Week 6, Friday: Called to prophesy
John, we recall, is our brother and companion in the Kingdom, tribulation, and endurance which are in Jesus (Rev. 1.9). What he receives from the Lord is for us; what he does in obedience to the Lord we join with through our own obedience. And if John is required to “eat” the book in the angel’s hand, to prepare him for his work, then we must eat that sweet and sour Word as well.

Read Revelation 10

Meditate on Revelation 10.8-11
1.      John is commanded to take action toward the book in the angel’s hand: “Go, take…, eat.” We are to follow John’s example. What do these verbs require of you each day with respect to the Word God has entrusted to us?

2.      What are some ways that the Word of God brings “bitterness” to our souls? What should we do with these various kinds of “bitterness”?

3.      What are some ways the Word of God brings “sweetness” to our souls? How should we respond to such “sweetness”?

4.      Clearly, the book of God’s Word was intended to prepare John for more work of prophesying (v. 11). What is “prophesying”? According to Joel 2.28, 29 (cf. Acts 2.16-18), who besides the apostles is expected to “prophesy”? Concerning what?

5.      Notice the subjects/objects of John’s prophesying: “many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” What kinds of social and cultural matters are represented in those groups? Are believers expected to prophesy concerning such matters? What does that mean? How do we do that? Why?

My Reflection
Is it possible that God intends to bring “fiery coals and brimstone” warnings to “peoples, nations, tongues, and kings” by His people’s preaching the Word concerning all aspects of life in a world wracked and infected with sin? Am I prepared for this? If not, do I need to “increase my diet” of the Word?

The Glory of God
The world is in many ways a hell on earth. Yet God has placed us in the midst of this to feed on His Word and deliver His message to the world. What are you learning thus far in the book of Revelation about the love of God? About His power? His justice? His faithfulness?  

Glory to Glory
In what ways are your understanding and practice of worship being affected by your study of the book of Revelation? How well does your worship reflect that which we see in Revelation 4-11? In what ways should you be seeking the Lord to help you improve your worship?

Memorize
Review Revelation 10.10, 11. Write a prayer based on this verse and the sentence you wrote for the “Glory to Glory” section above.

Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer you wrote from your memory verses. Write it on a card and carry it with you to pray it over and over today. Pray it and keep praying it until you sense your hunger for God’s Word increasing.

T. M. Moore

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.