Practical Christianity Foundation - Revelation: Tribulation and Triumph

Tribulation & Triumph

A Devotional Commentary Series by

L.L. S PEER , FOUNDER

R EVELATION T RIBULATION AND T RIUMPH

by Practical Christianity Foundation

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from G OD S W ORD Translation. Copyright 1995 by Gods Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Cover art: The Resource Agency, Franklin, Tennessee

Strang Communications Design Director: Bill Johnson

Copyright 2010 by Practical Christianity Foundation All rights reserved

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-60098-037-4

From the conception of the Practical Christianity Foundation (PCF), it has been the goal of the organization to convey the truth in Scripture through verse-by-verse devotional studies such as this one. As part of that goal, we agree in an attempt neither to prove nor to disprove any traditional or alternative interpretations, beliefs, or doctrines but rather to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth contained within the Scriptures. Any interpretations relating to ambiguous passages that are not directly and specifically verifiable by other scriptural references are simply presented in what we believe to be the most likely intention of the message based on those things that we are specifically told. In those instances, our conclusions are noted as interpretive, and such analyses should not be understood as doctrinal positions that we are attempting to champion.

This study is divided into sections, usually between six and eight verses, and each section concludes with a Notes/Applications passage, which draws practical insight from the related verses that can be applied to contemporary Christian living. The intent is that the reader will complete one section per day, will gain a greater understanding of the verses within that passage, and will daily be challenged toward a deeper commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Also included at certain points within the text are Dig Deeper boxes, which are intended to assist readers who desire to invest additional time to study topics that relate to the section in which these boxes appear. Our prayer is that this study will impact the lives of all believers, regardless of age, ethnicity, or education.

Each of PCFs original projects is a collaborative effort of many writers, content editors, grammatical editors, transcribers, researchers, readers, and other contributors, and as such, we present them only as products of Practical Christianity Foundation as a whole. These works are not for the recognition or acclamation of any particular individual but are written simply as a means to uphold and fulfill the greater purpose of our Mission Statement, which is to exalt the holy name of God Almighty by declaring the redemptive message of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the lost global community and equipping the greater Christian community through the communication of the holy Word of God in its entirety through every appropriate means available.

1.We value the Holy Name of God the Father and will strive to exalt Him through godly living, committed service, and effective communication. As long as you live, you, your children, and your grandchildren must fear the Lord your God. All of you must obey all his laws and commands that Im giving you, and you will live a long time (Deuteronomy 6:2).

2.We value the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Gods Holy Son, for a lost world and will strive to communicate His redemptive message to the global community. Then Jesus said to them, So wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News (Mark 16:15).

3.We value the Holy Spirit through Whose regenerating work sinners are redeemed and the redeemed are convinced of the truth of Gods Holy Word. He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has Gods approval, and to convince the world that God judges it (John 16:8).

4.We value the Holy Word of God and will strive to communicate it in its entirety. 16Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has Gods approval. 17They equip Gods servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things (2 Timothy 3:1617).

5.We value spiritual growth in Gods people through the equipping ministry of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ and will strive to provide resources for that ministry by the communication of Gods Holy Word, encouraging them to be lovers of the truth. But grow in the good will and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to him now and for that eternal day! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

The word revelation is derived from the Greek word apokalypto, which means to disclose, uncover, manifest, and reveal that which is hidden. In the entire Bible, there is perhaps no other book that generates more conversation or controversy, none that is more studied yet less understood than this last book in the canon of the Christian Scriptures.

The problems of interpretation are generated from attempts to decipher each detail in such a way as to reflect the current world situation. However, as the world situation changes, so do the interpretations of this book. The first century Church expected Jesus to return in a very short time. It is evident that Jesus closest disciples began to rethink their position even before the apostolic period ended. Toward the end of his life (around A.D. 68), the leader of Christs apostles, wrote a second epistle that seemed to address such concerns. 8