Living Faith Devotional 59
4/7 – 4/13
During the past few years, the Living Faith Devotional has taken us on a journey through reading and studying most of the books of The Bible. Our trek has included the Old Testament, all four of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the book of Acts, the New Testament letters attributed to the apostle Paul, and the other New Testament letters up through Jude. This week we will begin reading and studying the final book of The Bible, Revelation.
The book of Revelation, also known as The Revelation of John, is a combination of being a letter written to churches in seven different locations in Asia Minor, prophetic messages from God shared through a first century Christian prophet named John, and apocalyptic literature. Although it may seem strange and unfamiliar to us, apocalyptic literature was popular during the first century. The Greek word apokalypses in Revelation 1:1 means “unveiling,” and is translated as the English word “revelation.” Apocalyptic literature uses symbolism to help unveil truth about the world. John’s Revelation was addressed to Christians experiencing persecution and suffering, with a desire to motivate the hearers and readers of it to be faithful during their season of crisis. John’s message revealed that things were going to progress from bad to worse for the churches before Christ’s return. The end of Revelation reveals that with Jesus’ return there will be redemption for the world as all things are made new.
Mark Allan Powell shares the major themes of Revelation within his book, “Introducing the New Testament.” Those themes are:
Unveiling
Corruption of Human Society
the Judgement of God
God Controls the Future
Worship
As we read and study Revelation during the coming days and weeks, it will be helpful to remember that Revelation was written during a specific time in history with a message about what was happening during that season. Mark Powell notes that, “to the extent that Revelation is an apocalypse, it should be read as a book that employs imaginative symbolic language to convey general truth about God and the world, rather than as one that tries to provide detailed predictions regarding specific future events” (Powell, page 542). Prophetic messages in it were meant to affect the behavior and attitudes of the intended recipients of the letter during the first century. Most modern scholars believe that it was written during the reign of Roman emperor Domitian, who persecuted Christians while ruling from 81 to 96 A.D..
As we read and study Revelation trust the “the Alpha and Omega” to unveil his messages to you and Jesus’ Church now, much like He has spoken throughout The Bible and human history (Revelation 1:8). Our heart posture as we read it should be one of humility as we share this invitation to our Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Redeemer, “Speak, LORD, for your servants are listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).
The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:
Each Day
- Read the Psalm
- Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord
- Read The Bible verses for the day
- Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
- Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
- Pray
- Live in response to Jesus
DAILY PSALM:
READ PSALM 90 to begin your time set apart to be with and encounter the living God revealed in and through Jesus Christ.
SILENCE & SOLITUDE:
You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.
DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:
Sunday – 2 Corinthians 13:14 (receive God’s grace, love, & fellowship)
Monday – Revelation 1:1-8 (Watch the Bible Project videos & read the introduction to this book in a Study Bible before reading the verses.)
Tuesday – Revelation 1:9-20
Wednesday – Revelation 2:1-7
Thursday – Revelation 2:8-11
Friday – Revelation 2:12-17
Saturday – Matthew 28:1-10 (The Sabbath theme for today is “Worship & Delight.”)
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
You are invited to watch the How to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature video on Sunday or Monday using the link provided before reading verses from Revelation this week:
How to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature by The Bible Project
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNDX4tUdj1Y&t=355s
You are invited to watch the Book of Revelation Summary Part 1 video on Sunday or Monday using the YouTube link before reading verses from it. You can also watch the video on The Bible Project website.
Book of Revelation Summary (Part 1) by The Bible Project
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nvVVcYD-0w
DAILY QUESTIONS:
You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:
What is the biblical author saying in these verses? (Read the study notes if you are using a Study Bible.)
What do the verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
What do these verses reveal about people who are part of Jesus’ Church, as well as those who are not?
What is God’s message for me from what I read?
How should I respond to the Lord’s message?
How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of worship and delight this weekend?
LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond to God. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some, or all, of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.
PRAY:
You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:
Sunday – Pray to receive the grace, love, and fellowship God is offering you. Pray for the people of Jesus’ Church throughout the world, including Catholics, Orthodox believers, and other Protestants. The “other Protestants” includes the new church starting in Avon that is meeting in the AUMC building on Sunday mornings, Livingstone Anglican Church.
Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
Tuesday – Lift up leaders and those who point others towards God.
Wednesday – Lift up the worries and concerns you have for the world, people in need, as well as for yourself.
Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. You may find it helpful to write them in a journal or somewhere you can read through the list again later.
Friday – Confess your sins and failures, and ask for forgiveness as you forgive those who have sinned against you.
Saturday – Offer prayers of praise. You may find it helpful to kneel, lay on the floor, sit with hand on your legs with palms facing up, or stand raising your arms as an expression of worship as you pray.
*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.