BIBLE STUDY THE VICTOR THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Transcription

1 BIBLE STUDY THE VICTOR THE BOOK OF REVELATION

2 WELCOME TO REVELATION When John received this revelation, what he saw was a picture of Jesus Christ the Victor. He saw pictures of the exalted state of The Victor and images of the great victory he has won over the enemies of God. He also received revelation from The Victor Jesus Christ that would comfort, encourage, rebuke, and remind the people of God that despite circumstance, faithfulness to Christ is a life of Victory that cannot be stolen. As He did for John s first readers, the Spirit now invites us to take a fresh look at Jesus Christ and allow the revelation of His victory to invigorate us as His disciples. The apocalyptic style of Revelation can be complex for the reader; it is useful to always remember that this is very much a pastoral letter, more so than a mysterious map of the end time timeline. Rather than become bogged down in the details of apocalyptic literature, we want to allow these expressive pictures to encourage us in the Victory of a great God who has redeemed a people from a creation distorted by the sin of its rebellious inhabitants and the lies of the evil one. Always on display is His power and sovereignty, encouraging His people to trust in Him. HOW THESE STUDIES WORK The studies divide into three sections: The Revelation of the Victor: This section attempts to focus on the picture of the person and work of Jesus. The Revelation from the Victor: This section focuses on what God is saying to us as an implication of the person and work of Jesus. The Revelation of the Victory: In this section we have the opportunity to explore where and how transformation may take place in us, in order that the life of a people victorious with Christ might be revealed in us.

3 SOME TIPS FOR INTERPRETING There is no real man called Uncle Sam! But this poster communicated powerfully to Americans during recruiting drives for the military, through the personification of the United States Army, as a purposed and dignified elder who was calling citizens to their duty. Approaching apocalyptic like a cartoon will serve you better than approaching it like a blueprint. Allow the imagery to evoke emotion, to emphasise, personify and at times even satirise as the pictures unfold. Broad brush strokes are the order of the day; don t get bogged down in too many details. Important: 1. Remember the Gospel! Nothing has changed, Christ has won the definitive battle at the cross and assurance is ours. A great resource is Graeme Goldsworthy s book Gospel in Revelation. 2. Paul Barnett offers four Keys in his commentary Apocalypse Now and Then: a. Crack the code For example the colour white, images of thrones or crowns all point to kingly rule. As the number 7 represents God and eternity, the shortfall of 6 is linked to the pretentions of Satan. The number 12 and its multiples refer to the redeeming of a people. The number 1000 and its multiples points to a large number, or long period. Likewise animals are symbolic, e.g. Lamb is helpless and sacrificial. b. Learn the layout more is said on this in the excurses following study 3 c. Centre on Christ as above in point 1. Resist the temptation to see Revelation as a book that focuses on some great future battle; instead this is the apocalyptic story and outworking of the battle won at the cross. It could even be said that the message of this book would remain permanently closed to those who see its perspectives as primarily futuristic. Barnett p10. d. Perceive the Parallelism Don t miss the contrasts, mimicries, and similes that again enhance the expressive nature of the book. Barnett s commentary is an excellent companion as you study this book.

4 STUDY 1 REVELATION 1:1-16 The Revelation of the Victor Read Rev 1: This book s name comes from the very first words. Let s think about the word revelation. a. What do you think of when you hear the word? b. How did this revelation come about? c. What and who do verses 1 and 3 suggest are the contents of this revelation? d. Since this book reveals Jesus, write down everything that describes him in these verses. 2. Many of the visions in the book of Revelation seem strange to us. This can be because the images come straight from the Old Testament prophets (books with which we re often not overly familiar). Read the following passages and discuss what the image is trying to convey to the readers about Jesus. Ezekiel 1:25-28; Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Daniel 10:4-6; Zechariah 4:1-14.

5 The Revelation from the Victor 3. Who is this revelation for? a. What genre is Revelation according to verses 4-11? b. To whom was it originally written? c. How is the author of this letter described in these verses? lifehopeandtruth.com 4. Recall your list of the descriptions of Jesus. Discuss how each description might encourage believers suffering like John. The Revelation of the Victory 5. In light of all we ve read, do you think the book of Revelation is more about the past, present or future? 6. How do you think the revelation of Jesus has the capacity to change the life of anyone enduring the ups and downs of everyday life? 7. What do you need to help you to enjoy the blessed life of announcing (reading out loud), hearing, and taking to heart this revelation of Jesus? V3

6 STUDY 2 REVELATION 1:17-2:11 The Revelation of the Victor 1. How can we be certain that it is specifically Jesus Christ who John sees, and who speaks to Him in this passage? He does not introduce Himself by name after all. (Hint see Matt 12:39-40) 2. What does John s reaction, and secondly Jesus words, confirm about Jesus? (Hint: Reaction see Gen17:3, Isaiah 6:5, Words see Isaiah 44:6) 3. How does 1:17-2:2 demonstrate both the transcendence 1 and Immanence 2 of Jesus to His churches? Write down the immanent inside the oval, and the transcendent around the oval. 4. What kind of a picture is forming for you of Jesus as the King and head of the church you are a part of? 1 Transcendence Uniquely other than everything in creation. Above, beyond, and unlimited by our earthly realm. 2 Immanent - Dwelling among, relating with, being very much with, and sharing in.

7 The Revelation from the Victor 5. Fill out the table of what Jesus praises, and has against the church, at Ephesus (2:2-6) a. Why do you suppose Jesus values these qualities in His church? b. What do you suppose Jesus means in v4? 6. How is removing their lampstand a logical consequence if they do not repent? What do you think Jesus is saying? 7. Explain the great picture of restoration that results from faithful obedience in v7. (Contrast Gen 3:22-24) 8. How could you argue that Smyrna is the most relevant church for Christians to study today based on v9? 9. How does Jesus self-description in v8 explain His commands to Smyrna in light of their circumstances (v9-10)? 10. What secures the promise of v11?

8 The Revelation of the Victory 11. If Jesus were to speak to your small group what do you think He might praise or rebuke? a. What would you like to do from here on to encourage one another in faithfulness as a group? 12. What blockages need to be removed, and what do you need to invest in, to either (pick one) Celebrate/ nurture/ or return to your first love personally and as a group? 13. The supremacy of Jesus calls for an unnatural perspective of circumstance in Smyrna. Where does the supremacy of Jesus call you to lead some perspective change in your church?

9 STUDY 3 REVELATION 4:1-5:14 The Revelation of the Victor Have you ever been able to get backstage at a show, or into a restricted access zone? Tell the story. Read Rev 4: In this vision John is invited into the heavenly throne room. a. The first thing he sees is the door to heaven standing open (v1). From your understanding of the bible when was this made possible? b. What overall impression of God do you have following His description in vv3-6? c. While the description of the four living creatures may sound strange they are the kind of figures with whom we may be familiar from the Old Testament. Read Isaiah 6:1-3 and Ezekiel 1:1-14, As you reflect on these images, what attributes of God do you think they depict? d. More important than whom the elders and creatures actually are, is what they are doing. What do these heavenly figures spend all their time doing? What do notice about the content of their praises? Read Rev 5: Somewhat unexpectedly we see this eternal worship interrupted! a. Why was the scroll unable to be opened (v2-3)?

10 b. What is John s response to this (v4)? c. From vv5-7 what makes the Lamb worthy to open the scroll? (See also Genesis 49:9-10 and Isaiah 11:1-2, 10.) Read Rev 5: Following the new development of the ascension of Christ to his Father s right hand, the worship service starts up again but a little bit differently! a. Why do the elders and living creatures now worship Christ? b. The scene then widens to include the heavenly choir. What is striking about their worship of the ascended Christ? c. As the scene pans out one more time, who else is swept up into the heavenly worship of Christ? The Revelation from the Victor 4. In this passage, how does creation respond to the heavenly reign of Jesus? 5. How is this passage intended to encourage John s readers who are suffering for their faith? 6. Examine v9-10. How does the work of Jesus expand upon the saving act of the exodus? Why should this again serve to encourage those who feel the persecution of an Emperor with a god complex?

11 The Revelation of the Victory 7. If God is indeed ruling through Christ from heaven, share an area of your life that needs to be brought into alignment with this. You might consider for example: - Your attitude to people of other races / ethnicity - Your relationship with anyone in authority over you - Your relationship with those you have authority over - How you manage risk and/or challenges in your life - Your stewardship of your possessions - Your Christian witness - Any other areas. 8. How does the heavenly worship scene influence your thoughts on the shape of earthly worship?

12 Excurses on patterns of 7 in chapters 6-16 Chapters 6-16 contain a recurring pattern of seven in four episodes. Paul Barnett provides the following helpful guide in his commentary Apocalypse Now and Then. The first episode describes tyranny (6-7), the second chaos in creation (8-11), the third persecution of believers (12-14) and the fourth the destruction of the earth (15-16). [ ] these episodes do not follow one another, end on end, but rather they overlap. This means that the tyranny, the chaos, the persecution and the destruction of which we read in these cycles of seven occur right through the historic period (symbolically one thousand years, the Millennium) which separates Christ s resurrection from his return. These are four strands which together, from John s point of view, make up human history through which God s people must live. He has teased them apart and looked at them in turn. But they are his God-given, prophetic insight into the same historical span. We may set this out as a simple diagram. Human history: One thousand years 6-7 seven seals depicting TYRANNY 8-11 Seven trumpets depicting CHAOS Seven signs depicting PERSECUTION Seven plagues depicting DESTRUCTION Once we understand the layout of the Revelation, that its episodes are concurrent rather than consecutive, many of our difficulties disappear.

13 STUDY 4 REVELATION 6-7 The Revelation of the Victor 1. Writing on the lamb, outline a summary of what we know has been declared of the Lamb in Chapter 5 (feel free to alter his appearance if it helps) Read Rev 6: The Lamb opens 4 seals a. What transpires? What do you understand this to be? b. What does the opening of these seals reveal about the Lamb s authority over our world? c. Take a moment to discuss what might be distressing or comforting about this revelation of the lamb.

14 Read Rev 6: A 5th seal is opened a. Who is pictured? What is it they anticipate (v9-10)? b. What is revealed about the lamb in this exchange? 4. Why is the opening of the 6th seal such a terrifying event? What is taking place? What is striking about the language the wrath of the Lamb! in verse 16? a. How do you think the revelation of the 6 seals would pastorally address the concerns of the first readers of this book? b. What do you think they would hope to hear next? The Revelation from the Victor Read Rev 7 5. What word is given to God s people about their fate on the great day of wrath? (7:1-4) 6. How might the words of 7:1-8 serve an original Jewish Christian reader caught in between the pressure of hostile Jews who reject Christ, and the persecution of the Roman Empire? 7. How do the words of 7:9-12 speak to Christians of all nations about their confidence on the day of wrath? a. What do you see displayed here (7:4-10) about the long held promises of God? (See Gen 12:1-3, 28:13-14; 47:8-9, Ps 67:4, Is 49:6)

15 The Revelation of the Victory 8. Jeremiah says, You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? (Jeremiah 12:1) These words resonate with the first readers of Revelation, and may resonate with you today. What is the pastoral answer offered in Rev 6:13-17 & Rev 7:3, 15-17? 9. Does this passage help you to entrust vengeance to the Lord alone? 10. What important principles do you take out of Rev 6-7 when it comes to processing the terrible things that happen in our world? 11. How has Revelation 6-7 influenced your understanding of the Sovereignty of God? What do you feel is different about living life under a God who is sovereign? 12. How would you respond to this: You say the God of the bible is Sovereign, controlling all things, and he is also benevolent all good? Yet under the total control, and total goodness of this God we observe evil in the world! Is it that His goodness is lacking, or that he is not quite powerful enough (or even both) to have eradicated evil? z

16 STUDY 5 REVELATION 8-11 The Revelation of the Victor 1. What sort of a picture is being revealed in Rev 8? Or to put it another way, after four trumpets have been blown are you inclined to feel excitement or repulsion about what more trumpet blasts may bring? (v13) 2. Split into 3 groups. Each group read one of the following: Group 1 Gen 1:3-5 & Rev 8:7. Group 2 Gen 1:6-7 & Rev 8:8-9. Group 3 Gen 1:9-10 & Rev 8: What patterns do you notice? What contrasting distinction do you see? 3. In the Genesis account of creation and imagery of Rev 8; is God ever absent from the events that transpire? Why do you suppose the events of creation in Genesis and destructive chaos in Revelation are so different? (see Gen 3:21-24,& Rom 1:18) Read Rev 9: The awful picture of the fifth trumpet blast is one of spiritual torment. Abaddon/ Apollyon v11 (translated destroyer ) leads this torment. Examine 9:4-5 and comment: a. What has God done to protect his people from such forces? Can they be harmed?

17 b. Is this underworld regime led by Apollyon described as a rival to God or something else? c. Is there any security or power to be obtained through forming allegiance with the demonic realm? The Revelation from the Victor Read Rev 9: Considering this passage, and the previous ones you have read in this study, how do you think the letter is working to adjust the expectations of how life on earth will generally look? 6. Throughout these chapters the picture has been one of God in control (The revelation of the victor). There have also been instruments of chaos both natural and supernatural on display, yet the responsibility for the chaos lies elsewhere. Consider 9:20-21 where does the responsibility lay, what needs to happen? 7. What do these passages (ch8-9) teach us about God s justice and mercy? The Revelation of the Victory 8. What is the danger of living in a place like The Hills? Where do you think our perception of what to expect from life may be distorted?

18 9. The picture of Revelation is one of a terribly broken world. What do you think are the essential things to keep in mind as we go about both our hope of heaven, and our management of the times we live in? 10. Where is God in the midst of suffering? Reflect on the following: a. Does his activity tell us if he has heard or not heard our prayers? (8:4) b. What are the different conclusions one may come to regarding God s character when considering the suffering that exists? c. Read Rev 11: Does this influence your thoughts on 10b?

19 STUDY 6 REVELATION What do you know about Satan? Brainstorm as a group all you know about this sometimes enigmatic figure. Do you think he exists? What do you think he is? How do you feel about him? Although this passage seems quite different to the structure of the Trumpets and Bowls, it actually follows the same outline, as we shall see. The Revelation of the Victor Read Rev 12: Who is represented by this woman and her child? (See Ps 2:9 if needed). 3. Who is represented by the dragon? Satan?? (v9) 4. What is the dragon s relationship to the child? 5. What is our relationship to the dragon? See also v17. The Revelation from the Victor Read Rev In the frustration of his defeat, Satan has summoned forces to make war against the people of God (12:17). How are these two allies similar to the symbolic representation of the nations opposed to the people of God in Daniel 7:1-8,15-17?

20 7. These beasts (Rev 13) are also pictured in similar language to that which Revelation uses of the Lamb. What similarities do you notice between these descriptions? a. What warnings should be taken from the mimicry ascribed to the dragon and the beasts? 8. What hints are there in this chapter that the beasts rules are limited? The Revelation of the Victory Read Rev What is to be our response to the treatment we will receive from these beasts? 10. The future of these beasts and those who follow them is powerfully pictured in vv How does this picture make you feel? 11. How does this picture of Satan refine the descriptions previously offered by your group?

21 STUDY 7 REVELATION The Revelation of the Victor 1. Remembering what you have learnt thus far in the book about the state of life on earth, what do you think lies behind God s wrath which is mentioned in v1 & 7? a. Is it a good thing to have such an angry God? Why or why not? 2. Read Exodus 15: 1-18 a. What is the context of the Song? b. Scan the things said about God in this Song of Moses. What are the stand-out statements for you? c. Pharaoh, and now in Revelation, the unholy trinity (The Dragon, The Beast from the sea, and the beast from the earth Rev 12-13), all contend for the place of supreme god. How do these songs (Moses & Rev 15:3-4) contrast God against his rivals? d. Why do you think these songs are now sung to the Lamb? 3. How does a picture of a wrathful warrior God bring both comfort and fearfulness upon the reader of Revelation?

22 The Revelation from the Victor Read Rev You will no doubt notice the seven fold pattern return (Rev 6-8 Seals, Rev 8 11 Trumpets, Rev Signs). What is different about the 7 bowls in contrast with the previous 7 groups? (15:1) 5. How does the out-pouring of God s wrath show not only his sovereign power but his commitment to justice? (16:4-7) 6. What do you think having a God of ultimate justice changes about how we go about, and feel about, life on planet earth? 7. If God s justice is absolute, perfect and inescapable, how can anyone take any comfort in this? If we know that we too are guilty how can this be a comfort? 8. Megiddo in Israel is the sight of the earliest recorded battles, and is said to be one of the world s most frequently used stages for war even our Anzacs fought there! It was said, that to control the land of Israel you must control the City or hill of Megiddo known as Armageddon. It is the place for the battle of battles. a. Why do you suppose John uses the name Armageddon to describe this act of the pouring out of God s wrath? b. Read John 19: and Revelation 16: What similarity do you observe? What is the implication? c. How does the resurrection of Jesus bring the victory of Armageddon to Him and his followers now?

23 The Revelation of the Victory 9. How might the wrath of God, properly understood, serve to make God s character more attractive to an unbeliever rather than less? 10. How can the wrath of God comfort us in our lives, so that in our anger we do not sin? 11. Do you think it is right and helpful to communicate to the world that God is victorious and will judge the world? How can this be done effectively? 12. If God is to be the ultimate judge, what is he waiting for? Is there a role for you in this?

24 STUDY 8 REVELATION The Revelation of the Victor Read Rev What are the reasons for praising God in v1-8? 2. What is the result of the Lamb overcoming evil? (v 6-8) 3. Who is the bride of the Lamb? (v6-8) 4. Reread Rev 19:11-16 a. Who is this rider? b. Recall what you learnt in the last study regarding the Armageddon battle. (Rev 16:16-17)Now note the anticlimax of the battle in Rev 19: Whose blood, do you suppose, stains his robe? Explain your response. (v13) c. When was his great victory? How did he secure the title King of Kings and Lord of Lords? (hint: Dan 7:13-14, Ps 16: 10, Ps 110:1-2, Matt 12:39-40,) 5. After so many pictures of chaos, hardship, and evil reigning, what is your impression of Jesus as he is now revealed in this victorious picture?

25 The Revelation from the Victor Read Rev What does it mean for the one called the Devil (slanderer / accuser) and Satan (deceiver) to be bound (v1-3)? (hint: consider whose victory binds him 19:11) 7. If possible, it would be great to pause and watch this clip in which Martin Luther demonstrates how the Devil is bound Why do you think God will release this accuser and deceiver for a short time at the final judgment? (v3, v7-10) 9. How can we confirm that the period of the evil one s binding has already begun? (v4-6) [Hint: Rev 6:9-11] 10. Reread v What is the only way to escape condemnation on the final judgment according to v15. Is anyone saved by their works? The Revelation of the Victory 10. What is the only power the Devil has? What is it that binds him and makes him unable to harm the people of God? 11. What does the victorious life look like amidst: a. Our own sin b. Seeking reconciliation c. Sharing the truth about Jesus d. Self image, and self esteem e. The demonic realm f. Resisting temptation 12. Are there areas of your life where you seem defeated, rather than a victor with Christ?

26 STUDY 9 REVELATION The Revelation of the Victor Read Rev 21: What is the result of the return of Christ and the removal of all of the enemies of his kingdom? (v1-2) 2. What will now be the dwelling place of God? How is this different to the promise of Matt 18:20? 3. We have seen the fearful side of God s judgment, how do we now see that God s judgment is something we should welcome? (v3-8) 4. Reread carefully and slowly v3-4. Paint a picture and explore what the final reign of Jesus looks like. For example, how does it compare with even the greatest reigns history has known? Read Rev What is so amazing about Rev 22:4? (consider Exodus 33:18-23) a. Consider also Exodus 33:11; is there anything additional you would add to your previous answer? 6. What do you think it means for Jesus to be the Bright Morning Star? (v16)

27 The Revelation from the Victor 7. Revisit v 2, How does this fulfil Gen 12:2-3? 8. Rev 22:3 says and there will no longer be any curse. What does this tell us about the state of the world now? a. What does it tell us we can anticipate? 9. How do you understand 22:12? Use the passage to explain your answer. a. How is this a comfort and warning? The Revelation of the Victory 10. Consider your answer to question 7. How does this affect the way we go about life now, and our expectations? 11. Do you think Make poverty History is an achievable goal? Why, Why not, how? 12. To only know life in a place as perfect as Sydney is to be both under a blessing and a curse. In light of what you have learned in Revelation discuss this statement. 13. What is the Christian hope? How does this adjust your actions and desires today?

28 spch.org.au