Although it may initially seem confusing, Revelation's purpose is to reveal rather than confuse. This unfamiliar literature form helps us understand our world by emphasizing God's sovereignty and Jesus Christ as the conqueror. It addresses the persecution believers face and draws extensively from the Old Testament.
Revelation is a sensory-rich book. It's "like something Dr. Suess might have thought up after a sleepless night reading Stephen King" (Mark Allen Powell).
Throughout the years, it has given people confidence in God's role as the ruler of history and brought hope to those facing hardship and temptation. The book gives encouragement and warnings about spiritual battles, invisible spiritual realities, salvation, divine judgment, and God's faithfulness.
It reminds us that God governs history and will fulfill His plans through Jesus Christ. Revelation offers a divine perspective on history, encouraging believers to endure persecution for the ultimate reward. It connects our present circumstances and the triumph of Jesus. It encourages us to imitate Him even during difficult times.
Rather than serving as a timetable for the end times, Revelation presents a new way of viewing reality. Written for Christians facing persecution, its purpose is to encourage perseverance and resistance against cultural compromise. The book encourages us to be watchful and stay faithful, without giving in to pressure and compromising our faith.
The Big Idea of Revelation
S: Why stay faithful to Jesus when it costs?
C: Because, in the end, Jesus will judge the world and save his people.
BI: Stay faithful, because in the end Jesus will defeat evil, save his people, and remake the world.
Introduction and First Vision (1)
1:1-8
S: Why do we need Revelation?
C: So we can learn what's really going on in the world and live with God's blessing.
BI: We need to learn what’s really happening in the world so we can live with God’s blessing.
1:9-20
S: Who has a message for the church?
C: Our exalted and conquering Lord.
BI: Our exalted and conquering Lord has a message for the church.
Letters to the Churches (2-3)
2:1-7
S: What characterizes a faithful church?
C: An enduring love for Jesus.
BI: A faithful church has an enduring love for Jesus.
2:8-11
S: Why should a church remain faithful while suffering?
C: Because God brings life out of death.
BI: Remain faithful while suffering because God brings life out of death.
2:12-17
S: What danger do even good churches face?
C: Idolatry and immorality.
BI: Even good churches can slip into idolatry and immorality.
2:18-29
S: What happens when we tolerate sin?
C: God will judge and people will suffer.
BI: When we tolerate sin, God will judge and people will suffer.
3:1-6
S: What do we need to guard against?
C: Spiritual lethargy.
BI: Church: guard against spiritual lethargy.
3:7-13
S: What happens to a faithful church with little power?
C: Jesus will guard it and give it victory.
BI: Jesus guards faithful churches with little power, and will give them victory.
3:14-22
S: What must a proud church do?
C: Humble itself and turn to Jesus.
BI: A proud church must humble itself and turn to Jesus.
Second Vision (4:1-16:21)
Vision of the Heavenly Temple (4-5)
4
S: What do struggling churches need?
C: A vision of God who sits on his throne.
BI: Struggling churches need a vision of God who sits on his throne.
5
S: Who is worthy to render God’s judgment on humanity?
C: Christ, the Davidic king.
BI: Jesus is the only one worthy to act as King and Judge of the world.
Seven Seals (6:1-8:5)
6
S: How should believers live in an unjust and evil world?
C: Suffering believers should wait patiently for God to vindicate them in judgment.
BI: Suffer faithfully because God will vindicate his own in the end.
7:1-8:5
S: What will happen to God's people when he judges the world?
C/BI: God will preserve his own people, every single one.
Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19)
8:6-9:21
S: Why do disasters happen?
C: To warn people to trust Christ, not the uncertain things of the world, for safety and satisfaction.
BI: Suffering, disaster, and death are intended to draw us to Christ rather than on what will not last.
10-11
S: What should God's people do in a world that looks hopeless?
C: Share the gospel and suffer hope.
BI: In an evil and broken world, share the gospel and suffer with hope.
Holy War (12-14)
12
S: Why stand firm when persecuted?
C: Because we're part of a larger battle between a defeated enemy and a victorious Lamb.
BI: Stand firm against a defeated foe.
13
S: What tools does Satan use to oppose God and his people and deceive the lost?
C: The state and its religious allies.
BI: Satan uses fallen humans and institutions to do his work.
14
S: What will happen to humanity?
C/BI: God's people will be saved and the wicked will be condemned for eternity.
The Seven Bowls (15-16)
15:1-4
S: What will God's delivered people do?
C: Praise him for his greatness and salvation.
BI: God's people will stand before him and praise him for his greatness and salvation.
15:5-16:21
S: What will happen to God's enemies?
C/BI: God will decisively defeat his enemies.
Third Vision (17-21:8)
Babylon Falls (17:1-19:10)
17-18
S: Why should we reject the world system and all that it offers?
C: Because it is evil and God will judge it.
BI: Reject the world's system because it is evil and God will judge it.
19:1-10
S: Why will God’s people praise him?
C: Because God will judge evil and love his people forever.
BI: Praise God because he will judge evil and love his people forever.
Triumph (19:11-20:15)
19:11-21
S: What will Christ do when he returns?
C: He will effortlessly defeat evil.
BI: When Christ returns, he will effortlessly defeat evil.
20:1-15
S: What else will happen in the end?
C: God will bind Satan, conquer evil, judge the world, and vindicate this people.
BI: In the end, God will bind Satan, conquer evil, judge the world, and vindicate his people.
21:1-8
S: What will God do with the world in the end?
C/BI: In the end, God will make all things new.
Fourth Vision (21:9-22:7)
New Creation (21:9-22:5)
S: What can we look forward to in the end?
C: A new and perfected creation, and God himself living with his people.
BI: We can look forward to a perfect new creation with the presence of God.
Epilogue (22:6-21)
S: How should we respond to Revelation?
C: By living obediently and hoping for Christ’s return.
BI: In light of Christ’s return, live now with obedience and hope.
