5/12 – 5/18

This week we will finish reading the last book of the Bible, The Revelation to John. The unveiling John received from the Lord on the island of Patmos reminds us that the most powerful and wealthy kingdoms and nations of the earth can eventually become like Babylon, turning away from the will and purposes of God. Churches and individual Christians can also be led astray, or simply drift away from the Lord. Much like the deception of the serpent in Genesis 3, the Satan and evil forces aligned in opposition to God can lead people astray towards a path of destruction, devastation, and death. Yet the Lord will ultimately conquer the evil and brokenness of the world, making all things new (Rev. 21:5). John describes the newness of everything as “a new heaven and a new earth” where God will be among people forever (John 21:1 NRSV). The problems plaguing humanity and creation because of evil and sin will be no more. God “will wipe every tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (Rev. 21:4-5 NRSV). Hallelujah!

 

Like the persecuted Christians of the first century during John’s ministry when he wrote Revelation to the seven churches of Asia Minor, we too are given a message of hope within this book thanks to what God has revealed. We can and should persevere in our faith in Christ and in worshipping God with our lives no matter what we face and endure until Jesus’ return, or our time here expires. Because of what God unveiled to John that he wrote in Revelation; we know how the story ends. God wins. Those who trust in Jesus as Savior and submit to him as Lord from every nation and tribe will serve and worship our Creator together in the garden city described as the New Jerusalem of the new heaven and earth (Rev. 7: 9; 21:1-2; 22:3-4). Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

 

As we read and study the concluding chapters of the book of Revelation, expect the Lord to continue to reveal his messages to us. If you did not read the first nineteen chapters of the book, you are encouraged to read the section titles before reading the chapters for this week. 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 24 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the living God.

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with the Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) 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 (Mother’s Day) – John 15:9-11 (receive & remain in Jesus’ love)

 

Monday – Revelation 20 (This chapter connects with Genesis 1; Romans 8:19-24; Ezekiel 38-39; Daniel 7; Isaiah 11.)

 

Tuesday – Revelation 21:1-8

 

Wednesday – Revelation 21:9-27 (This chapter connects with Genesis 1; John 3:16; Genesis 3:1-4:17.)

 

Thursday – Revelation 22:1-7

 

Friday – Revelation 22:8-21 (This chapter connects with Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Ezra 6:11.)

 

Saturday – Psalm 46:10; 37:7; Leviticus 23:3 (The Sabbath theme for today is “STOP & REST.”)

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you did not watch the Book of Revelation Summary Part 1 and Part 2 videos, you are invited to watch them now using the links provided:

 

Book of Revelation Summary (Part 1) by The Bible Project

 

Book of Revelation Summary (Part 2) by The Bible Project

 

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? To help you to understand what the prophet John is saying, read the study notes from a Study Bible. If you don’t have a study Bible, you can borrow one from the AUMC library or find one online through www.BibleGateway.com or the Bible Gateway App.

 

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? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the text.

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day to stop and rest 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 for the Holy Spirit to help us to receive and remain in God’s love through Christ Jesus. Pray for mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, mother-in-laws, women who have been like a mother to you, expecting mothers, and women who wish they could have been a mother been that didn’t happened for them.

 

Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

 

Tuesday – Pray through your day, including who you will be with, or have already been with, as well as what you will do or have already done. Then lift up leaders and those who point others towards God.

 

Wednesday – Confess your sins and failures. Ask God to help you to receive the forgiveness the Lord is offering to you. Offer forgiveness to others. Then lift up the worries and concerns you have for yourself and others you know, as well as people in need in greater Hendricks County, in our country, and throughout the world.

 

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 some other time.

 

Friday – Ask the Holy Spirit to enable us, Christians throughout the world, to live these virtues of Christ: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized, such as the Lord’s Prayer, or let the words of the psalmists guide you using Psalm 24, 46:10, and 37:7.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App or Bible Gateway App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.Bible.com or www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.