5/5 – 5/11

In the portions of The Revelation to John that we will read this week, chapters 15 and 16 include plagues being poured out upon the Roman Empire like those the Egyptians experienced during Moses’ campaign on behalf of God to free the Hebrews from slavery (Exodus 5:1). Chapter 17 describes the Roman Empire as a version of Babylon, a nation living in rebellion against God. The message of chapter 18 is of the fall of the kingdoms and ways of the world that Rome represented at the time of John’s prophecy. Chapter 19 describes Jesus and his army conquering evil and those living in opposition to the Lord. With the fall of Babylon, “a great multitude in heaven” proclaim “our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory” (Rev. 19:1-7a NIV). Their response should also be our response to the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16 NIV). Our God has reigned in the past, He is the ultimate ruler now, and the Lord will reign forever. Through Jesus God will defeat the powers of evil and those who make themselves foes of the Lord. Let us rejoice in the victory that was accomplished on the cross at Calvary in the past, as well as the victory that will come in the future with Jesus’ return.

 

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 fourteen chapters of the book, you are encouraged to read the section titles 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 130 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 – 2 Corinthians 13:13/14 (receive God’s grace, love, & fellowship)

 

Monday – Revelation 15-16 (These chapters connect 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)

 

Tuesday – Revelation 17 (This chapter connects with Isaiah 23:17; Nahum 3:4.)

 

Wednesday – Revelation 18 (This chapter connects with Isaiah 21:9; 13; 23-24; Jeremiah 50-51; Ezekiel 26-27; Isaiah 40:2; Jeremiah 16:18; 50:29.)

 

Thursday – Revelation 19:1-10 (These verses connect with Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3; Hosea 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32.)

 

Friday – Revelation 19:11-21

 

Saturday – Matthew 28:1-10 (The Sabbath theme for today is “Worship & Delight.”)

 

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you did not watch the Book of Revelation Summary Part 1 and Part 2 videos last month, you are invited to watch them now 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 know and receive God’s love. Pray for unity for the people of the United Methodist Church, including our congregation. 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 130.

 

*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.