Devotions (Revelation) #5

MON, 26th October

Revelation 10:1-11

Chapter 10:1-11:13 is an interlude between the sixth and the seventh trumpet, much like chapter 7 being an interlude between the sixth and seventh seal.

Questions

1. Use your drawing skill to illustrate the passage.
2. Read Ezekiel 2:3-3:4. How does this passage help us understand the significance of the scroll and the eating of the scroll in Revelation 10:9-11? Why was the scroll sweet in the mouth and sour in the stomach?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Praise the Lord that in his timing, all the promises and announcements made by the prophets and servants of God will be fulfilled. Give thanks that God’s promises to us, concerning the future glory we shall enjoy with Jesus, will also be fulfilled on that day.
2. Pray that we, like John, would be servants who share God’s message faithfully to others. Pray that we would not twist God’s words to suit our own desires, but that we would understand it and pass it on accurately.
3. Pray for Pastor Stephen. Ask God to help him as he preaches God’s word to us every week. Give thanks for him — particularly for tackling Revelation!

TUE, 27th October

Revelation 11:1-14 (Part I)

Questions

1. John tells us that the two witnesses were the two olive trees and the two lampstands. What do the following passages teach us about the two witnesses?
   • The two olive trees in Zechariah 4 provide the oil for the lampstand (Zechariah 4:9). The Lord said in Zechariah 4:6 that the leader of the Jewish community, upon their return from exile (his name is Zerubbabel), would be able to rebuild God’s temple by the power of the Spirit of God.
   • Revelation 1:12-13, 20 are verses that mention lampstands.
   • Why two lampstands? Check out Deuteronomy 19:15.
   • Overall, the most likely interpretation: the two witnesses represent the whole community of faith (all true Christians), and together they, by God’s power, would witness to the whole world (Acts 1:8).
2. Why would a lampstand be a good symbol for the witnessing church? See Luke 8:16-18.
3. How are you going in terms of being a witness for Jesus? Do you rely on the Spirit’s power when you proselytise? What would be the evidence for that?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Give thanks that God does not expect us to bear witness to Jesus Christ by our own power. Give thanks that the Holy Spirit is the one who is at work in us and through us so that we may faithfully and powerfully declare the gospel.
2. Pray for opportunities to witness to someone and ask God to give you a specific name. Ask God to give you courage to bring up spiritual topics with the person.
3. Give thanks for all the brothers and sisters who got baptised this year. Pray for them to keep growing, and that they would joyfully witness to their friends and family members.

WED, 28th October

Revelation 11:1-14 (Part II)

Questions

1. Answer the following questions about the witnesses:
   • What kind of powers did they possess during the time of their witnessing? Which two Old Testament prophets are you reminded of when you read verses 6-7?
   • How long were they protected by God for?
   • What happened to them after they finished testifying?
   • What happened after three and a half days?
   • Why do you think the people of the earth felt tormented by the two witnesses (v10)?
2. Compare and contrast the story of the two witnesses to Jesus. What are some similarities, and what are some differences?
3. How scared are you about offending people when you testify about Jesus? Would you stop preaching the gospel if people who hear it felt tormented by it?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Give thanks that we, as the church (body of Christ), can be united with Jesus and share in his ministry, his suffering, and also his glory. Praise God that even though the church would go through a period of severe suffering, it would only be for a short time.
2. Pray that the vision of the two witnesses would encourage us to keep testifying about God by the power of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord help us to keep proclaiming the gospel even if the listeners hate the message we are sharing.

THU, 29th October

Revelation 11:15-19

Questions

1. What happened when the seventh trumpet sounded?
2. What effect did it have on the following:
   • The nations
   • The dead
   • God’s people great and small
   • Those who destroy the earth
3. Think about the coming of God’s kingdom. What kind of things causes you to mourn or grieve in today’s world? What would those things look like when God’s reign is finally manifested in every aspect of the world and life?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Think about an evil you see in the world that grieves you and give thanks to God that he will deal with that evil and destroy for good.
2. Do you long for things in the world more than you long for God’s kingdom? Repent and ask God to give perspective and greater desire for the coming of his kingdom.
3. Give thanks that God remembers our work in him and will reward us on that day.

FRI, 30th October

Revelation 1:1-11:19 (Audio)

Listen to Revelation chapters 1 to 11 on audio Bible, but in a different version from the one you have been reading. You may consider this dramatised New Living Translation:

Questions

1. Is there anything in particular that jumped out at me?
2. What do I find comforting in Revelation so far?
3. What do I find challenging in Revelation so far?
4. Are there any questions that I have at this point?

Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray in reflection of these chapters of Revelation.
2. Mission Friday: pray for “churches” that have compromised on God’s truths.
3. Give thanks for three things that you have learned from Revelation so far.

SAT, 31st October

Please watch this overview of the second half of Revelation in preparation for next week:

For now, pray for the following topics in relation to what we have studied during this month:

• Things to thank God for
• Things that God has taught you
• Non-Christian family members and friends
• Church family and community members
• Partners in missions and gospel ministries
• Your own ministries at church

Let us see what else is revealed in Revelation as we continue studying the book in November.

SUN, 1st November

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