A Mission and Message for People of the Lamb Revelation 10:1-11:14 May 22nd, 2016
I. Lets start by REVIEWING the REVELATION.
A. Seeing JESUS in an IMPLODING world. (Chap. 1-3)
B. A SLAIN LAMB on the THRONE. (Chap. 4-5)
C. We are PROTECTED as the PLAN unfolds. (Chap. 6-8)
D. LIVING through the WARNING judgments. (Chap. 8-11)
Weve reached the half way point. So its important we take a few minutes to remember what we have seen this far. Chapter 10-11 fall between the 6th and 7th warning trumpet, and, just like chapter 7 (between the 6th and 7th seal) they convey a message to Christ followers. Remember the question of the whole book? What is Jesus like? Who is He? Especially in light of a world that seems to be fully devoted to destroying His people.
1. What has been the message that you think God is giving you through this first half of the book of Revelation? What are you seeign about Jesus that you havent seen before?
2. Jeff didnt even touch on the 7 thunderswhat do you think about those? In Ps. 29 the Lords voice thunders 7 times. Does that give you any insight to the thunders in Rev. 10?
II.Scene #1 – EAT and SPEAK. (10:1-11)
A. John sees a MIGHTY ANGEL. (10:1-4)
B. A MESSAGE and a SCROLL. (10:5-9; 6:10)
C. PROCLAIMING a bitter-sweet TRUTH. (10:9-11; Ezek. 3:1-4)
There are two main scenes, the first comes in Chapter 10. We see a mighty angel (one of three that show up throughout the book (see chap. 5 and chap. 18) with one foot on the land and one on the sea, holding a scrollan open scroll. John is told to eat it (internalize it, at least a little scroll of it) and to speak it to the world.
3. What do you think the scroll in the hand of the mighty angel is? Why?
4. When John is told to eat the scroll, why do you think he asks for the little scroll? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the truth of Godlike it was too much to handle? What was that like?
5. When have you had an experience with a bitter sweet truth. What was that like? How has that shaped your spiritual life?
III. Scene #2 – PROTECTED as we PROCLAIM. (11:1-13; Zech. 2:1-5)
A. A message for the CHURCH in the WORLD. (11:1-2; II Cor. 6:16; I Pet. 2:4-5; Mt. 1:17; Num. 33)
B. The POWER and SACRIFICE of a witness. (11:3-7)
C. FINALLY, a different RESPONSE. (11:7-13; 9:20-21)
The second scene is more complicated, and draws from a huge number of Old Testament images and metaphors – far too many to go into in one sermon. But the point here is that those who are Christ followers in the middle of a world of warning trumpets are safe (remember the seals in Chapter 7) and that we have a message to share with the world. The message goes deeper than wordsto our actionseven to death. Remember, death holds no power over the people of the lamb.
6. Chapter 11 has been interpreted in recent history as the manifestation of Moses and Elijah as real witnesses in Jerusalem during the last days. What from the text supports this idea and what challenges this idea?
7. What mages in chapter 11 are the most disturbing to you personally? Comforting? Why?
IV. The REVELATION for TODAY
A. We need to EAT the BOOK. (Gen. 1- Rev. 22)
B. We need to LIVE as the TEMPLE. (Eph. 2:19-22)
C. We need to WITNESS with WORDS and ACTIONS. (Acts 1:8)
D. We need to THINK wisely about POWER. (Phil. 2:5-8)
Since this is a message to the Christ followers about how to live in a world of warning judgment, its not too hard to see how we can apply it to our lives today. Our world is hearing the first 6 trumpets daily. All around us there are natural and spiritual signs that all is not well. And we live in this context with a message to tell of the One who will return and establish His Kingdom forever. Even though the world around us says otherwise, we have no reason to fear. We are the people of the Lamb.
8. What are some practical ways that you can eat the Book? What best fits the unique to your personality ways that you take in knowledge?
9. What does living as the temple of God look like in your day to day life? What role do relationships with other believers play in that calling?
10. Is the church of Jesus called to power or sacrificial service? What does that mean in practical day to day life terms?
If witnesses get killed doing their prophetic workthey win!! They win? Things are not as they seem. They win because they have a new life in the city of God. They also win because killing the witnesses does something to the great city. It breaks the heart of the city. It breaks the heart of those who kill, and wins the killers. It is the mystery of the cross. Jesus wins when it appears that He is defeated. Jesus wins when it appears evil is in control. Jesus overcomes the enemy when He lets the enemy overcome Him. Jesus, the faithful witness, did not back off as death sought to threaten Him. Because He did not back off but remained faithful unto death, He beat death Darrell Johnson – Discipleship on the Edge