ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor, Walter and Cecilia Contreras, and Christopher Lucey)

THE BOOK OF REVELATION -

INTRODUCTION

The Scriptures offer many signs of the end times. Jesus, Himself, spoke of specific events that would precede His return to rule the earth.

At a later time (after we complete Part 8 in this study), we will give you a lesson on the signs of the times – including the biggest signal of all – the physical rebirth of the nation of Israel (after its destruction 1900 years ago!). But first, we must return to our study of the book of Revelation. We are learning much more that what will happen in the world of tomorrow. We are also learning how to live pure and dedicated lives to Jesus in our world today. In our first three lessons, we studied chapters one through six. In part 4, we will now look at important points in chapters 7 through 10.

· The 144,000 “Apostle Paul's” Of The Future – (God began His plan of redemption through the Jews. He is going to use them to finish the job of world evangelism as we shall see in chapter 14. Thank God for the Jewish people. Through them we have our Scriptures and Savior!)

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” (Revelation 7:4)

· The Great Heavenly Multitude – (The Father chooses to use you and me to help complete world evangelism.)

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

· God's Reward For Faithful Service – (Seek His plan for your life and let God use you for His glory. Look what awaits His faithful disciples!)

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:13-17)

· When Heaven Falls Silent – (There appears to always be sounds of rejoicing in heaven. Now, as God's terrible judgements are about to fall on the rebels of earth, there is total silence in heaven – perhaps because of the impending horror.)

“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” (Revelation 8:1)

· The Incredible Power Of Prayer – (No sincere prayer to the Lord is ever lost or discarded. So learn to pray about everything.)

“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:4,5)

CHAPTER 9

· When Death Is Not An Option – (Today, many men seek more life so they can enjoy more sin. A day is coming when many will seek death to evade God's judgement - but not find it.)

“Andin those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (Revelation 9:6)

· The Insanity Of The Human Heart – (It is amazing and demonic how hard a human heart can become in saying “No” again and again to God's repeated warnings to repent of sin.)

“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20,21)

Chapter 10

· When Time Runs Out – (One day, perhaps very soon, time will be swallowed up in eternity. You and I have only a brief time here to love and serve our Jesus. Don't waste a day – or a minute. Seek His Word and His will.)

“And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to His servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:6,7)

· The Sweetness and Bitterness Of Truth – (It is not easy to love and walk in truth. There is a cost to discipleship – but it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.)

“And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up: and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.” (Revelation 10:8-10)

· Given Life For A Purpose – (Don't be satisfied with just being “saved”. Ask the Lord to use your prayers and witnessing to help reach the world for Him. He may choose you to have the highest calling of all – that of a missionary to the nations.)

“And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

As God's servants, we will be in awe and wonder at the glory and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this chapter, we see in verses 16 and 17 how the Father and the Lamb of God will tenderly care for those who have given their all in serving Him. What must you do to be more of a faithful disciple to Jesus Christ?

In these final days, our Lord continually brings to our attention that we are to prepare ourselves for His glorious coming. If the angels in heaven have to prepare themselves, how much more must you and I obey the Holy Spirit as we anticipate the unfolding of our Father's will in our world today? What are some of the ways you are preparing for the Lord's return?

The unfolding of chapter nine reveals that God has appointed “an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year” (v.16) in which He will strike those who have utterly gone against His commands and not repented of their sins. What preparations are you making that will allow Christ's unconditional love in your life to help draw those who are broken-hearted and poor in spirit to surrender their hearts to Him?

In verse eleven, the Lord exhorts His servants to be like watchmen on the wall through faithful witnessing to this world. How can God use you to be a more faithful witness in your own home, church, neighborhood and town?