Opening Question

How do people respond to a God who is pictured as a judge of evil?

Introduction

If the seven seals show the sealing process of God’s people, the language of the trumpets appears to be that of judgment. How God responds to evil in the world places God’s actions in direct examination of both humans and beings from unfallen worlds. The Great Controversy in some ways hinges on this issue. Is God just and righteous when He deals with sin in His way that is both ultimately loving and ultimately authoritative and final?

The trumpets are structured like the seals: ...

Opening Question

Does God have a specific number of people He wants to save?

Introduction

Chapter 6 concluded with a question: The day of God’s wrath has come and who is able to stand? Chapter 7 answers this question with a special group, featured several times in the book, who follow the lamb wherever He goes.

This chapter functions as a literary interlude between the 6th and 7th seals. A similar structure will be seen in the trumpets where an interlude falls between the 6th and 7th trumpets and shows God’s two witnesses.

The Text:

Revelation 7:1-8

The winds of strife do not blow ...

Opening Question

What is the most difficult situation you’ve gone through in your life?

Introduction

As the Lamb breaks the seals of the scroll in heaven, events correspond that appear to affect people on earth. The first four are tied to one another through the horsemen imagery; the fifth and sixth trumpets prepare the way for an interlude in chapter 7 that reveals the 144,000 sealed saints of God. The seals conclude in 8:1.

Horsemen are also found in Zechariah’s prophecy (1:7-11) who patrol the earth. These horses here, however, do not find the earth a peaceful place, but instead bring conflict, ...

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Opening Question

What is an ideal worship service in your mind?

Introduction

The Throne Room scene in Rev. 4–5 forms the introductory sanctuary vision for the seven seals in 6:1–8:1. If Christ was in the candlesticks of the heavenly sanctuary in ch. 1 before the seven churches, and later see him at the altar of incense in chapter 8 just before the seven trumpets are blown, scholars like C. Mervyn Maxwell and others have suggested the throne here be seen as a parallel to the “table of showbread,” that is, ...

Opening Question

Is parental discipline a positive or a negative experience?

Introduction

The fact that the seven churches are written to congregations in significant cities of Asia Minor shows that their presence and witness there was important to Christ. But the messages to the seven churches show a significant amount of literary importance, as well. They also reveal the general trend of Christianity throughout time via sequential epochs or movements.

All seven churches follow a similar pattern:

Statement: “To the angel of the church in ______________, write”

Picture of Christ from chapter 1

Confirmation that Christ knows their deeds

...

Opening Question

Have you ever had a dream that was so meaningful to you that you wrote it down and shared it with others later?

Introduction

We’re told throughout the New Testament that the Spirit of God works in the Body of Christ—the Church—and that Christ loves His church and leads it. Revelation 1:9–3:21 shows just how intimately Jesus is involved in keeping the light of the church burning in the world as a witness for Him, for that is what the imagery of the Lampstands seeks to show us.

The Text:

Revelation 1:10

The commentary affirms Saturday as the “Lord’s day” John ...

Opening Question

What sort of emotions does the last book of the Bible, Revelation, evoke in you?

Introduction

Most people think of Revelation as a book about the last days including mythical beasts, end-time plagues and destruction, or “Babylon” and “Armageddon.” More than a few of my students note emotions like fear, apprehension, or disgust when they think about the book or its message; perhaps that describes you as well. Yet Revelation calls itself an “unveiling” or “disclosure,” and not of end-time events. It is a revealing of Jesus Christ. The lesson this quarter appropriately recalls this fact, and we must keep ...

Relevant Verses: John 14:1-3; Isa 11:1-10; Rev. 21:1-5; 22:1-5; 1 Thess. 4:13-18

Leading Question: What is your favorite passage that points to the final restoration of unity?

These are the crucial features of the Adventist hope:

Return of Jesus

Promise of a restored (vegetarian!) kingdom.

Resurrection

Life in a new world

From the writings of Ellen White, the last paragraphs of the book The Great Controversy capture the vision of Adventism:

And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn ...

Relevant Verses: Matthew 20:20-28; Acts 15

Leading Question: Does the Bible tell us anything at all that applies to church organization?

Perhaps the most significant words from Jesus that relate to church organization are found in his response to the request of James and John and their mother that the two brothers be granted the highest places in the kingdom. This is Matthew’s version of the conversation:

Matthew 20:20-28: 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21 And he said to her, “What do ...

Relevant Verses: Rev. 4-5; 14:6-12

Leading Question: Given the wide variety of worship preferences and styles, is it possible even to speak of “unity in worship” this side of heaven?

Interestingly enough, the official study guide completely avoids any discussion of music, in our day, the most vexed question that arises in connection with worship. Here is the list of headings from the official study guide. Is there anything else missing besides music?

Worshiping our Creator and Redeemer

False Worship

First Angel’s Message

Bible Study and Fellowship

Breaking of Bread and Prayer

It may be helpful to work through various aspects of worship behavior, looking at both ...