Revelation #2 – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   February 9, 2023

 Letting God be God

 

Revelation 1:4-20

 

INTRODUCTION:  As we began our time in the book of Revelation last week, we started with a few ground rules that are designed to help us read Revelation responsibly. Those ground rules were, focus on the timeless principles, not on the timelines, keep the original audience in mind, remember that it is part of a larger literary genre, and finally, keep the main thing the main thing. And, what is the main thing? Jesus is victor.

 

With that main idea in mind, we encounter the first vision that John has in the book of Revelation. But, before we get there, we hear a little more about John’s situation and the audience. John is exile on Patmos for his faithful preaching of the gospel. Patmos was a small island where Rome often sent political prisoners. And, he is writing to seven churches in Asia minor who are also facing persecution. John literally says that he is a brother and partner in their tribulations. This is an audience that needs a shot in the arm of hope. And, that is where the vision comes in. The first vision in Revelation is not one of an event but of a person: the crucified and risen Christ, the one who could say, “I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever” (1:18). [1] Jesus is victor, and John writes down this vision (because he was told to) so that they would have clarity about the divinity and person of Jesus. John’s message to them and to us is this: grace and peace. In the midst of hostility and pressure, you can know grace and peace because God the Father is Almighty, because God the Spirit is all-present, and because God the Son is all-conquering.[2] Yet, sharing in the kingdom of Jesus involves sharing in his sufferings. What hope is there? Very little if you looked around you in the first-century Roman Empire. The empire was full of imagery and symbols that dripped with enormous confidence. Everywhere you looked there were images of power and authority—lions, eagles, gods. The Romans brought the children of conquered nations to Rome because they knew it would overwhelm them and win them over to Roman culture. It was part of the way they assimilated other cultures into their own. Maybe the Christians felt like that. They saw the power and pomp of Rome, and found it intimidating or alluring.[3] But Jesus is victor, and because of that, we have hope. And when we come to see him in the reality of his divine power and righteousness, we are reminded of the truth that, since God is God, I don’t have to be. That is a gracious truth that brings relief and inspires faithfulness.

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time this week, answer this question around the group. When did you come to see God rightly for the first time? And when did you turn your life over to Him? Were those two things at the same time? If not, what changed for you?

 

 

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

 

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

 

Note: Revelation can be a tough book. Here are some questions that might help with discussion.[4]

  1. What contemporary ideas, empires or movements claim (explicitly or implicitly) that they will last forever?
  2. What comfort does each member of the Trinity provides for the challenges you are facing?
  3. Where are the pressure points from our culture for Christians today? Which do you feel is the hardest to resist?
  4. What aspects of John’s vision of the risen Christ particularly comfort you? Which of them disturb or challenge you?
  5. In what ways does your life together as a church witness to Christ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 59.

[2] Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (p. 27). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

[3] Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (p. 21). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

[4] Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective. The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.