Today’s passage: Revelation 22:6-21

Helpful thoughts:

• “These words are trustworthy and true.”  This is true of the book of Revelation and of the whole Word of God, the Bible.  God’s words are trustworthy and true.  Read them, think deeply about them, heed them, obey them, trust them, rely on them, eagerly expect them to be fulfilled.
• John again mistakenly worships the angel in a time when he is overwhelmed by the glory of what he is seeing and hearing.  The angel’s exhortation is simple, “Worship God.”
  • With all that we have read in the book of Revelation (and throughout all of Scripture) it could be so easy to get sidetracked, to be caught up in the details and doctrinal disputes, to enjoy thinking about theology, or to love the history.  But, there is one response to God’s Word that is most important and most appropriate, worship God.
• There is nothing to add or take away from what God’s Word says.  We are to read it, see our need, and come to Christ.  We are to read it and obey.  We are to read it and look for His return.  We are to read it and worship God.
• Jesus is coming again.  Come, Lord Jesus!

Questions to consider:

1. Do you believe all this to be true?  Do you know that God is holy, righteous, and just?  Do you understand that you have sinned and disobeyed Him, and are therefore worthy of judgment?  Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?  Do you believe Jesus lived a righteous life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin?  Do you believe Jesus was buried and on the third day, rose from the dead?  Have you repented of your sin, asked God for forgiveness, and received His gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ?
2. What does it look like to eagerly await Christ’s return?  What does it mean to be “ready” for Christ to come?
3. Who do you know who needs to hear the calling to “come”?  How can you be praying for them?  How can you share with them this invitation to come to Christ and enjoy Him forever?

Today’s passage: Revelation 22:1-5

Helpful thoughts:

• Elements of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-10) and Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 47:1-12) are revealed to the Apostle John.  Everything will be made perfect.
• Humanity has been restricted from the Tree of Life since the fall (Genesis 3:22-24).  This separation will no longer be necessary.
• In our sin, to look at the face of God would mean death (Exodus 33:20-23).  In that day, we will see God face to face and live.  Our sin entirely removed.  Only perfect righteousness and joy forevermore.

Questions to consider:

1. What kinds of things does this passage (And the previous) seem to indicate we will be doing in eternity?  Will we just sit around and get bored?  Will we be singing forever?  What is being portrayed in these Revelation passages?
2. If there is no night, and no sickness or death, how will our resurrection bodies feel in eternity?  What won’t we need?  What will we have that provides for our every need?
3. What will we never tire of?  What do you think it will be like to see God face to face in all His glory?  How does this world compare?

Today’s passage: Revelation 21:9-27

Helpful thoughts:

• The Apostle John is taken to a “great, high mountain” (As Ezekiel was) and shown the New Jerusalem.  When he is told what he is to be shown, it is called “the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
  • Part of the description points to Israel (verse 12), God’s Old Covenant people.
  • Part of the description points to the Church (verse 14), God’s New Covenant people.
• If the dimensions are literal, this city will be around 1,380 miles squared.
• Here’s a great short read and illustration called, “The ‘Bookends’ of Biblical Theology” from Crossway.
• The whole city is square as the Holy of Holies in the Temple was.  God will be there with His people.  God’s people will be the dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:22).

Questions to consider:

1. Why will verses 24-27 be possible?  Who will the kings and peoples of the earth be at this point?  What will be true of us all?  Why will there be no need for defenses?
2. What is the nature of this New Jerusalem?  What literal and/or symbolic descriptions are most amazing?  Where will God be?  Will there be any place where His glory isn’t present?
3. What does it seem would be the quality of life eternal with this being the description of our forever home?  To what do we have to look forward?  In what ways will it be better (Besides “every way”) than the life we have on this earth right now?

Today’s passage: Revelation 21:1-8

Helpful thoughts:

• When all that was touched with the curse of sin has been removed, death has died and all opposition to God has been judged and thrown into the lake of fire forevermore, perfection for eternity future has come.
• When God makes all things new, there will be no more reason for mourning, crying, nor pain anymore (Nothing outside of us, nothing inside of us).
• God is everything, all in all, the beginning and the end of all things.  He will be with us and we will be with Him in perfect fellowship.  We will never feel a need for fulfilment ever again.

Questions to consider:

1. How does the promise that the Lord will wipe away every tear remind us that “He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)?  What are some things that you have known, seen, felt that you have and do share with the Lord for His perfect care?  What must be true of God’s goodness to us in that day that will cause us to rejoice forevermore?
2. What are the things that will be most wonderful about this day?  What will you see?  What will you feel?  What will you know?  How will you worship?
3. We don’t live in the new heaven and new earth, but we have been given a new heart.  How should our knowledge of that day influence how you live this day?

Today’s passage: Revelation 20:11-15

Helpful thoughts:

• Earlier (verse 6) we read of those who believe and were redeemed, who enjoyed the “first resurrection, over such the second death has no power.”  Today, we read of this second death.  This is the Great White Throne judgment.  The final judgment, a judgment no one will escape, unless their names are written in the book of life (All those who put their faith in Christ).
• God is eternally omniscient.  He know all things from all times perfectly, without fail.  When the books are opened, not a single sin will be missed or looked over.
• God is righteous and just.  All sin must be paid for justly.

Questions to consider:

1. How does the reality of this judgment and the eternal nature of its severity help us to have a more accurate view of sin against God?  Just how terrible a thing is it to disobey our Creator and rightful Lord?
2. Just how terrible then must have been the anguish Christ endured when He took God’s wrath for our sin on Himself at the cross?  Why do we have reason to be utterly thankful and now wholly devoted to loving and following Christ?
3. What are the terrors of this day?  Why is it right for us to consider and acknowledge them?  What is the hope of this day?  What are the things this passage names that go to the lake of fire in the second death?  What will be true of death after this judgment takes place?

Today’s passage: Revelation 20:7-10

Helpful thoughts:

• Satan and all those who rebel against the Lord will be finally defeated.
• A prophecy against Gog and Magog can be found in Ezekiel 38-39.
• Amillennialists would view this battle as the same as that of chapter 19 (Armageddon).  Premillennialists view this as a different battle (Armageddon just prior to the beginning of the millennial reign, this battle at the end).
• From the beginning of the Bible to the end, Satan is the great deceiver of mankind.  His end will be torment, day and night, forever and ever in the lake of fire.

Questions to consider:

1. How will the Lord’s foes be defeated in this passage?  How were they defeated in 19:15?  Why would this difference matter?
2. What is Satan all about?  What is his end?  What is the end of all those who go with him?  What is the end of those who refuse his deceptions and side with the truth (John 8:31-32, John 17:17)?
3. How has Christ brought you to the victory side?  Who can you be praying for and taking the gospel, that they might join the victory side today?

Today’s passage: Revelation 20:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

• Today we read of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.
• Here are some evidences which I believe point to a “Premillennial” view of Christ’s return from these verses:
  • Satan is going to be bound for the 1,000 years.  If we were already in the millennial reign, Satan would have to be bound right now.
    • This could make sense if the only aspect of his binding is for the gospel to go to the nations, that he is unable to prevent the global spread of the gospel (verse 3).  However, it seems clear our enemy is still active in the world today.
  • There will be a resurrection of those who are in Christ, which is separate from the resurrection of those who will be raised to eternal judgment.
    • The first resurrection (Believers unto life)
    • The second resurrection (Unbelievers unto judgment)
  • Those who are part of the first resurrection will reign with Christ after they are raised (verse 6).
    • If deceased believers are reigning with Christ now in heaven, and if that is the “resurrection” being referred to in this passage, then what is the current condition of deceased unbelievers (verses 5-6)?  This understanding is problematic.
• The specific blessing communicated in this passage is this: If you are part of this first resurrection, you are blessed, holy (set apart to the Lord), you will never see judgment, you will serve and have access to the Lord, and you will reign with Him.
  • Christian, you will reign with Christ!

Questions to consider:

1. Regardless of what someone’s view is of the end times (whether Jesus will come back before this kingdom reign, after, or that it’s happening now from heaven), what really matters most about what we believe?  When will everything be finally and forever made right?  Who needs to return?
2. What are the blessings of the first resurrection?  How would this have encouraged a Christian in the first century?  How can it encourage you today?

Today’s passage: Revelation 19:11-21

Helpful thoughts:

• The second coming of Christ!
  • Christ is coming in victory (Riding on a white horse depicts a victorious entry).
  • Christ is coming for judgment (His enemies will be vanquished).
  • Christ is coming to rule (King of kings and Lord of lords, with a rod of iron).
• The clothing of Christ is covered in blood.  The clothing of the armies of heaven are white and pure. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• This vision depicts the outcome of what we read in Revelation 16:14-16.

Questions to consider:

1. What are all the ways Jesus Christ is pictured in this passage?  What names is He given?  What can we learn about Him through this vision/revelation?
2. When Christ comes, who is coming with Him (verse 14)?   What event is depicted in this passage and what does it bring for God’s people?
3. What is the “weapon” Christ uses to vanquish His enemies (verse 15)?  How must we seek out and desire the cutting nature of the Word in this life as opposed to the nature of the final judgment that will come at the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12)?

Today’s passage: Revelation 19:6-10

Helpful thoughts:

• The loud worship from verses 1-5 continues.
• The occasion for this worship is the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”
  • The Lamb is Christ!
  • The Bride is his blood-bought people, the church (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-27).
    • This pure bride, with her fine, bright, pure linen (Her righteousness) stands in stark contrast to the great prostitute of verse 17.
    • Christ’s righteousness has been put to our account and the righteous deeds we do now in this new life are the result of God’s grace (Romans 4:3, Ephesians 2:10).  All glory goes to Him!
• In the grandeur of this moment, John fell in worship before this angel, who quickly reminds John, all the glory goes to the Lord!

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways does the Lord reign now?  How will His reign be clarified or in what ways will it be distinctly different by the time of what we read here in Revelation 19?
2. What is true of all those who are present at this marriage celebration?  What is their blessing?  What is their invitation?  What is their reward?  What is their identity?
3. How does the Apostle John’s immediate response to this give us a sense for how wonderful it will be?  What responses does the true nature of God, His grace, and His redemption of us as His people demand?  How can these right responses inform our living today?