[Practical Application Review – Week 51]
Greetings,
We continue our journey of exploring all 260 chapters of the New Testament, five (5) chapters each week. Let us continue in the book of Revelation.
Schedule – Week 51:
Please read and/or listen to Revelation 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Even though reading and listening to the Bible being read is valuable, our primary goal is learning to live the Bible (to the best of our ability).
Consider our Practical Application Review process…
For “every” chapter:
Step 1: Select a passage of interest
Step 2: Identify area of teaching
Step 3: Consider a practical application
Now let us explore an example (of our three-step process) for each of these five chapters…
Text #1: Revelation 13
Passage: (vv. 16-18)
Teaching: In the future, all will be compelled to receive a mark on their right hand or brow. Nobody will be able to buy or sell without having it.
Application: I have learned to pay for items through different forms of payment. Notice, this is an attack against God’s people. Even now, religious discrimination is a real concern globally.
Text #2: Revelation 14
Passage: (vv. 9-11)
Teaching: Any person who receives the mark of the beast or worships him, will be tormented in fire and brimstone. The smoke will rise forever and they will have no rest day or night.
Application: This mark of the beast would require Christians to renounce their faith. Like many others before me, I choose to trust God no matter what. And He always provides.
Text #3: Revelation 15
Passage: (vv. 1-4)
Teaching: Great and marvelous are Thy works Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Thy ways. Who shall not revere Thee? All nations shall come and worship before Thee, for Thy righteousness has been revealed.
Application: I willingly choose to come and worship the Lord now, not wanting to wait. The Lord God Almighty is so worthy of my full devotion. Thanks be to God for giving me life and breath.
Text #4: Revelation 16
Passage: (vv. 17-21)
Teaching: Thunder, lightning and earthquake, the like of which never happened before. The cities of the nations fell. Even a plague of hail was so destructive.
Application: Remember, this is a time of judgment against evil doers on Earth. My life’s work is to give passionately for my Lord God and help others to find their way.
Text #5: Revelation 17
Passage: (vv. 12-14)
Teaching: Ten kings of one accord give their strength and authority to the beast. They make war with the Lamb who conquers them. The called, chosen and faithful follow our Lord and King, Jesus.
Application: May we never forget that our Awesome God wins. Though we have many struggles in this life, I choose to trust and follow my Lord Jesus Christ. Both now and forever.
“Under the Shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1),
Shawn Episcopo