Weekly Guide：Week 100
December 22, 2019
Foreword
We continue to read the last book of Bible, The Book of Revelation, in the one hundredth week of reading together.
We did not know if we were able to persevere at the beginning of the reading plan two years ago. Looking back now, however, we can see God’s grace in each step of the way. This Journey of Humility is truly a journey of a thousand mile in the spiritual life. If you have ever doubted or wondered, then doubt and wonder no more, for today is the day to start! It takes just a single step to start the journey of a thousand mile. Let’s experience this journey together!
May you all be renewed in God’s word every day!
Question
What was the praising scene like in heaven?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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A door standing open in heaven, John was in the Spirit, and there before him was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
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Four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
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In the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
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The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.
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A Lamb standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.
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Many angels encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, are praising Jesus Christ. How would the coming of this day change my perspective on all things around me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was it like when the lamb opened the first six seals?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. John saw a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown.
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When the Lamb opened the second seal, another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth.
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When the Lamb opened the third seal, there was a black horse. Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
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When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, there was a pale horse. Its rider was named Death.
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When he opened the fifth seal, under the altar were the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out for justice and avenge.
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As he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth.
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Those on earth, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They try to hide from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The souls of the martyred were given white robes and comforted. We might have to endure sufferings and persecutions while serving Him, but God Himself would comfort us. How does this truth encourage me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What happened before the seventh seal was opened?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Another angel has the seal of the living God.
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The number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
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A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
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These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
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When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
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Seven angels stood before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
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Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. What comforting do I need and where am I seeking it? Why don’t I seek comfort in Jesus Christ?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What disasters came when angels sounded the six trumpets?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
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The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth.
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The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea.
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The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
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The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
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The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.
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Out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.
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The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - When the angels were destroying mankind, they did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood - idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Whom do I worship? How do I know it’s the true God I worship?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What happened before the seventh trumpet sounded?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Another angel came down from heaven holding a little scroll. Seven thunders spoke, ordered John not to write it down.
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God told John to eat the scroll. It would turn his stomach sour but as sweet as honey in his mouth.
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John was given a reed like a measuring rod to measure the temple of God and the altar with its worshipers.
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Two witnesses clothed in sackcloth would prophesy for 1,260 days. They would be killed, then after three and a half days, the life from God would enter them.
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The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - When the two prophets were killed, the inhabitants of the earth would celebrate and send gift to each other because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. How do I view pain and joy? Does God give me pain or true joy?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What happened after the seventh trumpet sounded?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.
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Another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.
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The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.
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War broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
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The great dragon was hurled down and he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
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The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, out of the serpent’s reach.
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Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - In John’s vision, the evil dragon fought against those who obeyed God’s command and testified for Jesus. The war we are fighting nowadays is a spiritual one, not just in flesh and blood. How may I fight in such a war?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What should be the attitude toward suffering for doing good?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Use whatever gift you have received to serve others with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing.
+ If you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
+ We shall obey God's will for our suffering and follow Jesus' example.
+ Arm ourselves with Jesus' attitude to suffer for righteousness so that our bodies are done with sins.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What shall be my attitude toward suffering for doing good? What examples did Lord Jesus Christ give us? What spiritual benefits does suffer for righteousness bring?
+ **Integrity** - How should we treat one another? Repay evil with evil, insult with insult, do not purify us in front of God because this is no different than doing evil. What does this remind me of? What does it mean that love covers over a multitude of sins? Have I experienced such love? Or, would I cover their sins if I love those who are unlovable?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What should be the attitude toward suffering for being a Christian?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Rejoice in the suffering for being a Christian as it is a participation in the sufferings of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
+ Elders shall be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be. Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. When Christ appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
+ You who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.
+ Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. Cast all your anxiety on him. Be alert and of sober mind, stand firm in faith and resist the devil.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What are the possible scenarios where Christians might suffer for their Christian identity? In this time of peace and freedom and within my own circumstance, how might I suffer for being a Christian? Have I ever been in a situation where I might suffer for being a Christian? Have I had such opportunity but covered up my Christian identity and felt guilty? How does this passage (4:12-19) encourage me?
+ **Integrity** - What did God urge through Peter those who are church elders? Let me pray for the elders and pastors in my church. How shall I respond to their shepherding? How shall I treat them? How did Peter describe the works of devil? How shall I respond to the devil's attack?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How may we become productive in our spiritual lives?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God has given us everything we need for a godly life, his very great and precious promises, so that we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
+ Make every effort to add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love, to keep ourselves from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to confirm our calling and election, never stumble, and to receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
+ The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, witnessed by Peter in his own eyes and foretold through completely reliable prophetic message, is true and trustworthy.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God has given us everything we need for a godly life along his very great and precious promises are sufficient for us to grow our lives to be like Jesus'. Peter was speaking to those who believed in additional mysterious knowledge and false teachings. What does it remind me of that God has already given is sufficient? We can find answer to everything we need, so, how shall I find the answer to grow my life in the new year?
+ **Integrity** - What are "these qualities" that appeared several times in the passage? Think about the meaning of each quality. What benefits does it bring me by making every effort to achieve these qualities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What do the false teachers do and what will be their end?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ There will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
+ God's response to those lawless, men or angels, has always been the same since ancient time. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
+ The false teachers blaspheme in matters they do not understand; Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They left the straight way, never stop sinning, are experts in greed, seduce the unstable; They mouth empty, boastful words, and they entice people by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The false teachers will appear. Do not be surprised when hearing or seeing them. We must know God has already determined how they'd end. This passage made examples of judgement brought about the sinned angels and ungodly people of the ancient world. The righteous Lord will not delay such judgement. The heresies and depraved conducts from the false prophets and false teachers of this age caused blasphemy of Jesus' truth. How does that disturb me? Has today's passage bring certainty and hope to me? Why?
+ **Walking with God** - The proto-Gnosticism of the time may be the reason Peter mentioned false teachers several times in this chapter. Let me summarize the false teachers' characteristics through the description of their conducts in the chapter to help me distinguish them.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How shall we prepare ourselves for the day of the Lord's coming that He had promised?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ There will be scoffers in the last days scoffing the Lord's promise is not real.
+ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
+ The day the Lord comes, all elements will be destroyed by fire; There will be a new heaven and a new earth where the righteous dwells by His promise.
+ We shall make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him; Do not distort what Paul wrote in his letters and other scriptures, or be destroyed; Be on guard not to be carried away by the error of the lawless, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - How shall I prepare myself to face the Lord at peace? Bible should not be interpreted erroneously. What does it mean to interpret erroneously? What is the result of erroneous interpretation? How to avoid erroneous interpretation? How does this remind me about studying Bible and devotion?
+ **Integrity** - The promise of the Lord's coming is real. He is not slow but patient, wanting all to come to repentance, and not wanting anyone to perish. Do I have the same merciful heart toward others? The day of His coming, all elements will be destroyed by fire and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. How does this promise contradict with things I am pursuing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Forward
This week, we are going to read the first and second book of John.
The first book of John was written in year 90 AD when apostle John was in his old age. It was a letter written to those spiritual children, young men, and fathers. It is full of encouragements from a spiritual elder.
Roman emperor Domitian was reign at the time. It was a time the Roman citizens were being ordered to worship the emperor during the peak of Christian persecution by the Roman government throughout the entire Roman territory. Apostle John wrote this letter wanting the readers to hold fast in the righteous way, to turn away from false teaching, and to have hope when facing persecution.
God is love. As we unite in the Lord, we shall also love each other.
May you all be renewed in God's word each day!
### Question
What does the fact that God is light mean to our life?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God has the eternal life which appeared to us through Lord Jesus Christ. It was seen and heard by the apostles themselves. Therefore, our joy ought to be complete.
+ God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we have fellowship with Him, then we walk in the light, we should confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - We are given eternal life, therefore, we should hold fast the truth, instead of pursuing the worldly temporary things. Am I able to turn away from a life in pursue of fame and money which are worldly and temporary?
+ **Integrity** - As we fellowship with God and since God is light, we must walk in the light and stop sinning. Reflect on my sins, confess and repent in prayers, and ask God for forgiveness.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses