Sunday School Lesson
November 21
Lesson 12 (KJV)
MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB
DEVOTIONAL READING: Revelation 19:1–8
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Revelation 19
REVELATION 19:1–8
1. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
KEY TEXT
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.—Revelation 19:7
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the “bride of Christ.”
2. Relate the word alleluia to its Old Testament background.
3. Suggest one way to help his or her church overcome one unbride-like tendency.
HOW TO SAY IT
apocalyptic
uh-paw-kuh-lip-tik.
Babylon
Bab-uh-lun.
Babylonians
Bab-ih-low-nee-unz.
Chaldeans
Kal-dee-unz.
Habakkuk
Huh-back-kuk.
Judah
Joo-duh.
Mediterranean
Med-uh-tuh-ray-nee-un.
omnipotent
ahm-nih-poh-tent.
omnipresent
ahm-nih-prez-ent.
omniscient
ahm-nish-unt.
Palestine
Pah-luh-stein.
Introduction
A. Evidence and Justice
A few years ago, a popular television channel took the nation by storm when it released a “true crime” documentary. The documentary centered on a murder in a small midwestern town and the investigation that followed. The investigation resulted in what seemed to be the framing of an innocent man. The documentary pointed out how clues were overlooked, evidence planted, and the investigation otherwise mishandled. The man was convicted of the crime, and most who viewed the documentary came away with the impression that the wrong man had been convicted—a miscarriage of justice.
However, more evidence came to light many months after the documentary aired. That evidence showed that, in actuality, it was the documentary that was flawed, and justice had been served. It’s a scary thought that our imperfect systems of justice can convict the innocent and acquit the guilty. Such error is impossible, however, when it comes to God. He is always just, acting in truth and righteousness. He stays true to His character, and we can be assured that He will always do what He says He will do. We can be sure that right will ultimately win out over wrong!
These facts are stressed repeatedly in the book of Revelation’s figurative, apocalyptic language.
B. Lesson Context
A major figurative image throughout the book of Revelation is that of “Babylon” (see Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10, 21; compare 1 Peter 5:13). John uses the image of Babylon to picture forces that oppose the will of God and oppose His people. We should note at the outset that the word figurative does not mean “not real” or “fictional”; rather, it means to express one thing in terms of another (examples: Matthew 16:5–21; John 16:25–30).
And so it is with the word Babylon. The actual city of ancient Babylon, so powerful during the sixth century BC, was a zero on the world stage of the first century AD. Apocalyptic literature (see Lesson Contexts of lessons 10 and 11) frequently uses vivid images to make a point, and the image of Babylon does just that. In John’s vision, Babylon symbolizes worldly powers that oppose God and His people.
Some scholars propose that, for John’s audience, Babylon was a code word for the city of Rome (compare 1 Peter 5:13). Both Rome and Babylon oppressed the people of God and opposed God’s rule. Centuries before the time of John, the Babylonians (Chaldeans) had been God’s instrument in punishing Judah (Jeremiah 40:1–3; Habakkuk 1:1–11; etc.). But the Babylonians went too far and ended up as objects of God’s wrath in turn (Jeremiah 50; Habakkuk 2:6–17). Babylon experienced divine wrath for opposing God in both word and deed.
Similarly, the Roman Empire was insatiable in its conquests as it enslaved peoples across the Mediterranean world of the first century AD. Palestine had begun to experience Roman might in 63 BC, when Pompey besieged Jerusalem. The Jewish revolt of AD 66–70 resulted in the sacking of Jerusalem and the destruction of its temple. John wrote the book of Revelation some 25 years afterward.
Prior to today’s passage, Revelation 18 sketches a lengthy celebration of the downfall of Babylon, rehearsing charges against it. That prophetic text guarantees, by extension, the ultimate downfall of all kingdoms and entities that oppose God. Today’s passage takes us to what happens after the collapse of those foolish opponents.
I. Heaven’s People
(REVELATION 19:1–3)
A. Praise to the Great God (v. 1)
1a. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying.
The phrase these things refers to the announcement of the judgment and destruction of Babylon (see Lesson Context regarding Revelation 18:2, 10, 21). The great voice of much people speaking in unison reminds us of the great crowds of the redeemed in previous visions of the throne room in heaven (Revelation 7:9; the same phrase [in Greek] is repeated in 19:6, below).
1b. Alleluia.
This word means “Praise God!” For further insight on this term, see commentary on Psalm 149:1a in lesson 9. In the entire New Testament, this word occurs only four times, and only in Revelation 19. It stresses the text’s deep concern with proper worship of God (compare Revelation 19:3, 4, and [below] 6).
1c. Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God.
What comes next is a now-familiar litany of divine action (salvation; see also Revelation 7:10; 12:10) and attributes (glory, and honour, and power; see also 4:9–11; 5:12–13; 7:11–12).
This might serve as something of a model for our own prayer practices, either alone or in corporate worship. We too can praise God for His attributes and how He works out our salvation. He deserves all praise for all these and more.
What Do You Think?
What lifestyle changes might result from your focusing on these descriptions of God regularly in prayer?
Digging Deeper
What are some ways you can get and maintain momentum in this regard?
B. Honor to the Great Judge (v. 2)
2a. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication,
The voice of the great chorus continues, focusing on God’s victory over the great whore (Babylon) as stated in Revelation 18 (see the Lesson Context). His judgments on her have been true and righteous—as all have ever been and ever will be (see Psalm 119:160).
One of Babylon’s two great sins is that she did corrupt the earth with her fornication (see also Revelation 17:2, 4; 18:3). This vivid figure of speech, as used by the prophets, describes idolatry (see Jeremiah 3:6–9; Ezekiel 23:36–37; etc.). This corrosive influence had affected “all nations” (Revelation 14:8). John’s original audience would have seen the connection to the Roman Empire.
2b. And hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
This is the second of Babylon’s two great sins: persecuting God’s servants to the point of death. The question in Revelation 6:10—“How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood?”—has been put to rest (compare Psalms 13:1; 89:46).
If we remain faithful to God, then He will save us for all eternity. The multitudes of Heaven see the destruction of “the great whore” for what it really is: a magnification of the power of the God who is faithful to keep His promises to those who are faithful to Him.
What Do You Think?
As you examine the content of your prayers in terms of who God is (His nature) and what God does (His works), what changes do you need to make?
Digging Deeper
Thinking back to lesson 9, how does Psalm 150:2 help frame your answer?
C. Justice for All Eternity (v. 3)
3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
The great crowd of heavenly voices cries out with the second of four occurrences of alleluia. John uses this repetition to bring home the point: God is truly victorious and thus truly worthy of our praise! The crowd’s desire for her smoke to continue rising up for ever and ever acknowledges that the destruction of the wicked city is not temporary. It is permanent and final.
Although the words for ever are enough to assure that this punishment is everlasting, the extra and ever cements the certainty. The permanence of this judgment is ironclad. This judgment parallels the eternal reign of God and the eternal nature of His kingdom (see Revelation 11:15).
John’s vision echoes similar language from the prophet Isaiah, where God’s judgment on the land is described as “burning” and where “the smoke thereof shall go up for ever” (Isaiah 34:9–10; compare Revelation 14:11).
II. The Throne
(REVELATION 19:4–5)
A. Worship (v. 4)
4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
A second declaration of worship comes, this time from the four and twenty elders (see Revelation 4:10; 5:8, 14; 11:16). Together with the four beasts (see 4:6–8; 5:6, 14; 7:11; 14:3), they surround God’s throne as the inner circle of those in the presence of the Almighty.
But why the numbers 24 and 4? Some propose that 24 stands for the Old Testament’s 12 tribes of Israel plus the New Testament’s 12 apostles, while the other 4 reflect Ezekiel 1:5–14. The verse before us is the last time they are mentioned together (see also Revelation 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11; 14:3).
Their united acclamation of worship consists of just two words: Amen and Alleluia. Regarding the former, see on Revelation 7:12a in lesson 10; regarding the latter, see on 19:1b, above. The combined effect is to affirm the praise of the great crowd in 19:3 and repeat its central component: Praise the Lord!
B. Command (v. 5)
5a. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God.
Another voice joins the multitude, the elders, and the beasts in worship. The throne itself always refers to the presence and authority of God (examples: Psalms 9:7; 11:4; 45:6; 47:8; Hebrews 1:8). Even so, the voice is likely not from God or from the Lamb, and it is uncertain whether it is from an angel herald or another entity. What is important is that the voice has divine authorization to call for worship.
When we understand the true nature of God, then we can praise Him even in the midst of our deepest sorrow and toughest trials. We can do this because we understand that He is worthy. We also offer praise because we know that God’s purposes are eternal, that His salvation is sure, and that His victory is guaranteed and complete.
The form of worship demonstrated here differs slightly from previous exclamations. Rather than the command “Praise the Lord,” this version exclaims Praise our God. This echoes the commands of Psalm 66:8.
5b. All ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
The type of fear in view is not that of the terror of those in Revelation 6:15–17. Rather, it refers to those who revere God (compare 11:18, last week’s lesson).
What Do You Think?
How can you help your church improve its message on what it means to fear God?
Digging Deeper
What personal lifestyle change do you need to make first in this regard so that your practice matches your profession?
The phrasing small and great indicates the inclusive nature of the imperative (also Revelation 11:18). The status symbols considered important on earth no longer have the same impact, with regard to priority. As some have noted, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. And so it is before the throne.
ACCESS HEAVEN
I grew up in California, but in all my years there I never met a celebrity. The closest I ever came to crossing paths with one was in the late 1980s. I was visiting an art museum with some friends, when we heard that a well-known star was attending an art class with his son.
We made a beeline to the classroom, only to find the door blocked by security. We were so disappointed! To catch a glimpse of a star would have definitely been noteworthy.
Of course, when we finally arrive in Heaven, all that will cease to matter. In Revelation 19:5 a voice calls “all ye his servants … both small and great” to praise God. In that moment, earthly distinctions among social classes, economic status, rank, or family background will be irrelevant. We won’t be sequestered or segregated in front of the throne of God. No one will take a back seat. Together we will enjoy the beauty of our Lord in Heaven. That future and eternal reality easily eclipses any five-second glimpse of a star here on earth!
We note that Revelation 6:15–17 also mentions people of the highest to lowest in earthly standing. That context concerns those who will be lost for eternity. Placing that passage alongside 19:5 has something to say about how we view and treat people in the here and now, doesn’t it?
—P. L. M.
III. Unified Multitude
(REVELATION 19:6–8)
A. Tripled Voice (v. 6)
6a. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying.
John hears yet another voice, this time only described in similarity to a great multitude. This seems to be a different group, however, than the group mentioned in Revelation 19:1. The sound likened to many waters is not that of a soothing bubbling brook. Rather, the sound is more like that of a thunderous waterfall or the crashing of stormy waves on a beach.
The word translated mighty thunderings occurs 10 times in this book (here and Revelation 4:5; 6:1; 8:5; 10:3, 4 [twice]; 11:19; 14:2; and 16:18). The word is always associated with divine power, authority, and/or initiative (compare John 12:29). Its use in the verse at hand alongside the sound of water bears strong similarity to the prophet’s visions in Ezekiel 1:24 and 43:2.
The description of this stupendous chorus of voices emphasizes the size of this crowd. If you have been in a football stadium and heard the noise of tens of thousands of voices at once, then you know how loud it can be. This may be similar to what John experienced.
6b. Alleluia.
We come now to fourth and final Alleluia in the book of Revelation. Again, see insight on this term in the commentary on Psalm 149:1a in lesson 9. This imperative to praise God (the word’s meaning) is accompanied by a reason to do so (see next).
6c. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
God’s actions are often grouped under three headings: He creates, He rules, and He redeems. The text before us speaks to the second of those. In that light, the praise is for the universal kingship of the Lord God. There can be no rival to God, either in His rule or in our praise of Him.
In describing the nature of God’s power to reign, this verse introduces us to one of what might be called “the three omnis.” The word omnipotent means “all-powerful.” The other two omni- words are omnipresent and omniscient, meaning “present in all places at all times” and “all-knowing,” respectively.
God’s power to reign is demonstrated by His overwhelming and permanent victory over enemies; now His all-powerful nature brings His promises to their completion. See also commentary on Revelation 11:17c in lesson 11.
B. Tripled Command (v. 7a)
7a. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him.
Three more imperatives are now added to the one (“alleluia”) above. This is unique, being the only place in the New Testament where the verbs be glad, rejoice, and give occur together in the same verse.
C. Reason (vv. 7b–8)
7b. For the marriage of the Lamb is come.
This is the reason for the unique triple command of the half-verse just considered. It is the moment the faithful had been waiting for: the time and occasion when the faithful servants of God see their eternal, heavenly fellowship with their Savior, Jesus Christ, finalized. Such joy! This is the moment when all God’s work throughout history moves toward its magnificent conclusion.
The wedding language we see here was not unfamiliar to John’s original audience. Old Testament prophets often used marriage as a figurative reference to describe the relationship between God and His people (examples: Isaiah 54:5–7; Hosea 2:19). Jesus, too, described the kingdom of Heaven in terms of a marriage (see Matthew 22:1–14; 25:1–13).
A marriage requires two parties: a bride and a groom. The groom in view here is the Lamb. Various forms of the word lamb appear 35 times in the New Testament, and 29 of those are in the book of Revelation. In 28 of those 29 cases, the reference is to Jesus. (The single exception is in Revelation 13:11.)
Outside of the book of Revelation, John the Baptist referred to Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Peter said that Jesus was “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). The idea of Christ as the sacrificial lamb lies at the very heart of our redemption and salvation.
7c–8. And his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The book of Revelation is loaded with figurative language; that is when an image of one thing is used to express another (see the Lesson Context). This is the great challenge in interpreting both Jesus’ parables and the book of Revelation as a whole. A key difference between the parables and Revelation is that Jesus often identified the references in His parables later (examples: Matthew 13:18–23, 36–43), while the apostle John almost never does that in Revelation. A rare exception is in the verses before us when John explains that fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
This imagery reflects the holiness of the bride, having been redeemed by the Lamb (see Revelation 7:9, 14). Clothing imagery serves important figurative purposes in the Bible (see Job 29:14; Psalm 132:9; Isaiah 52:1; 61:10).
John’s use of wedding imagery speaks to the relationship between God and His people. The bride of Christ is the church: holy ones sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit. The bride has been redeemed because of the blood of the Lamb (see Revelation 5:9), the very same blood applied to those who “washed their robes, and made them white” (7:14). The time for rejoicing is coming! Like a bride engaged to be married, the church awaits the return of Christ and the eternal marriage feast between the bride and the groom.
What Do You Think?
What changes do you need to make with regard to how your lifestyle could better reflect the holiness depicted in verse 8?
Digging Deeper
How do Isaiah 61:10; Ezekiel 44:17; and Zechariah 3:4 help frame your answer?
SAY YES TO THE DRESS
When I got married, I wore a white dress in spite of secular culture’s trend to view the significance as quite old-fashioned. Recently I’ve seen a sharper turn in this regard, from everyone wearing white to little significance in wearing white at all. In fact, a few years ago my friend wore a black satin outfit during her ceremony!
How differently we will feel about white clothing when our Lord returns! As the bride of the Lamb, the church will want to wear white, made that way by the groom, the Lord Jesus Christ. No other clothing will compare to it.
Don’t forget what that groom-provided clothing stands for: holiness. And because holiness is necessary to “see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14), don’t let the world convince you that such thinking is just old-fashioned.
—P. L. M.
Conclusion
A. Got Your Clothing Ready?
Weddings are designed to create memories and ingrain those memories in the minds of those who attend. Therefore, the wedding party’s clothes are normally chosen with great care and coordinated for maximum effect. The wedding party may take hours to get ready for the ceremony. Because the wedding ceremony will be remembered for years—for its beauty as well as its glitches—everyone goes to great lengths to ensure everything is “perfect.”
The wedding ceremony between the Lamb and His bride culminates in the rescue of the bride from the power of sin and evil. When Jesus, the Lamb, receives His bride, the church, it will be the wedding for all time! The groom has done His part by paying the price for sin on the cross. But the bride has her part to do as well, considering John’s statement that she has “made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). Jesus has provided us with “garments of salvation” and a “robe of [his] righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10), but we must put them on.
What Do You Think?
Which concept or imperative in today’s lesson do you have the most trouble coming to grips with? Why?
Digging Deeper
How will you resolve this problem?
B. Prayer
Praise to You, God most high! Glory to You, Lord of Heaven and earth! Thanks be to You for Your gracious gift of Jesus, Your Son and our Savior. May our hearts give praise to the King of kings and Lord of lords. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Look for alleluia moments in your life.
KID’S CORNER
Matthew 5:1-12
(Matthew 5:1) When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
Jesus probably taught this sermon with variations many times to thousands of people wherever He traveled, which would help His disciples memorize the message so they could repeat it when they taught and wrote after His death and resurrection. These beatitudes of Jesus (“beatitude” means “a state of utmost bliss”) may reveal the course of spiritual development for every disciple (student) of Jesus Christ as they mature. The Bible calls the process of spiritual development for Christians “sanctification.” The traditional position for teaching in the day of Jesus was sitting.
(Matthew 5:2) He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
The gospel message is not only a few facts or truths about Jesus life, death, and resurrection that one should believe or memorize in order to be saved. The gospel message in the New Testament includes the call to repent, the call to faith in Jesus the Messiah as Lord and Savior, and the call to living daily in relationship with God in the kingdom of God by the power of the Holy Spirit according to the Bible. Jesus expected those who followed Him to learn and apply the truths in the beatitudes so they could enjoy a taste of heaven in this life as well as mature spiritually to become more like Christ morally and spiritually.
(Matthew 5:3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The word “blessed” has more recently been translated “happy.” The beginning of spiritual development and growth must include the recognition that one is in need, that one is spiritually poor and not spiritually rich or morally perfect. When we recognize we are morally and spiritually poor, we will feel sorrow for what we have done, which should lead us to repent of our sins. If we believe the good news about Jesus, we will turn to Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, cleanse us from sin, and empower us to live for Him. Turning to Jesus Christ for spiritual direction and a new beginning begins with humility and knowing that we are poor in spirit. By turning from immoral and worldly concerns to spiritual and moral concerns based on Jesus’ teaching, and by believing Jesus’ teaching as our Lord and Savior, we can begin a new life and enjoy an earthly portion of the kingdom of heaven now; for Jesus’ kingdom is not of or from this world but in our midst (see John 18:36).
(Matthew 5:4) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Beginning with the recognition of our spiritual poverty and moral lapses (or moral imperfections, sins, times of disobedience, and rebellion against God) we will naturally mourn for our sins and their consequences in the lives of others as well as ourselves. We will look back and think of the sorrow and heartbreak our sins have brought others. We will regret missed opportunities and how our sins and the sins of others have changed the course of their lives and ours. We may mourn that we are not the type of person we wanted to be spiritually or morally (or could have been). We will mourn because of our former self-centeredness and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us become more Christ-centered. In this beatitude, Jesus promises that even though we mourn because of our sin and selfishness, He will comfort us if we will receive the gifts of grace, forgiveness, and empowerment from Him through the Holy Spirit and seek to grow spiritually in relationship with Him in this life according to the Bible.
(Matthew 5:5) “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
A meek person demonstrates humility and keeps their strength, emotions, and words under control with the Holy Spirit’s help when they are hurt or offended by others. A meek person patiently endures when others sin against them; in part because they know they too have sinned (as in Moses’ and Paul’s cases who were considered meek). Jesus was meek and without sin. Jesus chose not to strike back at His enemies with resentment and the power to destroy them; rather, Jesus endured the cross: see Hebrews 12:2. A meek person will not try to appear before the world as better than others or better than he knows he is. Instead, he will love and serve others and try to respond to others in ways that will help them come to know something about Jesus and the Christian faith. The meek will inherit the earth from our heavenly Father; therefore, they do not grasp for more and more “things” (or recognition or money, etc.) in this life. As Christians, Jesus will work in our lives to help us become more meek.
(Matthew 5:6) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
As we grow spiritually, we will become more meek and we will seek the power and grace of God to live, think, feel, and choose the right things to say and do that honor Christ, rather than live to express our formerly self-centered will. We will want the will of God done by us as well as others, and God wants us to live in righteousness and peace. We will hunger for this positive righteousness in our lives and not just the cleansing from sin that we also hunger to enjoy (and that Jesus promises to give His followers). We also hunger to live in a just, merciful, and righteous world—the kingdom of God now and forever. Someday, Jesus, the King of the universe, will be visible for all to see, and He will make all things right when He comes.
(Matthew 5:7) “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
As Christians, we have meekly recognized our need to live righteously. We have hungered for righteousness in our own lives. Because Jesus Christ has mercifully forgiven us for our sins and is now helping us live righteously in Him, we show mercy to others. We recognize our continuing need for mercy from our just, merciful, and loving God, and from others too. God knows our need for mercy, because God knows that we have sinned. To act with both justice and mercy toward us, God sent His Son into the world as the perfect sacrifice for our sins (see 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 4:10). We are not yet perfect in all that we say and do; therefore, we know the value of receiving mercy and of extending mercy to others. As we continue to grow spiritually, we cease being judgmental and seek to treat others with mercy. As followers of Jesus, we choose to be merciful toward others, and we pray they will receive mercy from God and seek to truly follow Jesus too.
(Matthew 5:8) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Kierkegaard said that purity of heart is to will one thing—the will of God. As we develop the spiritual traits revealed in Jesus’ beatitudes by following Jesus Christ, we come to seek and desire the will of God in everything that happens and in everything we do. We seek and desire doing the will of God, and we also desire that the perfect will of God be done in our lives and in the lives of all those we know. We trust God perfectly, and we turn our lives and our futures over to Jesus in every detail. We seek a pure heart, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and we also seek to follow and obey Jesus in everything. We want God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, and this is our prayer. We seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing that we will see God someday (see Matthew 6:33).
(Matthew 5:9) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
As we seek and receive both righteousness and purity in our lives as a gift by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we find and enjoy peace with God, peace with other children of God in so far as that rests with us, and peace within ourselves. Without compromising the truth about Jesus and how His followers should live, we can also work toward a measure of peace with our enemies. We cease to be at war with God (which is wanting our will to be done instead of His will be done). We cease to be at war within ourselves (which involves planning to do something wrong while knowing we should obey God). The Spirit of God within us enables us to act as Jesus himself would act in similar circumstances, so we are truly called children of God by our heavenly Father (if not by others). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into God’s family and are rightly called children of God.
(Matthew 5:10) “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When we have grown spiritually, and after Jesus has substantially transformed our lives enough for others to see the difference Jesus makes (and the beginning of this change can sometimes be seen the very day we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior), some will see us as children of God, as sincere Christians, as workers for justice and righteousness according to the commands of God our Father and of Jesus as revealed in the Bible. Some will see us trying to help others come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior too. Some people will see us as seeking and working for righteousness and peace based on the truth, justice, mercy, and love of God in Jesus Christ; therefore, those committed to doing and promoting “this world’s ways” will begin to persecute us. The world does not want to behave according to the will of God. The worldly do not want to obey God’s commandments. In some places they will fight to prevent the mention of God in some public places. They will fight against public prayer or allowing the Bible to be read in many places. They will promote every sin that the Bible rightly condemns; therefore, they will harm others as well as themselves. They will persecute the children of God. Those persecuted for living in righteous ways are living in the kingdom of heaven now, for the kingdom of God is theirs now (even as they suffer persecution) and the kingdom of God is in our midst. Someday, after Jesus Christ visibly returns to Earth, Christians will rule and reign with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of God over the entire world.
(Matthew 5:11) “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
The worldly, those of this world, and the devil hate Jesus. The worldly crucified Jesus based on false charges. The world and the devil hate the disciples of Jesus, and they persecuted those who first followed Him—killing many. When the world sees that you are different from the world because you follow Jesus, you will be persecuted on account of Jesus. As you become increasing like Jesus morally and spiritually, even the worldly will begin to see Jesus in you by the way you act and speak; therefore, you will be insulted, persecuted, and lied about because of Jesus in you. How wonderful to grow spiritually to the point that others recognize that you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, so much so that the world hates you and wants you silenced—persecution will be painful in this world until Jesus returns or you go to heaven to be with Jesus. By the grace of God, we may say someday, “I am blessed by Jesus, even though some are insulting me, persecuting me, and falsely saying all kinds of evil against me.”
(Matthew 5:12) “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
How amazing to live so close to Jesus moment-by-moment that you automatically and supernaturally respond to persecution, insults, and falsehoods told about you by rejoicing and being glad! At this point in the beatitudes, the true disciples of Jesus Christ have grown spiritually (during the process the Bible calls sanctification) to the point that they can rejoice, even choose to rejoice, even choose to be glad when those of the world and the devil persecute them. Jesus Christ living in the life of Christians gives Christians this victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. The prophets and Jesus were persecuted by the religious leaders and the political leaders of their day. As the Old and New Testaments clearly describe, the greatest persecution for the true followers of Jesus Christ can even come from some in their church and not just from those of the world; but even then, Jesus’ beatitudes encourage us to rejoice and be glad. If we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness or for Jesus’ sake, our reward from God is great, and we will be rewarded by Jesus in the future when He says to us, “Well done good and trustworthy servant” (see Matthew 25:21).
How Can Disciples Grow Spiritually?
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Matthew 5:1-12
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6—NRSV).
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6—ESV).
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6—KJV).
In Jesus’ beatitudes, He taught the stages of spiritual growth that His disciples could expect to pass through as they trusted in Him and obeyed His commands. The spiritual development of Jesus’ followers will begin with their humble recognition of their spiritual poverty; they will confess they lack spiritual discernment and strength. Admitting their spiritual need opens the door to living in the kingdom of heaven.
As His disciples continue to follow Him, they will begin to mourn the fact that they are not what God expects them to be or what they want to become; however, with Jesus’ quiet strength and teaching they will be comforted and guided to spiritual maturity. As they draw closer to Jesus, they will become meek from seeing the way Jesus faced His troubles in this world. With Jesus’ help, they will become better able to control themselves when provoked by those who grasp for more and more at their expense. Instead of condemning others, a further sign of His disciples’ spiritual growth is seeing and admitting how far they, along the world, have wandered away from what is good, just, and according to the will of God. They hunger to be right with God; they thirst for righteousness to reign in the world; they trust Jesus’ promise that they will be satisfied with the justice and righteousness He will bring someday. As His disciples turn from their sins, they will be merciful and receive mercy. They will become pure in heart and seek to make peace wherever possible. Though persecuted for righteousness and Jesus’ sake, they will rejoice and be glad, knowing their reward will be great in heaven.
How Can Disciples Grow Spiritually?
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Matthew 5:1-12
Thinking Further
Name ______________________________________
1. Why do you think Jesus began His beatitudes by saying those who are poor in spirit are happy or blessed?
How might this differ from a worldly perspective?
2. What is the promise in the second beatitude? How might this promise encourage a follower of Jesus?
3. What does the world usually think of a meek person? What does Jesus think about a meek person? Why do you think there is a difference in thinking?
4. What is the relationship between hungering and thirsting for righteousness and purity of heart?
5. Why are the followers of Jesus persecuted rather than honored by the world? Why do you think some in the church persecute those in the church who are truly seeking to follow Jesus?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. Why do you think Jesus began His beatitudes by saying those who are poor in spirit are happy or blessed? How might this differ from a worldly perspective?
Jesus opens His arms to the poor in spirit, and we need to recognize that we are poor in spirit and have the need to go to Jesus for help. Jesus encourages the poor in spirit to come to Him with the promise that by doing so they will be blessed and happy. The worldly perspective encourages people to think more and more about themselves and what they can do and what they should strive to do to achieve worldly goals.
2. What is the promise in the second beatitude? How might this promise encourage a follower of Jesus?
The second beatitude is “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” When we see ourselves as sinners before God, the God who loves us and His law, the God who is concerned that we have broken His law and who does not want us to suffer the consequences, but sent Jesus to save us, we do mourn that we have abused and rebelled against such a wonderful loving God as we find revealed in the Bible. As a follower of Jesus, we receive His forgiveness and comfort as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus. Jesus respects us as we mourn for what we have done to God and others through our sins, and Jesus will comfort us and sometimes show us how we can make amends to those we have hurt.
3. What does the world usually think of a meek person? What does Jesus think about a meek person? Why do you think there is a difference in thinking?
The world thinks of a meek person as a weak person. Jesus things of a meek person as a strong person who can control himself when provoked and seek to do as Jesus would do in the situation—even pray for those who are hurting them. The world thinks a person should be strong and self-assertive and concerned about their rights and how to retaliate if they are wronged.
4. What is the relationship between hungering and thirsting for righteousness and purity of heart?
Believers can hunger and thirst for righteousness within themselves as measured by their conscience and the Bible’s teachings. They can hunger and thirst for righteousness in a world that has gone so terribly wrong. Those who seek purity of heart will always seek to do the will of God as revealed in the Bible and especially in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
5. Why are the followers of Jesus persecuted rather than honored by the world? Why do you think some in the church persecute those in the church who are truly seeking to follow Jesus?
The world hates Jesus. Those of this world see Jesus living in the life of the true follower of Jesus Christ. The followers of Jesus Christ also use the Bible’s teachings to tell the worldly to repent and believe the good news of Jesus Christ and turn to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Some in the church are worldly and want to follow whatever the prevailing culture is promoting. They will try to use Jesus as a tool to achieve their worldly goals, and they do not like being told that they are wrong or not Christian.
Word Search
How Can Disciples Grow Spiritually?
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Matthew 5:1-12
Name _______________________________________
U R G V P Z T G I D N Q Y N F
D M I Y S I N M P S F V I R G
C E L G R G L E N Z L E P U K
S O T E H X F H R E Y R X O C
P L H U S T Z X Y D V W U M Z
R N O X C K E L Z E L A X H V
I J H B U E E O T O E I E K D
Y E P F T S S P U B X S H H E
I S J U L K O R K S E G T C T
C U O A X O M G E O N R N V R
H S F N R E I N H P D E U K O
P E A C E M A K E R S T S P F
H Z W K L R E G N U H Q O S M
X B M E R C I F U L O Y N U O
S U L Q F K U Q H D C R H Q C
Poor
Heaven
Mourn
Comforted
Meek
Inherit
Hunger
Righteousness
Merciful
Pure
See
Peacemakers
Children
Persecuted
Falsely
True and False Test
How Can Disciples Grow Spiritually?
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Matthew 5:1-12
Name ____________________________________
Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.
1. Jesus praised confident Christians who knew they were perfect and scorned the poor in spirit who seemed to need God. True or False
2. A meek person will normally be known as humble. True or False
3. All the great sinners and rebels in the kingdom of heaven hungered and thirsted for righteousness. True or False
4. The merciful will do all they can do to help sinners receive the justice they deserve. True or False
5. The pure in heart are blessed because they will see God. True or False
6. God’s children strive for peace. True or False
7. If you say and do what is right, you will never be persecuted.
True or False
8. If you love and serve Jesus, no one will ever say anything bad about you or tell lies about you—everyone will admire you. True or False
9. Those who follow Jesus Christ will be blessed in the kingdom of heaven. True or False
10. If you are persecuted on account of Jesus, you can rejoice and be glad knowing your reward is great in heaven. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
Gracious Lord, You love us and long to supply what we need to live according to Your will. May we never turn away from any help or blessing You would give; Your sustenance, Your guidance, Your love, Your friendship and Your spiritual gifts. May we then become worthy ambassadors for Your Kingdom, wherever we are, and wherever we go; to Your Praise and Glory; AMEN
