Revelation #25 – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   August 17, 2023

Revelation CGS – Week 25

A future worth waiting for.

Revelation 21:1-27

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

The final chapters bring Revelation’s cycles to a climax with a vision that unfolds in brilliant color and cascades of harmonious sound. The dissonant echoes of conflict and judgment give way to a majestic chorus of concord and hope. The vision begins by offering a panoramic view of the new heavens and new earth and a glimpse of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven in the distance. Next, an angelic guide brings John closer to the city, so that attention focuses on the city itself. Readers are told of its walls and gates, which are made of gemstones, pearls, and gold. Then they are taken into the city, where the river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, and the tree of life bears fruit and produces leaves for the healing of the nations. When the vision comes to its end, it comes to God and the Lamb, where the redeemed gather around the throne in worship. At last they see the face of God and reign in his light forever.[1]

 

Have you ever said anything like, “It was only the thought of … that kept me going”? “It was only the thought of a cup of tea that kept me going on my walk in the rain.” “It was only the thought of seeing you again that kept me going while I was away.” In Revelation 21 – 22 John is giving us a vision to help us keep going. In 21:9 John is invited to see a woman, the bride of the Lamb. But in verse 10 what he actually sees is a city. (The same link is made in verse 2.) The bride is the city. Indeed, it becomes clear that this is a temple-city, a symbolic amalgamation of a new Jerusalem and a new temple. The bride, city and temple together represent the redeemed people of God. Jerusalem the Bride is the church triumphant. It helps to read these verses with a dual perspective. Jerusalem the Bride is us (the church), and Jerusalem the Bride is our home. We’re familiar with this way of talking. We say things like, “The whole city came out to welcome the king”. We don’t mean all the buildings in the city were somehow tipped over the city walls! We mean the city (the inhabitants) left the city (the location). So 21:9 – 22:5 is a description of us as the church. But primarily these verses are a description of our future home. The redeemed people of God come from heaven to earth (21:2, 10). Our eternal future is not in a disembodied state in an ethereal realm. It is to have resurrection bodies in a renewed creation. The separate realms of heaven and earth are finally united (v 1). In verse 11 the temple-city shines with the glory of God like a jewel. It is literally brilliant![2]

 

In chapter 21, we can hear John’s words under the text, don’t give up, hold fast, and keep pressing on in faithfulness towards what is promised. In other words, don’t exchange what is best for what is immediate.

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your time as a group, share about a time in your life when you exchanged something that was far better in the long run for something that was immediate. It could be a time when you were saving for your first car, and you got impatient and bought what you could at that time instead of waiting a little longer. Or, it could have to do with a job or relationship. We’ve all been there, and hindsight is always 20/20. What is important is learning from those experiences.

 

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. [3]

  1. How does this chapter prompt you towards faithfulness? How does it reorient your perspective on your circumstances (both positive things and challenges)?
  2. When you consider that the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24) is to be a marker of growth in Christ, how do you see that fruit growing in you? What is one area that Paul lists that is an area of needed growth?
  3. Is your home Babylon the Unfaithful or Jerusalem the Bride? What are the signs that would show you which is true for you?
  4. When you think of heaven, how would you describe it? Does chapter 21 give you a different perspective?
  5. How has God spoken to you through the words of Revelation? What specific steps are you going to take in response?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 187–188.

[2] Chester, Tim. Revelation For You: Seeing history from heaven’s perspective (pp. 156-157). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

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