November 22, 2012
GOBBLE, GOBBLE!
Revelation 10
Jennifer Teager
Central Truth
Time is short, and we need to do all we can to further the Kingdom of God.
Key Verse | Revelation 10:6–7
[A]nd swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created Heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that there will be delay no longer, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:6-7)
Revelation 10
The Angel and the Little Scroll
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”
Dive Deeper | Revelation 10
One Thanksgiving was particularly good. Everyone was in a good mood, the food was fantastic, and the Cowboys played an awesome game. We just lounged around the house feeling thankful, stuffed, and satisfied. Next thing you know, the kids get this wild idea and say, "Since we have so many leftovers, why don't we put a couple of plates together and give them to the homeless in the area?" The adults stare at each other with a "Why-didn't-I-think-of-that" look on their faces. The next thing you know, we're back in the kitchen assembling plates of food, plastic silverware, and sweet tea in a plastic cups. Once the meals were ready, the kids loaded into their dad's pickup truck and off they went, driving around to locate some people who could really use a blessing. That little event is now a tradition at the Moeller house, and I can't wait to help the kids prepare plates again this year in just a few hours.
The verse for today reminds me that time is getting short. Reading through the New Testament, and specifically Revelation, we see that there will be a day of judgment for all. As followers of Christ, we'll face the Bema Seat (a/k/a the Judgment Seat of Christ) where we will be judged on what we did with the resources given to us. Nonbelievers face a different judgment with more dire consequences. No doubt, we should use every opportunity to share love and blessings with all we meet. For followers of Christ, we will be rewarded for our actions at the Bema Seat. For those touched by our love and blessings, we can hope that they now stand next to us at the Bema Seat before our Lord and Savior.
As you spend this wonderful day with your family and friends, use this opportunity to bless them so they can find the path to salvation and be with us all for the eternal Thanksgiving Day, which I like to call Heaven.
Discussion Questions
1. What resources has God given you that could be used for Kingdom purposes?
2. Is there a particular segment of people that tugs on your heart?
3. How can you use those resources for the people you care about?
4. Are you willing to start today?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
November 19-23 (Revelation 7-11)
Read Revelation 7:9-17.
• This is a continued part of John's revelation about the end times. Who was standing in front of the throne?
• What does every nation, tribe and people mean? What were they shouting?
• What does the word salvation mean? (being rescued from something, saved)
• Who is the Lamb?
• How did the Lamb provide salvation to those who believe in Him?
• How do you receive the salvation that the Lamb provides?
• In verses 15-17, there is a list of things that God will do for the believers. What are they?
• Why do those things sound so great?
Activity: The believers were standing before Jesus and praising Him. What are some of your favorite praise songs? What about your favorite Psalms in the Bible? Take time as a family to write an original praise to Jesus. It could be a poem or a song.