sister

I am also looking forward to this study on the Lord's Supper. My husband and I are both retired. We are Christians and we spend time in the Word and at one time we would take the Lord's Supper each morning. We stopped doing this a few months ago. I don't really know why. I believe this study will help me really understand the meaning of the communion. I do believe the bread and the wine represent Jesus. I love the way these studies are set up. It is so helpful to read the postings. I grew up in the Baptist Church. Our church was big on bible study. I have gone to other churches since I have been grown. Those early days made a deep impression in my life and I do enjoy the study of God's Word.

Q5. (Revelation 22:20) If you were convinced that Jesus Christ would return in your lifetime, how would it affect your life? What would you do differently than you do now? I wouldn't waste any of my time. I do spend time preparing for Jesus' return, but I could do more. Really have appreciated Pastor Ralph's study on Revelation. It is not easy to find a good class on prophecy. I have also appreciated the comments the other students have made when answering these questions. This has been helpful to me.

Q4. Three times in these two chapters, John stresses that those who continue to practice sin will not enter. Read Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14-15; and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. What things in these passages point to salvation by the grace of God rather than mere salvation by right living? In what way is holy living important to salvation? Why is holy living important to God? 1 Corinthians 6:11: ... but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. These three things in the above verse point to salvation by the grace of God rather than mere salvation by right living: ye are washed, ye are sanctified, and ye are justified. Holy living is important not only for ourselves but for our family and friends for whom we are setting an example. Holy living is important to God as he wants a relationship with us as he did with Adam.

Q3. (Revelation 21:9-27) John's vision of the Holy City is obviously strongly symbolic. But the Holy City pictures "the bride, the wife of the Lamb" (21:9-10; 21:2). What does John's vision of the Holy City tell us about the way that Jesus looks at his Church? I believe Jesus looks at his church as his precious treasure. He sees the beauty of the jewels, the golden streets, the pearly gates, and the heavenly light shinning with the glory of God.

Q2. Read Revelation 21:6; 22:17; and Isaiah 55:1-3. What does the "water of life" represent here and in 22:1? In what sense is it a "free gift" (22:17). In what ways should "the Spirit and the Bride" (22:17) extend that invitation in your community? I believe that the water of life is represented here by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit cleanses the saints so they can worship God. I am reminded of this scripture in John. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This water is freely given to whosoever will that is athirst. The Holy Spirit and the church extend the invitation to the community by saying "come" to the unbelievers. John 6:25 Jesus said unto them. I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Q1 (21:3-5) What is the significance of the fact that in heaven "God himself will be with them"? Why can the promises of 21:4 only be fulfilled in heaven? Which of these do you especially look forward to? There will be no more sin or sorrow when the believers are with God in heaven. The evil on the earth has ceased to exist as there is now a new heaven and a new earth as the old heaven and the old earth have passed away. Anything that would cause the believer sorrow will be wiped away like the tears will be wiped away because there will be no unhappiness in heaven. I look forward to Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. I look forward to the comfort and to the end of suffering.

Q4 (20:12-15) Here is a serious question for each of us--not one we should respond to with pat answers. What assurance do you have that your name is written in the Book of Life? I can't look into the Book of Life to see if my name is there, but I can see in God's word and in Revelation 3:5 Jesus promises to him who overcomes his name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life and Jesus will acknowledge him to the Father and his angels. We are not worthy to have our names written in the Book of Life but Jesus paid the price for our salvation and that is the reason I have the assurance my name is written in the Book of Life.

Q3. (20:11-12) Why is this awesome scene of judgment so frightening? Why do people seem to resist the idea of a final judgment? Thinking of going through the judgment is frightening. Having the books opened and being judged would frightened anyone. Once we become believers our name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. Revelation 20:15 Whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. All of us deserve to go to hell. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus Romans 3:23.

Q2 (19:16) What are the implications of Christ's title: "King of Kings and Lord of lords" for your life? For the everyday world that surrounds you? Reminds me that there is nothing to fear about this world and its future as the King of Kings and Lord of lords is ruler of all there is, all there was, and all there is to come. Also reminds me of a short praise song we sing often in our church: All hail King Jesus, All hail Emmanuel, King of kings Lord of lords, Bright morning star, Throughout all eternity I'm going to praise Him and forevermore I will reign with Him.

Q1. (19:7-9) These verses draw together two themes from Scripture -- (1) God's people as his betrothed Bride and (2) the feast of all God's people in heaven. When you meditate on these themes, how are you both admonished and encouraged? I am admonished when I realize I am not always doing what I should be. I want to be doing what He would have me do. I know He could come at any moment. I am not always faithful and true as He is. Song is coming to my mind from the past and greatful that I now understand the words. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the lamb; There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, And be washed in the blood of the lamb. I am encouraged in knowing my name is in the Lamb's Book of Life. I am encouraged knowing He has brought me through trials and troubles that I could never have come through without Him. Praise the Lamb. I am encourage that when I first read some of these questions I can't think of any answer, but if I think and meditate on the question, something will come to me.

Q4. (18:4) We Christians are instructed to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (John 17:15-19). One interpretation has been to be hermits, ascetics, to distance ourselves from the political process, and to adopt stringent dress and behavior codes. Another interpretation is to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16) in the world so that we might bring about cleansing and change through God's spirit. Where do you think the balance lies? How and when should we fulfill the command, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins...."? To be in the world and not of it means to me that we should remain separate from the sins of the world and at the same time remember to love the sinners that are in the world knowing that we have all come short of the glory of God.

Q3. (15:3-4) We see singing and praise in heaven before the throne a number of times in Revelation (4:8, 11; 5:9-10, 12-13; 7:12; 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 19:1-3). What do you learn about appropriate worship from studying these songs? Do you recognize any contemporary songs that seem similar to these? The inhabitants of heaven praise the Lord God Almighty continuously. Perhaps this is the reason when we are praising God we can be filled with a lifting up as our praise move us toward heaven and our Lord. Praises are given to God as only He is worthy to be praised. I recognized songs from these scriptures: Holy, Holy, Holy, Alleeluia, and He is Worthy to be Praised.

Q2. (14:10-11) Why is everlasting punishment so difficult for us Christians to accept? In what ways might eternal punishment be considered just punishment? Everlasting punishment is so difficult for us to accept because God has given us so much freedom to choose who we will serve. God has loved, forgiven and shown mercy to us. So many verses in the bible that tells about God's mercy and love. So we just have to have faith and know that God is in charge and he knows and understands. Eternal punishment might be considered just because the decision to accept or reject Jesus as savior and Lord is made by the individual. It is a personal decision.

Q1. In what ways do the 133,000 provide an ideal for all Christins to emulate? The 144.000 have overcome this world as they are in heaven with the lamb. This is reason enough to emulate them. But it is good to look over their characteristics showing their Christlike qualities. They are chaste from the pagan world on earth. They are the first fruits of the Lamb. They follow the lamb wherever he goes. They are truthful and spotless. They represent the most faithful of God's people. They are not limited even in their number of 144,000. They are separated from the world. They have followed Christ by giving themselves to God.

Q4 The two beasts belong to the period of the ascendancy of the Antichrist at the very end of the Last Days. Together with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, summarize what have you learned about the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The beast from the sea is history's final great world government, including ten kingdoms (symbolized by the ten toes in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel). The ten kingdoms will be under the control of the Antichrist. The sea represents many nations. Revelation 13:11 Another beast comes out of the earth. He will assist the first beast. This is the false prophet. The first beast has to do with the one world government. The second beast has to do with the one world religion.