Summary of passage: Jesus is coming and John falls at the feet of the angel to worship it (he did this in Revelation 19:10). The angel told John to tell others of what he has seen and heard and to let them continue to do wrong or good as they are doing.
Questions:
3a) God/Jesus/Holy Spirit says it’s true. Furthermore, there are 3 witnesses to John’s testimony: the angel, John himself, and Jesus, which was the legal requirement in ancient times for a trial (Deuteronomy 17:6; John 5:31-32).
b) Personal Question. My answer: All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), given to man through prophets or people as a gift from God.
4) Part personal Question. My answer: Prophecy gives us a word to keep, not merely material for interesting discussions and debates. The main purpose of prophecy is to lead us to trust and obey God, and apply His truth to the way we live. Obviously, if we trust and obey God more, we live God’s life more, and we are further blessed. As my faith grows, my life is better. I was asked over the the weekend at church to name a time when I’ve been completely blessed in my life and one of my answers was now. I am feeling truly happy, content, and blessed with God and my life. And I think it’s because of my strengthened faith in Him.
5a) He said to worship God alone not fellow servants or prophets.
b) Personal Question. My answer: Not for sure if I worship anything other than God. I am prideful sometimes and put credence in things I shouldn’t but worship (definition: ) is a strong word. God is at my center. He gets all the credit. Pray all the time. Stay in His word as much as possible. Do His will in my life.
Conclusions: Saw 3b before. Good lesson on the truth of the Bible and how we are blessed by knowing prophecy and we grow in trust in Him. The more we know, the more we grow!
End Notes: Revelation opens with an angel and ends with one.
“Soon” in the Greek connotes suddenly to us. Jesus will come suddenly and in his time. We are to ready always.
No created being is ever to be worshiped. Angels are servants of God who minister to us (Hebrews 1:13-14).
Revelation is in contrast to Daniel 8:26; 12:4 where Daniel is told to seal up his visions about the future. Now is the time, the angel says. Daniel was hundreds of years before Revelation.
The angel says there will be no more time to change when Jesus comes. The wicked will still be wicked, the good still good. Second (and third and fourth, etc) chances are over. Furthermore, those doing wrong will have hardened hearts and will not heed the book of Revelation (Daniel 12:10). Those with God’s heart will be affected and shall continue to do good.
This is encouragement to us who pray for the lost and the lost loved ones we know. There is nothing we can do but share with an open and loving heart. God will do the rest. And if they don’t convert, that is no fault of ours. It is their responsibility to let God into their hearts, not ours.
Here we see the 6th Beatitude of Revelation.
