Understanding Revelation: Hope, Symbolism, and Christ's Sovereignty

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is the Ultimate Reality

Revelation is a singular revelation from and about Jesus Christ. It unveils the ultimate reality that Jesus is on the throne and is coming back. This focus on Jesus helps us understand that the book is not about predicting current events but about revealing the ultimate truth of Christ's sovereignty and His eventual return. By centering our understanding of Revelation on Jesus, we can see that it is not a collection of fragmented visions but a cohesive message about His lordship and the hope of His return. This perspective shifts our focus from fear and speculation to worship and anticipation. [08:36]

Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV): "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'"

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is the ultimate reality and sovereign over all things change the way you view your current circumstances?

Day 2: Relevance for All Times

While many assume Revelation is solely about the future, it also addresses the past and present. The original audience would have found it immediately relevant to their lives, just as we should today. This understanding helps us see that Revelation is not a distant, irrelevant prophecy but a text that speaks to our current situation and encourages us to live faithfully in the present. By recognizing its relevance across all times, we can draw strength and guidance from its message, knowing that it speaks to our struggles and hopes just as it did to the early Christians. [15:43]

Revelation 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."

Reflection: In what ways can you apply the teachings of Revelation to your current life situation? How does it encourage you to live faithfully today?

Day 3: The Truth in Symbolism

The book of Revelation is filled with symbolic imagery that is not meant to be taken literally but is profoundly true. These symbols, like the dragon or the lamb, convey deeper spiritual realities that are often more impactful than literal descriptions. Understanding these symbols helps us grasp the deeper truths about God's kingdom, the nature of evil, and the ultimate victory of Christ. By delving into the symbolic language of Revelation, we can uncover rich layers of meaning that speak to the spiritual battles and triumphs we face. [20:10]

Revelation 5:6 (ESV): "And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth."

Reflection: What symbolic imagery in Revelation resonates with you the most, and how does it deepen your understanding of spiritual truths?

Day 4: Hope for the Persecuted

The book of Revelation was written to Christians who were marginalized and under persecution. This context helps us understand the urgency and hope embedded in its message. It reassures us that Jesus is on the throne and will return to set things right, providing hope and encouragement to endure hardships with faith and patience. By recognizing the original audience's struggles, we can find solidarity and hope in our own trials, knowing that the same promises of deliverance and victory apply to us. [31:53]

Revelation 2:10 (ESV): "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Reflection: How can the message of hope in Revelation help you endure your current challenges? What specific promises can you hold onto during times of hardship?

Day 5: A Message of Hope, Not Fear

Contrary to popular belief, Revelation is not meant to scare us but to bless us. It offers a vision of the ultimate victory of Christ and the renewal of all things. This hopeful perspective encourages us to live with joy and anticipation, knowing that Jesus will return to vanquish evil and establish His eternal kingdom. By embracing the hopeful message of Revelation, we can live with confidence and joy, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises and the restoration of all things. [34:29]

Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's ultimate victory and the renewal of all things influence your outlook on life? How can you share this message of hope with others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we embark on a journey through the book of Revelation, a text that often evokes mixed feelings—curiosity, excitement, and sometimes fear. Revelation is the last book of the Bible, filled with vivid imagery and complex symbolism, and it tells us how the world will end. However, it is not just about the future; it speaks to our present and past as well. The book is a revelation from Jesus Christ, and it is primarily about Him, not current events or political scenarios. It unveils the ultimate reality that Jesus is on the throne, and He is coming back.

We will spend ten weeks exploring Revelation, divided into three mini-series: "The Worship of the Lamb," "The War of the Dragon," and "The Victory of the Lion." Today, we start with an introduction on how not to read Revelation. The first rule is to understand that it is a singular revelation, not multiple revelations. The second rule is that it is not about the news but about Jesus. The third rule is that it is relevant for the past, present, and future. The fourth rule is that it is not literal but definitely true, filled with symbolic imagery that conveys deeper truths. The fifth rule is that these symbols are not random but references, often to Old Testament passages. The sixth rule is to read from the edges, understanding that it was written for Christians under pressure and persecution. The seventh and final rule is to read not with fear but with hope, as Revelation was written to bless us and fortify our faith.

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Key Takeaways

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2. Revelation Speaks to Past, Present, and Future: While many assume Revelation is solely about the future, it also addresses the past and present. The original audience would have found it immediately relevant to their lives, just as we should today. This understanding helps us see that Revelation is not a distant, irrelevant prophecy but a text that speaks to our current situation and encourages us to live faithfully in the present.

3. Symbolism in Revelation is Deeply True: The book is filled with symbolic imagery that is not meant to be taken literally but is profoundly true. These symbols, like the dragon or the lamb, convey deeper spiritual realities that are often more impactful than literal descriptions. Understanding these symbols helps us grasp the deeper truths about God's kingdom, the nature of evil, and the ultimate victory of Christ.

4. Revelation is Written for the Marginalized and Persecuted: The book was written to Christians who were marginalized and under persecution. This context helps us understand the urgency and hope embedded in its message. It reassures us that Jesus is on the throne and will return to set things right, providing hope and encouragement to endure hardships with faith and patience.

5. Revelation is a Message of Hope, Not Fear: Contrary to popular belief, Revelation is not meant to scare us but to bless us. It offers a vision of the ultimate victory of Christ and the renewal of all things. This hopeful perspective encourages us to live with joy and anticipation, knowing that Jesus will return to vanquish evil and establish His eternal kingdom.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:19] - Introduction to Revelation
[02:27] - Common Misconceptions
[03:36] - Why Preach on Revelation?
[04:46] - Series Breakdown
[05:58] - Opening Scripture
[07:16] - Seven Rules for Reading Revelation
[08:36] - Rule 1: It's About Jesus
[09:44] - Rule 2: Not About the News
[10:55] - The Power of Symbolism
[12:05] - Jesus is in Charge
[13:20] - The Ultimate Reality
[14:36] - Rule 3: Past, Present, and Future
[15:43] - Relevance to the First Audience
[17:52] - Misconceptions About the Last Days
[19:03] - The Last Days Explained
[20:10] - Rule 4: Symbolism is True
[21:16] - Understanding Symbolism
[22:21] - The Power of Symbols
[23:25] - Rule 5: References, Not Random
[24:30] - Musical References Analogy
[25:38] - Old Testament References
[26:43] - Recognizing References
[27:29] - Avengers Endgame Analogy
[28:27] - Old Testament Allusions
[29:12] - Study Bibles and Commentaries
[30:12] - Clear Message of Revelation
[30:45] - Rule 6: Read from the Edges
[31:21] - Christians Under Pressure
[32:21] - John's Suffering
[32:53] - Persecution and Hardship
[33:24] - Message of Hope
[33:54] - Endurance and Confidence
[34:29] - Rule 7: Read with Hope
[34:58] - Why God Tells Us the End
[35:57] - Misconceptions About Revelation
[36:54] - Blessed by Revelation
[37:24] - The Promise of Revelation
[37:56] - The Ultimate Victory
[38:35] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Revelation 1:1-3, what is the purpose of the book of Revelation? How does it describe those who read and hear its words?
In Revelation 1:5, how is Jesus described? What titles and roles are attributed to Him?
What does Daniel 7:13-14 reveal about the "Son of Man" and His authority?
Zechariah 12:10 speaks of someone being "pierced." How does this prophecy connect to the imagery in Revelation 1:7?

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that Revelation is described as a singular revelation from Jesus Christ? How does this focus shift our understanding of the book? [08:36]
How does the symbolic imagery in Revelation help convey deeper spiritual truths? Can you think of an example from the sermon that illustrates this? [20:10]
The sermon mentioned that Revelation was written for Christians under persecution. How does this context influence the way we should read and understand the book? [31:53]
Revelation is meant to be a message of hope rather than fear. How does knowing the end of the story provide comfort and encouragement in our daily lives? [34:29]

Application Questions

Revelation 1:3 states that those who read and hear the words of this prophecy are blessed. How can you incorporate regular reading and reflection on Revelation into your spiritual practice to receive this blessing?
The sermon emphasized that Revelation is not about predicting current events but about revealing Jesus' sovereignty. How can this perspective change the way you approach current world events and news? [08:36]
Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the "powers" in your life (e.g., politics, economics, personal struggles). How does the knowledge that Jesus is the ultimate authority (Revelation 1:5) impact your view of these challenges? [12:05]
The sermon highlighted the importance of understanding the symbolic nature of Revelation. How can you improve your understanding of biblical symbols and references to deepen your study of Revelation? [23:25]
Revelation was written to provide hope to marginalized and persecuted Christians. How can you offer support and encouragement to fellow believers who are facing hardships today? [31:53]
The message of Revelation is one of hope and anticipation for Jesus' return. How can you cultivate a sense of joyful anticipation in your daily life, especially during difficult times? [34:29]
The sermon mentioned the importance of patient endurance. Identify a current situation in your life where you need to practice patient endurance. How can the message of Revelation help you persevere? [33:54]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The book of Revelation is not about a bunch of different things. It feels like it. Sometimes you read it and it's like, oh, this and that, and what's going on. But at the heart of it, it really is about one thing. It is a singular revelation about one thing. And this is where we get to rule two. Rule two is it's not about the news. It's about Jesus." [08:36] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The word revelation in Greek is actually the word apocalypse. We use the word apocalypse these days to mean the end of the world. It's apocalyptic. But in Greek, the word apocalypse doesn't mean the end of the world. What it means is to show something, to reveal something, to unveil something, to pull back the curtain and make known something that was hidden." [09:44] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you peel back the curtain, you say, who's running the world? What's the ultimate reality? The world looks like it's run by politicians and global corporations and billionaires and the media and markets and all of these sorts of things. But reality is, the king on the throne is one who sacrifices and serves, one who has cured death, one who will never lie to us, who will always be faithful and true, one who loves us." [13:20] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Revelation wasn't written to entertain, to set out a timeline for the future or satisfy our curiosity about when Christ will return. Revelation was written to fortify Christians to live in the world, enduring its harsh treatment and alienation with a firm belief in God. A firm confidence that this world is not all there is. And that in fact, what may seem like defeat is going to give way to victory." [33:54] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near. Blessed, blessed. Revelation was not written to satisfy your curiosity or to scare you or to be a survival manual in case you're in the last days. It was written to bless you." [36:54] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The book of Revelation is about not just the future, but the past and the present as well. Not just the future, but the past and the present as well. This may be the most surprising of the rules, because most people, they never ask the question, what's the book of Revelation about? What era is it talking about? Because everybody assumes they know. It's about the future, right? It's about the last days. It's about the end of the age. This is something that has yet to happen, right? This is things to come. That's what Revelation's about. So it must be about the future." [15:43] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The book of Revelation is not literal, but it is definitely true. It's not literal, but it's definitely true. This book, it probably doesn't need to be said. If you read it once, you start to pick this up. It is full of symbolism. It is full of imagery. You're going to have a woman riding on a dragon and a beast coming out of a sea and horsemen riding around and lampstands and trumpets and a tree of life and the lion and the lamb and all of these different images. And I'll tell you this. The vast, vast majority of them are not meant to be taken literally." [20:10] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you read about hunger and violence and persecution and hardship coming on people in the book of Revelation, most of us, when we're in the relative comfort of 21st century suburban America, we look at that and we say, I hope I'm not around when that happens. That sounds like the end of the world. But the original audience, they read it and they said, that sounds like Tuesday. I am here when this is happening. It's happening to me right now." [33:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The reason it blesses us, the main way is by getting us excited about what's to come. Because this is not about how bad it'll be in the end. It's how good it's gonna be forever. This is not about the end of the world. It's about the beginning of a new one. Here's what it promises. It says, we are going to see our king with our own eyes. He's gonna be here and he is amazing. He will return and he will vanquish all his enemies and he will raise us from our graves and he will sit on his throne and he will banish sorrow and tears and death and suffering and evil and sin. And he is going to remake the world and all shall be well. And his kingdom will have no end." [37:56] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When you realize that, when you see that Jesus is the ultimate reality, all the other realities fade away. They back up. They become less important. This is the important thing about an apocalypse. It shows us what's really going on. In the words of Nancy Guthrie, she's an author that we're recommending. One of her books, as we go through this series, if you want to dig deeper, she wrote this book called Bless. This is what she says about an apocalypse. She says this, apocalypse can reveal to us that some of the things we thought were important, beautiful, or secure are actually fleeting, ugly, and destined for destruction." [14:36] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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