Skroehr

Q5. (Revelation 22:20) If you were convinced that Jesus Christ would return in your lifetime, how would it affect your life? What would you do differently than you do now? I believe that he has returned. He is here with us all the time as promised. It has effected my life in every way imagineable. I am completely transformed. Especially in the celebration of the mass where I am certain of his presence. I have changed virtually everything about my life since understanding and believing that Christ has returned and is everywhere.

Q4. Three times in these two chapters, John stresses that those who continue to practice sin will not enter. Read Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. What things in these passages point to salvation by the grace of God rather than mere salvation by right living? Even after baptism, acceptance of Christ and confirmation into the church etc., human beings are fallible, and will sin. It will usually be small sins, because hopefully, we are living holy lives to the extent that we can. The important thing is intent. First, we have a duty to avoid temptation wherever possible, then if we do sin, to acknowledge it, and ask for forgiveness immediately. If we stay out of selfishness, and act for the good of other primarily, then we should be fine because of the Grace of god AND salvation by right living. In what way is holy living important to salvation? By keeping a clean life to the best of our ability we are setting an example on the good life that is available to those who want it, thereby setting up an attraction to goodness and compassion, bringing more people into the service of the Lord. Why is holy living important to God? Because it is the Holy that perform good acts for others here on earth

Q3. (Revelation 22:9-27) John's vision of the Holy City is obviously strongly symbolic. But the Holy City pictures "the bride, the wife of the Lamb" (22:9-10; 21:21:2). What does John's vision of the Holy City tell us about the way that Jesus looks at his Church? The Holy City, under the new covenant, the new "Jerusalem" is no longer a physical place, but since Jesus gift encompasses all the earth. Thew Holy City is the church, and he is there

The water of life is the word of god. It is available to believers for free through the sacrafice of the Lamb of God.

Q1. (21:3-5) What is the significance of the fact that in heaven "God himself will be with them"? Why can the promises in 21:4 only be fulfilled in heaven? Which of these do you especially look forward to? I believe that heaven and earth come together in the mass, and that the promises of 21:4 are fulfilled each time the mass is celebrated. In physical death we are granted these promises eternally, but the promises are living right here, now, on earth, available to all who believe.

It's actually a little disrespectful and sinful to NOT think that your name is written in the book of life. If we believe our sacraments of baptism and reconcilliation, and if we believe that we are saved through Christ, than you are also accepting and believing of your salvation. If you're thinking otherwise, it's time to get back to the basics, and do a little meditation and examination of your own personal faith to figure out why you're not trusting the word of God.

Q3. (20:11-12) Why is this awesome scene of judgment so frightening? Why do people seem to resist the idea of a final judgment? It's not really that frightening. The only reason I fear it, is because of shame for things that I've done, but I believe those deeds are known at the time they occur(ed), so it's an irrational fear. Besides the fact that Jesus died for our sins, and the judgement and left us clean, along with a covenant of faith and instructions to receive forgiveness when we transgress, there is also the sacrament of reconcilliation. People fear final judgement because they continue to sin, and worry that at any given moment, they will be caught by death unclean. People fear hell.

Q2. (19:16) What are the implications of Christ's title: "King of kings and Lord of lords" for your life? For the everyday world that surrounds you? It reminds me to not concern myself so much with worldly politics and leaders, or blind nationalism, etc. Jesus Christ is the alpha and the omega.

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture -- (1) God's people as his betrothed Bride and (2) the feast of all God's people in heaven. When you meditate on these themes, how are you both admonished and encouraged? I'm encouraged that God would have me, through the grace and forgiveness of the Son, Jesus I'm admonished in that I am reminded that I am a sinner, and I forget how strong God's love and forgiveness for me are. I get a feeling of unworthiness.

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? It's more explanation of the Father and the Son being one and the same. Man has interaction with the holy Trinity. The Father is creator and omnipresent completeness of all that exists. The Son is the vehicle to the Father and the teacher of man. The Holy Spirit dwells in each man and place of worship to guide us in our journey to oneness with the Father and Son.

Q4. (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? We are the body of the church, which is the earthly dwelling of God. Each individual of the church is an emmisary and witness for the Lord and his works. In witnessing we take on priestly chores, however, ordained priests are prescribed as well. We should not get too far ahead of ourselves here. We are a kingdom of the Lamb.

Q3. (Revelation 5:9, 12) What made Jesus so worthy of opening the scroll and thus bringing history to its consummation? Jesus is the sacraficial Lamb of God, martyred and given to take away the sins of the world. He in fact IS god along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is worthy of any and all acts. Why was this act so noteworthy and praiseworthy? Jesus is also the son of Man, and has dominion over man, and is the vessel by which we obtain eternal life and salvation from the Father.

Some of the elements are: Being in the spirit presentation of song Surrender Joy Light Communion The Holy holy holy The Alleluia The "Lamb of God" Sign of Peace many many more

Holy holy holy Lamb of God Hallelujia Many others already posted

Q5. Summarize the lessons of this chapter. What are the churches criticized for? Straying from the purity of practice and worship prescribed by Christ What are they praised for? Keeping their core belief, and the central message. How should these observations shape the twenty-first century Church? It should lead the modern church back to it's apostolic roots and the methods precribed in the New Testament, particularly Revelations for proper practice and worship. Modern Christianity, particularily in the USA is in big trouble. Most American and Western European churches have strayed so far from the teachings of Jesus Christ that they have begun to use "Christianity" as a basis for hatred, intolerance, war etc. Time for people to wake up....dust off the gospels, and maybe actually read the words of Jesus. A good place to start is the sermon on the mount. I don't understand how things got from those beautiful, simple teachings, to the self serving mish mash of convuluted nonsense being spewed forth by modern religious leaders.

By reading Revelations we discover that Christ has come back and is living among us. That the Holy Trinity is a living reality. Hard to be apathetic when that really sinks in. When we celebrate the Mass, or the divine liturgy, we are actually in communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are for that time in Heaven itself, celebrating the Lamb's Supper with the Saints and Angels. Pretty riveting. No apathy here. I guess if "apathetic" churches would perhaps refine their understanding of the liturgy, and understand the living trinity, then they could feel the action in their parish/congregation, and get energized again. It takes a lot of work on the part of clergy and other parishinors to stay inspired. If you pray for guidance sincerely, it will come.

Q4. (18:4) We Christians are instructed to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17:15-19). One interpretation has been to be hermits, ascetics, to distance ourselves from the political process, and to adopt stringent dress and behavior codes. Another interpretation is to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in the world so that we might bring about cleansing and change through God's spirit. Where do you think the balance lies? Jesus and even the Buddha found asceticism to be unecessary. It's hard to do good deeds and works for others if you're living in a cave somewhere. I think the balance should tip farther toward the salt and light analogy in Matthew. There's a prayer that I say every day that probably comes from scripture somewhere, but I learned through a 12 step program. It is referred to as the 3rd step prayer. The 3rd step in a recovery program is "We made a decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of God as we understood him" The 3rd step prayer is: "God, I offer myself to you - to build me and do with me as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do your will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of your power, your love, and The Way of life. May I do your will always!" If we are giving our will to God, then we are not "of the world", and yet we are still "in the world" as living examples of the grace of God. How and when should we fulfill the command, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins...."? Now, and every day. If you abandon self-will to the best of your ability, and turn it over, you are fulfilling this as much as we can while still in mortal existence.

Q3. (15:3-4) We see singing and praise in heaven before the throne a number of times in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13; 7:12; 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-3). What do you learn about appropriate worship from studying these songs? Do you recognize any contemporary songs that seem similar to these? Make a joyous noise to the Lord. Lift your heart for we are going to Heaven!!! I love that in many of the Christian branches, there is a liturgy that actually includes songs from scripture, and Revelation in particular. I've heard some of these sentiments in some contemporary songs by U2, Creed, and Yes among many others. Not just blatant Christian artists, but many mainstream artists are beginning to express these sentiments in their lyrics. "Soon, oh soon the light, Pass within and soothe this endless night, and wait here for you, our reason to be here..... Jon Anderson From Yes' "The Gates of Delirium" A piece of music, by the way, based on Revelation

Q2. (14:10-11) Why is everlasting punishment so difficult for us Christians to accept? Speaking strictly for me, and I have a LOT to learn yet, it seems inconsistent with the perfect mercy and forgiveness preached by God himself through his son, Jesus Christ. It seems that at any point, up to and including eternity that salvation can be achieved through acceptance of the Trinity and true, honest repentance, contrition, and penance. In what ways might eternal punishment be considered just punishment? If in the course of eternity a soul never became enlightened, and refused to repent and return to God the Father through the son, and if a soul eternally rejected the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Seems unlikely, but I suppose it is possible. I just don't understand why anyone would follow the beast all through the whole of eternity. It has no logic.

Q1. (14:3-5) In what ways do the 144,000 provide an ideal for all Christians to emulate? They are perfect in their love of the Lamb, and provide a goal for perfect love of the Holy Trinity. We can reach for this, and emulate it to the best of our ability through the practice of cleansing ourselves and participation in the liturgy of the word and the liturgy of the eucharist.

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? They are already cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, as they are appearing the white robes. These are the believers, martyrs etc. who have already passed away from their earthly bodies, and are awaiting the new souls who can see the light and be saved. Let's not debate whether they are the 144,000 or not. But what is their origin? They originated as living earthly beings who were marked and saved by the Lord prior to the tribulation. What does their spirit within them cause them to do? To give thanks and praise and be grateful to God, and to serve him. What does the first verse of the song "Amazing Grace" have to do with 7:14? They both refer to God's saving grace and mercy. That even the wretched may be saved through the grace of the Lamb.

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? That He will not allow harm to come to his disciples. He is merciful and forgiving. Read Ezekiel 9, then answer: What is this seal supposed to do for the 144,000? It is supposed to save them from the wrath. They are protected by sign and the word of God. They are the chosen. (Please wait to consider 14:1-5 until we get there, okay?)

Q2. (Revelation 6:9-11) What do we learn about the Church from what is revealed in the Fifth Seal? That life everlasting and eternal protection of the church is granted through the sacrafice of Jesus to Churches accepting the new covenant with God through Jesus. Those who testify for the Lord, though they may lose their earthly life, are accepted in Heaven. Where are these "souls" at the time of this scene? Under the altar of the great temple What does their proximity to the altar signify? The blood from sacrafices and the remains of the sacraficed creatures was under the alter of old temple of the old covenant. The martyrs sacraficed their earthly lives in trust of the Lord. They are seen Why were they killed? For their belief and testimony regarding Jesus being the fulfillment. The One perfect sacrafice. Why do they ask for vengeance? They still posess worldly attachment to bitterness and anger for the loss of their earthly lives. Is that a Christian prayer? No. Jesus admonishes them that vengeance is his. Jesus wants only forgiveness, mercy and love from us. What does the white robe represent? That their martydom and repentance have rendered them clean and worthy to enter heaven What do we learn from their instruction to "wait a little longer"? That the Lord will operate in the time that is necessary. We must not be concerned with time. It is an earthly attachment.

Q1. (Revelation 6) Who initiates this great storm of destruction represented by the Seven Seals? Jesus Christ - The Lamb of God Against whom is it directed? The churches that have gone astray and the people who will not repent or accept the new covenant. Is it just? Yes. Anyone could avoid the sorrows and wraths by repenting, accepting the Holy Lamb of God.

Q2. (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? Non believers attack the believers since the beginning of Judeo Christian history. You must be steadfast in your resolve What comfort should we disciples draw from this passage? Evil can only win small battles in earthly terms and realms. With faith, you win the ulitmate cosmic battle of soul and your reward is not worldly, but with the Father.