Revelation: Future Promises | Week 5
Pastor Phil Christian | Revelation 4 | September 29, 2024
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Read Revelation 4:1-8 John gives us the vision of the throne room in Heaven.
o If you were to explain the vision of Heaven in Revelation 4 to a non-believer, how would you do it?
3. Read Revelation 4:8-11. John shares with us the scene of unending worship. “Day and night they never stop saying…”.
o How does the ceaseless worship by the four creatures inspire your personal worship and devotion to God?
o How can you apply the principle of ceaseless worship in your daily life?
4. Read through the descriptions of the various aspects of Heaven—the throne, the elders; the creatures. List the descriptions of each one.
o What is your reaction to the different descriptions?
o How does this affect your view of heaven?
o Where do you feel your primary view of heaven comes from before this?
o How does your view of heaven affect your view of eternal life? Of God?
Revelation: Future Promises | Week 4
Pastor Chris Meade | Revelation 3:17-22 | September 22, 2024
Message Recap: Pastor Chris explored the messages Jesus conveyed to the final two churches in Revelation, focusing on the significance of the "doors" He offers to believers. Door One symbolizes access to the promises of God's eternal kingdom, emphasizing that through faithfulness, believers can receive divine blessings and protection from the Great Tribulation. Door Two speaks to the need for intimacy and fellowship with Jesus, reminding those in the church that spiritual disconnection stems from self-reliance, and calls for a return to complete dependence on Him. Ultimately, true richness and victory are found in an active relationship with Christ, who desires to reign in the lives of His people.
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Read Revelation 3:7-10. Jesus discusses the future promises accessible to those in Him—and no one can take that away. Through Him we have access to His Kingdom
o What does Jesus mean when He says He holds the "key of David"? How does this relate to the promises made in the Old Testament? (Read 2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 11; Isaiah 22:22)
o How does the concept of an "open door" in Revelation 3:8 apply to your life today?
o How does this promise of future blessing affect you and guide your faithfulness—especially in times of struggle and or feeling spiritually isolated? Why?
o How do you interpret the promise in Revelation 3:10 about being kept from the "hour of trial"? Which of the different views resonates with you? See other side. (Read Matt 24:30-31; Mark 13:32; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thes 4:16-18. How do these shape your view(s)?)
3. Read Revelation 3:17-20. Jesus says that the Laodiceans think they are rich but are actually poor and blind—and unaware of their true spiritual state.
o The pattern throughout the churches has been that those who suffer and are persecuted are closer to God, and those who are rich and comfortable are further from God. Why do you think this is? Have you seen this in your own walk with Jesus?
o How can we be aware of our own spiritual state in a wealthy, independent, and materialistic society? What is your greatest challenge in this?
o What practices can you engage in to ensure you remain spiritually aware and dependent on God rather than on our possessions and self-reliance? Have there been times in your life when you felt distant from Jesus? How can you actively 'open the door' to rebuild that relationship—and have a greater dependence on God, and the power of the Holy Spirit?
MAIN VIEWS ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION:
1. IDEALIST VIEW: Sees the events of Revelation as allegorical, or symbolic in nature—not tied to actual events either historical or future—but rather are pictures and imagery of the constant battle between good and evil, God and Satan.
2. PRETERIST VIEW: “Preter” means past in Latin. This view sees all the events in the book as being fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Rome. Only chapters 20-22 are still in the future. Those who take this view see the writing of Revelation to be much earlier—before AD 70.
3. HISTORICIST VIEW: This view sees the entire book of Revelation to represent the entirety of church history—from the launch of the apostolic church to the end of the church age, when Jesus returns. It sees the seven churches representing various church ages—mainly, or exclusively following the Western Church’s periods of history. The judgements in chapters 4-10 are referring to the Roman Empire. The judgements in chapters 11-19 are referring to the Catholic Church.
4. FUTURIST VIEW: Sees the layout of Revelation as described in Revelation 1:19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.” It sees chapter 1 being what John saw, in the revelation of the glorified Jesus, chapters 2 and 3 consisting of the messages to seven actual churches that were “now” in John’s timeline, and chapters 4-22 consisting of future promises, revealing the plan of Jesus at the end of the age to restore all things and fulfill the covenantal promises throughout Scripture. Chapters 4-19 refer to the “7 years of Tribulation” or the “Great Tribulation” that will come on the entire earth. Chapter 20 refers to a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth, fulfilling the covenantal promises to Abraham (of God’s people occupying the entire land of promise), the promises to David of an eternal messianic kingdom, and the prophecies of Isaiah 11—among others. Chapters 20-22 then refer to the final judgement of Satan and Sin—and those who did not believe in Jesus—and the recreation of the new heavens and earth for God’s people to reside with Him forever.
MAJOR VIEWS ON THE RAPTURE:
o Pre-Tribulation Rapture: This view believes Jesus will take His church instantly “home” to be with Him in Heaven, and escape the seven-year Tribulation. This view sees the rapture happening BEFORE the seven-years of tribulation God will place on the entire earth. (See Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3.) Various verses in 1 Thessalonians seem to refer to this, as well as the doctrine of the imminent return of Jesus.
o Mid-Tribulation Rapture: This view believes the rapture will happen mid-way through the seven-year tribulation period, since the first half are marked with peace.
o Post-Tribulation Rapture: This view sees that the rapture will happen just after the fulfillment of the seven-year tribulation, and just before Jesus’ physical reign for in a literal 1000-year millennial kingdom.
o No Rapture: This view sees the verses of the return of Jesus are all merely referring to one event—Jesus’ final return in glory—revealed in Revelation 19.