SCRIPTURE
Revelation 21:1-7
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 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.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Revelation 22:12-17
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
When we study God’s Word, it should lead us to both rejoicing and repenting.
- What stands out to you from the text?
- What questions or comments do you have about it?
- In what ways did you find yourself encouraged and/or rejoicing when you heard the message?
- In what ways were you challenged to repent or change when you heard the message?
- How did the teacher connect this passage to Christ? What other connections do you see between this message and the redemptive work of Christ?
CONCLUSION
- What is one thing that you want to remember from this sermon?
- Why is that important to you?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Fast Facts on Revelation
- Tradition tells us that Revelation was written ~96 AD by the Apostle John while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. He would have been in his 80’s.
- Domitian was the Roman Emperor at this time (81-96 AD). He ordered all citizens and subjects to worship him as “Lord and God.” He called himself “Everlasting King” and required citizens and subjects to visit his temple, throw a pinch of incense on the fire of the altar, and say: “Caesar Kurios.”
- “Revelation” is a translation of the Greek word ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis). It means to reveal, unveil, or disclose.
- Revelation is not meant to be a riddle; it’s meant to reveal Jesus Christ. (But we should humbly admit that we may not accurately understand all that Revelation reveals.)
- Revelation was written by a pastor (John) to churches in Asia Minor in AD 96. Revelation is not meant to be an enigma; it’s meant to be an encouragement to churches to persevere in their faithfulness to Christ.
- Revelation has 404 verses, with 285 Old Testament citations and as many as 550 OT allusions.
- Revelation is written in a genre that uses people, animals, events, natural phenomena, numbers, colors, etc. symbolically to reveal reality to its readers.
Recommended Resources
- Discipleship on the Edge by Darrell Johnson
- Christ-Centered Exposition by Daniel Akin
- Blessed by Nancy Guthrie
- The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary) by G.K. Beale