To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the passage.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, today is the day of salvation. Help me heed Your warnings. If I harbor any idols or refuse to repent from any sin—seen or unseen, bring it to my attention so that I may confess and turn from it. Thank You for Your redeeming grace through Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.
Introduction:
No other time of the year emphasizes our personal value systems like Christmas. We shop ‘til we drop; we bake ‘til we quake; and we deck the halls ‘til we climb the walls—all in the name of the spirit of Christmas. We think it a sin not to mention him—the jolly ol’ elf in spite of himself. Some say he is the symbol of giving, the source of cheer, and the spirit of Christmas.
You may carry this tradition, but let us reconsider Who the season is meant to honor. The cross is the symbol of giving. Salvation is the source of cheer. And the spirit of Christmas is Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we hold fast to traditions even though we know they have pagan backgrounds, disaster of some sort may shake our value systems. God warns us to put aside everything that comes between Him and us. The decision is ours.
The Lesson:
Our lesson for this week warns us of a coming disaster upon the entire world. The purpose is clear—put aside all things that hinder our worship of the Living God.
The Sixth Trumpet
John heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar. The altar is before God where the martyrs rest (see chapter 6:9-10 the opening of the fifth seal). The sixth trumpet appears to be the answer to the martyrs’ request—“when will You, Oh God, avenge our blood.”
While the martyrs cry for vengeance, they have no authority to take action or command it. Therefore, the voice John heard was that of Jesus the Lamb of God, The Judge, The High Priest. God the Father gave all authority to the Son. Even so Jesus does nothing without the Father (John 5:19-23.)
The Euphrates River symbolizes the restraint against the forces of evil. Some commentators believe these four angels and the horsemen that follow are the fallen angels which were bound and prepared specifically for this moment in human history. The result of the release will be universal spiritual warfare such as the world has never seen before.
Verse 15 highlights a particular time marked in heaven. Although we do not know the exact date, John relates the duration, which will be thirteen months, one day, and one hour.
Verse 16 mentions the vastness of the horsemen that will follow the four angels. Although they were too numerous to count, God permitted John hear the number of the troops—200,000,000.
Verses 17-19: The Description of the riders—they wear breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow. This awesome and terrifying picture implies an army of great wealth as well as power.
The horses have heads like lions denoting fearlessness and strength. Their mouths spew fire, smoke, and brimstone. Their serpent-like tails have heads and do much harm.
Airplanes fire from the front and drop bombs out of cavities in the middles of the aircraft. However, considering the speed it travels, to a spectator it looks as though the bomb comes from the rear of the plane. Again, I am not saying that God cannot or will not produce living creatures as described in Chapter 9. Personally, I’ve always believed He will. But for the sake of those who question, I am merely pointing out the fact that the technology exists. Either way, John’s vision correlates with our time with incredible accuracy.
The purpose of this vast army is to destroy one third of the earth’s population.
Verses 20 and 21reveals to us God’s purpose in sending this disaster—repentance. Unfortunately, the remaining 2/3 of the people do not heed His warning. Just like the Egyptians in Moses’ day, they harden their hearts toward God, hold fast to their idols, and continue to worship demons. They refuse to turn from their murders, sorceries, sexual immorality, and thefts.
Conclusion and Challenge:
After September 11, 2001, many people thought the United States was returning to her roots as a Christian nation. There was a lot of talk about spiritualism, but true repentance did not follow. We did not put away the work of our hands—creating diversions from God that lead to demon worship.
With mystic methods of meditation flooding our churches, many are connecting to spiritual beings in the name of Jesus. But the old adage—all that glitters is not gold—applies to spiritualism. The Bible tell us to test the spirits to be sure they are of God. The New Age movement speaks of Christ as a higher power. However, this is not the Biblical Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Lamb of God who was slain and resurrected from the dead to give forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.
We have not repented of our murders. Abortion and euthanasia have grown as forms of population control. Partial-birth abortion is one of the most vulgar legalized crimes known to man.
The word sorcery comes from the Greek word for pharmacy. We live in a drug-dependent society. Not that all drugs should be banished; but we rely on medication instead of God. Every child who acts like a child with enthusiasm and curiosity for life is diagnosed with some kind of disorder and pumped full of drugs to calm him/her down. Again, I’m not saying that some are not legitimate cases. However, if we as parent took the time to teach self-control at an early age, by the time our children reached school age they would know how to behave. I am well aware of the abuse that is so prominent in our country. But is the replacement of drugs for discipline any less abusive? God never intended children to be lethargic.
Sexual immorality is more of problem than ever before in our nation and in our homes. No one wants to repent because our society sees nothing wrong with “sexual freedom and expression of our desires.”
People worry about identity theft and never consider the more tragic theft of integrity, which is taken from hard-working citizens. They steal life from infants for stem-cell research and call it good. They rob children of their innocence and consider it proper. Watch a few TV programs targeted for children and you’ll soon realize that mental abduction is occurring right under our noses. Expecting a ten year old to sit quietly for six hours and act like an adult is robbing them of their childhood.
We have plenty to repent from. Let us pray for our nation remembering that revival begins at home.
Prayer Requests:
Rachel, Christmas programs, The Brown family, Albert, Darlene, Nancy, Gloria and family, Glen, Trista, Pastor Maloney, Ken, Bud, Shelia, Amber, Shirley & Ryan, Gary, Jo, Barb, Bob, Melinda & Barry and family, Phyllis and husband, Don, John, Ray, Conner, Elizabeth, Mary, Irene, salvation for unsaved, April, Tony and Kathy, Carl and Thelma, Ann, Pauline, revival—In our hearts, in our churches, and in our communities, cancer victims, our Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.
Praise Report:
Wayne and April are expecting their first baby April 2007. Congratulations.
Shirley’s surgery went well and the doctors believe they got all the cancer cells.
Jace came through his surgery with positive results again.
Ruth is mending from her surgery and everything looks good for her.
I had the great pleasure of hearing the testimony of one of my loved ones who is now saved. WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.
We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.
Next Weeks Study:
Our next Bible Study is December 19, 2006. Read Chapter 10, A mighty angel with a little book.
Invitation:
Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. It sounds hopeless and unfair. Nevertheless, in His infinite wisdom and abundant love, God has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.
If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. Tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.
If you’d like to participate in our Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests at twosmallfish@verizon.net Be sure to put today’s Bible study in the subject line or I may delete it unopened.
A special reminder: to find out what other readers have to say check out the comment page.
May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,
See you in a twinkling,
Brenda Hendricks.
You turned
my mourning into dancing
You stripped me of my sorrow and clothed me with your joy
I cannot be silent, I will sing Your praises forever. Psalms 30:11&12
(paraphrased by me)
