Americus times-recorder., 1920-03-16


INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
"A Vision of the Glorious Future.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Permanent Message of the Book of
Revelation.
!. The Worshlpers wv. 9-14).
l. Who they are wv. Q, ~. ()
Redeemed men ". 81. They are main
ly Gentiles-"of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues"
They are those to whom the gospel
of the kingdom" has been preached
by converted Israelites Matt. "a :14).
In the first part of chapter seven we
saw God sealing his chosen ones from
Israel. They were sealed with the
seal of God in their foreheads, which
doubtless means the supernatural en-
dowment of the Holy SpiIit on the
last days Joel 2:2S-32). While this
was partially fulfilled on the day of
Pentecost, its larger realization is
still future (Acts 2:15-2D. This out
pouring is for the equipment of the
Jews for their divinely ordained mis-
sion, namely, to preach the gospel Of
the kingdom to the whole world.
When God sends forth the 144,000
Jews with the JUNCTION of the Holy
Spirit, the innumerable multitude
from all nations will receive Christ,
the slain Lamb, for their redemption.
(2) All the angels ". 11). These
angels indorse this ascription of
praise offered by these redeemed men
by saying "Amen."
2. Whence came these redeemed?
wv. 13, 1D. They came out of the
great tribulation ". 14). After the
rapture of the Church Il Thess. 4 :13-
1S), awful days of suffering and trial
shall come upon the world (H Thess.
2:7, 81. 1t is the time of sorrow
when the anti-Christ shall hold
sway; such days as were not before
nor shall be after, in which if not short
ened no flesh could be saved (Matt.
"a rs, 81, %; cf. Dan. 7:S; :26, 2O.
3. What they say wv. 10, 12). %
Salvation to our God and the Lamb
". 10Y They ascribe their salvation
to God through the sacrifice of the
Lamb, Jesus Christ, (2) blessing"
They acknowledge that all blessings
come from him. (3) "Glory." They
acknowledge him as the glorious one
and the one to whom all glory should
be given a. Wisdom" He is in
a. oil
from him. 90 Thanksgiving" be-
cause salvation was provided by him.
(6) Honor" Their hearts went out
to him in high esteem. Cd Power
and might" They recognized that all
power inhered in him.
II. The BIessedness of the Worship
ers (vv. 1910.
/. They are before Gods throne
wv. 9, 15). They are in heaven and
near the throne of God. Jesus Christ
Is now preparing mansions for those
who shall go to heaven John IA :l3).
2. Clothed with white robes wv. 9,
I4). Their white robes suggest their
character. They have been made such
in the blood of the Lamb. The only
way for sinner to be made ready
for heaven is through the blood OF
Christ.
8. They bear palm branches (v.>9.
The significance of the palm Is found
in the use that the Jews made of it
at the Feast of Tabernacles. 1t was
hnnanCn
sented the gathered harvest. The
bearers of the palm branches will ex-
perience the blessedness of not only
being in heaven, but Of enjoying re-
wards for their work on earth.
4. They serve God day and night
". 15). Heaven is not place Of
idleness, or altogether of singing
Gods praises, but a place where real,
vital service is rendered to God; in
deed. there are nObler fields of en-
deavor awaiting us beyond this life.
This life is but a training school in
which we are made ready for service
in heaven.
5. God dwells among them ". 15).
To get to heaven at all would be truly
blessed, but to be there and have GoS
to dwell among us will be wonderful.
6. Hunger no more nor thirst ". 16).
Here life is one continuous round of
hungering and thirsting. In heaven
we shall neither hunger nor thirst,
for Jesus Christ, the Lamb, shall feed
MS. The straits and necessities of life
will then be over.
7. Neither shall the sunlight or
heat come upon them ". 10.
, s. God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes ". 10.
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