This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

Questions for Reflection in Study of Revelation 5-9

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Mark Shields

In Revelation 1, Christ is speaking to John about the things already seen. Beginning in Revelation 2, John is told by Christ about the present and what to write to the seven churches. In Revelation 3, we begin to understand that life has its challenges and sometimes we might think there is no hope but if we can just hang in there and give it just a little extra, God will provide a way.

In the book of Revelation, God is giving us a lesson that there is a beginning and an end. There are mysteries that are impossible for us to understand and John gives us information from a vision to make us think. He’s giving us a big picture of the history of God’s people.

It is no secret that we face hard times until Christ returns. Revelation 4 started the study of God’s judgments and we will continue this study for the next few weeks by using the questions below to help in this process. I’m grateful that each day with God is amazing because we have an opportunity to keep investigating His mysteries and sharing with others.

Revelation 5
What is the problem encountered in this passage? How is the problem solved? Why (see Rev. 3:21)? What has the Lamb done? What will the Lamb receive (verse 4:11)?

Revelation 6
How is the Lamb’s worth related to his opening the seals? Identify the forces in the first four seals that are operative throughout history. What event is John describing in breaking of the sixth seal?

Revelation 7
What are the responsibilities and purposes of the angels here? Who will be sealed? What is the significance of the sealing (See Ezek. 9:4)? What encouragement do you find here to help you manage living today?

Revelation 8:1-5
Who is the angel with the golden censer? Contrast the earthly and cosmic reverberations of the previous six seals with the opening of the seventh seal. Imagine the content and volume of the prayers of all the saints.

Revelation 8:6-13
What is God’s purpose for the happenings here? What is the state of the earth? The heavens? The men of earth?

Revelation 9
Can you define woe? How are the appearance and activities of the locusts here different from the insect locust? What is the nature and scope of the second woe?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.

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Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
Image Source

Posted in Questions for Reflection | Tagged Bible Study, Christ, Devotion, God, Hope, John, Journey, Lessons, Mysteries, Plan, Questions, Reflection, revelation, Vision | 5 Comments

Steps to Take

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Mark Shields

Yesterday, I finished a study of Revelation 4 and posted about it at this link: Invitation to the Future. John is given a vision of the future with an invitation to heaven so he could record for us what to expect and how to be prepared.

Many times we search for answers and look for God but in reality, He’s constantly looking for us. The places where we meet are when we love His people. This day with God, search for ways to give Him glory, honor, and praise. Be a part of His plan by having a prayer time and asking for ways to show your love towards His people. Use this video to give the spark to get going: As it is in Heaven – Matt Maher.

Here is a link to a poem I wrote a while back: Steps to Take.

Posted in Applied Faith, Poems, Revelation | Tagged Future, God, Heaven, Invitation, John, Love, Prayer, Vision | Leave a comment

Invitation to the Future

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Mark Shields

In Revelation 4, we come to the section about the future. John is included so he could see and understand the things that are to happen on earth. In turn, he would record this experience so we could all understand.

In this vision, John sees an open door up to heaven and a voice tells him to come up. He goes up and sees God sitting on a throne (v. 2). Qualities of God as king, governor, and judge sitting on a throne are extolled. A rainbow encircled the throne and surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold (v. 4).

From the throne come flashes of lightening and in front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing (seven spirits of God). A sea of glass that is clear as crystal looked like it was in front of the throne (v. 6). John was given this vision to help us see what heaven will be like; a place far more beautiful than the human eye has ever seen or the mind ever imagined.

Most want to go to heaven some day but not right away. The good thing is that life is not really ended by death. For those of us who believe in Christ, it only changes because we make a great step from faith into vision when we leave this earth. We will someday find a life far more beautiful than we could ever imagine.

Wouldn’t it be great to be invited like John to get a vision for the future? This day with God, we have that chance by spending some time in prayer with the Almighty, the Father of heaven, and asking for a vision that will guide our future.

Image Source – Jeff’s Prayer Connection

Posted in Applied Faith, Revelation | Tagged Christ, Faith, Future, God, Heaven, John, Prayer, Seven Lamps, Vision | 2 Comments

Get Our Move On

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Mark Shields

In yesterday’s post Unleash Your Kingdom Power, the church at Laodicea thought they were wealthy and in need of nothing but Christ describes them with images of being wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (v.17).The church at Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia.

The passage should make us ask questions about our churches today. Why are we not unleashing our kingdom power? How can we change? What can be done? I think one remedy for the situation is commitment. To make a decision to do something, start doing it, and keep on moving.

It takes time to be committed in any relationship. In our relationship with God, an idea is to have a Holy space. A place to go that is set apart from the world so one can listen for God’s voice in the quiet. Or it might be a mobile place like a walking path, a stop on ones daily travels, or perhaps it is the beauty of God’s creation which furnishes a mobile prayer space.

A daily Holy space helps us to get the instructions we need as we make our moves in life. Let us take inspiration from this video to get our move on: Move – MercyMe.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. – Revelation 3:20

Posted in Initiative, Revelation | Tagged Church at Laodicea, Commitment, Holy Space, Instructions, Relationships | 3 Comments

Unleash Your Kingdom Power

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Mark Shields

The ancient city in the western part of Turkey called Laodicea is about 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 90 miles east of Ephesus. It is a large city known for production of wool and as a center for making medicines.

Christ had nothing to commend about this church. Reading in Revelation 3:14-22, the people of Laodicea viewed themselves as being wealthy and in need of nothing but Christ describes them in another way. He described them as people not doing very much to help themselves or others much like the couch potato in today’s photo. Jesus described the people at Laodicea with images of being wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (v.17).

To remedy their situation, Christ tells the church that they should decide to repent and start doing what needs to be done. Accept His ways and seek to be more like Him. Be committed and keep being motivated to overcome by listening to the Holy Spirit for instructions.

We all need to take an honest look at our life. Are we passionate about growing spiritually and fulfilling our purpose? Are we taking the steps needed to gain this passion and act on the instructions the Holy Spirit is giving?

If we can answer yes to these questions, this day with God will be amazing because there will be no need to hold back. As we pray today, we are reminded that love flows best when it flows freely and Christ has set us free.

Image Credit – Honor of Kings