This week is about overcoming, and I’ve been reading a book about two women who truly were overcomers when they were taken captive in Iran for their Christianity.
What was so encouraging was how despite the worst circumstances, God came to them again and again. One night when Maryam was so discouraged, for she wasn’t sensing God’s presence in her dark cell, she simply began singing hymns, despite being forbidden to do so. She sang all night, and her praise echoed out to both prisoners and guards. And indeed, God came to her. If you want to hear their testimony, here is a You-Tube interview that is under six minutes.
Our troubles may come to this point, and we do need to be prepared. It is helpful to look back on how He has been faithful to us in hard times.
As I reflect on last year, I am in awe at how God helped my youngest overcome her cosmic battle with Satan. Her biological mother in Korea relinquished her at the age of five, and every time Annie had a child approaching the age of five, it triggered something and she struggled with depression. But this year, before her youngest turned five, she felt led to reach out to her biological mother in Korea. She was scared that the truth, or a lack of response from her mother, would confirm her worst fears, but instead, it brought her into the light and helped her to overcome Satan’s lie. Her mother wept to hear from her, saying relinquishing her was the greatest regret and sorrow of her life, and she thought of Annie every day. She told Annie what happened and it was such a healing story. I can’t tell you the details, for it is Annie’s story to tell, but I can tell you that she found out she was desperately loved by her mother, lost her biological father to tetanus when she was three months old, and that her mother tried valiantly to keep her but finally lost the battle. Pictures prove how Annie was cared and loved for, despite great obstacles. This picture of Annie as a toddler, so well dressed, with bows in her hair, and happily clapping her hands, melted our hearts. As in Revelation, a picture paints a thousand words.
oI have also listened, with awe, to your stories of how God helped you be overcomers. Honestly, I am strengthened by your stories as I see God empowering you to face enormous hurts, betrayals, and obstacles. We pray for one another and we are strengthened by one another. Indeed, the “false prophet” has been propagandizing lies, and truly, they seem to be increasing in number and malice. Lies that we could not even have imagined being believed a decade ago, are being believed — and those who stand against them are being persecuted.
But greater is He that is in us! This week we will see, who is at our side, and be reminded that though we may lose some battles, the war has already been won. He is the Alpha and the Omega, has all things under His control, will bring beauty out of ashes, and can empower us to do what we could never ever do alone.
Here are a few resources you will need later in the week:
Please listen and take notes on this sermon by Tim Keller. Title: The Cosmic King. Sermons are optional but so valuable!
I know there are those in this group who are going to want to read all of Revelation as we do this. If that is you, then at the end of this week you’ll want to read chapters 4 through 11. You may find this 11 minute overview from The Gospel Coalition helpful. Watch just Part 1. (Completely optional for my sisters who want it!) I do think you can get a grip on the main thrust of Revelation by doing just what I have given you and that would be wonderful. But for those who want more, here is this:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/revelation/#author-date
Word Document of Homework That Can Be Printed: (This has been corrected!)
Lesson2Revelation
Day 1. The Disciple Jesus Loved
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
- Read John 21:18-25
- In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this?
Historians confirm that Peter was crucified, but that he asked to be crucified upside-down for he was not worthy to die as his Lord died. It is also historically confirmed that all the disciples were martyred except for John who died a natural death on the Island of Patmos.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
Day 2. The Alpha and The Omega
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened.
Day 3: “According to the Literature”
When we talk about interpreting the Bible literally, it is important to understand the word “literally.” It means, “according to the literature.” You do not interpret prose in the same way you interpret poetry. To interpret poetry literally means you understand that metaphors are pictures of a spiritual truth — but not to be pressed. For example, when we are told that “under His wings we will have refuge,” it does not mean that God has wings, but that, like a mother bird, He protects us. Prose can be pressed. Revelation is apocalyptic literature, filled with symbols and mixed metaphors that are intended to cause awe and to paint a big picture of God’s holiness, justice, and love – but we must be careful not to push the details. (Our own Susan was describing those who did this, likening, for example, the Covid vaccine to the Mark of the Beast. How could they possibly know this? They could not — they are using the Word to advance their own agenda. We are called not to cling to our lives but to be willing to lay them down for our brothers, as Jonathan Edwards did when he was one of the first to get the Smallpox vaccine, and died as a result!) Often John explains what a symbol means, or we can glean light from Old Testament references. But when we cannot understand, we should simply return to the big truths of His holiness, justice, and love. One day we will understand, but for now, we see through a glass darkly.
Revelation is also a letter to true believers, represented by the seven churches. (We do know in Scripture that seven is the number of completion, and you will see seven over and over again. It is also true six represents Satan, and 12 and its multiples represent God’s chosen people.) Revelation, in addition to being apocalyptic literature, is a letter — and it is a letter to believers between the time of Christ’s ascension and return. We can deduce this because seven is the number of completion, and because all Scripture is profitable for teaching.)
Now — let’s continue.
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book?
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11?
C. Describe the vision he has in verses12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20.
D. How does John respond in verse 17?
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome.
Day 4: Four of The Seven Churches
Many of you have heard good sermons on the seven churches and it is a wonderful study. We cannot go into these in depth, but we can get an overview, remembering that these letters had a specific application to the churches in John’s time, but the principles can be applied to us, as His Church, as well. Even though we are going quickly through it, I believe this will impact our hearts with the weight of Jesus and the truth that we can be overcomers.
8. Read about the Church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus in Rev. 2:1?
B. For what does He commend them in Rev 2:2-3?
C. What does He hold against them and what is the remedy in Rev 2:4-5?
D. What is the warning in Rev 2:5? And the promise in 2:7?
E. Be still. What is God saying to you?
9. Read about the Church in Smyrna in Rev. 2:8-11
A. How is Jesus described in Rev. 2:8?
B. How does He commend them and warn them?
C. What promise does He give them in verse 11?
D. A. Carson writes: “Those who suffer the “second death” will participate neither in the resurrection of the saints nor in the life of the new world to come, but rather will experience unending punishment.
10. Read about the Church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.
A. How is Jesus described in verse 12?
B. What does He have against them and how does He commend them?
C. What promises are given to those who overcome?
Unlike the earthly manna, this manna is eternal – we have only tasted the goodness of the Lord. Naming implies ownership — we will be His and He will be ours.
11. Read about the Church in Thyatira in Rev. 2:18-29
A. How Is Jesus described in verse 18?
B. For what does He commend them and rebuke them in verses 19-25?
C. What promises are given to overcomers?
12. From the four churches you looked at, is there anything that became radioactive to you today? If so, what and why?
Day 5. The Final Three Churches
13. Read about the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6.
A. How does Jesus describe himself in verse 1?
B. What warning does He have for them in verses 1-3?
C. Whom does He commend and what does He promise in verses 4-6?
14. Read about the church in Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13.
A. How does Jesus describe Himself in verse 7?
B. How does He commend them and encourage them in verses 8-11?
C. What promises does He give to overcomers?
15. Read about the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-21.
A. How does He describe Himself in verse 14?
B. What is their deep problem and what does it lead to?
C. What does He tell them to do?
D. What promise does He give to those who overcome in verses 19-21?
16. How is the Spirit speaking to you through these last three churches?
17. What is your take-a-way from this week, and why?
221 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love Annie’s story. She feared the truth would bring more pain and yet she still ventured in. Instead the truth brought light and healing that nothing else could have ever given her. Beautiful—her faith in pressing in and His meeting her there with unexpected grace and love.
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
I try to remind myself often of the ways He has shown me His love, even in dark times. Once when I was particularly struggling, my reading led me to Matt 10:31b ” you are of more value than many sparrows”. I wrote the verse down and was encouraged by it. Minutes later, I walked outside to go to my car and our driveway was filled with little birds. I’d never seen it like that before, nor since, but He spoke and my eyes filled. I also look at what He has given me despite the loss of my biological sisters, He has brought many who call themselves my sister and love me well.
3. Read John 21:18-25. In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this?
It shows us that Jesus knows all things, including how and when we will die. Maybe He was preparing Peter of the cost of his faithfulness,
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
The testimony of one willing to die a martyrs death for their faith is inspiring and convicting. It causes us to ask ourselves what we believe. It sifts, and leaves those of true faith who long to have that level of commitment for their God.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
Peter looks at John and asks Jesus ‘what about Him?’, wondering how he will die. Jesus replies that basically it is not Peter’s concern. He will do whatever brings glory to the Father.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
I think through suffering we see more than any other way that God IS a loving God. Suffering is part of our fallen world, for the Christian, it is not punishment or retaliation for our sin. But because of His love, He enters into the suffering with us. He promises to join us in our trials, to never leave us, and He promises the waters will not overtake, the fires will not burn us. By His grace, He never wastes our pain. He promises to use our trials to refine us, make us more like Him.
I love your Sparrow story. I was just talking to Sadie, my ten-year-old grand-daughter, about that verse this morning!
Lizzy I agree with Dee your sparrow story is so encouraging and brings hope to me.
Lizzy, I am happy to be your sister and that you are my sister!
oh Dawn–seeing this just now, you have no idea how deep that hit my heart. thank you dear sister~
This made me smile!
Lizzy – I too love your little bird story. What a beautiful and tangible evidence of God’s drippings of grace and love on you. I also grieve with you for the loss of your biological sisters. Though I’ve not known you very long and don’t know your whole story, I am thankful for you, for your sweet spirit, and for your heart turned and tuned to the Lord. 💞 Blessed to call you my sister too.
What a precious gift God gave you with those birds, Lizzy. He is so tender in His care for us. I also love how you saw and highlighted the gift of Annie’s choice to press through her fears to find the love and truth of Jesus.
It makes me think of what one of my younger friends shared with me just today, about how she has decided to take a risk because doing so contains an opportunity to uncover more love, even though it could also entail her facing more rejection.
Lizzy: would you mind sharing more about the loss of your biological sisters? What a gaping hole that must be in your heart. I often think the things cut out of our heart like that are what make the most room for love and compassion – Jesus- to grow and flourish in us. I see that in you – in the love and compassion you show us sisters in Christ here. It’s we who are so blessed by you, Lizzy.
oh, thank you all so much for your compassion. We really have such a rare treasure here, don’t we? I have true love and “sister hood” with you all and it is such a balm to my heart. I don’t want to use this place for my whole story but I do want to apologize, I should have been more careful with my wording-it has been my most painful loss- but to clarify, they are still living. To briefly answer you Anna, when we decided to adopt a 3rd time, my Philip, my sisters did not approve and have since completely cut me out of their lives, excluding me from weddings, etc..I have not heard from them in over 4 years. I would have said we were close before. Honestly I think it’s brokenness in our family that was just brought to light through this, and I now, at least most days, I grieve more for them than myself.
Oh Lizzy: don’t ever apologize for sharing your story. There is power in our word of testimony to slay the accuser of our brethren. By not hiding your difficult and painful journey, nor your falling and getting back up again through it, you are giving glory to the love, truth and grace of God. There will be others who are too ashamed to share their stories and believe God is punishing them for their very obedience to Him. Your story has the power to embrace them in the truth and to quash the lies of the enemy.
Sending love and hugs. Broken relationships are like a death. Something dies in us, but the more death we walk through the more room is made in us for the life and love and grace of God. You are a more beautiful soul, reflecting more light, because of these deaths. Don’t hide it. Let God use it to bless and uplift His Body.
May He set you in a place where your ongoing testimony will shine light into the darkness and free your brothers and sisters from fear, unbelief and shame.
Lizzy, you must truly know that you do have many sisters here, and that we love you! I loved hearing about how all those little birds filled your driveway….really an illustration of what you had just read.
Lizzy! Love the bird story! We must be quiet sometimes (in our minds) to really be able to see and know He is near. If we aren’t paying attention, we might miss it.
Yesterday I woke up and prayed to God that He would show me a little sign about something on my heart. As I was helping Cooper get ready for church he wanted to wear a “Noah” bracelet that I bought him at the Sight and Sound theatre. We got to church and our pastor was preaching on Noah! Whoa….the situation on my heart is a difficult one; hard to believe. Noah’s story is one that is hard to believe, but because of his FAITH, God took care of him.
I too love my sisters here in the blog. You are my rock at times!
Oh my goodness, Laura. YOU just made my day with that story. It is a VERY specific answer to a prayer God gave me to speak over you. He is just so so amazing. I told my daughter about you yesterday and how much joy your posts are bringing me because this is not the first time I’ve seen this happen. God’s Spirit truly moves us to pray with His heart for others.
It’s making me weep thinking of your own Mama and her prayers being fulfilled in your life.
oh Laura–love this! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA!!! oh you are so very very loved here, by me, and all of us! You are a gift!
😊
Day 1. The Disciple Jesus Loved
What stands out to you from the above and why?
Two things.
That the trauma triggers Annie experienced each time were in fact God’s invitation into healing. He was calling out to her through her body crying out. His Body, His Temple, was crying out for her and her birth Mama to be reunited and for truth to replace the lies.
It makes me weep because God did and is still doing the same for me. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been God’s greatest gift to me. Each trigger is uncovering more of His love and truth and grace in my life.
Secondly: how God awakens praise in the least expected places and circumstances. The story of those two ladies makes me remember so many times God has dropped a worship song in my heart and had me singing with such joy in the knowledge of His love, when moments earlier I was overcome in grief or fear or shame. It also reminds me of my Mum constantly singing praise and worship around our home.
Even tonight, as I was hearing the enemy hiss, God suddenly dropped the Doxology song (Praise God from whom all blessings flow) into my heart and I sang it aloud under the shower. Through that song God reminded me of a book a Finnish missionary friend gave me that suddenly changed how I saw what had happened when I was little. I suddenly saw it as God’s appointing of me, rather than His rejection of me.
It was so powerful and so as I thought of that as I sang, I felt God shower me in affection and what moments earlier felt like a piercing rejection, I received as an opportunity to stand in faith, love and praise.
Holy Spirit prompted praise is so powerful. Makes me think of that verse:
Psalm 8:2 NIV
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
In our desperate childlike cries for help, His perfect praise breaks forth to lift us high! Praise Him!
John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
I know it because He makes it known to me, again and again and again and again. When I want to get angry and hate and control, either He gently calls me to be still to let Him give me His eyes and His heart or I cry out aloud: “Help me, God!” As I did with my daughter tonight and He takes over.
We were laughing and hugging and praising God’s love for us both as He made my heart melt. My daughter replied: “Mama, God doesn’t just help you to love me, He gives you a sense of humor too.” I laughed so much. You see, I am the serious one. My husband is the one with humor who makes our girls and me laugh. I told my daughter: that’s because Jesus has a sense of humor too.
Read John 21:18-25 In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. Why do you think He does this?
So that one day Peter would remember, as he faced those very circumstances and see God’s hand upon it all, having peace in the midst of it. And so that Peter would look back and be able to count it all joy, glorifying God and thanking Him for the humility He had worked in his (Peter’s) heart through the years.
It reminds me of a prophecy someone spoke over me as a twelve year old after my baptism. That person spoke of me being at a place where I could choose to run or not. And that if I ran, I would end up overseas, working with lots of young children.
At the time, I was walking through trauma and the prophecy spoken over me just petrified me even more. But now, I see that God knew my weakness and wanted me one day to be able to look back and see that He knew what I would choose. He wanted me to one day recognize how He had gone before me to prepare the way for my return and the unveiling of my (irrevocable) calling to receive and give others the grace God has given me (my name means grace).
I became an au pair in Germany at 19, then an au pair in Switzerland at age 20, where I met my Dutch husband and then a nanny in the Netherlands, while also studying toward my Masters. Later, I went back to University to be qualified to teach high school English, which I did for six years and am doing part-time now again. And God has also given me a vision of future work with traumatized children. So: that prophecy has been fulfilled and is still being fulfilled.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
It reminds me of my childhood memories of Romania. Through persecution there, the church grew exponentially. It also reminds me of a newsletter I get regularly from an American couple, who run house churches with former Muslims in France.
I met the man at a writer’s course in Burtigny, Switzerland, and he shared how it is the love of those being persecuted for the very ones persecuting them in Muslim countries that has stunned Muslims and caused an unseen awakening of souls to Jesus, as they have begun to ask more about this Jesus who causes His followers to love the very ones who hate and mistreat them.
Through that newsletter I also heard of so many stories of Muslims being awakened to faith through dreams of Jesus. I think that persecution also grows prayer life in a place and prayer moves mountains (think Stephen’s prayers for Saul turned Paul).
It reminds me of what the head of the YWAM base in Burtigny, Switzerland, told me. He told me that that base opened on the site, where for hundreds of years the saints had faithfully prayed for God to move. He said you could feel that the veil is thinner in that place. And I agree with him.
I had an incredible experience there at my writers’ retreat in so many ways, right before intense spiritual attack began at my church as God asked me to step out in faith and obedience. My prayer time with God in that place was so intimate, the community of Christian writers (almost all missionaries) was so beautiful and genuine, prophetic Words were spoken over me that have since been fulfilled. And I was bathed in love and encouragement by those present and went home telling my husband that I had forgotten what it felt like to receive such love and encouragement and not just be the one to give it. The leader of the retreat also became a huge gift to me from afar, through the intense attack thereafter.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask,
Who would betray him. And if it was John.
what does Jesus reply,
Jesus says to Him: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
and why, do you think?
I think to show Peter what he was doing: how he was taking his eyes off of Jesus and His call to Peter to follow Him, by him pointing the finger at another because of his own insecurities and jealousy.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
Suffering proves the presence, mercy and love of Jesus the most. I now look back on the suffering my little brother endured in our family home and see God’s master plan. He has grown love, compassion and mercy in all of our hearts – for each other and for others also – through what unfolded.
As a little girl, all I saw was my adopted brother’s suffering and the absence of God’s love for him and for me in my speaking up, in obedience to His Word to me. Now, I see my parents’ deep pain, the attacks of the enemy they experienced, God’s pride in me as I stepped out in faith and spoke up, His longing to show me more (my parents’ need for love and mercy), and an overflow of love and mercy present for each one of us as we hardened our hearts in sin. And I see how He answered my many many tear filled prayers in unexpected and incredible ways: more than twenty years later.
Amazingly, even this answer began to unfold through suffering, through my Mum’s battle with incurable brain cancer.
Dad also shared a new story with me a few days ago that again reminded me how suffering reveals God’s tender compassion the most. He gave me permission to share it with you all (it is part of a postscript to his life story and my Mum’s):
“One such story, which also became part of Margaret’s and my story, began when we were both back in Moosburg (Germany) in July 2013 and I discovered a book in the bookshop there which I knew so well from our four and a half years in the town in the late 1980s. It consists of 300 pages of letters between Helmuth von Moltke and his wife Freya, all written during the five months of imprisonment before his execution as a leader in the resistance against Hitler.
Virtually every German then knew who he was – the direct descendant of his namesake, the military genius who masterminded the victory of Prussia over France in 1871. The Nazis therefore revered the von Moltke name and assigned Helmuth to the army’s high command (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht). However, by 1938, Helmuth had formed a secret group of influential Germans who planned a democratic constitution and totally new political and economic structures to replace the Nazi state. He succeeded in uniting a broad range of experts, including both leading Catholics and Protestants, as well as Socialists and Conservatives. Above all they sought a restoration of Christian values, the loss of which they believed had facilitated Hitler’s rise. They also foresaw a federal unification of European nations which guaranteed freedom of religious faith and conscience based on personal responsibility.
It is notable that his single-handed initiative prevented a number of massacres of innocent civilians in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe and he was also involved in the clandestine preparations for the evacuation of most Jews in Denmark by small boats to Sweden. Over 7,000 were saved and nearly all of the 485 who were rounded up on October 2, 1943 and deported to Theresienstadt (Terezin) in occupied Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) managed, thanks to Red Cross intervention, to survive the war. They all left for Sweden on the 15th of May 1945.
When, in 1944, Helmuth became aware of the imminent arrest of a member of the resistance outside of his group, he warned him. However the Gestapo learned of this, arresting Helmuth and imprisoning him. Peter Yorck then took over the leadership of is the Kreisau Circle, but when Peter’s cousin, Claus von Stauffenberg was arrested and executed after his famous, failed attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20, Peter too was arrested and executed.
The amazing thing for me about the letters of this couple, who were so deeply in love, is that throughout this period of five months, they were aware, that despite the pending ‘show trial’ Helmuth (like Margaret) was under a death sentence. I devoured the book, inspired by their faith and courage, both of which grew markedly during those last five months. In fact I translated portions of it and used them, with a PowerPoint containing photos and text, as the basis of a whole week of morning devotions with the staff at … school in early October, just over one month before Margaret and I, with Samuel, received the news of her ‘death sentence’ – also certain, but with, at first, an indeterminate time period of a few months – which also turned out to be five months. Before we, like Helmuth and Freya, had to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I was divinely prepared and strengthened in spirit by the words of them both.
Unusually Freya was also able to visit him five times and even have communion together, thanks to the courageous Chaplain, Harald Poelchau, who smuggled all of their letters in and out. Communion was, also, for Margaret and me, a time full of grace, comfort and a special kind of joy, the joy that Jesus assures us all, cannot be taken away by others:
Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice,
and no-one is going to take your joy away from you.
And on that day you will not question Me about anything. (John 16:22-23, NASB 2020)
Extracts from the letters of Freya and Helmuth von Moltke:
When you live facing death, liberal ideas no longer sustain you. (Freya)
My main sin has been ingratitude – not just for my life, but daily for all the good things I have been given. Please pray for me, that I will learn humility and thankfulness, that I may know God’s grace in all the ups and downs of life. …God would much rather give grace than withhold it. Somehow we’re frequently not capable of grasping or receiving grace. …You can’t possess God and carry Him around with you. God’s grace must be gifted to you, new every moment.
Anna I listen to Christian praise music too when I’m starting to feel down and overwhelmed. It turns the situation right back around. It’s amazing to me just how many ways God shows he’s with us.
The love of Jesus is beyond measure, isn’t it? Past finding out. Julie: what songs does God most often bring to your heart when you are struggling?
Anna, I don’t have anything specific. I turn on Pandor and let mey Christian songs go on shuffle. It seems that God know which ones I need to hear, because my mood changes just by hearing the songs that play.
Your background, Anna, of a little girl in Romania, growing up in Europe, and your many experiences brings a richness here.
I, too, am discovering more and more “richness” in the stories people are sharing here in our midst. Thank you for this space to share and to receive, Dee.
Much richness! So glad to have Anna here, too!
Anna, You have lived a very fascinating life. Thanks for sharing.
God’s pretty fascinating in how He weaves things together, isn’t He? How have you seen Him surprise you with His weaving and connecting lately?
Anna, I’ve been meaning to go back through your post and re-read it carefully. It is so interesting and also I see now the connection your dad and mom had with the letters of Helmuth and Freya. Thank you for sharing. Are you originally from Deutschland or Romania? My mother’s father’s family was from Romania; my grandpa was the first to be born in America.
Day 1. The Disciple Jesus Loved
What stands out to you from the above and why? – WOW the faith of the two women was amazing. How easy it would have been to just denounce Jesus, but they loved Him enough to not. They put His love and what he did for them before their own life. How wonderful for Annie, to get such a sweet release from the words of her biological mother, made my heart happy for her. I was also a bit amazed how freely the news casters repeated the name Jesus after the interview was over. If only more would do that we may see a different out come on the news.
John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment? – Just today my husband and I went physically to chruch after 10 months of being at home watching. I felt His presence come over me during worship, like he was saying, ‘I’m so glad you came back’. I even know in my suffering and disappoints that he is there with me because my sullenness or feeling down doesn’t last. I have a sense of peace and hope come to me much quicker. He is always with me, I just need to be observant and look for him.
Read John 21:18-25
In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this? – The first thing that comes to me on this, is to see just how much Peter has changed in showing his love for Jesus. If Jesus didn’t mention it, Peter would think his life would now be easy, but he told him and Peter still wanted to follow Jesus. It appeared that the death that would come to him didn’t even matter anymore to Peter. He was back in relationship with Jesus and that was the most important thing to Peter now.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain. – Oh my, I have no idea what this means, but I will take a guess. Does it mean that those who died a martyrs death were the ones that first introduced to us just how to love Jesus. That they loved him so much their own lives became 2nd to his. That their blood was what started the church, showing just what it meant to love each other as Jesus loved us.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think? – Peter asked Jesus what would happen to the disciple he loved and Jesus told him not to worry about him, if he wants him to live until his return he will live. I think that Jesus is trying to get Peter to not have anything out of his control in his thoughts. There is nothing that Peter could do about this disciple and how long he lived. Jesus wanted Peter to worry about what Jesus has planned for his own life and no one elses.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God. – Oh but this is so not true. Jesus suffered more than any of us will ever suffer and he did it because he loved us unconditionally. He suffered because of the sin we carried, he took from us so we could freely live with God eternally. He suffered because HE IS LOVE.
So wonderful you had such a precious time of worship at church today. There’s something so good about worshipping together with others, isn’t there?
At my old church, I helped out by leading Mom & Tots worship on a weekday. It was always so much fun to see the vibrant life in the kids as they sung, danced and made music to the LORD. I can still see them before me.
May God continue to bless you and your husband as you set your hearts to worship Him throughout your days.
What stands out to you from the above and why? Everything! I found the audio book of Captive in Iran on Hoopla. I have downloaded it and will be listening to it this week. It reminded me of a woman that I heard on Focus on the Family years ago. Her name was Darlene Rose and it’s her testimony of her time as a WW2 prisoner. Her audio book Evidence Not Seen is also on Hoopla so I downloaded that as well. The story of Annie made me cry. I’m so glad that she found out that she was loved and wanted and that her biological mom can now know what happened to Annie and how God used these circumstances for good. My mom was forced to give up a baby when she was 15 and she has always wanted to know what happened to him. I have been trying for years to find him, but it hasn’t happened. Now that my mom is in the early stages of dementia, it probably won’t matter to her any more. I love Andrew Peterson’s voice, I was listening to him before church this morning. Thank you for introducing him to me.
John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment? At my lowest times I’ve never doubted Jesus’ love although I can’t say that I always “felt” it. Intellectually I know from reading the bible and hearing other’s testimonies that suffering and disappointment do not mean a lack of love on God’s part, but that all things work for good even if we can’t see it.
Read John 21:18-25
In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this? I’m not sure how this tells Peter his manner of death other than he will be lead where he doesn’t want to go.
Historians confirm that Peter was crucified, but that he asked to be crucified upside-down for he was not worthy to die as his Lord died. It is also historically confirmed that all the disciples were martyred except for John who died a natural death on the Island of Patmos.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain. Whenever there is a martyr death there are people who witness the event and it leaves them wondering ‘why were these people willing to die for what they believe?’ It causes them to look more seriously at Christianity. It produces converts. I learned a great deal about this when I read Fox’s Book of Martyrs (the DC Talk version).
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think? Peter asks what is going to happen to John? Jesus replies that even if John should live until Jesus’ second coming that is not Peter’s concern. We are not to live our lives in comparison to others. God directs each of our paths in His divine plan and we should not look to one person as more (or less) blessed just because of their circumstance.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God. If God gave only good things to good people and bad things to bad people then everyone would follow God, not out of love for Him and who He is, but out of what they can gain from it. We really wouldn’t have a choice and it would be pretty much that we are animals that live for self fulfillment. Suffering allows us to show God’s love to and through others. The fact that we realize that there is something intrinsically wrong with the suffering of others proves that there is a moral law and a higher force. God loves us so much that He allows our suffering to refine us and other’s suffering to move us to compassion, love for others and a desire to alleviate their suffering. Satan is the provider of suffering, but God allows it to prove Satan wrong and turn his evil for God’s ultimate glory. Nothing we suffer on this earth is comparable to what Christ suffered on the cross. He took the punishment for EVERYONE’S sin (every sin that was ever committed) and He experienced the absence of God, something that we never have.
I’m glad to know the audio book is on Hoopla, Dawn!
Dawn- Evidence not Seen was really good. A hard read, but shifted my perspective, challenged my comforts.
I also like what you pointed out about suffering bringing us to more compassion. My youngest, Philip, who we brought home 3 years ago from an unfortunately very bad orphanage in China, has true compassion for others. He also has a lot of medical issues, but I think God is using those hard things to give him a soft heart for others.
Lizzy, I pray for Philip often. My friend has adopted 3 children, 2 from China which had undisclosed medical conditions. Her reaction was that she was glad that God placed them with her family and that they can have a better life then they would have had if left in a Chinese orphanage.
Oh may Jesus make a way for that broken piece of your Mom’s heart to be restored even before she leaves for heaven. And may you get to see it bless her so much. What an ache she must have carried in her heart all those years.
Suffering can truly bring hearts together in unity, can’t it? What an older friend of mine has been opening my eyes to, is how through our intercession, God allows us to walk through the very heartache, suffering and even illnesses of those we have been interceding for, so that we pray from the same position of weakness as them and grow in our compassion for them. I can see that in my own life so much. Even in that He is joining our hearts together in Him.
Dawn, thanks for the book recommendations. I listened to Evidence not Seen… so very good! I have Captive in Iran ready to go. Looks like it will take me a while to get to the one I recommended!!
Dawn–you may not see this but your story of your Mom having to give up her child at 15, touched my heart and has stayed on my mind. I’m praying God will lead you to Him if it’s His will.
Day 1
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The precious picture of Annie…so wonderful how finding her mother has brought healing. Listening to the interview of the Iranian women. They are so beautiful and His love just radiates from them. It’s so interesting how in their testimony they had more freedom and opportunities to witness in prison…just like Paul. In the Insanity of God the author speaks to a Russian man, Dimitri, who was in prison for 17 years, the only believer among 1500 prisoners. He developed 2 spiritual habits that he learned from his father. Every morning he would stand by his bed at attention, face east, raise his arms in praise to God and sing a Heartsong to Jesus. The prisoners would laugh, bang their metal cups against the iron bars and sometimes throw food or human waste. The other discipline was that whenever he found a scrap of paper he’d pull out a stub of a pencil or a tiny piece of charcoal and as as tiny as he could would write Bible verses of Scriptural stories that he could remember. When the paper was filled up he’d walk to the corner of his cell where there was a concrete pillar and he’d reach as high as he could and stick it to the damp pillar as a praise offering to God. If it was found by one of the jailers they’d take it down and he’d be beaten. But he continued to do theses habits over and over. One day after the jailer found it he was beaten, threatened with execution and as he was dragged from his cell to the center of the prison and before stepping out to the place of execution 1500 hardened prisoners stood at attention by their beds, faced east and began to sing the Heartsong they’d heard him sing, which startled the jailers, they instantly released him and one demanded to know who he was, to which Dimitri responded very proudly, “I am a son of the Living God, and Jesus is His name!” They took him back to his cell and he was released from prison shortly after that.
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
It was engrained in me by my parents that Jesus giving His life for me was because of His great love for me. It was a truth that I accepted as a child, but one I experienced in times of suffering and disappointment…He has always been faithful and loved me through so much.
3. Read John 21:18-25
A. In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this?It’s interesting that at the end of verse 19 Jesus says “Follow Me.” I wonder if Jesus wanted to see how committed Peter was. Would he be willing to follow Him knowing how he would die?
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
I think that martyrdom, which is being a faithful witness, is all about planting a seed of the gospel.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
He asks about the disciple that Jesus loved.
”If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.”
I think He wanted Peter’s to put his focus on Him and not worry about others.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
There is suffering in this world because of sin/evil. Not that we suffer because of sin, although that may be the case sometimes. I think God allows suffering to purge us, to draw us closer to Him and to become more like Him. It is actually because He does love us that we suffer.
I think to really understand this you must be His child. To the world this is foolishness.
Those prison stories are so powerful. Thanks, Sharon.
Oh! I remember seeing a video of that scene once- of them singing his heart song. It was so powerful! Thank you for sharing this.
Yes and Amen to this: “I think God allows suffering to purge us, to draw us closer to Him and to become more like Him. It is actually because He does love us that we suffer.” I can see that so much in my life and I know I need this so much more to rid me of my pride and grow the love of Jesus in me.
Do you have a story of a hard thing you went through that birthed more of Jesus in you?
Day 1. The Disciple Jesus Loved
What stands out to you from the above and why?
The testimony of the two women is powerful. Their comment that they were more free in prison than outside to talk about and share Jesus is an amazing display of God to take His message of hope and salvation into the heart of one of the darkest prisons of the world.
And the song by Andrew Peterson is just rich and beautiful worship of Jesus. My husband gave me a set of Sony headphones for Christmas and the quality and beauty of listening to this song on them is so very rich.
But it is the sermon by Keller that stands out to me. His development of the point that Jesus has to be our Omega for our lives to have any real meaning and purpose is rich with truth and analogy for our lives as Christians. Way too many good points to be reiterated here.
John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
A simplistic response is because the Bible tells me so. But that is a truth that I base on the Word of God and either I believe it or I don’t. He has to be my Alpha (starting point) with that fact. He demonstrated his love for me in that while I was yet a sinner He died for me. That is ultimate love born out in his life and death and resurrection. Then as I look to Him to be my Omega (end point) or as Keller’s said the Point of my life I find Him in the middle of living where it gets hard and messy like the times of suffering and disappointment. My experience has been that in those times that are hard He makes himself known to me through His Word and His loving presence but that requires me to slow down and seek to be in dependent intimacy with Him and He never disappoints. If as Keller says I get outside of myself and start with Him I find myself in a relationship with Him that brings a freedom into my life. All means will bring me to Him as the End.
Read John 21:18-25
In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this?
Well it would have been somewhat of a preparation mentally and emotionally in light of where Peter was in his relationship to Jesus after making claims of fighting to the death for Jesus then failing so completely by denying Him before the crucifixion. I think it was essential that Jesus was pointing Peter to the importance of focusing on and following Him until his own death.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
Down through the history of the church and even yet today in most of the world where believers are persecuted and killed the world sees them stand for Jesus and it speaks to some that this Jesus they love and worship is worth dying for and it plants seed in their hearts to want to know Him too. At church this morning I was in discussion with a handful of people about the purge of conservative thinking that has started with the social media formats. Someone commented about the day that might come when we are not allowed to meet openly in our churches. My son commented that we can learn from the Chinese who have lived with great persecution and restrictions for years now but the church continues to thrive and grow.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
Peter wanted to know what was going to happen to John and I think if he would have to die for Christ as well.
Jesus basically said that is none of your business Peter because my will for him has nothing to do with you but you need to just follow me. Again I think Jesus wanted Peter to focus on him and make him his chief end.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
My first thought “Nothing proves there is not a loving God!”
I have run out of time to answer this because we have some company coming over tonight and this is not a short quick answer. I’ll revisit this later with more thought.
Bev: it really is so powerful that He is the Omega, isn’t it?
You know, like you, I was going to say that people are drawn to the light of Jesus when they see people wanting to die for their faith. But then I thought of the suicide bombers and asked myself- but what is it that sets Christian martyrs apart? And I realized it was their love for their captors and prison guards and executioners.
That is what stuns people even more I think. And makes them wonder how someone could love and pray for the very ones mistreating them. Just as Stephen did for Saul turned Paul.
I see us so focused on all the evil being perpetrated (me too) and so much room for us to grow in our love and prayer for those perpetrating the evil. Oh may Jesus grow His love and mercy in us so much.
The ultimate proof of His love is Him dying for me. So true.
My knee-jerk reaction was also, “because He loved us first” and I love your answer- because the Bible tells me so. Sometimes I have to fight a sense that these truths are too elementary but I know and have been convinced that hey have the power to pierce though the most complex disappointments and sorrows.
What stands out for me is the statement made by one of the women, “Jesus will give you freedom in prison.” It was amazing how they used this opportunity to witness to the women who were prostitutes and unbelievers. It reminded me of the stories from Corrie ten Boom and her sister and their love to prisoners when they were suffering so much.
How do I know that Jesus loves me? During the last 10 months of restrictions I have found much joy in becoming closer to him and seeing him work in the life of a loved one. I know he is with me and has given me hope. I do not fear but trust him more and know he hears and answers my prayers through all situations.
3. John 21:18-19 Jesus tells Peter how he is going to die. Why does he do this? Perhaps it is to prepare him or maybe even to test him as Peter tends to be so dramatic in all situations. I think we all somehow want to know what we will face, though then he asks about John!
Tertullian’s statement about suffering being the seed of the church. I tend to agree that during times of suffering we are ready to share our faith as we become stronger and know that the strength is coming from the Lord.
Peter asks about John and I think he really just wants to know what is ahead if John is so loved, but Jesus answers him quickly and it is not for him to know.
Suffering proves there is not a loving God. I know this is not true because there is much suffering in the world and through the tough times many come to a closer walk with God. Because of sin in the world there is definitely consequences that are reaped. This is the inevitable though I could not convince a nonbeliever I am sure.
I love the stories of Corrie ten Boom. The Hiding Place is in my husband’s home town, so I have visited more than once. I remember being so moved as a teenager reading her book and watching the movie too.
One of her stories that has stayed with me was of the prison guard who tortured her sister: how he turned up at one of her talks and as he stood there asking for her forgiveness she cried out to God, asking for His help to do so.
It’s then she remembered the verse that Christ has shed abroad His love into heart through the Holy Spirit and she realized that she could forgive him from that love living inside of her. And she did.
Anna, this too is one of the stories that have stayed with me the most. The first time that I heard it was on the radio from Corrie herself. I was easily able to imagine myself and how I’d react in her shoes. To be able to give up the anger and resent almost seems disloyal to her sister. It was definitely Christ that gave her the love.
You know, I really needed that reminder, Dawn. Thank you! So true that it must have felt “disloyal” to her sister.
Wow, that’s just given me such insight into something! How we can feel so disloyal and unloving for speaking the truth of the Gospel and God’s grace toward us, His children, when doing so puts us in direct opposition to those our friends revere in the church. And yet we are being MOST loving and MOST loyal to them by standing in the truth.
Connie’s sister was full of the love and truth and grace of Jesus. So awful how the enemy twists the truth and causes us to hate. Praise God for His saving grace (and LOVE) at work in us.
4. Read Revelation 1:8 A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
God is the beginning and the end. He encompasses all. He knows all, rules all, creates all…
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
He is the One who sits beside the Father, He is the One who saved us from our sin on through His death on the Cross, He is the One who will come in glory to bring us to the new Kingdom one Day.
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
He will come to judge and reward.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations.
I love this whole song (and album!) so much. I love the truth that He holds all things together—I trust Him alone. We do not have to fear who is in charge in any arena, it is Jesus who holds all things. And by His Cross, He made peace. The only true peace, the only peace we really need, is that the Battle is won, by the Cross.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened.
Jesus is the Alpha-He is uncreated, is beginning-less there was nothing before Him, He is Creator, He is our origin, He is the One out of whom everyone has come. What difference does it make?
I must start with Him. All of my thinking must start with Him. We naturally start with ourselves, but we must start outside of ourselves to ever find or understand ourselves. We must start with the Alpha. Our perspective must shift from self to Jesus. Start with Him because He is the Alpha, and everything else will make sense.
He is also the Omega, the last. Every end is found in Him. All of creation is for Him. He is the final judge. Paul says in Him all the promises find their yes and amen. That means every need you’ve got will be answered in Him someday. If you orient yourself toward Him all your needs point to Him, all your problems will be resolved in Him, all problems in the world will be put down by Him. Everything in history is moving toward Him and His glory and His kingdom.
What this means in our daily life is Jesus must be your Omega point. We tend to make Jesus someone who will get us to our “omega”, our ultimate.
Jesus is not a battery for our old life—He IS our New Life. Christianity means the restructuring of your omega points.
The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If He is my first and my last, He is also my “middle”. Those who say we’re accidents, their beginning and end have no meaning, and while they try to insist their life is meaningful—it cannot be.
If you’re a Christian and you’re Alpha is Jesus-meaningful. And your Omega is to rule and reign with him-meaningful. And if your alpha and your Omega are meaningful then every moment of your life is meaningful to God. And no matter how things look, we have nothing to fear.
I love that song so much too. Someone sent me to it once and I cried and cried and cried as I heard the very verse from Colossians God had been speaking over me through all the breaking that He was taking me through:
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
You know what’s so beautiful? That even those who don’t yet know God carry His image. That there is meaning to their life also, and one day they will see it and be awestruck by the intricacies and glory of their Maker. And we will weep and rejoice and be in awe of our Maker too.
All my thinking must start with Him. So true. And not the battery for our old life!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? The testimony of the two women held as prisoners in Iran for their faith. They said that they were more free to talk about Jesus IN prison than outside of prison. I wonder how strong my faith and testimony would be if placed in same situation. I pray that I would make my Father proud and not disappoint Him.
Also, Annie’s story touched me. The truth (from Annie’s biological mom) brought light to Annie’s life and dispelled the lies, the depression, and the darkness. What a beautiful picture of Christ’s light for us too. I imagine this happened for Annie’s biological mom as well now that she knows her daughter’s story.
Dee, I have a question though – one that I struggle with with my own daughters’ stories, one that I don’t know how much to share of “my story” because my daughters’ stories are involved: isn’t this also your story (not just Annie’s story to tell) in terms of healing for, (I imagine) you? Did you struggle with guilt feelings (that Annie did have this struggle) or questions of “what could I/we have done differently?” in order to protect her from such feelings, sufferings, and depressions? Did your “mama’s heart” for Annie experience healing too? And isn’t that your story? I understand, I get that this is part of our daughters’ faith journey – but it is also part of our faith journey in turning our kids over to the Lord. So – I guess my question is: how do you know how much to share? Certainly we’re lead by the Holy Spirit and we rely on His leading. Sometimes though, I just really struggle with the fine line of ‘hiding in the dark,’ feeling guilty that I didn’t help my daughters more or even feel ashamed that they’re not walking with the Lord. Even in this blog (especially when it’s not password protected) sometimes I feel concern about being “exposed.” I know we can choose what & how much to share, but the struggle is still there. Does anyone else feel this? Maybe I’ve shared too much even here?
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment? Jesus is faithful and good all the time, in good times, and 😲ad times, He is faithful! He loves me (🎵yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so! 😉), He won’t ever leave me or let me go. I am firmly held in Him. The Bible is FULL of stories of God’s love to and for His children, the Bible IS God’s love letter to us! I love the song, “Blessed be Your Name.” Every time we sing this, I’m reminded of my “dark years” and of Job’s story, and of coming to my own crossroads of choosing life or death, blessing or curse (from Duet 30). Some of the lyrics are: every blessing You pour out, I’ll turn back to praise; when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name, blessed be your glorious name, He gives and takes away, still I will say, blessed be Your name.” (Here’s a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cAvqByM1Fk)
3. Read John 21:18-25
A. In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this? Prior to this revelation, Jesus also told Peter of his betrayal before Jesus’ crucifixion. Here we see the Lord restored Peter to Himself and to His ministry commissioning him to . . . “tend My lambs . . . , shepherd My sheep, . . . and tend My sheep.” He then tells Peter how he would die and glorify God, and tells Peter to “follow Me.”
Perhaps there is some significance that Peter’s betrayal of Jesus and Peter’s means of death were foretold to Peter. I think both speak to a broken man, restored by the Lord, living a life in humble service and obedience, shepherding his/His lambs and sheep, following his Lord even unto death on a cross – and all of this to God’s glory! (Wow! 😲 This question has been rich for me to consider, ponder, and flesh out. I appreciate Peter and his love for Jesus even more now.)
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain. From the beginning of time, the Gospel continues to go forth and cannot be silenced. The unjust deaths of martyrs and their blood spilled on the ground causes the seed of the church to continue to grow. Satan will not be victorious in this battle – no matter what he does. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world.”
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think? I think Peter gets caught up in “who’s the favorite? who will be first in the kingdom” when he sees John. These are two strong personalities and Peter seems to still be in a competition with John here, asking Jesus “what about him?” Jesus tells Peter to knock it off, it’s not Peter’s concern what John’s path will be, and he doesn’t need to worry about (or compare himself to) John. Rather Jesus tells Peter to “follow Me.”
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God. Oh, on the contrary, suffering proves there is a God, indeed and a God who DOES love us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “. . . do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom he receives.” And when we suffer, we are not alone, the Lord does not leave us to go it on our own. Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you; surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” And the verses Dee, you most recently had us memorize: Isaiah 43:1-3a “But now, thus says the Lord, your creator O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel; “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched;, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” So many other Scriptures could be quoted to prove His love for us.
Karmen: I love your questions for Dee. I think it’s so important to speak up about things like this and bring things into the light.
A while ago, I started a blog (since closed down) for parents of Prodigals. My spiritual Mama and several Grandmas in fact, wrote for it. They have incredible testimonies of healing to not just their kids’ hearts but their own hearts also through their kids’ stories. If I had your email address I could email you some.
I saw God heal my Mum’s heart through my adopted brother’s story too. I still think that it was her inability to get through to him when he was little that drove her to become a preschool teacher who was known for “taking on the difficult kids”.
She loved on so many little kids (and their solo Mamas too) because of the ache in her heart for my brother. And then she graduated as a Christian counselor four months before dying. She just kept going deeper to understand and love those she struggled to.
And yet the funny thing with that is that she spoke at the end of how that counseling course in fact healed her own heart so much. How she never realized the healing she needed herself.
She always spoke of my little brother as her miracle. But at her funeral my brother spoke of her being his miracle and unlike all us other kids, he didn’t glorify my Mum: he glorified Jesus inside of her: the transformative work of God in her life and heart. So many people came up to me after the funeral to say how deeply moved they were by my brother’s sharing. Interestingly, he also ended his sharing in prayer.
Karmen — good questions. Yes, much is my story but when interwoven with a child’s story, I seek permission first. This is so new, so raw for her, she’s not ready. I faced a similar situation with Sally and her first marriage to a man who turned out to be abusive. I wanted to tell it to warn others but she was not ready until this year — which is almost twenty years later! But if she had been, I would have told it. I shared what I could before that without making her uncomfortable.
What you have shared has been very inspiring to me, and also, helping me to pray for you. I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie Ride On — a true story of a mixed couple adopting a very troubled teen. It does take supernatural love to overcome damage wrought to children like that, and I pray that for you and your daughter!
Dee, I watched Ride On the other day..You are right. It is an amazing-true story.
Dee, what format did you use to access the movie?
Karmen, I so appreciate your story, what you’ve been able to tell. My heart goes out to you and I feel your pain sometimes. I also worry about the blog not being password protected because I did a google search of my name once and was shocked that my comments in Dee’s blog popped up. It has really made me think twice before I post sensitive things here, though we need each other so much and the opportunity to be free in what we say.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The Iranian ladies imprisonment is amazing. They were so faithful and courageous! They were positive and showed Jesus to others in the prison.
Also, sweet Annie’s story. I can understand how she would be nervous around her children’s 5th birthday. I’m glad she resolved some things with her biological mom.
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
Well, I’m not sure I do know this. I guess when I am really sad and suffering I try to find something in the Bible that encourages me. I listen to Christian music to remind me. I come here and ask for prayers and you lift me up.
3. Read John 21:18-25
In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this?
I think he wants to prepare Peter.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
Seeds grow when they are watered and fed. The martyrs’ blood make others take notice and want to join a movement where the people are so committed.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
Peter asks what will happen to John. Jesus tells him if He wants him to live, what is it to Peter? I think Peter is being human and fishing for information. I think Jesus wanted someone to record all the events that occurred after His death and beyond. That’s why John says the bit at the end about too much to write.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
My mom would have said that to know peace you would have to suffer to understand. Jesus suffered the most to show His love for us.
I love what your Mom said. In Hebrew the Word shalom, or peace, also means when all parts are joined into a whole. How can you see Jesus doing that through the pain you are walking through, Laura? How are the Promises of His Word (the completion only God can bring) becoming more and more precious to you? How is God opening your eyes to Him being both the Alpha and Omega of our faith and life?
I so love this picture you gave: “Seeds grow when they are watered and fed.” Here the blood of Jesus is what makes the seeds grow. And when the martyrs die the blood of Jesus flows: for, it’s the life of Jesus in them that compels them to walk to their death to glorify Him.
His love flows in the laying down of their lives: not just in their dying but their loving of their persecutors. They are pouring the blood of mercy over their persecutors. Standing in love in the face of hate.
Laura — thanks for sharing you are not sure you know Jesus loves you, for I will pray it will become so apparent. Do you think it is because you feel suffering means He does not?
It’s not the suffering bit, I know life isn’t going to be pretty all the time. It’s just hard to remember that He loves me because He is not physically here. I pray and it seems to be ignored. I know that how I think things should turn out (with prayer) might not look the way He plays situations out. I wish we could have the miracles given in our time, so we can see with our eyes what they saw. We sometimes get glimpses, like I did last Sunday, but for me it is few and far between. I know all the things in my head, that He loves me, He is with me, etc. but sometimes I need something to happen to remind me.
I understand!
Hugs! I hear you on the physical presence thing. Missing our families is a huge thing. Laura: our family is a piece of Jesus and that being torn from them is a very real ache. Oh how He gets that like no other: in how we were torn from Him through our sin.
Speak to Him not just about what you desire, but also about what hurts your heart so much. Not naming that and being real about it puts distance between God and us because that pain morphs into bitterness and unbelief.
Be honest about the pain and then ask Him to speak to you through His Word. Listen. He might bring a song to mind, or a verse from the Bible or a memory.
And oh how I know the pain of praying, feeling like nothing is shifting. I have prayed more than six years for my husband to see. The prayers I prayed over my little brother and Dad as a twelve year old are yet to be fully answered. But I have hope because of what God did in my Mum and little brother in 2013.
Laura: but do you see what He’s growing in us both? Perserverance. But perserverance actually means a deeper abiding through suffering. A dwelling in Jesus, so that we live as if what He has promised us is already here.
You see: there is NO distance in the Spirit of God. Jesus can join us so much in Spirit that it is as if we are right there in the completion. He gives us eyes to see what we couldn’t before and fills us with such joy and peace. And then we begin to see that He IS working: gently, quietly and lovingly. Like I have seen Him doing in my little brother and my Dad and my husband too. He is healing their hearts and mine too.
Don’t let that mean enemy do what he did to me: make you believe Jesus doesn’t love you or hear your pleas and stop you from praying. Hugs!!
Day 2
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
The beginning and the end…eternal. He has authority over all of human history.
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
He is the One who exists forever, in the past and is to come. He was there before and when the world was created, He is living in each of His children now and one day He will return to retrieve His bride and set up His kingdom. I go back to the Trinity being like a dance…all three are dancing through history.
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
Just that He is coming soon to give each one according to the merits of his deeds.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations.
This song is from Colossians 1:15-18. He is the super glue of all things! I just love it when scripture is put to a song!
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened.
I have not listened to it yet, but plan on it.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Annie’s story. I am so happy she connected with her biological mother and knows she is loved by her. That was a huge step of faith for her.
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment? Through remembering how He comforted me and answered my prayer. There are so many instances where Jesus helped me in my latest trial. It is quite a story!
Read John 21:18-25
In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this? Peter denied Jesus when under great pressure. Maybe Jesus told him this to encourage him that he won’t deny Jesus this next time for His faith isn’t from himself but from God for God will strengthen and mature him. The fact that Peter asked to be crucified upside down is huge-sooo opposite of earlier when he denied Jesus.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain. That is the kind of love God wants us to have for Him. That is the bottom line for if we love God that much where we will be willing to be martyred for Him, then we will love others and give our lives for them. That kind of love is His love in us-empowered by His Spirit inside us.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think? Peter asked how John would die. Jesus replied, what is it to you how he dies-what if I want him to live until I return? You must follow me. Jesus was correcting Peter for He knew Peter’s heart behind the question. Perhaps Peter’s eyes were off the prize and fixed on John’s death-maybe comparing it to his. Jesus wants Peter to be fixed on Jesus.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God. I am not sure why God allows suffering-it is a mystery, but I do know that He desires to walk with us through it. This is why I think suffering is an opportunity to experience God’s love even more which puts us in a much better place while suffering, and after the suffering.
I love your insight with Peter. So true that Jesus is showing Peter that his faith will one day no longer be in himself, but be in God and that this is what will enable him to die on a Cross like his Savior, but upside down in complete humilty.
I was reading in Acts 4 and 5 last night and every time I read of Peter speaking so boldly before those wanting to kill him, it makes me think of how when Jesus was led away to die, Peter stood warming himself by the fires of the enemy: literally and spiritually. It is just so stunning how upside down Jesus turns Peter: in his thinking, speaking and doing.
I also love that you pointed out that Jesus knew Peter’s heart. He knew both his desire to follow Jesus and his weakness that would first enslave him in sin, but then become that which drew him to the foot of the Cross, becoming his empowering to love and forgive others, as Christ loved and forgave him.
Thankful for your presence here and the way you make me stop and see things from another angle.
BTW what you shared on Peter, so connects with what I was reading this morning:
Psalm 5:8 ESV
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
I would so love to hear more about the answers to prayers God is bringing you. It always encourages me to hear others’ stories of God’s faithfulness.
Day 2. The Alpha and The Omega
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
That the LORD our God is the beginning and end of all. That all is held in His Promise of completion, even when it doesn’t look or feel like it, we can deep down know it to be true. And every time we can’t see it with our physical eyes we can invite Jesus to reveal His character of completion and wholeness to us through His Word: to fill our eyes and body with the light of His steadfast love.
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
In the beginning the Word (Jesus) was with God (The One who was).
Right now, Jesus is present with us (The One who is) through His Living Word (the Bible and the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the Bible).
In the future (The One who is to come), Jesus will return again in the flesh:
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
That the reward of Christ’s suffering (the souls He has won) will be with Him, when He returns. That He will give to each of us according to what we have done. In our daily repentance we walk in the LORD. So, I wonder if our reward will be the same as our LORD’s then? To see the reward of His suffering: all the souls – our own and others – saved and safely held by Jesus.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations.
I know this song so well. Before I first heard it Jesus gave me Colossians 1:17 as a Promise to cling to:
“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
As I sung this song by Peterson, that a person in an online Christian community sent me to, I wept and wept. That verse is meaningful in two ways to me:
It reminds me of the beautiful visions God gave me of my Mum’s body healed and whole and no longer ravaged by cancer.
It reminds me of the visions of heaven God gave me, of throngs and throngs of saints, holding hands and praising Jesus.
And in so doing it strengthens my heart in the truth of God’s Body returning: healed and whole and made complete in Christ.
But as I listened again today, this struck me so deeply:
“He made peace, He made peace
He made peace by the blood of His cross
He made peace, He made peace
He made peace by the blood of His cross”
and how Peterson wove it together with the echo of “all things, He holds all things together”. So reflects the meaning of peace in Hebrew: all essential parts being joined into a whole.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened.
This was so good! It gave me words for what God has been doing in my heart. When I came back to faith I was so excited and wanted to tell everyone how amazing God is: especially in my church. But in that telling everyone I can also look back and see this expectation in my heart: “This time they are going to receive me in love. This time they will love me. This time they will honor Jesus in me.” My end or Omega was the love and approval of my church leaders (reflecting the love and approval of my Dad) and of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, what God did was ask me to do and say things in obedience to Him that made the leadership and brothers and sisters in Christ turn against me. At first, I saw this rejection as God’s rejection: just as I did as a kid. But then God showed me how if I put my eyes on HIM as my end-point or Omega what was a rejection in my eyes became an appointment through His eyes to stand in love and faith and trust in Him. To see the leadership and my brothers and sisters through his eyes.
Simultaneously, He did the same in my relationship with my Dad. He first asked me to speak up once again about something. At first that made things feel like they were falling apart between us. And they were: but only to fall back into place in Christ.
I can now talk to my Dad about more than surface stuff and my heart is filled with compassion for all that he has walked through and God so broke my heart for my sin of judging him, rather than walking in the love and mercy of Jesus for him: both as a kid and as an adult.
CHRIST shifted my Omega- point and meaning in life- from man’s approval to His approval and He’s still taking that shift deeper and deeper. Uprooting more and more things I have put my trust in to reroot my trust in His love for me that flows from His living Word to me. It truly is about making God the end, not the means to our end.
It made me see how my fleshly focus is so much on the here and now. So, if Jesus tells me to do something and it doesn’t produce the result I expect or in my timing, my flesh causes me to think: “See, Anna, God doesn’t love you.” But it’s in that Jesus is teaching me to step back, get real silent before Him and listen for HIS Word to me.
I so relate to what he shared both about Moses and Jonah. I too have been through a wilderness season. God has been breaking my heart in such repentance: even through this Bible study group. I so agree that “a broken man is a much more attractive leader”. Oh may He continue to humble me beneath His mighty hand.
What Keller didn’t note in the story of Moses is that when God first asks Moses to be His mouthpiece, after that wilderness of 40 years, that Moses says he can’t be. He goes from being so full of himself that he kills an Egyptian to “save” his brothers and sisters, to believing himself incapable of God’s calling. It’s then God shows Moses as he leads the people that all Moses needs is Him: Moses’ leadership flows from an intimacy with God, from seeking God’s face and not from seeking popularity.
I love what Keller said about Omega points being non-negotiables. “If I don’t have that it’s all pointless.” So so true. If we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing
Anna, that part of the song, “He made peace,,,” really stuck out to me too!! He made peace by the blood of the cross…something so violent became so beautiful!
Oh my, Sharon! Oh how I feel the Holy Spirit’s touch on what you just shared: the violence of the Cross being the very birthing place of beauty. It so fits with the verse I just quoted to Rebecca:
Psalm 5:8 ESV
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
It’s our “enemies” that birth the fruit of righteousness in us, as God turns our hatred and judgment of others into bold and unwavering love, truth and grace.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why? I know how Jesus can break lies of the enemy that slowly have crept in my heart. He exposed them and continues to reveal them. The phrase “10 years ago” has been coming up many times in sermons and conversations in regard to accepted lies we/I have allowed to masquerade as truth. I have been asking the Lord, what does it mean to take a stand without resorting to weapons of the flesh- He is beginning to answer, He is filling me with joy via the Truth of His Word (Piper’s Solid Joy devotion this morning was about the passion believers must have for Truth”.
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment? Because of moments like this morning, where I ask Him a question and He answers it. Because of moments where I am disappointed and He grabs my attention to the identity I have Him by disrupting my train of thought and putting my eyes on Jesus. Two weeks ago, “Do not let your heart be trouble, because He cares for you” kept coming up in sermons, devotions, etc- I kept asking Him…why? My heart is not troubled. Then my sisters’ husband had a relapse of addiction. They are back together again, through the times they were not, my heart was not troubled. Jesus cared so much for me that He prepared me for this time.
Read John 21:18-25
In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this? Maybe he compared himself to others (like I have to fight) to see how he fared spiritually?Historians confirm that Peter was crucified, but that he asked to be crucified upside-down for he was not worthy to die as his Lord died. It is also historically confirmed that all the disciples were martyred except for John who died a natural death on the Island of Patmos.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain. The martyrs followed the example of Jesus, laying their lives without violence. The Lord used the continuing testimony of Jesus’ willing sacrifice to draw others to Him.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think? Peter asks about John’s death. Jesus says “what is that to you. Follow me.” Again this reminds me to follow Jesus without comparing myself to others. It’s a structure that battles against community and harmony.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God. John 3:16. I used to see this written out in public everywhere- like even graffiti…I see it rarely now. This truth remains the most True.
Devina — love your story on how God prepared you for something hard.
So precious how He prepared you through His Word, Devina. And that you paid attention tells me a lot also about your hunger and thirst for His Word.
I also love what you said about the martyrs choosing to lay themselves down without resorting to violence. That violence can be both words and deeds. Oh may Jesus guard our hearts and minds and mouths in these turbulent times to bless and not curse.
This is so interesting too: “accepted lies we/I have allowed to masquerade as truth”. It reminds me of what one of the members in this group said about the infinity of God and how we are always learning more about God by being put into new positions that alter our perspective and I think that happens through God exposing lies we have believed. Oh may He continue to do that in me too.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
Suffering is a result of sin coming into this world. Sin that had to be paid for in order for God to reconcile man back to himself.
I think to have a true understanding of Jesus Christ and the meaning of the Cross we have to enter into a knowledge of His suffering. I would say suffering actually proves there is a God. His message to the world is that He suffered and died on the cruel cross and to appreciate it and the depth of the price he paid we have to enter into his suffering and identify with it. Our Savior was a suffering Savior “who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross.”
Peter tells us “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19 ESV
That says to me at times we suffer according to God’s will which says suffering is a part of God’s plan and working for good in our lives. Also God comes to us in our suffering and brings us comfort and relief. God shows up in the lives of hurting people. The Word is full of promise from God of his love and presence being poured out in our times of great need. Suffering brings God close rather that taking Him out of and away from the lives of the hurting. “Those who seek Him find him when they search for him with all their hearts.” He can be found especially in the midst of suffering.
Great verse from 1 Peter
I love that verse. I think that with our whole hearts is so key, isn’t it? And yet lies we have embraced can make us believe it is “wrong” to come to God like David did, pouring out our whole heart, so He can search and know us and rightly divide the Word for us.
Oh may Jesus continue to expose and crush these lies of the accuser, through our open and brazen testimony to His living Word and the blood of the Lamb. May He embolden us to speak up and glorify Him in doing so.
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20. A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book?
John calls himself our brother and partner in suffering. He writes to encourage, challenge, and offer true hope.
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11?
The Spirit told him to write what he sees and send it to the 7 churches.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses 12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20.
John saw 7 golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands “one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest”. He tells us the 7 stars are the angels of the 7 churches, and the 7 lampstands are the 7 churches.
D. How does John respond in verse 17?
He falls to his feet in awe and trembling.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome.
He is told not to fear, because Jesus is the first and the last, He is alive! He died, and has risen, and has power over all.
8. Read about the Church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus in Rev. 2:1?
He holds the 7 stars, the angels, in His right hand, authority over them, and He walks among the churches.
B. For what does He commend them in Rev 2:2-3?
They have worked hard; they persevere, faithful in suffering; they are discerning of pure doctrine.
C. What does He hold against them and what is the remedy in Rev 2:4-5?
They have abandoned their first Love. You can serve without loving, but you cannot love without serving. They were dutiful, but not loving.
The remedy: repent, and remember the truth. Be faithful in the ways they were in the beginning.
D. What is the warning in Rev 2:5? And the promise in 2:7?
He will remove their lampstand unless they repent.
The promise is salvation, eternal life, for those who repent.
E. Be still. What is God saying to you?
It’s easy to get caught up in being dutiful. Especially this time of year with resolutions all around—a renewed desire to “do___”. I think He is telling me that the Christian life is not about doing more. It’s about loving more. And sometimes that’s a quiet-behind-the scenes time of just reading His Word and resting in His promises. I am called to serve, yes—but first, to love, and my first love, is Jesus.
Golden from Lizzy:
I think He is telling me that the Christian life is not about doing more. It’s about loving more. And sometimes that’s a quiet-behind-the scenes time of just reading His Word and resting in His promises. I am called to serve, yes—but first, to love, and my first love, is Jesus.
If we had a “like” button I’d just like this, 👍🏻 💕😊
So very true: “You can serve without loving, but you cannot love without serving”.
“And sometimes that’s a quiet-behind-the scenes time of just reading His Word and resting in His promises.” It just shifts everything, when we start from His living and active Word – which is Love Himself speaking to us. I love the word “resting” you chose. It reminds me of God commanding us to strive to enter His rest. Really embracing His Promises is letting go of the sin that so entangles us. As those Promises take up room in our heart, there is no room for lies to dwell there.
1. What stood out in the introduction?
Obviously the two Iranian women was huge. Even in being taken to prison and kept there, for I don’t know how long, He gave them each other for fellowship and comfort. I don’t think every Christian in prison is given that blessing, but I am convinced that He gives some kind of support or encouragement to each one. It inspires me to work more on my relationship with Jesus, so that if that time comes for me, whatever the circumstances, I will have a robust relationship to sustain me.
How like our Father to do abundantly more than asked or imagined for Annie! May the remaining threads of pain and doubt melt away in His presence.
2. John referred to himself as ‘the disciple Jesus loved’. How do you know that Jesus loves you, even in times of suffering and disappointment?
In the past, John’s way of speaking of himself obliquely has bothered me. I wondered if he were being arrogant, or was it overly modest? Who, anywhere, refers to themselves like this? But something about this question made me consider another possibility. Could it be that John was so in awe of Jesus’s love for him, that it never lost its wonder for him. That he used the phrase because he was forever turning it over in his mind, the fact that Jesus loved him. I need more of that wonder!
How do I know Jesus loves me? I have a different answer for each area of my life. I know he loves me because He pursued me for years before I gave in to Him. Because He showed me that I was not just an abstract thought in someone else’s mind; but that I existed, and had meaning and purpose. Because He chooses to speak to me, in the Bible, but also in my mind and sometimes in bolts of understanding that had no origin in this world. Because I feel His smile on me, and hear His chuckle when He is amused with me. How do I know my own name? That is a lot of how I know He loves me. Years ago, the doctor I worked for had lot of journals come in the mail for her. They would pile up when she was done with them. When I asked her what she wanted done with them, she told me to have her husband take them over to their research office. So when he would be at our office, I’d ask him to take an armful. He got tired of it and said to me one day, ‘I feel sorry for your husband. You are such a nag.’ My reaction was to laugh and say, my husband loves me. When Satan tries to tell me I’m not loved, I need to have the same response… my Jesus loves me.
3. John 21:18-25. A. In 18-19, Jesus tells Peter how Peter will die. Why do you think He does this?
I wonder if inside of Peter he had trouble forgiving himself for denying Jesus, and wished for the opportunity to prove his love for the Lord had changed. In telling him about his death, Jesus is saying He understands that feeling and as part of His larger plan, will grant that opportunity.
B. Tertullian said ‘the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.’ Explain.
If Christianity could be stamped out by persecution, then it can be safely ignored. It has no power, no future, no truth. But if people are willing to suffer and die for it, then it makes people notice. It causes them to question and want both to know about this faith, and finally to know Jesus for themselves.
C. Verses 20-24. What does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
Peter asks what is in the future for John. Jesus basically says it is none of Peter’s business. The way He states it makes me wonder if Peter was setting up competition with John in his mind over the kind of death each would die. In any case, other people’s journeys are not for us to look at and compare with our own. Comparison always turns out poorly for our hearts. In Deut 29:29, Moses says that the secret things belong to the Lord our God. What other people tell us of their journey should be cause for praise to God, but not a comparison where we are asking God why He didn’t do differently.
D. Rebut the statement, suffering proves there is not a loving God.
If all we had to go on is what we see in our lives, it would be easy to think they are right. But we have the Scriptures, telling us over and over what was going on in the background, and how God was redeeming the suffering. That might not be much for those people, but then there are the promises of future glory and reward for all we’ve suffered here. Most people I know who aren’t believers wouldn’t be satisfied with that, either. The most compelling argument and truth I can think of is that Jesus suffered everything we can possibly suffer out of love for us. He could have turned His back on us when we walked away from Him. Instead, He chose to suffer in order to give us a chance to come back to Him.
What a great heart response to an unkind comment — this story:
So when he would be at our office, I’d ask him to take an armful. He got tired of it and said to me one day, ‘I feel sorry for your husband. You are such a nag.’ My reaction was to laugh and say, my husband loves me. When Satan tries to tell me I’m not loved, I need to have the same response… my Jesus loves me.
I love this: “When Satan tries to tell me I’m not loved, I need to have the same response… my Jesus loves me.” It reminds me of Jesus saying to Peter: “Get behind me Satan” when Peter interpreted love differently than Jesus did.
BTW I think the only reason we believe the truth of the Word is because the Holy Spirit has revealed the truth of the Word to us. The unbelievers you speak of won’t be satisfied till their minds and hearts are opened to believe.
I remember my Mum saying she loved that about my husband and my sister’s husband: that they don’t just go with something someone else says but need to be absolutely convinced themselves. That is actually a beautiful thing because when God does open their eyes: they will be like Paul and Peter became: zealous for the truth and justice of God. So: Mary, PRAY for these stubborn-hearted unbelievers to have such a radical encounter with Jesus that their minds and hearts are opened wide and they become zealous for Jesus.
Day 2. The Alpha and The Omega
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply? – Beginning and the End, I see a picture in my head of Jesus’ arms streched out and we are in between them, Like the letters in between the first and the last, He leads us and he is behind, we are wrapped in the arms of Jesus.
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three? – He was with God from the beginning, born as an infant to come save us and will come again in the 2nd coming. God, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive? – Our reward is with Jesus and we will receive it as he sees we have ‘earned’ it. I’m a little confused here, I thought there was nothing we could do to measure up to Jesus, our works would never be enough, but this seems like we have to perform abundantly to receive abundantly.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations. – Andrew Peterson has some very uplifting, encouraging messgaes in his songs. I’ve added him to to Pandora shuffle. This song says it all, Jesus is everywhere, from the very beginning and has everything in His hands. He is in control of the good situation as well as the bad, messy situations we get ourselves in to, or are included just because it is a mass sin and/or destruction of others. HE IS IN CONTROL.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened. – I will have to come back to this one. It is 1099/Tax time at the hospital and I am up at 4am and working 11 – 12 hour days. Hopefully I can get to at least listen to it if nothing else.
Julie: what I saw as that reward was the same as Jesus’ reward for His suffering: the harvest of souls. When we seek Jesus, we begin to want what He wants more and more and become willing to suffer WITH Him for that.
His greatest desire is to bring His children home. That’s what He died for. And He wants us to be willing to die for it too. A willingness HE births and grows in us, as we seek His face.
Julie, I believe there is nothing we can do by way of performance to measure up to Jesus. You are right about that. Our righteousness is totally from Him obtained by the Cross. But I think rewards are tied to our hearts and it’s motives. Anything we do “for” Jesus should come out of our love for and relationship to Jesus and we will gain or lose reward in that fact not what we have done. I hope that makes sense.
Maybe this is helpful? 1 Corinthians 3 ESV says:
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Love having a word document of the lesson, but today I discovered that Day 2 was from last week.
Blessed are those who take it to heart. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. For he was existing from the beginning when all creation was spoken into existence and he will be the final ruler at the end of time, so he is from the beginning to the end.
This correlates with the title the One who is, who was and who is to come. For He was in the beginning and he is the risen Savior and He will come back again! He can be all three because He is God the Son, the Word who was with God.
Revelation 22:12-13 He says, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. Then again he tells us that he is the Alpha and the Omega…It is a reassurance that we can look forward to as we worship him as Lord of our life.
The sermon, the Cosmic King is answering this dilemma, how can persecuted Christians handle this? By seeing Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega. All starts with him and he is the end. There are 2 approaches- either he is the end or he is the means. However the means is insufficient. He gives 2 examples: Moses who tried to be a leader serving justice, but he didn’t get what he wanted, so he had to go to the wilderness until he was 80 years old and then needed to obey God who made him a leader. Jonah was given a task to go to Ninevah, but he wanted God to condemn the evil Ninevites and was angry that God spared them. Real strength is obeying God, wherever that takes us. We were made to give him the glory and trust the outcome. If we do not accomplish our goal , but follow Him then the end is what counts!
He gives the description of the Lamb, the Lord of Glory. Fear not, worship God!
So sorry — I have no idea how that happened, Shirley! If I have time today I’ll fix it.
Sitting with what you shared makes me wonder if part of God’s discipline is in fact allowing us to chase after our own fleahly desires first and then in its miserable failing, drawing us into His Presence (burning bush in the desert, in a whale) to awaken us to His desires for us and for His people.
I think we can see that even Moses was not really out for justice in killing that man: he was out for both revenge (for his being torn from his family) and for his people’s affections (because he had been set apart from them). It reminds me of Peter cutting the soldier’s ear. Justice to Jesus was the Cross. And even today the justice we are called to is the laying down of our lives for Jesus and what He desires. And so often it’s not what makes sense to us and our “this is what we need right here and now” mentality.
I see that God does let us chase after our own fleshly desires first and as we fail, to draw us into his presence, more malleable to his will and awakens us to His desires for us and for his people.
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
Jesus is the beginning and the end.
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
He is coming soon.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations.
Thank You Lord, for holding “all things together.” This gave me peace this morning. I am wrestling a demon and the beauty of this song soothed me. I like the “…peace by the blood of the cross” lyric too.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened.
We get the book just like the early Christians got it. Same Revelation.
Christian people grew as the disciples were martyred.
Some died horrific deaths.
The Romans saw these people die with peace and sometimes joy. They couldn’t understand it.
John gave them a view of the exalted and cosmic Jesus.
If you know this you can face anything.
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. There is nothing before Him. People have questions about this statement. Was Jesus a lesser God? People still struggle with this today. He is our great God, our creator. You must start with Him; all of your thinking must start with Him.
You must get out of you to get to know yourself. You have to take a view outside of yourself.
The Alpha – Did someone design you or are you just some sort of a chemical accident?
If created, then you have to discover the truth inside yourself.
Christianity won’t let you get away with not asking the hard questions and finding the answers.
The Omega – The universe is all oriented toward Him. He built it for Himself. We fit into His universe if we orient ourselves to Him.
Your daily life must be your omega point. He is either the end to your means or a means to your end. The Omega points of your life are non-negotiables. If I don’t have __________ I will not make it. You live life to “get” Him, not for you to get stuff from Him. He is the end.
Love this: “you must get out of you to get to know yourself”. There are various Hebrew Words used for prayer and one of them means literally God exchanging our wishes for His wishes. It reminds me of this quote from a book I read (p.179, Worthy, by Shannon Evette): “Patience is the weapon that forces deceit to reveal itself.”
That’s what I have been discovering in the waiting. How easily my flesh says: “See, Anna, God doesn’t love you.” But how quickly God moves to defend me with the truth of His Word, when I come to Him instead of battling on in my own strength.
Oh LORD help Laura and I both to keep coming to you so you can exchange our desires and our thoughts for yours and take joy and grow in faith through what you are doing in us and others through the waiting.
Laura: Thank you for your honesty about sometimes struggling to know Jesus loves you. My own responses to you were like a double-edged sword. I needed to hear that truth myself also.
I realized when I was skype praying/chatting with my spiritual Mom, how I have again been looking for evidence of rejection – especially in the silence. It’s like I want that evidence, so I can then have reason to leave and go hide again: “See, my presence here is not wanted.” OR I see the silence as a reason to strive and make things happen “my way” convincing myself it’s God’s Way (no wonder God had me reading about Sara laughing at the Promise last night to my girls. Tonight I read of Samson and Delila and allowing the enemy to keep attacking us, until we give in, rather than separating ourselves from them, recognizing their false motives.
But as we chatted and prayed, my spiritual Mom was led to pray about the Words God had had me release on my blog and she prayed for them to reap a harvest in the appointed time.
And it made me think of chatting and praying with another older woman and in that chat God showed me that each of us has a different role in the Body and that sometimes we are sent to prepare the land for harvest, but don’t get to see it reap the fruit. We are sent to till the hardened ground and then commanded to leave and allow God to send others to complete the task. In our leaving we are then ourselves tilled and washed also.
What was fascinating to me too is that my youngest daughter had a dream about my husband finding a snake in a hole. We don’t have snakes here, so I paid attention. What she shared resembled this verse:
Isaiah 11:8 ESV
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
You see: my husband was not fearful in the dream. He in fact asked my daughter to come take a look. I then looked up what “den” means. It is “meurah” in Hebrew, which literally means “a hole for light”. My husband pulled out the snake and exposed the hole to the light. This is literally what he recently did in my life, when he spoke truth and destroyed the lie I was clinging to that was hiding the hole and pain in my heart that only Jesus- the light of truth- could fill.
Do you know that Noah is the second most common name given to Dutch kids in 2020? Another detail you made me take note of in your sharing. God speaks to us in so many ways. The naming of children does not occur at random. God is in that too.
Day 2. The Alpha and The Omega
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
God is the beginning and the end. He is eternal-no time lines with a beginning and end-no stops and starts. He always was and is and the One who is to come. There isn’t a pause or drop off point to begin again. He is I AM.
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
Jesus is the Son of God, but He is also God which makes Him all three.
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
While he is creator and sustainer of all things, He is also Judge of all. He is coming back to judge and reward-He said My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations. He holds all things together-He is the first, the last and beginning. The head of the church, the firstborn from the dead. In everything he is the head and the fullness of God. I need not fret-with anything- for He Holds it all together. Nothing in life-our world, country and in my life is out of His hands.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened. I haven’t had a chance to listen yet, but can’t wait!
Day 2. The Alpha and The Omega
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
God is eternal and Jesus the Son of God as part of the Trinity is eternal. Alpha meaning first and from the beginning means God has always been. History began in Him and History will be completed in Him.
B. A similar title is The One who is, who was, and who is to come — How is Jesus all three?
Jesus as God is eternal. He (IS) the great I AM! He declared himself to be and he is truth. Jesus (WAS) Creator of all things along with God the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit and has been present in all of history. He still (IS) and in his glorified body will come again at the culmination of history.
C. We will see this title again in Rev. 22:12-13. Read this — what additional insight do you receive?
Jesus Christ is all in all Who will return to earth and as the Judge of all mankind will come and require accountability from all mankind for what they have done with their lives. As all wise and all knowing God He has this authority.
5. Listen to Andrew Peterson’s All Things Together above and then share your contemplations.
Every thing Peterson sings about Jesus is based in Scripture. The phrases he sings describing Jesus are all taken directly from the Bible. The wealth of Who Jesus is and and what he is doing by his almighty power and glory in holding all things together is incomprehensible to my finite mind but absolutely glorious in it’s reality and implications. I find great comfort in this truth.
6. Listen and share your notes from the Keller sermon, if you listened.
Here are a few notes I took but this sermon which is rich with the reality of Who Jesus is. Who Jesus is as the Omega is was especially good. Hope everyone takes time to listen to this message for themselves.
Revelation was written by John at the beginning of great persecution.
The church spread because the Christians were getting killed.
Revelation gave them a view of the exalted and cosmic Jesus. It gave them courage to face anything.
The Alpha the beginning. Creator. Eternal God. Jesus as God.
We must start with Him. And you find your self.
You have to get outside of yourself to get to know yourself. It has to start with God. To get perspective.
Christianity is not escapism. Everything else is escapism.
The Omega.
Jesus Christ built the universe for Himself and everything was created for Him. Everything is moving toward Him. He is the end of everything. He must be our Omega point. Jesus must be your Point.
We live our lives in relationship to Him.
Only two ways to approach God. We make Him the means and something else the end or you can make Him the end and everything else the means.
Omega points are the non negotiables. We approach Christ trying to make Him our means.
We need to serve him and make him our end. Serve Jesus and you get Jesus. There is freedom found in Him as our Omega point.
Profound truth we come to God thinking He will be the means to our end. The chief end of our lives is to glorify and know Him.
If He is your first and your last then your middle is meaningful in him.
Jesus is Glory!! Weight. He matters above all else. Fear not!!
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book?
“your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus”
It shows us the purpose has everything to do with us being found IN the person of Jesus. It makes me remember that verse that says to have the same mind that is already ours in Christ Jesus.
It’s when we forget that it’s no longer we who live, but Christ in us and through us, that we feed the flesh. That’s when:
We begin either to live in seclusion and hidden hatred/self-hatred, or in confrontation and open hatred of others God has called us to love.
We become afraid of and/or judgmental toward those God has called us to love into His Kingdom.
We become blinded and distracted from doing what God has called us to do- which is to: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
So, it’s like he’s saying:
Remember: as you walk through tribulation you are safely held IN Jesus.
Remember to seek first the Kingdom of God, so you will remain IN Jesus and His will for you and not get distracted.
Remember you cannot endure in your own strength or desires but only IN Jesus and His strength and desires.
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11?
To write what He is given into a book and to send it to the 7 churches.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20.
There are 7 golden lampstands = the 7 churches
And the son of Man stands in their midst = Jesus
He holds 7 stars = the angels of each church
D. How does John respond in verse 17?
He falls at the feet of the son of man (Jesus) though dead.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome.
Because Jesus is the first and the last, and the living one. Because Jesus died, and is alive forevermore, and because Jesus has the keys of Death and Hades.
I love this so much. We feel so unworthy of the life He has purchased for us – which we are – but He reminds us that it’s not about our worthiness, but HIS worthiness that covers us and gives us life in death.
It reminds me of Isaiah 6: 5-7 (ESV):
And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
4. Revelation 1:8. A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does the name imply?
That Jesus encompasses everything. He isn’t just a part of society or culture or our lives. He is everything and everywhere. Not in an animistic kind of way, but because He made everything that exists, you can’t go anywhere or know anything that He isn’t already there, already knowing.
B. The similar phrase, the One who is, who was, and who is to come. How is Jesus all three?
It is interesting, because I met with a couple women last night for this study. When we did the question about seeing the Trinity, we decided that the phrase who was, etc, referred to God the Father. Now here, we are looking at the same phrase specific to Jesus. Last night we agreed that in the end they (the Trinity) are all God, and therefore we wouldn’t get too confused, but just be content with that. In our minds, we do get confused. The Trinity is more than we can comprehend. We keep trying to relate it to something we know and understand, but we will never completely understand God.
But to get back to the question. Jesus is present for us and with us every moment. Jesus was from eternity with the Godhead, and Scripture tells us that everything was made through Him at creation. And Jesus will be the fulfillment of history.
C. This phrase is seen again in Revelation 22:12-13. What additional insight do you receive?
In the first passage, the phrase is quoted as coming from the Lord God. In the last passage, it is part of a longer quote coming from Jesus. This is a direct challenge to the false religions who teach that Jesus is not God and never claimed to be God. They want to say that Jesus is less than God the Father, that He was only a son, that He was really equal to Lucifer at the start but had a better idea of how to redeem men.
5. Listen to All Things Together and share your thoughts.
Laura, being our scientist, will laugh at me. When I was in high school chemistry and we studied the atom, I asked since electrons have a negative charge and protons have a positive charge and opposites attract, why is there space between in the atoms? Why doesn’t it just collapse on itself? The teacher answered that they don’t know. At that moment, I gave up on chemistry for about 20 years! But in the intervening time, I realized that what holds the atom with its space is Jesus. He holds all things together. Just like with laminum – is that the right word? The molecule that holds everything in our bodies together, the one shaped like a cross. I have come to the conclusion that our continuing existence is only because of the conscious thought of God toward us, holding our bodies and our universe together.
Ohhh! I love this!! What an incredible God-given insight, Bev. Even that question as a kid was SO of God!! Asking what the world cannot explain.
I spent my teen years in the city (Christchurch, NZ) Rutherford grew up in- the guy who split the atom. I LOVED chemistry at school, but gave it up to focus on languages and history.
I’ve always been fascinated by God’s weaving and connecting. Somebody once told me we can see what our purpose is by looking at our past. It made me see how I have continually brought people together who wouldn’t have otherwise connected (a peace maker). That truly is God in me: the one who connects the opposites.
No wonder He set me in this family. Even in that He is connecting and weaving. Thank you for prompting me to sit with this, Mary.
Hi, Im new here and would like to join the blog?
Welcome! We’d love to have you join us.
Glad to have you!
Welcome! How should we address you?
Day 3
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book?
Brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance which are in Jesus Christ, on the island of Patmos for the word of Gods testimony of Jesus Christ.
There will be suffering for those who are in Jesus Christ, just like John who suffered on the island of Patmos (those persecuted for the faith are in good company of those who went before), but through patient endurance there is hope of His coming kingdom.
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11?
To write in a book everything he sees, and send it to the 7 churches.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20.
He saw 7 gold lampstands and someone like the Son of Man standing in the middle who was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.
The 7 lampstands are the 7 churches.
D. How does John respond in verse 17?
He falls to his feet as if he were dead.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome.
The Son of Man said, “I am the living One. I died, but look – I am alive forever and ever! I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
He is Sovereign, He is truth, He died for me, He is alive forever! I don’t have to fear death because He holds the keys of death and the grave. For some reason this song came to my mind…I guess I would consider it my heart song.
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
I have a song that Jesus gave me,It was sent from Heaven above;There never was a sweeter melody,‘Tis a melody of love.
In my heart there rings a melody,There rings a melody of Heavenly harmony;In my heart there rings a melody,There rings a melody of love!
I love the Christ Who died on Calv’ry,For He washed my sins away;He put within my heart a melody,And I know it’s there to stay.
‘Twill be my endless theme in Glory;With the angels I will sing;‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony,When the courts of Heaven ring!
Oh Sharon! I just put that song on on YouTube and started crying. I didn’t recognize it till the chorus began to play. I remember singing that song in England at a Christian conference for leaders and their families my parents were invited to speak at.
That was such a special time for us kids: so many precious memories. I remember singing that song with such joy in my heart. Thank you so much for sharing. You have no idea how much that blessed me.
Oh Sharon you take me back to my childhood with that song! (-:
9. Read about the Church in Smyrna in Rev. 2:8-11 A. How is Jesus described in Rev. 2:8?
The First and the Last, who died and came to life.
B. How does He commend them and warn them?
He sees their suffering. He warns them of further testing and suffering.
C. What promise does He give them in verse 11?
If they are faithful (10b), they will receive eternal life.
10. Read about the Church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17. A. How is Jesus described in verse 12?
He holds the sharp two-edged sword.
B. What does He have against them and how does He commend them?
The Christians held to the truth, but some were teaching false doctrine and the Christians were not dealing with it. Their horizontal relationships had become more important to them to preserve than their vertical relationship to God.
C. What promises are given to those who overcome?
He will give hidden manna-inner soul nourishment, and a new name, new identity.
11. Read about the Church in Thyatira in Rev. 2:18-29 A. How Is Jesus described in verse 18?
He has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze.
B. For what does He commend them and rebuke them in verses 19-25?
He commends their love, service, endurance. He rebukes their tolerance of Jezebel.
C. What promises are given to overcomers?
He will give them authority over the nations, and the morning star, Himself.
Lizzy: love this insight-
“Their horizontal relationships had become more important to them to preserve than their vertical relationship to God. ”
It so fits with what God showed me about my need to depart places that taught or tolerated false teaching. I wanted to stay to keep my relationships there in tact. But these relationships did not have Christ at their center.
I was buckling and feeding on a mixture of shame, fear, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. The moment I left, to obey God, He began to deal with my heart: exposing the lies, uncovering my sin and healing my heart.
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book? As our brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance. To strengthen and encourage us.
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11? Write what he sees and send it to the seven churches.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20. Someone like the son of man standing among seven lamp stands. A brilliant being with seven stars in his hand. The seven stars represent the angels of the churches and the lamp stands represent the seven churches.
D. How does John respond in verse 17? He falls down as though dead.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome. What was happening to him was frightening and he didn’t understand what was happening or why. When I am caught up in fear and confusion about what is happening to and around me I need to picture His right hand on me telling me not to be afraid. He knows what He’s doing and it will bring about His purpose.
Thanks for the imagery in your last statement. I can see myself stopping and turning to Him literally.
This reminds me that yesterday morning I woke up thinking about the “Who’s” in Whoville” from the Grinch (?!). I specifically had the picture of them all holding hands and singing together when the Grinch was completing his theft of their homes. The story professes that “Christmas could not be bought in stores, Christmas was something a little bit more.” In the fear and confusion, the Who’s in Whoville stopped, joined hands and loved each other. This is making me cry. Ugh.
Interesting analogy, Laura! 🙂
Love this. Look what showed up on my feed:
https://youtu.be/Pddc9oxYAaA
Day 1. The Disciple Jesus Loved
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
How God protected the 2 women from deep discouragement and allowed them to see their situation as an opportunity to suffer for Christ. And that they love Jesus. And also how their perspective changed from wanting to be released to staying in a prison so they can reach out to the prostitutes there.
Annie’s story and how God has provided healing for her in her relationship with her biological mother.
2. John often referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.” How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you — even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
Answers to prayers far beyond what I have asked or imagined ( Ephesians 3:20-21)
The hymn, “He included me” by Johnson Oatman, Jr. Every time I encounter hardship or disappointment, I go back to this hymn and I know Jesus loves me. Of millions of people, He has included me into His family! (What is man that you are mindful of him?) I remember the cross and how much Jesus chose to die on it on my behalf.
1. Read John 21:18-25
A. In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. What do you think He does this?
To give Peter a chance to choose whether to continue following Jesus or not? To prepare Peter? For Peter to know there is a cost to following Jesus?
Historians confirm that Peter was crucified, but that he asked to be crucified upside-down for he was not worthy to die as his Lord died. It is also historically confirmed that all the disciples were martyred except for John who died a natural death on the Island of Patmos.
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
In order for a seed to grow, it has to die first and be buried in the ground. Blood that was shed by the martyrs, like Peter, provided the growth of the gospel as others saw his/their faithfulness to the end of their lives.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
Peter asked about what would happen to John. And Jesus replied it should not be an issue with Peyer but Peter needed to follow God’s own purposes for his life. For me it means that each of us has our own story and nobody will have the same story as mine.
C. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
We live in a sinful world. As long as we live in this world, there will be suffering. But God will see us through suffering if we let Him join us in our life’s journey. He loves us enough to allow such sufferings which are just momentary so that we can grow in the likeness of His son, Jesus. Suffering also allows us to long for another world where it is no more.
I listened to TGC’s message by Mark Dever. And I love the use of picture words and some of the portions of the book was made clearer to me. I like that he elaborated on two different interpretations of the second coming and left it to the reader/listener to seek God. I was comforted with the thought that although there are many “Babylons” throughout history, past, present, future, Jesus, the Lamb will always be victorious. And so are we because of Him!
That sounds goo from Mark Dever!
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book?
He says he is our brother and partner in suffering. He is saying that he and we are together, so the book/dream is for us just as it was for him.
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11?
He is told to write in a book everything he saw to the seven churches in the listed cities.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20.
He saw seven lamp stands that represent the seven churches. The Son of Man was in the middle.
He interpreted the stars as the seven angels of the churches and the lamp stands as the seven churches.
D. How does John respond in verse 17?
John fell to his feet as if he were dead.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome.
He is told by the Son on Man that he is the first and the last. He died, rose, and has the fate of all in His hands. He is forever living. He tells John that he holds the keys of death and the grave.
It tells me that Jesus is with us. He is the One in control. He will right all wrongs. I get all this in theory. What I am struggling with is that I must live by faith; that is hard, as I have said many times. We have the hard, cold world in our face everyday, and we don’t have the physical Jesus in our face as the apostles did. We must believe in something we can’t see above that which we can see.
Laura — I am with my daughter Sally and we watched American Gospel — about the prosperity gospel. We can see it when it is flagrant, but it sneaks in more subtly too — like Campus Crusades opening evangelistic statement “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.’ Yes, He does, esp in light of eternity but that wonderful plan including stoning for Stephen, crucifixion for Peter — this life, Jesus said, is full of trouble but to take heart for He has overcome the world. So goes with the message of Revelation!
Dee: perhaps it’s that we don’t really know Love Himself well enough? Because really this is true: ““God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.’
But we need His eyes to see that persecution is a joy and a privilege and an honor. We need His Word to awaken us and show us how He is entrusting us the opportunity to discover the depths of His love and mercy toward us, through the suffering, as He shapes and moulds our character and desires to match His.
I genuinely thought He was out to kill me, as a kid and when I went through hell at my old church. And now I realize He in fact was in one sense: out to kill the old me, the pretend me, the fleshly me. He wanted and still wants more of the real me to be unveiled- His heart in me.
I am ever so slowly seeing that He does love me and He does have a wonderful plan for me. But I have needed and still daily need HIS eyes to see that. For, that plan is an ever decreasing of me to achieve an ever increasing measure of Him in me.
Yes, indeed, Anna — often hard to see how suffering is part of His love.
Oh so close Dee! I hope you and Sally have such fun enjoying each others company 😘
Laura: I am reading Mary’s recommendation- the book Gentle and Lowly. It’s about the heart of Jesus toward us in suffering. It’s so what I needed to hear right now. I also thought of you, as I began reading it.
As far as that faith thing. Faith isn’t something we have to muster up. Do you remember the synagogue leader whose daughter lay dying and then died before Jesus got there? When Jesus asked him to believe, his reply was: “I believe, but help my unbelief.” It’s Jesus who gives us faith through the indwelling of His Word & the Holy Spirit. That’s the beauty, Laura: we don’t have to do it. I believed that lie as a kid and it’s what put me on my Prodigal path. Just bring that unbelief to your Heavenly Father in prayer and ask Him to grow faith in you through His Word.
I did that today again. I cried out and told Him: “I can’t go on. I can’t be where You are asking me to stay. Help me! Give me a Word to cling to.” And He did. Immediately a Scripture dropped into my thoughts. I looked it up and was so so so so touched. I wept at His tenderness toward me. Laura: this happens almost daily.
Praying through one Scripture a day in my journal is helping me a lot also. I pray the daily Scripture from my Bible app. It is absolutely amazing how timely these Words are for me.
I am also going to start memorizing Scripture again. Doing the monthly challenge you can find here (the one who put it together is a former missionary to Turkey):
https://faithspillingover.com/2019/12/30/why-and-how-to-memorize-scripture/
Anna, your words are so good to hear. Thank you for lifting my spirits in a very low day today. Struggling to find joy…
With respect to the “prosperity church” here in the US….it is one movement that basically professes that everything is always good and no bad will happen to you. I don’t know much about it other than that. Others here do though. Can someone give us more info?
Basically, if you have enough faith, give enough money (to them), do enough good things then you will be healthy, wealthy, and happy.
Hugs, Laura. May the joy of the LORD be our strength today. May He lift our eyes up to Him and help us to see things with His eyes.
My verse to pray today is Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Turns out “surpasses” means: “have + beyond/above” and “all understanding” means “one piece at a time” “God’s thoughts through faith”. It made me see that when we pray and wait on God, He opens our hearts and minds, one piece at a time, to see what He does (from our heavenly position of completion).
It made me think how almost 28 years ago I saw one piece of the whole that was going on in my family that broke my heart. But now, I see so many more parts of that time and it has lifted away so much fear, shame, pain etc. Just to see more of what God saw then. But if only I had persisted in prayer and listened for what God wanted to show me, He could have given me the wisdom and insight to perservere, rather than harden my heart in sin and run.
For us both, Laura:
https://youtu.be/8kq7AJQBbg8
And another one:
https://youtu.be/zrDSrxA-FzM
12. From the four churches you looked at, is there anything that became radioactive to you today? If so, what and why?
Ephesus is the most convicting for me. Sound doctrine, moral, dutiful—but without love. It’s so easy to fall into a dutiful routine of serving, getting caught up in doing what is right, even loving truth—but missing what is most important, loving Jesus more, and loving our neighbor. Sometimes I think it’s easier for our world to get passionate about certain groups, certain causes, a “save the world” mentality. We are called to love Jesus, and love our neighbor. Our neighbor is not the world or an entire cause, he’s whoever is closest to us.
13. Read about the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6. A. How does Jesus describe himself in verse 1?
He has the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars.
B. What warning does He have for them in verses 1-3?
They have a reputation for being alive, but they are dead! He warns them to wake up and strengthen what remains of the life in them, and to remember what they have been taught and repent. If not, He will come like a thief.
C. Whom does He commend and what does He promise in verses 4-6?
There are still some faithful who are remaining pure and they will be clothed in white, saved, forgiven, His Bride.
14. Read about the church in Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13. A. How does Jesus describe Himself in verse 7?
The Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, shuts and no one opens.
B. How does He commend them and encourage them in verses 8-11?
He sees them, He knows they have little power and yet they have kept His word and not denied His name. He will make those who worship Satan bow down at their feet. He will keep them from judgement.
C. What promises does He give to overcomers?
He will make them a pillar in God’s temple.
Lizzy: Your thoughts on our neighbors remind me of Isaiah 58 and the true fasting God calls us to. It so struck me the year I prayed that over our family, that one of the verses speaks of being available to our own flesh/kin/family. I remember being so convicted.
Interestingly it was a year God took almost every other activity (serving outside the home) away from me – and social media too and had me learn to rest and play.
Here are the verses I prayed:
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily;your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.11 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong;and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
Lizzy — am doing the Paige Benton Brown study on overview of Scripture and just her opening remarks on why we should study the Bible with her graph are golden. I think you’d find it interesting. Just go to westendcc.org and click on her study and watch the first five minutes. (Up til next Tuesday night)
oh Dee! this is SO good! And great info on the resources tab too! thank you!!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Annie’s story is so full of hope….in that she courageously faced her own fears and in so doing, it un-did the lie that she had been believing most of her life – that she had not been loved by her biological mother. And it brought healing to her biological mother, too. That is something that they both will always treasure in their hearts. The story of the imprisoned women in Iran also stood out. I am not sure that I could have been so brave under such awful and terrifying circumstances. I am glad that they had each other in the prison for support. It also stood out that they said how much freedom they experienced, even in the prison.
2. John also referred to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved”. How do you know, if you do, that Jesus loves you – even in a time of suffering and disappointment?
I am learning, slowly and have not “arrived”, that I should not look at God through the lens of my circumstances, as a gauge for how or if He loves me. And especially, I must not project the negative reactions that others may have towards me onto God, as if He would feel the same way. I must remind myself that His character does not change, and that suffering and disappointment are just a part of the world I live in, and are inevitable.
3. Read John 21:18-25
A. In verses 18-19, Jesus tells Peter the kind of death he is going to die. Why do you think He does this?
I’m not sure. After Jesus says this, He says “Follow me.” Maybe it’s like saying, “Okay Peter, you’ve said that you love me, now I want you to know what you’re signing up for. This is what will happen to you. Are you still in? If you follow me, it’s not a guarantee of protection from bad things happening to you. Even so, are you willing to believe that I love you?”
B. Tertullian, an ancient church father, said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Explain.
I think this may be linked to what Jesus said about unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. The proof of the depth and reality of the martyrs’ faith was that they were willing to die for it. When others see that, it strengthens their faith, or even brings some to faith who did not believe.
C. In verses 20-24, what does Peter ask, what does Jesus reply, and why, do you think?
Peter sees “the disciple Jesus loved” behind them, and wants to know what will happen to him? Jesus kind of says it’s none of your business what happens to him; you follow Me. Maybe this is reinforcing again that our circumstances in life and death do not show us whether God loves us or not. We can’t compare ourselves to others. We are each on our own path in following God. But we often do this, saying to ourselves, “I see God blessing her, but He isn’t working in my life…” Maybe Jesus is also asking Peter if he has the courage to follow Him, without the comfort of the companionship of someone else and the security that he could go through his suffering with a friend.
D. Rebut this statement: Suffering proves there is not a loving God.
I don’t pretend to understand or know all about suffering, whether God causes it, or allows it. I personally don’t believe that God “hands out” suffering, as in this person will get cancer, and this person will be paralyzed in a car accident. I will use this analogy: If I am walking with my small child outside, and we are laughing and skipping along, and suddenly he falls down and skins his knees badly, and he’s now hurt and bleeding, would anyone accuse me of being a bad mother, of not loving my child, of being negligent or abusive? I didn’t cause him to fall, nor did I “allow” him to fall. But I am going to carry him home, wash his knees and put the bandaids on, and hold him until he stops crying.
4. Read Revelation 1:8
A. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Knowing this, what does this name imply?
The alphabet in any language gives us the ability to read, write, and communicate by making letters into words that we can understand. You can’t learn to read until you learn the alphabet, each letter, and its sound. I would say that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all knowledge, and everything in-between. We get our start in Him, and our final end is also in His hands. He gives our lives meaning.
B. A similar title is the One who is, who was, and who is to come – How is Jesus all three?
Jesus is all three because He is God.
C. We will see this title again in Revelation 22:12-13. Read this – what additional insight do you receive?
Jesus promises His return, where He will repay everyone according to their deeds. He is the beginning because He is the Creator, and He is the end, because He will come again to make everything right.
I love what you say about the alphabet and knowledge and Jesus being the beginning and end of all knowledge. That is such a good thing to sit with: especially when things don’t make sense, to seek the only truly wise One who makes sense of everything and gives everything its sense and purpose.
Susan: thank you for this gem.
May you keep speaking this wonderful truth to your soul:
I am learning, slowly and have not “arrived”, that I should not look at God through the lens of my circumstances, as a gauge for how or if He loves me. And especially, I must not project the negative reactions that others may have towards me onto God, as if He would feel the same way. I must remind myself that His character does not change, and that suffering and disappointment are just a part of the world I live in, and are inevitable.
8. Read about the Church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus in Rev. 2:1?
That He is giving this Word. That He is holding the seven stars (angels of the churches) in His hand and that He is walking amongst the seven golden lampstands (the 7 churches).
B. For what does He commend them in Rev 2:2-3?
For their works, their toil and their patient endurance, and how they cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. For their patient endurance and bearing up, for Christ’s name’s sake, and for not having grown weary. For hating the works of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus also hates.
C. What does He hold against them and what is the remedy in Rev 2:4-5?
They have abandoned the love they had at first. The remedy is to remember therefore from where they have fallen; repent, and do the works they did at first.
D. What is the warning in Rev 2:5? And the promise in 2:7?
That Jesus will come to them and remove their lampstand from its place, unless they repent. To the one who conquers Jesus will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
E. Be still. What is God saying to you?
I keep thinking how love rejoices with the truth. I looked that up and to rejoice means:
“sharing God’s grace with another person, so that both rejoice together (mutually participate in God’s favor, grace)”
And truth in this context comes from a Word that means:
“unconcealed”
And means the opposite of illusion (concealing true intent).
It’s funny, because my verse to pray through today (verse of the day in my Bible app) is Matthew 5:10 (ESV):
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Turns out to be persecuted also means “to put to flight” and “for righteousness’ sake” means “for judicial approval of God” and “blessed” here means “to be envied” and “God extending His benefits”.
My One Word for this year is “celebrate” (salvation, God’s work in me). It made me see how God wants me to celebrate what I have been ashamed of: being put to flight from places His Presence (Word) in me was not received. And He wants me to see the fruit of my departure under His authority.
This fits with “rejoicing with the truth” in seeing that me being put to flight is affirming my belonging in the Kingdom of God. In my leaving, I am participating in God’s grace and extending it to those I leave behind, in choosing not to hide my true intent (to obey God), but to reveal Him and His truth and grace. I am raging against the captor and loving the captive’s soul in the faith that my rejoicing together with them (mutually participating in God’s favor, grace) will come in heaven.
It reminds me of the song I sung as a little kid: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of His Kingdom, for it has the power, the power of salvation.”
As I prayed in the forest, God brought this verse to me:
John 10:5 ESV
A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Yes: I am loving Jesus in those at the last church I attended, by leaving them behind. The pastor is tolerating someone who professes Satan’s teaching in their midst, rather than confronting him. This, even after the reprimand God asked me to give him, for not choosing to take my concerns seriously almost three years ago, when his friend was the junior pastor of my old church.
Now, the junior pastor (his friend), who was thrown out of my former church, is in their midst: the same pastor God repeatedly had me intercede (pray) for: even at the exact time he was being thrown out without me knowing (this happened two years after I left his church).
I suspect he in fact does not agree with the teaching, but professed it at my old church to obey the senior pastor, who used to be employed by the organization run by the man, who wrote the false teaching that the church teaches from. But even then, he needs to publicly declare his being against it, to save souls from Satan’s clutches in that church.
I wanted restoration with my former pastor, without repentance. God wanted me to seek restoration with repentance, by encouraging my former pastor’s friend to speak up to his friend and lead him to repent. I didn’t see God’s intention until after I left. Deep down I was longing for both to acknowledge Jesus in me: I was focused on myself and my hurt.
I also didn’t want to lose my friend at that church. I now see that by staying, I couldn’t love, heal or forgive, because staying meant abiding in myself and not in God.
We are told to do everything as unto the LORD. But if we stay in a place that is tolerating unrepentance for false teaching, we are not: we are in fact eating from a table with food (the Word of God) that has been sacrificed to idols (twisted to steal, kill and destroy).
I am choosing to arise in the light of God’s Word and to shine it upon them too, in my obedience to God’s call to leave.
9. Read about the Church in Smyrna in Rev. 2:8-11
A. How is Jesus described in Rev. 2:8?
“the first and the last, who died and came to life.”
B. How does He commend them and warn them?
He commends them, by saying that He knows their tribulation and their poverty, that He knows the slander they have faced from those who claim to be followers of Him but are not, and reminding them that they are truly rich.
He warns them that some of them will be thrown into prison, that they may be tested, and that they will have tribulation for 10 days.
C. What promise does He give them in verse 11?
That if they remain faithful unto death, God will give them the Crown of life.
D. A. Carson writes: “Those who suffer the “second death” will participate neither in the resurrection of the saints nor in the life of the new world to come, but rather will experience unending punishment.
10. Read about the Church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.
A. How is Jesus described in verse 12?
‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
B. What does He have against them and how does He commend them?
He has against them that they have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. They also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
He commends them for holding fast to His name, and for not denying His faith even in the days of Antipas His faithful witness, who was killed among them.
C. What promises are given to those who overcome?
He will give them some of the hidden manna, and He will give them a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Unlike the earthly manna, this manna is eternal – we have only tasted the goodness of the Lord. Naming implies ownership — we will be His and He will be ours.
11. Read about the Church in Thyatira in Rev. 2:18-29
A. How Is Jesus described in verse 18?
the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze
Dee: do you know much about the significance of the flame and the bronze?
B. For what does He commend them and rebuke them in verses 19-25?
He commends them for their works, their love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that their latter works exceed the first.
He rebukes them for tolerating that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing His servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
C. What promises are given to overcomers?
He will give them authority over the nations, and they will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as He Himself has received authority from His Father. And He will give them the morning star.
Reference to morning star, I think means Jesus?
2 Peter 1:19 (ESV) says:
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
12. From the four churches you looked at, is there anything that became radioactive to you today? If so, what and why?
What I shared above. That I must stop believing I am in the wrong to speak up against false teaching, to rebuke those who tolerate it and to leave places that preach and tolerate false teaching.
I also kept being reminded of Keller’s sermon and thinking about how EVERYTHING must start with Christ. That our faithfulness springs from His fruit of faithfulness being produced in us. Yesterday, my verse to pray was on wisdom and as I began to apply it to my day, seeking wisdom before responding to others, I noticed how my responses changed too. My focus was altered, which changed what I said. Even as I sat with these questions and asked God to open His Word to me…things shifted.
In regard to the above shared story and this Keller reflection: I can now see that when I started with my desire for restoration without repentance, I fed on control, hatred, bitterness and fear and strove in my own strength to rid myself of these. But when I shifted to God’s desire for restoration with repentance, I departed and surrendered people to God and began to rage against the captor (rather than the captive). I began to love the captive’s soul, feeding on surrender, trust in God, forgiveness, love, truth, faith, grace and hope.
Sharon: your story of leaving the church that installed a known abuser as its pastor, really blessed me. It reminded me that sometimes leaving is an act of obedience and standing firm in the truth.
BTW: I woke up to this song in my heart:
https://youtu.be/MZmS81yLjMg
And it fit with all God spoke through today’s study.
“In regard to the above shared story and this Keller reflection: I can now see that when I started with my desire for restoration without repentance, I fed on control, hatred, bitterness and fear and strove in my own strength to rid myself of these. But when I shifted to God’s desire for restoration with repentance, I departed and surrendered people to God and began to rage against the captor (rather than the captive). I began to love the captive’s soul, feeding on surrender, trust in God, forgiveness, love, truth, faith, grace and hope.” I find this such GOOD advice in my life as well. Thank you, Anna. I’m so thankful God is using you to help others with what you have been through.
Thankful for your presence here, Miriam.
7. Read Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself in verse 9, and what clue does this give us to the purpose of this book?
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11?
I would say the purpose of the book given to John in this passage was to convey spiritual truth and that was through the use of signs and symbols in a vision. John has been exiled to the island of Patmos because of his faithful witness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ and so here in this place Jesus was giving John a visual witness of Himself and his purpose to be written down and passed on to the churches. He was to write down in a book what he saw for the seven churches listed.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in Revelation 1:20.
John turned around to see the voice that was speaking to him and saw “one like a son of man” standing in the middle of seven lamp stands. This person who was Jesus Christ was further described as having seven stars in his hand. Verse 20 tells us the seven stars represent seven angels of the seven churches and the lamp stands are the seven churches. Wiersbe says these seven stars represent the messengers (or pastors) of the seven churches. He said it is possible that messengers came to John from these churches and received this Book of Revelation from him personally. That makes a lot of sense to me
An interesting sidelight of teaching I heard about Jesus clothing as described in verse 13 is that in the ancient Middle East culture of that time when he was working a man wore his belt (sash) around his waist but at the end of the day when he was done working he moved his belt (sash) up around his chest. So it would have been significant to John and his readers that wearing his golden sash around his chest meant Jesus had finished his work. And we all know that on the Cross his work was finished.
D. How does John respond in verse 17?
John collapsed and fell at his feet as dead. Seeing Jesus in his glory and holiness as God the son would have completely overwhelmed John. John was in the flesh and Jesus was appearing in his glory as God. Any Hebrew knew you couldn’t actually see God and live. For flesh to be in the presence of a Holy God would strike down any person. When Christ was on earth before the Crucifixion John had laid his head on Jesus chest. This was totally different. But it is significant that Jesus laid his hand on John.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” in verse 18. Contemplate this — for it will help you to overcome.
I envision this somewhat as Jesus saying to John “John you don’t have to be afraid. It’s me. Jesus! I am the first and the last. The all in all. You know I died but I am alive and I now have control over death and the place of death. His sovereignty was apparent and John could take comfort in that.
In this flesh I have no power to stand or overcome the struggles and battles of life and my emotions apart from Jesus. We have been reminded often here as we study together that Jesus was constantly telling his disciples to not be afraid. Why? Because He was with them. And for those of us who know Him personally as our Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit He indwells us and never leaves or forsakes us. Our hope is secure in Him. In Him we don’t have to fear because He has overcome everything. Death included.
I like that — It’s me, Jesus!
Day 4
8. Read about the Church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus in Rev. 2:1?
He holds the 7 stars in His right hand.
He walks in the midst of the 7 golden lampstands.
B. For what does He commend them in Rev 2:2-3?
He commends them for their works, labor, perseverance and patience…laboring for His name’s sake and not becoming weary.
He commends them for not bearing evil.
He commends them for testing those who said they were apostles and were not…finding them liars.
He commends them for their hatred of the deeds of the Nicolations, which He also hates.
Who were the Nicolations?
i. Irenaeus (writing in the late second century) described what he knew of the Nicolaitans: “The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence. The character of these men is plainly pointed out in the Apocalypse of John, as teaching that it is a matter of indifference to practice adultery, and to eat things sacrifice to idols.” (Against Heresies, book 1, chapter 26. From the Ante Nicean Fathers Volume 1, page 352)
ii. Hippolytus, a student of Irenaeus (writing in the early third century) associated the Nicolaitans with the Gnostics: “There are, however, among the Gnostics diversities of opinion… But Nicolaus has been a cause of the wide-spread combination of these wicked men. [He] departed from correct doctrine, and was in the habit of inculcating indifferency of both life and food.” (Refutation of all Heresies, book 7, chapter 24; ANF volume 5, page 115)
iii. Others have emphasized the root meanings of the words that make up the name Nicolaitans. Nikao-laos means literally “to conquer the people.” Based on this, some point to presumptuous claims of apostolic authority and to the heart that sets up hierarchies and separates the “clergy” from the “laity.” Perhaps the Nicolaitans fulfilled all these aspects, being both an idolatrous immorality and a presumptuous, hierarchical, “hidden mysteries” system typical of Gnosticism.
iv. The Nicolaitans, like all deceivers that come from the body of Christ, claimed “not that they were destroying Christianity, but that they were presenting an improved and modernized version of it.” (Barclay)
C. What does He hold against them and what is the remedy in Rev 2:4-5?
They have left their first love.
‘To remember…
From where you have fallen
To repent…
Do the first works
D. What is the warning in Rev 2:5? And the promise in 2:7?
That if they don’t return, remember and repent, He will come quickly and remove their lampstand from it’s place.
E. Be still. What is God saying to you?
Oh the importance of being in tune with God, not on a daily basis, but a moment by moment basis. My prayer is Psalm 26:2, “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.”
God examines and proves us by allowing or sending calamity and adversity which purges and purifies us. I need to remember that adversities happening around me can find their resting place within my mind and heart…the seat of my emotions and passions. And therefore rob me of my joy and love for the Lord which in turn dulls my discernment of spiritual things.
9. Read about the Church in Smyrna in Rev. 2:8-11
A. How is Jesus described in Rev. 2:8?
The First and the Last, was dead, and come to life.
B. How does He commend them and warn them?
He commends them for their works, tribulations and poverty.
Warns them not to fear any if those things you are about to suffer…being thrown into prison, being tested and having tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death.
C. What promise does He give them in verse 11?
I think there’s a promise at the end of verse 10…”I will give you the crown of life.”
He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the 2nd death.
10. Read about the Church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.
A. How is Jesus described in verse 12?
The one who has the sharp two-edged sword.
B. What does He have against them and how does He commend them?
He commends them for their works, for living in the place where Satan’s throne is, holding fast to His name, not denying His faith even in the days in which Antipas was martyred and killed among them, where Satan dwells.
He has this against them…they have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. And those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolations, which I hate.
C. What promises are given to those who overcome?
He will give some of the hidden manna to eat.
Give a white stone, which has a new name written on it, which no one knows except him who receives it.
So true, Sharon, that we need His searching and knowing on a moment by moment basis. I suddenly saw how clouded my eyesight was, as I began to start praying for wisdom in how to respond to comments here. I noticed how where I wanted to go, was not where God wanted me to go.
It’s crazy how we can “think” we are abiding in the Vine, in our serving, and yet SO not be. I am thankful He keeps disciplining us and proving that our hearts belong to Him.
6. The Cosmic King, Keller’s sermon.
Keller said that John wrote the book because there was so much hardship and persecution. Revelation helped them face it, and if it was sufficient for them, it is also sufficient for us. John gave them the view of Jesus we need.
I do have a small issue with the above, and that is John did not sit down and think he should write a book as encouragement to the people. Yes, he gave them the book, but it was because it was revealed. It is different than the epistles, where an apostle saw a need and sat down to write from his own knowledge and experience under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This book is totally from Jesus. And that is why it is Revelation; it is Jesus revealing to His people things to come, to encourage them.
The early disciples saw Jesus as Alpha; not created, and clearly God.
We have to know Jesus to know ourselves. It is His perspective that helps us see ourselves as He sees us. How we see our alpha, our beginning, determines our outlook. If you think the universe is random, you will seek escape and laugh off serious thought. Jesus doesn’t do that. Everything has to start with Jesus.
He is also the Omega. Everything is oriented toward Him. The universe was built for Him, and we don’t fit unless we are serving Him. Everything is running toward Him. He is the judge and the final end.
We need to live by this. Jesus must be the point of our lives. He cannot be a means to your own end. He is the end. He is not negotiable, and everything else is the means. Without Jesus there is no meaning or point.
We think we can get our point by using Jesus. It will never work. Moses thought he could serve God by leading in his own strength. It led to him running, living at the bottom rung of society, a failure. Leadership had been his point. When, at 80, he learned God as his point, then he was ready to serve and lead.
Jonah thought that condemning Assyria was the point. Are you shaking your fist at God because He isn’t giving you what you want? What you want most is your point. When you have unanswered prayer and it bothers you, what was your point? Our service should be to get God, period.
Jesus is not a battery to keep your old life going. He is a totally new life. Trying to cobble all your points together creates a Frankenstein.
If there is a first and a last, there has to be a middle. People who think they are products of chance have no alpha or omega, but still try to say the middle has meaning. But they have no basis or standing to battle societal ills. For us, who have Jesus, every moment has meaning.
Jesus is the glory, the weight, the substance, the worth. No matter what we go through, He is the substance and matters more.
Daniel saw Jesus and falls as though dead, and an angel comes and strengthens him. In Revelation, John saw Jesus and falls as though dead, but it is Jesus who gives him strength. So don’t be afraid of what you could suffer. Jesus will ultimately make it worth it.
The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy Him forever.
Good point, Mary — John didn’t sit down and write the book — it was revealed. Would have been better to say God revealed it for encouragement.
Love this: “Jesus is the glory, the weight, the substance, the worth.” I remember reading somewhere that the glory of God is our intrinsic worth. Just meditating on that alone is so good to do.
BTW I am being so blessed by Gentle and Lowly. I also sent a Kindle version to two friends of mine. One has already started reading too and is being so blessed also.
So many excellent and helpful points, Mary (as always). Thank you.
7. Revelation 1:9-20.
A. How does John describe himself, and what clue does this give us about the meaning of the book? John describes himself as our brother, who is also suffering and trying to endure for Jesus. John isn’t somehow above what is happening with persecution, coming to tell people how he has overcome and they can, too. The meaning of the book is that it is equally for all believers in all times and places.
B. What was he told to do? He was instructed to write down everything he is about to be shown, so that he can share it with a cross section of churches. Maybe because there are seven churches here is a way of saying for the completeness of believers.
C. Describe the vision, and then the interpretation.
John turned and saw what looked very like the way Daniel had described the eternal one in his vision, but this one had stars in His hand and walked among lampstands. When Jesus places His hand on John to strengthen him, He tells him the stars are angels, or messengers, of the seven churches, and the lampstands are the churches.
E. Why is John told not to be afraid?
Perhaps because this is Jesus, whom John knows and loves, and who John knows loves him. When we know that Jesus is with us in something we are going through, then we can have confidence. In our lives, we get fearful when we aren’t in control, when we don’t know what is happening. But when Jesus comes and lays His hand on us, we know He has it all ‘in His hands’, and we can relax.
Yes, Mary, Jesus comes and lays His hand on us, we know He has it all in His hands…
Thank you for telling me about The Insanity of God . I am stunned by this whole movie, the love of the suffering church, we are one church. I will keep on remembering the love and dedication.
So good to sit with this, Mary, especially after what Dee shared about the 7 generations:
“Maybe because there are seven churches here is a way of saying for the completeness of believers.”
7. Revelation 1:9-20
A. John describes himself as “your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus.”
He was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He was suffering punishment and this is a clue as to the purpose of Revelation.
B. What is he told to do in verses 10-11? Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the 7 churches.
C. Describe the vision he has in verses 12-13. Then give the interpretation of this as given in verse 20. He turned to the voice and saw 7 golden lampstands and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” who was dressed in a robe to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. Verse 20 states that the “7 stars in my right hand” were the angels of the 7 churches and the 7 lampstands are the 7 churches.
D. How does John respond in verse 17? When he saw him he fell at his feet as though dead.
E. Why is he told “not to be afraid?” Verse 18 says : I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Contemplate this- for it will help you to overcome.
This is an amazing vision, to think about seeing the risen Savior who is alive for ever and ever…It would fill me with awe and yes, more than I could ever imagine.
8. The church in Ephesus, Revelation 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus? Verse 1 He holds the 7 stars(angels) and walks among the 7 lampstands.
B. For what does he commend them? He knows their deeds, their hard work and their perseverance and that they cannot tolerate evil men and they have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not.
C. What does he hold against them? They have forsaken their first love. He tells them to remember the height from which they have fallen and to repent.
D. What is the warning? If they do not repent he will remove their lampstand from its place.
E. Be still. What is God saying to you? This warning is for me to pay attention to what I profess and realize how I stray from my goal. I desire to be a witness and yet I lose track of my goal and get my focus so easily on my circumstances and need to repent often.
8. Read about the Church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus in Rev. 2:1?
He holds the angels (messengers) in His right hand, and He walks among the churches.
B. For what does He commend them in Rev 2:2-3?
He commends them for being successful at being patient to find the evil around them, searching out the fakes in the crowd and calling them out on it.
C. What does He hold against them and what is the remedy in Rev 2:4-5?
He tells the they have lost their first love. They should turn back to Him and complete their work.
D. What is the warning in Rev 2:5? And the promise in 2:7?
They will lose their standing as a church (the Amplified Bible says, “your impact”).
E. Be still. What is God saying to you?
I need to repent of my sins and come to Him.
9. Read about the Church in Smyrna in Rev. 2:8-11
A. How is Jesus described in Rev. 2:8?
He is the First and Last, the One who died and rose again.
B. How does He commend them and warn them?
He says He knows of their suffering and poverty. He knows of the blasphemy they received from the Jews who have allowed evil into the synagogue. But, He also knows how rich they are as well.
He warns that there will be more suffering and they might be thrown into jail. If they remain faithful (even facing death) they will receive the crown of life.
C. What promise does He give them in verse 11?
If they listen to the Holy Spirit they will not be consumed by death,
Day 5. The Final Three Churches
13. Read about the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6.
A. How does Jesus describe himself in verse 1?
The words of him who has the seven spirits of God [the Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [the angels of the churches].
B. What warning does He have for them in verses 1-3?
“If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” He talks of their works not being complete in His sight and commands them to: “strengthen what remains and is about to die”.
C. Whom does He commend and what does He promise in verses 4-6?
The few names in Sardis, who have not soiled their garments. He promises that they will walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.
The one who conquers will be clothed in white garments, and Jesus will never blot his name out of the book of life. Jesus will confess his name before His Father and before his angels
14. Read about the church in Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13.
A. How does Jesus describe Himself in verse 7?
The holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
B. How does He commend them and encourage them in verses 8-11?
He commends them for their works. He encourages them that He has set before them an open door, which no one is able to shut. He also encourages them by telling them that He knows they have but little power and that they have still kept His Word and have not denied His Name. He also encourages them by saying that He will make those, who are of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie, to lie down at their feet. He also encourages them that these lying people will learn that Jesus has loved those that they have persecuted.
He also says that because they have kept His Word about patient endurance that He will keep them from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
He encourages them that He is coming soon and to hold fast to what they have, so that no one may seize their crown.
C. What promises does He give to overcomers?
The one who conquers, He will make him a pillar in the temple of His God. Never shall he go out of it, and He will write on him the name of His God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from His God out of heaven, and His own new name.
15. Read about the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-21.
A. How does He describe Himself in verse 14?
The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
B. What is their deep problem and what does it lead to?
They are neither cold, nor hot, but lukewarm. They say they are rich, and that they have prospered, and need nothing, not realizing that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. So, the problem it leads to is that they are unaware of their own need for Jesus.
C. What does He tell them to do?
To buy from Him gold refined by fire, so that they may be rich, and white garments so that they may clothe themself and the shame of their nakedness may not be seen, and a salve to anoint their eyes, so that they may see. For, those whom He loves, He reproves and disciplines, so He tells them to be zealous and to repent.
D. What promise does He give to those who overcome in verses 19-21?
He says if they open the door He is knocking at, He will come in to them and eat with them, and they with Him. The one who conquers, He will grant him to sit with Him on His throne, as He also conquered and sat down with His Father on His throne.
16. How is the Spirit speaking to you through these last three churches?
This in particular SO moved my heart: that Jesus will show those who have looked down upon me in churches, for my decision to speak up in His Name, that He has loved me. That they will see His love for me: the worst of sinners, but deeply loved by her Heavenly Father.
I was also struck again by the need to see myself through God’s eyes, how that will help me to overcome because I will stand firm in the truth, rather than turning to apologize for speaking up, believing I am a slanderer, when in fact I am defending souls from the enemy’s schemes.
17. What is your take-a-way from this week, and why?
The gift of the Body of Christ. Seeing Him in each of you and your stories here and also in how He is answering the prayers He has given me for you is SO encouraging to me. To see in a real palpable way that I belong to His Body is a HUGE gift to me.
He is healing my heart from all the wounding in churches, through His Presence here. He is casting out the fear in my heart that I have had toward Christians who attend churches. He is showing me the beauty of perservering in love and the fruit of my repentance for my hatred and bitterness (the gift Laura gave me).
And what also suddenly struck me is that my Anglican vicar taught on the 7 churches right before God sent me and my girls to the church, where I would be persecuted for my faith. Remembering that just so warmed my heart. He was preparing me and I didn’t even know it.
But it also made me see how I need to be more awake to His preparation. This is a prayer point for me: to ask Him to help me stay awake to His preparing of me, so that next time I will see with His eyes, when the attacks come and resist the enemy’s accusations to stand firmly in the truth of His Word, bold and unashamed.
Keller’s sermon,
I have to share this…our daughter joined us for dinner last night and we were talking about racism, social justice and helping the poor etc as it seems that is what’s important to her generation (which it is) and I shared with her from Keller’s sermon about how Jesus is the Alpha and Omega and for those who think this is meaningless and has nothing to do with fulfilling my life, but the middle part is meaningful, saying we need to work against racism, be compassionate towards the poor, for individual rights…wait a minute…if your Alpha and Omega is meaningless, your middle life is meaningless. Niche says, if you’re coming from nothing and going to nothing, your middle is nothing too. She is a Christian and very much agreed. I trust and pray she would have more boldness in sharing Christ with her peers because He’s her Alpha and Omega.
I really liked the quote from Elizabeth Elliott…
“God, if He were my accomplice had betrayed me, on the other hand if He were God He had freed me.”
There is freedom in serving Him to get Him!
If I serve Him and He’s all I get what more do I need. He needs to be my Omega point not a means to get to that Omega point.
Wonderful conversation with your daughter, Sharon!
Day 4
11. Read about the Church in Thyatira in Rev. 2:18-29
A. How Is Jesus described in verse 18?
Son of God, eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass.
B. For what does He commend them and rebuke them in verses 19-25?
He commends their works – the last are more than the first, love, service, faith and their patience.
‘They are rebuked for…
Allowing the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess to teach and seduce His servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Those who committed adultery with her will be cast into great tribulation, unless they repent.
C. What promises are given to overcomers?
They will be given power over the nations and the Morning Star, which is Jesus.
12. From the four churches you looked at, is there anything that became radioactive to you today? If so, what and why?
The importance of being an overcomer and having a repentant heart.
8. Revelation 2:1-7.
A. What do you learn about Jesus in verse 1? He is sending His words to the churches as the One who holds them in His hand and walks among them.
B. What is the church in Ephesus commended for? Their hard work, deeds, perseverance, enduring hardship for Jesus without growing weary, and by testing leaders have not tolerated those who are false. Also they hate the Nicolatians.
C. What does He hold against them, and what is the remedy?
How very like our Lord to not just reveal our sin, but point the way out! They have turned away from their first love, Jesus. The cure is to look back and remember what it was like at the beginning and return to those actions and attitudes. Very like in marriage, when we think it is getting stale.
D. The warning in verse 5 and the promise in 7. Refusal to repent will lead to the removal of their lampstand, the going out of their light. But for those who respond to His words, He will give the right to eat from the tree of life in heaven.
E. Be still. What is God saying to you? To be still is extremely hard for me. I am like a hyperactive child, always in motion in my thoughts. It makes it hard to hear Him. Often it is in the time between waking and sleeping that I hear Him broach things with me. It isn’t that any of the things I am doing are wrong. It is that I need to form a practice of following the command of Scripture to be still, and know (experience) that He is God.
9. Revelation 2:8-11. A. How is Jesus described in 8? As the first and last, another way of saying Alpha and Omega. Also, that He had died and returned to life again. Is it significant that He doesn’t say He was raised to life? When I read John 10:17-18, where Jesus says He lays down His life only to take it up again, and that He has authority to do that, I am always impressed that He didn’t die like all others. All the rest of us die because our body quits working. We can’t make it happen, or stop it from happening. But these verses say Jesus isn’t like that. His body did not quit working… He took His Spirit from it, causing it to quit. Sorry for the bunny trail.
B. How does He both commend them, and then warn them? He says He is very aware of their afflictions and poverty, and that in His eyes they are rich. Then He warns them that more testing is coming.
C. The promise. Faithfulness will be rewarded with the crown of life, and they will be immune from the second death.
10. Revelation 2:12-17. A. How is Jesus described? As the one having the sharp, double edged sword. Which brings me to Hebrews, where it is the Word of God that is sharper than any double edged sword. Of course, Jesus is the Word of God.
B. What does He have against them, and how does He commend them? He says they are tolerating in their midst people who hold to false teachings. He commends them for remaining true, even in such a wicked place, where there has been danger and persecution. The tolerance of false teachings makes me think of the ecumenical movement, looking for areas where we can agree, which often ends up being more of an agreement to just be polite no matter what. I’ve heard, and believe, that the essential points we cannot compromise on are the inerrancy of Scripture, the incarnation, and the efficacy of His blood. I’m not sure how that stacks up against what Jesus says here.
C. The promise for overcomer. Some of the hidden manna, and a stone with a secret, new name, written on it. I have to admit these don’t make sense to me. We’ve already been given a new name, right? And I have no idea what hidden manna is.
Mary you might want to read some commentary I found on the manna and the white stone in my last post after this. I found it interesting and not undue speculation.
Thank you, Bev. Yes, it was helpful.
“It isn’t that any of the things I am doing are wrong. It is that I need to form a practice of following the command of Scripture to be still, and know (experience) that He is God.” So true of me, too!
Amen to Miriam’s post!
11. Revelation 2:18-29.
A. Jesus described. The Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze. Elsewhere, our eyes are described as how we get light, or truth, into us. So, if His eyes are like blazing fire, wouldn’t that be a description of total light, total truth, total purity? As far as bronze goes… that was the material for the altar, a material that can withstand fire. Not sure what it really means, though.
B. The commendation and rebuke.
He commends their deeds, love, service, faith and perseverance, that they are doing even more now than at first. Again, His rebuke is for tolerating in their midst what is evil and threatens to take them away from Jesus.
C. Promise to overcomers.
That they will have authority over the nations, and also be given the morning star.
12. From these four, anything radioactive to you?
It seems that the promises mostly pertain to us getting Jesus in all His fullness and facets. That sounds really good to me!!
13. Revelation 3:1-6.
A. Jesus described.
As the One who holds the seven spirits/angels/messengers and the seven stars. Nearly the same as he tells Ephesus.
B. The warning.
He says that their reputation does not represent the truth, that they need to wake up and see the danger they are in. They need to go back to the basics in repentance and obedience. He says if they don’t make changes, He will come like a thief. The implication seems to be that what they have will be taken from them.
C. Whom does He commend? What is the promise?
Those who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Him in white. He will never erase their name from the book of life, and will acknowledge them before God the Father.
This actually raises questions for me. It seems to imply that our works make a difference to our salvation, and that we could lose our salvation.
14. Revelation 3:7-13.
A. Jesus describes Himself.
As holy and true, holding the key of David; what He shuts stays shut and what He opens stays open.
B. Commendation and encouragement in verses 8-11.
Jesus knows them. He sees their deeds. He knows they are weak and is pleased they have not denied His name and have kept His word. They have endured patiently. He says He has put an open door before them, that He will make those who have come against them come and admit they were wrong, and keep them from the trial coming to the rest of the world.
C. Promise.
To be made pillars in the house of God, and never have to leave it. He will write on them the names of God the Father, the city of God, and the new name of Jesus.
Day 4: Four of The Seven Churches
8. Read about the Church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7
A. What do you learn about Jesus in Rev. 2:1?
The words of Jesus are what matter.
B. For what does He commend them in Rev 2:2-3?
The work they are doing and their patient endurance and the fact they have not allowed false teachers but exposed them. They have not grown weary in their work for the Lord.
C. What does He hold against them and what is the remedy in Rev 2:4-5?
They no longer have Jesus as their first love like when they began and they need to remember their original love for Him and repent and be like they were at their beginning. Giving Him first place in their lives through relationship with Him ahead of their works.
D. What is the warning in Rev 2:5? And the promise in 2:7?
If they are not repentant they will be removed from where they are and cease to function. Wiersbe comments that “the local church is to shine as a light in the world. But without true love for Christ, it’s light will go out and it will be removed.” But if they listen with a hearing ear and do what they hear and overcome there will be eternal reward.
E. Be still. What is God saying to you?
He speaks to the importance of loving Him foremost and serving Him out of that love. Also I need to be discerning about what is taught and follow what the Holy Spirit teaches me. In doing so there is spiritual reward that has eternal consequences.
9. Read about the Church in Smyrna in Rev. 2:8-11
A. How is Jesus described in Rev. 2:8?
These are the words of Jesus Who is first (Alpha) and last (Omega) and Who died but was raised to life again.
B. How does He commend them and warn them?
Even though they are in tribulation and poverty they are rich in reality in what they have in Jesus. He tells them of Satan’s plan of persecution to throw them in prison and put them to death but if they overcome there will be a crown of life given to them.
C. What promise does He give them in verse 11?
The one who over comes will not experience the eternal punishment of the second death which is hell.
D. A. Carson writes: “Those who suffer the “second death” will participate neither in the resurrection of the saints nor in the life of the new world to come, but rather will experience unending punishment.
10. Read about the Church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.
A. How is Jesus described in verse 12?
He has a two edged sword. Back in chapter 1 verse 16 it says “…from his mouth came a two edged sword,…” Again it would seem the words of his mouth hold discerning power. I think of Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
B. What does He have against them and how does He commend them?
They have allowed seeking personal gain and false teaching in their midst but they still held fast to his Name and did not deny their faith in Him.
C. What promises are given to those who overcome?
They will be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name known only to them written on it. In doing a little research on “hidden manna” one writer said “Quite simply, the hidden manna is a symbolic picture of Jesus Christ. As the manna of the Exodus sustained and strengthened the Israelites for the forty years of desert wanderings, So Jesus strengthens and sustains us spiritually as we walk through this life on our way to Heaven. Jesus is the “manna” from Heaven—the spiritual sustenance we need— and is promised to us.” In John 6:48-51, 58 Jesus talks about himself as the bread of life compared to the manna that their ancestors ate in the Wilderness.
The white stone is still a mystery. But a good theory is that in Ancient Rome it was a custom that a white stone was awarded to victors in athletic games and their name was inscribed on it. This also served as their “ticket” to an awards banquet. According to this view Jesus promises the overcomers entrance to the eternal victory celebration in Heaven .
Unlike the earthly manna, this manna is eternal – we have only tasted the goodness of the Lord. Naming implies ownership — we will be His and He will be ours.
11. Read about the Church in Thyatira in Rev. 2:18-29
A. How Is Jesus described in verse 18?
He has eyes like a flame of fire and and feet like burnished bronze. Wiersbe comments that the eyes of fire and the feet of brass come to see and to judge.
B. For what does He commend them and rebuke them in verses 19-25?
He commends them for their works, love and faith, service, patient endurance. But there was much sin and He rebukes them for tolerating Jezebel and her leading his servants into immoral practices and giving them license to sin.
C. What promises are given to overcomers?
To the ones who conquer and keep His works to the end He will give authority over nations like the authority God the Father has given him to rule over all. And He says he will give them the Morning Star. These blessings include 1. authority over the nations /we don’t know the context of that. 2. Victory over all enemies. 3. The morning star which is Jesus Himself as Revelation 22:16 reveals. Jesus will give Himself to His church and we will fellowship together forever. What a wonderful promise that is!
12. From the four churches you looked at, is there anything that became radioactive to you today? If so, what and why?
It is the instruction given to John that he is to give each church the Words that Jesus speaks to him. Jesus is the very Word of God Who came in flesh and spoke out of obedience all that God told Him. Their is great weight in the Words of Jesus. I am reminded of the saying of a dear old Norwegian pastor that blessed our lives in our early years. He said only two things really matter in the Christian life. And they are the Word and prayer. Now about 50 years later I know he was right.
Hope you all saw this from Bev:
In doing a little research on “hidden manna” one writer said “Quite simply, the hidden manna is a symbolic picture of Jesus Christ. As the manna of the Exodus sustained and strengthened the Israelites for the forty years of desert wanderings, So Jesus strengthens and sustains us spiritually as we walk through this life on our way to Heaven. Jesus is the “manna” from Heaven—the spiritual sustenance we need— and is promised to us.” In John 6:48-51, 58 Jesus talks about himself as the bread of life compared to the manna that their ancestors ate in the Wilderness.
10. Read about the Church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.
A. How is Jesus described in verse 12?
He is the One with the sharp two edged sword.
B. What does He have against them and how does He commend them?
He objects to the people within them who have committed sins; those who follow the teachings “like Balaam.” They eat certain foods and commit sexual sins. He commends them for being loyal to Him when all this debauchery is going on around them.
C. What promises are given to those who overcome?
The over-comers will be given the leftover manna from heaven. They will also receive a white stone with a name engraved that only they know.
11. Read about the Church in Thyatira in Rev. 2:18-29
A. How Is Jesus described in verse 18?
His eyes are like flames of fire and His feet are like polished bronze.
B. For what does He commend them and rebuke them in verses 19-25?
He commends them for being faithful, loving, patient, enduring, and good servers. He says they are growing in all these things.
He rebukes them for allowing “that Jezebel,” who purports herself a prophet and promotes sexual sin and eating food offered to idols.
C. What promises are given to overcomers?
He gives them authority over all the nations. They will receive the same authority as Jesus and they will also receive Jesus Himself, the Morning Star.
12. From the four churches you looked at, is there anything that became radioactive to you today? If so, what and why?
I think the idea that being repentant means you receive a blessing from God. I would like to be blessed for my repentance, in any of the ways suggested in the text. However I think the best way was having the “Morning Star.”
Day 5
13. Read about the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6.
A. How does Jesus describe himself in verse 1?
The One who has the 7 Spirits of God and the 7 stars.
B. What warning does He have for them in verses 1-3?
He knows their works, that they have a name that they are alive, but are dead.
Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for He has not found their works perfect before God (I wonder if the motives of their works was all wrong?)
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you won’t know the hour I come upon you.
C. Whom does He commend and what does He promise in verses 4-6?
There are a few names that have who have not defiled their garments.
They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, He will not blog out his name from the Book of Life; but will confess his name before His Father and before His angels.
14. Read about the church in Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13.
A. How does Jesus describe Himself in verse 7?
Holy, true, has the key of David, opens and no one shuts, shuts and no one opens.
B. How does He commend them and encourage them in verses 8-11?
He knows their works.
Has set before them and open door, and no one can shut it.
They have a little strength, have kept His word and have not denied His name.
Those in the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie – indeed I will make them come and worship before you feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Because you kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
He is coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, that no one takes your crown.
C. What promises does He give to overcomers?
He will make him a pillar in the temple of His God, and he shall go out no more.
He will write on him the name of His God and the name of the city of His God, the New Jerusalem…
He will write on him His new name.
15. Read about the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-21.
A. How does He describe Himself in verse 14?
The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.
B. What is their deep problem and what does it lead to?
They are lukewarm. He will vomit them out of His mouth.
‘They say they’re rich and have need of nothing. They are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.
C. What does He tell them to do?
Buy from Him gold refined in the fire, that they may be rich; white garments, that they may be clothed, that the shame of their nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint their eyes with eye salve that they may see, as many as He loves, He rebukes and chastens. Therefore be zealous and repent. He is standing at the door knocking. If anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in to him and dine with him and he with Him.
D. What promise does He give to those who overcome in verses 19-21?
He will grant him to sit with Him on His throne, as He also overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne.
Tim Keller Sermon: In the beginning GOD. My alpha (beginning) point. He is the alpha-start with Him and things make sense, my life, my problems, etc. Jesus built the universe for himself, I was built for Him, I fit when I am serving Him. All of history is rushing headlong into His lap. Everything is for Him. Everything that is created is created for Him. He is the Omega. He is the end too. All problems will be resolved in Him. Everything in history, everything in my life. Operate in my daily life in accordance with these truths. Jesus must be my point.
Two ways to approach God and each creates a completely different experience: Make Jesus the means and something else the end, or Make Jesus the end and everything else the means.
The omega points of my life are the non-negotiables-I have to have that or my life has no point. If I don’t have that, then what is the use of going on?
In the very beginning we approach Christ as a means to get to the omega point we are trying to get to. We can’t do that because He is the omega point.
Real strength is obeying God when you are weak. A broken man is a much more attractive leader than a proud man.
We say, God I have tried to lead a decent life. I have asked for this, and I have got nothing. What good is it to be a Christian. God you are negotiable but what I want isn’t negotiable. Jesus says serve me to get me. What is your Omega point. The things that you want most you will never get because you want them the most.
Jonah had a political agenda-he wanted ninevah destroyed. He made serving God the means and the political fortunes of his people the end. When he didn’t get what he wanted his life was pointless.
OKAY..This sermon was an answer to prayer for me.
Would love to know how it was answer to prayer, but completely understand if you don’t want to share so publicly!
Day 5. The Final Three Churches
13. Read about the church in Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6.
A. How does Jesus describe himself in verse 1?
As Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
B. What warning does He have for them in verses 1-3?
To wake up and be alert. To strengthen the few things they do have. To remember the Word they have received and heard. To keep it and repent. And to be ready when He comes.
C. Whom does He commend and what does He promise in verses 4-6?
I like the way the NLT describes it.
“Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.”
14. Read about the church in Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13.
A. How does Jesus describe Himself in verse 7?
As the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts and who shuts and no one opens. He has ultimate authority.
B. How does He commend them and encourage them in verses 8-11?
For keeping his word and not denying his name. He will make their enemies come and bow down at their feet and have to acknowledge they are the ones He loves.
C. What promises does He give to overcomers?
Because they obeyed his command to persevere He will protect them from the great time of testing that is coming on the world.
15. Read about the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-21.
A. How does He describe Himself in verse 14?
As the Amen (meaning it is so or so be it) similar to the Omega? He is the faithful and true witness. He is the Creator.
B. What is their deep problem and what does it lead to?
They are a church that is mixed with hot and cold. Truth has been diluted with error. They think of themselves as rich when in reality they are “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.” I read this is a picture of the apostate church with it’s prestige, wealth, and political power, yet all the while it is spiritually poor.
C. What does He tell them to do?
He tells them to come to Him and obtain true riches, clean white garments (righteousness) and healing for their eyes to see clearly the truth. He says to be zealous and repent. Interesting zeal and repentance don’t usually come together. I see great hesitance in people to come and repent. And I am talking about church goers.
D. What promise does He give to those who overcome in verses 19-21?
He promises to reprove and discipline those he loves. I find this a great contrast in the thinking of today’s world. Parents are all about wanting their children to just be “happy”. We try to make church more palatable to the sinner, believers and unbelievers. We concern ourselves deeply with how people are feeling and avoid the realities of truth that are wrecking their lives. I may l.sound hard in saying those things but I hear Jesus saying here he reproves and disciplines those he loves. It’s a perfect love at work with a purpose to bring about a zeal to repent. He also promises to come into come back into a life where he belongs if the door is opened for him to do so and the fellowship will be sweet.
16. How is the Spirit speaking to you through these last three churches?
To be awake and alert, remember the Word and keep it, and be ready when He comes back. To stay in the truth of his Word and away from error. And the main message seems to me the need for repentance. I need always to turn away from my sin and turn toward Him. In doing so I am promised that sweet fellowship of “dependent intimacy” and all that goes with a close and meaningful relationship with my precious Savior.
17. What is your take-a-way from this week, and why?
It is the focus on the words of Jesus. As I said yesterday the Word of God and prayer are the most important elements in the life of a believer in Jesus. I like that Keller said Jesus is the Point! He is the point of The Revelation and to each of these churches we have looked at he says to them if they have ears to hear to listen. Wiersbe pointed out in my reading “ Note the importance of the Word of God to the churches. Seven times Christ calls the churches to hear what the Spirit is saying. When churches stop listening to the voice of the Spirit through the Word and start listening to the voices of false teachers, they begin to turn away from the truth. We must not deny the faith (Rev 2:23) even if it costs us our lives. We must keep His Word (Rev 3:8, 10) and not deny His name. Apart from the Word of God, there is no life or hope for the churches.”
These are sobering words.
Bev, when reading both your C and D, I wanted to jump up and holler, Yes! People don’t like when it is pointed out to them that all of us should be repenting. They want all the stuff about love and a fulfilled life. Not that God doesn’t give us those things, but as we’ve seen this week, that isn’t the point. Jesus is the point.
15. Read about the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-21.
A. How does He describe Himself in verse 14?
The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
B. What is their deep problem and what does it lead to?
They are lukewarm, they have no zeal, and He will spit them out of His mouth. Their disease is affluence and comfort. They think they have no need of anything, but they are Spiritually naked, poor and blind.
C. What does He tell them to do?
They need to die to their comfort idol and opt into suffering, discipline. Repent. He tells them to buy from Him gold refined by fire, white garments of purity, clean their eyes so they may truly see. They need refinement, purity, clear sight. Repent. Open the door to their Groom.
D. What promise does He give to those who overcome in verses 19-21?
He reproves and disciplines those He loves. He calls them to repent, to hear His voice and open the door, welcome Him in. He will grant them to sit with Him on His throne.
16. How is the Spirit speaking to you through these last three churches?
God sees. He sees beneath my actions, He sees my heart. He knows the pain, the struggles, the conflict. He also knows when I have gotten caught up in wanting recognition or I am even subtly trying to steal His glory for myself. He knows when I have forgotten my First Love. But He is gracious, patient, long suffering, and His mercies are new every morning. When I find myself complacent or just going through the motions, or caught in a negative cycle complaining or putting others down even if only in my head—I repent. He forgives. I am new. And I return to my First Love. He is always at the Door, always welcoming me back to fellowship with Himself.
17. What is your take-a-way from this week, and why?
My #16 kind of became my take away. But I am also reminded of this verse in 2 Peter 1:3-4, a reminder of His faithfulness to our sanctification: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
Lizzie, yes, He is always at the door!!
Lizzy — I think you, and me, and so many, need to keep being reassured of His love. I love the picture of Him, as Mary commented, being always at the door ready to welcome us back.