Week Two of our study of the Revelation outline is complete. We have two more weeks until our Christmas break. December 14 will be our last Bible study until January 11, 2026.
We began our look into the tribulation which starts with two chapters of events that occur in heaven in Revelation 4&5. The rapture occurs with “Come up hither” in 4:1, and a glimpse of heavenly worship is described. Of course, heavenly worship occurs after the judgment seat of Christ where all the Church Age believers, the body of Christ receives their reward for their faithful service to the Lord. It is required in each of us, the stewards of the mysteries of God, that we be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 describes the rewards judgment revealing the gold, silver, and precious stones of eternal reward – serving Christ with a humble selfless attitude, as well as the wood, hay, and stubble of temporal reward – serving Christ with selfish motives. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:7-10, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, and Romans 14:10 all share the central message of the judgment seat of Christ.
The five crowns available to all believers are found in the following acrostic:
G: Crown of Glory for faithful instruction and leadership in the church – 1 Peter 5:1-4 I: The Incorruptible Crown for temperance in personal and public life – 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 R: Crown of Rejoicing is bestowed to all who invest the riches of Christ in others Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19 R: Crown of Righteousness is bestowed to all who love the appearing of Christ 2 Timothy 4:6-8 L: Crown of Life aka the Martyr's Crown, is bestowed to all who pay the ultimate sacrifice or when they live in victory over temptation. Revelation 2:10, James 1:12
The heavenly worship of chapters 4-5 occurs throughout the entire tribulation on earth described in chapters 6-19, until the tribulation guests are gathered and invited to the wedding / marriage supper of the Lamb of Matthew 22:1-10. The “Come up hither” of Revelation 11:12 includes all the tribulation martyrs – the two witnesses of chapter 11, the souls under the altar in chapter 6, the untold millions of Gentiles in chapter 7, and the 144,000 sealed witnesses of chapter 7 and chapter 14.
Revelation 19:9: And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Next Sunday will be quite adventure as we finish our overview of earthly events described in chapters 6-19.
