4/28 – 5/4

As we continue our journey reading and studying the final book of The Bible, The Revelation to John, the symbolism this week within John’s prophetic and apocalyptic message includes the Church as witnesses in chapter 11, a woman in chapter 12 who represents Mary, Israel, and the people of God, with a description of a “dragon” that represents the forces of evil and Satan. In Revelation 13 John describes beasts using imagery that seems to point towards the Roman Empire, Emperor Nero, and those who worshipped the ways of the empire and its’ emperor during the time of the prophet’s ministry in the first century. Biblical scholars note that the languages of the first century Roman Empire — Greek, Latin, Aramaic, and Hebrew—had numeric equivalents for the letters. Regarding “the number of a person” described as “the beast” in Revelation 13:18, biblical scholars believe that it is highly likely to be “Nero Caesar,” the ruler of the empire who persecuted Christians, including having the apostles Peter and Paul executed for their faith in Christ Jesus. According to the study notes in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, “John uses Old Testament imagery to represent the church as God’s victorious army” in chapter 14. And the Christian prophet utilizes exodus motifs most thoroughly in chapters 15 and 16, including the Church singing “the song of Moses…and the song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:3 NRSV).

 

As we read and study more of the book of Revelation this week, expect the Lord to continue to reveal his messages to us. If you did not read the first ten chapters of the book, you are encouraged to read them before reading the chapters for this week. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

 

Each Day

• Read the Psalm
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
• Read The Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus

 

DAILY PSALM:

READ PSALM 91 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the living God.

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – Romans 13:8-10 (love your neighbor)

 

Monday – Revelation 11 (This chapter connects with Numbers 11:24-29; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:14-21; Zechariah 4:3, 14; Exodus 7:14-25; 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1; Jeremiah 5:14.)

 

Tuesday – Revelation 12:1-17 (Watch the Revelation Overview video #2 before reading the verses. This chapter connects with Mark 13:8 and Psalm 2:8-9.)

 

Wednesday – Revelation 12:18-13:18 (This chapter connects with Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Mark 13:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Deuteronomy 13:1-3.)

 

Thursday – Revelation 14 (This chapter connects with Leviticus 15:19-31; Deuteronomy 20:1-9; 23:9-10; 1 Samuel 21:5; 2 Maccabees 12:16; 1 Enoch 100:3; 4 Ezra 15:35.)

 

Friday – Revelation 15 (This chapter connects with Exodus 9:10-11; 16:3-4; 7:17-21; 16:10; 10:22; 16:12; 14:21-22; 16:13; 8:3; 16:18, 21; 9:24; 40:34-38; 14:21; Joshua 4:23; Psalm 2:1-2; Ezekiel 38-39; Joel 3:2; Zechariah 14:2; Psalm 86:9-10; Isaiah 2:1-4; 19:24-25;Ezekiel 16:52-63; Micah 4:1-4)

 

Saturday – Matthew 11:27-12:13 (The Sabbath theme for today is “STOP & REST.”)

 

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you did not watch the Book of Revelation Summary Part 1 earlier this month, you are invited to watch it now. For this week, watch the Book of Revelation Summary Part 2 before reading chapters 12 through 15 using the link provided:

 

Book of Revelation Summary (Part 1) by The Bible Project

 

Book of Revelation Summary (Part 2) by The Bible Project

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

 

What is the biblical author saying in these verses? To help you to understand what the prophet John is saying, read the study notes from a Study Bible. If you don’t have a study Bible, you can borrow one from the AUMC library or find one online through www.BibleGateway.com or the Bible Gateway App.

 

What do the verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

 

What do these verses reveal about people who are part of Jesus’ Church, as well as those who are not?

 

What is God’s message for me from what I read? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the text.

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day to stop and rest this weekend?

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond to God. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some, or all, of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

PRAY:

You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:

 

Sunday – Pray for the Holy Spirit to help us to love our neighbors as Christ has loved us. Pray for unity for the people of the United Methodist Church, as well as for the Spirit of the Lord to guide the delegates currently at General Conference. Pray for Protestant and Catholic congregations throughout Greater Hendricks County, including the Livingstone Anglican Church meeting in the AUMC building on Sunday mornings.

 

Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

 

Tuesday – Pray through your day, including who you will be with, or have already been with, as well as what you will do or have already done. Then lift up leaders and those who point others towards God.

 

Wednesday – Confess your sins and failures. Ask God to help you to receive the forgiveness the Lord is offering to you. Offer forgiveness to others. Then lift up the worries and concerns you have for yourself and others you know, as well as people in need in greater Hendricks County, in our country, and throughout the world.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. You may find it helpful to write them in a journal or somewhere you can read through the list again some other time.

 

Friday – Ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to live these virtues of Christ: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized, such as the Lord’s Prayer, or let the words of the psalmists guide you using Psalm 91.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App or Bible Gateway App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.Bible.com or www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.