time of tribulation. Believers that are faithful to Christ, believer that have a testimony that they are willing to give their lives to proclaim. These saints are found at the altar, in the presence of God, believers that are slain, martyred, because of their testimony. I think that these saints were praying for are seeking vindication more than they were seeking revenge - so I feel that their were praying Christ-like prayers - and for this reason could and would wait as long as God purpose for His intent and plan to be realized. .

Q1. (Revelation 6) Who initiates this great storm of destruction represented by the Seven Seals? Against whom is it directed? Is it just? This storm of destruction is initiated by God against his His enemies upon the earth (Satan and his hosts. . . Yes, it is just. . .

Q5. (Revelation 5:13) What is the significance of the same quality of worship being offered to both God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son? What does this tell us about their relationship to each other? Their relationship to us? Jesus told His followers that when they saw Him they saw the Father - this tells me that there is no real distinction between the two which affords them the same quality of worship. . . Jesus came out from the Father thereby being one with the Father. . . God, the Father, and Jesus the Son have great respect and honor for each other that is predicated The God-head which consist of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are to be afforded the same worship, each have a distinct function.

AQ4. (Revelation 5:10) How can our destiny as believers include reigning? In what sense could we reign? In what sense do we serve as priests? In what sense are we a kingdom? As believers in fellowship with Christ, we reign because He reigns. . . 2 Timothy 2:11-12 (NKJV) 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

Q3. (Revelation 5:9, 12) What made Jesus so worthy of opening the scroll and thus bringing history to its consummation? Why was this act so noteworthy and praiseworthy? Jesus is our Redeemer - He is the One who paid the debt for humanities sins - He is the One, the only One who could and did atone for our sins and redeem us back to God. . . He is the One who defeated Satan. . . So, in essence He is the One who consummated God's plan of deliverance and salvation thereby having the power and authority to open the scroll and declare that God'd plan has been completed. . . This act was noteworthy and praiseworthy because it was an act that only He could perform - and that the performance of it was not out of obligation or duty - but out of love. . .

Q2. These chapters contain many insights into worship that have been adopted by the Christian Church. What do you learn about Christian worship from chapters 4 and 5? Don't miss the basics. Your list might include 20 elements and concepts of worship -- or more. spontaneous praise - exalted praise - continual praise - thanksgiving - humility - weeping - singing - prayer - adoration. . .

i can think of a few, or least some parts of them, however i cannot come up with the title to them. . ..

Q5. Summarize the lessons of this chapter. What are the churches criticized for? What are they praised for? How should these observations shape the twenty-first century Church? These churches are criticized for their failure to endure and remain faithful to Christ and His teachings. They were in a sense wishy-washy, unstable, and ineffective. There is a saying "either you are all for Christ or you are none of His at all" - these churches that were criticized basically had no Christian standing at all. . . Those that were praised were praised for their determination to endure the persecutions - to stand for Christ no matter what they faced. . . They were praised because their hope was solid and grounded in Christ - they put no confidence in the flesh or the things of the world but were committed to the Lord Jesus and His cause. . . Today is really no different from yesterday - we face many of the same temptations and trails that these churches faced and the only way that we can resist these temptation and prove faithful in these trials is that we refocus our attention to the Spirit of God and the Word of God and maintain that focus. . . We will be afflicted in many way but the Word of God has promised to "deliver us out of them all". . . Jesus cautioned us in that He told us that "this world is filled with tribulations - but that we need not be afraid because He had overcome the world" and we are also overcomers - but only in Him. . . The Spirit of God tells us that we are "more than conquerors" because of the love that Jesus has for us - and as a result of this love "nothing would be able to separate us from our God". . . FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS - we need to get our eyes - both spiritual and natural "FIXED" on Jesus - set our hearts and minds to endure - that is, not just go through the tests and trials - but to triumph and be victorious through the tests and trials knowing that whatever the outcome in this world - in the end, we win. . .

It appears that their love for Jesus is not fervent enough to suffer the persecutions that may result - also it seems that the church is reluctant to do anything that would upset the society that they live among. . . . The Lord admonished Joshua and the children to be strong and very courageous

Q3. Why do you think the religious compromise required by participating in heathen religious practices in the trade guilds was so spiritually destructive? What compromises do twenty-first century Christians struggle with? Let's not settle for trite legalisms about drinking and smoking. What are the real compromises that dilute vital Christianity? Because it involves compromise and compromise is always dangerous

Q2. Why would loosening of sexual standards to conform to the prevailing morals of the culture be destructive of vital Christian faith and witness? How has your culture tended to take the edge off your own Christian moral convictions or forced you to be quiet about them? Loosening sexual standards to conform to the prevailing morals of the culture would be destructive to the Christian faith because it is against God

Q1. How can a local congregation lose its "first love" for Jesus? What are the signs of genuine love for Jesus in worship and ministry? How does the lack of love show up? How can a congregation regain this love? A local congregation loses its love for Jesus when it becomes more concerned with community affairs than with proclaiming the gospel to the community

The exalted Jesus among the lampstands lets us know that Jesus is always among us watching over His church and protecting His church ensuring its success. . . Jesus abiding in the midst of the church assures us that the church and its purpose cannot fail - will not fail - and that Jesus, the Almighty God cannot fail and will not fail us. . . Matthew 16:18 (KJV) 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

While on earth Jesus was calling people to and preparing people for a right relationship with the Father by presenting to them God's "Plan of Salvation" - the only plan that would allow humanity to avoid eternal judgment and damnation. . . Here in the Book of Revelation Jesus is giving us a view of the consequence that results from a decision to reject Christ - Who is God's only plan for salvation. . . It is designed to provoke a spirit of reverence, honor, respect, and obedience. . . This understanding of Jesus is important to balance our faith because we need to know that although He is the God of love and has a great love for humanity - He is also the God of wrath when we reject Him. . .

There are many countries today that Christians are experiencing tribulation and persecution for their faith in Christ Jesus - countries that may yet be under communist leadership as well as countries that are under Islamic leadership. The Book of Revelation can be a comfort to them by showing then that victory awaits them even though they may be presently going through. . . God is faithful to the promises He has given to those who walk in true fellowship with Him - He has not abandoned them - He will take them through this period of tribulation and persecution - He will stand by them - and provide for them greater things in the life to come. . . Romans 8:18 (KJV) 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

It speaks of His sovereignty and eternal nature. The significance of our understanding of who Jesus is, is that He is the very essence of God. That He and the Father are One, They share the same attributes, qualities, character traits, power and authority.

Strength and encouragement to continue on in times of persecution can come from many ways, however, when it comes from one who has actually come through persecutions without any negative affects this has a greater ability to encourage others to face up to persecutions and hold on while going through. . . Jesus is the One who has "been tempted in all points yet without giving in (sin)and is able to aid and support us when we are tempted" - He is able and will help us to endure when we face persecutions. There are so many comforts that we are accustomed to today and we find ourselves reluctant to do anything that would disturb those comforts.