revelation 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6 i. seven blessings ii through five.pdfa. meaning. the phrase...

Blessings Two through Five REVELATION 14:13-20:6 SEVEN BLESSINGS 1

REVELATION 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6

I. SEVEN BLESSINGS II

A. BLESSING TWO

1. “WHO DIE IN THE LORD”

2. CONCLUSION

B. BLESSING THREE

1. “BEHOLD, I AM COMING LIKE A THIEF”

2. “STAYS AWAKE”

3. “KEEP HIS GARMENTS”

4. CONCLUSION

C. BLESSING FOUR

1. “MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB”

2. CONCLUSIONS

3. GOSPEL

D. BLESSING FIVE

1. MEMORY VERSE

2. PARAPHRASE

3. “A PART IN FIRST RESURRECTION”

4. CONCLUSION

5. SONG AND CLASS ACTIVITY

2 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery—TEACHER’S GUIDE THE PAST

REVELATION 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6

** PRELIMINARY PREPARATION

**Blessing Five is taught in this lesson. Be sure you have prepared the

invitation on page 11 in the previous lesson for a date certain to pass

before you teach Blessing Five and have mailed it to yourself. Do not

open the letter when you receive it. Bring unopened envelope to class.

Immediately following the opening prayer for the class on Blessing Five,

pretend to discover this letter among your notes and be surprised.

OPENING PRAYER

We take a few moments to prepare our souls for the study of God’s Word,

then I will open with public prayer.

Dear heavenly Father, guide us into all truth as we study together. Thank

You for young people who love Your Word and want to learn more. Be

with us now as we open the Word of Truth. We pray in the name of our

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

** DISCOVER YOUR INVITATION ENVELOPE.

Mention how long ago you received this letter, but say you have been too

busy to open it. Carelessly toss the envelope around unopened. Ask one of

the students to hold it for you and express your intention to open it later.

REVIEW

SONG: “Class Anthem”, Page 156, Student Songbook.

Previous memory verse (REVELATION 3:1).

Vocabulary list

Sin: anything unlike God

Death: separation from God

Bible: the Canon of Scripture, God’s complete Word

Blessing: beatitude, something good and helpful for the recipient

Gift: a present, freely given with nothing expected in return

Happiness: peace and contentment of soul regardless of circumstances

Read: transfer the written word into spoken words (sometimes only in the

mind)

Hear: listen to what is read or said

Heed: pay attention and act accordingly

Decision: to make up one’s mind: choose one way or the other


Next: the event or item that follows

Wasted time: all moments involved in worthless activity

Change: Something different from before

Summary: The book of REVELATION lists seven blessings or beatitudes.

Blessing One teaches that believers who study out of respect for and

interest in God’s true message and respond to what they learn receive

blessings. REVELATION also contains a strong warning against altering

God’s Word.

I. SEVEN BLESSINGS II

Symbols for Seven Blessings or Beatitudes in Teacher’s Appendix may be

copied and displayed while teaching related blessing.

For Classroom Activity, continue decorating Blessing Boxes. As each

blessing is completed allow students to cut out smaller blessing symbol,

fold it and place it in the Blessing Box. Keep boxes in classroom until all

blessings are taught. Allow students to take finished boxes home.

A. BLESSING TWO

Display symbol for Blessing Two.

REVELATION 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…

1. “ WHO DIE IN THE LORD”

a. Meaning.

The phrase “who die in the Lord” speaks of a believer’s death. Since Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven, all who have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior go immediately to heaven to live with Jesus Christ when they die physically.

II CORINTHIANS 5: 8 We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home (“face to face”, original Greek) with the Lord.


b. Significant location of Blessing Two.

Blessing Two is located in Chapter 14, a Chapter dedicated to events in the Tribulation. It refers particularly to believers murdered during the Tribulation because of their faith in Jesus Christ. In Blessing Two God promises all believers will be blessed and happy in death…even those killed during Antichrist’s rule.

2. CONCLUSION

Blessing Two teaches death is a blessing to all believers even those who die under seemingly tragic circumstances, because at death all believers go immediately to heaven to live with Christ forever.

**Pretend to think of your letter at this point. Ask for it back from the

student, look at it and say something about wondering what it contains. Turn

envelope over a couple of times. Do not open. Put envelope in front of you.

B. BLESSING THREE

REVELATION 16:15 Behold I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments lest he walk about naked and they see his shame.

1. “BEHOLD, I AM COMING LIKE A THIEF”

a. The word “behold” promises something exceptional is about to capture our attention. “I Am” refers to Jesus Christ ( JOHN 8:58).

b. The phrase “coming like a thief” sets the stage for Blessing Three.

Jesus Christ is not saying He’s going to steal something. He is saying that just as a thief does not announce the time he plans to arrive, neither has Christ specified the exact time of His return. He wants believers to be

Display Blessing Three symbol.


prepared for His appearance...at any moment.

2. “STAYS AWAKE”

a. A common practice in John‟s day, the days of walled villages and guarded cities, helps explain the meaning of this phrase.

In the first century A.D. guards were posted twenty-four hours a day to watch for enemies and thieves who might sneak in. The guard on duty had to stay awake to protect his city.

b. A sleeping guard could be the cause of a surprise attack and certain defeat for the city.

Any guard discovered sleeping while on duty received the stiff penalty of having his robes set afire with a torch. The fire spread so quickly the usual result was death.

c. Blessing Three is promised to believers who stay awake and alert in the spiritual life of the Church Age.

The alert believer keeps the enemy (the world, the flesh and the devil) away by admitting his sins to God and relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. He studies God’s Word, obeys what he learns and because of his knowledge of Scripture, watches eagerly for Jesus Christ to return.

I Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

3. “KEEPS HIS GARMENTS LEST HE WALK ABOUT NAKED

AND MEN SEE HIS SHAME”

a. The final phrase in Blessing Three “keeps his garments” represents the humble attitude of the believer who maintains fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

That believer, operating under the power of the Holy Spirit, guards his righteousness and keeps his way pure by living in God’s plan for his life.

PSALM 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word.

b. A guard, caught sleeping, was always covered with shame.

The phrase “covered with shame” describes the rare occasion when the


sleeping guard might wake up in time to remove his burning clothes and save his own life. He would be alive but naked and ashamed.

4. CONCLUSION

When Christ returns to earth suddenly and without warning, at the Rapture, He will find some believers “sleeping” on the job, their souls full of un-confessed sins, lies and deception. Though not rejected by God, those believers will be caught by surprise, humiliated and ashamed.

GOD‟S CHILDREN DON'T HAVE TO BE ASHAMED. IF THEY STAY AWAKE AND ALERT BY CONFESSING SINS (I JOHN 1:9), THEY

WILL BE JOYFUL WHEN CHRIST RETURNS.

II TIMOTHY 2:15 Be diligent (study faithfully) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

I THESSALONNIANS 5:16: …so then let us not sleep as others do but let us be alert and sober.

C. BLESSING FOUR

REVELATION 19:9 And he said to me, “Write, „Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.‟ ”

1. “MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB”

More on the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is taught in a future lesson. Currently, students need to be aware of the following basic facts.

a. The title “Church” refers to all Church Age believers, living or dead.

Display Blessing Four symbol.


b. In heaven, after the Rapture, the Church becomes “the bride of Christ”.

1) At a marriage ceremony, a bride and groom are publicly united as husband and wife.

2) An elaborate party often follows the ceremony. The Marriage of the Lamb ( Jesus Christ, the Lamb, is the Bridegroom) takes place in heaven at the end of the Tribulation right before the Second Advent (REVELATION

19:7, 8; 11-16). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is the celebration that follows.

2. CONCLUSIONS

a. Only believers attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

In one sense, everyone in the human race is blessed because all are invited. However, those who answer “Yes” are those who actually “attend” the celebration and therefore, receive the true blessings.

THOSE WHO ANSWER “YES” TO THE INVITATION

ARE THOSE WHO TRUST JESUS CHRIST.

THEY ARE BLESSED, INDEED.

b. Four distinct attendees are present at the event.

1) God’s heavenly angels attend the Marriage and the Marriage Supper.

2) All Church Age believers have been resurrected and are there as the Bride.

3) Old Testament believers and Tribulation believers (resurrected at the end of the Tribulation) are there as friends of the groom.

4) John the Baptist is probably the best man (JOHN 3:29).

c. Timeline Chart: First Resurrection.

Timeline Chart of the First Resurrection is in Teacher’s appendix. Copy and distribute individual prints to students. Large classroom chart would also be helpful.

Go over the four stages of the First Resurrection and the TIMES they occur. Address TIMES only. Details are covered later in this lesson.


Direct students’ attention to the Second Resurrection at the end of the Millennium. Again, address the TIME only.

** When you finish the Timeline, pick up your letter, again.

OPEN THE ENVELOPE and say, excitedly “Oh, this is an invitation to a wedding!” Declare how interested you are in this particular wedding. Tell the class you know it will be a beautiful wedding and you would not miss it for anything. Everybody’s been looking forward to this wedding and you are so glad you’re invited, etc. You really want to attend.

THEN, Say, “Oh, No!” and make a big deal about discovering you have missed the wedding by not answering the invitation in time. The wedding was last week. You have missed it. It is over! TOO LATE.

3. GOSPEL

Compare your wedding invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb invitation.

a. Invitations to the Marriage of the Lamb have all gone out.

Only those who respond with “Yes, I will come” by believing in the One who took away their sins (the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ) will actually attend. Everyone has a lifetime to consider his or her answer.

b. Some day it will be too late.

Have you considered the invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Do you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross as your substitute and paid the penalty for your sins? If not, you will not attend the celebration. You were invited, but you did not say “Yes”.

I HAVE SAID “YES” TO THE INVITATION TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER

OF THE LAMB BY TRUSTING JESUS CHRIST AS MY SAVIOR.

I PRAY YOU HAVE, TOO.

Teacher could take this opportunity to help students who have never trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. Ask students to bow their heads and listen carefully.

If there is anyone here without hope, without eternal life, without Christ, anyone who has never trusted Jesus Christ, I want you to know that you can trust Him, right now. Jesus Christ died on the cross and paid for your sin. All that is necessary is for you to believe He did it for you, personally. When


you trust Christ as Savior, you say “Yes” to the invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Won’t you say “Yes” right now...before it is too late?

D. BLESSING FIVE

1. MEMORY VERSE

REVELATION 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has a part in the first resurrection, over these the second death has no power.

2. PARAPHRASE

Abundant happiness and special blessings are promised to those taking

part in the first resurrection. (The first resurrection is in four stages. The

resurrection of Jesus Christ is first, followed by three groups of

believers: Church Age believers, Old Testament and Tribulation

believers and finally, believers of the Millennium.) Undiluted happiness

is found only in Jesus Christ. All believers are protected from the second

death, (eternity in the lake of fire).

3. A PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION

a. SONG: “When We Think of Christ’s True Love” (Page 72 in Student Songbook) would go nicely, here, if teacher desires. a.

b. There are two distinct resurrections.

Scripture cites two resurrections: one for believers; one for unbelievers. The Second Resurrection at the same time...at the end of the Millennium is for all believers in history. All unbelievers are resurrected at the end of the Millennium. This Second Resurrection is called “the second death”.

Display Blessing Five symbol.


c. The first resurrection.

1) We have established the First Resurrection is in four stages and is for believers only. All believers in history participate in the First Resurrection.

Point to the time on the Two Resurrections Chart as you discuss each stage. Begin by reading I CORINTHIANS 15:22, 23.

I CORINTHIANS 15:22, 23 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive (resurrected). But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those ho are Christ‟s at His coming.

2) The phrase “each in his own order” shows God has a definite schedule for the resurrection of believers. What is that order?

3) Stage A, or Part 1 of the first resurrection is Jesus Christ, the first fruits. Christ received His resurrection body three das after His crucifixion, death and burial.

4) Jesus Christ is the first human to receive a resurrection body. He received it over two thousand years ago. The time of Christ’s resurrection is a matter of history. No one else has a resurrection body at this time. However, Jesus Christ’s resurrection is proof that other humans (those trusting Him as Savior) will receive resurrection bodies just like His. “In Christ all shall be made alive” (I CORINTHIANS 15:22).

I CORINTHIANS 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep (Those who are dead).

Point to Stage A on the timeline. Tell students that stage A of the first resurrection (Jesus Christ) has already taken place. All other stages are future.

5) The phrase “at His coming” in I CORINTHIANS 15:23 explains the next two stages of the first resurrection which have not yet occurred. Since they happen “at His coming” we need to determine when Christ is scheduled to return. Scripture specifies two future times.

6) First, Jesus Christ will come again at the end of the Church Age and believers will receive resurrection bodies at that time. Anyone who believes Jesus Christ died in their place for their sins is a member of the true Church. Spirits and souls of believers who die during the Church


Age go straight to heaven at the moment of physical death where they wait to receive resurrection bodies at the end of the Church Age. This is the Rapture of the Church: Stage B, or Part 2, of the First Resurrection.

Call attention to stage B on the timeline.

7) Second, Christ is scheduled to come again (the Second Advent) at the end of the Tribulation and beginning of the Millennium. Old Testament believers and believers who die during the Tribulation receive resurrection bodies at that time. This is stage C or Part 3 of the First Resurrection. At this point, the only believers without resurrection bodies are those in the Millennium.

Call attention to Stage C on the timeline.

8) Living believers from the Tribulation go into the Millennium alive. During the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth, many are born who become believers. Since all believers will possess resurrection

bodies in eternity, they must receive resurrection bodies at the end of the Millennium. It is Stage D or Part 4: the final stage of the First Resurrection.

Call attention to Stage D on the timeline.

BLESSING FIVE TEACHES THAT ALL BELIEVERS IN

HISTORY RECEIVE RESURRECTION BODIES AT ONE

OF THE FOUR STAGES OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION

Compare the charts of the First Resurrection and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (in Teacher’s Appendix). Students need to understand the close association of the First Resurrection to the Marriage Supper because those who have a part in the First Resurrection attend the Marriage Supper…with one exception.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb takes place in heaven. Millennial believers are not there because they are living on earth (or are not yet born)and do not have resurrection bodies. from the Tribulation go These believers receive resurrection bodies at the end of the Millennium (Stage D or Part 4).

I BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST DIED IN MY PLACE FOR MY SINS. I KNOW

I WILL TAKE PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION. I PRAY THAT

YOU DO TOO.


4. CONCLUSION

a. Now comes the hard part.

1) The Second Resurrection.

Symbols for the Second Resurrection are the Great White Throne and the Lake of Fire. Display both at this time.

2) Remember, all unbelievers in history, those who reject Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, receive resurrection bodies at the end of the Millennium…at the same time. The second resurrection does not occur in stages.

Point, again, to the correct time spot on the First Resurrection chart.

3) Resurrection bodies of unbelievers are outfitted for eternal punishment. The soul of every human being exists forever, either in heaven or in the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

REVELATION 20:14 And death and Hades (the compartment in the center of the earth where the unbelieving dead still await the resurrection) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

SATAN IS THE ONLY OPTION LEFT FOR THOSE

WHO REJECT JESUS CHRIST.

MATTHEW 25:46 And these (unbelievers) will go away into eternal punishment (with Satan and his demons in the lake of fire), but the righteous into eternal life (with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven).

b. The lake of fire.

God prepared the lake of fire for Satan and his demons. Resurrection bodies of all who go there relate to the environment of death. Unbelievers will tread water in a lake burning with fire...forever.

MATTHEW 25:41 Then He (Jesus Christ) will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…


THE SADDEST PART OF ALL IS THAT UNBELIEVERS

GO TO THE LAKE OF FIRE WITH THEIR SINS PAID FOR.

THEY SIMPLY WILL NOT BELIEVE

JESUS CHRIST PAID THE PENALTY FOR THEIR SINS.

5. SONG AND CLASS ACTIVITY

a. Song.

“When We Think of Christ’s True Love”, Student Songbook, Page 72. Alternate or additional song choice: “Showers of Blessing”, Great Hymns of Faith, Page 349.

b. Class Activity.

Four blessings are taught in this lesson. A copy of each blessing symbol should be distributed to students ahead of time (size determined by teacher). Allow time for cutting out the correct symbol after teaching related blessing. Symbol should be folded and placed inside the blessing box. If boxes need further work it should be done now. Retain boxes with completed symbols inside until all seven blessings have been taught and all symbols have been added to boxes. Students may take finished handcraft home.

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CLOSING PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your matchless love that guarantees believers will never suffer the second death. Thank You for the guarantee that Church Age believers will attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and take part in the First Resurrection. Thank You for the security we have in You. In our Lord’s name, we pray. Amen.


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revelation 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6 i. seven blessings ii through five.pdfa. meaning. the phrase...

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