Adult QuarterlyBehold, He ComethA Study in Revelation 1—9

QUARTERLY AIM: The student will learn from the messages Jesus gave to His churches and understand his world in light of the prophecies in God’s Word.

1—The Message to the Lord’s Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

8—Seven Stars and Seven Candlesticks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

15—The Message to Ephesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

22—The Message to Smyrna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

29—The Message to Pergamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

5—The Message to Thyatira . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

12—The Message to Sardis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

19—The Message to Philadelphia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

26—The Message to Laodicea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

3—The Vision of God’s Throne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

10—The Lamb and the Scroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

17—The Opening of the Seals Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

24—The Saved in the Great Tribulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

31—The Seventh Seal; the Trumpet Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

May

Vol. 107, No. 2, Spring Quarter, 2020. Editor in Chief: Kyle W. Elkins, kyle.elkins@bogardstore.org Business Manager: Dean Grigsby, dean.grigsby@bogardstore.org © 2020, Bogard Press, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503-2928 www.bogardpress.org; 1-800-264-2482

March

April

Dr. David Robinson was born in Greenville, Mississippi and grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was saved in 1956 and was baptized by Cones Road Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Hot Springs High School, attended the University of Mississippi and graduated from the Missionary Baptist

Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1966 earning the Master in Bible Languages and Doctor in Bible Languages Degrees. He surrendered to preach in 1960 and was ordained to the gospel ministry in December of 1962. He has pastored churches in central and southern Arkansas. From 1967 to 1999 he served as an instructor in the Missionary Baptist Seminary. He served as Registrar at the school from 1978 to 1988 and as Chancellor and Editor of the Missionary Bap-tist Searchlight from 1988 to 1999. He served as Chaplain for the Pulaski County Sheriff ’s Office from 1992 until 2007. He served on the Sunday School Committee of the ABA from 1987 to 1998 and as Pres-ident of the ABA in 1999 and 2000. He has served as Parliamentarian for the ABA since 2001. Presently, he is pastor of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he has served since 1971. He has written Young People’s Sunday School lit-erature, the BTC Adult Quarterly, and he currently writes the Sunday School Adult Quarterly used in the churches of the American Baptist Association. He may be contacted at dcrobinson@aristotle.net.

About the Writer

American Baptist AssociationThrough-the-Bible Series Sunday School Lessons

2029 John 13—21

Ezra; NehemiahHabakkuk; HaggaiMalachi; Esther

1 Peter2 Peter

1, 2, 3 JohnJude

2020

EzekielDaniel

ZechariahRevelation 1—11 Revelation 12—22

Genesis 1—11Job

2021 Genesis 12—50 Matthew 1—13 Matthew 14—28 Exodus

2022 Romans

LeviticusNumbers

DeuteronomyHebrews

JoshuaJudgesRuth

2023 Acts 1—14 Acts 15—28

1 Samuel2 Samuel 1—4

1 Chronicles 1 —10Mark 1—8

2024 Mark 9—16

2 Samuel 5—241 Chronicles

11—291 Kings 1; 2

James1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

Psalms 1—72

2025 Psalms 73—150 Galatians

1 Kings 3—222 Chronicles 1—24

2 Kings 1—13Joel; Obadiah

1 Corinthians

2027 2 Corinthians

Isaiah 1—392 Chronicles 29—32

2 Kings 17—20Nahum

Isaiah 40—662 Kings 21—23

2 Chronicles 33—35Zephaniah

PhilemonPhilippiansColossians

2028 Ephesians

1 Timothy2 Timothy

Titus

JeremiahLamentations2 Kings 24; 25

2 Chronicles 36

John 1—12

Winter Spring Summer Fall20

26

ProverbsEcclesiastes

Song of SolomonLuke 1—13:21 Luke 13:22—24

Hosea; Amos;Micah; Jonah;

2 Kings 14—162 Chronicles 25—28

March 1, 2020

The Message to the Lord’s Churches

1Text: Revelation 1:1-11Focus: Revelation 1:1-11

Key Verse: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

Sunday Devotional: The Source of the Scriptures, 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Application: The student will learn to appreciate and anticipate the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

A FIRST LOOK

The book of Revelation is about Jesus Christ. Although the book does very definitely tell us about future events, that is not the main purpose of Revelation. These words are meant to reveal the nature of Jesus Christ during what we call the church age. Although Jesus is not physically present on earth now, He is in Heaven, and He is definitely coming again. That was His own promise made before He left this earth. That was the promise of the angels as recorded in Acts 1:11. We cannot honestly say that we believe that Jesus told the truth and also deny the reality of His second coming. The book of Revelation is hard to understand, but the images and scenes it reveals

4

Daily Scripture Reading

M. — Daniel’s Overview of History, Daniel 2:31-45.T. — The Timing of World Events, Daniel 9:4-27.W. — The Promise of Christ’s Return, John 14:1-11. T. — The Promise of the Resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:12-27.F. — The Natural and the Spiritual, 1 Corinthians 15:35-50.S. — Christian Victory, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.

are also impossible to forget. We must not look at this book as if it were only a message about future judgment. This book is about infinite hope and glorious blessing. Revelation is the conclu-sion to the story of God and humanity that began in Genesis. In Genesis, we read of the beginning of the world; in Revelation, we read of the end of the world. In Genesis, we read about the beginning of human sin; in Revelation, we have the end of sin. In Genesis, we read of the beginning of the judgment of God on the earth; in Revelation, we read of the conclusion of all judgment. These books belong together. A study of Revelation must not be isolated from an under-standing of the other books of the Bible. If we study Revelation all by itself, we will be almost constantly confused. This book brings together the major themes of the Bible and concludes God’s interaction with mankind. As we study through the book, learn to recognize many of the great ideas given in the other books of the Bible. The book of Revelation has a definite and discernible meaning, and it has an application to the hearts of God’s people. It reveals Jesus to a lost and dying world.

I. The Author and Authenticity

The word “Revelation” (verse 1) literally means an unveiling or taking away the things that obscure so that we can clearly see what remains. In this book, the mystery of evil is unveiled. We see evil for what it is, and we see the one behind it. In this

A CLOSER LOOK

Text: Revelation 1:1-11 5

Revelation 1:1-31. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

book, the mystery of godliness is unveiled. We see how to live a godly life in a broken and sinful world. Many other mysteries are revealed, and we will see them as we study together. Far too many people study Revelation looking for clues to information God has specifically said we could not have. One primary thing we need to learn about Revelation is the truth of Mark 13:32, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” We must not study this book trying to learn what God has specifically said we cannot know. As John plainly told us, this book is about Jesus Christ. Revelation is the end of the account that began when God made mankind in His own image and later sent His Son to the world to die for the sins of humanity. God’s purpose in giving us this book was to make things as clear as possible. If God wanted to keep the future hidden from us, He merely had to remain silent. God definitely wants us to know the things that will come to pass in our future, and He specifically instructed John to write them for us. God revealed the future using symbols to illustrate truth for us. Symbols are a means that help us understand abstract ideas that we cannot picture. In this way, God moves us from what we can see and know to an understanding of the unseen spiritual forces that shape our universe and wait for us in the future. John began with a three-fold witness. This is in keeping with the Jewish rule that everything was to be confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses. First, there is the Word of God. Then, there is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Finally, there are the things that John saw for himself. All of these must be reconciled, and John did that in this book. He harmonized the other books of the Bible with the things Jesus personally taught him and the things that God showed to him. There is no conflict between the book of Revelation and the other books of the Bible. John also told us about the blessings that are in store for those who read this book, hear its words and keep the things that are written here. Revelation reveals a series of appointments on God’s divine calendar. Although these words were written many years ago, they are sure and certain, and they will soon come to pass exactly as they were given. If we correctly understand the book of Revelation and take it to heart, the truth presented here will guide us through the mess of ideas and conflicting philoso-phies that abound in our world today. The truth of God’s Word

6 The Message to the Lord’s Churches

will help us find the right pathway through all the confusing ways that exist around us. That is the special blessing conferred by the book of Revelation.

II. The Faithful Witness

John’s hand was on the pen that wrote these words for us, but he was not the author. The book of Revelation began in Heaven with the Father. It was passed on to Jesus and then to John. John was the messenger, but the message was from Jesus. In the beginning of this book, we are introduced to the symbol of seven. There are seven churches and seven spirits in those churches. In the Bible, the number seven represents completion, perfection or fullness. The seven churches represent all other churches in all ages. In these seven churches, we find every kind of church that will ever exist. The seven spirits represent the complete ministry of the Holy Spirit. In verse 4, we see this same idea of completion with reference to Jesus. He is, was and is to come. That is completeness; it covers all time periods. Jesus is in our past, He is in our present, and He is in our future. John referred to Jesus as a faithful witness. One of the most important things about the Bible and the words of Jesus is that they are absolutely honest and true. Only by studying the Bible can we understand life as it really is. We live in a confusing world. We are bombarded by conflicting philosophies, many widely different ideas and many value systems that are antagonistic to each other, and we can honestly wonder, “Which one should we believe?” The answer is the “faithful witness” (verse 5), the One who always tells us the truth.

Text: Revelation 1:1-11 7

Revelation 1:4-64. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The term “first begotten from the dead” is a reference to the resurrection. Jesus was not the first person to be resurrected, but He was the first one to be resurrected to glory. Others were brought back to life, as it was before they died. Jesus was raised to a new and entirely different kind of life. In that sense, He was first. Jesus is in charge. Jesus Christ rules the rulers of this earth. He said as much to Pilate in John 19:11. All power is given to Him, and He still has it, and He is using it in this world. Jesus is behind all earthly governments, and His will is ultimately done. That is a comforting thought in the confusing days that are ahead. Jesus loves us. He has washed us from the filth of our sins, and He has made us kings and priests in our own right. At this time, His kingdom is not of this world, but it is a real kingdom, and those who faithfully serve Him have a real part in it. That kingdom will come to earth when Jesus comes again. Revelation is not about events that will happen at random in the coming years; it is about the things that will happen because Jesus is coming to the earth once more. That is a very important distinc-tion. Revelation is about Jesus Christ. We can never understand this book if we do not first understand that it is centered on His second coming. At that time, every eye will see Him, and there will be no doubt at all in any heart about the answers to the two important questions; was Jesus who He said He was, and did Jesus do what He said He did? III. The Promised Return

8 The Message to the Lord’s Churches

Revelation 1:7-11 7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

There is a unique and wonderful authentication in verse 8. This is the way God signed this book with His own name and identified Himself for us. When we read Revelation, we are reading a book autographed by the author. John was on the Isle of Patmos when he received these words. Patmos is an island mining community located off the coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. It is a small island about four miles wide and six miles long. John was banished there because of his preaching ministry. John was a prisoner, confined to this small island, and he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day. This does not suggest that he had come into some special kind of spiritual condition. Being in the Spirit or being controlled by the Holy Spirit is the normal condition for those who worship Jesus. (See John 4:23.) John, like all early believers, was worshiping on the first day of the week, not on the Sabbath. This is what is meant by “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10). As John was worshiping, he heard a loud noise behind him that sounded like a trumpet. Quite naturally, he turned to see what it was, and he saw Jesus. No doubt this vision took John back in his mind to the mountaintop where he, James and Peter had seen Jesus’ glorified body. The voice told John to write what he would see and send it to the seven churches in Asia. The names of the churches were specified for John. There were other churches in the world at this time, but these were the churches chosen to represent completion. When each of these churches received this letter, it became certain that all other churches would also have it down through the ages. John did as he was instructed and because he did, we still have this great message today.

Keep in mind as we study this book that God is teaching us using symbols. In the introduction to the book, the angel signi-

Text: Revelation 1:1-11 9

11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

A FINAL WORD

fied the events that would come to pass to John. John recorded these symbols and signs for us, and it is up to us to interpret and learn from them. These symbols reveal the character of Jesus. Jesus is the Great High Priest ministering to His own in scenes of desolation and judgment. Jesus is in charge of all the events throughout the book. Jesus also appears in other symbolic capacities. He is the Lamb in chapter 5. He also appears as the Lion there. He is a rider on a great white horse in chapter 19. He is the Bridegroom, coming for His bride in chapter 21. These symbols illustrate different aspects of the character and work of Jesus that we would not understand unless they had been given to us in this way. Jesus is also the beginning and the end. In Greek, the Alpha and Omega. He set the boundaries of time, space and history. Everyone must live within the limits Jesus has determined. Jesus Christ is the eternal living God (Jeremiah 10:10; John 10:30). Jesus is always available. Jesus is alive forevermore. There will never be a moment when we need Jesus that He will not be available. Moreover, He holds the keys of death and hell. Death is the last great enemy we face. Hell is the great spiri-tual danger for humanity. Jesus is in charge of both, so we need never fear. Our future is safe in the hands of Jesus. Those who trust Him and live for Him can move into the future secure in the knowledge that whatever happens, Jesus is there waiting to receive them unto Himself so that they can live forever in His divine presence

1. What or who is the book of Revelation revealing? 2. How did John get the message he wrote in this book? 3. To whom is this book addressed? 4. How has modern technology made the promise of Revela-tion 1:7 possible?

10 The Message to the Lord’s Churches

FOR CLASS DISCUSSION