The Book of Revelation Section Study Guides Thirdmill 316 Live Oaks Boulevard Casselberry, FL 32707 USA THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 1.1 Lesson 1: The Background of Revelation Section 1: Historical OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES Introduction I. Historical A. Author 1. The Apostle John 2. Location and Experience B. Date 1. Nero 2. Domitian C. Audience REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What is the purpose of the Book of Revelation? 2. According to the lesson, who is the human author of the Book of Revelation? 3. From as early as what century did Christian authors identify the author of the Book of Revelation? 4. The Book of Revelation was probably written while the author was exiled on the island of _______. 5. According to the lesson, Revelation was probably written during the reign of one of two Roman emperors. What are their names? 6. Why do some theologians believe that Revelation was written before 70 AD? 7. Which Roman emperor persecuted Christians for supposedly causing a great fire in Rome? 8. Which Roman emperor was the first to persecute Christians even outside of Rome, who executed his own cousin because he was a Christian, and required his people to worship him? 9. What does the lesson suggest as the more probable view of when Revelation was written? 10. Who was the principle audience of the Book of Revelation? 11. During the first century AD, Christians were pressured to join _________ that had patron deities in order to do business. 12. Why were many Christians tempted to abandon their faith and conform to Judaism during the first century AD? 13. Why were Christians in danger of being considered atheists, a crime possibly resulting in execution, during the end of the first century AD? 14. What sect is mentioned by name in Revelation, that some wayward Christians joined during the first century AD? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. What has been your general attitude toward the Book of Revelation, previous to studying this course? 2. What do you expect to gain from studying the Book of Revelation? 3. Are there any aspects of the original audience of the Book of Revelation with which you can identify? Give examples. 4. Do you ever experience any pressures that may tempt you to abandon your faith? What are they? 5. Do you ever experience any kind of persecution for your faith? In what way? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 1.2 Lesson 1: The Background of Revelation Section 2: Theological OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES II. Theological A. Eschatology B. Covenant C. Prophets 1. Covenant Ambassadors 2. Potential Results 3. Apostle John REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What is "eschatology"? 2. How did the Jews of the first century AD divide history? 3. What new perspective did Jesus give to the first century Jewish concept of the periods of history? 4. While the word itself only appears once in the Book of Revelation, the concept shapes the whole book. What is this concept? 5. What was the primary concern of the prophets in the Old Testament? 6. Do both Arminians and Calvinists agree that man still has volition after the Fall? 7. Is it true that some prophecies were meant to call God's people to respond in repentance and faith, and the way they were fulfilled depended on their response? 8. Where does man's capacity to respond positively to God come from? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. Besides obtaining salvation and eternal life for His people, how would you describe the effects of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension on other aspects of the history of the world? How has it affected society in general? What benefits do you see for all mankind? 2. What do you expect the last days to be like before Christ's return? 3. How does knowing that Christ will return affect your life? For example, how does it affect the way you respond to difficulties and discouragement? How does it change your priorities and goals for the rest of your life? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 1.3 Lesson 1: The Background of Revelation Section 3: Literary OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES III. Literary A. Prophecy 1. Characteristics 2. Fulfillments B. Apocalyptic 1. Characteristics 2. Historical Development Conclusion REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What is the literary genre of the Book of Revelation? 2. What was one of the most common forms of Old Testament prophecy? 3. "In fact, it would be hard to find a paragraph anywhere in the Book of Revelation that doesn't contain some type of ________." 4. What is a "contingent fulfillment" of a prophecy? 5. What is a "typological fulfillment" of a prophecy? 6. Mention the characteristics of "apocalyptic" literature. 7. In the Bible, are demons and angels associated only with the personal lives of individuals? 8. Dr. William Edgar says, "The theme of the book of Revelation is '__________.'" 9. Many features of apocalyptic literature appear as early as what book of the Old Testament? 10. What book of the Bible has the most developed form of apocalyptic literature? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. How does it affect you to realize that angels are involved in the political events of the world? How does it change the way you watch the news on TV? 2. How does it change your life to know that "Jesus wins"? 3. What difference does it make in your life to know that God has planned all the events of the future? 4. Read Rev. 3:14-22. How would you describe the letter to the church in Laodicea? Which of the following statements are present in the letter to Laodicea? ___ They are neither hot nor cold. ___ They say they are rich, but they are poor. ___ They have lost their first love. ___ They have tolerated the Nicolaitans. ___ They are offered gold, white garments, and eye salve. ___ Jesus offers to enter and eat with them. ___ If they conquer, they will sit on the throne with Jesus. Is this letter written to Christians or non Christians? How do you understand the comment about not being hot or cold? What does it mean? How do you understand the counsel to buy gold, white clothes, and eye salve? What does this represent? How do you understand verse 20 about Jesus knocking at the door? What does it mean for Him to enter and eat with them? Is this primarily an evangelistic message or a message for Christians? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 2.1 Lesson 2: Structure and Content Section 1: Purpose OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES Introduction I. Purpose A. Offers of Blessing B. Threats of Curses REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. "The Book of Revelation is a little like a _______. It's full of tiny prophecies that draw much of their meaning from other prophecies around them. And it's message is most clear when the book is read as a whole, and see the big picture it's drawing for us." 2. "John wrote the book of Revelation to encourage ______ Christians to remain faithful until Jesus returns." 3. What are the two types of messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor in the Book of Revelation? 4. One of the purposes of the warnings of curses in the Book of Revelation is to teach the faithful Christians that "justice delayed is not ______ ______." 5. A second purpose of the threats of curses in the Book of Revelation was to warn Christians to resist ________. 6. Dr. Mark L. Strauss says, " The message of Revelation really is that this world is a stage on which a great _____________ is taking place, and our actions with regard to that battle are significant." QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. In what ways do you see Christians suffering persecution in the world today? Mention examples. 2. How do you think the message of the Book of Revelation can encourage Christians who suffer? For example, how would you use the teachings of Revelation to encourage someone who is being ridiculed for his or her faith in the work place? 3. What do you consider some of the strongest temptations that Christians face today? 4. How can the message of Revelation encourage Christians to face persecution and resist temptation? 5. What is the most important teaching you learned in this first lesson? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 2.2 Lesson 2: Structure and Content Section 2: Details OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES II. Details A. Introduction B. Vision of Christ 1. Description of Christ 2. Letters to the Seven Churches a. Ephesus b. Smyrna c. Pergamum d. Thyatira e. Sardis f. Philadelphia g. Laodicea C. Coming Events 1. Seven Seals 2. Seven Trumpets 3. Seven Histories 4. Seven Bowls D. Great Prostitute 1. Judgment of Babylon 2. Reign of Saints E. Wife of Lamb F. Conclusion REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What phrase introduces the four large visions in the Book of Revelation? 2. Write the titles of the four central visions of the Book of Revelation in their proper order. 3. How is hope defined in the lesson? 4. What is the meaning of the description of Jesus walking among the seven lamp stands? 5. Who were the Nicolaitans? 6. The lesson teaches that zeal is like fuel in the tank, but ______ are the steering wheel. 7. Write down the unique aspect of the message given to each of the following churches. Ephesus Laodicea Pergamum Smyrna 8. What is the "recapitulation" theory of interpretation of the Book of Revelation? 9. According to the lesson, what does the scroll with the seven seals represent? 10. According to the lesson, what do the seven trumpets represent? 11. "While the visions of the seals and trumpets focused on divine judgments, the seven histories portrayed ___________." 12. Identify what each of the following items found in the seven histories represent. The pregnant woman The red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns The beast from the sea 13. The readers of Revelation from the first century would have associated the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth with ________. 14. What does the seventh bowl of wrath represent? 15. What does the Great Prostitute (also called Babylon) represent? 16. Identify the concept of each school of interpretation of the thousand year reign mentioned in Revelation 20:1-10. 1) historic premillennialism 2) dispensational premillennialism 3) postmillennialism 4) amillennialism 17. What does the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven in Revelation 21:9 represent? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. With which of the seven churches do you identify most? Why? What does the message sent to that church mean for you personally? 2. The readers of the first century probably related the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth with actual political powers from their day. Can you think of other possible manifestations of the "beast" since the first century, or even in our own day? 3. Can you think of ways in which the spirit of the "Great Prostitute" might be manifest in our own day? Explain. 4. Do you agree with how the lesson interprets the symbolism of the pregnant woman, the red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns, and the beast from the sea? Explain your answer. 5. Which of the four views of the thousand year reign mentioned in Revelation 20 do you think is the best? Explain why. THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 2.3 Lesson 2: Structure and Content Section 3: Application OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES III. Application A. Common Strategies 1. Preterism 2. Futurism 3. Historicism 4. Idealism B. Integrated Strategy Conclusion REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Match each view of interpretation of the Book of Revelation with its description. 1) preterism 2) futurism 3) historicism 4) idealism 2. Identify the positive points of each interpretation of Revelation, according to the lesson. 1) preterism 2) futurism 3) historicism 4) idealism 3. Identify the negative points of each interpretation of Revelation, according to the lesson. 1) preterism 2) futurism 3) historicism 4) idealism 4. What is the view of interpretation proposed in the lesson? 5. The lesson teaches that a key theme of Revelation is that "Christ's life, death, resurrection and heavenly reign have made him _____________." 6. The lesson says that a key theme of Revelation is that "Christ's complete victory over evil is ______." 7. The lesson teaches that a key application from the book of Revelation is that we are motivated to persevere under hardship. What reason is given? 8. One of the similarities between John's original audience and today's audience is that many Christians face hostility from __________. QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. How did this lesson change your view of interpreting Revelation? 2. Which of the four strategies of interpreting the Book of Revelation do you think is the best (preterism, futurism, historicism, or idealism)? Explain why. 3. How does the Book of Revelation change the way you feel about worshipping Christ? 4. The Great Prostitute. Read Rev. 17:3-6. How would you describe the Great Prostitute? Read Rev. 17:9-10. What do the seven heads of the beast represent? Read Rev. 18:11-13. What kind of items did the Great Prostitute sell? In general, what do you think the Great Prostitute represents? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 3.1 Lesson 3: The King and His Kingdom Section 1: Kingship OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES Introduction I. Kingship A. God’s Kingship B. Christ’s Kingship REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. "The central theme of the _________ runs through the entire book of Revelation and unites all its various teachings." 2. The _______ is now the visible manifestation of the kingdom of God. 3. Write the quote of Gerhardus Vos about the coming of the kingdom. 4. In terms of covenant relationships, God the Father is considered the divine ______, or emperor. 5. In terms of covenant relationships, Jesus is God's _______, or servant king, just as David was in the Old Testament. 6. The name "Christ" means ________. 7. Although in His divine nature, Jesus always had kingly authority, when did Jesus especially receive kingly authority over the entire heavens and earth? 8. What are the three features of ancient international treaties, or covenants, that are also reflected in God's covenant relationship with His people? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. In what practical ways can you show that you recognize Jesus as your king? 2. How does knowing that God is working all things toward His glorious plan change the way you watch the daily news? 3. Do you sometimes find yourself anxious about the future of the world? How does Revelation help you deal with that? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 3.2 Lesson 3: The King and His Kingdom Section 2: Benevolence OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES II. Benevolence A. Old Testament B. New Testament 1. Christ’s Victory 2. Holy Spirit’s Power C. Book of Revelation REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What is God's greatest show of benevolence toward His people? 2. What is the most frequent way God's grace and kindness are seen in Revelation? 3. In the New Testament, how is spiritual warfare primarily manifested? 4. In the Old Testament, does spiritual warfare frequently involved military battles? 5. Colossians 2:15 states that Jesus "disarmed the powers and authorities" and that He made a "public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the ______." 6. In Ephesians 6:12-13, we are told to put on the armor of God to fight, not against flesh and blood, but against "the ______ of this dark world and against the __________ in the heavenly realms." 7. Revelation teaches us, especially in sections like chapter 12, that what happens on earth in our lives is related to ________. 8. "Like the Old Testament, John pointed out that spiritual battles between angels and demons affected human ______." 9. Revelation teaches three ways to think about God's benevolent protection. What are they? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. In what ways do you observe spiritual warfare in your life? 2. What parts of the spiritual "armor" do you think you need most at this time of your life? Why? 3. How does it affect the way you think of world events to know that they involve spiritual warfare between angels and demons? 4. Do you think people focus too much on the influence of demons, or not enough? What would you say to someone who said they had a “demon of laziness” or a “demon of lying”? 5. Do you think a Christian can be “possessed” by an evil spirit? THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 3.3 Lesson 3: The King and His Kingdom Section 3: Loyalty OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES III. Loyalty A. Perseverance B. Worship 1. Past Redemption 2. Present Honor 3. Future Blessings REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What is the prominent theme in Revelation 2:7, 16:15, 14:12, and 16:15? 2. Name the types of perseverance highlighted by John in the Book of Revelation. 3. "We often need to be reminded that the redemption Christ has already accomplished for us and applied to us makes him worthy of our ______, regardless of our circumstances." 4. "We sometimes forget that as God’s priests, believers actually ______ to the Lord in heaven." QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. How does Revelation change your attitude toward suffering? 2. How does Revelation change your attitude toward temptation? 3. If you were to teach or preach on the Book of Revelation, what would you emphasize? Explain why. THE BOOK OF REVELATION STUDY GUIDE 3.4 Lesson 3: The King and His Kingdom Section 4: Consequences OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES IV. Consequences A. Final Curses B. Final Blessings 1. Renovation of Creation 2. Global Temple 3. Never-Ending Reign Conclusion REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. "As frightening as the curses of the last judgment sound, we have to remember that those curses are absolutely ______." 2. What does the "great winepress of God's wrath" in Revelation 14:17-20 represent? 3. "Since the book of Revelation shows so clearly that all of God’s enemies will be condemned and destroyed in the final judgment, our attitude toward unbelievers today should be one of courage, compassionate witness, and _______." 4. What is the teaching of the lesson about the new heavens and new earth and their relation with the old? 5. "A second final blessing God’s faithful people will receive in the new heavens and new earth is that the entire world with be a ___________." 6. In eternity, from where will Jesus reign? QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION 1. What kinds of things do you especially look forward to in the new heavens and the new earth? 2. What is the most important teaching you have learned in this whole lesson? 3. The New Jerusalem. Read Rev. 21:1-5. What does verse one say will happen to the first heaven and the first earth? What phrase is used? In verse 2, it says that the new Jerusalem comes down from heaven from God, prepared as a _____. Verse 3 says that the "dwelling of God  is with _____." What things are expressed in verses 4 and 5, concerning life in the new heavens and the new earth? What things do you especially look forward to in the new heavens and new earth? 4. What is the most important thing you have learned in this whole course? 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