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August 17, 2023: Heaven’s Indescribable Glory
Thursday, August 17
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1–4.
“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (v. 4).
In a somewhat enigmatic style, Paul gives us a glimpse into the glory that awaits the faithful child of God. So glorious is the vision which Christ gave him that Paul finds it impossible to describe; it is a revelation of what it is like, and what it will be like, to be in such closeness to Christ that the experience is indescribable. I read somewhere that this vision resulted from a restless pursuit of Christ when the seer becomes one with the Seen.
Paul’s experience might be compared to the sublime meeting of Peter, James, and John with the glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. So profound was the excellence that Christ prohibited the apostles from even talking about it until He was resurrected.
For us: the narrative of a place and an experience, so “other- worldly” as impossible to describe, should be a compelling vision urging us into intimacy with Christ now in anticipation of an eternity with Him in the indescribable glory that awaits. (LLS)
“Just to be near the dear Lord, I adore, Will through the ages be glory for me.”
--- Charles H. Gabriel
August 20, 2023: All Things New
FOCUS TEXT: Revelation 21:1-7, 22-27
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 60:11-22; Revelation 21:1-27
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 65:17-25
KEY VERSE: He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Someday God will make the entire universe completely new.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to briefly describe the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A New Life Style (Revelation 21:1-8)
II. A New City (Revelation 21:9-12)
III. A New Kind of Light (Revelation 21:22-27)
August 9, 2023: Satan Cast Out
Wednesday, August 9
Read Matthew 17:14-21.
Satan Cast Out
“And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour" (v. 18).
I remember a situation when I was a young teen at Stoneboro Camp in Pennsylvania. Several saints gathered in the main tabernacle to pray earnestly for a young girl who appeared demon-possessed. God’s power was evident as the
evening wore on, and the demons had to release the girl. This reaffirmed to me that no power or manifestation of Satan is a match for God and His people.
Satan cannot inhabit anywhere that God does not permit. However, as Christians, we have a part to play in removing Satan and his demons. Jesus instructed His disciples that it takes prayer and fasting to throw demons out of a person. In other words, we must be earnest and committed to praying for a person's release from Satan's grasp.
It is not in our power to rebuke Satan – we are no match for him ourselves. All things are possible with God, so we immerse ourselves in His strength, and He does the rebuking and casting out. (HVC)
“At the sign of triumph, Satan’s host doth flee; On, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!”
--- Saine Baring-Gould
With God, all things are possible – even casting out Satan!
August 13, 2023: The End of All Evil
FOCUS TEXT: Revelation 20:1-15
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Genesis 3:14, 15; Isaiah 11:6-16; 14:9-20
DEVOTIONAL READING: Micah 4:1-5
KEY VERSE: Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Someday righteousness shall forever triumph over evil.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to contrast the end of those who live wickedly with the end of those who accept the plan of redemption provided by Christ.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Satan Bound (Revelation 20:1-3)
II. The Millennium (Revelation 20:4-6)
III. Satan's Final Attack and Defeat (Revelation 20:7-10)
IV. The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
August 6, 2023: The Triumphant Christ
FOCUS TEXT: Revelation 19:4-16
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 45:1-17; Revelation 19:4-21
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 11:1-5
KEY VERSE: I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth (Revelation 19:6).
CENTRAL TRUTH: No power is able to prevent the triumph of Christ.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways that knowing that Christ is triumphant gives purpose to a Christian's life.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Praise to the Father (Revelation 19:4-6)
II. Wedding of the Bride (Revelation 19:7-9)
III. Triumph of the Son (Revelation 19:10-21)
July 27, 2023: Be Steadfast – Not Shaken
Thursday, July 27
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7.
"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand" (v. 2).
How many times have you heard, “you may shake while standing on the rock, but the Rock will never shake?” Believe me; we have plenty of reasons to shake — sometimes uncontrollably. We hear from miracle workers, prosperity prophets, doomsday downers, and “just be your authentic self” proclaimers. Hold it!
Don’t be duped by their platitudes and promises — they are superficial at best and nearly always based on false promises.
Promise-makers, false prophets, and pseudo-Christians come and go. They act unmovable and unrelenting in their claims, but at the end of the day, they are empty, sounding like clattering tympani. Just noise. No substance. As the earth trembles beneath their feet, they lose what remains of any balance they might have had as they fall to their demise. And at that moment, their knees shall bow before the Rock of our Salvation.
There is great reason to be true to the One on whom we stand, For if faithful we remain, He’ll lead us to the Promised Land. (RBK)
Stand firm in the faith; cling to the Rock.