Earlier this month, this devotional began guiding us to read and study the final book of The Bible, The Revelation to John. In Revelation, a Christian prophet named John shares a God-given unveiling that he experienced while worshiping on the island of Patmos. The revelation John received from the Lord and wrote in a letter to seven churches in Asia Minor includes three themes according to Judith L. Kovacs, the author of The Revelation to John commentary in The New Interpreter’s Bible One Volume Commentary. Those themes are:

 

1) In…the divine throne room in heaven John glimpses the sure reality of God’s kingship over all…but hidden on earth—where it is obscured by the activity of Satan and the weakness of God’s earthly witnesses. The letter to the churches concludes with the earth becoming like heaven after the Lord creates a “new heaven and a new earth” (21:1), where God’s kingship is universally recognized.

 

2) The powers of evil are involved in a life-or-death struggle with the Lamb (Jesus).

The challenge addressed to the seven churches is to take sides…as part of the army of the Lamb.

 

3) John’s apocalypse is an invitation to worship the only true God and a strong warning against false worship.

 

As we read and study more of the book of Revelation this week, expect the Lord to unveil his message to us as we “worship the One who lives throughout all the ages” (Revelation 4:10 The Voice). If you did not read the first four chapters of the book, you are encouraged to read them 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 86 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 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 – Luke 16:13-15 (love & serve God)

 

Monday – Revelation 5 (This chapter connects with Isaiah 8:16; Daniel 12:4; Ezekiel 2:10; Psalm 69:28; 139:16; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Daniel 7:10; 12:1; Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24; 24:9; 2 Samuel 7:10-17; Jeremiah 23:5.)

 

Tuesday – Revelation 6 (This chapter connects with Zechariah 1:7-11; 6:1-8; Isaiah 13:10; Ezekiel 32:7-8; Joel 2:30-31; Amos 8:9; Zephaniah 1:15; Mark 13:24-27.)

 

Wednesday – Revelation 7 (This chapter connects with 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; Eph. 4:30; Romans 9:6-7; 11:17-21; Galatians 6:16; James 1:1.)

 

Thursday – Revelation 8:1-9:21 (This chapter connects with Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13; Exodus 7-12; Psalm 78:44; 105:27-36; Amos 4:6-11; Isaiah 3:9, 11; Jeremiah 23:1; Ezekiel 24:6, 9; Matthew 11:21; 18:7; 23:13-29; Luke 6:24-26; Joel 1-2.)

 

Friday – Revelation 10 (This chapter connects with Mark 13:20; 1 Corinthians 13:9; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Ezekiel 2:8-3:3.)

 

Saturday – Psalm 95:1-7; 37:3-4 (The Sabbath theme for today is “Worship & Delight.”)

 

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you did not watch them earlier this month, you are invited to watch the How to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature video and the Book of Revelation Summary Part 1 video using the links provided below:

How to Read the Bible: Apocalyptic Literature by The Bible Project

 

Book of Revelation Summary (Part 1) 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? (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 worship God and delight in the Lord 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 love God by serving the Lord instead of an idol such as wealth. Pray for the people of Christ’s 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, including the people of Avon UMC.

 

Wednesday – Lift up the worries and concerns you have for yourself and others, including those 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 later.

 

Friday – Confess your sins and failures, and ask for forgiveness as you forgive those who have sinned against you.

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized or let the words of the psalmists guide you using Psalm 86, 95, and 37.

 

*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.