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Journey Through Revelation

2010–2011 Horizons Bible Study


What comes to mind when you think of the book of Revelation? Scary images? The four horsemen come to unleash destruction? Mysterious numbers such as “666”? The endtime battle of Armageddon? In recent years, an enormous prophecy industry has marketed frightening images of Revelation, leaving many people intimidated by this amazing and often misunderstood book. Although brimming with mysterious symbolism, Revelation ultimately is a book of hope that throughout history has sustained people who are oppressed. It is a wonderfully Christ centered book, full of worship and praise.

In the 2010–2011 Horizons Bible study, Journeys through Revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today, Barbara Rossing guides us on a journey to meet the crucified Lamb, Jesus. In a journey reminiscent of the ancient Israelites’ exodus from slavery, we are led from an unjust empire and its system of domination, through mythic battles and plagues, until, ultimately, we find ourselves in a renewed creation where God comes to live with us on earth. This brilliantly hope filled vision speaks to us in the midst of the urgent crises of our day. In a time when all of creation stands at a turning point, a kairos moment, Revelation can help guide the choices we make each day as we seek to live into the renewal that God has for the whole world.

Pat Phillips, Your Study Guide Leader, says there are two camps: one will avoid Revelations like the plague or you can become too enmeshed in its stories.

Friday, August 20, 2010

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.
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