Course Name: [ New Testament Survey ] Lesson Eleven: [ The Book of Revelation ]

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1 Course Name: [ New Testament Survey ] Lesson Eleven: [ The Book of Revelation ] Many people are intrigued by the Book of Revelation, but feel that it s too hard to read and comprehend. While some aspects of Revelation can certainly seem challenging and mysterious, it communicates a clear message that is extremely valuable to us as believers. You can understand this message and be encouraged by God s Word to us in Revelation Let s look at three keys that help us get the most out of this book. 1. Jesus is victorious over sin, death and the devil. From the first verses of Revelation, we see that its message is all about Jesus what He has done and will do for us. Revelation 1:1, 5-6 (NLT) This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John. 5 [Jesus] is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever Amen. Christ is revealed as the Lamb who was slain and the Lion who reigns, the center of all worship in heaven and on earth. Revelation 5:5-6, (NLT) But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, Stop weeping Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals. 6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.

2 They sang: Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever. 14 And the four living beings said, Amen And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. This sets the tone for the whole book: Jesus shed His blood as a sacrificial Lamb for us and now rules in victory as the risen Lord the Lion of the tribe of Judah 2. In Christ we are victorious. Jesus victory calls for us to respond with faith and obedience. This is the message of Revelation 2-3. In these chapters the risen Christ encourages believers in seven local churches of Asia Minor to persevere through hardship and remain faithful to Him. From these seven exhortations, we learn how to be those who are victorious (Revelation 2:26) in Christ: Turn back to our first love for Jesus. Revelation 2:4-5 (NLT) But I have this complaint against you. You don t love me or each other as you did at first 5 Look how far you have fallen Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Don t be afraid to suffer for Jesus. Revelation 2:10 (NLT) Don t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. Remain loyal to Jesus. Revelation 2:13 (NLT) I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan s city. Hold firmly to our faith in Jesus. Revelation 3:3 (NLT) Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. Pursue a strong passion for Jesus. Revelation 3:15-16, 19 (NLT) I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I Pastor Steve Homcy // The Book of Revelation // Page 2

3 will spit you out of my mouth 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. To His faithful followers who persevere victoriously, Jesus promises great rewards in His eternal Kingdom. Revelation 2:7b (NLT) To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 3:5 (NLT) All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT) I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, Look, God s home is now among his people He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 22:3-5 (NLT) No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there no need for lamps or sun for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 3. Through the cross ultimate victory is assured. At the heart of the message in Revelation is the spiritual battle Jesus already won through the cross against the devil and his forces. Revelation 12:7-11 (NLT) Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. 10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, It has come at last salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. The blood of the Lamb is the source of our testimony and triumph. It is the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the dead that defeated Satan and declared Christ s authority. This triumph will reach its ultimate expression when Christ comes back again. Pastor Steve Homcy // The Book of Revelation // Page 3

4 There will be a time of great tribulation leading up to His return, but Jesus will bring this to an end, deliver His people and establish His Kingdom on earth. Revelation 7:13-15 (NIV) Then one of the elders asked me, These in white robes who are they, and where did they come from? 14 I answered, Sir, you know. And he said, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Revelation 19:11-16 (NCV) Then I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. The rider on the horse is called Faithful and True, and he is right when he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like burning fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, which no one but himself knows. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and clean, were following him on white horses. 15 Out of the rider s mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will crush out the wine in the winepress of the terrible anger of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his upper leg was written this name: King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 11:15 (NLT) Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. In the midst of the sinfulness, brokenness and uncertainty of this world, we have the sure hope of eternal redemption and restoration in Christ. The Book of Revelation calls us to hold fast to Him through any tribulation we face, believing that His Kingdom will prevail and all His good promises to us will be fulfilled. Pastor Steve Homcy // The Book of Revelation // Page 4

5 Small Group Discussion Guide Getting Started Read Revelation 1:1-6. What is revealed to us about Jesus in these verses? Talking It Over Read Revelation 5:1-14. Why is it so important for us to believe in and worship Jesus as both the Lion and the Lamb? What does it mean to be victorious in Christ? What do we learn from Revelation 2-3 about this? Jesus challenged believers in Ephesus to turn back to their first love for Him (Revelation 2:1-7). How does this challenge you in your walk with the Lord? Read Revelation 3: Why does Jesus so strongly rebuke indifference in the lives of believers? Why is passion so vital to our walk with Christ and our witness for Him? Putting the Word to Work In what ways is Revelation 12:7-11 the heart of the message in this book? How do these verses help us understand what Jesus has done for us and what our response to Him should be? Memorizing the Word Revelation 12:11 (NLT) And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Pastor Steve Homcy // The Book of Revelation // Page 5