1. Chapter Two: The Second Jezebel

Her real name was probably not Jezebel, but her corrupting influence was so great that the Lord changed her name to associate her with the notorious wife of King Ahab. The first Jezebel cor- rupted Israel (1 Kgs. 16:31); the second Jezebel corrupted the church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29). This study is one of twenty studies on Lesser-Known Women in the Bible. They are all available in English and Japanese.

2. Chapter Six: Wild Animals (6:8)

3. Chapter Eight: Thoughts on Attitude

This simple descriptive study makes use of Describe-It-Yourself cards. The first photo below shows selected cards which describe an all-too-common negative attitude toward the book of Revelation and chapter eight, and the second photo below shows selected cards which describe a positive attitude toward the chapter and the book as a whole. Click this link to get your own set of cards to do your own descriptive analysis of the chapter.

God's word is good, but our attitude toward various portions of it sometimes is not. For instance, many think of Revelation chapter eight and the first four trumpet judgments as difficult to understand, dark, sad, and above all scary. Does this mean that there is something wrong with the chapter? No, of course not. Rather it indicates that there may be something wrong with our attitude.

If our attitude toward Revelation in general and chapter eight in particular were more positive, we would find it interesting, impressive, practical, and perhaps even scientific since it is about that which God has created. Some believe that this may include a gigantic meteor (8:8), a commet (8:10), and a huge volcano (8:7).

More importantly,  Rev. 8:1-13 can help us fear the Lord instead of being worldly, much like Peter's message in Second Peter chapter three does. This world and the heavenly bodies will not continue as they are forever. Judgment is coming, and everything will be changed.

4. Revelation 21:1-22:5, The New Jerusalem.

This descriptive study makes use of Describe-It-Yourself cards. The photo below shows selected cards from the set arranged in a square to describe the New Jerusalem, which most people think of as heaven. Click this link to get your own set of cards and make your own diagram.

How would you describe the New Jerusalem in Rev. 21:1-22:5? It will apparently be shaped like a gigantic cube (Rev. 21:16). So the diagram below is shaped like a great square with four main points. More important than the shape and size, however, are its PURPOSES. Why is the Lord Jesus, the Lamb, making this great place for his people?

This layout shows that life in the New Jerusalem will be gloriously different from life on earth today. Yet, it will still be a relational and active place. The passage shows that there will be plenty to do in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24-25, 22:3), since we were created and saved to serve. This will not change in eternity. The opposition of the wicked, our human selfishness, and the weakness of the flesh will all be things of the past, however. So serving the Lord will be more joyful and fulfilling in the New Jerusalem, our eternal home.

MAKING YOUR OWN STUDIES -- with Describe-It-Yourself cards

You can make your own Descriptive Bible Studies using Describe-It-Yourself cards. All you need to do is: 1.) decide what passage(s) you wish to study, 2.) decide whom or what you wish to describe, and then 3.) use a DIY card set to help you describe what or whom you chose.

There are Four Describe-It-Yourself Card Sets to choose from. Two sets, (A) and (B), are shorter to save time. In two sets, (A) and (M), all the cards have blank lines for extra thought stimulation. Over half of the cards in the Pro (P) set have blank lines as well. Beaginners may enjoy the simplicity of the Short List (B) set, but those with time for detailed studies may like the Mid List (M) or Pro List (P) sets. Yet, the best set for most users is Short List (A).