Our Blog
The Rule of Antichrist
Lesson 9 - July 31, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 13:4-18
Central Truth: The Bible foretells a period of great tribulation when a world dictator will rule the earth.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain the Bible's teaching concerning the Antichrist.
Lesson Outline:
- Empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:1-7)
- Worshipped by the World (Revelation 13:8-15)
- Identified by a Mark (Revelation 13:16-18)
Prayer – Lesson 8, God's Servants
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Help our teachers and students this week to understand their privilege and responsibility as Your servants. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Preparing to Enjoy Heaven
In "God's Word for Today", Steve Oliver writes the following question:
Imagine that you are touring an art gallery filled with the greatest works of art in the world. Would you enjoy it? Now imagine that an art expert who has studied art his whole life is touring the same art gallery. Who would enjoy it more — you or the art expert?
Oliver suggests this answer:
The art expert has spent his life studying and preparing to understand the art, so he will certainly have a much greater appreciation for the art. And we can expect to have a much greater enjoyment of heaven if we have put much effort into preparing for it.
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 47.
How does edification work?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Englund writes:
Leaping out of the pages of the Bible is the spiritually-sounding word of edification — a word that comes from two Greek words meaning “house” and “to build.” …
But how does the process of edification work? First, the work of edifying — building up one another — must be intention-ally pursued. “Let us therefore follow after [pursue] the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19). In addition, the ministry of edification needs the added ingredient of love. “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (1 Cor. 8:1). And don't forget to add your spiitual gifts to the pursuit of building others up. Identify the gift, and then put it to work! “[While] ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Cor. 14:12).
Finally, time in the Word of God is essential for building up others. A failure to spend time in God's Word will virtually guarantee that we will participate in tearing down others in our sarcastic, cynical world. “The word of his grace . . . is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32). As we are repaired and remodeled by His grace, we will be effective in building up others.
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 49.
How many times is Jesus referred to as a Lamb in Revelation?
"And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Revelation 7:10)
In "Biblical Perspective" R.E. Trotter writes:
Although the world is rocking and reeling and its very foundations are crumbling at the center of the universe, God's eternal throne is still as solid and secure as ever. God is sovereign, and the Lamb is still Savior, and everything is under perfect control. Whereas Jesus was referred to as a Lamb once in the Old Testament (Isa. 53:7), twice in the Gospels (John 1:29, 36), and once in the Epistles (1 Peter 1:19), He is referred to as the Lamb twenty-eight times in the Book of Revelation. We have to conclude that it is a book of salvation available to the very end.
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 45.
The Servant’s Reward
“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (v. 42).
Twice, we have sold everything, and gone overseas to do mission work. Both times we sat on the airplane and wondered whether the people of the host country would accept us.
Acceptance in these cases was more critical than just our comfort. We knew both times that, were we accepted, we could more easily present Jesus. As mentioned in Matthew 10:42, sometimes our ministry has included giving a cup of cold water or a little food to someone, in the hopes of showing to him how much we care. Sharing Jesus has repeatedly meant cooking for hundreds of people. It has included gift giving, carrying baskets of food and other necessities into a village, fixing meals for national, Christian workers, preparing snacks for students, and making cookies for neighbors. But all the time the goal was to either eventually, or to show consistently the love and care that IS Jesus.
Yes, ministry is often most effectively done in the little things- with the cups of cold water. Certainly we have taught and preached, but so often it was our attitude of service that spoke the loudest according to the testimonies later heard. Do not be discouraged when your ministry is reduced to a cup of cold water. (Christina Black)
Let my hands perform His bidding…
…All for Jesus, all for Jesus
All my days and all my hours.
(Asa Hull; Public Domain)
This devotional is the Monday, July 18, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.