The Heart of God: The End in Sight (1)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27

Read and meditate on Revelation 1.
Following an introduction, which sets the stage for the rest of the book (chapters 1-5), the book of Revelation unfolds around a series of visions which convey, in ever-expanding manner, a vision of the last days and of the return of Christ. Revelation begins with a vision of Christ exalted, and ends with the vision of Christ returning in glory. Revelation is about Jesus, the Ruler of kings.

For reflection
1.  Meditate on verses 1-3. John says they are “blessed” who read and keep the things written in Revelation. How does the use of this word tie Revelation into God’s covenant program? What kind of blessing should we expect from reading and studying this book?

2.  The “seven Spirits” should probably be understood as the sevenfold Spirit, following Isaiah 11.2 (note the seven attributes by which the Spirit is described). According to verse 4, what is the purpose of Revelation? What does God intend readers to gain from this book? How would you explain these ideas?

3.  John says that, in the Kingdom of God, we exist in the tension between patient endurance and tribulation (v. 9). What does this suggest about life in God’s covenant? How should we expect to experience this?

4.  Meditate on the vision of Christ revealed in verses 9-20. Should this vision have any role in our lives today? Explain.

5.  Christ is the Ruler of kings and Lord of His Church. He tells us not to be afraid (v. 17). How is it possible for us not to be afraid? What is the source of our courage and confidence?

Summary
The book of Revelation intends to give grace and peace and blessing to all who read it, and who see in it Jesus, the Ruler of kings and Lord of the Church. By exercising patient endurance in Him – come what may – we may expect to realize increasing fullness of God’s covenant and promises. The book of Revelation should give us great hope and encouragement. Is this the way people normally think about Revelation? Explain.

Closing Prayer
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.’”
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2.5-11

T. M. Moore

Two books can help you gain a fuller understanding of the terrain we will be covering in this series. Kingdom Documentsprovides a concise overview of the primary teaching of the Old and New Testaments, and shows, through early Church creeds, how our forebears understood the primary teachings of God’s Word. (click here to order). I Will Be Your Goddevelops more fully the idea of God’s covenant and leads us to consider the practical implications of our covenant relationship with God (click here). For a deeper study of the book of Revelation, download the 13 installments in our series on Revelation. You can get all 13 studies for free by clicking here.

Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, offers a parallel study of our theme in this series, using brief video presentations and the workbook God’s Covenant: An Introduction. All courses at The Ailbe Seminary are available without charge.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.