Arise and Abide

Reading from Revelation 11:1-19(NLT) ~The Two Witnesses, The Seventh Trumpet Brings the Third Terror~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The imagery and symbolism of Olive Trees and Lampstands. The Parable of the Mustard Seed. Through all the terrors, trials, and temptations, there is a remnant of people faithful to God. The parallel to the plagues of Egypt. The Word of Truth coming out of someone’s mouth that brings conviction leads me to die to myself.

Reading from Revelation 10:1-11 (NLT) ~The Angel and the Small Scroll~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The imagery of eating the scroll and it is echoing Ezekiel 2:9-3:14. The Good News is sweet, the truth of the coming judgment is bitter and should create urgency.

Reading from Revelation 9:1-21 (NLT) ~The Fifth Trumpet Brings the First Terror, The Sixth Trumpet Brings the Second Terror~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The similarity in the plagues of Egypt. God limiting the number of deaths in the time of tribulations. The Choice we all have to make.

Reading from Revelation 8 :1-13 (NLT) ~The Lamb Breaks the Seventh Seal, The First Four Trumpets~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The long silence, the defined thirds. Earthquakes that shake the world. Incense mixed with prayers.

Reading from Revelation 7 :1-17 (NLT) ~God’s People Will Be Preserved, Praise from the Great Crowd~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the sealed 144,000 people from the 12 tribes. The vast crowd, to numerous to count. Even through the darkest hours of the tribulation, there is opportunity for people to repent. The Tower of Babel. The Four Horsemen. The Life-giving Water.

Reading from Revelation 6:1-17 (NLT) ~The Lamb Breaks the First Six Seals~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the four horses and their riders. It’s not in our power to unseal our fate, but we can stand in our identity as children of God. There is the opportunity to fall in behind the one who has the victory.

Reading from Revelation 5:1-14 (NLT) ~The Lamb Opens the Scroll~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The call for anyone worth to open the scroll. Not being able to save our self from a sealed fate, but Jesus and all who are with Him are victorious. God can see all of this from His throne room.

Reading from Revelation 4:1-11 (NLT) ~Worship in Heaven~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The throne room of God who died so we can be in relationship with Him is filled with His creation. Worship in heaven and the faithfulness of God.

Reading from Revelation 3:14-22 (NLT) ~The Message to the Church in Laodicea~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God opening and closing doors in the big picture and in our everyday life. Remembering the promises of God and that He is in control, through the opening and closing of opportunities. The shaking and the great time of testing. Placing our identity in things and ideas that are not Christ vs. drawing our identity from who God says we are.

Reading from Revelation 3:7-13 (NLT) ~The Message to the Church in Philadelphia~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God opening and closing doors in the big picture and in our everyday life. Remembering the promises of God and that He is in control, through the opening and closing of opportunities. The shaking and the great time of testing. Placing our identity in things and ideas that are not Christ vs. drawing our identity from who God says we are.