Join us on this 9-week message series entitled: The Book of Revelation. With the last book of the Bible as our guide, we will plumb the depths of Scripture to both understand the meaning of Revelation in its own day and its meaning for today.
Our team is thrilled, and a bit nervous, as we jump into this often-misunderstood book. Revelation was written to be read as a community, together as God’s people, from a pastor named John. Many scholars believe it was the same John who walked with Jesus for three years as his disciple. Revelation is for all of us! It is about churches and followers of Jesus who experience a dissonance with the world that we live in. It reminds us that there is a battle going on that is supernatural and manifests itself in our daily struggles. Revelation is about Jesus and the hope that He offers past, present, and future. We believe that our journey through Revelation will give us a greater confidence to live as disciples of Jesus in a world that is under the influence of the Evil One, the devil (or the dragon as he is called in Revelation). Our time together will help us to be on alert because a battle is raging. While the battle rages, Revelation gives us a sneak peek that the war has already been won. As the end of the book reminds us, God will establish a new Jerusalem on earth and a new heaven where there will be no more tears, injustice, and everything will be just as it was intended to be, just like the first chapters of Genesis.
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Scripture: Revelation 21:3-5
Memory Verse: “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” The he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
Questions to Consider:
When you picture Jesus coming back again, what comes to mind?
When you imagine heaven, where do you believe your understanding has come from?
What is the biggest takeaway from the series on Revelation?
What is the most confusing aspect of the book?
How does knowing that God wins in the end cause you to live differently?
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Scripture: Revelation 18:4-8, 20
Memory Verse:
”So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.” John 16:22-23Questions to Consider:
In today’s message, Austin shared the historical content of Revelation 17 and 18. Why do you think there is so much speculation about these passages and who ‘Babylon’ is today?
In what ways are you seeing the manifestation of ‘Babylon’ in the world around you? What is obvious? What is not so obvious?
In the text Austin shared from Ephesians 1:3-4, 7-10, we are promised ‘spiritual blessings’. What do you think some of these may be?
Read John 16:22-23. How do these verses give you hope?
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Scripture: Revelation 12:7-12
Additional Readings: Revelation Chapters 13-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, 1 John 4:1-6Memory Verse: “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14
Questions to Consider:
The most interesting man in the world is also the most deceptive. Read Matthew 24. How can the church protect itself from deception?
How can we use the coming world reality to partner with the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the Good News, seeing many choose Jesus over the counterfeits of this world?
What friends and family, who are not yet Christians, could you be intentionally praying for more to see the real Jesus? Why do you think that is an important discipline in our personal faith walk?
As we continue to walk through these tough chapters of Revelation 6-16. How does this “story of everything” show the delicate balance between God's control and God's judgment?
How can understanding these difficult times draw you to a closer, more fruitful relationship with God?
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Watch Message
Scripture: Revelation Chapters 8-12
Memory Verse:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15b
Questions to Consider:If you had to narrow the church’s mission down to two things, what would they be?
Describe a time when you were able to hear God speak. Was silence associated with it? How do you embrace quietness?
Above Westminster Abbey in London a sign that reads, “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.” It is a reminder that even the kings and queens of England will bow before King Jesus. How does this impact the way you see the world?
How has Revelation given you hope amidst the chaos of the world?
Repentance is the key to persevering in Revelation. Why do you think it is so central to the life of faith?
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Watch Message
Scripture: Revelation Chapters 6 & 7Questions to Consider (7 Questions, a perfect number of Revelation Questions):
Does Revelation cause anxiety when the subject is brought up? If so, why do you think that is?Why does evil happen in our world when we have a good God? What would the Book of Revelation tell us?
When you think of modern day calamities and tragedies, is there anything that catches your attention more than others?
What is the difference between the passive wrath of God and the active wrath of God?
What is the purpose of the seals, trumpets, and bowls in God’s unfolding of redemptive history?
Are you familiar with the concept of spiritual warfare? How would you explain it?
What are some keys in battling the devil and the evil forces that we wrestle with?
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Watch Message
Scripture: Revelation Chapters 4 & 5Memory Verse:
“And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 5:9 CSBQuestions to Consider:
What about heaven gives you comfort? How does John's picture of heaven affect your priorities on earth?
The story of Jeremiah in Jeremiah chapter 32 reminds us that God may ask more of us. Has God asked you to make an investment as an act of faith—perhaps in a person or an opportunity? Did the request come during a hard time of your life? Why do you think He make such requests?
Read Revelation 5:4. What things in your life break your heart? Follow up with reading Revelation 5:8-14, what encourages you that God can be trusted that one day He will wipe away those tears in heaven?
Sometimes we can easily limit worship to only "singing" songs of praise. After reading Revelation chapters 4 & 5 what new ways caught your attention that God would accept as worshipping Him?
Read Revelation 4:8-11 If true worship is not transactional and expects nothing in return, do we agree with the statement that "God does not exist to be useful, but God exists to be adored simply because of who He is"? Why or Why not? How does that one truth change your approach to worshipping God?
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Scripture: Revelation Chapter 2 & 3
Memory Verse:
”Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:4Questions to Consider:
Are you losing your first love?
Are you deceived by false teaching?
Are you worshipping Jesus?
Are you testing God’s promises?
What symbol or picture bests represents heaven or eternal life for you? How does that motivate you to stay faithful?
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Scripture: Revelation 1:9-20
Memory verse:
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” Revelation 1:17b-18a
Questions to Consider:
When you think about Revelation and the context of when it was written, do you see any similarities to today?How does it make you feel when you hear John describe the vision of Jesus in chapter 1: 12-18? Does anything particularly stand out?
When you hear the description of Babylon and its influence, what might John be describing in our current situation?
The Ephesian church was rebuked for forsaking their first love. How does your love for God and for others sometimes wane and get stale?
What have you learned from your earthly relationships about how to rekindle love and restore the passion and energy to when you first fell in love?
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Scripture: Revelation 1:1-7
Memory Verse:“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear itand take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. “ Revelation 1:3
Questions:
When you think about the book of Revelation, what emotions or thoughts come to mind?
Share an experience you have had with the book of Revelation, or with someone who has studied the book themselves.
When it comes to the Christian doctrine of the end of the world and Jesus’ second coming, what has been your belief up to this point?
Revelation 1:3 remind us that the time is near. These are the same words that Jesus said in his first message in Mark 1:15. Both use the Greek word Kairos for time….translated as a breakthrough or an awakening. What is one awakening you had in this week’s message?
Will you commit to reading through the entire book of Revelation with the Thanksgiving community and attempt to memorize the weekly verses? “Blessed are those who hear it and take it to heart.”
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Babylon - Influence and opposition to God and His Kingdom. Wicked systems, ideologies, and structure on this earth,
New Jerusalem - God’s Kingdom on earth. Lives in opposition to Babylon.
Team Dragon - The devil and those who are under the influence of Babylon
Team Lamb - Those who work for God’s kingdom on earth and in the heavenly realms
7 Golden Lampstands - Represents the 7 churches that the letter of Revelation is written to. On a broader scale, 7 is the complete number that represents all churches throughout the ages.
7 Stars - The angels/messengers sent to the seven churches. Also, represent the entire universe Jesus has dominion over, including the stars.
Son of Man - A human figure representing God and the human race. In Revelation, Jesus is the Son of Man.
Dialectic - When two opposing forces or points of view come together to arrive at truth.
Revelation - A surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.
Goel - A kinsman redeemer
Seven Seals - Seven disciples
God (Team Lamb) > Satan (Team Dragon)
Jesus (Lamb) > Beast (Anti-Christ)
Spirit > False Prophets
Bride (Church) > Babylon (Culture without influence of God)
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Revelation by N.T Wright
Revelation for the Rest of Us by Scot McKnight
Reversed Thunder by Eugene H. Peterson
Mysteries of the End Times, Robert Jeffress
The Fate of Empires, Sir John Glubb
The Book of Revelation Decoded by Rabbi K.A. Schneider
Spiritual Warfare for End Times by Derek Prince