Revelation: Embracing Christ's Glory and Our Response
Summary
In our journey through the book of Revelation, we embark on a profound exploration of God's final words to us, culminating in the revelation of Jesus Christ in all His glory. This study is not about predicting the end times or identifying the Antichrist, but about understanding the clear truths of Scripture and the mysteries that remain. The book of Revelation is a singular revelation of Jesus Christ, showcasing His majesty and sovereignty. It is a call to endure tribulation, as all Christians are called to face trials and suffering, yet with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world.
As we delve into this book, we must interpret the unclear through the lens of what is clear, focusing on the undeniable truths of Jesus' lordship and His imminent return. We are encouraged to read the Scriptures in a broader context, drawing from the Old Testament to understand the symbols and themes that permeate Revelation. This approach helps us see the full message and apply it personally, as the blessing is for those who hear and keep the words of this prophecy.
Our response to the revelation of Jesus is threefold: to humbly bow in reverence, to joyfully obey in faithful service, and to gratefully worship with appreciation for His sacrifice and redemption. Jesus is the sovereign King, the shepherd King, and the speaking King. He calls us to align ourselves with His teachings, to be agents of His kingdom, and to live lives that reflect His love and righteousness. As we study Revelation, we are reminded of our role as a new Israel, a kingdom of priests, tasked with representing God to the world and bringing His justice and love to all.
In this journey, we are not alone. We are part of a community, a family of believers who support one another in tribulation and kingdom work. We are encouraged to join small groups, to connect with others, and to grow together in faith. As we gather for worship and study, we commit ourselves to the Lord, seeking to be transformed by His grace and to live as His faithful witnesses in a world that desperately needs His light.
Key Takeaways:
- The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The book of Revelation is a singular revelation of Jesus Christ, highlighting His glory and sovereignty. It is not about predicting the end times but understanding the clear truths of Scripture and the mysteries that remain. We are called to endure tribulation with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world. [05:20]
- Interpreting Scripture: We must interpret the unclear through the lens of what is clear, focusing on the undeniable truths of Jesus' lordship and His imminent return. Reading Scripture in a broader context, especially drawing from the Old Testament, helps us understand the symbols and themes in Revelation. [07:09]
- Our Response to Jesus: Our response to the revelation of Jesus is to humbly bow in reverence, joyfully obey in faithful service, and gratefully worship with appreciation for His sacrifice and redemption. Jesus is the sovereign King, the shepherd King, and the speaking King. [11:30]
- Community and Growth: We are part of a community, a family of believers who support one another in tribulation and kingdom work. Joining small groups and connecting with others helps us grow in faith and live as faithful witnesses in a world that needs His light. [24:30]
- Living as Kingdom Agents: As agents of His kingdom, we are tasked with representing God to the world and bringing His justice and love to all. We are encouraged to align ourselves with His teachings, to be transformed by His grace, and to live lives that reflect His love and righteousness. [29:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:20] - The Revelation of Jesus Christ
- [07:09] - Interpreting Scripture
- [11:30] - Our Response to Jesus
- [13:34] - The One True God
- [14:13] - The Eternal God
- [17:25] - The Glory of Jesus
- [19:39] - Joyful Obedience
- [21:44] - Sovereign and Shepherd King
- [22:46] - Community and Growth
- [24:30] - Living as Kingdom Agents
- [26:49] - The Speaking King
- [29:28] - Grateful Worship
- [32:44] - The Returning King
- [36:03] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 1:1-20
2. John 16:33
3. Daniel 7:13-14
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the book of Revelation being a "singular revelation" of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [05:20]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of Old Testament references in understanding the book of Revelation? [07:09]
3. According to the sermon, what are the three responses we should have to the revelation of Jesus? [11:30]
4. What does the sermon say about the importance of community and small groups in the journey of faith? [24:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the clear truths of Jesus' lordship and imminent return in the context of the book of Revelation? [05:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the book of Revelation calls Christians to endure tribulation? How does this align with John 16:33? [05:20]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of interpreting unclear scripture through the lens of what is clear? What examples are given? [07:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of Christians as a "kingdom of priests" and how does this relate to the idea of living as kingdom agents? [29:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of Jesus as the "sovereign King, the shepherd King, and the speaking King." How can you align your life more closely with His teachings this week? [11:30]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community. How can you actively participate in your small group or church community to support others in their faith journey? [24:30]
3. Consider the call to endure tribulation with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world. What personal challenges are you facing, and how can this assurance provide comfort and strength? [05:20]
4. The sermon encourages reading scripture in a broader context. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible, especially the book of Revelation, by connecting it with Old Testament themes? [07:09]
5. How can you practice joyful obedience in your daily life, as suggested by the sermon? Identify one area where you can apply this principle this week. [19:39]
6. The sermon describes our response to Jesus as one of humble reverence, joyful obedience, and grateful worship. Which of these responses do you find most challenging, and how can you work on it? [11:30]
7. As agents of God's kingdom, we are tasked with representing His justice and love. What is one practical way you can demonstrate God's love and justice in your community this week? [29:28]
Devotional
Day 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ's Sovereignty
The book of Revelation is a profound unveiling of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His glory and sovereignty. It is not a guide to predicting the end times but a call to understand the clear truths of Scripture and the mysteries that remain. Christians are encouraged to endure tribulation with the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world. This revelation is a reminder of Jesus' ultimate authority and His imminent return, urging believers to focus on His lordship and the hope it brings. [05:20]
Revelation 1:5-6 (ESV): "and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively acknowledge Jesus' sovereignty in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties?
Day 2: Interpreting Scripture with Clarity
Interpreting the book of Revelation requires viewing the unclear through the lens of what is clear, focusing on the undeniable truths of Jesus' lordship and His imminent return. By reading Scripture in a broader context, especially drawing from the Old Testament, believers can better understand the symbols and themes in Revelation. This approach allows for a deeper comprehension of the full message and its personal application, encouraging believers to hear and keep the words of this prophecy. [07:09]
2 Peter 1:19-21 (ESV): "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a broader context of Scripture into your study routine to gain a clearer understanding of its messages?
Day 3: Responding to Jesus with Reverence and Obedience
Our response to the revelation of Jesus is to humbly bow in reverence, joyfully obey in faithful service, and gratefully worship with appreciation for His sacrifice and redemption. Jesus is the sovereign King, the shepherd King, and the speaking King. This response involves aligning oneself with His teachings and living a life that reflects His love and righteousness. It is a call to be agents of His kingdom, representing God to the world and bringing His justice and love to all. [11:30]
Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate your reverence and obedience to Jesus in your interactions with others?
Day 4: Community and Growth in Faith
Believers are part of a community, a family of believers who support one another in tribulation and kingdom work. Joining small groups and connecting with others helps individuals grow in faith and live as faithful witnesses in a world that needs His light. This communal aspect of faith encourages believers to gather for worship and study, committing themselves to the Lord and seeking transformation by His grace. [24:30]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the growth and support of your faith community this week?
Day 5: Living as Kingdom Agents
As agents of His kingdom, believers are tasked with representing God to the world and bringing His justice and love to all. This involves aligning oneself with His teachings, being transformed by His grace, and living a life that reflects His love and righteousness. It is a call to action, urging believers to live as faithful witnesses and to shine His light in a world that desperately needs it. [29:28]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can act as an agent of God's kingdom in your community today?
Quotes
"And one of the, one of the clear principles is you interpret the unclear through the lens of what is clear. You see that One time in my New Testament class, we were in the passage in Peter, I don't remember if it was 1st or 2nd Peter, where it says that Jesus went and preached to the dead, to the souls of the dead. It's a confusing passage in the New Testament." [00:05:33] (26 seconds)
"There's all kinds of other books you could look at to draw insight and understanding of the book of Revelation. But she wrote that book to help people apply what they're experiencing. And the podcast that she put together to support that was interviewing some of the top scholars on the book of Revelation. And one of them, I think it was episode three or four, said this. Principles of Bible interpretation, read bigger." [00:07:09] (25 seconds)
"Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this book. As we hold in our hands the gift of Scripture and the gift of the book of Revelation. That you showed it to your servant John. You let him see and hear and experience things so he could write them down for our encouragement today and in the coming weeks and months. That we might be those who overcome and receive the promises that you give to these churches." [00:10:39] (25 seconds)
"And our, the only appropriate response. Whenever in scripture someone has an encounter with God. Moses at the burning bush. Isaiah in chapter six. The immediate response of someone seeing the glory of God. Think of the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration. Is to fall down in worship and awe. To humbly bow. That's what we'll see John does in verse 17. He falls on his face before the glory of King Jesus." [00:12:59] (26 seconds)
"Anyone who truly knows the character of God. The glory of God. And sees that. The only appropriate response. Is to fall before him. In humble reverence. Now perfect love drives out fear. The more you know God. You know his love and grace. We shouldn't have a trembling. And a devastating. Feeling of being undone before him. But we should never outgrow. Our reverence and awe. For the Lord." [00:16:10] (25 seconds)
"How do we know Jesus is the king? Because he is the firstborn from the dead. The resurrection was the full and final proof, the final stamp that not only was his sacrifice accepted, but his victory was now proclaimed through his resurrection. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the sovereign king. So what is it that people need? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know." [00:21:16] (23 seconds)
"He is with us as our good shepherd, leading us to green pastures, to quiet waters, walking with us even through the darkest valleys that we experience in this life, anointing us with oil of his spirit to heal us and restore us and give us power to persevere, preparing a table before us even in the presence of our enemies and giving us the hope of our eternal home and dwelling with him one day. He is our shepherd king." [00:23:04] (29 seconds)
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