Bible Pathway - Dec. 25, 2011

Highlights:

A study of the first six seals as they are broken (Rev. 6). The people of God will be preserved (chap. 7). Silence as the seventh seal breaks (8:1-3)! Sweet smell (satisfaction) of prayer (8:4-5). Read what happens when the first four trumpets blow (8:6-12). If you think this is dreadful, read what's coming (8:13)!

There is a future day not far away when Christ, the King of kings, will appear in judgment on mankind's rebellion against God — a judgment that is called the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:16). The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains . . . and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand (6:15-17)?

Christ as the Lamb of God came to earth to portray the gentleness of the love of God to all who receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. But many have refused His love and have chosen to remain under the control of Satan in rebellion against a Holy God who so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). On Judgment Day, the loving Heavenly Father will have no choice but to say to those who rejected His Son: Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Jesus' revelation of eternal hell is unmistakable: The devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone . . . shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. . . . And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10,15).

Faithful Christians may not have many of earth's pleasures now, but earthly life is very short compared to the glorious privilege of being in the presence of the King of kings for all eternity. 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 (the Lord Jesus Christ), 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 (7:9-10).

Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:57).

Thought for Today:

That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right (Gen. 18:25)?

Cross References:

For Rev. 6:12: See Joel 2:31. Rev. 6:13: See Is. 34:4. Rev. 6:17: See Joel 2:11. Rev. 7:3: See Ezek. 9:4. Rev. 7:17: See Ezek. 34:23.

Word Studies:

6:13 untimely figs, unripe figs; 6:15 bondman, slave.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Sam Hall & Ruth Hall • Country: Lesotho (2 million) within the east-central part of the Republic of South Africa • Major languages: Sesotho and English • Limited religious freedom • 43% Roman Catholic; 30% Protestant; 6% ancestor worship, divination, and spirit-possession cults • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the will of God be done in every situation you face today (Matt. 6:10).

Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:4