11/15/12

Criticism, constructive and otherwise


This morning I once again made my wife breakfast: a one egg omelet with yellow peppers, grated 4 cheeses and a generous helping of green onions and a little garlic.  Then, I decided to try something new,: sweet potato fries.  Unfortunately, I turned my back on them and they began to smoke-- burned them some, maybe a bit more than some!  My Linda loved the omelet and said the fries were OK, but I could tell she wasn't thoroughly happy with the fries; because she didn't eat them all.  But, she liked the idea of trying something new, so, maybe I will try fixing them again tomorrow???  The thing is... she could have found fault with what I did, but she didn't!!!!  After having the experience of being a minister for several years, I can tell you that the picture at the top IS TRUE; people will find fault, no matter WHAT YOU DO.  And so, even the best preacher outside of Jesus had his problems too...

2 Corinthians, Chapter 10
 1 Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ; I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.  2 Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.  3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh;  4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,  5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;  6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full.  7 Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s.  8 For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,  9 that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.  10 For, “His letters,” they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”  11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present. 12 For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.  13 But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.  14 For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,  15 not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,  16 so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.  17 But “he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”  18 For it isn’t he who commends himself who is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

 Did I mention Jesus???  They crucified him, remember???  The point is that unless someone really, really loves you... they will find fault.  And sometimes even then!!!  Just do what is right; listen to criticism and take away as much positive from the experience as you can.  Some far distant day, I might even be able to do what I just said on a consistent basis... for now, I am still learning!!!  Hope you are too!!!

Bible Reading, Nov. 15


 
Nov. 15
Jeremiah 10-13

Jer 10:1 Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, house of Israel!
Jer 10:2 Thus says Yahweh, "Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.
Jer 10:3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
Jer 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move.
Jer 10:5 They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don't speak: they must be carried, because they can't go. Don't be afraid of them; for they can't do evil, neither is it in them to do good."
Jer 10:6 There is none like you, Yahweh; you are great, and your name is great in might.
Jer 10:7 Who should not fear you, King of the nations? for to you does it appertain; because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like you.
Jer 10:8 But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.
Jer 10:9 There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skillful men.
Jer 10:10 But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
Jer 10:11 You shall say this to them: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.
Jer 10:12 He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens:
Jer 10:13 when he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain, and brings forth the wind out of his treasuries.
Jer 10:14 Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Jer 10:15 They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
Jer 10:16 The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Yahweh of Armies is his name.
Jer 10:17 Gather up your wares out of the land, you who abide in the siege.
Jer 10:18 For thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it.
Jer 10:19 Woe is me because of my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is my grief, and I must bear it.
Jer 10:20 My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth from me, and they are no more: there is none to spread my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
Jer 10:21 For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Yahweh: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.
Jer 10:22 The voice of news, behold, it comes, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling place of jackals.
Jer 10:23 Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Jer 10:24 Yahweh, correct me, but in measure: not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
Jer 10:25 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don't know you, and on the families that don't call on your name: for they have devoured Jacob, yes, they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.
 

Jer 11:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying,
Jer 11:2 Hear you the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
Jer 11:3 and say you to them, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who doesn't hear the words of this covenant,
Jer 11:4 which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so you shall be my people, and I will be your God;
Jer 11:5 that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then answered I, and said, Amen, Yahweh.
Jer 11:6 Yahweh said to me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear you the words of this covenant, and do them.
Jer 11:7 For I earnestly protested to your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
Jer 11:8 Yet they didn't obey, nor turn their ear, but walked everyone in the stubbornness of their evil heart: therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they didn't do them.
Jer 11:9 Yahweh said to me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jer 11:10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words; and they are gone after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
Jer 11:11 Therefore thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will bring evil on them, which they shall not be able to escape; and they shall cry to me, but I will not listen to them.
Jer 11:12 Then shall the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense: but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
Jer 11:13 For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.
Jer 11:14 Therefore don't you pray for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry to me because of their trouble.
Jer 11:15 What has my beloved to do in my house, seeing she has worked lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from you? when you do evil, then you rejoice.
Jer 11:16 Yahweh called your name, A green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he has kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken.
Jer 11:17 For Yahweh of Armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have worked for themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal.
Jer 11:18 Yahweh gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it: then you showed me their doings.
Jer 11:19 But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I didn't know that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
Jer 11:20 But, Yahweh of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I shall see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause.
Jer 11:21 Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, You shall not prophesy in the name of Yahweh, that you not die by our hand;
Jer 11:22 therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine;
Jer 11:23 and there shall be no remnant to them: for I will bring evil on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.
 

Jer 12:1 Righteous are you, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously?
Jer 12:2 You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
Jer 12:3 But you, Yahweh, know me; you see me, and try my heart toward you: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
Jer 12:4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.
Jer 12:5 If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?
Jer 12:6 For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; even they have cried aloud after you: don't believe them, though they speak beautiful words to you.
Jer 12:7 I have forsaken my house, I have cast off my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
Jer 12:8 My heritage is become to me as a lion in the forest: she has uttered her voice against me; therefore I have hated her.
Jer 12:9 Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? are the birds of prey against her all around? go you, assemble all the animals of the field, bring them to devour.
Jer 12:10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jer 12:11 They have made it a desolation; it mourns to me, being desolate; the whole land is made desolate, because no man lays it to heart.
Jer 12:12 Destroyers are come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Yahweh devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh has peace.
Jer 12:13 They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Yahweh.
Jer 12:14 Thus says Yahweh against all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.
Jer 12:15 It shall happen, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
Jer 12:16 It shall happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Yahweh lives; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people.
Jer 12:17 But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, says Yahweh.
 

Jer 13:1 Thus says Yahweh to me, Go, and buy you a linen belt, and put it on your waist, and don't put it in water.
Jer 13:2 So I bought a belt according to the word of Yahweh, and put it on my waist.
Jer 13:3 The word of Yahweh came to me the second time, saying,
Jer 13:4 Take the belt that you have bought, which is on your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.
Jer 13:5 So I went, and hid it by the Euphrates, as Yahweh commanded me.
Jer 13:6 It happened after many days, that Yahweh said to me, Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take the belt from there, which I commanded you to hide there.
Jer 13:7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the belt from the place where I had hid it; and behold, the belt was marred, it was profitable for nothing.
Jer 13:8 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
Jer 13:9 Thus says Yahweh, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
Jer 13:10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and are gone after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this belt, which is profitable for nothing.
Jer 13:11 For as the belt cleaves to the waist of a man, so have I caused to cleave to me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, says Yahweh; that they may be to me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.
Jer 13:12 Therefore you shall speak to them this word: Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall tell you, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?
Jer 13:13 Then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings who sit on David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
Jer 13:14 I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, says Yahweh: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have compassion, that I should not destroy them.
Jer 13:15 Hear you, and give ear; don't be proud; for Yahweh has spoken.
Jer 13:16 Give glory to Yahweh your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
Jer 13:17 But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and my eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Yahweh's flock is taken captive.
Jer 13:18 Say you to the king and to the queen mother, Humble yourselves, sit down; for your headdresses are come down, even the crown of your glory.
Jer 13:19 The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive, all of it; it is wholly carried away captive.
Jer 13:20 Lift up your eyes, and see those who come from the north: where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock?
Jer 13:21 What will you say, when he shall set over you as head those whom you have yourself taught to be friends to you? shall not sorrows take hold of you, as of a woman in travail?
Jer 13:22 If you say in your heart, Why are these things come on me? for the greatness of your iniquity are your skirts uncovered, and your heels suffer violence.
Jer 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.
Jer 13:24 Therefore will I scatter them, as the stubble that passes away, by the wind of the wilderness.
Jer 13:25 This is your lot, the portion measured to you from me, says Yahweh; because you have forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Jer 13:26 Therefore will I also uncover your skirts on your face, and your shame shall appear.
Jer 13:27 I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your neighing, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, Jerusalem! you will not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?


Nov. 15
Hebrews 1

Heb 1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
Heb 1:2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
Heb 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?" and again, "I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?"
Heb 1:6 Again, when he brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him."
Heb 1:7 Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire."
Heb 1:8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
Heb 1:9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows."
Heb 1:10 And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
Heb 1:11 They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does.
Heb 1:12 As a mantle, you will roll them up, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail."
Heb 1:13 But which of the angels has he told at any time, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?"
Heb 1:14 Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Revelation, Chapter 11, Mark Copeland

                        "THE BOOK OF REVELATION"

                             Chapter Eleven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To examine the remaining visions in the interlude between the 
   sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets, and what happens when
   the seventh trumpet sounds

2) To offer explanations concerning the significance of these visions,
   and to summarize what we have seen in the first half of the book of
   Revelation

SUMMARY

As the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets continues, two
more visions are seen.  The first involves John himself as he is given
a reed and told to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those
worshipping there.  He is instructed, however, not to measure the court
outside the temple, for it has been given to the Gentiles who will
tread underfoot the holy city for forty-two months (1-2).  This vision
may illustrate that while the church will undergo great persecution, 
and outwardly appear to be trodden underfoot, its inner spirit will not
be harmed.

Then there is the vision of the two witnesses, which falls into three
sections.  With power they prophesy 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.
Identified as the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing
before the throne of God, they have the power to devour with fire from
their mouths those who wish to harm them.  They also have power to stop
the rain during the days of their prophesying, to turn water to blood,
and to strike the earth with plagues (3-6).  But when their testimony
is completed, the beast from the bottomless pit makes war with them and
kills them.  For three and half days their bodies lies in the street of
the great city that is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt (where Jesus
was crucified).  Those who had been tormented by the two prophets
rejoice, make merry and exchange gifts (7-10).  However, after three
and a half days they are raised to life and ascend into heaven,
bringing great fear on those who saw them.  In the same hour a great
earthquake occurs in which a tenth of the city fell and 7000 men were
killed.  The rest were afraid and gave glory to God (11-13).

The two witnesses are certainly reminiscent of Moses and Elijah, but I
do not believe they portend two literal persons.  Rather, they 
represent the witness of the church, with the number two signifying the
strength of their witness (e.g., "two or more witnesses").  As 
suggested by Hailey, the first period may be the apostolic age during
which the witnesses could not be destroyed.  When their testimony is
completed, there will be a time of persecution by "the beast" and those
of "the great city" (who will be identified later).  Ultimately,
however, the witnesses (i.e., the church) will be victorious, 
symbolized by their resurrection and ascension to heaven.

The interlude ended, it is time for the third woe, and the final
trumpet.  As the seventh angel sounded, loud voices in heaven
proclaimed "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our
Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"  The 
twenty-four elders then fell on their faces and worshiped God, giving 
thanks to Him for having taken His great power and reigned.  While the
nations were angry, His wrath has come. So has the time for the dead to
be judged, for His servants the prophets and the saints to be rewarded,
and for the destruction of those who destroy the earth.  Then the
temple of God was opened in heaven, with the ark of the covenant in the
temple, accompanied by lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake
and hail (15-19).

With the seventh trumpet we reach the climax of the first half of the
Revelation, in which we have been shown an overall look at the
conflict.  In general terms, the conflict between the Lamb and His
enemies has been described, without really mentioning who those enemies
are.  What has been stressed is that the wrath of God and His Lamb was
coming!  Through the visions of the seven seals and seven trumpets we 
learn of the arsenal at God's disposal:  military conquest, civil war,
famine, pestilence, natural calamities, internal and moral decay,
external invasion.  Just as God used such instruments in His dealings
with the nations in the Old Testament, so His Son would use His power 
to reign over the nations with a rod of iron (cf. 1:5; 2:27; 3:21).

We have also seen visions designed to comfort the saints being 
oppressed by their enemies.  God has taken notice of their suffering,
and while persecution may temporarily be their lot, victory will
ultimately be theirs!  Even those who suffer death at the hands of
their enemies are promised salvation and the blessing of being in the
presence and care of the Lord.  But nothing can totally stop their
witness, and nothing can keep God from remaining true to His covenant
with them!

OUTLINE

I. MEASURING THE TEMPLE OF GOD (1-2)

   A. THE COMMAND TO MEASURE THE TEMPLE AND ITS OCCUPANTS (1)
      1. John is given a reed like a measuring rod
      2. Told to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who 
         worship there

   B. THE COMMAND NOT TO MEASURE THE OUTER COURT (2)
      1. Told not to measure the court outside the temple
      2. For it has been given to the Gentiles, who will tread the holy
         city under foot forty-two months

II. THE TWO WITNESSES (3-14)

   A. PROPHESYING FOR 1260 DAYS (3-6)
      1. Two witnesses given power to prophesy, clothed in sackcloth
      2. Identified as the two olive trees and two lampstands standing
         before God
      3. Those trying to harm them are devoured by fire from their
         mouths
      4. Having power:
         a. To shut heaven so no rain falls during their prophesying
         b. To turn water to blood
         c. To strike the earth with plagues as they desire

   B. KILLED AND DEAD FOR THREE AND A HALF DAYS (7-10)
      1. Their testimony finished, the beast will kill them
         a. The beast that ascends from the bottomless pit
         b. Who will make war against them and overcome them
      2. Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city
         a. Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt
         b. Where our Lord was crucified
      3. The peoples, tribes, tongues, and nation who dwell on the
         earth
         a. Will see their bodies three and a half days
         b. Will not allow them to be put into graves
         c. Will rejoice over them, make merry, and exchange gifts, 
            because the two prophets had tormented those who dwell on
            the earth

   C. RAISED AND ASCENDED TO HEAVEN (11-14)
      1. After three and a half days, the breath of life from God 
         entered them
      2. They stood, and great fear fell on those who saw them
      3. A loud voice from heaven tells them to "Come up here"
      4. They ascend to heaven in a cloud as their enemies saw them
      5. In that same hour there was an earthquake
         a. A tenth of the city fell
         b. Seven thousand men were killed
         c. The rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven
      6. The second woe is past; the third woe is coming quickly

III. THE SEVENTH TRUMPET:  THE KINGDOM PROCLAIMED (15-19)

   A. VICTORY PROCLAIMED (15)
      1. The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and there were loud 
         voices in heaven
      2. Saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms
         of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and
         ever!"

   B. THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS WORSHIP GOD (16-18)
      1. The elders fell on their faces and worshiped God
      2. Giving thanks to the Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who
         was and who is to come
      3. Because He has taken His great power and reigned
      4. The nations were angry, and His wrath has come
      5. The time has come
         a. That the dead should be judged
         b. That His servants the prophets, the saints, and those who
            fear His name, should be rewarded
         c. That He should destroy those who destroy the earth

   C. THE TEMPLE OF GOD OPENED IN HEAVEN (19)
      1. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His 
         covenant was seen in His temple
      2. There were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and
         great hail

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Measuring the temple of God (1-2)
   - The two witnesses (3-14)
   - The seventh trumpet:  the kingdom proclaimed (15-19)

2) What was John given and told to measure? (1)
   - A reed like a measuring rod; the temple of God, the altar, and
     those who worship there

3) What was he told to leave out?  Why? (2)
   - The court outside the temple
   - It has been given to the Gentiles who will tread the holy city
     underfoot for forty-two months

4) What were the two witnesses to do? (3)
   - Prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth

5) How are they identified? (4)
   - As the two olive trees and two lampstands standing before God

6) What happens to those who try to harm them during this time of
   prophesying? (5)
   - They are devoured by fire from their mouth

7) What power do these two witnesses have? (6)
   - To shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their
     prophecy
   - To turn water to blood
   - To strike the earth with plagues, as often as they desire

8) What will happen when they finish their testimony? (7)
   - The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war
     with them and kill them

9) Where will their dead bodies lie? (8)
   - In the street of the great city spiritually called Sodom and 
     Egypt, where Jesus was crucified

10) How long will people see their dead bodies? (9)
   - Three and a half days

11) How will those on the earth react to their deaths?  Why?  (10)
   - They will rejoice, make merry, exchange gifts
   - Because the two prophets had tormented them

12) What happened to the two witnesses after three and a half days?
    (11-12)
   - The breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their
     feet
   - A loud voice from heaven called them to come up and they ascended
     to heaven in a cloud

13) What happened in that same hour? (13)
   - A great earthquake, in which a tenth of the city fell and seven
     thousand men were killed
   - The rest were afraid and gave glory to God

14) What was heard when the seventh angel sounded his trumpet? (15)
   - Loud voices in heaven saying "The kingdoms of this world have 
     become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall
     reign forever and ever!"

15) What did the twenty-four elders do? (16)
   - Fell on their faces and worshiped God

16) For what did they give thanks? (17)
   - The Lord God Almighty took His great power and reigned

17) As expressed in their praise, what had come? (18)
   - His wrath
   - The time of the dead, that they should be judged
   - That He should reward His servants the prophets and the saints
   - That He should destroy those who destroy the earth

18) What was then opened in heaven, and what was seen in it? (19)
   - The temple of God; the ark of the covenant

19) What then followed? (19)
   - Lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail