Enjoying BSF this year as we study Revelation. I think perspectives on the rapture and second coming of Christ are influenced heavily on what people believe about the purpose and role of the Church. Some see the Church as a waiting room until death or rapture takes them into God's heavenly presence. Others see Church as heaven coming down to earth and witnessing God's promises be fulfilled here and now. It's fun to learn about different perspectives and how doctrines impact understanding. That's why I love BSF, they provide scripture guided tour to shape our thinking. For example, lesson 16 unpacks Rev 12:11 like this:
Explain the following phrases in verse 11.
- “They triumphed over him” (Colossians 2:15; James 4:7)
- “By the blood of the Lamb” (Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 1:6-10)
- “And by the word of their testimony” (1 John 5:11-12; Revelation 1:3)
- “They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Matthew 16:25-28; John 15:13)
I've been enjoying thinking about the Church and church traditions as I connect with people from all over the world. Mystery of Christ's body being revealed (Rev 10:7, Eph 1:9–10, Rom 1:16-17). BSF Notes on Little Scroll (Revelation 10:9-11):
The angel tells John to take the scroll and eat it. God’s Word is food that satisfies our souls. While in the wilderness, Jesus turned away Satan with the words, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” David found God’s words “sweeter than honey,” and Jeremiah said he ate God’s words and they were his joy and heart’s delight. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4)
God’s Word renews our minds so we increasingly love what God loves, including the world that does not know Him. (Psalm 19:9-11; Jeremiah 15:16; Romans 12:2)
Why does the angel warn John that the sweet-tasting scroll would sour his stomach? The next instruction given to John provides the answer; he is told to “prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” The scroll is God’s Word, which holds supernatural delight. However, the Bible reveals both comforting and difficult truths. As we regularly take God’s Word into our lives, we can experience hard words of truth spoken in love. Like the prophet Ezekiel, God called John to prophesy His truth to people who would not obey or listen to the message of judgment contained in the scroll. (Ezekiel 3:1-15)
God called John to make His revelation known with urgency, regardless of the response of the people. (Isaiah 28:17; Amos 7:7-9)
Treasured possession: Malachi 3:16-18, Power of God’s Word: Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 12:29
Communion is taking God's word to heart (John 6:56), faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17). Just as every human birth has two parents, so divine birth has two parents: the Word of God and the Spirit of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6).", "for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God. (1 Peter 1:23 AMP)"- see Barrier against temptation - God's divine nature within (James 1:18; John 3:6; 1 Peter 1:23)
In Communion we remain in Christ, Spiritually (joyfully, righteously) satisfied with other believers.
- Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. / If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. ... John 15:4-7
- Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. 1 John 3:24
- By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:13
- Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16
Communion reminds us about Jesus Christ's loving life, death, and resurrection.
- I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
- For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
- You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. / But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. / And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11
Communion reminds us to be united with Christ
- so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17
- Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
- Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
Communion reminds us that Christ made atonement for us, he is our passover lamb.
- For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11
- They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. / They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. / Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts. ... Exodus 12:7-13
Communion reminds us that God's word and promises makes a difference in our physical world.
- Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8
- “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Isaiah 55:1-3
Communion nourishes our souls and renews our mind.
- “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. Jeremiah 31:33
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