Biblical history God's plan, and provision to become his people

God's plan: God’s glory: Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:20, made humans In His image: Genesis 1:26-27 and set Eternity in our hearts: Ecclesiastes 3:11

God's book: Inspired writers: 2 Peter 1:19-21

God's character: Holy, Creator, Lord of All. Promise and fulfillment Satan’s defeat: Genesis 3:1-15, Revelation 20:10, Redemption, freedom from sin’s bondage: Romans 8:18-39

Love is our nature when we believe and accept Jesus

God's provision over human history: Creation: Genesis 1:1–2:3, Creation of humans: Genesis 1:26–2:25,  Forbidden tree: Genesis 2:8-17

• Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4

Human sin and God's promised redemption (Old Covenant): Satanic serpent: Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9; 20:2, Adamic covenant (1 Family): Genesis 3:15, Filled with violence: Genesis 6:13, Noah: Genesis 6:9, Noahic covenant: Genesis 9:8-17, 5. Abrahamic covenant: Genesis 12:1-3, Abraham’s righteousness: Genesis 15; Romans 4:3, 9, 20-22, Promised land: Genesis 15:9-21, Heb 11:8-10, God’s people: Genesis 17:7, Matt 12:50, Jesus’s genealogy: Matthew 1:1-17, Prophecy of slavery: Genesis 15:13, Promise to punish: Genesis 15:14, Promise of liberation: Exodus 6:6-7, Passover (1 Nation): Exodus 12:1-42, Leaving Egypt: Exodus 12:31, Lamb of God: John 1:29 (1 World), Passover lamb: 1 Corinthians 5:7, Mosaic covenant: Exodus 19–24, Follow only God: Exodus 23:20-33, Need for a Savior: Romans 3:19-26, Promise of Judah: Genesis 49:10, David’s call: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Davidic covenant: 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Jerusalem conquered: Jeremiah 1:1-16; 6:6, 22-23; 52:1-30, Promised return: Jeremiah 29:10-14, Promise of Messiah: Jeremiah 23:5-6

• But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us. Titus 3:4-6

New Covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ life, death, and resurrection: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Redeemed: Romans 3:23-25, Transformed: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Reborn: John 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9, Conceived by Holy Spirit: Luke 1:29-38, Prophecy of Bethlehem: Micah 5:2, Joseph in David’s lineage: Matthew 1:1-17, Salvation from sin: Matthew 1:21, Died in Passover season: Luke 22:7-22; 23:26-56, Carried our iniquity: Isaiah 53:4-6,  Rose in three days: Matthew 28:1-10, Eternal life: 1 Corinthians 15:12-58

Church Era (grace period): Spirit within believers: Romans 6:1-14; 8:6-16; 2 Corinthians 3:18, Jesus prepared His followers: Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:4-8, Promise of Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8, Promised return: Acts 1:9-11, Pentecost: Leviticus 23:15-22, Beginning of the Church: Acts 2:13-41, Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20, Power of the gospel: Romans 1:16, Lord of all: Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 1:7, Restore, reward, and judge: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

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Jesus explains his body and why communion matters

 John 13:7,19,34-35,14:15-17;14:29;Luke 24:13-24;24:25-35;1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:1-22;11:23-32;12:12-13:3;John 2:13-25;

Jesus' explanation is LOVE one another. If you don't understand what love is, neither did his disciples. Jesus demonstrated his love for them and the command is love one another as I have loved you (John 13:7,19,34-35). 

• Jesus turns water into wine, says his resurrection is the authority (John 2)
• Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:22-40)
• Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most (John 6:41-71)

Jesus doesn't leave his followers in ignorance (Luke 24:13-24,25-35). The lives of people in the Torah and Prophets shed light on Jesus' new commandment to agape love one another.

• Abram demonstrates living by faith, Lot and Sodom a lifestyle of disaster (Gen 13-14)
• Calling on the name of the Lord is central to our faith (Gen 4:26, Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21)
• Wisdom is understanding the will of the Lord and sacrifice (altar) are linked (Eph 5:15-17, Romans 12:1-2) leading us to honest humility (Romans 12:3)
• Wisdom and grace from calling on the name of the Lord (James 1:5, 3:17; Proverbs 3:13-18)
• Principle: God’s grace in us blesses others. God’s grace equips us for spiritual victory in our lives and in the lives of others. 
• Jesus our eternal high priest, order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 4:14-5:10) - I believe Hebrews was written by one of the men on road to Emmaus.

Love, Belief and Works are hallmarks of disciples of Jesus (John 13:31-14:14)

Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-31)

• “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth..." - John 14:15-17
•  "I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe." - John 14:29

Paul brings clarity that we should all apply to our lives today. God's purpose in Jesus Christ is salvation from sin. Corrective, redemptive, restoring, healing, empowering, life-changing, life-giving, honoring, holistic, pure, worthy, righteous, strong, firm, imperishable, everlasting salvation from sin. 

• Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with ... malice and wickedness, but with ...sincerity and truth. - 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
• The old yeast was handed down from grandmother to mother to daughter. What family tradition do I hold onto that needs to go away? What new family tradition do I need to start, that enables us to leave malice and wickedness behind and walk-in sincerity and truth? 

1 Corinthians 10:1-22 (Paul warns about going through the motions of faith without sincerity and truth)

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry (lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol.).” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (Paul received insight in the way those on Road to Emmaus did: Scripture, fellowship, personal experience)

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13:3 (God's plan for unity in diversity)

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

... parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. .... If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

I heard an illustration that was helpful. If we are playing a basketball game and invite Lebron James onto our team. It's no longer our team, we are actually on his team. The same applies when we invite Jesus into our lives. It becomes his life. 

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Proof of God seen in our lives, stop wrong-doing and learn to do good (Matthew 3:8, Isaiah 1:16-17)

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God (Matthew 3:8)

Have you heard and taken the gospel to heart?
 - Faith comes by hearing about Christ (Romans 10:8-9)
 - Jesus clarified how we are to see ourselves in view of God and blessings that result (Matthew 5:1-15)
 - The Holy Spirit gives grace and power according to the Scriptures
 - Hearing and believing leads to obeying, always

Acts 26:20, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
Ephesians 5:8-9, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Isaiah 1:16,17 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before …

Turn to God, in other words, receive the Holy Spirit:
Lu 11:13; Joh 7:38,39; Ac 11:16

Isaiah 1:10-17 MSG
Listen to my Message,
    you Sodom-schooled leaders.
Receive God’s revelation,
    you Gomorrah-schooled people.
...When you come before me,
    whoever gave you the idea of acting like this,
Running here and there, doing this and that—
    all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
Quit your worship charades....I can’t stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
    meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
    You’ve worn me out!
I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,
    while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
    I’ll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
    I’ll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing
    people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
    Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
    so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
    Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
    Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
    Go to bat for the defenseless.

http://biblehub.com/matthew/3-8.htm

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Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God

John 1:19-51
AIM: Identify Jesus, the Lamb of God and respond with faith

A) John Identifies himself with scripture
(19) Testimony of John the Baptist when Jews (Pharisees (vrs John 1:24) sent priest, Levites from Jerusalem to ask "who are you" (25 hour walk to 51 hours if there was no way to cross to get to Bethany, John 1:28)

• Because John was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15) people came to John from all over to hear him preach "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand", they confess sin and were baptized in the Jordan (Matthew 3:1-6), he also taught people what God expects from him people (Luke 3:8-14).

(20) John said, I'm not the Christ

• Luke 3:15 tells us people were in expectation, questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ - but he openly said to all that he was coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) and fire (at judgement), see Luke 3:16-17; Acts 2:1-4; Rev 14:14-16; Daniel 7:13.

(21) They asked "Elijah?"  he said "I am not", "the prophet" "No"

• Reincarnation is explicitly denied in the Bible, Hebrews 9:27 says each man is appointed to die and then face judgement
• Elijah was taken up (2 Kings 2:11), yet spoken of regarding day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), at the transfiguration of Jesus Elijah and Moses were there as well as the Father speaking (Matthew 17:1-13).  Jesus explained John the Baptist was like Elijah, Matthew 17:11-13; Luke 1:16-17 - some see the two witnesses as being before the final judgement (Revelation 10:1-11:19)
• The Prophet was promised in Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:18,22-26

(22-23) "We need an answer for those who sent us", "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said (Isaiah 40:3)

(25-27) "Why baptizing if not Christ, Elijah or Prophet", "I with water, among you stands one you don't know, comes after me"

B) John identifies Jesus, the Lamb and Son of God

(29) John sees Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (forty days later Matthew 3:13-4:2)

• Matt Henry: "great sacrifice, by which atonement is made for sin, and man reconciled to God", plan of redemption (Acts 2:23), Our Passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7)
• Eternal Lamb (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8), Perfect sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4-10), Lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)

(30-31) Jesus is who John has been preaching about, why he baptized - so Jesus would be revealed to Israel

(32) John, "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, remained on him

• Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, to be born of the Spirit to see and enter God's kingdom (Luke 3:16; John 3:3,5)
• Believers would receive the Spirit like wind and fire and flow from their heart streams of living water (John 3:8; 7:38-39; Acts 1:5;2:1-4,17) Faith is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9;1 Cor 12:13)
• Living Water: Song of Solomon 4:15; Jeremiah 2:13;17:13; Zechariah 14:8; John 4:10;7:37-38; Rev 7:17

(33) (Holy Spirit) said to John, whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit 

(34) John's witnesses: "this is the Son of God"

• Prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, Child is born, son is given his name called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
• The tempter believed, Matthew 4:3,6 as did demons in Matthew 8:29 and His disciples Matthew 14:33; 16:16 and everyone understood Jesus claimed to be Son of God Matthew 26:63;27:40,43,54
• Jesus taught we would be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9) and this has happened as 1 John 5:20 says, "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.", Ephesians 1:5 we are adopted through Jesus Christ.

C) Andrew, Simon/Peter, Philip and Nathanael follow Jesus

(35-36) John, two disciples points to Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

(37-38a) They followed Jesus who turned, saw them following asked "what are you seeking"

(38b) "Rabbi/teacher, where are you staying"

(39-42) "Come and you will see", they stayed with him a day - Andrew believed and told brother Simon/Peter we found the Messiah/Christ
(43-35) next day Jesus Galilee, found Philip from Bethsaida city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael found him whom Moses in the Law and prophet wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph
(46-47) Nathanael doubts, Jesus recognizes him as honest Israelite
(48) Nathanael questions Jesus about knowing him and Jesus answered "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
(49) Nathanael says, Rabbi, you are Son of God, king of Israel
(50-51) Jesus answered because I said v48 you believe - you'll see greater things "heaven opened and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man

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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 opens six seals bringing calamity, judgement and wrath

Revelation 6

AIM: God is sovereign over everyone and we will answer to him

A) The Lamb breaks 4 seals releasing a ruler, wars, economic distress and death

(1-2) Lamb breaks first of seven seals on scroll, living being “come” - white horse, rider/bow/crown win battles, victory

(3-4) Lamb broke second seal, second living being “come” – red horse, rider/sword/authority to remove peace, war and slaughter everywhere

(5-6) Lamb broke third seal, third living being “come” – black horse, rider/scales “food/wages/savings”

(7-8) Lamb broke fourth seal, fourth living being “come” – pale green horse, rider named death with hades nearby. Authority over ¼ of earth to kill with sword, famine, disease, wild animals

Application: What do I put my security in that is not the sovereign God? What needs to change in my heart to change this?

Helpful verses: Revelation 6:1-8; James 4:1-8; Luke 16:22-31 ;Revelation 20:13-15;Zechariah 6:1-8; Matthew 24:1-8

B) Lamb’s fifth seal brings white robes of assurance to martyrs

(9) Lamb broke firth seal, under the altar souls of martyred for word of God, faithful in testimony

(10) Shouted O sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge people who belong to this world and avenge our blood?

(11) each received a white robe, told to rest a little longer until full number of brothers and sisters, fellow servants of Jesus were martyred had joined them

Application: How sure am I in my salvation? Is my hope in a decision made long ago or the decisions I’m making right now? How do I believe God in my life today (Psalm 46)?

Helpful verses: Revelation 6:9-11; Romans 2:5 ;2 Peter 3:9;Isaiah 61:10;Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 3:13-17; 4:12-16; 5:10;1 Peter 5:10

C) Lamb broke the sixth seal and the great day of wrath came

(12-14) Lamb broke sixth seal, earthquake, sun dark, moon blood, stars fall, sky rolled up like a scroll, mountains and island moved from their places

(15-17) Everyone on earth hid in caves, cried to the mountains “fall on us, hide us from the one who sits on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”

Application:  Who do I know needs to be given the perspective of the day of the Lord?

Helpful verses: Revelation 6:12-17; Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 34:4; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Joel 2:30-31; Zechariah 14:3-5

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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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