LESSON TEXT By Doug Smith
Near the end of his life, John received a vision from Christ , which he recorded for the benefit of several churches in Asia and for Christians throughout history. Some believe this is a final worldwide appeal to all people to recognize the one true God. No one will have the excuse of never hearing God’s truth. Others however see this as an announcement of judgement, rather than an appeal. This chapter gives a glimpse of eternity to show believers what awaits them if they endure.
In today’s lesson, John encounters 3 more angels. The first angel that John saw carried the gospel and preached to all who dwelled on earth. The second angel, pronounced Babylon is fallen. Babylon was both an evil city and an immoral empire, Babylon was a world center for idol worship. The third angel, proclaimed the consequences for worshipping the beast or his image. Those who received his mark on their forehead or hand, would also suffer the wrath of God’s judgement.
RELATED SCRIPTURES By Deborah Hillman
Revelation 7: 1-10; 13: 1-18; 18: 1-25
Revelation 7: 1-10, tells us of the 4 angels standing at the 4 corners of the earth holding back the 4 winds so that nothing was blown away. God emplores them to remain faithful, grounded and steadfast in His commandments, statues, and word. They are not to be shaken in their faith, in the midst of the chaos of judgement. These verses reveal a sealed group of 144,000 and an unaccountable multitude worshiping before God’s throne.
Revelations 13: 1-18, speaks of the beasts rising up from the sea to commit blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling place.(Heaven). We see the rise of evil forces and the deception of mankind through the emergence of a beastly figure with great power . This served as a warning of false prophets and falling to worldly temptations.
Revelation 18: 1-24, shows us that another angel came down from heaven with great authority, given by God to fulfill His promise This was symbolizing the collapse of a corrupt, oppressing system representing the worldly powers. These powers that opposed God served as a warning of divine judgment against immorality, idolatry, greed and in turn calling on believers to separate themselves.from these influences.
PRACTICAL POINTS By Olivia Saunders
A) Believers should take seriously God’s command to spread His gospel to the ends of the earth
“Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”, is what John the Baptist exclaimed to the people in his time. In the days and times that we live in the message is the same..!! .When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour , we have a responsibility to spread the same gospel that saved us. Jesus was clear, that as we spread the good news of Jesus Christ that He is with us and that we have nothing to fear. We have been equipped with power and authority from on high to do the same.
B) Whatever we accomplish for God on earth has eternal value
There is a saying that references ( 2 Corinthians 4:18), only the things that you do for Christ will last. We have this assurance knowing that we run this race that we will have eternal life with Christ. The Bible lets us know, there are great rewards for those who labored here on earth for God’s kingdom, will reign with Him. We have been given a promise of an inheritance that will never fade away and forever to be in the presence of our King. .” and be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”(Revelation 2: 10b).
