Introduction:
This is our third meeting for the Spring Semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. Friendly reminder that anyone is welcome to join, and you do not have to have attended a previous meeting to join this week.
We meet at 7:00 pm and will continue meeting through the end of May 2024 (05/29/2024).
This semester, Called Men’s Group is conducting a Bible study of the Book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is a book of hope and warning to urge believers to examine themselves, repent and live righteously. John also wrote the Book to encourage the seven churches to resist the demands to worship the Roman emperor and now warns us in present-time to resist the temptations that pull us away from God, and that all of God’s faithful people should only be devoted to Christ.
As we have said in previous meetings, God didn’t give us the book of Revelation to build bomb shelters in our back yard. He gave us the book so that we’d be motivated to tell others about Jesus. - We too are taking this approach with this semester’s Bible Study.
Revelation can be divided into six sections:
1. Introduction (1:1-8)
2. Vision of Jesus (1:9-20)
3. Message to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22)
4. Visions of the seven-sealed scroll, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls (4:1-19:10)
5. Vision of the return of Christ and the fulfillment of this age (19:11-20:15)
6. Vision of the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem (21:1-22:21)
Quick review of last week:
In Chapters 2 and 3, Jesus gives special messages to the seven churches. In Chapter 4, John was caught up into heaven and sees a vision of all the followers of Christ and angels worshiping God. In Chapter 5, John watches as God gives a scroll with seven seals to Jesus, who is the only one worthy to open the scroll. Jesus opens the scroll and breaks the seals one by one. When each seal is opened a new vision appears.
This Week’s Prayer: Father, you are holy and righteous judge. Help me to share your truth with others so they too will surrender to you and be saved. Thank you for giving me victory over sin. You answer prayers in your will and timing. Please help me to accept the things I cannot change, and courage to change the things I can. Thank you Lord, for giving us hope and eternal victory through Jesus. -Amen
Scripture: Read - Revelation Chapters 6:1 – 8:13
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
In Chapter 6, four horses appear as the first four seals are opened.
What were the colors of the four horses? White, red, black and a pale horse, some translations say pale green.
What do we think the colors represent? Discuss among the group (see below).
Some say that the white horse represents victory and that its rider must be Christ (because Christ later rides to victory on a white horse in Rev 19:11.), some believe that since the other three horses are related to God’s judgement and destruction, that the rider most likely would not have been Christ. But throughout the Book of Revelation Jesus is dressed in White, as white represents purity. So maybe the rider could be Jesus. What do we think? – discuss.
Some believe that red represents warfare and bloodshed. What do we think? – discuss.
Some believe that black for famine. What do we think? – discuss.
Some believe that the pale color/pale green represents death. What do we think? – discuss.
What are these four horses and riders in Chapter 6 commonly referred to? - The four horsemen of the Apocalypse.
There are two groups of people identified in Chapter 6 and 7 – those who do not belong to God, Chapter 6 (6:15-17) and those who belong to the Lord in Chapter 7 (7:3-10). What is the difference in these two group’s reactions to everything that God has been doing? Discuss.
In Chapter 7, the number 144,000 is mentioned. What do we think this number represents? - some believe that this number symbolizes completeness. - I believe the 144,000 to be a figurative number, and not an exact, or specific number of believers, and a that the number is a reminder that ALL God’s followers will be brought safely to Him, no one will be overlooked or forgotten. God seals these believers with either withdrawing them from the earth – the rapture; or by providing special strength and courage to endure the time of great persecution; to remain true despite having to undergo intense persecution. When the persecution begins, the faithful will have the seal placed upon them (marked by God) and will remain true to God until the end. Agree/Disagree – Discuss.
In Chapter 7 (7:9) John sees a “vast crowd.” Who do we think the crowd represents?
- Some believe that the crowd represents the martyrs described in 6:9. - Some believe that the crowd is the same 144,000 mentioned in 7:4-8. The 144,000 were sealed and marked by God before the great time of persecution; the vast crowd was brought to eternal life as God had promised; before they were being prepared, now they are victorious.
- Another point of view is that the crowd in heaven represents all those who remained faithful to God throughout the generations, and that no believer needs to worry; that God includes and protects each of us, and we are guaranteed a place in His presence through our faith in Jesus.
- What do you believe, discuss among the group.
In 7:14 “the great tribulation” has been explained in several ways.
- Some believe that this refers to the suffering of believers throughout all of history.
- Some believe that that this is a specific time of intense tribulation that will take place in the future.
- Either way, the believers come through their times of suffering by remaining in God. Because of their faithfulness, God will give them eternal life with Him (7:17).
It is often said that suffering has a purifying effect. Can you give any examples of suffering that purified your faith? - Take a moment to reflect. If you are comfortable, share with the group and discuss.
If it became illegal to be Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In other words, do you think it is obvious you are a follower of Christ? - Think about your home, your behavior, what you post on social media. – Discuss among the group.
In Chapter 8, when the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll there was silence throughout heaven for half an hour. What do you think the significance of the silence was? - Discuss.
We should seek God in times of silence, it is proper for us to take a moment to be still; to be quiet and honor God. To recognize His Power and His Authority. We can trust and have confidence in God. Agree/Disagree – Discuss.
In Chapter 8 there are trumpet blasts. What is the significance of the trumpets?
Trumpets have three purposes: to warn that judgment is certain; to announce the battle between the forces of good and evil; and to announce the return of the King, the Messiah, King Jesus. – These trumpets offer us a warning and urge us to make sure our faith is firmly fixed on Jesus. – Discuss.
Is there anything that stands out/jumped out to you? Share with the group and discuss.
Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss and research.
Biggest takeaway?
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: Revelation 9:1 – 10:11
Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss at the next meeting.
References/Acknowledgements:
Elements of today’s Bible study were copied from:
1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
2. NLT, Life Application Bible Studies, Revelation; copyright 1998, 2009, Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Carol Stream, Illinois.
Schedule:
Meeting No., Date Chapters (Total Verses)
_X_ 001, 04/03 Ch. 1 & 2. (49 Verses)
_X_ 002, 04/10 Ch. 3, 4 & 5. (48 Verses)
_X_ 003, 04/17 Ch. 6, 7, & 8. (47 Verses)
___ 004, 04/24 Ch. 9, & 10. (31 Verses)
___ 005, 05/01 Ch. 11, 12, & 13. (47 Verses)
___ 006, 05/08 Ch. 14, 15, & 16. (49 Verses)
___ 007, 05/15 Ch. 17, & 18. (42 Verses)
___ 008, 05/22 Ch. 19, & 20. (40 Verses)
___ 009, 05/29 Ch. 21, & 22. (48 Verses)