Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Matt started a series this week on the Book of Revelation, one of the most debated books of the Bible among Christians. However, in this series, we are not going to focus on possible timelines, interpreting recent news events in light of biblical prophecies, or attempting to nail down a probable window in which Jesus will return. Instead, we are going to look at this last book of the Bible in light of the unmatched power and terrifying majesty of Jesus.

MY STORY
What is the deepest yearning of your heart that you look forward to being filled in heaven?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. (Revelation 1:12-17)

Any chance you’re disappointed with our de-emphasis on timelines and charts? Explain.

Why would John have such a visceral and emotionally-depleting reaction to seeing Jesus Christ in all of his heavenly glory?

Why would the average person find this type of vision terrifying? In what ways could this vision be encouraging to John’s original intended audience and to us today?

In regard to John’s vision of Jesus in all of his splendor, nothing has ever been seen in human history that can be put on this level of unmatched power.

Why should this humble us in regard to timeline theories, and what we’re about to read in the rest of the Book of Revelation?

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24:36)

In light of this verse, why is it always unprofitable, even spiritually dangerous, to anticipate the timing of Christ’s return?

What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what “takeaways” do you think God has revealed to you?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
What does shifting our focus away from timelines, and on to the power and majesty of Christ, impact the ways we try to interpret the mysterious symbols in the book of Revelation?

Why does Crossroads consider “eschatology” (doctrine of the last days) to be an open-hand issue (rather than one of the essentials of the faith, like the true deity of Christ or the indisputable authority of Scripture?).

Why does it not matter, in the end, if we don’t get this exactly right?

What is the difference between seeing Jesus as moderately important vs. infinitely important?

What’s dangerous about making an anticipated event a prerequisite for Christ’s return?

How can we interact with last-day perspectives that disagree with ours in a way that’s honoring to God and others?

What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s leading, call us to?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
What do you think would come to the surface of your heart if you were to experience the vision of John seeing Jesus in all of his blinding glory?

What would be exposed that you might need to address?

What does God want ME to do? What aspect of prayer and study does God want you to focus on as we lean into this this week? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?

Here’s the commentary that Pastor Matt recommended ....
Revelation for You: Seeing History from Heaven’s Perspective (God’s Word for You Series) by Tim Chester