A Vision of Hope

Thank you to David Lynn and Greg Engler for this week’s Lifegroup Discussion Questions!

Before we get started, I just want to THANK YOU for participating in our 24-hours of prayer and Bible reading. It was just awesome! It seemed everyone came away saying that they really sensed the Holy Spirit moving during that whole thing.

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Discussion Questions

The word “revelation” in Greek is apocalypse and means “unveiling.”  The book of Revelation is about the unveiling and victory of Jesus Christ. 

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” 

Revelation 17:14

However the Book of Revelation is far more than an apocalyptic prophecy.  John sees future tribulation, but he also sees the Lamb of God seated on his throne.  There is suffering and death in John’s vision, but there is also hope.  The Book of Revelation was not written to give us a symbolic description of the battle between good and evil, or to assure us that God wins in the end, etc.  Instead, the Revelation was written to show us the specific events that will take place in the Last Days and the order in which they would occcur.

On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said:  “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:  to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 

Revelation 1:10-11

I heard behind me a loud voice:  The loud voice John heard was clear and striking as the sound of a trumpet.  The loud voice belongs to the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, who is the beginning and the end of all things.  Since Jesus introduced Himself with these titles in Revelation 1:8, we know this was the loud voice of Jesus.

In chapter 1:14-16, John describes Jesus.

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;  His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;  He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Revelation 1:14-16

And in Chapter 1:17-18, John’s reaction and Jesus’ assurance.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “So not be afraid;  I am the First and the Last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Revelation 1:17-18

Can you imagine what John must have felt when he saw Jesus in His heavenly glory?  Even though he was an apostle who knew Jesus on this earth, he must have been overwhelmed by this awesome vision.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY for your LIFE GROUP

Discussion:

• How is the book of Revelation a book of hope?
• When Jesus speaks, why do believers listen?
• While on earth, Jesus took on the appearance of man, but now his heavenly body shine with glory.  Describe Jesus in his heavenly body?
• Describe the difference between Jesus as a man and Jesus as the son of God?

LOVE GOD

This week commit to:

1. Praying that God will make you sensitive to His whispers.
2. Praying that God will reveal Himself to you more than ever before.
3. Praying to fast one meal during the week.

LOVE OTHERS

This week commit to:

1. Sharing who Jesus really is.
2. Praying that God will give you an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus

MAKE DISCIPLES

This week commit to:

1. Praying that God will lead you to someone to disciple.
2. Praying that God will give you the wisdom to disciple someone.
3. Praying that the Holy Spirit will fill you.

Spiritual Journey Update

This week is the Lifegroup Challenge
Feb 10: Property Prayer Walk
Feb 11: Public Commitment Event!
Feb 25: Reveal Sunday