* To prod Christians in congregational communities to wake up, repent, and act faithfully and justly, despite the bleak situation caused by Roman rule.
* To encourage believers to have hope in God;s future, and to see that future breaking into the present.
* To offer an urgent warning that God will judge evil, injustice, inaction, and worship of Roman culture and the Roman emeror; God alone receives worship.
* To inspire and encourage Christians to become witnesses to God's way of life, through Jesus Christ.
* To answer the question, "Who is the true God?"
view the introduction and meet the author.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Lesson #1 AN APOCALYPSE, AN AUTHOR, AND A WITNESS
In Revelation 1, the author, John of Patmos, introduces himself and explains his purpose in writing this book. He has seen a vision of the living Christ.
Lesson #2 SEVEN LETTERS TO SEVEN CHURCHES
John of Patmos addresses a series of letters to the early Christian communities of Asia Minor. The seven individual letters are like performance reviews, examining the strengths and weaknesses of each church.
Lesson # 3 WORSHIPING GOD AND THE LAMB: THE HEAVENLY JOURNEY
Worship and praise are central features of Revelation, and singing is one of the best ways to enter into the imagery of the book. The singing begins in Chapters 4 and 5, when John is summoned to “come up” to heaven “in the spirit,” through an open door. There he sees four living creatures and twenty-four “elders” worshiping and singing in a circle around God’s throne. The message is that we are to give allegiance only to God, not to any earthly government or power. As we will discover in this lesson, real power comes from the Lamb, whose name is Jesus. Here are the questions.
Lesson # 4 DIAGNOSING THE CRISES OF EMPIRE
Key ideas:
1. The frightening images reveal the dangers of an unjust empire and let us know that these evils have not escaped God’s notice.
2. John did not devise the violent language and imagery himself. In both form and content, most of it was adopted and adapted by him from his Bible and his Jewish and Christian tradition.
3. Intent is to produce repentance, to make clear that God is in control, not to predict.
1. The frightening images reveal the dangers of an unjust empire and let us know that these evils have not escaped God’s notice.
2. John did not devise the violent language and imagery himself. In both form and content, most of it was adopted and adapted by him from his Bible and his Jewish and Christian tradition.
3. Intent is to produce repentance, to make clear that God is in control, not to predict.
Lesson #5 SINGING HYMNS OF HOPE:INTERLUDES OF SALVATION FOR GOD'S PEOPLE
Revelation, chapter 7-8:5 and chapter 12
Key ideas:
1. John presents the concept that our struggles against sin and injustice are part of a cosmic picture.
2. God gives hope even in the midst of judgment, enabling us to witness, no matter what happens.
3. Forces of evil are defeated by Christ’s victory on the cross and by our witness.
Lesson #6 WITNESS TO HOPE: THE WOMAN, THE DRAGON, AND EARTH'S DARING RESCUE
At the center of Revelation, we encounter two of the most dramatic and deeply symbolic stories, representing the life-and-death struggle that is at the heart of Revelation. Revelation does not proceed chronologically; it sometimes uses flashbacks. These stories are flashbacks. Even though they come in the middle of the book, they actually are telling the story of Jesus’ victory on the cross—a vital message for the isolated and powerless Christian communities of John’s day—an event that has already happened, and in which Satan and are defeated. Revelation 12 uses the symbolic picture of Satan stalking the earth, to warn Christians that things will get worse under Rome’s rule before they get better.
Lesson# 7 RAPTURE, VIOLENCE, AND EXODUS
Presbyterian Women Horizons Bible Study
Journeys Through Revelation--Apocalyptic Hope for Today
Lesson 7: Rapture, violence, and Exodus
Revelation, chapters 13, 15, 16, 19
Key ideas:
1. The war in Revelation is not one of wanton cruelty, but a war in which the victor is himself the sacrifice.
2. Revelation, especially in this lesson, draws on the Exodus story. The plagues are meant for the conversion of the oppressors and the liberation of God’s people.
3. Despite the violent imagery, it is God’s self-giving love that ultimately changes the world.
Lesson #8 THE EMPIRE HAS FALLEN! EVACUATE NOW!
Our journey through Revelation culminates in a tale of two cities: Babylon (representing the Roman Empire) and the New Jerusalem (God’s holy city), with a call to make a choice between them. This lesson will look at the vision in Revelation 17–18, where we view the judgment of the evil city, Babylon/Rome. The city is personified in a shocking way, as a whore. John wants us to be repulsed by Rome’s seductively violent ways—to be shocked at the collapse of its fabulous wealth and power. Even though Rome is still very much in power when John writes Revelation, he seeks to convince readers that the Roman Empire is doomed. His urgent message is that we must “come out” of the imperial system of Babylon before it is too late, so that we can participate as citizens in God’s New Jerusalem, the city of blessing and promise.
Lesson #9 JOURNEY INTO THE NEW JERUSALEM
Our journey through Revelation comes to completion in the vision-tour of the second city, the city of blessing, God’s New Jerusalem. John shows us each detail of the new city so we can taste and see and experience the landscape of God’s renewed world. This vision is the very opposite of Armageddon. The New Jerusalem is an earth-centered image of beauty and healing. In this lesson, we will come to the awesome recognition that God is coming to us. This vision fulfills the people’s longings for safety and peace with God. It invites us to see ourselves as citizens already of this wondrous city, and to live our lives in terms of this powerful vision of hope. This is a vision that transforms the way we live our lives each day. As our journey comes to an end, we now come to see our own cities in light of God’s wondrous vision of healing.
Presbyterian Women Horizons Bible Study
Journeys Through Revelation--Apocalyptic Hope for Today
Lesson 9: Journey Into the New Jerusalem
Revelation, chapters 21 and 22
Key ideas:
1. God comes to live with us in the New Jerusalem.
2. The heart of the message of Revelation is not that God plans to destroy our world, but that God’s desire is to heal and renew.
3. Revelation calls upon people to live as citizens of God’s New Jerusalem even in the heart of empire. As we come out of empire, God comes to us.
I. Opening Devotion on p. 77
II. Summary
At last we come to the pearly gates and the streets paved with gold—what Rossing calls a vision-tour of the city of blessing, God’s New Jerusalem.
What concepts do you have of heaven?
Read Rev. 21: 1-5a.
John’s vision encompasses hope for healing, peace, comfort and security, freedom from sorrow and death, and, most of all, the joy of abiding with God. And it happens on earth, in a renewed world. God is coming to us!
In the last ¶ on p. 71, we read that this vision invites us to see ourselves as citizens already of this wondrous city and to live our lives in terms of this powerful vision of hope. It can transform the way we live our lives each day, right now, even in the heart of empire.
III. Here Comes the Bride
The community of the redeemed is pictured as both bride and now, city. The bride image was often used in the OT to express the idea of a covenant with God. Read Isaiah 62:5 And it was adopted by the early Christians. John uses it in contrast with Babylon, the great whore of chapter 17 in Revelation. This image, which implies an intimacy and tender care, is spliced with the image of the radiant city.
IV. Everything is “New”
For only the 2nd time in the book (1:8), God speaks (21:5), “See, I am making all things new.” Notice that the words are not, “I am making all new things.” Newness is an image of resurrection and renewal, like Paul’s description of “New Creation” in Gal. 6:15 and 2 Cor 5:17.
The word new used by John means a new kind of heaven and earth, with some continuity with what we know but radically different. He emphasizes the presence of God. It does not mean a completely different earth. The cosmos will not be destroyed. The earth becomes “new” just as our bodies will be resurrected, though they still are our bodies.
Again, John makes a contrast with empire. These words, in the present tense, (I am making…) refer both to the final renewing and the here and now. Like Narnia, a “deeper country: every rock and flower and blade of grass looked like it meant more.”
Question 2 on p. 72.
V. Rapture in reverse: God Dwells with us on Earth
The restoration of Jerusalem is a Jewish dream which never died. They expressed their hopes in terms of material luxuries, but these are merely symbols of the certainty of eternal joy and security. John lovingly collected the differing visions—the precious stones, the streets and buildings of gold, the ever-open gates, the light of God, the coming of the nations—into his own.
The heavenly city doesn’t stay in heaven but comes to earth. On p. 73, 2nd ¶, “See, the home of God is among mortals,” in Rev.21:3. It calls to mind the stories of God accompanying the Israelites in the wilderness, of God in the Holy of Holies in the temple. Ezekiel 37:27. There’s no need for a tabernacle or temple in the Holy city. God and the Lamb are present. In the world, our realization of the presence of God is spasmodic, but in heaven we will be permanently aware of that presence. There’s no “rapture”, snatching the redeemed to heaven. As we come out of empire, God comes to us
Human effort does not finally bring the goal of history; the holy city is not some voluntary association of people. It is finally the gift of God rather than the achievement of human beings. The “descent” of the holy city to earth means its establishment by God, not by human effort. The biblical hope resides not in a high view of humanity’s ability to continually better itself. The biblical hope rests in God.
The New Jerusalem vision brings to fulfillment a chorus of God’s promises. Fulfills Isaiah’s promise of newness (Isa. 65:17) and all biblical promises of restoration and renewal
Question 3 on p. 73
VI. The Contrast to Rome
This city is the opposite of the toxic political economy and ecology of what was destroyed in Chapters 17-18.
The sea was no more. Ancient people feared the sea; as much as possible they coasted along the shores.
The Jews regarded the sea as a symbol of separation and turbulence, the anti-creation forces of chaos. Throughout the Bible it symbolizes restless insubordination, and in Rev 13:1 it casts up the system that embodies hostility vs. God’s people. John incorporates this and he’s also referring back to the cargo lists of chap. 18
p. 74, 2nd ¶, New Jerusalem an urban vision; it is a city, not a solitude. It’s not “all about me”. We’re invited to community, inheriting God’s blessings as part of God’s family. Though John’s vision recalls the language of paradise, it is not a vision of individuals communing with God in an idyllic garden; it’s a vision of humans living together in a city.
But it’s so easy to forget. When John includes threats such as in Rev. 21:8 and 21:27, he’s trying to say, “Wake up; pay attention! Be faithful to God’s calling!” It’s not the repentant, but the defiant sinners who are excluded.
VII. Touring the city—The Tree of Life and the River of Life
John’s vision of the New Jerusalem is highly symbolic, with virtually every one of its details based on imagery from the Hebrew Scriptures. His symbolism echoes the story of creation and paradise even as it moves beyond and speaks of the deepest yearnings of humankind.
It is welcoming, with gates that are always open. It includes the history of Israel and the church, the one people of God of the O and N Testaments, the old and new covenants. The cube that is measured by the angel is architecturally preposterous, but the cube was held to be the most perfect of all geometric forms. John wants us to understand that the heavenly Jerusalem is splendid and with a harmony and symmetry of perfect proportions, huge, with room for all.
Read Rev. 21: 22-26. The entire city can be said to be the Holy of Holies, and there’s no temple, for the Lord God and the Lamb are present. The city is radiant with the glory of God.
The nations, the kings of the earth have been presented as hostile to God throughout Rev. and have been destroyed more than once. Here, they are part of the new creation, living in God’s light and honoring God. Not the abolition but the redemption of civilization, including human efforts to construct a good society.
Read Rev. 22: 1-4. This city of vision has a sort of “Central Park”, with the river of life flowing
through its midst, flowing from the throne of God. Read Psalm 46:4:, ‘river whose streams make glad the city of God”. In John 7, 38,39, Jesus said, “He who believes in me, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. This he said about the Spirit which those who believed him were to receive. Ezek. 47:12 has the picture of the fruit trees, whose leaves were for healing. The healing is for the nations. Question 7 on p. 74
God’s servants will worship him; they will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. In Matt 5:8, Jesus says the pure in heart will see God. Augustine suggested that to see God means more than to look at God; God will be seen by the eyes of the heart. To see also means to comprehend. In ancient times, to see the face of the king meant to be granted an audience and an opportunity for personal conversation. So it means to enjoy a relationship of absolute trust and openness. 1 Cor. 13:12
VIII. The New Jerusalem Vision and the Healing of Our World
In face of urgent crises that threaten the lives of so many people in our world and even the world’s future, the vision of Rev. can help us live in terms of a different future. New Jerusalem is a vision of our life with God after death, but also is intended for this world. It offers a view of what we have to do. The heart of the message of Revelation is not that God plans to destroy our world, but that God’s desire is to heal. The healing is a gift from God. There’s a river flowing from the heart of God and the Lamb even now. Question 8 on p. 75
Quote from Rosalind Banbury in Pres. Outlook: “The city contains no darkness to cloak evil, no shadow where the abuser may hide. Fear and shame will be erased in god’s cleansing light. Drug dealers and terrorists will scatter like cockroaches, and no one will raise a brutal hand against another. Empires that enjoyed luxury while others starved and kingdoms that wielded power like a sledgehammer will be shattered. All nations will walk by the life-giving light of God’s will.
The gates of the beautiful city will always be open. Within them will be no alarm systems, no gated communities. Every child will know love. No one will be homeless, because their home will be in God. The undocumented won’t need passports, and refugees and migrant workers will have a right to enjoy the fruits of the land.
There will be no dead zone in the water that kills fish, no contaminated water that sickens those who drink it. Ancient hatreds will cease. Forgiveness will flow.
God has given us a glimpse of the new creation that He has already begun and will surely finish. And we have a job to do: to stand as a beacon, a city upon a hill, and point to the ultimate hope of God, who does and will bring about this new creation.”
IX. Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End
Read Rev. 1:8 and Rev. 21:6 and 22:12. I am the Alpha and Omega.
Beginning with last line on p. 75: The invitation to everyone who thirsts to take the water of life draws the New Jerusalem vision to a sacramental close.
Who sent the angel to John with this testimony for the churches? (22: 16)
22:16: Isa. 11:1 says “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Morning star is the herald of the day that chases away darkness. Also ref to Num 24:17,A star shall come forth out of Jacob.
22:17 The Spirit and the bride say come. Remember that at the end of each message to one of the 7 churches in chapters 2 & 3, “Listen to what the Spirit is saying.” The bride is the community of faith, the Church. Both say Come. And we who hear are to say come; we’re all, in a sense, missionaries. This may be a prayer both for the final coming and for Christ’s presence in Holy Communion.
Isaiah 55:1 says “Ho, every one who thirsts come to the waters, and he who has no money; come, buy and eat!” And Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger; and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6: 35) It’s a wonderful metaphor for the longings of our souls.
3rd and 4th ¶ on p. 76. What would you say to a person who says, ‘Just give me one reason I should read the book of Revelation’?.
OR Think of something that has been a fresh insight for you, some way that the book of Revelation has deepened your faith, or brought you hope.
X. Close with prayer on p.76
The Christian Life in the Book of Revelation
Rev. 1:1 We are servants of Christ.
1:3 We are blesses as we read the prophecy and take it to heart.
1:6 We represent a kingdom and have direct access to God.
1:8 We are to have a patient endurance and to share others’ suffering.
2:2 We are to be distinguished for our good deeds, hard work and perseverance.
2:3 We are to endure hardships for the name of Jesus.
2:4 We are to have a love for Christ.
2:10 We are to be faithful the point of death.
2:13 We are not to renounce the faith.
2:18 We show forth good deed, love and faith. We also show service and perseverance.
2:20 We do not tolerate immorality.
2:26 We do our Lord’s will to the end.
3:3 We remember what we have heard. We obey and repent
3:8 We keep the word of Christ and do not deny His name.
3:10 We endure patiently.
3:16 We are not lukewarm about our faith—we offer both healing warmth and cool refreshment to those in need.
3:20 We open the door for our Lord to come in.
4:11 We offer heartfelt worship to our God.
6:9 We cling fast to the word of God and maintain our testimony.
7:9 We have confidence in the reality of our salvation.
8:4 We are intent upon our prayers.
9:20 We are to avoid worshiping demons, and false idols/gods. We are to abstain from murder, magic arts, sexual immorality and theft.
11:18 We are to have reverence for our god.
12:11 We are not to love our lives so much as to shrink from death.
12:17 We keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
13:3 We do not follow the powers of evil, or give allegiance to any earthly authority.
13:10 We are to have patient endurance and faithfulness.
14:5 We are to be completely truthful and trustworthy.
14:7 We are to fear God and give God glory.
14:12 We are to have patient endurance, to keep God’s commandments and to remain faithful to Jesus.
16:9 We are to repent and give God glory.
18:11 Our trust is not to be in luxury and material things.
19:7 We are to be pure as a bride and groom preparing for marriage.
20:12 Our lives are to be filled with good deeds.
21:6 We are to drink from the spring of the water of life.
21:8 We are not to be cowardly, immoral, idolaters or liars.
22:11 We are to be holy.
22:17 We are to say to others, “Come.” as we have been invited.
22:19 We are not to take anything from this prophecy.
Seven Beatitudes from the Book of Revelation
1) Revelation 1:3—Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written it it: for the time is near.
2) Revelation 14:13a—Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.
3) Revelation 16:15b—Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.
4) Revelation 19:9a—Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
5) Revelation 20:6a—Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. (martyrs)
6) Revelation 22:7—Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
7) Revelation 22:14—Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
The Nature of God as Presented in Revelation
Creator and Sustainer
Revelation 1:8
Rev. 1:17-18
Rev. 4:11
Rev. 22:1-3
Rev. 22:13
God’s Majesty and Greatness
Rev 4:2--His power over every earthly power
Rev. 4:3—His radiance and splendor
Rev. 4:3—His majesty tempered by grace
Rev. 4:8—His holiness
R3v. 4:11—His worthiness to be worshipped
God’s Compassion God’s Readiness to Save
Rev. 7:17 Rev. 5:9, Rev. 7:9-17
Rev. 21:1-4 Rev. 19:1-2, Rev. 22:3-5
God’s Role as Judge God’s Willingness to Forgive
Rev. 16:1-6 Rev. 8:1
Rev. 19:1-7 Rev. 22:11
Rev. 20:11-15
Rev. 21:8
The Person of Christ as Presented in Revelation
A. The Nature of Christ
1. Ruler of kings of earth (1:5)
2. One like a Son of Man (1:14)
3. Lamb who was slain-all powerful, all seeing (5:6)
4. Ruler over all the earth (11:13, 12:10
5. The promised Messiah (12:5)
6. The One who will return (1:1, 16:15
7. The Incarnate Word of God (19:11-13)
8. Lord of lords & King of kings (19:16)
9. The One in whom the presence of God is found (21:22)
10. The Root (22:16)
11. The bright morning star (22:16)
B. The Work of Christ
1. Faithful witness (1:5)
2. Firstborn from the dead (1:5)
3. Loves us (1:5)
4. Freed us from our sins (5:9)
5. Care for church (1:12-12, 1:16)
6. Word brings judgment & salvation (1:16)
7. Takes away our fear (1:17)
8. Holds keys to Death and Hell (1:18)
9. Stands at door and knocks (3:20)
10. Reveals redemptive purpose of God in history (5:2)
11. Offers salvation (7:10)
12. Shepherd offering guidance, protection (7:17)
13. Conqueror of Satan (12:11)
14. Savior of the martyrs (14:4)
15. The One who will gather in the harvest (14:14)
16. Conqueror of the forces of evil (17:14)
17. Groom to whom the Church will be married (19:7)
18. The One who invites us to the great Messianic banquet (19:9)
19. The light, granting hope & illumination (21:23)
Presbyterian Women Horizons Bible Study
Journeys Through Revelation--Apocalyptic Hope for Today
Lesson 9: Journey Into the New Jerusalem
Revelation, chapters 21 and 22
Key ideas:
1. God comes to live with us in the New Jerusalem.
2. The heart of the message of Revelation is not that God plans to destroy our world, but that God’s desire is to heal and renew.
3. Revelation calls upon people to live as citizens of God’s New Jerusalem even in the heart of empire. As we come out of empire, God comes to us.
I. Opening Devotion on p. 77
II. Summary
At last we come to the pearly gates and the streets paved with gold—what Rossing calls a vision-tour of the city of blessing, God’s New Jerusalem.
What concepts do you have of heaven?
Read Rev. 21: 1-5a.
John’s vision encompasses hope for healing, peace, comfort and security, freedom from sorrow and death, and, most of all, the joy of abiding with God. And it happens on earth, in a renewed world. God is coming to us!
In the last ¶ on p. 71, we read that this vision invites us to see ourselves as citizens already of this wondrous city and to live our lives in terms of this powerful vision of hope. It can transform the way we live our lives each day, right now, even in the heart of empire.
III. Here Comes the Bride
The community of the redeemed is pictured as both bride and now, city. The bride image was often used in the OT to express the idea of a covenant with God. Read Isaiah 62:5 And it was adopted by the early Christians. John uses it in contrast with Babylon, the great whore of chapter 17 in Revelation. This image, which implies an intimacy and tender care, is spliced with the image of the radiant city.
IV. Everything is “New”
For only the 2nd time in the book (1:8), God speaks (21:5), “See, I am making all things new.” Notice that the words are not, “I am making all new things.” Newness is an image of resurrection and renewal, like Paul’s description of “New Creation” in Gal. 6:15 and 2 Cor 5:17.
The word new used by John means a new kind of heaven and earth, with some continuity with what we know but radically different. He emphasizes the presence of God. It does not mean a completely different earth. The cosmos will not be destroyed. The earth becomes “new” just as our bodies will be resurrected, though they still are our bodies.
Again, John makes a contrast with empire. These words, in the present tense, (I am making…) refer both to the final renewing and the here and now. Like Narnia, a “deeper country: every rock and flower and blade of grass looked like it meant more.”
Question 2 on p. 72.
V. Rapture in reverse: God Dwells with us on Earth
The restoration of Jerusalem is a Jewish dream which never died. They expressed their hopes in terms of material luxuries, but these are merely symbols of the certainty of eternal joy and security. John lovingly collected the differing visions—the precious stones, the streets and buildings of gold, the ever-open gates, the light of God, the coming of the nations—into his own.
The heavenly city doesn’t stay in heaven but comes to earth. On p. 73, 2nd ¶, “See, the home of God is among mortals,” in Rev.21:3. It calls to mind the stories of God accompanying the Israelites in the wilderness, of God in the Holy of Holies in the temple. Ezekiel 37:27. There’s no need for a tabernacle or temple in the Holy city. God and the Lamb are present. In the world, our realization of the presence of God is spasmodic, but in heaven we will be permanently aware of that presence. There’s no “rapture”, snatching the redeemed to heaven. As we come out of empire, God comes to us
Human effort does not finally bring the goal of history; the holy city is not some voluntary association of people. It is finally the gift of God rather than the achievement of human beings. The “descent” of the holy city to earth means its establishment by God, not by human effort. The biblical hope resides not in a high view of humanity’s ability to continually better itself. The biblical hope rests in God.
The New Jerusalem vision brings to fulfillment a chorus of God’s promises. Fulfills Isaiah’s promise of newness (Isa. 65:17) and all biblical promises of restoration and renewal
Question 3 on p. 73
VI. The Contrast to Rome
This city is the opposite of the toxic political economy and ecology of what was destroyed in Chapters 17-18.
The sea was no more. Ancient people feared the sea; as much as possible they coasted along the shores.
The Jews regarded the sea as a symbol of separation and turbulence, the anti-creation forces of chaos. Throughout the Bible it symbolizes restless insubordination, and in Rev 13:1 it casts up the system that embodies hostility vs. God’s people. John incorporates this and he’s also referring back to the cargo lists of chap. 18
p. 74, 2nd ¶, New Jerusalem an urban vision; it is a city, not a solitude. It’s not “all about me”. We’re invited to community, inheriting God’s blessings as part of God’s family. Though John’s vision recalls the language of paradise, it is not a vision of individuals communing with God in an idyllic garden; it’s a vision of humans living together in a city.
But it’s so easy to forget. When John includes threats such as in Rev. 21:8 and 21:27, he’s trying to say, “Wake up; pay attention! Be faithful to God’s calling!” It’s not the repentant, but the defiant sinners who are excluded.
VII. Touring the city—The Tree of Life and the River of Life
John’s vision of the New Jerusalem is highly symbolic, with virtually every one of its details based on imagery from the Hebrew Scriptures. His symbolism echoes the story of creation and paradise even as it moves beyond and speaks of the deepest yearnings of humankind.
It is welcoming, with gates that are always open. It includes the history of Israel and the church, the one people of God of the O and N Testaments, the old and new covenants. The cube that is measured by the angel is architecturally preposterous, but the cube was held to be the most perfect of all geometric forms. John wants us to understand that the heavenly Jerusalem is splendid and with a harmony and symmetry of perfect proportions, huge, with room for all.
Read Rev. 21: 22-26. The entire city can be said to be the Holy of Holies, and there’s no temple, for the Lord God and the Lamb are present. The city is radiant with the glory of God.
The nations, the kings of the earth have been presented as hostile to God throughout Rev. and have been destroyed more than once. Here, they are part of the new creation, living in God’s light and honoring God. Not the abolition but the redemption of civilization, including human efforts to construct a good society.
Read Rev. 22: 1-4. This city of vision has a sort of “Central Park”, with the river of life flowing
through its midst, flowing from the throne of God. Read Psalm 46:4:, ‘river whose streams make glad the city of God”. In John 7, 38,39, Jesus said, “He who believes in me, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. This he said about the Spirit which those who believed him were to receive. Ezek. 47:12 has the picture of the fruit trees, whose leaves were for healing. The healing is for the nations. Question 7 on p. 74
God’s servants will worship him; they will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. In Matt 5:8, Jesus says the pure in heart will see God. Augustine suggested that to see God means more than to look at God; God will be seen by the eyes of the heart. To see also means to comprehend. In ancient times, to see the face of the king meant to be granted an audience and an opportunity for personal conversation. So it means to enjoy a relationship of absolute trust and openness. 1 Cor. 13:12
VIII. The New Jerusalem Vision and the Healing of Our World
In face of urgent crises that threaten the lives of so many people in our world and even the world’s future, the vision of Rev. can help us live in terms of a different future. New Jerusalem is a vision of our life with God after death, but also is intended for this world. It offers a view of what we have to do. The heart of the message of Revelation is not that God plans to destroy our world, but that God’s desire is to heal. The healing is a gift from God. There’s a river flowing from the heart of God and the Lamb even now. Question 8 on p. 75
Quote from Rosalind Banbury in Pres. Outlook: “The city contains no darkness to cloak evil, no shadow where the abuser may hide. Fear and shame will be erased in god’s cleansing light. Drug dealers and terrorists will scatter like cockroaches, and no one will raise a brutal hand against another. Empires that enjoyed luxury while others starved and kingdoms that wielded power like a sledgehammer will be shattered. All nations will walk by the life-giving light of God’s will.
The gates of the beautiful city will always be open. Within them will be no alarm systems, no gated communities. Every child will know love. No one will be homeless, because their home will be in God. The undocumented won’t need passports, and refugees and migrant workers will have a right to enjoy the fruits of the land.
There will be no dead zone in the water that kills fish, no contaminated water that sickens those who drink it. Ancient hatreds will cease. Forgiveness will flow.
God has given us a glimpse of the new creation that He has already begun and will surely finish. And we have a job to do: to stand as a beacon, a city upon a hill, and point to the ultimate hope of God, who does and will bring about this new creation.”
IX. Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End
Read Rev. 1:8 and Rev. 21:6 and 22:12. I am the Alpha and Omega.
Beginning with last line on p. 75: The invitation to everyone who thirsts to take the water of life draws the New Jerusalem vision to a sacramental close.
Who sent the angel to John with this testimony for the churches? (22: 16)
22:16: Isa. 11:1 says “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Morning star is the herald of the day that chases away darkness. Also ref to Num 24:17,A star shall come forth out of Jacob.
22:17 The Spirit and the bride say come. Remember that at the end of each message to one of the 7 churches in chapters 2 & 3, “Listen to what the Spirit is saying.” The bride is the community of faith, the Church. Both say Come. And we who hear are to say come; we’re all, in a sense, missionaries. This may be a prayer both for the final coming and for Christ’s presence in Holy Communion.
Isaiah 55:1 says “Ho, every one who thirsts come to the waters, and he who has no money; come, buy and eat!” And Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger; and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6: 35) It’s a wonderful metaphor for the longings of our souls.
3rd and 4th ¶ on p. 76. What would you say to a person who says, ‘Just give me one reason I should read the book of Revelation’?.
OR Think of something that has been a fresh insight for you, some way that the book of Revelation has deepened your faith, or brought you hope.
X. Close with prayer on p.76
The Christian Life in the Book of Revelation
Rev. 1:1 We are servants of Christ.
1:3 We are blesses as we read the prophecy and take it to heart.
1:6 We represent a kingdom and have direct access to God.
1:8 We are to have a patient endurance and to share others’ suffering.
2:2 We are to be distinguished for our good deeds, hard work and perseverance.
2:3 We are to endure hardships for the name of Jesus.
2:4 We are to have a love for Christ.
2:10 We are to be faithful the point of death.
2:13 We are not to renounce the faith.
2:18 We show forth good deed, love and faith. We also show service and perseverance.
2:20 We do not tolerate immorality.
2:26 We do our Lord’s will to the end.
3:3 We remember what we have heard. We obey and repent
3:8 We keep the word of Christ and do not deny His name.
3:10 We endure patiently.
3:16 We are not lukewarm about our faith—we offer both healing warmth and cool refreshment to those in need.
3:20 We open the door for our Lord to come in.
4:11 We offer heartfelt worship to our God.
6:9 We cling fast to the word of God and maintain our testimony.
7:9 We have confidence in the reality of our salvation.
8:4 We are intent upon our prayers.
9:20 We are to avoid worshiping demons, and false idols/gods. We are to abstain from murder, magic arts, sexual immorality and theft.
11:18 We are to have reverence for our god.
12:11 We are not to love our lives so much as to shrink from death.
12:17 We keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
13:3 We do not follow the powers of evil, or give allegiance to any earthly authority.
13:10 We are to have patient endurance and faithfulness.
14:5 We are to be completely truthful and trustworthy.
14:7 We are to fear God and give God glory.
14:12 We are to have patient endurance, to keep God’s commandments and to remain faithful to Jesus.
16:9 We are to repent and give God glory.
18:11 Our trust is not to be in luxury and material things.
19:7 We are to be pure as a bride and groom preparing for marriage.
20:12 Our lives are to be filled with good deeds.
21:6 We are to drink from the spring of the water of life.
21:8 We are not to be cowardly, immoral, idolaters or liars.
22:11 We are to be holy.
22:17 We are to say to others, “Come.” as we have been invited.
22:19 We are not to take anything from this prophecy.
Seven Beatitudes from the Book of Revelation
1) Revelation 1:3—Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written it it: for the time is near.
2) Revelation 14:13a—Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.
3) Revelation 16:15b—Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.
4) Revelation 19:9a—Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
5) Revelation 20:6a—Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. (martyrs)
6) Revelation 22:7—Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
7) Revelation 22:14—Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
The Nature of God as Presented in Revelation
Creator and Sustainer
Revelation 1:8
Rev. 1:17-18
Rev. 4:11
Rev. 22:1-3
Rev. 22:13
God’s Majesty and Greatness
Rev 4:2--His power over every earthly power
Rev. 4:3—His radiance and splendor
Rev. 4:3—His majesty tempered by grace
Rev. 4:8—His holiness
R3v. 4:11—His worthiness to be worshipped
God’s Compassion God’s Readiness to Save
Rev. 7:17 Rev. 5:9, Rev. 7:9-17
Rev. 21:1-4 Rev. 19:1-2, Rev. 22:3-5
God’s Role as Judge God’s Willingness to Forgive
Rev. 16:1-6 Rev. 8:1
Rev. 19:1-7 Rev. 22:11
Rev. 20:11-15
Rev. 21:8
The Person of Christ as Presented in Revelation
A. The Nature of Christ
1. Ruler of kings of earth (1:5)
2. One like a Son of Man (1:14)
3. Lamb who was slain-all powerful, all seeing (5:6)
4. Ruler over all the earth (11:13, 12:10
5. The promised Messiah (12:5)
6. The One who will return (1:1, 16:15
7. The Incarnate Word of God (19:11-13)
8. Lord of lords & King of kings (19:16)
9. The One in whom the presence of God is found (21:22)
10. The Root (22:16)
11. The bright morning star (22:16)
B. The Work of Christ
1. Faithful witness (1:5)
2. Firstborn from the dead (1:5)
3. Loves us (1:5)
4. Freed us from our sins (5:9)
5. Care for church (1:12-12, 1:16)
6. Word brings judgment & salvation (1:16)
7. Takes away our fear (1:17)
8. Holds keys to Death and Hell (1:18)
9. Stands at door and knocks (3:20)
10. Reveals redemptive purpose of God in history (5:2)
11. Offers salvation (7:10)
12. Shepherd offering guidance, protection (7:17)
13. Conqueror of Satan (12:11)
14. Savior of the martyrs (14:4)
15. The One who will gather in the harvest (14:14)
16. Conqueror of the forces of evil (17:14)
17. Groom to whom the Church will be married (19:7)
18. The One who invites us to the great Messianic banquet (19:9)
19. The light, granting hope & illumination (21:23)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
