Revelation is not as weird as you might think

Session 11 – Chapter 21-22 New heaven & new earth Consummation = coming together (heaven and earth, God and His people, Bride and Bridegroom, Israel and the Church) Jesus at the centre (Colossians 1.15-17) Covenant fulfilment – “They will be His people and He will be their God” (Ex 6.7/19.6) No sea – Humanity no longer defined independent of God's life. Our experience will be internal to God's life. The life we have “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3) will be fully experienced. A movement from faith to sight. Holy city / bride God will dwell with His people on the new Earth Picture of union/consummation – The place where God dwells (holy city) merges with God's covenant people (clothed as a Bride) Isaiah 65 (Promise to Israel) New Jerusalem (joy, delight, no crying), blessing and fruitfulness, intimacy – “before they call I will answer”, superior ‘wont recall former things' Images that reinforce promise of sharing life - Drink from spring of water of life / He who overcomes will inherit John is shown the city Represents a profound reworking of the Jewish framework for the promise of sharing in God's holy life (Ezekiel 40-48) Vision parallels Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 40.1-5) Look for what's missing, what's included and what's transformed? Ezekiel 43.4-5 – restored presence. God fills the Holy of Holies (contained in one place for the sake of Israel) 43.10-11 – describe Temple “that they may be ashamed of their sin” = call to spiritual renewal of Israel. Understand God's otherness – He is Holy and the people are not Measuring, sacrifices and regulations included to emphasise SEPARATION. Key to maintaining holy life with God = don't get too close 44.6-9 “No foreigner in heart or flesh is to enter my Sanctuary” Contrast w/ John's vision Difference between what John hears from the angel and what he sees. The Holy City, Jerusalem, has become the Bride. Names of 12 Tribes on gates and the 12 Apostles of the Lamb on foundations symbolises the coming together of God's covenant people – Israel and the Church John is invited to measure the City (not the Temple) City is a perfect cube (v16). See 1 King 6.19-20 – The whole city is represented in terms of the perfect dimensions of the Holy of Holies. God's presence fills the whole city – no longer hidden or contained There is no Temple. God/Lamb are the temple. No need for separation. Holiness is now defined by the relationship between the Lamb and His people. God's light reveals glory (true nature of things) Ch 22 – Recalls Genesis account of creation in the Garden of Eden In John's vision, the fulfilment of God's purpose doesn't simply restore Eden, it surpasses anything experienced by Adam & Eve River of water of life flows from the Throne (cf Ezekiel 47.1-9) Tree of life – amazingly fruitful, leaves for healing of nations No longer any curse = restored access to Tree of Life, a life of joy, fruitfulness and productivity No tree of knowledge of Good and Evil = true freedom Concluding exhortation "I am" statements, blessings & warnings, urgency "coming soon", encouragement to participate in His life now Questions 1. How does John's vision of a new Jerusalem rework the Jewish framework of Ezekiel's prophecy? 2. What is at the heart of God's creation of a new heaven and a new earth? 3. How does a vision of our future hope of a life with God help us to live with Him now?

Session 10, part two - chapter 20 Prophecy is not history written in advance The visions in Ch 19-22 are a picture of complete restoration and recreation Jesus is the Eschaton (End). Everything in history is resolved by how it relates to Him Like Ch 19, the focus shifts to different key relations (Church, Israel, nations, spiritual enemies of KOG). Pictures return to same events previously described (eg Final battle) Question of churches in Asia Minor in the C1st AD – Why are we suffering? Wasn't Satan defeated? Answer involves visions that explain Jesus relation to the great enemy, Satan Satan bound v2 Satan freed v7 Satan judged v10 Satan bound To keep from deceiving the nations Isa 24.21-22 Matt 12.18-30 Jesus understands his work as binding the strongman (removing Satan's power) and then plundering his house (release of captives). The binding of Satan is a work of Jesus when he is on the earth Satan is rendered powerless with respect to the Church and the Kingdom of God by Jesus work (Cross) Jesus understands his task is to gather from among the nations (work of gospel proclamation through the Church) This is about the age of grace we live in now – the gospel is going out among the nations and God is gathering His people into the Church That Christians are being gathered from among the nations is a reassuring sign to Christians that Satan has been stripped of power and bound 1000 years (Psalm 90.4 / 2 Peter 3.8) not literal. Indicates the quality of time (not quantity) - Perfect period for ingathering highlights the completeness of Jesus victory contrasts “a short time” of Satan's release (speaks of limited authority and power) Reign with Christ for 1000 years Key OT text is Ezekiel 37-48 Dan 7. 22, 26-27 Picture of the rule of suffering Church in heaven now Resolution of cry of martyrs in Rev 6.9-11 – They will judge!' Rom 8.17/2 Tim 2.12 First resurrection – Jesus relation to Church is that they will be alive to God and share His rule from heaven (1 Peter 2.5-9) Satan freed After the 1000 years = at the end of the period of grace (gospel proclamation) Satan freed to deceive nations for a short time (=limited authority) (Ez 38-39) Returns to events of Ch 19 Surround camp of God's people = God's people in wilderness (faithless Israel) Deliverance of Israel will be national (in relation to nations) Nations will be judged by the way they relate to Israel (Gen 12 / Matt 25.31) Satan judged In the end, enemies of God will be abolished (Satan, Death, Hades) Relational death = permanent relational separation (will not share a relation to the one who is the end – Jesus). No place in new creation Final judgment General resurrection Opening of 2 books (Dan 7.9-10 & Dan 12.1-2) “Rejoice your name is written in the Book of Life” (Luke 10.20-21) = to have a relationship with Jesus Judgment according to what he has done (individual and based on actions) Encouragement – Jesus reigns and his mercy will surprise us (2 Peter 3.3-13) Questions 1. What does Jesus' analogy in Matthew 12 about tying up the strong man reveal about how he understands his work on the earth? 2. How does an understanding of Jesus as the end person help to make sense of the end times? 3. How do the parallel pictures of the binding of Satan and the reign of the saints provide encouragement to the Church now?

Session 10, part one – Chapter 19 John's visions in the final chapters of Revelation (19-22) reveal a set of relationships that help explain God's purpose in redeeming and restoring His creation Old testament world view – God is a covenant God – God who works through relationships - The progress of redemption begins with creation and contracts to one faithful covenant partner – Jesus Christ - It then expands until all creation is caught up in God's recreation of humanity and ultimately a new heaven and earth Chapter 19 – 22 -> John will, in turn, resolve each relationship in terms of God's redemptive purpose Church “bride” / elect World “nations” World “nations” Israel “God's city” Church “bride” / elect Israel “God's city” 4-fold “Hallelujah!” -> Praise the Lord! 1. “Salvation and glory and power belong to our God” - Celebrating righteous judgement against Babylon - Blood of servants avenged 2. “our Lord God almighty reigns” 3. The wedding of the Lamb has come - Lamb (bridegroom) & bride - Bride -> ready, bright and clean, clothed in righteous acts - Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb Heaven and earth - Entry of earthly church into heavenly state as a bride of Christ – heavens perspective on the Church - “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” -> The testimony of Jesus is a revelation of Jesus' words and actions in heaven -> The spirit of prophecy is the communication of God's heart for his people on the Earth Attention shifts to the Bridegroom - Rider on a white horse - True conqueror, faithful & true - Judges and makes war - Imagery recalls chapter 1 - Battle – manifest victory -> earth will see heavenly reality CHAPTER 19 – The day of the Lord - one event from two sides - saving & judging, wedding & battle - Another invitation to gather together for the great supper of God (v17-18) - Imagery encourages readers to consider these two ‘feasts' in parallel OT pictures of Armageddon Joel 3 - Gathering of the nations for battle against Israel follows the pictures of the restoration of Zion in Ch 2 - Enemies think they are gathering for war but they are being gathered for judgement (consequence for how they related to Israel) - “then you will know” – vindication of God's righteousness - Unveiling to Israel – The Lord will be seen as a faithful deliverer and ‘refuge for His people' - Final unveiling for enemies– not for repentance, but for wrath Ezekiel 38-39 - Ch 37 – ‘Valley of Dry Bones – the promise of the resurrection of Israel, Kingdom restored to the land, and poured out spirit - Same pattern as Joel – an unveiling for both Israel and the nations - God's purpose is to “show Himself holy before their eyes” - Nations will know His Lordship in their defeat and destruction - Israel will know His Lordship in His faithful deliverance of His people Questions 1. How does the story of redemption through history that the bible presents help us to make sense of God's purpose in restoring all things? 2. In what ways are the wedding and the final battle two sides to the unveiling of the day of the Lord? 3. As Christians, how can knowing the person of the Bridegroom & the Great Conqueror encourage us to live in the power and intimacy of His life now?

Session 9 – chapter 17-18   · John is a witness to the judgement and exposing of the kingdom of this world   · The kingdom of this world is represented by a relationship between a great prostitute and a beast   · This kingdom is defeated, under judgement, and heading for destruction, but can ensnare God's people   · John calls for wisdom in understanding the mystery and exhorts God's people to not be seduced by worldly wealth and power and the filth of worshipping idols Background to Babylon   · Babylon represents the great counterfeit city; powerful, idolatrous, impressive, wicked   · The prophets recognised that at Babylon's heart was a civilisation set up to usurp God's place and draw the world into false worship of idols   · This spirit of idolatry was connected back to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)           > Babel was not an outright rejection of God; it was a religious act. An attempt to make a name for themselves (grasping for something that was meant to be a gift from God) and to approach and worship on their own terms           > This is the heart of idolatry The Mother of Prostitutes, Babylon the Great   · A picture drawn from the Old Testament prophets   · Adultery = participating in idol worship   · Isaiah 1:21-22, Ezekiel 23   · Throughout history the Great prostitute is carried by the power of the Beast The Scarlet Beast   · Covered in blasphemous names. Blasphemy = an offence to God, mocks true worship   · The Beast is a conflation of the pictures from chapter 13   · The Beast is also modelled on the fourth beast from Daniel 7 = Rome, a powerful world empire that devours and destroys   · The Beast also becomes an eighth King = an antichrist figure whose goal is to make war on the Lamb and the saints   · The Lamb will overcome, and with him, his faithful followers John is presenting a counterfeit version of God's kingdom. The Beast and the prostitute contrast Christ and His bride. The judgement of Babylon   · Babylon is exposed as empty, lifeless, unclean, and full of demons   · Babylon judged for idolatry   · “Come out of her, my people” – Jeremiah 51:6-47          > The Jews in exile found it hard to leave Babylon, and were caught up in false security and prosperity (=worshipping idols)          > CF Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:24   · Judgement will come suddenly   · Saints and apostles rejoice   · Destruction will be total and eternal   · Babylon which has appeared refined and civilised will be exposed as brutal and murderous (Ezekiel 26&27) Questions 1. How does understanding the story of human rebellion and idolatry help to explain the judgement of Babylon? 2. What does John's vision expose about the counterfeit kingdom? How does this help Christians? 3. What idols do we encounter in our society? What are you being called to come out from?

Session 8 – Chapter 15 - 16 Another sign in heaven - signs point to a corresponding reality Plagues > final set of 7, “with them God's wrath is complete” > reminiscent of the plagues against Egypt EXODUS 15:1-18 > Song of deliverance > We know God by his actions towards us NEW EXODUS > Song of the Lamb -> new covenant in the blood of the Lamb > “your righteous acts have been revealed” - Looking back to a victory (cross) that accomplished a new exodus. The plagues are a demonstration of God's power - result in a hardening towards God, people will curse God and refuse to repent God will deal with Babylon in the last days like he dealt with Pharaoh/Egypt The other side of deliverance for God's people = Judgement for God's enemies > all those who oppose God's rule will face His wrath Plague six and seven highlight the final judgement will be sudden and unexpected v. 15 “Behold, I come like a thief” -> Jesus' words = Matthew 24:42-44 Past, present and future Past - Calvary (Jesus' work) > The bowls of God's wrath were endured by Jesus at the cross, “It is done” - proclaimed from the throne room Present - gospel encounter (revealed to faith) Future - final consummation (manifest to all) Encouragements from chapter 15/16 1 Corinthians 1:17-30 Jesus has drunk the cup/bowl of God's wrath on our behalf The result of the cross = a new exodus that sets free & sets to right all creation This new exodus will have two results > Ingathering of God's people drawn to God's heart > A judgement of His enemies whose hearts are hardened Hard hearts do not equal God's failure to work - they are evidence of His judgement Paul reminds us that the cross looked weak and foolish so that people may respond to God's work by faith Questions How does the Exodus help us understand the Lamb's righteous act of deliverance? Why has God used a cross to reveal His love for us? (rather than a raw demonstration of power) How has God acted towards you, to reveal His heart and soften yours?

Session 7 – Chapter 14 - Encouraging chapter -> heavenly reality of faithful followers of the Lamb. - Hidden (open to faith), encouraging readers to look up - Colossians 3:3 – “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” Mount Zion o Psalm 2 – installation of Messiah to rule the nations - Exodus language (New exodus to Mount Zion) o Redeemed from the earth o Pure o Follow the Lamb o Purchased o First fruits o Blameless - “They sang a new song” – New songs accompany victory First fruits - The remnant is offered as first fruits - First fruits are offered after exodus = encouraging. Exodus has happened, victory has been won, they are set free Three Angels - Angel 1 - gospel to proclaim on earth o Fear God o Judgement has come o Worship - Proclamation of the gospel brings judgement o A word of grace to Christians – Forgiveness requires judgement - Preaching is a sword, it divides by response - Angel 2 - "Fallen is Babylon" - Connection to Beast out of the Sea - Angel 3 - warning to people about God's wrath - Call to Christians o “Patient endurance” o “Remain in the faith of Jesus” – Faith is a gift o Deeds will follow them – faithful deeds are eternal, joined to Jesus' life The harvest - Sharp sickle in His hand -> harvesting tool = gospel proclamation - Harvesting people - Jesus harvests the earth – not a new judgement, judgement of the cross applied - Matthew 9:35-10:42 – Jesus speaks about the harvest, says the workers are few and sends out disciples with authority to act and speak in His name - Two angels begin a final judgement on those who have rejected the gospel - Joel 3 – Judgement against the nations, blessing for God's people - Isaiah 63:1-6 – Vengeance and redemption – inseparable - John is applying these pictures of God's holy love o God is not two faced – His love is holy o Holy love is a blazing fire that will burn up all that seeks to destroy/ compromise His goodness o God's heart is to save but He will save in righteousness - The cross – Jesus is the judge and was judged in our place = the perfect mediator o God has dealt with sin completely in Christ - Hebrews 12:22-24 – "Jesus the mediator of a new covenant" - God's word is never indirect, revelation is always personal - How gracious is God, revealing his holy character to us when we are perfectly secure in His grace and love Questions 1. In what ways can an understanding of “first fruits” encourage Christians? 2. What does it mean that Jesus is “Lord of the Harvest”? 3. What is the gospel we bear witness to? How can we, as God's church, share the good news faithfully?

Session 6 (part 2) – chapter 13 - John exposes the spiritual forces behind the kingdoms of the world and encourages the Church not to be rattled by this kingdom's power or deceived - In this chapter, John explains how the kingdom of this world is a blasphemous imitation of the kingdom of the Lamb THE BEAST OUT OF THE SEA - Context - Daniel 7:1-7 - It represents a compilation of all the worldly empires of Daniel's prophecy - Dragon gives this beast enormous power and authority - The world is deceived and worships the beast because of its false resurrection - Represents worldly empires, systems, structures, and ideologies - Incredibly impressive and powerful to sight - The beast's range is global - Aim – to make war on the saints - Everyone on the earth will suffer the rule of this beast - The Church are called to patient endurance and faithfulness THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH - False messiah – appearance of a lamb - It spoke like a dragon – Satanic - The human face of worldly empires that have Satan behind them - A deceiver - Aim – get people to worship the beast out of the sea and ensnare them through economic control - Demands to totally control people's thoughts and actions (mark of the beast) > This represents a contrast to God's call to Israel (Exodus 13:9) - The dragon and the two beasts form an unholy trinity - In the end, John is not presenting readers with a riddle. He is warning the Church to beware of people and empires who behave like a counterfeit God – behind them is Satan. - Wherever a society attempts to create something that seeks to replace the Church or Christ, you'll find these beasts. - Keep your eyes on Jesus (Matthew 4:23) Questions 1. How is Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:23 helpful in understanding the deception and brute power of the beasts in chapter 13? 2. In what ways is the Kingdom of the world a false version of the Kingdom of God? 3. We are called to be people “in the world but not of the world”. Where do you encounter the Kingdom of this world? How can you stay faithful to Jesus?

Session 6 (part 1) – chapter 12 Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” - Ch 12 – how the world became Jesus' kingdom - Ch 13 – perspective on the kingdom of the world What is a sign? - Points to the meaning of hidden things – a sign points to another reality - They reveal glory (true nature) - Heaven and earth coming together - Signs in the gospels point to the glory of Jesus - In this case – a sign in heaven points to an earthly reality TWO SIGNS – the woman (Israel) and the dragon (Satan) - Goes back to Genesis 3 – the woman & the serpent The woman - Symbol of Israel - Isaiah 7:14 - Isaiah 9:6-7 The dragon - Symbol of Satan - Angelic power behind “kingdom of the world” - Focus on devouring the child / destroying redemptive purpose The child - Messianic symbol - Protected by God - Will rule with “iron sceptre” The redemptive picture focuses on the incarnation (entering enemy territory) and ascension (defeat of enemies). The application of the work of the cross is implied. John focuses on the outcome of Jesus' work seen in the last days. Salvation from the perspective of heaven. 1. The woman fled to the desert = Israel preserved and provided for in the wilderness 2. An angelic victory in heaven, Satan hurled to earth (Isaiah 14:12, Luke 10:17-18) 3. Earthly victory expressed in the overcoming Church. They overcome by; i. The blood of the Lamb. Christians can no longer be accused (Job 1:6-12, Zechariah 3:1) ii. The word of their testimony iii. No fear in death In the last days the dragon rages against the woman (Israel) and the rest of her offspring (the Church). Questions 1. How do signs in heaven encourage readers about the earthly reality of Jesus' kingdom and rule? 2. For the Church, what is the significance of Satan being defeated and hurled to the earth? 3. How are you encouraged to live out the victory of the Lamb everyday?

Halfway through our series of podcasts, we sat on the couch and a had a chat about what God has been showing us as we've studied Revelation. This session does not form part of our formal study of Revelation, we will continue with chapter 12 and 13 next session. We hope this encourages you to reflect on how God is speaking to you and more importantly, that you actively respond to the ways He is challenging you.

Session 5 – Chapter 8 - 11 - A sequence of seven trumpets (judgements) followed by an intermission that explains the power of the churches witness Chapter 8 + 9 - A third presentation of Jesus' rule in history - A picture of temple worship (Ezekiel 10:2) - The prayers of the saints combine with fire from the altar are hurled to the earth - Not evil that disturbs world history – the real initiative belongs to God - A series of trumpet blasts announce judgements on the earth - These judgements impact the whole earth, are described like the plagues of Egypt but on a global scale, and represent the rolling back of the order of creation - A mighty eagle pronounces woes that reveal the secret depths of angelic forces opposed to the rule of Jesus (Isaiah 14:12-15). These spiritual forces bring intense suffering to humanity for a limited time. In the midst, those who are sealed are preserved. - The sixth trumpet – releases an enormous army that destroys a third of mankind. Even this judgement does not result in repentance. - Chapter 9 ends with a picture of overwhelming wickedness, where people have been given over to worship demons and idols. Chapter 10 + 11 - Remind the church that evil is not out of control. Rather God is moving history forward with / through his people. - A new vision of the angel of the Lord: “there will be no more delay… the mystery of God will be accomplished” - John's prophetic call (cf Ezekiel 2:8-3:3) > John is instructed to eat the scroll = gospel message of Jesus > Sweet in mouth, sour in stomach > Instructed to prophesy to all nations - John told to measure temple and count the worshippers – excluding outer court > Speaks of both preservation and a time of suffering for the church - Understanding numbers and timing > Key text: Daniel 9:24-27 > Key message: As you recognise events, you can know you are in the middle of the last days. - Two witnesses are required to establish the truth of the new covenant (cf Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4). - The witnesses are clothed in sackcloth: the church bears witness by their right response to the gospel – repentance and reverence - Lampstands = the church, olive trees = the living source of oil = the Holy Spirit > Conclusion: the church and the spirit bear witness to the gospel - Zechariah 4: profound encouragement to the church – “don't despise the day of small beginnings”, God will finish the work he has begun - The witnesses' proclamation has enormous power - The witnesses will be killed, but resurrected and received into glory > “the blood of the martyr's is the seed of the church” – Tertullian - Acts 1:5-8 – the witness of the church is an outcome of the indwelling spirit - The seventh trumpet announces the final stage of history > the worshippers in the throne room recognise the sovereignty of Jesus and are thankful that the final judgement has come Questions 1. Read Zechariah 4: How does understanding the context of this verse encourage the church in their role as an anointed and authorised witness? 2. How do chapters 10 and 11 help us understand the call to proclaim the gospel? 3. If we really believed that our prayers and proclamations brought God's holy fire to the Earth – how would we live differently?

Session 4 – Chapter 6 - 7 - Jesus' work on the cross is personal but we also need to remember that it redefined the whole world and all of history - Since the Cross, history has been the outworking of the judgment of the world > Matthew 10 – Jesus came to bring a sword > John 12 – Now is the time for the judgment of this world - Seals are broken and expose the spiritual forces behind the destructive movements in history - Exposing = judged > Seen for what they are - Evil spiritual forces > Will face final judgement at the end of history - Structure of the sets of 7 > First 6 = revelation of spiritual forces behind the history of the world > Intermission – God's redemptive purpose in the midst of judgment > 7th in the set is overtaken by a new set of 7 - God is in control, but it is mysterious > Examples – Judas, Pharaoh > God does not will wickedness or evil > God chooses to use rebellion and wickedness for his good purposes - Timing of these sets of 7 – not sequential or chronological. They reflect forces at work in the world between Jesus ascension and his coming again. - Readers are positioned between the 6th 7th judgments > We're not at the end (the 7th) > We are near the end (the first 6 are all unleashed out in the world) > We are positioned in the ‘intermission' – protected by God in the midst of judgment - All of this upheaval is ultimately a response to the proclamation of God's word – the gospel Chapter 6 - Seals 1-4: 1. Conqueror – deceives and oppresses 2. Peace taker / war maker 3. Economic devastation, inequality and exploitation 4. Death and Hades – sword, famine, plague, wild beasts > Repeats throughout all of human history – characteristic of rebellion against God - Seal 5: > Martyrs – slain for maintaining the testimony of Jesus > This is the most powerful spiritual force bringing judgment to the world > Told to wait for justice until the full number has been gathered - Seal 6: > The rejection of the gospel and the suffering of God's witnesses results in the Day of the Lord's Wrath. > He will turn up and consume all that is not holy > The signs of His coming - All of creation shaken > “Who can stand?” Chapter 7 - The intermission - God's angels protect His remnant people before the destructive winds blow across the earth – They will be able to stand. - 144, 000 sealed – symbolic picture – God will save the ‘complete' number > Ephesians 1:13-14 – Holy spirit seals us until the day of redemption > Ezekiel 9:4 – a remnant is sealed, will not be lost to God - The Great Multitude > A number “no one could count” > Those made righteous by the gift of God's life given in Jesus > Palm branches – connected with the saving work of God for His people > Romans 8:31-39 – Nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Questions 1. What does the breaking of the seals reveal about the spiritual forces at work behind human history? 2. What is encouraging and what is challenging about how Jesus and the Father are ruling and working out their purpose in history? 3. What does it mean for us (in our thinking and experience) to know that we are sealed and preserved in the midst of the world?

Session 3 – Chapter 4 - 5 Summary · John “in the spirit” – pointing readers to a view of Jesus that looks beyond the physical · God's throne from the perspective of heaven – key elements – seated, rainbow, spirit before the throne, 24 elders, sea of glass. · Purpose of chapter 4 & 5 § God is ruling, in total control, conquered rebellious humanity § Heaven is at perfect peace – this is at the heart of the whole book of Revelation / it establishes how we interpret the following chapters. · The four living creatures (Ezekiel 1) § Creation in perfect order · Sea of glass – humanity pacified and at peace (contrast with Daniel 7) · The scroll – the story of humanity / meaning of history § Only Jesus has authority to open · Messianic titles – Lion of Judah, The Root of David § Implication of royalty and power · The Lamb – looking as if it had been slain § The person and work through which all of history is defined and understood · New song – they see creation made new and worship with a new song · We reign and serve on earth by our worship Scripture references · Ezekiel 1 · Daniel 7 · 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 · Romans 8:18-25 Questions 1. How do the different symbolic elements in the throne room contribute to our understanding of God's rule over His creation? 2. Why, from the perspective of heaven, is Jesus still represented as a Lamb that was slain? 3. How do our lives actually express our prayer “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”?

Session 2 – Chapter 2-3 Summary · 7 stars & 7 lampstands: Don't rush past the picture (Rev 1:12-13, 20). Jesus at the centre of his churches. · Common elements in messages to each of the churches -> Revelation of who Jesus is -> Jesus in the midst, personally relating to each church – specific instruction and encouragement -> Saving and judging - encouragement, empathy - challenge to holiness / wholeheartedness - warning (repent) -> Recognition of suffering -> Promises to those who overcome · The challenge to holiness is an invitation to participate in the perfect love of Father, Son, and Spirit. It's founded on Jesus' saving/judging work on the cross and given freely to us by grace! · Jesus is ruling His Kingdom through His Church in the world. While the Church may not always appear beautiful and powerful, we need to share Jesus perspective on His Church and live consistent with this truth. Scripture references · Hebrews 12:1-12 Questions 1. How does the picture of the great king Jesus among the lampstands help us understand how He is ruling? 2. What does the messages to each church reveal about the passion of Jesus' heart for His Churches? 3. How has chapter 2 & 3 challenged how you understand yourself as part of the local church? In what ways might our attitudes and how we relate to one another need to change?

Session 1 – introduction + chapter 1 Summary · Revelation = unveiling · Jesus is revealing hidden but true things about himself and how he is reigning/ruling · Context of the book > author, the Apostle John, a disciple of Jesus, in exile on the island of Patmos. John was a prominent leader of the early church in Asia Minor. > to persecuted Christians in the late 1st century AD likely under the reign of Domitian, wondering, ‘where is the Kingdom of God / victory / Jesus?' > message - King Jesus is sovereign despite appearances – Jesus hasn't ‘half-won' – “It is finished” > continue to look to Jesus – what is He doing now? Interpretive Keys 1. Jesus – Jesus is ruling in heaven with total power and authority. Victory was won through the cross, but it is veiled (hidden) until he returns. The book of Revelation presents the same gospel story as the rest of the NT. As we read, we must ask ourselves what each passage says about what Jesus has done, is doing and will do. 2. Timing – Interpreting prophecy requires recognising a fulfilment that has past, present, and future elements. The primary focus needs to be understanding the meaning and significance for original readers. 3. Old Testament pictures - early church readers would have been well acquainted with the symbolic language John uses and the original Old Testament stories that he reimagines. The better we understand the original message of the Old testament texts, the better we can understand what it means now. 4. Heavenly perspective - John gives us a visual glimpse of what God is doing in heaven. What God is doing in heaven has meaningful earthly consequences and expression. Chapter 1 v1-3 John is unveiling a hidden reality, primarily about Jesus, which was given to him by God. v4-8 The gospel message for the churches focuses on Jesus' person and work. v13-16 A vision of Jesus appears in holy, unveiled glory! v17-18 "Do not be afraid." The holiness of Jesus is not something to fear but draws us to joy and life (read Hebrews 12:18-29) v19-20 Jesus is going to reveal past, present and future truth and wants John to share it with the church Food for thought: 1. How might the experiences of the early church indicate John's purpose in writing and circulating this book? 2. What is significant about the way Jesus is revealed in chapter 1? 3. How has chapter 1 challenged how you think about who Jesus is? What is Jesus saying to you about approaching him?