Jesus raised to life witnessed by angels, guards and disciples (Matt 28:1-10)

 Matthew 28

1-4) Sunday, Mary Magdalene and other Mary, tomb, earthquake, an angel of the Lord (lightening, white-snow) rolled stone, sat, guards afraid, shaking

Angelic touch brings freedom for Peter and death to Herod (Acts 12)

5-7) Angel: Don't be afraid, Jesus crucified has risen as he said, come and see - tell disciples this and he's going to Galilee where you'll see him

8-10) Hurried, afraid, filled w joy - then Jesus "greetings" -they bowed worshiped "Don't be afraid"

 - do not be afraid is a theme in the Bible, God is with us (Deut 20:1-3), our shield and reward (Gen 15:1), he hears us (Gen 21:17), with us, will bless us (Gen 26:24), our father (Gen 46:3), deliverer (Ex 14:13), testing, fear of God, kept from sinning (Ex 20:20), with us (Num 14:9), impartial wise judgment (Deut 1:17), giver of land (Deut 1:21,29), conquerer (Deut 3:2,22), powerful history (Deut 7:18), goes with us, never leave or forsake (Deut 31:6,8), with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9), victorious (Joshua 8:1,10:8,25,11:6), savior (Judges 6:23), redeemer (1 Sam 12:20) with us (2 Kings 1:15) true word (2 Kings 19:6), blessed servant in a hostile environment (2 Kings 25:24)

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Jesus resisted Satan's temptation and began His public ministry (Matt 4)

Main truths:

Believers overcome temptation by the Word of God and in the power of God. 

Jesus calls people to follow Him

I. Jesus used God's Word to overcome Satan's temptation in the wilderness. – Matthew 4:1-11 

II. Jesus began His public ministry by calling His disciples, teaching, and healing. – Matthew 4:12-25

4:1) Jesus, led by Spirit to be tempted by devil

2-4) Fasting 40 days, tempter "Son of God? Tell stones bread", Jesus "man lives on God's word"

5-7) devil tallest city building, "Son of God? jump - God's word: angels". Jesus "also don't test Him"

8-10) devil mountain, "all kingdoms I give, worship me", Jesus "away Satan, worship/serve God"

11) devil left him, angels attended Jesus

 - Application: What temptation are you facing now? How will you stand on God's Word and trust His provision?

12-16) Jesus heard John prison, went to Capernaum in Zebulan and Naphtali fulfilling prophecy light

17) Jesus life message, "repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near"

18-20) Jesus calls Simon/Peter, brother Andrew. "send you fish for people" - immediately followed Him

21-22) Jesus calls James, borther John, left Father/boat immediately followed Him

 - Application: In what way do you find it hard to simply  "follow" Jesus? In what way are you holding back?

23) Jesus Galilee teaching Synagogues, good news Kingdom, heals everyone/every sickness

24-25) News spread of detailed healings, large crowds followed Him

 - Application: How do I help people understand the good news of repentance? How does the gospel bring healing?

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Jesus is God's Son prophesied and confirmed at his ascension to the Father (Hebrews 1)

Hebrews 1
I wonder if "Father God" is recognized for Jews and Muslims. I'll have to ask my friends about this.

A) Supremacy and attributes of Jesus (Heb 1:1-4)
1) God spoke through prophets, now by his Son
1-2) God's son, heir, through him the universe was made
3) Son radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of God, sustaining all by his powerful word,
 - provided purification for sins
 - st down at right hand of Majesty in heaven
4) He and his name inherited is superior to angels
 - Eph 1:21, Philippians 2:9,10, Heb 8:6
Application: encourage - he had an inheritance waiting for him; comfort - I can look to Jesus to see God; challenge - words are powerful and give life or death

B) Jesus superior to angels (Heb 1:5-14)
5-6) Son/Father (Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13), firstborn (John 3:16, Col 1:18) let all angels worship him (Deut 32:43),
7-9) Maker of angels spirits, servants flames (Psalm 104:4) but Son throne lasts forever (Luke 1:33), justice, righteousness, exalted (Phil 2:9), anointed with joy (Psalm 45:6,7)
10-12) In beginning made mankind rulers (Psalm 8:6, Zech 12:1), but created things wear out but God remains (Isaiah 34:4, 51:6, Heb 12:27)
13-14) Jesus the only one God said, sit at my right hand (Heb 1:3, Mark 16:19), your enemies are footstools (Josh 10:24, Heb 10:13, Psalm 110:1, Matt 22:44), Angels minister (Psalm 91:11, 103:20, Dan 7:10) sent to serve those who inherit (Matt 25:34, Mark 10:17, Acts 20:32), salvation (Romans 11:14, Heb 2:3, 5:9, 9:28)

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Angelic touch brings freedom for Peter and death to Herod (Acts 12)

In Acts 12 we see that angels can manifest and interact with people, bringing help in time of need or bringing judgment when a ruler has gone too far. We see divine intervention in Peter and Herod's life based on their character. We've seen the character of Peter living life obeying God and now we see the life of Herod against God. We also see that the prayers of the church matter, even when not everyone praying believes. And that being shrewd involves gaining support around an unreasonable king. I love the faith I see in this chapter, no fighting but trusting in God and witnessing miracles.

AIM: No matter what, the word of God spreads and flourishes

Acts 12
A) Angel frees Peter as people prayed
1-4) King Herod arrests/persecutes the church, James (John's brother) killed by the sword, Peter arrested during Unleavened Bread, public trial scheduled after Passover.
 - 5) Church earnestly prayed to God for Peter.
Principle: Prayer is our best response to any situation.  Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another
6-7) Night before trial, Peter sleeping between two soldiers, angel wakes him up "get up" chains fell off
 - 8-10) Put on clothes and sandals, follow the angel, they passed the guards at two gates, suddenly the angel left.
11-14) Peter came to himself, went to Mary (John Mark's mom), they were praying, Rhoda "Peter's at the door"
 - 15) they didn't believe her, they thought it was "his angel"
 - 16-17) Peter told them what happened and left
Application: divine appointments should be shared with others in the church.

B) Herod plays god and Angel strikes him dead
18-19) Herod looked for Peter, cross-examined guards and had them executed, went to Caesarea
20) Herod quarreled with people of Tyre and Sidon got support from Blastus (trusted servant) to seek peace with Herod for food.
21-23) Fancy Herod addresses people who praised him as a god, he didn't praise God, angel struck him down, eaten by worms and died
24)  But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

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Ezekiel is called to speak God's word to stubborn people

Ezekiel 2-3:15
AIM: to let God's word change me before giving it to others

Have you heard the rule; "don't swim after eating" or been told "you have to learn to swim before jumping in with both feet". This is good advice but you should also know how to float. In chapter 2 and the first part of chapter 3, Ezekiel is listens to the Spirit's call on his life. He's told to call to his own people who are stubborn and obstinate and tell them what God says. For some of us who like to "always be doing" we receive godly wisdom, directly from God's Spirit. He's instructed to first take the word to heart for himself and is promised to be made strong and competent for the task of telling others. God's plan for Ezekiel is laid out here and our primary lesson to learn from it is to let God's word change us before giving it to others.

A) Ezekiel receives the call of God to be sent to speak and not be affraid or rebellious
(1-2) Spirit says, "stand, I will speak" entered into Ezekiel, set him on his feet, he listened

• Same Holy Spirit who converts us (John 3:3-21), was sent to us by Christ (John 14:23,26) and works miracles of faith in us (Galatians 3:1-6)

(3) "Son of man, I am sending you to Israel rebellious nation, against me
(4) descendants stubborn, hard-hearted - tell them 'this is what the Lord God says'
(5) whether they listen or not, they will know a prophet among them
(6) son of man, don't be afraid of them their threats surround you like briers, thorns and scorpions
(7) give them my messages, whether they hear or refuse to hear
(8) son of man, hear what I say, don't be rebellious, open your mouth and eat what I give you
Application: Have I received the word of God today and allowed the Spirit to come in and change my life? What evidence is there of the Holy Spirit working in my life?

B) Ezekiel takes the word sweet as honey but leaves him overwhelmed for days
(9-10) then Ezekiel saw hand stretched out scroll, unrolled writing front and back words of lamentation (dirge, funeral songs), mourning (sorrow), woe (pronouncements of doom)

• Bummer - the message to the sinful human race is that this world is doomed and headed for judgement, therefore repent form sin and turn to God for salvation

(3:1) Son of man, eat what I am giving you, this scroll - go speak to Israel, he opened his mouth and ate it
(3) Fill your stomach with this" - he ate it tasted as sweet as honey

• Jesus lived not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)

(4-6) Son of man, go to  Israel, give my message - not a foreign people, language you can't understand, If so they would listen

• This I've seen to be true, in Myanmar where they've not heard the Gospel when they do it changes everything and they hunger to know more

(7-9) Israel won't listen to you or me, they are stubborn (hard head/heart), but look I made you obstinate - face and head like theirs, don't be dismayed by their looks

• Promises to equipping for good works, Philippians 4:19 God supplies all we need, the church is built up as we work together Ephesians 4:12 with the full armor of God Ephesians 6:11-18

(10) Son of man, let words sink deep into your own heart first, listen for yourself

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12 - let God's word do it's work, correcting, teaching and yes rebuking - cutting through the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
• Luke 11:28, blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it

(11) then go to your people say to them 'this is what the Lord God says' (verse 4) whether they listen or not

• going is doing (James 1:22) and we need his word to direct us in that (Psalm 119:105 lamp for feet, Psalm 119:9 staying pure according to his word)
• When we share the truth of God entrusted to us we are sharing God's testimony (2 Timothy 3:16; delivered and handed down in the Bible, it's not our message - it's his 
• and we know that faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17)

(12-13) Spirit (or Wind) lifted him up, heard four beings "Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!"
(14) Spirit lifted me up and took me away, Ezekiel went in bitterness and turmoil but the Lord's hold on me was strong

• John 3:34; Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38; Acts 11:24 

(15) then came to exiles in Tel-abib, Chebar canal/Kebar River overwhelmed, sat among them for seven days
Application: How am I being changed by God's word and being lifted up? Does my heart feel troubled by the looming judgement of the people close to me?

http://dailyverses.net/the-word

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Ezekiel sees four living creatures and likeness of God's glory

Ezekiel 1:1-28
AIM: God reveals his glory when we least expect it

Ezekiel is a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel. He and his people were captured and being sent to unknown place, it was in this time that God revealed his glory and then spoke to him. Not only do we get to travel with Ezekiel to see this vision but we get to put ourselves there and take applications from what he witnessed. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit would bring these scriptures to life for you and that you would be changed in his power for his glory. Let's look at how God reveals his glory when we least expect it.

A) Ezekiel  sees the heavens open and visions of and from God
(1-3) July 31, 593 BC Ezekiel (priest, son of Buzi) beside Kebar River in Babylon - heavens opened visions of/from God (5th year of Jehoiachin's captivity)
Application: God often meets us in the midst of seemingly dire situations. How is God showing himself to me today? When will you take a minute to write down what God is showing you?

B) Vision of a great storm with four living creatures, awesome, fast and perfectly synchronized.
(4) Great storm from north, before it a huge cloud/lightening/brilliant, fire in cloud like gleaming metal
(5-7) center of cloud came four living creatures, looked human except w/four faces, four wings, straight legs feet like calf hooves, sparkled like burnished bronze (verse 13: like bright coals of fire, lightning "seemed"/torches between them verse)
(8-9) each wing had human hand under wing - four face, four wings with each wing touching the one next to him, moving "straight forward in any direction without turning around"
(10) Each had human face in front, lion on right, ox on the left, eagle on the back
(11) Each had two pairs of wings, touching the others, then covering itself
(12) went in whatever direction the spirit chose, moved forward any direction without turning (verse 14 darted to and fro like flashes of lightning)
Application: How is my walk with God right now? Am I moving forward in whatever direction his Spirit chooses, without turning from his instruction? Am I in close community of other born again believers in a way that we a touching each-other and moving with the spirit?

C) Vision of four wheels within wheels, rims with eyes, spiritually synchronized with living creatures.
(15) Four wheels touching ground besides them, one wheel belonging to each

• (16-17) Sparkled, gleaming beryl, looked alike, second wheel crosswise within it, could move in any of four directions with turning as they moved
• (18) rims of the four wheels tall and frightening (awesome), covered with eyes all around
• (19) When they moved, wheels moved with them - flew upward wheels up too.
• (20-21) spirit (of life) of living beings was in the wheels, wherever the spirit went living creatures and wheels went

Application: The four creatures, wheels, wings faces and feet all move lightening fast, perfectly in sync with the spirit. How is my whole life directed by the Holy Spirit and being conformed to his immediate callings? Am I in step with other born again believers in a way that we all follow the spirit without turning. Do we take up our wheels as we corporately pray (moving up)?

D) Vision above them a throne and bright shining man, surrounded by rainbow as the likeness of the glory of God
(22-23) above them, surface of sky glittering like crystal (glassy sea?), wings of each creature stretch out straight toward each other, others covering their body
(24) sound of wings in flight like roaring water, voice of almighty
(25) standing wings lowered voice spoke from beyond crystal surface above them
(26) Above expanse was like a throne, sapphire, seated above that likeness of human
(27-28) from waist up like gleaming amber, flickering fire around him- waist down burning flame, shining splendor, like a rainbow around him
(28b) this is what the likeness of the glory of the Lord looked like, fell on face and heard voice speaking to me
Application: When was the last time God showed me himself that I was brought to my knees in worship, fear and adoration? The reaction of all the prophets who came into God's presents was face down fear, while God comforted them afterwards that was the initial reaction. If I'm not having that reaction, why not?

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Saved people praise God for judgement against promoters of sin

Revelation 19
AIM: Every person saved or lost has an immortal soul
A) Those saved by God praise him for his just judgement of corrupted 'Babylon'
(1) After this (Rev 15-18), heard a great crowd shouting "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)!

• Salvation (Author of Salvation, charity, mercy, love, hope) and 
• glory (Worthy of our attention, devotion, affections) and 
• power (Creator of heaven and earth, all that has life, Lord ending authority)
• belong to our God (not "my" god, our God - one holy God we know, love and worship)

(2) true, just are his judgments;

• Condemned great prostitute who corrupted earth with immorality/adulteries
• Avenged murder of his servants

(3) again shouted: "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)!

• smoke from her ascends forever and ever!" (Every person has an immortal soul: Ecclesiastes 12:7; Daniel 12:2-3;Matthew 25:46;1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

(4) twenty-four elders and four living creature/beings fell down and worshiped God "Amen, Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)", like 4 others times

• Rev 4:4-11 worship in heaven (holy, holy, holy, worthy to receive glory/honor/power as creator); 
• Rev 5:8 Jesus took the scroll, living creature/being said "come" for the seals being opened
• Rev 7:9-12 praising God for salvation of multitude from every tribe, people and language standing in white robes before God (and palm branches! Leviticus 23:40;John 12:13)
• Rev 11:15-19 God has begun to reign in power

(Rev 19:5) God (voice from throne) says, "Praise our God you servants who fear him least to greatest"

(6) Great multitude like roar of mighty ocean/crashing peals of thunders shout: "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)! For the our Lord God Almighty reigns.

(7) Let us rejoice, be glad, give him honor/glory - wedding of the Lamb, bride has made herself ready

• A big day, meaningful event - (not a first date but a fulfillment of a promise at engagement)
• (8) She's given the fine linen (represents the good deeds of God's holy People, army in Rev 19:14)
• (9) Blessed are those invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb (this is #4 of Seven blessings in Revelation explain faith, eternal life and sanctification)

(10) John worships the angel but is admonished, "No, don't worship me, I am a servant of God - like you and the others who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. This prophecy is to give clear witness for Jesus (Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus) - 

• 1 Peter 1:12-21; or prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Application: What are the names of people you know, who haven't professed faith in Jesus to you? When will you ask them, 'What do you know about Jesus'?

B) Jesus brings beast, false prophet to eternal justice and kills all their followers
(11) Heaven opened (Ezekiel 1:1 heavens opened saw visions of God, Revelation 4:1 door open in heaven, come up here I'll show you...), white horse (Revelation 6:2 rider held a bow, given crown, bent on conquest), rider named Faithful  and True -

• Who is this Rider? Revelation 1:5 faithful witness, firstborn from the dead - he freed us from our sins by his blood also Revelation 3:14 to Laodicea he's the Amen, faithful and true witness, ruler of God's creation.
• Revelation 3:7 to Philadelphia, holy and true - holds the keys open/no one can shut, shuts/ no one can open and John 14:6 "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life..."
• he judges fairly (John 4 woman at the well)
• wages righteous war (Revelation 17:14 they asked for it and later they loose; Revelation 19:19,21)

(12) Eyes like flames of fire (Matthew 28:3 like lightening), many crowns on head. Name written on him no one understood except himself
(13) wore robe dipped in blood, title was the Word of God (John 1:1 - Word can be thought of as the total message of God to man (Acts 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13))
(14) armies of heaven followed him also riding white horses, dressed in fine linen, white and clean
(15) Out his mouth sharp sword (Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 11:4 rod of his mouth... breath will slay the wicked)

• Treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty; (Rev 14:14-20)

(16) his robe at his thigh written the title "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"
(17-18) Then an angel standing in the sun said to all birds "come...great supper of God - eat flesh of all people..."
(19) beast/kings/armies gather to fight, (20) beast/false prophet captured, thrown ALIVE in lake of fire (burning sulfur) - performed miracles-deluded those who received mark of the beast (21) rest were killed with sword from riders mouth, birds gorged on flesh
Principal: God final judgement against sin is terrifying and certain
Application: What habitual sin in my life do I need the fear of God to help me repent? What do I need him to surgically remove (cut out of my life) from my heart with his precision scalpel (Matthew 5:30)?

Immortal soul of mankind: http://www.gotquestions.org/human-soul-mortal-immortal.html
Rev 19:11 http://biblehub.com/revelation/19-11.htm
Rev 19:12 word of God http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Bible-Word-God.html
titles of God: http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/namesofgod.html

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Babylon's doom is total, impacting the whole world

Revelation 18
AIM: Where you put your treasure is where your heart is

Rev 18:1-8 A) Angles pronounce verdict, damages sentence of Babylon
(1) John sees another angel from heaven, great authority, earth bright with his splendor

• nuclear 

(2) Shouts "Babylon the great city is fallen, become a home for demons, impure spirits, unclean bird/detestable animals...

• Demons/Impure spirits (Matthew 10:1;12:43; Mark 1:26-27;5:1-20; Luke 4:36; 6:18;Acts 5:16;8:7) (verses)
• Demons submit to the name of Jesus, even from false converts (Matthew 7:21-23)
• Jesus gave special authority to his twelve disciples to drive out impure spirits, healing every disease for the 'lost sheep of Israel - not the gentiles (Matthew 10:1-8), Mark 6:12, they preached that people should repent
• Detestable animals to us; rodents, voles, bats, snakes, vultures, in the Bible Detestable to God often refers to pagan customs and idolatry (verses) Proverbs 6:16-19, person who stirs up conflict in the community

(3) ...All nations drank maddening wine of passionate/immoral/adulteries - world kings committed adultery with her, her desires for extravagant luxury made merchants of world grow rich"

(4) Another voice from heaven, says "come out of her my people" Jer 51:6-10,17-18,45-48

• so you don't take part/share in her sins or you'll be punished with her
• (5) her sins are piled high as heaven, God remembers her crimes
• (6) Give back to her what she's done to others (Golden rule), her cup of terror
• (7) She glorified herself, lived in luxury - match it with torment and sorrow
• Boastful heart (God knows our heart, out of it the mouth speaks)
• (8)Therefore one single day death, mourning, famine, consumed by fire, mighty Lord God who judges her

Application: How am I using my time, talent and treasure? What is God wanting me to change to warn God's people to "come out of her"?

Rev 18:9-20 B) Shareholders, marketers and employees mourn for doom of Babylon on behalf of God's people

(9) Shareholders: Kings who committed adultery/shared in her luxury mourn while seeing smoke rise from charred remains, (10) terrified by her torment stand far off crying "woe! woe! one hour/single moment doom has come!"

(11) Marketers: merchants of earth, no one left to buy good (12) like the Galleria Tiffany's (gold, silver, jewels) Kate Spade, Coach (fine linen, silk) Pottery Barn (expensive wood, bronze, iron, marble) (13) stop at Cosco for some mass quantities of olive oil, then Burnsville car dealerships for "horses and wagons" and servants to do every type of work.

• (14-15) Eulogy: fruit you longed for is gone, luxury, splendor have vanished forever. Funeral guilty gang far off (merchants who sold these things) terrified at her torment, weep and mourn
• (16-17a) Woe, Woe! like the kings (in verse 10) the merchants mourn for the city that's ruined in a moment

(17b) Employees: all the captains of merchant ships, passengers (I've worked with people like these), sailors and crews stand at a distance

• (18) cry out as smoke ascends, where is another city great as this? (19) weep, throw dust on heads (new more important than in 10, 17a) Woe! Woe! all who had ships became rich through her wealth in a moment/hour brought to ruin
• (20) Rejoice people of God, apostles, prophets, God has judged her for your sakes

Application: The world categorizes people as Shareholder, Consumer and employee - God's people are categorized as his children, ambassador, apostle, prophet and evangelist. How does my life-style reflect who I am? What would God ask me to change this week to reflect my identity as his son?

Rev 18:21-24 C) Babylon will never recover from this fast and total destruction

(21) a mighty angel picked up a boulder/huge millstone into ocean shouted, "just like this- Great city will Babylon will be thrown down with violence, never found again

• (22) no more music, no craftsmen/worker/trade/factory sounds (23) no lights, happy couples, great merchants deceived nations (lead astray) with sorceries (24) Streets flowed with blood of the prophets and God's holy people and blood of people slaughtered all over the world"

Application: (2 Peter 3, 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming...

http://www.gotquestions.org/unclean-spirits.html

http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Dust-On-The-Head

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sorcery.html

http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Sorcery-And-Magic

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New song, gospel proclaimed and final harvest

Revelation 14
AIM: The gospel is the power of God
A) 144,000 redeemed sing a special new song to God and Lamb
(1) John sees Lamb on Mount Zion with 144,000 his name/his Father's name written on foreheads.
(2) Heard sound like roaring water, thunder, harps
(3) sang new song before the throne, 4 living creatures, elders - no one could learn but the 144,000 redeemed from earth
(4-5) Not self defiled, virgins, follow Lamb wherever he goes, purchased, offered as first-fruits to God and Lamb, no lies, blameless
Thoughts: Everyone has sinned, so who are the 144,000? Could they be people like Job and the prophets who believed, loved and obeyed God before Christ's death and resurrection? Isaiah 1:18; Romans 1:16-17.
Application: Do I understand how Jesus "purchased" us with his blood on the cross? Do I understand 'redemption through his blood' and 'forgiveness of sins' enough to explain to people without Bible knowledge? Can I explain God's grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit for all who repent, confess and believe?

B) Angels awesome proclamation of the eternal gospel
(6-7) Another angel flying proclaimed to all the earth,eternal gospel "Fear God...hour of his judgment...Worship the maker of heaven, earth, sea and springs"
(8) Second angel said, "Fallen Babylon the Great...made all 'drink maddening wine her adulteries'"
(9-10a) Third angel said, "anyone worships the beast (Rev 13), it's image or receives its mark on forehead or hand, they, too, will 'drink wine of God's fury-poured full strength-cup of his wrath
(10b-11) They will be tormented, burning sulfur, presence of holy angels, Lamb, forever, no rest for those who worships the beast, it's image or receives the mark of its name"
(12)  This calls for patient endurance for people of God, keep commands, remain faithful to Jesus
(13) A voice from heaven, "Write this: Blessed are dead, who die in the Lord from now on." (second of 7 blessings) "Yes" says the Spirit, "they will rest from labor, deeds will follow them"
Application: How do I display patient endurance with family, friends, coworkers and students as I'm sharing the gospel? How do I share salvation from the wrath of God's judgement to people who don't know?



C) Son of man harvest the earth for final judgement
(14) son of man, seated on a cloud, gold crown, sharp sickle (Daniel 7:13)
(15) Another angel from temple "Take sickle and reap harvest of earth"
(16) Swung sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested
(17-18) Angel in charge of fire calls to another angel with sharp sickle, "gather the clusters of grapes"
(19-20) Swung sickle on the earth, gathered grapes into great wine-press of God's wrath, trampled blood flowed high as horses bridles for 180 miles
Application: How am I using my time, talent and treasure to build the kingdom of heaven?

Helpful resources:
Bible teaches people are naturally in sin and going to hell, but salvation is found in Jesus Christ

How are Christians "purchased" ?
Revelation 14:1-5;Ephesians 1:4-7, 12-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19;1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 5:1-11; Philippians 2:1-16; 1 John 1:9-10

What is the Gospel, what are Christians to do with it?
Revelation 14:6-13; Revelation 13:5-10; 16-17; 14:9-11;

What happens to people who aren't Christians?
Revelation 14:6-13; Revelation 13:5-10; 16-17; 14:9-11;

Daniel dreams of four kingdoms leading to God’s final judgement

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144,000 sealed, ending tribulation with innumerable people saved fulfilling prophecies

Revelation 7
AIM: Prophecies are given so that more come to salvation.
A) (1-8) Angels given power to harm land and sea as well as mark servants of God wait for full number from all tribes of Israel.
(1) four angels at four corners of earth, holding back four winds on earth preventing wind from blowing
(2) another angel up from east having seal of living God, called out to the four angels who were given power to harm land and sea
(3) "don't harm land or sea or trees until WE put seal on foreheads of servants of OUR God"
Helpful Verses: Revelation 7:1-3; Jeremiah 49:36-37; Daniel 7:2; 2 Peter 3
(4) number of those who were sealed 144,000 all tribes of Israel
(5-8) 12,000 sealed from Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin
Application: How do I bring the peace of God to the minds of God's servants? How does my words impact those around me?
Helpful Verses: Revelation 7:1-8; Ezekiel 9; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30;Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:3-6, 16;Genesis 6; 19; 2 Peter 3

B) (9-14) Tribulation ends with a great multitude of people praising God having been saved by God by the blood of the Lamb.
(9) After this, great multitude no one could count every nation, tribe, people, language, before throne & Lamb - wearing white robes holding palm branches
(10) cried out, "Salvation belongs to OUR God, sits on throne and the Lamb"
(11) all angels around the thone, elders, four living creatures, fell down on faces worshiped God
(12) saying "Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, strength be to OUR God for ever and ever. AMEN!"
(13) elder asked John, "these in white robes - who are they, where did they come from?" (from verse 9)
(14) "sir you know, they come out of the great tribulation, washed their robes and made white in the blood of the Lamb
Application: How well do I represent the truth of salvation for all people groups on every part of the world? Where's the evidence in the use of my time, talent and treasure?

C) (15-17) Prophecies of Isaiah and Jesus are fulfilled
(15) Therefore "they are before throne of God, serve him day and night in his temple; God on throne, shelters them with his presence.
(16) Never again hunger, thirst, sun will not beat down on them, nor scorching heat (Isaiah 49:10; 25:8)
(17) For the Lamb oat the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, leading them to springs of living water, God will wipe away every tear from their eyes
Application: One way we know the Bible is truly God's word is from fulfilled prophecies. How well do I know scripture to point these out to a doubting, lost world?
Helpful Verses: Revelation 7:9-17;Isaiah 61:3, 10;1 John 1:7;John 1:29; 10:1-18;4:4-14;7:38;Revelation 7:15-17

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Lamb of God is praised for taking the sealed scroll

Revelation 5
Aim: Seeing Jesus as the our redeemer results in a life of worship

A) No one but the Lamb of God is found worthy to take the scroll and break the seals
(5:1) At Right of him on throne a scroll, writing on both sides, sealed 7 seals
(2) mighty angel, loud proclaiming "who is worthy to break the seals and open?"
(3) no one in heaven/earth/under earth could open or even look inside.
(4) John wept because no one was found worthy
(5) Elder said, don't weep Lion of Judah, Root of David has triumphed, He's able to open the scroll and 7 seals
Application: People around me are hurting, how am I noticing and caring for them and pointing them to Jesus

B) Jesus the slain Lamb of God is worthy to take the sealed scroll.
(6) Lamb, looking as if it had been slain standing at the center of the throne, encircled by four living creatures and elders. 7 hours, seven eyes-7 spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
(7) He went, took scroll from right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Application: How am I trusting Jesus for justice in the world? I've trusted him for salvation, how is my life evidencing that I'm trusting him for the end judgement?

C) Jesus blood, makes us a kingdom of priests, living to bring glory to God.
(8) When he had taken it, 4 living creatures & 24 elders fell down before the lamb. each had a harp, golden bowls full of incense, prayers of God's people.
(9) sang a new song "worthy to take the scroll, open it's seals, because slain, blood purchased for God persons from all over the world
(10) made them kingdom and priests to serve our God, reign on the earth
(11-12) 100,000,000+ angels encircled throne "worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise!"
(13) Every creature in heaven, earth, under the earth, on sea and within say, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praised, honor, glory and power for ever and ever!" 4 living creatures said "Amen", elders fell down, worshiped.
Application: How do I fulfill my responsible as a citizen of Heaven and as a priest? How do I live as an ambassador for Christ? Who do I pray for daily, who is God placing on my heart to share his good news to?

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