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Overview
The apostle John was privileged to preview the end of the world in a dream. While in exile on the island of Patmos, he experienced an amazing vision that gave him a glimpse of heaven. He saw the final battle between good and evil. He saw God's justice. He witnessed the assured victory for believers in Christ as all hell broke loose and all heaven came forth. He saw Jesus, born in a manger, now triumphant over Satan. John's description stretches our imagination, fuels our anticipation, and comforts us as we await the final curtain call.
As you read, study, journal, and discuss the book of Revelation, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book:
- God has a plan and a future for the world.
- God will be ultimately victorious over evil.
- There will be a final accounting for our faith and our lives.
- There is a better world in store.
The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes:
- An opening reflection on the Bible book you're studying.
- Background information to deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical setting.
- An excerpt of the text (from the NIV and the NKJV).
- Exploration questions with plenty of room to write your own thoughts and notes.
- Inspirational thoughts from Max as well as a closing takeaway for further reflection.
The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780310086666 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | HarperChristian Resources |
| Publication date: | 11/27/2018 |
| Series: | Life Lessons |
| Pages: | 144 |
| Sales rank: | 167,582 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d) |
About the Author
Visit his website at Max Lucado.com
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Twitter.com/Max Lucado
Youtube.com/Max Lucado Official
The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
LESSON ONE
A VISION OF CHRIST
He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore."
Revelation 1:17–18 NKJV
REFLECTION
Reunions with old friends and family members can stir up memories in us and also remind us of what that person was like. Think of a time when you saw a friend you hadn't seen in a while. How had that person changed? What new information did you discover from the encounter?
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SITUATION
As the disciple John neared the end of his life, it is believed he served as an elder in the city of Ephesus until he was banished to the island of Patmos, located off the coast of Asia Minor, during the persecutions of the Emperor Domitian, c. AD 95–96. It was there, on that small rocky isle, that John states he heard the voice of Jesus as he was worshiping God. When John turned to look at Christ, he saw the glorified Lord standing among seven lampstands, which he would soon learn represent seven churches in Asia Minor. Jesus instructs John to write down a message to each of these churches and also record the vision that will be revealed to him.
OBSERVATION
Read Revelation 1:9–20 from the New International Version or the New King James Version
New International Version
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 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."
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
New King James Version
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 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. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 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. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
EXPLORATION
1. How does John describe himself to his readers? What is his present situation?
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2. Why do you think the seven churches are symbolized as lampstands?
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3. What are some of the metaphors that John uses to describe Jesus' appearance?
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4. The image of the sword (see verse 16) is a symbol of God's divine judgment. Why is it significant that John sees this sword coming from Jesus' mouth?
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5. How do you think John felt to see Christ again? How did he react when he saw Jesus revealed this way in his vision?
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6. Why was John instructed to write down the things he saw?
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INSPIRATION
To envision John, we should imagine an old man with stooped shoulders and shuffling walk. The years have long past since he was a young disciple with Jesus in Galilee. Most of his friends are dead, and now, the Roman government has exiled him to the island of Patmos. Let's imagine him on the beach. He has come here to worship. The wind stirs the cattails and the waves slap the sand, and John sees nothing but water — an ocean that separates him from his home. But no amount of water could separate him from Christ. ...
John is about to see Jesus. Of course, this isn't his first time to see his Savior. For three years he'd followed Christ. But this encounter was far different from any in Galilee. The image was so vivid, the impression so powerful, John was knocked out cold. "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead" (Revelation 1:17). ...
If you are puzzled by John's words, you aren't alone. The world of Revelation cannot be contained or explained; it can only be pondered. And John gives us a vision to ponder, a vision of Christ that comes at you from all angles. Swords and bronze feet and white hair and sunlight. What are we to make of such an image?
First of all, keep in mind that what John wrote is not what he saw. (Yes, you read that sentence correctly.) What John wrote is not what he saw. What he wrote is like what he saw. But what he saw was so otherworldly that he had no words to describe it.
Consequently, he stumbled into the storage closet of metaphors and returned with an armload of word pictures. Did you notice how often John uses the word like? He describes hair like wool, eyes like fire, feet like bronze, a voice like the noise of flooding water, and then says Jesus looked like the sun shining at its brightest time.
The implication is clear. The human tongue is inadequate to describe Christ. So in a breathless effort to tell us what he saw, John gives us symbols. Symbols originally intended for and understood by members of seven churches in Asia. For us to comprehend the passage we must understand the symbols as the original readers understood them.
By the way, John's strategy is not strange. We do the same. If you open your newspaper to an editorial page and see a donkey talking to an elephant, you know the meaning. This isn't a cartoon about a zoo; it is a cartoon about politics. (On second thought, maybe it is a cartoon about a zoo!) But you know the symbolism behind the images. And in order for us to understand John's vision, we must do the same. And as we do, as we begin to interpret the pictures, we gain glimpses of what we will see when we see Christ.
Let's give it a go. (From When Christ Comes by Max Lucado.)
REACTION
7. How do you know that John had remained faithful to Christ throughout his life?
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8. Why does John use imagery and symbols in describing the vision the Lord had given him?
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9. What are some ways the media uses symbols today to communicate an idea?
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10. In what way is John's depiction of Jesus different from the image of him in your mind?
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11. How does John's vision of Jesus change the way you view Christ?
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12. How can you help someone have a new awareness of Christ and his power?
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LIFE LESSONS
God is never limited by our circumstances. In fact, he often uses them for his purposes. He knows that when we're isolated, we tend to be less distracted. So, just as he did with John, he will often put us in places where we will pay attention to his voice. We need to take our mental pictures of Jesus lightly but hold dear to the composite impression of his majesty, character, authority, and beauty. Like John, we don't worship idols or images, but Christ in the Spirit.
DEVOTION
Lord Jesus, you are more powerful than we could ever imagine. We stand in awe of your presence and fall at your feet in worship. To you be glory and authority forever and ever.
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JOURNALING
How can this vision of Christ that John depicts be an encouragement to you if you are facing difficult times?
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FOR FURTHER READING
To complete the book of Revelation during this twelve-part study, read Revelation 1:1–20. For more Bible passages on Christ's authority and power, read Matthew 28:18–20; Luke 4:33–36; 10:18–20; 1 Corinthians 15:22–24; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5; Ephesians 1:19–21; Colossians 2:9–12; and Hebrews 5:7–10.
CHAPTER 2YOUR FIRST LOVE
You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
Revelation 2:3–4
REFLECTION
Think about the first time you fell in love — the odd things it made you do and the (at least temporary) improvements it brought about in your life. What do you remember most about your first love? Why do these particular things stand out to you in your memory?
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SITUATION
After Jesus appears to John in a vision and instructs him to "not be afraid" (1:17), he begins to dictate seven letters for John to write to seven churches in the region of western Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The sequence in which John writes these letters follows a rough geographic circle formed by the cities mentioned, beginning with the city of Ephesus, which was located on the western coast. Ephesus was a major trade center at the time and was also the center of worship for the fertility goddess Artemis (or Diana). While it is not known to what extent this contributed to the overall moral degradation of the population, it is clear from Jesus' words the believers there had been influenced by the culture and lost their first love for him.
OBSERVATION
Read Revelation 2:1–7 from the New International Version or the New King James Version.
New International Version
1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
New King James Version
1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Life Lessons from Revelation"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Max Lucado.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
How to Study the Bible v
Introduction to the Book of Revelation ix
Lesson 1 A Vision of Christ (Revelation 1:9-20) 1
Lesson 2 Your First Love (Revelation 2:1-7) 11
Lesson 3 No Compromise (Revelation 2:8-17) 21
Lesson 4 Standing for the Truth (Revelation 2:18-29) 31
Lesson 5 Persevering for Christ (Revelation 3:1-13) 41
Lesson 6 Vibrant Faith (Revelation 3:14-22) 51
Lesson 7 Worshiping God (Revelation 5:8-14) 61
Lesson 8 Patient Endurance (Revelation 14:1-13) 71
Lesson 9 The Defeat of Evil (Revelation 19:11-21) 81
Lesson 10 All Things Made New (Revelation 21:1-8) 91
Lesson 11 An Eternal Dwelling (Revelation 21:9-27) 101
Lesson 12 Jesus Is Returning (Revelation 22:12-17) 113
Leader's Guide for Small Groups 123
