Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
Prior to Isaiah and Ezekiel receiving their prophecies they too received a vision of heaven, Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1.
Perhaps it is necessary to know the bigger picture before being a prophet.
Prior to Isaiah and Ezekiel receiving their prophecies they too received a vision of heaven, Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1.
Perhaps it is necessary to know the bigger picture before being a prophet.
Hi Susan, I am just coming up to speed in Revelation. In chapter 4 is the first time I believe the lampstands are described. I am always fascinated by the lampstand imagery. Here the lampstands are the 7 spirits who are God. and more accurately, the fullness of God. I wonder if that refers to the Gentiles being brought into the Kingdom in the last days as I have previously studied in Romans.
Later in Rev. is a reference to the lampstands being blown out, or no longer lit. That was the churches who no longer follow the Holy Spirit.
Hi Susan, I am just coming up to speed in Revelation. In chapter 4 is the first time I believe the lampstands are described. I am always fascinated by the lampstand imagery. Here the lampstands are the 7 spirits who are God. and more accurately, the fullness of God. I wonder if that refers to the Gentiles being brought into the Kingdom in the last days as I have previously studied in Romans.
Later in Rev. is a reference to the lampstands being blown out, or no longer lit. That was the churches who no longer follow the Holy Spirit.
or at least that was the way I heard it.
what does your source say about the 7spirits of God?
or at least that was the way I heard it.
what does your source say about the 7spirits of God?
The seven lampstands are also described in 1:12,20 & 2:1. Stars and lampstands seem to go together, both symbolize light. Stars being heavenly light and lampstands being earthly light, perhaps suggesting the dual nature of the church.
Zechariah 4:1-10 is also interesting in regard to the lampstands.
The seven spirits of God is also called the sevenfold spirit which is thought to symbolize the Holy Spirit also in 1:4.
The seven lampstands are also described in 1:12,20 & 2:1. Stars and lampstands seem to go together, both symbolize light. Stars being heavenly light and lampstands being earthly light, perhaps suggesting the dual nature of the church.
Zechariah 4:1-10 is also interesting in regard to the lampstands.
The seven spirits of God is also called the sevenfold spirit which is thought to symbolize the Holy Spirit also in 1:4.
I just reread the chapter and realize that I have confused lamps and lampstands.
v.5 in the Message reads: Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne (these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God).
Reminds me of Hebrews 12:29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
I just reread the chapter and realize that I have confused lamps and lampstands.
v.5 in the Message reads: Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne (these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God).
Reminds me of Hebrews 12:29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Oh Yes! you are right, I guess in my hurry to get caught up I really missed that entirely. that makes more sense as lamps. The lampstands in the first chapter are the seven churces. as stated in Rev. 1:19-20
Oh Yes! you are right, I guess in my hurry to get caught up I really missed that entirely. that makes more sense as lamps. The lampstands in the first chapter are the seven churces. as stated in Rev. 1:19-20
v.2 in the Message says, “I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh! a Throne set in heaven with One seated on the Throne,…”
That’s what worship does for us, connects with the One seated on the Throne and gives us the bigger picture. We worship, not because God needs it, but because we need to. Worship is when we stop focussing on our world and focus on God.
v.2 in the Message says, “I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh! a Throne set in heaven with One seated on the Throne,…”
That’s what worship does for us, connects with the One seated on the Throne and gives us the bigger picture. We worship, not because God needs it, but because we need to. Worship is when we stop focussing on our world and focus on God.
Thanks for your comments Deborah hope you can join us for chapter 5.
Thanks for your comments Deborah hope you can join us for chapter 5.
v.8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”
“Never stop saying” presumably they never get tired or bored with praising God. We can never ‘over do’ our worship of God.
v.8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”
“Never stop saying” presumably they never get tired or bored with praising God. We can never ‘over do’ our worship of God.
v.10-11 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
When we see God as he really is our response will be to fall down and worship. This chapter prepares us for the judgements that follow. When we recognise God greatness, holiness and righteousness the judgements make sense.
v.10-11 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
When we see God as he really is our response will be to fall down and worship. This chapter prepares us for the judgements that follow. When we recognise God greatness, holiness and righteousness the judgements make sense.
v.10 They lay their crowns before the throne…
(From Constable Commentary “He (Paul) also used rewards as a motivation to urge Christians to serve Jesus Christ faithfully (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10.), as Jesus did (Matt. 6:19-21). These factors have created problems for some believers. Is it not selfish to want to gain a reward? Is this not an unworthy motive for living the Christian life? I believe the answer lies in this verse. Here the 24 elders cast their crowns at the feet of the Father in worship. If a crown is something we will give back to the Lord in worship, the desire for a crown need not be a selfish motivation. Indeed the desire to present one's life work of faithful service as a gift to the Savior is a very unselfish and God-honoring motive.”
v.10 They lay their crowns before the throne…
(From Constable Commentary “He (Paul) also used rewards as a motivation to urge Christians to serve Jesus Christ faithfully (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10.), as Jesus did (Matt. 6:19-21). These factors have created problems for some believers. Is it not selfish to want to gain a reward? Is this not an unworthy motive for living the Christian life? I believe the answer lies in this verse. Here the 24 elders cast their crowns at the feet of the Father in worship. If a crown is something we will give back to the Lord in worship, the desire for a crown need not be a selfish motivation. Indeed the desire to present one's life work of faithful service as a gift to the Savior is a very unselfish and God-honoring motive.”
Constable points out there are no specific reference to the Rapture in Revelation. Also after chapter 3 there is no reference to the church until 22:17. He feels this strongly implies that the church is not on earth during the Tribulation. Not all commentators feel this way.
Constable points out there are no specific reference to the Rapture in Revelation. Also after chapter 3 there is no reference to the church until 22:17. He feels this strongly implies that the church is not on earth during the Tribulation. Not all commentators feel this way.