Bible Band Lesson (May 2, 2013)

TOPIC: Christ is Our Shelter

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Revelation 7:1-3, 9, 13-17

DEVOTIONAL READING: Zechariah 4:1-6; 6:1-8

CENTRAL VERSE: Revelation 7:14

INTRODUCTION: Jesus provides protection against sin and prepares us for this world and the next.  He is our antidote against sin without which no one can enter into the blessings of salvation that He alone provides.  It is imperative that the world hears this message, for there is non other that offers the kind of protection He does.

THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE SEALED  (Revelation 7:1-3)

Here we find that the people of God are protected by the hand of God.  When everything in the universe is against them, God is on their side and they are safe.  In John's vision, he saw the trouble that is about to come upon the whole world.  The four angels were standing at the four corners of the earth and were holding back the four winds that were to soon unleash the power of evil on the earth.  This will be a time of immense testing for the people of God.

There was hush in the universe.  Soon another angel came from the east.  He shouted instructions to the other four angels, who were given power to hurt all that was on the land and sea.  They were to hold back their fury until the children of God had been sealed and marked to be saved from the destruction that is to come on all the earth.  God's servants were to first receive a seal on their foreheads.  This was God's way of protecting His servants.  Even today, God has different ways to protect those who trust in Him.

THE PEOPLE OF GOD MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE (Revelation 7:9)
John saw a vast crowd of people.  These were people from every nation on earth.  They spoke many different languages and belonged to many tribes on earth, but they had this in common: they were all washed in the blood of the Lamb of God.

GOD'S PEOPLE WILL BE PROTECTED (Revelation 7:13-17)

One of the twenty-four elders ventured to explain to John who these people were.  The explanation is simple, for these people were those who had fulfilled their task on earth, who had experienced great suffering, and yet were victorious.

God will be their Shepherd, and all tears will be wiped away.  they drink the water of life eternally.  The will never know the noontime heat, hunger or thirst again.  All who trust Jesus will always be protected.

ESSENTIAL THOUGHT:

"Jesus will protect them as they stand before the throne serving Him."

QUESTIONS:

1.  What is meant  by the "four corners of the earth" (Revelation 7:1)?
2.  What are some other examples of seals or marks mentioned in the Bible?

3.  How can God wipe away all tears?