June 11, 2017 – Genesis and John (Gospel and Revelation) – Gifts and Service

Gifts and Service

Genesis 45:1-11 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. ² And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! ⁵ And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. ⁶ For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. ⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

⁸ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. ⁹ Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. ¹⁰ You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. ¹¹ I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’

Who cried out “have everyone leave my presence” (verse 1)?

How loudly did Joseph weep (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why was Joseph’s first question “is my father still living” (verse 3)?

Why were Joseph’s brothers unable to answer him (verse 3)?

What did Joseph want his brothers to do (verse 4)?

Why were Joseph’s brothers to “not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves” (verse 5)?

What will not happen for the next five years (verse 6)?

Why did God send Joseph ahead of the brothers (verse 7)?

What has God made Joseph (verse 8)?

Who are Joseph’s brothers to “hurry” to (verse 9)?

Where will Joseph’s father and brothers live (verse 10)?

What will Joseph do (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

John 13:3-17 - New International Version (NIV)

³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

What did Jesus know (verse 3)?

What did Jesus do (verse 5)?

Who ask “Lord, are you going to wash my feet” (verse 6)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus say “you do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (verse 7)?

How did Jesus respond when Peter said “you shall never wash my feet” (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why did Peter want Jesus to wash his hands and head as well (verse 9)?

What do those who have had a bath need to wash to be clean (verse 10)?

Why did Jesus say that not everyone was clean (verse 11)?

What did Jesus finish doing (verse 12)?

Why is it right for the disciples to call Jesus “‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’” (verse 13)?

Why should the disciples “wash one another’s feet” (verse 14)?

In your opinion, what example has Jesus set (verse 15)?

Who is not greater than his master (verse 16)?

When will the disciples be blessed (verse 17)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is Joseph’s service to his brothers as he explained, that God sent him to Egypt to save them, in Genesis 45:1-11 similar to Jesus serving His disciples by washing their feet in John 13:3-17?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

What does Paul want his brothers and sisters not to be uninformed of (verse 1)?

What were Paul’s brothers and sisters influenced and led astray to while they were pagans (verse 2)?

What can someone speaking by the Spirit of God not say (verse 3)?

In your opinion, why can no one “say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit” (verse 3)?

Who distributes all the different gifts (verse 4)?

In your opinion, what does Paul mean when he says “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord” (verse 5)?

Who is at work in all the different kinds of working (verse 6)?

Why is each “manifestation of the Spirit” given (verse 7)?

What are the different gifts of the Spirit that Paul lists here (verses 8, 9, and 10)?

Who determines how the gifts are distributed (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what can we, who are recipients of the gifts of the Spirit that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, learn from Jesus in John 13:3-17?

In your opinion, what can we, who are recipients of the gifts of the Spirit that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, learn from Joseph’s understanding as revealed in Genesis 45:1-11 about why things happened to him?

Revelation 5:5-10 – New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰ You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth.”

Why was John not supposed to weep (verse 5)?

What did the Lamb look like had happened to it (verse 6)?

Who are the “seven horns and seven eyes” (verse 6)?

Where was the scroll that the Lamb took (verse 7)?

What was in the cup of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders who fell down before the Lamb (verse 8)?

What had the Lamb purchased for God with His blood (verse 9)?

Who are the “kingdom and priests” to serve (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does it mean that the same people who Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 are to receive different kinds of gifts for different kinds of service are in Revelation 5:5-10 are shown as “a kingdom and priests to serve our God”?

In your opinion, what does John’s statement about the blood of the slain Lamb in Revelation 5:5-10 help us to understand what Jesus meant in John 13:3-17 when he said “unless I wash you, you have no part with me”?

In your opinion, how does the fact that God sent Joseph ahead of his brothers into Egypt to “save your lives by a great deliverance” in Genesis 45:1-11 help us to understand the Lamb who had been slain and had purchased with his blood “persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” in Revelation 5:5-10?

In your opinion, how do these passages from Genesis, John, 1 Corinthians and Revelation teach us about the reason for the gifts of the Spirit?

In your opinion, how do these passages encourage us “serve our God”?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

June 4, 2017 – Genesis and John (Gospel and Revelation) – Bread from Heaven and Water of Life

Bread from Heaven and Water of Life

Genesis 41:25-40 – New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. ²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. ²⁷ The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

²⁸ “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. ²⁹ Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, ³⁰ but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. ³¹ The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. ³² The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

³³ “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. ³⁵ They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. ³⁶ This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

³⁷ The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. ³⁸ So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

What does Joseph tell the Pharaoh that God has done (verse 25)?

What are the seven good cows and seven good heads of grain (verse 26)?

What are the seven lean, ugly cows and seven worthless heads of grain (verse 27)?

Where will there be seven years of great abundance (verse 29)?

When will the seven years of famine come (verse 30)?

Why will the abundance “not be remembered” (verse 31)?

Why was the dream given to the Pharaoh twice (verse 32)?

In your opinion, why does Joseph give the Pharaoh advice about what he should do (verses 33 through 36)?

What kind of man should the Pharaoh put in charge (verse 33)?

How much of the harvest should the Pharaoh take (verse 34)?

Where should the grain be stored during the good years (verse 35)?

When should the grain be used (verse 36)?

How did the Pharaoh view the plan (verse 37)?

Why did the Pharaoh view Joseph as wise and discerning (verse 39)?

Who is to submit to Joseph (verse 40)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

John 6:26-35 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Why were the people looking for Jesus (verse 26)?

What kind of food should the people work for (verse 27)?

How does Jesus answer the question “what must we do to do the works God requires” (verses 28 and 29)?

In your opinion, why do the people ask for a sign like the manna in the wilderness (verses 30 and 31)?

Who gave the bread from heaven (verse 32)?

What gives life to the world (verse 33)?

What do the people want from Jesus (verse 34)?

Who will never go hungry or be thirsty (verse 35)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is God’s preparation to provide food for Egypt in Genesis 41:25-40 similar to God’s preparation to provide the bread of God that “comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” in John 6:25-35?

Titus 3:3-8 - New International Version (NIV)

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

What does Paul say “we too were” (verse 3)?

How did we live (verse 3)?

What appeared (verse 4)?

Why did God save us (verse 5)?

How are we justified (verse 7)?

Why is Titus to stress these things (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Paul in Titus 3:3-8 reinforce the answer that Jesus gave in John 6:26-35 to those who ask “what must we do to do the works God requires”?

In your opinion, how does God’s preparation for people to survive the famine in Genesis 41:25-40 foreshadow the salvation of those who are “foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures”  in Titus 3:3-8?

Revelation 22:1-5 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Where does the river of the water of life flow from (verse 1)?

Where does it flow (verse 2)?

How many crops of fruit does the tree of life bear each year (verse 2)?

What are the leaves of the tree of life for (verse 2)?

In your opinion, why is there no longer any curse (verse 3)?

Where is the throne of God and of the Lamb (verse 3)?

Whose name will be on their foreheads (verse 4)?

Why will there be no need of a “lamp or the light of the sun” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, his is the generosity of the “washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” that Paul talks about in Titus 3:3-8 demonstrated by the river that John sees flowing from the “throne of God and of the Lamb” in Revelation 22:1-5?

In your opinion, how are the “bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” that Jesus talks about in John 6:26-35 and the “river of the water of life” that Jesus showed John in Revelation 22:1-5 related?

In your opinion, how are the storing of food in the years of plenty to prepare for the approaching famine in Genesis 41:25-40 and the amazing bounty from the trees of life in Revelation 22:1-5 similar?

In your opinion, how do these passages from Genesis, John, Titus and Revelation help us better understand the amazing bounty of God’s salvation?

In your opinion, what do these passages teach about how God provides salvation for us?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

May 28, 2017 – Genesis and John (Gospel and Revelation) – Believing or Stumbling

Believing or Stumbling

Genesis 40:12-23 – New International Version (NIV)

¹² “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. ¹³ Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. ¹⁴ But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. ¹⁵ I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”

¹⁶ When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. ¹⁷ In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

¹⁸ “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. ¹⁹ Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”

²⁰ Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: ²¹ He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— ²² but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.

²³ The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

What are the three branches (verse 12)?

Who will lift up the head and restore the position of the cupbearer (verse 13)?

How does Joseph ask the cupbearer to show kindness (verse 14)?

What had Joseph done to deserve “being put in a dungeon” (verse 15)?

In your opinion, why did the chief baker think the cupbearer’s interpretation was favorable (verse 16)?

What were the birds doing in the chief baker’s dream (verse 17)?

What did each basket mean in the chief baker’s dream (verse 18)?

What will the Pharaoh do to the chief baker (verse 19)?

Why did the Pharaoh give a feast for all his officials (verse 20)?

What did the chief cupbearer do “once again” (verse 21)?

How was the chief baker treated (verse 22)?

Did the chief cupbearer remember the kindness that Joseph requested (verse 23)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

John 12:37-42 - New International Version (NIV)

³⁷ Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. ³⁸ This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

³⁹ For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
    nor understand with their hearts,
    nor turn—and I would heal them.”

⁴¹ Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

⁴² Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.

What had Jesus done “in their presence” (verse 37)?

What would they not do (verse 37)?

Who had ask “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed” (verse 38)?

In your opinion, who has “blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts” (verse 40)?

What could not happen because they cannot see with their eyes or understand with their hearts (verse 40)?

Why did Isaiah say this (verse 41)?

What happened at the same time that the Jews would not believe (verse 42)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are the chief cupbearer’s reaction to Joseph’s correct interpretation in Genesis 40:12-23 and the Jews reaction to the signs that Jesus had done in their presence in John 12:37-42 similar?

Romans 9:22-33 - New International Version (NIV)

²² What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? ²³ What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— ²⁴ even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵ As he says in Hosea:

“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
    and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”

²⁶ and,

“In the very place where it was said to them,
    ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”

²⁷ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
    only the remnant will be saved.
²⁸ For the Lord will carry out
    his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”

²⁹ It is just as Isaiah said previously:

“Unless the Lord Almighty
    had left us descendants,
we would have become like Sodom,
    we would have been like Gomorrah.”

³⁰ What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; ³¹ but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. ³² Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. ³³ As it is written:

“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall,
    and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

What has God borne “with great patience” (verse 22)?

Who has God “prepared in advance for glory” (verse 23)?

In your opinion, who are the ones God called “‘my people’ who are not my people” (verse 25)?

What will the ones who were told “you are not my people” be called (verse 26)?

How many of the Israelites who are like “sand by the sea” will be saved (verse 27)?

What will the Lord carry out “with speed and finality” (verse 28)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to become like Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 29)?

What have the Gentiles obtained by faith (verse 30)?

What have the people of Israel who pursued “the law as the way of righteousness” not attained (verse 31)?

How did the people of Israel pursue the righteousness they did not obtain (verse 32)?

In your opinion, why is Jesus called “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” (verse 33)?

Who will never be put to shame (verse 33)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s explanation of how the Jews pursued righteousness through the law and stumbled over Jesus in Romans 9:22-33 help us understand why the Jews in John 12:37-42 could see all the signs that Jesus did and still not believe in Him?

In your opinion, how does the forgetfulness of the chief cupbearer to the sign that God had given him through Joseph interpreting the dream in Genesis 40:12-23 help us understand why God needs “great patience” in dealing with people according to Paul in Romans 9:22-33?

Revelation 9:13-21 – New International Version (NIV)

¹³ The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. ¹⁴ It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” ¹⁵ And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. ¹⁶ The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.

¹⁷ The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. ¹⁸ A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. ¹⁹ The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

²⁰ The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still 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. ²¹ Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Where did the voice come from after the sixth angel sounded his trumpet (verse 13)?

Who is to release the “four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates” (verse 14)?

What were the four angels released to do (verse 15)?

How many is “twice ten thousand times ten thousand” (verse 16)?

What came out of the mouths of the heads of horses that resembled lions heads (verse 17)?

Who was killed by the “three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur” (verse 18)?

Where was the power of the horses (verse 19)?

What did the “rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues” do (verse 20)?

What could not “see or hear or walk” (verse 20)?

In your opinion, why did the remaining people not repent “of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts” (verse 21)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Paul’s discussion about the “stone that causes people to stumble” in Romans 9:22-33 help us understand the decisions that the “rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues” made in Revelation 9:13-21?

In your opinion, how does the fact that in John 12:37-42 “many even among the leaders believed in him” even though most did not give us hope for those among the “rest of mankind who were not killed by the plagues” in Revelation 9:13-21?

In your opinion, how does the fact that Joseph was able to correctly interpret two dreams in Genesis 40:12-23 effect our view of the vision Jesus gave John in Revelation 9:13-21?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Genesis, John, Romans and Revelation teach us about God’s authority, power and patience?

In your opinion, how can these passages help us avoid stumbling over Jesus but instead to believe in Him and “never be put to shame”?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)