The Final Chapter of The Story May 3, 2015

Chapter 31 - The Book of Revelation

Wow, what a journey! For almost nine months, we have walked through the whole Bible. And this class has been so faithful - beyond expectation! I hope that God through the Holy Spirit has grown each of us through this study to see His Upper Story weave throughout the Bible, in new stories we’ve never heard, and old stories seen with fresh eyes. From day one, the name of “Jesus” has been whispered, and sometimes shouted from each chapter.

And now we stand at the final chapter of the Bible, Revelation. This is a chapter we dare not leave out, because only here do we begin to see a glimmer of Jesus as He really is, now at the right hand of the Father…Jesus as He really was before the foundation of the world…and Jesus as He will be as Righteous Judge, overwhelming Conqueror, Husband of the Bride, and Light of Eternity.

The New Testament begins with the four gospels that reveal the first coming of Christ. This book of Revelation reveals the second coming of Christ as the culmination of all the themes we’ve studied these last eight months: themes of relentless pursuit and unending forgiveness that now climax with the New Heaven and New Earth. The thrust of the message of Revelation is Jesus’ ultimate victory over His enemies and the establishment of His kingdom. I know many Christians avoid the book of Revelation because of its symbolism, its apocalyptic genre; but to avoid this book is to neglect the final step. After the humiliation and suffering, after His death and resurrection, one stage remains: the glorification of Jesus—the final staggering chapter of the Story that paints Him in the full color of the majesty that is due only Him.

Chapter 31

 The End of Time

Jesus Among the Churches

Pages 459–461

Late in the first century AD, Rome banished John to the tiny island of Patmos. There, John saw a series of visions meant to encourage persecuted churches to overcome hardships through faith. He wrote these visions in the book of Revelation. 

(a) In Revelation’s prologue, John described Jesus’ second coming to earth. What will it be like (Revelation 1:7)? (b) John quoted two passages that Jesus quoted when He spoke about His second coming at the end of the age. What does this tell us about one of the themes of the book? (c) What do you most look forward to when Jesus returns?


In John’s first vision, someone like a son of man held seven stars in His right hand while standing among seven golden lampstands. The man he saw wasn’t an ordinary man, however, for John’s visions were of symbols.

Many of the symbols were common in Jewish life and literature. The man wore a long robe and a golden sash, such as a king or priest would wear. His hair was described in the same way as the hair of the Ancient of Days: white like wool and snow, depicting dignity, wisdom, and long life. His eyes were like “blazing fire,” burning away all that is false and seeing into hearts and minds. His feet were like fired bronze, refined and stronger than the clay and iron feet of Rome. His voice was “like the sound of rushing waters”—the divine voice. A sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth, for He was able to divide soul and spirit, and to judge the heart’s thoughts and attitudes. His face shone like the sun.


The one like a son of man identified Himself and explained some of the symbols.

(a) What did the one speaking call Himself in Revelation 1:17? (b) This was one of God’s titles. Who was the speaker, and how do you know (1:18)? (c) What keys did He hold (1:18)? (d) What do those keys tell us about Jesus and of His power over eternal things? (e) The seven lampstands symbolize the seven churches to whom the message would go (1:20). Seven symbolizes completeness, and the seven churches represent all churches in all ages. How does knowing Jesus stands among them help persecuted churches?

Letters to Churches

Pages 461–462

Jesus’ messages for the churches depended on their need. 

(a) For what does Jesus commend the wealthy church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:2–3, 6)? (b) They had rejected the Nicolaitans’ teaching that spiritual freedom allowed them to participate in the idolatry and immorality of the culture around them. What does Jesus say the church needs to correct (2:4–5)? (c) How can we hold on to right doctrine without losing love? (d) If a church loses its zeal for Christ and stops sharing the gospel, it will no longer give light to the world (2:5). Jesus makes a promise to those who overcome. The word translated overcome is nikaȏ, which means to overcome, prevail, conquer, triumph. What will Jesus give those who overcome (2:7)?

(a) How did Jesus’ assessment of the affluent church at Laodicea differ from the church’s assessment of itself (Revelation 3:15–17)? (b) How can earthly riches blind us to spiritual poverty? (c) Laodicea was famous for its textiles, medical center, and eye salve, yet what did Jesus tell them to do (3:18)? (d) Why did He rebuke them (3:19)? (e) Where is Jesus in relation to the church, and what does He want to do (3:20)? (f) Eating with someone is having relationship. What was this lukewarm, self-satisfied church missing? (g) How can we avoid being lukewarm? (h) What would happen if they overcame (3:21)? 


The message to the seven churches in Revelation, and to us today, is that we cannot let go of our commitment to Jesus Christ. Although we may face opposition and suffering, Jesus is reigning over every earthly authority. The judgment that is coming upon those who reject Christ is terrible, but believers should long for Christ’s return, since their ultimate destination is a new creation. God’s purposes will ultimately succeed, and the good news will be proclaimed and believed in every part of the earth. Revelation calls those who don’t follow Jesus to repent and receive the salvation Jesus offers before it is too late. It also calls those who are followers of Jesus to stand strong until the end.

Peter warned us that in the last days, people will mock us for believing that Jesus will return: “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Pet. 3:4). In other words, “We haven’t seen Him do anything to punish the wicked, so why should we believe that there will be a day of judgment?” Peter’s answer offers us great hope:


But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2 Pet. 3:8–14)

Make no mistake, Jesus is returning. He is patiently waiting for the men and women He created to repent, but He will not wait forever. The day will come when this world that He created will be purified by fire, just as the world was purified by a flood in Noah’s day. The reality of judgment and the promise of the new heavens and new earth should motivate us to remain faithful to Jesus now. We do not need to doubt that God’s plan of redemption will come to completion, but the end toward which history is headed should set our agenda for today.

The Throne & the Lamb

Pages 462–465

After John received the messages for the churches, he found himself in heaven.

(a) Poets describe lovers in symbols meant to evoke emotion: “her lips are like rubies” describes color, rarity, and preciousness. Read Revelation 4 as you might poetry. What emotions does the heavenly scene evoke? (b) What strikes you most about this scene? Why?


John saw a sealed scroll in God’s hand. The only one worthy to open the scroll was the triumphant Lion of Judah. A lion usually conquers with muscles, claws, and fangs. Not so Jesus the Lion of Judah and the Root of David. 

(a) How did the Lion of Judah triumph (nikaȏ), according to Revelation 5:5–6, 9? (b) By allowing His physical body to be conquered on earth, Jesus conquered spiritually. When we persevere in faith through hardship, how are we likewise triumphing over Satan?


Just as John portrayed Jesus as the Lamb who conquered, so Paul said that Christians are often considered as sheep to be slaughtered who nonetheless overwhelmingly conquer (hupernikaȏ):

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35–39 

(a) Does the Christian conquer by going around or through trouble, hardship, and suffering? (b) What assurance does the Romans passage above give you? (c) Why shouldn’t we fear that something might conquer us and separate us from God? (d) Briefly describe a time when you conquered through difficulty.

The Judgment

Pages 465–467

As the Lamb opened the seals, John saw a series of visions of those who warred against the saints: the dragon, Satan, who had failed to devour the child born from heaven; a great prostitute who made many rich with her adulteries and excessive luxuries; and blasphemous beasts who influenced rulers. Although satanic forces outwardly defeated the saints on earth by slaying them, like the Lamb they conquered by staying faithful unto death, thereby humiliating Satan.

Plagues came against people who followed the dragon, prostitute, and beasts, but they refused to repent. One of the beasts devoured the prostitute, and heavenly multitudes rejoiced over her fall. Heaven opened, and John saw a rider on a white horse.

(a) List the names given to the rider in Revelation 19:11–16. Who is He, and how do you know? (b) What strikes you most about the rider on the white horse? Why?


John described how the rider and His army captured the beast and threw it into a fiery lake; how the ancient serpent, Satan, was also thrown into the lake of fire; and how the dead then stood before the great white throne. 

(a) How were the dead judged (Revelation 20:12–13)? (b) What is the lake of fire (20:14)? (c) What happened to those whose names were not found in the book of life (20:15)?


Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life have their sins paid for by the Lamb’s shed blood, for Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).


A Day of Judgment

There is a horrifying flip side to this glorious consummation in Revelation. Everlasting judgment awaits those who have rejected God and opposed His people. Sin will be seen for what it is—not an inconsequential part of life, but a serious affront to God. Those who do evil will be kept out of the glorious city. Christ will judge people according to what they have done (22:12), and only those who are united to Jesus will be allowed to enter. The rest will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11–15).

This should cause us to literally tremble as we think of those who have not submitted to Jesus as Lord (see Rom. 9:1–3). Our mission to those who are lost could not be more urgent. The unreached people groups across the globe and our next-door neighbors need to hear the only message that can save them.

What about you? 

Do you understand the extent to which sin stains your life and separates you from the Holy God of the universe? Do you see your rebellion for what it is? Have you embraced the sacrifice that Jesus made to remove your sin and restore your relationship with God? Or are you under the illusion that your own moral effort will grant you access to God’s everlasting rest? Hear Jesus’s words: “To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment” (21:6). Come, believe, and drink freely.

The New Heaven & New Earth

Pages 467–470

John saw a new heaven and new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away. A Holy City, the New Jerusalem, composed of those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, came down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and was bejeweled with precious stones, gold, and pearls. It was the bride of the Lamb.

(a) What will be different in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:3–5)? (b) Who will inherit this, and what relationships will they have (21:7)?

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” And He made a new heaven and a new earth for the people whom He had made new.
 

(a) What emotions does John’s description of the Holy City evoke (Revelation 21:9–27)? (b) What strikes you most about this description? Why?


The revelation ends with what was lost in the garden being restored.

(a) When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God banished them from the garden so they could not eat from the tree of life and live forever. What grows in the heavenly city (Revelation 22:2)? (b) God cursed the ground of the first earth, making it produce thorns and thistles, and subjecting it to decay. What is different in this city (22:3a)? (c) God promised an offspring of Eve’s would crush the head of the serpent that deceived her. Where is the serpent crusher in this city, and what is He called (22:3b)? (d) After the fall, people no longer saw God’s face on the first earth. What will change (22:4)? (e) The first heaven and earth were given the sun, moon, and stars for light. What provides light in this city (22:5)? (f) God had made Adam and Eve to reign over the earth, but they followed the serpent instead of God, and gave the earth’s reign to Satan. What will be restored (22:5)?

And so Eve’s seed crushed the serpent that deceived humankind into sinning and separating themselves from God. The Great Passover Lamb gave His righteousness to His beloved and reconciled them to God. The King of kings gave them a new heaven and new earth, and placed His throne among them. The Bridegroom made them His own. And they will reign for ever and ever. 


If you turn to the last pages of the Bible and you will find a beautiful picture of creation restored. The first chapters of Genesis and the last chapters of Revelation function as bookends to God’s plan of redemption. In Genesis, God created all things and called them “good” (Gen. 1–2). People were created to have fellowship with God and to reflect His glory as a ruling steward of creation. In similar fashion, the Bible ends with a picture of a new creation: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1). This new creation was anticipated in the Old Testament, so it is no accident that Revelation describes the new creation using imagery from both the garden in Eden and the temple in Jerusalem. These locations, the garden and the temple, were God’s meeting places with humanity. The leaves of the tree of life will now bring healing, and the river of the water of life will flow from God’s throne (22:1–2). There is also a new Jerusalem; only this holy city has no need for a temple building, because “its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (21:22).

Everything about the old creation that has been marred by sin and death is no more, for God has made all things new. The new creation will be so full of joy that it seems difficult to fathom. But the best news about this new creation, this eternal paradise, is not that the flowers will be more beautiful or the grass will be greener, or even that our bodies will be free from disease (as great as those things will be); rather, the greatest feature of the new creation is that we will have perfect communion with God. Listen to how John put it: “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” (21:3). This statement echoes the covenants that God made with His people from the very beginning, and it points toward the reality that we are all longing for. Imagine what it will be like to physically see our Holy God dwelling with us. Imagine what it will be like to walk once again with the Almighty God in the garden in the cool of the day!

This fellowship with God extends far beyond one man (as in the case of Abraham) or one nation (as in the case of Israel). We read of people from “every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9) who will be worshiping at Jesus' throne. The command that Jesus gave in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations will finally be fulfilled. God’s purposes for this world will finally be accomplished. Redemption will be completed.

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The Story's Final Chapter

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Our Lesson:

Chapters two and three of the book of Revelation contain seven messages to seven churches. Perhaps because these messages are tucked away in Revelation, they are often neglected portions of Scripture. This is sad, because they offer practical encouragement and correction to the problems that face the church in every generation. These were seven literal churches in Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey. Although these churches were specifically addressed, they are also representative congregations. Just as the New Testament epistles were addressed to specific churches but also have timeless lessons for all churches, so too are the lessons of Revelation 2 and 3 applicable to all churches and the individual Christians in them today.
These messages come from Jesus personally. They are a part of the final book of the Bible, so they take on a climactic significance as God’s final word through the Church Age. 

1. From His words to the church in Ephesus: continue your hard work, good deeds and service, but remember these good things cannot replace a relationship with Jesus. It’s possible to do great things, but never substitute doing the best thing, which is offering your heart to God. If your heart is both changed and humbled that God could use someone like you, your service to Jesus becomes a humble act of gratitude, rather than an item on your checklist. Ephesus: Good things can never replace a Relationship with Jesus.
2. From His words to the church in Smyrna: fear nothing of the enemy. There will be suffering for Christ’s sake in this life—some of which you are enduring now. All this is temporal. But your eternal inheritance is being kept safe, where it will never perish, spoil, or fade. Remember Paul’s epitaph: a crown awaits the faithful. Smyrna: Fear nothing of the Enemy. 
3.  From His words to the church in Pergamum: compromise nothing. Test everything you hear against the purity of Scripture. There will never be a shortage of idols; may you guard against the seduction of idols such as sexuality, greed, power, and busyness. The slope is slippery and you’ll be sucked in before you know it. So, as the roll call sergeant from Hill St. Blues used to say, “Let’s be careful out there.”  Pergamum: Compromise nothing.
4. From His words to the church in Thyatira: remember God searches minds and hearts, and no matter what you do, or where you do it, nothing is hidden from Him. Above all, do not live a compartmentalized life. If you are “holy”—or “called out”—“set apart”—it is impossible to bless God and curse men from the same mouth. Your church life cannot be disembodied from your family life or your work life. You are called to be a “fully integrated package” for God. Thyatira: Do not live a Compartmentalized life. You are called to be a “fully integrated package” for God.
5. From His words to the church in Sardis: it’s not about appearances. Some of you need to be watchful, strengthen your faith, and repent. And some of you have not defiled your garments—some of you have not stained your character. If you remain faithful, Jesus will forever be your Advocate, confessing your name before His Father and His angels. Sardis: It’s not about appearances.
6. From His words to the church in Philadelphia: Some of you have been through the wringer already. Your strength has been sapped, but you have kept His word and not denied His name. You will be conquerors— because you have persevered. YOU will be exalted, and everyone will know Jesus has chosen you. Philadelphia: You will be conquerors.
7. From His words to the church in Laodicea: Just as the Hebrew writer said, Jesus loves those He reproves and disciplines. Don’t let what the world gives fool you: your job may be secure, your 401k untouched, but in the end, we are all spiritually poor, blind, and naked. If we all don’t start here: admitting we are wretched, miserable, and desperately in need of a Savior, then none of this will make sense. Don’t be lukewarm, the pompous Emperor with no clothes. Wear Jesus or remain pathetically naked. He said, I am here, at the door, knocking; will you hear? Will you open the door?  Laodicea: Jesus loves those He reproves and disciplines. I am here, at the door, knocking; will you hear? Will you open the door?

Discussion Questions
What do you see of Jesus in Revelation that you haven’t seen before?
The Return of the King

The most important thing that we should understand about the future is that Jesus is coming back. When He returned to His Father, He left the church to carry on His mission and sent the Holy Spirit to empower us for the task. But Jesus is not done with this world. He will return, and when He does, He will rule over a perfect, peaceful, re-created earth. Read the first chapter of Revelation and you will quickly see that Jesus’s second coming will be much different from His first. The meek Servant, once ridiculed and spat upon, is shown to be the Ruler of the universe and worthy to be feared. At His return, Jesus will bring final salvation to His people, restore justice to the earth, and destroy all of God’s enemies. The book of Revelation records fierce warfare and portrays Jesus as a conquering King, boldly reclaiming the world that rightfully belongs to Him (Rev. 19). As weak as the church has seemed at some points in history, as persecuted and defeated as we sometimes feel, this is what lies in our future. God’s plan of redemption has never been contingent. There has never been any doubt about the way history will end. This is God’s world; He created it; He vowed to reclaim it; He died to purchase His people, and finally, when the time arrives, He will come and take this world by force. Paul illustrated the reality of this last day powerfully: Therefore [because of Jesus’s obedience and sacrifice] God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9–11) No matter how much opposition we face, the day will come when everyone will see Jesus for who He truly is. His reign will finally be realized on earth in the same way that it has always been realized in heaven. Christ is coming back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Jesus watches His churches diligently. He is not absent or distant. Individual churches have people in them who are redeemed believers and also some who are not. Therefore, the message to repent and turn to God by faith must go out.

Descriptors of Jesus in Revelations:

• The Alpha and the Omega
• The First and the Last
• The Beginning and the End
• The Almighty
• The Living One
• The Lion of the tribe of Judah
• The Root of David
• Faithful and True
• The Faithful Witness
• The Word of God
• The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
• The Bright and Morning Star

Why is His role as Righteous Judge so important?

• The thrust of the message of Revelation is Jesus’ ultimate victory over His enemies and the establishment of His Kingdom.
• This is a chapter we dare not leave out, because only here do we begin to see a glimmer of Jesus as He really is, now at the right hand of the Father…Jesus as He really was before the foundation of the world…and Jesus as He will be as Righteous Judge, overwhelming Conqueror, Husband of the Bride, and Light of Eternity.

Which of His instructions to the seven churches most challenge you this morning?
For all of us, I pray that because of these last 8 month's, the answer is, “Yes, Lord Jesus, come in. Come quickly.”

Prayer: Father, thank You for our journey though The Story. Thank You for words of hope and encouragement. Thank You for showing us how to live. Thank You for making it possible for us to know You. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.



As we have journeyed through The Story, it has been a great joy and privilege to have taught this series. It is my hope that you will continue to spend time with God in His Word each and every day. I believe we have discovered the Bible is a book we can understand, learn from and even love. I believe we now have a sense of the big picture and have seen that all of God’s Word really tells one story – The Story. 

The Gospel

The heart and soul behind all of this is that God has revealed Himself to us through His Son and His Word. You can firmly believe that your life will be changed as you meet with God in the pages of the Bible.


See you on Sunday!

In His Love,


David & Susan